Complexity-Scalable Motion Estimation for Video Coding

The patent segments the video coding process into multiple complexity layers (base layer and enhancement layers). The base layer performs essential motion estimation with reduced complexity, while enhancement layers add additional complexity only when needed and when power budget allows. This segmentation enables the system to achieve good coding performance without always consuming maximum power, thus resolving the contradiction between coding performance and power consumption.

The patent implements dynamic complexity scaling where the motion estimation algorithm adapts its computational complexity based on available power budget and coding requirements. The system can dynamically switch between different complexity levels (e.g., from full complexity to reduced complexity modes) during video encoding, allowing optimal balance between coding performance and power consumption rather than fixed high performance at high cost.

The patent divides the motion estimation computation into segmented complexity layers that can be processed in a hierarchical manner. The base layer computation is performed first with lower complexity, and enhancement layers are added sequentially. This segmentation enables real-time processing by allowing the system to achieve acceptable performance quickly without requiring the full computationally intensive process, thus reducing computation time while maintaining real-time efficiency.

The patent applies partial action by performing only the necessary level of computation required for acceptable coding performance rather than always executing the full complex algorithm. When time constraints are present, the system can stop at the base layer or early enhancement layers, avoiding unnecessary computation time while still achieving sufficient video coding performance for real-time applications.

The patent segments the computation budget into base layer and enhancement layers, allowing the system to achieve acceptable motion estimation accuracy with the base layer alone and only adding enhancement complexity when power budget permits. This segmentation enables extended device operation time by preventing continuous maximum complexity computation, while still maintaining sufficient accuracy for most applications through the base layer.

The patent changes the computation complexity parameter dynamically based on power availability. When power is constrained, the system operates at lower complexity parameters (base layer only), extending battery life. When power is abundant, the system increases complexity parameters to enhance motion estimation accuracy. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between accuracy and operation duration by making accuracy achievable only when power allows.