Unified Search Window for Multi-Standard Video Motion Estimation

The patent implements a unified search window that serves multiple video encoding formats (H.264, H.265, etc.) through a single processing unit. The search window is configured with dimensions that accommodate the largest format requirements, and the same hardware unit dynamically adjusts its operation to support different block sizes and partition configurations across various codecs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated processing units for each format.

The search processing unit employs dynamic configuration capabilities, adjusting its operational parameters such as search window size, block dimensions, and partitioning schemes based on the target video format being encoded. This dynamic adaptability allows the same hardware to efficiently handle different encoding standards without requiring static dedicated structures for each format.

The patent divides the large search window into multiple smaller search regions or zones, each processed independently or in parallel. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a large overall search range for accuracy while breaking down the computational task into manageable segments, reducing the time complexity from examining every position in a large window to processing smaller regions systematically.

The system performs preliminary motion estimation at lower resolutions or with coarser search steps before refining the search in the final high-precision stage. This multi-stage approach allows the large search window to be explored efficiently by first identifying candidate regions with broader steps, then concentrating detailed search efforts only in promising areas, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing overall processing time.