Video Transmission Apparatus Hierarchy Group Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in enabling satisfactory decoding processing on the reception side, particularly due to limitations in decoding capability, which restricts the playback of high frame frequency moving images without requiring new receivers.

Innovation Solution

A transmission apparatus that sorts image data into multiple hierarchies, encodes it, and generates video data. This apparatus includes an identification information insertion unit that divides the hierarchies into groups and inserts identification information into packets, allowing the reception side to selectively decode based on decoding capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hierarchical encoding with temporal ID is used to enable high frame frequency services, then the service quality is improved, but the receiver cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe frequencyVSAvoidreceiver cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bitstream into multiple hierarchy groups (HG0, HG1, HG2, etc.) based on temporal ID values, allowing receivers to selectively decode only the necessary hierarchy groups according to their capabilities. This segmentation enables low-cost receivers to handle basic frame frequencies while high-end receivers can access higher frame frequency content without requiring all receivers to be expensive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces hierarchy group identification information as a new parameter in the bitstream header, which allows receivers to identify and select appropriate hierarchy groups based on their decoding capabilities. This parameter change enables flexible adaptation of the service to different receiver types without requiring separate service streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple high and low frame frequency services are provided simultaneously, then service compatibility is improved, but service complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice compatibilityVSAvoidservice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple hierarchy groups representing different frame frequency services into a single integrated bitstream. Instead of maintaining separate service streams, all hierarchy groups are combined into one bitstream with embedded identification information, allowing receivers to select and decode only the appropriate portions based on their capabilities, thereby reducing service complexity while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If low-cost receivers are dedicated to low frame frequency services, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but future service adaptability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiver costVSAvoidservice adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic service architecture where the bitstream contains hierarchical encoding with identifiable hierarchy groups. Low-cost receivers are manufactured with the capability to decode specific hierarchy groups (e.g., HG0 for low frame frequency), while the same bitstream structure allows these receivers to potentially access higher hierarchy groups if needed. This dynamic structure enables future service upgrades without requiring hardware changes, as the adaptation is achieved through software-level selection of hierarchy groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4568245A1Transmission apparatus, transmission method, reception apparatus, and reception method
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4568245A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4568245A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4568245A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To enable satisfactory decoding processing corresponding to a decoding capability on a reception side. Image data of pictures constituting moving image data are sorted into multiple hierarchies, image data of pictures of each of the sorted hierarchies are encoded, and video data including the encoded image data of the pictures of each of the hierarchies is generated. A container of a predetermined format including the video data is transmitted. The multiple hierarchies are divided into a predetermined number of hierarchy groups, the predetermined number being two or more, and identification information for identifying a hierarchy group to which encoded image data of each picture included in the video data belongs is inserted into a packet as a container of the video data.