Image Encoding Search Area Ovoid Shape for Cache Bandwidth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video encoding methods face limitations in processing time and compression quality due to bandwidth constraints in data transfer between dedicated components and external memory, particularly in real-time implementations.
Innovation Solution
An image encoding method that optimizes the shape of the search area loaded into cache memory to minimize unused data, using an ovoid or ellipsoid shape to enhance motion estimation and compensation, allowing for increased displacement of motion vectors without additional resources or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a rectangular search area is loaded into cache memory for motion estimation, then the data transfer is simple and straightforward, but a significant portion of the loaded data is unused, wasting memory space and increasing bandwidth consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by changing the search area shape from a standard rectangle to an ovoid (oval/ellipsoid) shape. This curved geometry allows the search area to be more precisely fitted to the actual motion estimation requirements, loading only the necessary data into cache memory while maintaining simple access patterns. The ovoid shape eliminates unnecessary data loading corners and edges, directly reducing bandwidth consumption without adding complex data structure management.
2Productivity
If the search area shape is optimized to minimize unused data, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but the complexity of defining and processing the search area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by changing the geometric parameters of the search area from a rectangle (defined by width and height) to an ovoid shape (defined by semi-major axis a and semi-minor axis b). This parameter transformation enables more efficient data loading by precisely matching the search area to the actual motion estimation needs, thereby increasing processing speed through reduced bandwidth consumption while keeping the mathematical definition relatively simple.
3Measurement precision
If more data is loaded into cache memory to cover larger motion vector displacements, then motion estimation accuracy is improved, but the amount of unused data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using an ovoid search area shape that naturally tapers off at the edges, allowing the search area to be precisely fitted to the actual motion estimation requirements. This curved geometry enables the system to load only the necessary data for the required motion vector displacement range, eliminating unnecessary data loading while maintaining sufficient search coverage for accurate motion estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by transforming the search area definition from a fixed rectangular region to a parameterized ovoid shape with adjustable semi-axes a and b. This parameterization allows the search area to be dynamically adjusted to match the actual motion characteristics, enabling precise control over the amount of data loaded into cache memory while maintaining sufficient coverage for accurate motion estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
To encode an image divided into blocks of a set of images, each block being encoded according to one of a plurality of encoding modes including at least one temporal correlation prediction encoding mode utilizing a plurality of images, a motion estimation vector search area is defined in a second image of the set of images, distinct from the first image and previously encoded according to a predefined sequence of encoding images of the set of images, a portion at least of the search area having substantially the shape of an ovoid, the data from the search area is stored in a cache memory, a motion estimation vector of the current block is determined by a search in the search area in the cache memory, and the motion estimation vector is used to decide the encoding of the current block according to the one of the plurality of encoding modes.