System and Method for Video and Audio Encoding on a Single Chip

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for performing real time video / audio encoding on a single chip. Within the single chip, a video encoder generates encoded video data from uncompressed video data and an audio encoder generates encoded audio data from uncompressed audio data. A mux processor within the single chip generates an output stream of encoded data from the encoded video data and the encoded audio data.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 170,019 filed Jun. 11, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 543,904 filed Apr. 6, 2000, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,726 on Feb. 10, 2004, which claims the benefit of Israel Application Serial No. 129345 filed Apr. 6, 1999.[0002]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 170,019 also makes reference to, claims priority to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 296,766 filed on Jun. 11, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 296,768 filed on Jun. 11, 2001.[0003]All of the above-listed patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Methods for encoding an audio-visual signal are known in the art. According to the methods, a video signal is digitized, analyzed and encoded in a compressed manner. The methods are implemented in computer s...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, one disadvantage of encoding circuit 10 is that bitstream processor 18 transfers the encoded video bitstream, data word by data word, directly to an element external to encoding circuit 10.

Transfer of the encoded video in such a fashion greatly increases the data traffic volume and creates communication bottlenecks in communication lines such as computer buses.

Another disadvantage is that encoding circuit 10 is able to perform the encoding of video signals, only.

Such an approach increases the data traffic in the compression system and requires increased storage and processing bandwidth requirements, thereby greatly increasing the overall compression system complexity and cost.

For example, one disadvantage of processor 30 is that it does not perform image resolution scaling.

Another disadvantage is that processor 30 does not perform statistical analysis of the video signal, since in order to perform comprehensive statistical analysis a video feedback from the storage is necessary, thus allowing interframe (picture to picture) analysis, and processor 30 is operable in “feed forward” manner, only.

For example, one disadvantage of encoding circuit 50 is that a plurality of separate memory units are needed to support its operations, thereby greatly increasing the cost and complexity of any encoding system based on device 50.

Another disadvantage is that encoding circuit 50 has a plurality of separate memory interfaces.

This increases the data traffic volume and the number of external connections of encoding circuit 50, thereby greatly increasing the cost and the complexity of encoding circuit 50.

Another disadvantage is that encoder circuit 50 does not implement video and audio multiplexing, which is typically required in compression schemes.

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