Video Conformance Point Signaling for Multi-Profile Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mechanisms for indicating compatibility with multiple video profiles or sub-profiles in video coding standards, such as H.265 and anticipated Versatile Video Coding (VVC), are impractical due to the large number of possible choices, requiring a novel mechanism to efficiently represent compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for media decoding that decodes indications of multiple conformance points, such as profiles and sub-profiles, using a large numbering space, allowing for selective decoding based on compatibility, and a syntax structure to represent multiple conformance points in a bitstream, including profiles and sub-profiles using T.35 strings, UUIDs, or URIs, which are too large to be reasonably represented by a bitmask.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a bitmask mechanism is used to indicate compatibility with multiple profiles, then the representation is compact, but the system becomes impractical when the number of profiles reaches millions or billions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the profile compatibility indication into multiple parts: a primary profile indicator and a list of additional compatible profiles. This segmentation allows the system to handle a large number of profiles without requiring an exponentially growing bitmask, as each profile can be independently indicated in the list rather than requiring a separate bit in a massive bitmask structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional bitmask approach to a multi-dimensional structure by introducing a hierarchical organization of profiles with primary and additional indicators. This dimensional change allows efficient representation of profile compatibility by organizing profiles in a structured list rather than requiring a flat, exhaustive bitmask, thereby reducing the complexity growth when adding new profiles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large numbering space for profiles is implemented, then more profiles can be supported, but existing bitmask-based systems become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of profiles into a structured list with primary and additional indicators before the actual compatibility checking occurs. This preliminary structuring allows the system to efficiently handle large numbers of profiles by having them pre-organized in a manageable format, avoiding the need for complex runtime operations with massive bitmasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the profile list with primary and additional indicators) that mediates between the large numbering space requirement and the practical representation needs. This intermediary organization allows the system to support millions or billions of profiles while maintaining practical complexity through structured, hierarchical indication rather than direct bitmask manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If onion-shaped profiles are used where lower profiles are included in higher profiles, then compatibility checking is simplified, but flexibility to define independent profile combinations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic profile compatibility indication by allowing decoders to selectively indicate which additional profiles they support beyond their primary profile. This dynamic approach enables flexible profile combinations while maintaining simplified checking, as the decoder can adaptively indicate its capabilities through the additional profile list rather than being constrained by static onion-shaped hierarchy rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from fixed hierarchical levels to a flexible list-based structure where profiles can be independently indicated. This parameter change allows any combination of profiles to be supported by simply adding profile identifiers to the additional profiles list, providing both simplicity in checking (compare against list) and flexibility in profile selection without requiring onion-shaped containment relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for media decoding by a decoder include decoding a first indication indicative of a first conformance point of a coded video sequence. A second indication indicative of a second conformance point of the coded video sequence is decoded. It is determined whether the coded video sequence is decodable by the decoder based on at least one of the first indication and the second indication. The coded video sequence is selectively decoded based on determining whether the decoded video sequence is decodable by the decoder.