Video Delivery Device Smooth Resolution Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video streaming systems experience abrupt changes in video resolution when communication bandwidth fluctuates, leading to a poor user experience due to sudden shifts in encoding parameters.

Innovation Solution

A video image data delivery device and method that employs intra-frame prediction encoding and replacement encoded data stored at intermediate resolutions, allowing for gradual changes in resolution when bandwidth changes, minimizing abrupt shifts and enhancing user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video image data is switched between different resolutions in response to communication bandwidth changes, then video delivery adapts to network conditions, but abrupt resolution changes occur causing poor user experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo delivery adaptation to bandwidthVSAvoidabrupt resolution changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resolution transition is segmented into multiple intermediate steps rather than a single abrupt change. When switching from high resolution to low resolution, the system passes through intermediate resolutions (e.g., from 1920x1080 to 1280x720 to 640x480), dividing the transition into manageable segments that are less perceptible to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate resolution video data acts as a mediator between high and low resolution streams. The delivery device stores and delivers intermediate resolution data during transitions, serving as a buffer that smooths the resolution change and reduces the visual impact of switching between vastly different resolutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent bandwidth changes are accommodated by switching video quality, then network variability is handled, but frequent abrupt resolution changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to bandwidth changesVSAvoidresolution stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number and spacing of intermediate resolution steps based on the frequency and magnitude of bandwidth changes. For frequent small changes, fewer intermediate steps are used, while for infrequent large changes, more intermediate steps are inserted to maintain stability while still adapting to network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the resolution parameter gradually through a sequence of intermediate values rather than jumping directly between extreme values. This parameter transformation approach converts abrupt discrete changes into gradual continuous transitions, maintaining resolution stability while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If direct switching between high and low resolution video data is implemented, then delivery speed is maintained, but user experience deteriorates due to quality fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo delivery speedVSAvoidquality fluctuations

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device pre-stores multiple resolution versions of video data including intermediate resolutions before delivery begins. This preliminary preparation allows immediate switching to appropriate resolution levels without re-encoding delays, maintaining delivery speed while enabling smooth transitions through pre-computed intermediate states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous video delivery without interruption during resolution transitions by having intermediate resolution data ready for immediate playback. The useful action of video delivery continues uninterrupted while the resolution parameter transitions smoothly, preventing quality fluctuations from disrupting the viewing experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2785068B1Video image data delivery device, method and system

Publication Date: 2020.01.08 FUJITSU LTD

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AI summary

When a delivery device has been instructed to switch to delivery of video image encoded data with one or more different encoding parameters, in cases in which the video image has been segmented into plural segments, out of replacement target frame images for a predetermined consecutive portion in each of the respective segments, replacing the video image encoded data of replacement target frame images that will be delivered first following the instructed switch with replacement encoded data of the replacement target frame images encoded using replacement encoding parameters that differ from the plural predetermined encoding parameters and that are replacement encoding parameters that change in steps from the one or more encoding parameters corresponding to the communication bandwidth prior to the switch instruction to one or more encoding parameters corresponding to the communication bandwidth following the switch instruction is performed.