Hierarchical Video Stream Switching Without Display Mute

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in preventing display mute during service switching in video streaming, particularly when handling multiple services with different frame rates.

Innovation Solution

A transmission and reception system is implemented where video streams are encoded hierarchically, with fixed PIDs assigned to each stream, and additional information about hierarchy ranges and switching is included in the container layer, allowing seamless service transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hierarchical encoding is performed with temporal ID information for service switching, then selective decoding capability is improved, but display mute occurs during service switching due to filter adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective decoding capabilityVSAvoiddisplay continuity during service switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-configuring fixed PIDs for each hierarchy group before service switching occurs. The reception device maintains filter settings for all possible PIDs in advance, so when service switching happens, the appropriate stream is already being received without interruption. This eliminates display mute by preparing the reception filter configuration beforehand rather than adjusting it during switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements dynamics by enabling the reception device to dynamically select and activate the appropriate fixed PID based on the current service being received. While the PID assignments are fixed in the system configuration, the reception device can adaptively switch between different PID-filter mappings depending on which service (e.g., 60P or 120P) is currently active, allowing seamless transitions without display interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If fixed PIDs are assigned to each stream with hierarchy range information in container layer, then service switching seamless is achieved, but system complexity increases due to additional information management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay continuity during service switchingVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies universality by using fixed PIDs that serve multiple functions: they identify specific hierarchy groups, enable filter configuration, and provide service switching indicators. The same PID structure supports both 60P and 120P services without requiring separate identification mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex information management systems while achieving seamless service switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The container layer acts as an intermediary that carries hierarchy range information, linking the fixed PID assignments to the actual service content. Rather than requiring complex direct mapping between service parameters and reception filters, the container layer provides a standardized information channel that translates service characteristics into actionable filter configurations, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4178208B1Transmission device, transmission method, reception device, and reception method
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4178208B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(f)
  • EP4178208B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(e)
  • EP4178208B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

The present invention is designed to easily prevent an occurrence of a display mute in a case of switching services. An image encoding unit generates a video stream by encoding image data of each picture that constitutes moving image data. A transmission unit transmits a container in a predetermined format that continuously includes a first video stream and a second video stream generated in the image encoding unit. The first video stream and the second video stream are composed of first to Mth streams out of first to Nth streams (M ≤ N). The transmission unit applies a fixed identifier to the respective first to Nth streams.