Sub-frame Video Decoding for Power Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video decoding systems consume significant power, limiting the duration of video playback on battery-powered devices, and lack user control over video display settings, particularly in scenarios with limited power sources.
Innovation Solution
A video processing apparatus that includes a decoder and a configuration module to selectively decode and display reduced-image portions of video frames, dynamically adjusting the display area based on motion and power availability, allowing for power-saving modes and user-controlled video display options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the decoder decodes all macroblocks of video frames, then the video quality is maintained, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video frame into multiple macroblocks and further divides them into display regions (visible area) and non-display regions. The decoder selectively processes only the macroblocks within the display region, while skipping those outside this region. This segmentation allows the system to maintain video quality for the visible portion while significantly reducing power consumption by not processing the entire frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the processing level for different regions of the video frame. The display region receives full decoding processing to maintain high video quality, while the non-display region is either skipped or processed at a lower quality level. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize power consumption while preserving quality where it matters most (in the visible area).
2Manufacturing precision
If the decoder processes reference sections to account for motion, then the video quality is maintained, but the decoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the necessary reference macroblocks that are adjacent to and relevant for the display region, rather than processing the entire reference section. By taking out only the essential reference blocks needed for motion compensation in the visible area, the system maintains video quality while reducing decoding complexity compared to processing all reference sections.
3Ease of operation
If the user can control video display settings, then the user experience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the display region parameters (size, position, shape) that can be adjusted in real-time based on user preferences and power availability. The configuration module dynamically modifies the display region definition, and the decoder adapts its processing accordingly. This dynamic approach provides flexible user control over video display settings while managing device complexity through efficient parameter-based control rather than complex hardware modifications.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the decoder operates at full power, then the video playback duration is extended, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters by selectively decoding only the display region macroblocks instead of all macroblocks in the frame. This parameter change in the decoding scope directly reduces power consumption during video playback, thereby extending battery life. The system maintains adequate video playback duration by ensuring that the essential visible content is properly decoded while accepting reduced processing of non-visible areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A video processing apparatus, for use in a video receiver, includes a decoder configured to decode encoded video information into decoded video information and to output the decoded information, and a configuration module coupled to the decoder and configured to a provide a control signal to the decoder indicative of a reduced-image portion of the video frames to be displayed, where the decoder is configured to respond to the control signal by decoding first macroblocks of the video information within the reduced-image portion and second macroblocks of the video information, in a reference section, adjacent the first macroblocks to account for motion of the images in the reduced-image portion without decoding third macroblocks lying outside of the reduced-image portion and the reference section.