Signaling ODR Frames for Trick Mode Video Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video streaming technologies are limited in providing efficient random access points, leading to increased bandwidth consumption and restricted user control over video playback, especially in scenarios requiring high-speed playback or precise temporal location access.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of signaling characteristics for open decoding refresh (ODR) frames and intra-coded pictures within HTTP streaming protocols, allowing clients to request and play back video data starting from specific ODR frames or intra-coded frames, thereby reducing bandwidth usage and enhancing user control through finer granularity of playback options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only instantaneous decoding refresh (IDR) frames are used for random access, then decoding reliability is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases and user control flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream into multiple random access points including both IDR frames and ODR frames, allowing selective retrieval of specific segments based on user needs. This enables the system to provide finer granularity access points while maintaining decoding reliability through proper frame selection and signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces open decoding refresh (ODR) frames as a partial alternative to full IDR frames, where ODR frames provide sufficient randomness for access purposes without requiring complete decoding refresh. This partial action approach reduces the bandwidth overhead associated with full IDR frame retrieval while maintaining adequate random access functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more frequent random access points are provided, then user control flexibility is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels to different random access points by introducing ODR frames with specific characteristics suitable for local access needs. Not all access points require full IDR quality, so the system selectively applies higher quality decoding refresh only where needed, reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining user control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of random access frames by introducing ODR frames that differ from traditional IDR frames in terms of decoding requirements and bandwidth consumption. This parameter change allows the system to provide more frequent access points with reduced bandwidth overhead by adjusting the refresh characteristics of the frames.
3Device complexity
If traditional HTTP streaming is used without ODR signaling, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but playback precision and trick mode capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-signaling the locations and characteristics of ODR frames and intra-coded pictures in the media stream. This advance information allows the client to prepare and request specific temporal locations efficiently, enabling precise playback control and trick mode functionality without adding significant protocol complexity during actual playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signaling data as an intermediary element between the media stream and the client player. This signaling mechanism carries information about ODR frame locations and characteristics, acting as a mediator that enables precise temporal access and trick mode capability while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying HTTP streaming protocol.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques relevant to HTTP streaming of media data. According to these techniques, a server device may signal a byte range for at least one intra-decodable (I-frame) of a video fragment. According to the techniques of this disclosure, a client device may communicate a request to a server device to retrieve the at least one I-frame based on the signaled byte range, and use the retrieved I-frame to provide a high speed version of a video presentation that includes the at least one I-frame. A high speed version of a video presentation may be a trick mode of the video presentation, such as a fast forward or fast rewind version of the video presentation.