Cloud Gaming Video Encoding with Metadata-Assisted Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud gaming systems face challenges with high bandwidth requirements and latency due to inefficient video encoding, which affect the gaming experience.
Innovation Solution
Metadata-assisted video encoding and decoding techniques are employed to improve encoding speed and efficiency, utilizing metadata such as camera information, motion vectors, and user control data to optimize the encoding process and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional video encoding methods are used in cloud gaming systems, then encoding completeness is maintained, but encoding speed is slow and bandwidth requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating metadata (motion vectors, depth maps, camera parameters) during the gaming rendering process before encoding begins. This metadata is then used by the video encoder to pre-determine encoding strategies, motion search ranges, and reference frame selections, eliminating the need for exhaustive encoding searches and significantly reducing encoding time and bandwidth requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes encoding parameters dynamically based on metadata from the gaming engine. Motion vectors from the game physics engine directly inform motion compensation parameters, depth maps guide region-of-interest encoding priorities, and camera parameters adjust field-of-view rendering. These parameter changes enable the encoder to focus computational resources on critical areas, reducing overall encoding complexity and bandwidth
2Reliability
If comprehensive video encoding is performed to maintain visual quality, then encoding completeness is ensured, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary between the gaming engine and video encoder. This intermediary layer translates game physics data (motion vectors, depth information, camera states) into encoding directives, allowing the encoder to achieve high visual quality through intelligent sampling rather than exhaustive processing of all video data, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
By preparing encoding metadata in advance during game rendering (before encoding starts), the system eliminates real-time computation delays during encoding. The encoder receives pre-processed guidance information that enables rapid encoding decisions, reducing the time from game state change to encoded video output while preserving visual fidelity
3Productivity
If metadata processing is added to the encoding system, then encoding efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the metadata generation function into the existing gaming engine workflow, where motion vectors, depth maps, and camera parameters are byproducts of normal game physics calculations and rendering. This integration avoids adding separate metadata capture systems, achieving encoding efficiency improvements while minimizing increases in device complexity through resource sharing
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for cloud gaming. In some examples, an apparatus for cloud gaming includes processing circuitry. For example, the processing circuitry receives a video sequence and metadata associated with the video sequence. The video sequence includes a sequence of picture frames generated in response to gaming control information, and the metadata is determined based on the gaming control information. The processing circuitry can determine, based on the metadata, an encoding configuration for encoding the video sequence. Then the processing circuitry encodes, based on the encoding configuration, the video sequence into a coded video bitstream.