Splice Point Metadata for Seamless Video Stream Concatenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video processing technologies face challenges in seamlessly concatenating video streams, particularly in subscriber television networks, due to complexities with AVC coding standards, which require efficient splicing and transition management to insert local advertisements into national content without disrupting the video playback.
Innovation Solution
The method involves conveying information within the video stream to indicate potential splice points and machine states of the decoded picture buffer, allowing for seamless concatenation and output of video sequences by including data fields that specify the location of splice points, decompressed pictures, and pictures with contiguous output times, enabling smooth transitions and seamless playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video streams are concatenated using existing splicing technology, then local advertisements can be inserted into national content, but the complexity of AVC coding standards creates difficulties in achieving seamless transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding splice point information and machine state data in advance within the video stream metadata. This allows the splicing system to prepare for transitions beforehand, identifying valid splice points and understanding the decoder's decoded picture buffer state before concatenation occurs, thereby simplifying the handling of AVC coding complexities during the actual splicing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of metadata fields that carry splice point locations and decoded picture buffer machine states. This intermediary layer translates the complex AVC coding requirements into manageable splicing instructions, enabling the splicing system to navigate AVC complexities without directly implementing complex decoding logic
2Productivity
If splice points are identified without considering decoded picture buffer machine state, then splicing operations can be performed quickly, but seamless transitions and continuous playback cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating decoded picture buffer machine state information into the splicing decision process. The system continuously monitors the buffer state (such as the number of pictures yet to be output and pictures with contiguous output times) and uses this feedback to determine whether a splice point is valid, ensuring that splicing only occurs when it will not disrupt continuous playback or cause buffer underflow/overflow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and marking valid splice points based on anticipated decoded picture buffer states. Rather than reacting to buffer conditions during splicing, the system identifies splice points in advance where the buffer state guarantees seamless transitions, thereby maintaining both high splicing productivity and reliable transition quality
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional splicing methods are used, then video segments can be concatenated, but gaps or disruptions in playback may occur due to non-seamless concatenation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary metadata layer that carries information about decoded picture buffer states and splice point validity. This intermediary mechanism enables the splicing system to make informed decisions about where to concatenate video segments, ensuring that joins occur at points that guarantee continuous playback without gaps or disruptions, while maintaining ease of concatenation through automated validity assessment
Data Source
AI summary
Receiving a video stream in a transport stream comprising a plurality of compressed pictures, wherein information in the video stream includes plural data fields comprising: a first data field corresponding to a location in the video stream of a potential splice point, wherein the first data field identifies a location in the video stream after the location of the received information; a second data field corresponding to decompressed pictures yet to be output (DPYTBO) by a video decoder at the identified potential splice point (IPSP) when the video decoder decompresses the video stream, wherein the second data field is a number corresponding to the DPYTBO by the video decoder at the IPSP; and a third data field corresponding to pictures with contiguous output times (WCOT), wherein the third field corresponds to a set of pictures WCOT of the DPYTBO by the video decoder at the IPSP.