Scalable Video Coding Server for Low-Delay Conferencing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current multimedia conferencing systems face challenges in providing low-delay, high-quality video and audio communication with features like continuous presence, personal layout, error resilience, and rate matching, especially in heterogeneous networks, due to inefficiencies in existing MCU solutions and video compression standards.

Innovation Solution

A Scalable Video Coding Server (SVCS) architecture that selectively multiplexes scalable coded media signals, providing multiple layers of resolutions, bit rates, and qualities, and implements server-driven synchronization and rate control to optimize bandwidth utilization and network traffic, while supporting continuous presence and personal layout with reduced processing requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If transcoding MCUs are used to provide continuous presence, personal layout, error localization, and rate matching, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but transmission delay increases and video quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconferencing functionalityVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The video stream is segmented into multiple layers (base layer and enhancement layers) with different resolutions and qualities. The base layer provides essential video content, while enhancement layers add incremental quality improvements. This segmentation allows the system to provide adaptability and versatility through selective layer transmission without requiring full transcoding, thereby reducing transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by transmitting video at multiple resolutions and qualities simultaneously through layered coding. Instead of transcoding to adapt to different bandwidths, the server transmits base layer + enhancement layer combinations that naturally adapt to different network conditions and terminal capabilities, reducing processing delay while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If transcoding MCUs are used to provide continuous presence, personal layout, error localization, and rate matching, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but video quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconferencing functionalityVSAvoidvideo quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If switching MCUs are used to reduce processing complexity and delay, then transmission delay is reduced, but functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission delayVSAvoidconferencing functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The layered video coding system provides multiple functions simultaneously: it enables continuous presence through multi-layer transmission, supports personal layout by allowing selective enhancement layer distribution, provides error localization through base layer redundancy, and enables rate matching through flexible layer combination. This multi-functionality is achieved without complex transcoding, maintaining low delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If conventional video coding is used to ensure compatibility, then ease of operation is improved, but bandwidth utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9338213B2System and method for a conference server architecture for low delay and distributed conferencing applications

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 VIDYO INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for conducting a multi-endpoint video signal conference are provided. Conferencing endpoints are linked by pairs of a reliable and a less reliable communication channel. Conference video signals are scaleable coded in base layer and enhancement layers format. Video signal base layers, which correspond to a minimum picture quality, are communicated over reliable channels. The video signal enhancements layers may be communicated over the less reliable channels. A conference server mediates the switching of video layer information from transmitting endpoints to receiving endpoints without any intermediate coding or re-coding operations. The video conference can be integrated with an audio conference using either scalable coded audio signals or non-scaleable coded audio signals.