Multiple Bit Rate Video Encoding with Offset Switching Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiple bit rate (MBR) video encoding techniques face a trade-off between the frequency of switching points and video encoding efficiency, where frequent switching points are critical for adapting to changing bandwidth but result in lower video quality due to less efficient coding, while infrequent switching points improve efficiency but delay bit rate changes.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves providing multiple video encodings at each bit rate with switching points located at different frames, allowing for frequent switching while maintaining high coding efficiency, and optionally including a high-quality encoding with infrequent switching points for optimal quality and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If frequent switching points are implemented to adapt rapidly to changing bandwidth, then adaptability is improved, but video encoding efficiency deteriorates due to increased use of intra-coding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the video encoding system into multiple independent encodings at the same bit rate, each with its own switching point pattern. This segmentation allows the system to combine the advantages of different encodings - using one encoding when its switching points are available and another encoding when they are not, thereby maintaining frequent switching capability without permanently sacrificing encoding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of switching point frequency by providing multiple encodings with different switching point patterns. Instead of using a single encoding with high switching point frequency (which would reduce efficiency), the system uses multiple encodings with moderate switching point frequencies that are offset from each other, achieving effective frequent switching while maintaining better average encoding efficiency.
2Productivity
If infrequent switching points are used to improve video encoding efficiency, then video quality is improved, but adaptability to changing bandwidth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream into multiple encodings at the same bit rate, where each encoding has infrequent switching points that maintain good encoding efficiency. By providing multiple such encodings with offset switching point patterns, the system ensures that at least one encoding will have a switching point available when bandwidth changes occur, thus restoring adaptability without sacrificing the encoding efficiency benefits of infrequent switching points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching points in multiple encodings with different phases or offsets. Each encoding has its own periodic pattern of switching points, and by offsetting these patterns, the combined system achieves more frequent effective switching opportunities while each individual encoding maintains its efficient infrequent switching point structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple video encodings are provided at each bit rate with shifted switching points, then switching frequency is improved, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video content into multiple encodings at the same bit rate with different switching point patterns. While this does increase storage requirements compared to a single encoding, the segmentation allows the system to provide frequent switching opportunities without requiring all possible switching points to be present in every encoding, thus achieving a balance between switching frequency and storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A Multiple Bit Rate (MBR) video coding method and apparatus for performing video encodings at multiple bit rates and for performing advantageous switching therebetween. Frequent switching points and high video coding efficiency are achieved with use of a plurality of video encodings at each of a plurality of bit rates, wherein the switching points between multiple encodings at a given bit rate are shifted with respect to one another so that the frequency of available switching points is significantly improved without a corresponding loss of coding quality. In addition, one or more “high quality” encodings may be provided at each bit rate, wherein the “high quality” encodings employ infrequent switching points, providing a very high quality encoding at the given bit rate which may be used (or switched to) whenever possible.