Video Decoder Early Notification for Low-Latency Image Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video decoding technologies face challenges in reducing latency, particularly in applications requiring rapid image processing such as extended reality (XR), due to the time-consuming process of decoding and sending entire image data.

Innovation Solution

Implementing early notification systems for low latency video decoders, which divide images into portions and send notifications when each portion is ready, allowing parallel processing and reduced latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the entire image data is decoded and sent before processing, then the completeness of image data is ensured, but the latency is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding and transmission latencyVSAvoidimage data completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The image data is divided into multiple portions (e.g., tiles or slices) that can be independently decoded and transmitted. The decoder processes and outputs portions sequentially, allowing early notification and parallel processing of different image segments, thereby reducing overall latency while maintaining data integrity through structured segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary decoding of image portions before the entire image is fully processed. By decoding and transmitting portions ahead of time, the system enables early notification to application software, allowing preprocessing or parallel operations to begin before complete image data is available, thus reducing effective latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the image is processed in parallel portions, then the latency is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing speedVSAvoiddecoder system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image is segmented into independent portions that can be processed in parallel. Each portion can be decoded independently by separate processing units or threads, enabling parallel processing that increases productivity. The segmentation approach allows the system to manage complexity by breaking down the processing task into smaller, manageable units with clear boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An early notification mechanism acts as an intermediary between the decoder and application software. This intermediary coordinates the parallel processing of image portions by signaling when portions are ready, managing the complexity of synchronization and data flow without requiring complex communication protocols between processing units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If early notification is implemented for portions, then the processing efficiency is improved, but the synchronization difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback through early notification signals that inform application software when image portions are decoded and ready. This feedback mechanism allows the application to synchronize its processing with the decoder's output, improving overall efficiency by avoiding idle waiting time while maintaining proper synchronization through structured signal exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The early notification provides preliminary information about portion availability before the entire image processing is complete. This allows application software to prepare for receiving and processing portions in advance, improving efficiency by enabling overlapping operations while simplifying synchronization through predetermined notification protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4727130A2Early notification for a low latency video decoder
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4727130A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4727130A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4727130A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and techniques are described herein for processing video data. For instance, a process can include determining a number of rows of pixels for one or more portions of an image. The process can further include obtaining first encoded data for a first portion of the image, decoding the first encoded data to generate first pixel data for the number of rows of pixels of the first portion of the image, outputting the first pixel data for the first portion of the image to a memory, and outputting an indication that the first portion of the image is available.