Bi-directional Motion Vector Interpolation for Video Frame Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generating video frames requires significant memory and computing resources, necessitating more efficient techniques to improve processing times and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that generates interpolated video frames using a Bi-directional motion vector interpolation technique, which synthesizes intermediate frames based on forward and backward pointing motion vectors, depth buffers, and occlusion masks to optimize pixel data sampling and interpolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional video frame generation techniques are used, then video frames can be generated, but significant memory and computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe generation efficiencyVSAvoidcomputing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating motion vectors between reference frames and storing them in memory. This allows the interpolation process to directly use pre-computed motion data rather than performing complex calculations during frame generation, significantly reducing real-time computational resource requirements while maintaining high frame generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces motion vectors as intermediary data structures that mediate between reference frames and interpolated frames. These motion vectors act as a compressed representation of spatial transformations, enabling the system to generate interpolated frames without directly processing the full pixel data of reference frames, thereby reducing memory and computing resource consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If frame interpolation is performed to improve video quality, then intermediate frames can be generated, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe interpolation qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The interpolation process is segmented into distinct stages: motion vector calculation from reference frames, motion vector storage, and subsequent interpolation using pre-stored motion data. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently and enables parallel processing, reducing overall processing time while maintaining high interpolation quality through precise motion vector-based sampling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Motion vectors are calculated and stored in advance during a preprocessing phase, so that when frame interpolation is needed, the system can directly retrieve and apply pre-computed motion data. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming motion analysis during the interpolation process itself, significantly reducing processing time while preserving interpolation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If motion vector interpolation is used, then computational overhead can be reduced, but handling occlusion artifacts becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidocclusion handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces occlusion masks as intermediary data structures that mediate between motion vector interpolation and the final pixel output. These masks explicitly mark regions where occlusion occurs, allowing the interpolation system to handle occlusion artifacts through a straightforward masking operation rather than complex analysis, maintaining computational efficiency while managing occlusion complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and separates the occlusion handling function from the main interpolation process. By using motion vectors and occlusion masks as separate data structures, the patent isolates the complex occlusion detection and handling logic from the efficient motion vector-based interpolation, allowing the interpolation to remain computationally efficient while occlusion artifacts are managed through dedicated mask-based processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20220038653A1Techniques to generate interpolated video frames
Publication Date: 2022.02.03 NVIDIA CORP
  • US20220038653A1 patent drawing
  • US20220038653A1 patent drawing
  • US20220038653A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to generate interpolated video frames. In at least one embodiment, an interpolated video frame is generated based, at least in part, on one of a plurality of possible motions of one or more objects from a first video frame to a second video frame.