Unified Transcoder Architecture for Format Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transcoders are inefficient and costly due to the separation of decoder and encoder components, which requires high-performance processing hardware and significant storage for decompressed multimedia, and are not compatible with various digital playback devices.
Innovation Solution
A streamlined transcoder architecture that uses a unified decoder to produce both decoded and encoder reference frames, allowing for the reuse of data in the decode step for the encode step, reducing resource consumption and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complete decoder and complete encoder are used separately for transcoding, then format conversion capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the decoder and encoder into a single transcoder device that performs both decoding and encoding functions. The transcoder receives compressed video data, decodes it to produce decoded frames, and re-encodes them into a different format, eliminating the need for separate decoder and encoder hardware systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transcoder is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple compression formats (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, etc.) and convert between them. It provides multi-functional capability by supporting various resolutions, bit rates, and format conversions within a single hardware platform.
2Ease of operation
If decompressed video is used for processing, then spatial domain operations can be performed, but high-performance processing hardware and significant storage are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reference frame buffer that stores decoded frames in a nested structure within the transcoder. The reference frames are kept in memory in a compressed yet accessible format, allowing spatial domain operations while minimizing the storage footprint through efficient memory management and frame reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The transcoder performs preliminary decoding of video frames into reference frames before encoding operations. These pre-decoded reference frames are stored and reused for multiple encoding operations, avoiding the need to fully decompress and store entire video sequences, thus reducing storage requirements while enabling spatial domain processing.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate decoder and encoder designs are used, then independent optimization is possible, but interaction between components is limited and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the decoder and encoder into a unified transcoder architecture where both functions operate within the same hardware platform. This merging enables direct interaction between decoding and encoding processes, allowing shared resources such as motion estimation algorithms, reference frame buffers, and processing pipelines to be utilized by both functions, thereby significantly improving transcoding efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a streamlined transcoder architecture. A transcoder system includes an encoder and a decoder. The encoder compares a decoded frame and a encoder reference frame to produce an output stream. The decoder produces the decoded frame including decoder reference frame and the encoder reference frame. The decoded frame is produced from an input stream, and the encoder reference frame is produced from the output stream of the encoder. In one embodiment, the encoder refines motion vectors, quantization, and macroblock type/mode from the input stream for reuse in the output stream. Furthermore, the decoded frames from the input stream can be modified in various ways including changing picture resolution and performing image enhancement on them before encoding.