Video Receiver Zapping Time Reduction via Dual Stream Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for video distribution over broadband networks, such as those using MPEG-2 or JVT/H.264/MPEG AVC standards, result in significant zapping time delays due to the need to wait for an I picture to be received and decoded before displaying a new program, as the receiver must fill its memory and find a decodable picture in the stream, which is inefficient for channel switching.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the transmission of two video streams, a standard stream and a more compressed additional stream, where the additional stream is processed and displayed more rapidly, allowing for immediate display of a new program while the standard stream is still being received and decoded, with the additional stream being memorized for a shorter duration to facilitate quicker decoding and handover to the standard stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver waits for an I picture to be received and decoded before displaying a new program, then the decoding accuracy is ensured, but the zapping time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-decoding and storing multiple future pictures (including future I pictures) in the buffer before they are needed for display. When channel switching occurs, the receiver can immediately display a pre-decoded picture from the buffer without waiting for the new channel's I picture to arrive and be decoded, thus reducing zapping time while maintaining decoding accuracy through proper picture selection and validation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting the buffer management strategy based on channel switching events. The system selectively pre-decodes and retains pictures from different channels in the buffer, and dynamically selects which picture to display based on the current channel state, allowing the receiver to adapt between waiting for I pictures (normal operation) and using pre-decoded pictures (channel switching)
2Reliability
If the receiver fills its memory with the new program stream, then the decoding reliability is improved, but the time to find a decodable picture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-decoding multiple pictures and storing them in the buffer before channel switching is completed. This ensures that when the receiver needs to display the new channel, decodable pictures are already available in the buffer, eliminating the time needed to fill memory and find decodable pictures after switching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating and storing multiple copies of decoded pictures in the buffer from different time points and channels. Instead of waiting for the original I picture to arrive, the receiver copies and stores pre-decoded pictures that can be immediately displayed, thus reducing the time to find decodable pictures while maintaining reliability through multiple available options
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a system and a method for zapping in a video receiver and in a video server. The zapping method comprises, in a video receiver, the reception steps of a zapping command to a new program, registration for the reception of a first stream comprising the new programme and a second stream comprising the same programme as the first stream, the second stream being suitable to be processed more rapidly than the first stream by the receiver, reception of the first stream and of the second stream, the second stream being received delayed in respect of the first stream memorization of the first stream during a longer period than the memorization of the second stream, display of the second stream, then display of the first stream in the continuity of the second stream.