Host Processor Video Stream Segmentation for Single Channel Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decoder systems require additional hardware and increased costs to support simultaneous playback of multiple video elementary streams, as they are not readily distinguishable after extraction from the transport stream.
Innovation Solution
A host processor breaks the video elementary stream into fixed length packets, aligns picture start codes with packet beginnings, and prepends each packet with a header identifier to distinguish and manage multiple streams within a single playback channel, allowing for the decoding and display of multiple video streams using a single playback channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple playback channels are added to decode and display multiple video elementary streams simultaneously, then the capability to play back multiple video streams is improved, but the hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple video elementary streams into a single multiplexed stream that can be processed by one playback channel. The host processor combines multiple video streams with unique identifiers into one continuous stream, allowing the decoder to handle multiple streams sequentially rather than requiring multiple parallel playback channels, thus reducing hardware complexity while maintaining the capability to display multiple video streams simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The single playback channel is designed to handle multiple video elementary streams by incorporating stream identification and routing logic. The decoder uses unique identifiers embedded in each video stream to dynamically route packets to the appropriate output, making one playback channel universal enough to replace multiple dedicated channels, thereby reducing hardware requirements while preserving multi-stream playback capability.
2Ease of operation
If video elementary streams are extracted and stored separately, then the streams can be accessed individually, but they become indistinguishable from one another requiring additional playback channels
Solution Approach 1:
The host processor performs preliminary action by embedding unique identifiers into each video elementary stream during the multiplexing stage, before the streams are stored. This preliminary tagging ensures that when the streams are later extracted and stored separately, they retain their identification information, making them distinguishable without requiring additional playback channels. The identifiers are inserted in advance to prevent information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Unique identifiers act as intermediaries between the multiple video elementary streams and the single playback channel. These identifiers are embedded within each stream and enable the decoder to distinguish and correctly route packets from different source streams, preventing information loss and eliminating the need for multiple playback channels while maintaining individual stream accessibility.
3Device complexity
If a single playback channel is used to decode multiple video streams, then hardware costs are reduced, but the streams must be modified to maintain distinguishability
Solution Approach 1:
The host processor segments the processing of multiple video streams by dividing them into discrete packets, each tagged with a unique identifier. This segmentation allows the single playback channel to process streams in an organized manner, with each packet clearly identified for routing. The segmentation approach simplifies the processing complexity by creating distinct, manageable units rather than requiring complex handling of continuous mixed streams.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for playback of multiple video elementary streams is presented herein. A host processor modifies the video elementary streams to allow a transport demultiplexer to distinguish among the plurality of the video elementary streams.