Splice Point Frames for Error-Free Encoded Stream Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content streaming systems face challenges in seamlessly switching between multiple encoded input content streams without introducing errors into the output stream, particularly due to inter frame prediction in commonly used encoding formats, and current solutions like decoding and reencoding result in inefficiencies and quality loss.
Innovation Solution
The system employs specialized splice point frames, such as IDR frames, to break inter frame dependency, allowing seamless switching between encoded content streams without decoding, and synchronizes input streams to maintain output stream integrity, along with modifying bitrate to ensure compliance with buffer requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If decoding and reencoding is performed to switch between content streams, then switching capability is achieved, but computational resources are consumed and quality loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
IDR frames are inserted at predetermined splice points in the encoded content streams before switching occurs. This preliminary action prepares the streams for seamless switching by ensuring decoder state synchronization is already in place, eliminating the need for real-time decoding and reencoding during switching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces splice point frames (IDR frames) as intermediary elements between content streams. These frames act as mediators that enable smooth transitions between different encoded streams without requiring full decoding, as they contain all necessary information for independent decoding and state synchronization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If decoding and reencoding is performed to switch between content streams, then switching capability is achieved, but content quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-inserting IDR frames at splice points during content preparation rather than during live switching, the system ensures that quality is preserved. The encoder can optimize these frames in advance without the time constraints and quality degradation associated with real-time decoding and reencoding operations.
3Productivity
If inter frame prediction is used in encoding, then compression efficiency is improved, but switching between streams becomes problematic due to frame dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encoded content stream into independent sections separated by IDR frames. Each segment can be independently decoded without reference to other segments, allowing switching between different streams at these segmentation points while maintaining the compression benefits of inter-frame prediction within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encoder state parameter at splice points by inserting IDR frames, which reset the inter-frame prediction dependencies. This parameter change allows the system to maintain efficient inter-frame compression within segments while enabling clean transitions between segments from different source streams.
4Reliability
If seamless switching without errors is achieved, then output stream integrity is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses splice point frames as intermediary markers that simplify the switching process. Rather than implementing complex real-time analysis and synchronization mechanisms, the system relies on these pre-placed intermediary frames to guide seamless transitions, reducing system complexity while maintaining output integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described to enable replacement, in a packaged content stream, of a first encoded content stream with a second encoded content stream, without requiring decoding of the encoded content streams. A controller can receive a request to replace the first encoded content stream with the second encoded content stream at a specified location (e.g., a particular time). The controller can then instruct encoders associated with the respective content streams to insert a splice point frame into the respective content streams at the specified location, which splice point frame breaks inter frame dependency before and after the splice point frame. A packager can then replace the first encoded content stream with the second encoded content stream at the location of the splice point frame in the packaged content stream, without introducing errors into the packaged content stream as a result of broken inter frame dependency.