Embedded Entropy Codec for Sub-Block Bit Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image compression methods suffer from inefficiency due to redundant bit allocation in entropy coding, as different image blocks have varying complexity and flatness levels, leading to suboptimal compression ratios and memory usage in high-resolution image and video storage.
Innovation Solution
An embedded codec circuitry that performs sub-block based entropy coding of quantized-transformed residual levels by classifying image blocks into categories based on complexity and flatness, selectively applying entropy coding schemes to reduce bit allocation and optimize compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional entropy coding is applied uniformly to all image blocks, then the encoding process is simple, but redundant bits are allocated leading to inefficient compression
Solution Approach 1:
The image block is divided into multiple sub-blocks, and each sub-block is entropy coded independently with its own bit allocation. This segmentation allows the encoder to adapt to local variations in complexity within the image block, reducing redundant bit allocation in flat regions while maintaining sufficient bits for complex regions, thereby improving overall compression efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different entropy coding schemes and bit allocation strategies are applied to different sub-blocks based on their local characteristics (flatness or complexity). Flat sub-blocks use more aggressive compression with fewer bits, while complex sub-blocks allocate more bits to preserve quality. This local adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the encoding process efficient without requiring uniform complexity handling throughout the entire block.
2Quantity of substance
If sub-block based entropy coding is applied, then bit allocation is optimized reducing redundant bits, but the encoding process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder performs preliminary classification of sub-blocks into flat or complex categories before applying entropy coding. This preliminary action allows the system to determine the appropriate bit allocation strategy in advance, reducing the number of bits required by selecting suitable coding schemes for each sub-block type without requiring complex real-time adjustments during encoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The entropy coding process becomes dynamic by adapting the coding scheme and bit allocation based on the characteristics of each sub-block. The encoder dynamically selects between different coding strategies (e.g., different Huffman tables, VLC schemes) based on sub-block flatness, optimizing bit usage while managing complexity through adaptive rather than static processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An embedded codec (EBC) circuitry includes a memory to store a plurality of one dimensional (1D) sub-blocks of quantized-transformed residual levels for a 1D image block and encoder circuitry to allocate a set of signaling bits to each 1D sub-block of the plurality of 1D sub-blocks. The encoder circuitry selects an entropy coding scheme, from a set of entropy coding schemes, for each 1D sub-block of the plurality of 1D sub-blocks, based on the allocated set of signaling bits for each 1D sub-block. The encoder circuitry generates a bit-stream of encoded 1D image block by selective application of the entropy coding scheme on a DC quantized-transformed residual level, a plurality of AC quantized-transformed residual levels, or a combination of the DC quantized-transformed residual level and the plurality of AC quantized-transformed residual levels of each 1D sub-block of the plurality of 1D sub-blocks.