Variable-Length Coding Apparatus Circuit Scale Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image coding apparatuses have large circuit scales due to specialized hardware for identifier insertion and lack flexible control over code amount and error handling, making it difficult to adapt to different coding schemes and detect coding mishaps during the process.
Innovation Solution
A variable-length coding apparatus with a main control unit that manages identifier insertion, code amount control, and error handling by utilizing a coding scheme storage, written data storage, selection, data combination, and significant bit calculation units, allowing for flexible processing and adaptive control across various coding schemes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If specialized hardware devices are used for generating identifiers, adding padding bits, and inserting identifiers into the code data string, then the identifier insertion processing is accomplished, but the circuit scale becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of generating identifiers, adding padding bits, and inserting identifiers into a single main control unit that processes code data strings. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate specialized hardware devices, thereby reducing circuit scale while maintaining complete identifier insertion functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The main control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: generating various types of identifiers (restart markers, slice start codes), calculating padding bit requirements, and inserting these elements into the code data string. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized hardware devices with a single versatile control unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware devices are provided for each identifier type (restart marker, slice start code, EOI marker, DNL marker, picture header), then each identifier can be processed, but the circuit scale becomes large and flexible processing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The main control unit is designed as a universal processor that can handle multiple identifier types (restart markers, slice start codes, EOI markers, DNL markers, picture headers) through a single integrated device. This approach provides flexible processing capability for different identifier types without requiring separate specialized hardware for each, thereby reducing circuit scale while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method dynamically adjusts the type and position of identifiers based on the coding scheme being used (JPEG or MPEG). The main control unit can adaptively select which identifiers to generate and insert, allowing flexible processing of different identifier types without fixed dedicated hardware for each.
3Productivity
If the variable-length encoder operates autonomously without external control, then the encoding process is simple, but code amount control cannot be performed and coding mishaps cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The main control unit continuously monitors the code data string generation process, evaluating the code amount in real-time and detecting coding mishaps. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high encoding speed while simultaneously providing code amount control and error detection capabilities that would be impossible in a fully autonomous encoder.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a main control unit with flexible processing capability is used to generate the header portion, then adaptability is improved, but the coding speed may be reduced compared to specialized hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the header generation function with the ECS/macro block portion processing in a single main control unit. This integration allows the system to maintain flexible processing capability for both header and data portions while optimizing the overall coding process, rather than having separate control units that might create interface overhead and reduce speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable-length coding apparatus having a smaller circuit scale, which flexibly handles identifier insertion processing in correspondence with various coding schemes, and which performs fine code amount control and adaptive erroneous operation control, and an image coding apparatus having the variable-length coding apparatus. The variable-length coding apparatus converts quantized data obtained by quantizing image data into variable-length code data, generates a code data string having a predetermined data structure, and inserts padding bits and identifier into the variable-length code data based on an externally-input instruction. Further, the image coding apparatus having the variable-length coding apparatus changes quantization values based on the total code amount of code data string generated by the variable-length coding apparatus.