Video Fingerprint Mapping for I-Frame Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video streaming systems are unable to fully utilize video content from different package encodings due to differences in naming conventions and I-frame alignment, limiting playback devices to a single encoding source and restricting the ability to provide maximum quality video playback across various internet connections.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses digital video fingerprints to map aligned I-frames between different package encodings, allowing playback devices to switch between encodings and optimize video quality based on network availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If playback devices are limited to a single package encoding source, then device complexity is reduced, but video quality and content utilization are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to utilize multiple package encodingsVSAvoidcomplexity of handling multiple encodings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping system that translates between different package encoding formats. The mapping data structure serves as a mediator that enables playback devices to switch between package encodings without directly handling the complexity of multiple encoding formats, thus improving adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-generating mapping data between package encodings before playback. The mapping information is prepared in advance, allowing playback devices to seamlessly switch between encodings during playback without real-time conversion complexity, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If package encodings use different naming conventions and I-frame alignments, then encoding source independence is maintained, but seamless switching between encodings becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to switch between package encodingsVSAvoiddifficulty of aligning different encodings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mapping data structure acts as an intermediary that bridges different naming conventions and I-frame alignments. By introducing this translation layer, the system enables switching between independently encoded package encodings without requiring direct alignment or coordination between encoding sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary alignment by pre-processing the mapping data to identify corresponding I-frames and shards across different package encodings. This preliminary action creates a ready-to-use mapping that simplifies the switching process during playback, making it easy to transition between encodings despite their independent creation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If content providers generate redundant package encodings, then content availability increases, but data transmission and storage efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent availability from multiple sourcesVSAvoidenergy wasted on redundant content generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables a single package encoding to serve multiple functions by making it accessible through multiple mapping relationships. Instead of creating redundant encodings, the system allows one encoding to be referenced by multiple playback devices or used in different contexts through the mapping mechanism, improving content availability without redundant generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mapping data structure creates a virtual copy or reference to the same content from different package encoding sources. Rather than physically duplicating content, the system creates mapping relationships that allow the same underlying content to be accessed through different encoding paths, increasing availability while avoiding redundant data storage and transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10250941B2System and method for mapping affiliated graphs using video fingerprints

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for mapping affiliated graphs using video fingerprints are disclosed. Some embodiments include receiving first media corresponding to a first package encoding of a video content; identifying a first set of frames of the first media and generating video fingerprints for the first media; receiving second media corresponding to a second package encoding of the same video content; identifying a second set of frames of the second media and generating video fingerprints for the second media; generating a mapping comprising alignment information of one or more frames of the first set of frames and one or more frames of the second set of frames; and outputting the generated mapping for determining a switch point for switching from the first package encoding to the second package encoding during display of the video content.