Hybrid Reference Texture for Interlaced Video Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video decoders face decoding errors when processing interlaced macroblocks due to limited CPU resources and hardware acceleration limitations, particularly in devices that cannot perform decoding operations conformantly.
Innovation Solution
A video decoder with a hybrid reference construction unit that creates a hybrid reference texture representing the reference texture in both frame-based and field-based manners, allowing for the decoding of interlaced macroblocks by extending the reference texture with repetitive pixel padding and storing it in memory for use by the decoding unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hardware acceleration functions are used for decoding operations in devices with limited CPU resources, then decoding speed and energy efficiency are improved, but decoding errors occur when processing interlaced macroblocks because the hardware cannot perform the operations conformantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by constructing a hybrid reference texture in advance, combining both frame-based and field-based reference textures before the actual decoding process. This pre-prepared hybrid structure allows the hardware acceleration unit to perform motion compensation operations without encountering interlacing-related errors, thus maintaining both high decoding speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid reference texture acts as an intermediary between the hardware acceleration unit and the interlaced video data. By introducing this intermediate structure that contains both frame-based and field-based representations, the patent enables the hardware unit to process interlaced macroblocks correctly without requiring full conformant decoding capability, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy.
2Reliability
If a decoder processes both progressive and interlaced pictures with full conformant decoding, then decoding accuracy is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase beyond what is available in mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reference texture into two separate structures: a frame-based reference texture and a field-based reference texture. These segmented components are stored separately in the hybrid reference texture structure, allowing the decoder to process interlaced macroblocks by selecting the appropriate segment without requiring full conformant interlaced decoding capability, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid reference texture structure serves multiple functions: it provides frame-based reference data for progressive pictures, field-based reference data for interlaced pictures, and supports both types of motion compensation operations. This multi-functional design allows a single decoder architecture to handle both progressive and interlaced video streams accurately without requiring separate decoding paths, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a video decoder (DEC) for decoding a bit stream (BS) corresponding to pictures (P) of a video signal, the coded pictures being likely to include macroblocks coded in a progressive and in an interlaced way. The decoder includes a decoding unit (DEU) for decoding macroblocks coded in a progressive way, and a hybrid reference construction unit (HRCU) for constructing, for each reference picture, a hybrid reference texture (HRT) which has the property of representing said reference picture in a frame-based and in a field-based manner. Said hybrid reference texture is used by said decoding unit for decoding interlaced macroblocks.