Multimedia Codec Field Mode Encoding for Memory and Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia codecs for smartphones face challenges in efficiently encoding still images, leading to large memory usage with JPEG compression and difficulty in random access when using intra-frame compression for continuous shooting modes.
Innovation Solution
A multimedia codec that reads frames in a field mode, encoding top fields in intra mode and bottom fields in inter mode, using an H.264 encoder and decoder to optimize storage and access efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If JPEG image compression method is used for continuous shooting, then still images can be stored temporarily, but the size of compressed image is large which increases memory cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each frame into top field and bottom field, encoding them with different compression modes (intra-frame and inter-frame respectively). This segmentation allows the system to achieve better compression ratios by exploiting temporal redundancy between fields while maintaining random access capability through the intra-encoded top field.
2Quantity of substance
If intra-frame compression is used for continuous shooting, then compression rate is improved, but random access with respect to particular frame becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different encoding qualities to different parts of the frame - the top field is encoded with intra-frame compression (higher quality, self-contained) while the bottom field uses inter-frame compression (lower quality, dependent on previous frames). This allows random access to any frame through the top field while maintaining good overall compression.
3Quantity of substance
If inter-frame compression is used for subsequent still images, then compression rate increases, but memory usage and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the frame into two fields with different encoding strategies, the system achieves better compression than pure intra-frame encoding while avoiding the complexity of full inter-frame encoding for entire frames. The intra-encoded top field provides reference points that simplify the inter-frame encoding of bottom fields.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example embodiment, a multimedia codec includes a reader configured to read a first frame in an image group according to a field mode indicated by a mode selection signal, and produce a top field and a bottom field for the first frame. The multimedia codec further includes an encoding component configured to encode the top field in an intra mode and encode the bottom field in an inter mode.