Video Buffer Adaptive Frame Rate Control for Surgical Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remotely-controlled surgical systems face challenges in displaying uninterrupted, high-quality video images of a remote surgical site due to network delays, leading to latency issues and potential image freezes or jitter, which are undesirable in real-time surgical applications.
Innovation Solution
A video processing system that includes a video data buffer, where video frame data is stored and output at a rate based on the amount of data stored, allowing for adaptive adjustment of the display rate to maintain smooth video playback and reduce latency, thereby minimizing image freezes and jitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video data is transmitted through a network in real-time surgical systems, then high-quality video images can be provided, but network delays cause latency and interruptions in video display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing video frame data in a buffer before it is displayed. This allows the system to pre-accumulate video data so that when display is needed, the data is already ready, eliminating delays caused by network transmission variability. The buffer acts as a preliminary storage mechanism that decouples data reception from data display timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a video buffer as an intermediary between the network data source and the display system. This intermediary component absorbs network delays and variability, allowing smooth continuous display without directly transmitting real-time data streams. The buffer mediates between the unpredictable network arrival times and the consistent display requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If video frames are displayed at a fixed rate, then smooth video playback is achieved, but network delays cause image freezes and jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the video frame output rate variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the output frame rate based on the amount of video data available in the buffer. When buffer content is sufficient, frames are output at a higher rate; when buffer content is low, the rate is reduced to prevent freezes. This dynamic adjustment maintains both smoothness and continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by monitoring the buffer content level and using this information to control the video frame output rate. The system continuously checks how much video data is stored in the buffer and adjusts the display rate accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the display system adapts to network conditions while maintaining reliable continuous playback.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing video comprises storing, at a video data buffer, an input video frame data received from a source, causing the stored video frame data to be output from the video data buffer at an output video frame rate, and varying the output video frame rate based on a comparison of an amount of video frame data stored at the video data buffer to a threshold amount of frame data. The threshold amount of frame data may be based on a target total latency between capture of the input video frame data at the source and display of the stored video frame data output from the video data buffer.