Image Capturing Device Encoder Allocation for Multi-Stream Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices with a limited number of encoders struggle to concurrently process and distribute image data in multiple streams with different qualities, limiting their ability to transmit images simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The image capturing device allocates hardware or software encoders to each stream based on encoding parameters, allowing concurrent encode processing and distribution of image data in multiple streams, even with a restricted number of hardware encoders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a device with a limited number of encoders is used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to concurrently distribute image data in multiple streams is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single encoder to perform multiple encoding operations sequentially. The encoder alternates between encoding different streams (e.g., first stream, second stream, third stream) in time-division manner, allowing one hardware encoder to serve multiple concurrent distribution streams. This eliminates the need for additional hardware encoders while maintaining the ability to distribute multiple image quality streams simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the encoder operation flexible and adaptive. The system dynamically switches the encoder between different streams based on timing control, allowing the encoder to transition from encoding the first stream to the second stream, and then to the third stream. This dynamic time-division scheduling enables a single encoder to handle multiple concurrent encoding tasks that would traditionally require multiple static encoders.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple streams with different image qualities are distributed simultaneously, then service versatility and viewer choice are improved, but processing capability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encoding process by dividing the encoding tasks into separate time intervals. Instead of requiring the encoder to process all streams simultaneously, the system segments the encoding operations so that the encoder works on one stream at a time in sequential fashion. The timing control unit manages these time intervals, allowing the encoder to dedicate specific time periods to encoding the first stream, then the second stream, and then the third stream, reducing the peak processing load requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the cyclic scheduling of encoding operations. The encoder operates in a periodic manner, alternating between different streams in a repeating cycle. The timing control unit manages this periodic execution, where the encoder completes encoding for the first stream, then switches to the second stream, and then the third stream, creating a rhythmic pattern of encoding operations that distributes the processing load over time rather than concentrating it simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing device includes: an imaging device to capture an image to obtain captured image data, the captured image data to be distributed in a plurality of streams; circuitry to: determine, for each of the plurality of streams, an encoding method of the captured image data according to an encoding parameter for each stream; perform encode processing on the captured image data concurrently to generate a plurality of items of streaming image data, each encode processing being performed using the encoding method having been determined for each stream; and distribute the plurality of items of streaming image data.