Image Encoding Slice Control for Reduced Delay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image encoding technologies face challenges in reducing encoder delay while maintaining image quality, as the size of the Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) affects both delay and quality, and dividing images into slices to reduce delay can lead to errors and loss of data due to uneven bit distribution and slice independence issues.
Innovation Solution
An image encoding device that performs sequential processing by estimating the number of codes and controlling slice division based on a cumulative value of expected codes, ensuring even code distribution across slices and maintaining slice independence to reduce CPB size without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the size of the Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) is increased to improve image quality, then the quality of images improves, but the delay becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into multiple slices, and sequential processing is performed for each slice rather than for the entire picture. This segmentation allows the CPB size to be reduced while maintaining processing quality, as each slice can be processed independently with smaller buffer requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing approaches to different regions of the image by dividing it into slices. Each slice can be processed with appropriate quality control, allowing overall image quality to be maintained while reducing the buffer size needed for any single processing stage.
2Loss of time
If the size of the Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) is decreased to reduce delay, then the delay may be reduced, but the quality of images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the picture into slices and processing them sequentially, the patent enables the use of a smaller CPB for each slice while collectively maintaining the quality required for the entire picture. The segmentation allows quality to be preserved through cumulative processing of multiple smaller units.
3Loss of time
If a picture is divided into several slices to reduce delay, then the encoder delay is reduced, but errors and loss of data occur due to uneven bit distribution and slice independence issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the number of codes (bits) generated for each slice is estimated and used to control the division of subsequent pictures into slices. This feedback ensures even bit distribution across slices, preventing data loss and errors while maintaining the delay reduction benefits of slice-based processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the slice division parameters based on the cumulative number of codes. By changing the slice boundaries according to code distribution rather than fixed spatial divisions, the system ensures even bit allocation across slices, maintaining data integrity while enabling delay reduction through parallel slice processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An image encoding device that encodes an image by performing sequential processing in units of a certain size, the image encoding device includes, a variable-length coding unit that performs variable-length coding on data to be encoded having the certain size in the image; an estimating unit that estimates the number of codes at a time after the variable-length coding using the data to be encoded at a time before the variable-length coding is performed by the variable-length coding unit; and a slice controlling unit that controls division of the image into slices on the basis of a cumulative value of the estimated number of codes.