Video Stream Segmentation for Trick Play Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional entertainment systems face inefficiencies during trick play modes, such as fast-forward and reverse playback, due to insufficient computing resources and inefficient storage access, particularly when decoding I-frames, P-frames, and B-frames in video data streams.

Innovation Solution

The method involves parsing a video data stream to separate I-frames and inter-frames, storing them in distinct files with an index file to maintain their relationships, allowing for efficient retrieval and decoding during trick play modes, thereby improving storage medium performance and reducing computational intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If video data stream is stored in conventional format with all frames together, then storage structure is simple, but retrieval and decoding speed during trick play modes is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrick play playback speedVSAvoidstorage structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the video data stream into separate I-frame files and inter-frame files. This segmentation allows the system to retrieve only necessary frame types during trick play modes, significantly improving playback speed while managing complexity through organized file structures and index files that track frame relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If all frames including I-frames are decoded during trick play, then video quality is maintained, but computational resources are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo playback reliabilityVSAvoidcomputational resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by decoding only I-frames during fast-forward and reverse trick play modes, rather than decoding all frames. This approach maintains sufficient video quality for navigation purposes while dramatically reducing computational resource requirements. The system decodes more frames than strictly necessary for basic navigation but fewer than would be needed for perfect quality, achieving an optimal balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If I-frames are accessed frequently during trick play, then playback performance improves, but storage medium access efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe retrieval speedVSAvoidstorage access time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating I-frames into dedicated files, the system enables direct access to these frequently needed frames without reading through inter-frame data. This segmentation, combined with index files that store location information, significantly improves retrieval speed while reducing wasted storage access time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by creating index files that pre-calculate and store the locations of all I-frames and inter-frames. This preliminary organization allows the system to immediately jump to required frame locations during trick play without sequential searching, improving access speed while minimizing storage access time through efficient seeking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2661084B1Method to play a video data stream, device and computer program
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 ECHOSTAR TECH LLC
  • EP2661084B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2661084B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2661084B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

the present disclosure relates to a method to play a video data stream, to a device and to a computer program. The device (102) has an input circuit (114) to receive a stream of video data, which includes intra-frames (I-frames) and inter-frames. A video frame parser (124) separates the I-frames and inter-frames from the stream of video data. Memory (120) has a file system thereon, and a processor (116) is arranged to process the video data. The processor stores the I-frames in an I-frame file (178) and stores the inter-frames in an inter-frame file (180). The processor also stores an index file (182), which includes information to coordinate a pre-parsed position of each I-frame with at least one adjacent inter-frame.