Motion Vector Search Segmentation for Video Encoding Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moving image encoding technologies, such as H.264, require significant computational resources for motion vector searches and block size determination, leading to increased operation loads and costs, especially in real-time encoding applications like digital video cameras.
Innovation Solution
A moving image encoding apparatus and method that performs a motion vector search by dividing the screen into encoding blocks, setting multiple motion compensation block types, computing evaluation values for each type, and determining the most reliable block division method using a reduced image, reducing the number of operations required for motion vector searches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If variable block size motion compensation is used to improve encoding efficiency, then motion compensation accuracy is improved, but operation load for determining block size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motion vector search process into two distinct stages: rough search stage and fine search stage. In the rough search stage, multiple motion compensation block types are evaluated to determine the optimal block division method. In the fine search stage, motion vector search is performed only using the block division method selected from the rough search, thereby avoiding exhaustive searches across all possible block sizes and reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining accurate motion compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of multiple motion compensation block types during the rough search stage before committing to a single block division method for the fine search stage. This preliminary action identifies the most suitable block division method in advance, preventing unnecessary computations during the fine search stage and significantly reducing the operation load for block size determination.
2Measurement precision
If exhaustive motion vector search is performed for all motion compensation blocks to ensure accuracy, then motion compensation precision is improved, but encoding time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the motion vector search into two phases: rough search and fine search. The rough search phase performs a preliminary evaluation to identify the optimal motion compensation block type, while the fine search phase performs accurate motion vector search only for the selected block division method. This segmentation ensures high accuracy in the fine search stage while dramatically reducing total encoding time by avoiding exhaustive searches across all possible block sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The rough search stage performs a preliminary evaluation of multiple motion compensation block types to determine the most suitable block division method before the fine search stage. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary time-consuming searches in the fine search stage, ensuring that accurate motion vector search is performed only for the optimal block configuration, thereby balancing precision and encoding time efficiency.
3Productivity
If high-speed processor is used to perform extensive operations for real-time encoding, then encoding speed is improved, but device cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motion compensation process into rough search and fine search stages, where the rough search stage identifies optimal block division methods using simplified evaluation, and the fine search stage performs accurate motion vector search only for the selected configuration. This segmentation reduces the total number of operations required for real-time encoding, enabling implementation with less powerful, lower-power processors while maintaining real-time encoding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rough search stage performs preliminary evaluation of multiple motion compensation block types to determine the optimal configuration before the fine search stage. This preliminary action significantly reduces the computational burden during real-time encoding, allowing the use of lower-power processors that can still achieve real-time encoding performance without requiring extremely fast, high-power processors.
Data Source
AI summary
A moving image encoding apparatus comprises a motion vector search unit for dividing a screen into encoding blocks, dividing each encoding block into motion compensation blocks, and performing a motion vector search by referencing a past or future image with respect to a motion compensation block targeted for encoding, and an encoding unit for encoding a difference value between the motion compensation block and a prediction image that is based on the motion vector. The motion vector search unit sets a plurality of block types for each encoding block, performs rough motion vector search using a reduced image for each block type, computes an evaluation value for each block type based on the motion vectors, and determines whether to set a division method of the block type for which the highest evaluation value was obtained as a motion compensation block division method for a motion vector search in detail.