Encoding Data Arrays Rate Control via Intermediate Bit Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data array encoding processes, particularly in real-time and distributed encoding, face challenges in effectively controlling output bit rates, especially when encoding sequences of data arrays, as they often rely on outdated or incomplete information about the number of bits used in previous arrays, leading to inefficiencies in rate control.
Innovation Solution
The method involves estimating the number of bits used in the output bitstream based on the amount of intermediate data generated for previous arrays and using this estimate to select an appropriate encoding parameter, ensuring accurate rate control even when actual bit counts for recent arrays are not yet available, by employing bit number estimating circuitry and encoding parameter selecting circuitry within the encoding apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time encoding is performed without waiting for actual bit count data from previous arrays, then encoding speed and productivity are improved, but rate control accuracy deteriorates due to lack of complete information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of bit counts for previous arrays based on intermediate data characteristics before final encoding completes. This allows the rate control mechanism to operate in real-time without waiting for actual bit count information, thereby maintaining both high encoding speed and acceptable rate control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where estimated bit counts from previous arrays are continuously refined and updated. By comparing estimated values with actual values when available and adjusting future estimates accordingly, the system maintains rate control accuracy while proceeding with real-time encoding operations.
2Reliability
If encoding parameters are adjusted based on actual bit counts from completed arrays, then rate control reliability is improved, but processing time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary parameter selection based on estimated bit counts from previous arrays before final encoding completes. This allows encoding parameters to be determined in advance without waiting for actual bit count data, reducing processing latency while maintaining reliable rate control through continuous refinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the balance between using estimated versus actual bit count information based on the encoding state. When actual bit counts are unavailable, the system dynamically switches to using estimated values, and continuously refines parameters as actual data becomes available, maintaining both speed and reliability.
3Productivity
If distributed encoding is used across multiple processing units, then processing capability and throughput are improved, but coordination complexity and difficulty of rate control increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the rate control function into independent units, where each processing unit estimates bit counts for its local arrays based on intermediate data characteristics. This segmentation allows distributed encoding to proceed independently at high throughput, with each unit contributing to the overall rate control without requiring complex centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate data characteristics as a mediator between encoding operations and rate control decisions. Rather than requiring direct coordination between distributed processing units, each unit uses intermediate data (such as block types, transform coefficients, and quantization parameters) as a common reference to make localized rate control decisions that collectively achieve system-wide rate control.
Data Source
AI summary
When encoding an array of data elements of a stream of arrays of data elements, a number of bits used in the output bitstream to encode a previous array of data elements in the stream of arrays of data elements is estimated based on an amount of intermediate data generated for that previous array of data elements by the encoding process. A value of an encoding parameter to use when encoding the array of data elements being encoded is then selected based on the estimated number of bits used in the output bitstream to encode the previous array of data elements and a target output bit rate for the output bitstream produced when encoding the stream of arrays of data elements.