Thermal Metadata Embedding in Video Playback Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video playback systems lack metadata to render thermal output during video playback, limiting the ability to incorporate thermal haptic feedback, which is essential for enhancing user experience in haptic display systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that facilitate the creation and application of thermal metadata by editing keyframe data to define thermal output characteristics over time, allowing for simultaneous editing and playback of videos with thermal output on thermal display devices, and automatically generating keyframes from source video information or thermal camera data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video playback systems use traditional video formats without thermal metadata, then the system complexity remains low, but the ability to render thermal haptic feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds thermal metadata within existing video file structures by nesting thermal data channels inside standard video containers. This allows thermal information to be carried along with video content without requiring separate transmission channels or fundamentally changing the video playback architecture, thus adding functionality while minimizing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The video playback system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can now process both traditional video content and thermal metadata simultaneously. The thermal metadata channel is designed to be optional and compatible with existing video formats, allowing the system to maintain backward compatibility while gaining new thermal haptic feedback capabilities
2Reliability
If thermal metadata is added to video formats, then thermal haptic feedback can be rendered, but the complexity of video editing and playback systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates thermal metadata generation and embedding as part of the video encoding process. By preparing thermal keyframes during video production rather than adding them during playback, the system reduces the complexity of real-time processing required during video reproduction, as the thermal data is already prepared and synchronized with video content
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal metadata is structured using keyframes similar to video compression techniques, where only significant thermal changes are recorded rather than continuous thermal data. This segmentation approach reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed and stored, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable thermal output rendering
3Manufacturing precision
If keyframes are manually edited for thermal output, then precise thermal control is achieved, but the time and effort required for video production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic thermal metadata generation that uses the existing video content itself to create thermal keyframes. The system analyzes video frames and automatically generates corresponding thermal output instructions, eliminating the need for manual thermal keyframe editing while maintaining precise thermal control. This self-service approach allows video producers to obtain accurate thermal metadata without additional time investment
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations are directed to a system to generate keyframes describing the temperature output state of thermal output devices during the synchronous playback of video material. This additional haptic output channel augments the existing audio and video channels. Example implementations provide a manual keyframe authoring interface and an architecture for playing back video with a thermal output channel. Example implementations also involve an automatic keyframe generation method for thermal output accompanying a video, and provide a temperature profile function to enable rapid changing between temperature values for thermal output devices that use open-loop control.