Reference Picture List Encoding for Video Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video encoding and decoding systems face challenges in efficiently managing reference frames to reduce bandwidth consumption while maintaining video quality, particularly in scenarios with packet loss conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system assigns unique picture numbers to reference frames, constructs and signals a ranked reference picture list using differential coding, and reorders picture numbers for efficient encoding and decoding, ensuring synchronization of encoder and decoder buffers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If reference frames are used to encode video frames, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but overhead bits increase due to reference picture list management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of reference picture list encoding by using differential coding instead of direct encoding. This differential coding approach encodes only the changes in picture numbers rather than the full picture numbers themselves, significantly reducing the overhead bits while maintaining the ability to manage multiple reference frames for bandwidth efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separately manages the reference picture list information from the main video data stream. By identifying and separately encoding only the picture numbers in the reference picture list using differential coding, it isolates the overhead information management from the main compression process, reducing the impact on overall bandwidth consumption
2Measurement precision
If reference picture lists are encoded with detailed picture numbers, then decoding accuracy is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the encoding parameter from absolute picture numbers to differential picture numbers. This parameter change maintains decoding accuracy because the differential values can be easily reconstructed into the original picture numbers at the decoder, while significantly reducing the number of bits required to represent the same information
3Reliability
If multiple reference frames are managed in buffers, then video quality is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reference frame management into distinct components: reference picture buffers for storage and a reference picture list for active reference selection. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple reference frames for video quality while managing complexity through structured organization and separate handling of storage versus active reference management
Solution Approach 2:
The reference picture list acts as an intermediary between the reference picture buffers and the video encoding/decoding process. It mediates which reference frames are actively used without requiring the entire buffer management system to be directly involved in each encoding operation, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining video quality
Data Source
AI summary
Encoding is accomplished using a reference picture list. Reference frames are identified with picture numbers and are assigned to reference picture buffers when used for encoding. The picture numbers associated the reference frames in the reference picture buffers are ranked. Reordering can occur to assign short word lengths to those reference frames used frequently for prediction. The resulting encoded reference picture list is sent to a decoder. The decoder decodes the reference picture list. By comparing picture numbers in the reference picture list with picture numbers of reference picture buffers of the decoder, the encoder and decoder buffers can remain in sync even under packet loss conditions. For example, the decoder can use the decoded reference picture list to determine missing and unused reference frames.