Sample Grouping Signaling in Video File Formats

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ISO/IEC 14496-12 file format for video coding lacks clarity in signaling sample groups, particularly due to the introduction of the grouping type parameter syntax element, which complicates the relationship between SampleGroupDescription boxes and SampleToGroup boxes, leading to inefficiencies in parsing and data overhead.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution defines a 1 to N relationship between SampleGroupDescription boxes and SampleToGroup boxes for the same grouping type, removing the grouping_type_parameter syntax element from the SampleToGroup box syntax and adding it to the SampleGroupDescription box, ensuring a clear mapping between the two, and constraining the version of SampleToGroup boxes to 1 when multiple boxes share the same grouping type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the grouping_type_parameter syntax element is added to SampleGroupDescription box to enable multiple sample groupings, then the adaptability of sample grouping is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the 1 to N relationship between SampleGroupDescription boxes and SampleToGroup boxes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample grouping adaptabilityVSAvoidparsing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sample grouping information into two distinct components: SampleGroupDescription boxes that define grouping characteristics, and SampleToGroup boxes that map samples to groups. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple sample groupings independently, improving adaptability while organizing complexity into manageable segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to the file format structure by allowing multiple SampleGroupDescription boxes with different grouping_type_parameter values. This dimensional expansion enables the system to represent multiple sample grouping types simultaneously, transforming a single-dimension grouping system into a multi-dimensional one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SampleGroupDescription boxes with different grouping_type_parameter values are allowed, then the versatility of sample grouping is improved, but the data overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample grouping versatilityVSAvoiddata overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal SampleGroupDescription box structure that can serve multiple grouping purposes through the grouping_type_parameter. Instead of creating separate box structures for different grouping types, a single unified structure handles all grouping scenarios, reducing redundancy and data overhead while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes (specifically the grouping_type_parameter syntax element) to transform a single SampleGroupDescription box into multiple functional equivalents. By changing the parameter value, the same box structure adapts to different grouping requirements, eliminating the need for separate box instances and reducing data overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the grouping_type_parameter syntax element is removed from SampleToGroup box, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of grouping type identification is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebox syntax complexityVSAvoidgrouping type identification precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the group_description_index as an intermediary that links SampleToGroup boxes to SampleGroupDescription boxes. This intermediary maintains the precision of grouping type identification by providing a reference to the actual grouping type definition, while allowing the SampleToGroup box syntax to remain simpler without directly containing the grouping_type_parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3257262B1Sample grouping signaling in file formats

Publication Date: 2020.07.22 QUALCOMM INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A device generates, in a container box of a file for storage of video contents, a SampleGroupDescription box that provides a sample group description for a sample grouping. The SampleGroupDescription box includes a grouping type syntax element having a particular value. Additionally, the SampleGroupDescription box includes one or more sample group entries. The device generates, in the same container box, a plurality of SampleToGroup boxes. Each respective SampleToGroup box of the plurality of SampleToGroup boxes includes a respective grouping type syntax element having the particular value, includes a respective sample count syntax element indicating a number of samples in a respective sample grouping, and includes a respective group description index syntax element indicating an index of an entry in the SampleGroupDescription box which describes samples of the respective sample grouping. Each sample of the respective sample grouping comprises a respective picture of the video contents.