Reference Region Determination for Video Encoding Buffer Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moving image encoding standards face inefficiencies when storing reference image data for high spatial resolution images like 4K and 8K, leading to increased buffer size and power consumption, as the reference image buffer must store data for the entire search range, which can result in reduced encoding efficiency if the best motion vector indicates a region not stored in the buffer.
Innovation Solution
A reference region determination device that acquires motion vectors for already encoded blocks, derives a position change amount based on these vectors, and adjusts the position of the reference region in the buffer to ensure that the best motion vector points to stored data, thereby optimizing the buffer's content and reducing the need for large data transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reference image buffer stores reference image data for the entire search range, then the encoding efficiency is improved, but the buffer size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the reference image buffer dynamically adapt its storage region based on local motion characteristics. Instead of uniformly storing the entire search range, the buffer only stores reference image data in the specific region determined by the position change amount derivation, which is calculated based on motion vectors from previously encoded blocks. This localized storage approach maintains encoding efficiency for the current block while reducing overall buffer size and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the reference region in the buffer movable and adaptable. The position change amount derivation portion calculates how the reference region position should change based on motion vectors from already encoded blocks, and the reference image buffer updates its active storage region accordingly. This dynamic adjustment allows the buffer to follow motion patterns in the video content, ensuring that the best motion vector always points to stored data while minimizing the stored data volume.
2Quantity of substance
If the reference image buffer stores only a portion of the reference image frame, then the buffer size is reduced, but the encoding efficiency may be reduced if the best motion vector points to non-stored data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the position change amount based on motion vectors from already encoded blocks before encoding the current block. The position change amount derivation portion uses motion information from previously processed blocks to predict where the reference region should be positioned, ensuring that when the reference image buffer stores only a portion of the reference image frame, that portion is precisely the region needed for the best motion vector of the current block.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reference image buffer updates buffer data for each encoding target block, then the encoding flexibility is improved, but the transfer rate requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces transfer rate requirements by applying local quality to the buffer update process. Instead of updating the entire buffer data for each encoding target block, the system only updates the specific reference region determined by the position change amount. The reference image buffer selectively loads and updates only the necessary portion of reference image data from external memory, thereby maintaining encoding flexibility while significantly reducing the data transfer rate from external memory.
Data Source
AI summary
A reference region determination device is for determining a reference region to be stored in a reference image buffer, and includes: a motion vector acquisition portion configured to acquire a motion vector for each one of already encoded blocks; a position change amount derivation portion configured to derive a position change amount for the reference region based on the acquired motion vectors; and a reference region determination portion configured to determine a position of the reference region to be used in encoding of a next block for encoding after the already encoded blocks based on the position change amount.