Dynamic Quantization Feedback for Video Encoding Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video encoding techniques face challenges in stabilizing quantization step size and encoding bit rate control, particularly during scene changes or decoder buffer fluctuations, leading to inefficient encoding and potential buffer overflows or underflows, which degrade image quality and require extended convergence times.

Innovation Solution

A quantization control method that includes a measurement device for differential code amounts, a determination device for detecting abrupt changes, a feedback amount changing device to adjust the quantization step size, and a restoring device to revert feedback when conditions stabilize, allowing for dynamic adjustment of feedback to maintain stable encoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed feedback amount is used for quantization control, then the encoding system operates stably under normal conditions, but it takes a long time to converge to a stable state when scene changes or buffer fluctuations occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of encoding operationVSAvoidconvergence time during scene changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback amount is changed from a fixed value to a dynamic value that adapts based on detection results. When scene changes or buffer fluctuations are detected, the feedback amount is increased to accelerate convergence. When normal conditions prevail, the feedback amount returns to its original value to maintain stability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between rapid convergence during transitions and stable operation during normal encoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback amount parameter is modified based on the detection of specific conditions (scene changes, buffer underflow/overflow). By changing this parameter dynamically, the system achieves fast convergence during critical transitions while maintaining operational stability during normal encoding, thus resolving the time-stability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the quantization step size is adjusted rapidly to correct code amount deviations, then convergence speed increases, but abrupt code variations occur that degrade image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvergence speed of bit rate controlVSAvoidimage quality degradation due to abrupt code variations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The determination device detects scene changes and buffer conditions in advance before significant code amount deviations occur. By taking preliminary action to adjust the feedback amount based on detected conditions, the system prevents abrupt code variations that would degrade image quality, while still achieving rapid convergence when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the determination device about scene changes and buffer status to dynamically adjust the feedback amount. This feedback mechanism allows the system to increase convergence speed when conditions warrant it while preventing harmful abrupt variations, thus resolving the productivity-quality contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If conventional quantization control is used without dynamic feedback adjustment, then the system structure remains simple, but buffer overflows or underflows occur during scene changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of control systemVSAvoidbuffer stability during scene changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The determination device performs preliminary detection of scene changes and buffer conditions before they cause overflow or underflow. This preliminary action allows the feedback amount to be adjusted proactively, preventing buffer instability during scene changes while adding only minimal complexity to the control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The determination device acts as an intermediary between the conventional quantization control and the feedback mechanism. It detects critical conditions and mediates by adjusting the feedback amount accordingly, thereby preventing buffer overflows and underflows while maintaining relative simplicity of the overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3264772B1Quantization control method and apparatus, program therefor, and storage medium which stores the program
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
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AI summary

A quantization control method used in a video encoding which encodes a video image and performs control for making an encoding bit rate approach a predetermined target bit rate. The quantization control method includes measuring a differential amount of code between a target amount of code and an amount of generated code; determining whether or not a predetermined condition has occurred; determining, when it is determined that the condition has occurred, a variation for an amount of feedback which increases or decreases a quantization step size, and changing the amount of feedback based on the determined variation; and increasing or decreasing the quantization step size based on the measured differential amount of code and the changed amount of feedback. If there are a plurality of the predetermined conditions, a final variation for the amount of feedback may be determined by applying a specific operation to variations for the amount of feedback, which are determined for the individual conditions.