Power-Aware Motion Estimation for Video Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video processing systems face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining functionality, especially in mobile devices with limited battery life, as they often require significant resources for motion estimation, leading to increased power usage and reduced performance in low-power states.
Innovation Solution
A power-aware motion estimation method that dynamically enables or disables motion estimation based on content, available power, and user input, using block matching at reduced resolution to generate preliminary motion vectors, and an iterative algorithm to refine them, with the option to turn off circuitry when not needed, such as during motion-compensated frame rate up-conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If motion estimation is performed using conventional methods, then video processing quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motion estimation process into two distinct stages: a coarse estimation stage using reduced-resolution blocks and a fine refinement stage using full-resolution blocks. This segmentation allows the system to perform preliminary motion vector estimation with lower power consumption, then selectively refine only those vectors that require higher precision, thereby reducing overall power usage while maintaining video processing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing motion estimation at reduced resolution for all blocks, then applying refinement algorithms only to specific blocks where higher precision is needed based on motion complexity criteria. This selective refinement approach avoids the excessive power consumption of full-resolution motion estimation for all blocks while ensuring adequate processing quality where required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If motion estimation circuitry is always enabled, then video processing performance is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the motion estimation circuitry by introducing a power management mechanism that can disable the circuitry under low-power conditions. The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on power availability, switching between full functionality when power is abundant and reduced functionality (using only coarse estimation or disabled estimation) when power is constrained, thereby extending battery life while maintaining essential video processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the motion estimation system by introducing multiple operational modes (full resolution, reduced resolution, disabled) that can be selected based on power conditions. This parameter change allows the system to adapt its power consumption and functionality levels dynamically, ensuring reliable video processing when needed while conserving energy when power is limited.
3Use of energy by moving object
If reduced resolution block matching is used, then power consumption is reduced, but motion vector precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using reduced-resolution block matching for initial motion vector estimation across all blocks, then selectively applying refinement algorithms only to blocks where higher precision is required. This approach recovers the precision loss from reduced resolution for critical blocks while maintaining the power savings from reduced-resolution processing for the majority of blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the coarse motion vectors obtained from reduced-resolution matching are used as initial estimates for refinement algorithms. The refinement process uses feedback from the coarse estimation results to guide the search for more precise motion vectors, thereby recovering accuracy while minimizing the computational power required compared to full-resolution direct estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for power-aware motion estimation video processing are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include estimating motion for video data by block matching reduced resolution blocks of video data to generate an initial motion vector. The preliminary motion vector and motion for a previous frame may be used to generate a final motion vector for the block for the present frame using an iterative algorithm. The motion estimation may be dynamically enabled and/or disabled based on content of the video data, available power to a mobile terminal, and/or a user input. The iterations used to generate the final motion vector may be based on content of the video data, available power to a mobile terminal, and/or a user input.