Video Frame Freeze Detection via Embedded Sequential Code

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital video systems face challenges in detecting system failures such as frame freeze conditions due to high computational complexity of checksum or CRC calculations, which can result in false indications and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Embedding a sequential code, generated using a roll-over counter or deterministic algorithm, into the pixels of each video frame at the source, allowing for efficient verification of frame continuity at the destination, reducing computational complexity and false positives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If checksum or CRC calculation is performed over each video frame to detect frame freeze, then frame freeze detection capability is provided, but computational complexity and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe freeze detection capabilityVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential verification information (checksum or CRC value) from each video frame and transmits it separately, rather than transmitting or processing the entire frame data. This extraction approach enables frame freeze detection while significantly reducing computational complexity and processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the video data processing into two independent parts: the full video frame transmission and the separate checksum/CRC value transmission. This segmentation allows the receiver to perform lightweight verification operations on the extracted checksum values without needing to reprocess the entire frame data, thereby reducing computational burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If checksum or CRC calculation is performed over each video frame to detect frame freeze, then frame continuity verification is enabled, but processing time and computational power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe continuity verificationVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The checksum or CRC value is calculated and attached to each video frame in advance at the transmitter side. This preliminary calculation allows the receiver to perform quick verification by simply comparing the received checksum against a recalculated value, eliminating the need for time-consuming full-frame processing during real-time operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If still image portions are present in video, then realistic video content is maintained, but checksum or CRC values may remain unchanged between frames causing false freeze indications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo content fidelityVSAvoidfalse freeze indication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic counter that increments with each processed frame and incorporates this counter value into the checksum or CRC calculation. This dynamic element ensures that even when video content remains static (such as still image portions), the checksum value changes with each frame, preventing false freeze indications while maintaining faithful reproduction of the actual video content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If different video frames are processed, then accurate frame-by-frame analysis is achieved, but computational resources are consumed excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe-by-frame analysis accuracyVSAvoidcomputational energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8165226B2Imaging frame freeze detection

Publication Date: 2012.04.24 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Techniques for detecting faults in a digital video stream include frame freeze detection that can alert an operator of frame freeze in a digital video stream. According to various embodiments, a counter or other code generator is used to place a code into each frame of a video stream. The code counts sequentially, or otherwise changes in a predetermined manner, from one frame to the next and is embedded into one or more pixels of each frame. Verification at the destination, or display, of the changing code within the frames of the video stream can confirm that the video stream is not in a frame freeze fault condition prior to display. If a fault condition is detected by the code verification process, an operator can be made aware of the fault.