Segmented Bitstream Processing with Fence-Based Pipeline Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bitstream applications face inefficiencies in processing due to the need to encode, transfer, and decode data as a whole, which increases processing time and resource consumption, exacerbated by increasing data volumes outpacing network bandwidth growth.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a segmented bitstream processing system that uses fence identifiers to pipeline encoding and decoding, allowing independent segments to be processed concurrently, reducing end-to-end time and resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is encoded, transferred, and decoded as a whole, then data integrity is maintained, but processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bitstream into multiple independent segments that can be processed separately. Each segment contains data and associated fence identifiers that enable independent encoding, transmission, and decoding operations, eliminating the need to process the entire bitstream sequentially while maintaining data integrity through proper segmentation boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary encoding of segments before they are fully transmitted or decoded. By preparing segments in advance and using fence identifiers to track completion status, the system enables overlapping operations where encoding can proceed while transmission is ongoing, reducing total processing time without compromising data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If data is transferred as a whole, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but network bandwidth requirements increase relative to processing speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission simplicityVSAvoiddata processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bitstream into smaller units that can be transmitted independently. This segmentation allows the system to maintain transmission simplicity through standard protocols while improving productivity by enabling parallel processing of multiple segments, effectively increasing throughput without requiring complex transmission management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action by overlapping encoding, transmission, and decoding operations. Segments are prepared and transmitted continuously without waiting for previous operations to complete, maintaining simple transmission mechanisms while maximizing productivity through concurrent processing activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the bitstream is processed sequentially, then processing complexity is low, but hardware resource utilization is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidhardware throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing task into independent units that can be handled by multiple hardware resources simultaneously. Each segment can be processed in parallel by different encoding/decoding hardware components, increasing throughput without requiring complex coordination mechanisms, thus improving productivity while keeping processing complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where hardware resources are assigned to segments based on their processing state. Fence identifiers enable the system to dynamically track which segments are ready for processing and allocate hardware resources accordingly, optimizing throughput while maintaining reasonable processing complexity through state-aware resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If fence identifiers are added to track segments, then segment status tracking is improved, but data structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment status trackingVSAvoiddata structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tracking function into separate fence identifiers that are appended to segment data structures. This extraction allows reliable segment status tracking without integrating complex tracking logic into the core data structure, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability through dedicated tracking mechanisms that operate independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250280138A1Segmented bitstream processing using fence identifiers

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC

AI summary

A bitstream encoding or decoding job is broken up into a plurality of segments, each of which is independent from subsequent segments and corresponds to a respective fence identifier. The segments are individually processed and progress is indicated using the fence identifiers. In some cases, a first segment is encoded, transmitted, decoded, and processed before a second segment is encoded. As a result, in some cases, segment statuses are more easily tracked, hardware is used more efficiently, end-to-end processing time is reduced, and less communication network bandwidth is used.