Video Decoder Frame Loss Detection via POC Gap Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current H.264 video decoders cannot detect lost non-reference frames, leading to display speed jitter and a compromised viewing experience due to skipped frames, while they can only stop decoding upon detecting lost reference frames.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to detect lost non-reference frames using picture order count (POC) gaps and concealing both reference and non-reference frames through a modified 'motion-copy' operation, where missing motion information is predicted from neighboring regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the decoder stops decoding upon detecting lost reference frames, then decoding reliability is improved, but video continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding reliabilityVSAvoidvideo continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting lost reference frames before they cause decoding failures, using POC gap analysis to identify missing frames in advance. This allows the system to prepare concealment strategies proactively, maintaining video continuity while ensuring decoding reliability by addressing frame losses before they derail the decoding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by using motion-copy concealment to compensate for lost reference frames before they can cause decoding crashes. The system prepares alternative reference data from previously decoded frames, creating a cushion that protects against the harmful effects of frame loss and maintains continuous video playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Device complexity

If the decoder skips lost non-reference frames, then decoding complexity is reduced, but video quality stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding complexityVSAvoidvideo quality stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the decoder to automatically detect and conceal lost non-reference frames using the motion-copy method. The system serves itself by using previously decoded frame data to reconstruct missing frames, maintaining video quality stability without requiring external intervention or significantly increasing decoding complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements copying by creating concealed versions of lost non-reference frames through motion-copy concealment. The system copies motion information and macroblock data from previously decoded frames to generate substitute frames, ensuring video quality stability while keeping the decoding process relatively simple through straightforward data replication and interpolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the decoder detects lost non-reference frames using POC gaps, then frame loss detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe loss detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex frame-by-frame analysis with a simpler POC gap-based detection mechanism. Instead of performing detailed content comparison between frames to detect losses, the system uses the lightweight POC variable arithmetic to identify missing frames, significantly reducing processing complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by utilizing the POC (Picture Order Count) parameter to detect frame losses. By monitoring changes in the POC variable sequence and identifying gaps in expected increments, the system achieves accurate frame loss detection through simple arithmetic operations on this existing parameter, avoiding the need for complex processing while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Duration of action of stationary object

If motion-copy concealment is used for lost frames, then video continuity is improved, but computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo continuityVSAvoidcomputational load
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial or excessive action by selectively applying motion-copy concealment only to lost non-reference frames rather than all frames. The system performs concealment operations partially, targeting only the specific frames that are lost and identified through POC gap analysis, thereby maintaining video continuity while minimizing unnecessary computational load on frames that don't require concealment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP1908300B1Method and apparatus for the concealment of missing video frames
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 THOMSON LICENSING SA
  • EP1908300B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1908300B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP1908300B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

There are provided method and apparatus for detecting and concealing reference and non-reference video frames. A video decoder includes an entropy decoder (110), an error detector (176), and an error concealer (178). The entropy decoder (110) is for decompressing a video bitstream intended to have a fixed frame rate and parsing the decompressed video bitstream to find picture order counts for frames of the decompressed video bitstream. The error detector (176) is for determining that a particular frame of the decompressed video bitstream is missing based upon the picture order counts. The error concealer (178) is for concealing the particular frame. The method is accomplished by decompressing and parsing the video bitstream to find picture order counts for frames of the decompressed video bitstream and then determining (224, 228) that a particular frame of the decompressed video bitstream is missing based upon comparison of their associated picture order counts, and then concealing (244) that particular frame.