Video Coding Error Propagation Distortion Map
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video encoding technologies face challenges in balancing bitrate and distortion, particularly in real-time video streaming where computational and memory resources are limited, leading to high complexity and resource demands.
Innovation Solution
A method for encoding video streams that optimizes encoding modes by using an error propagation distortion map with simplified calculations, assuming zero motion to reduce computational complexity and memory requirements, while maintaining acceptable quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional error propagation distortion calculation methods are used, then measurement precision of distortion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simplified, disposable approximation methods for distortion calculation that do not require maintaining complex historical distortion maps. Instead of using elaborate weighted sum calculations across multiple reference blocks, the invention employs straightforward distortion measures that can be computed independently for each block, sacrificing some precision for dramatically reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of distortion calculation by using simplified distortion measures and assuming zero motion for error propagation. This transforms the complex multi-parameter weighted calculation into a simpler single-parameter approach, reducing computational burden while maintaining acceptable performance for real-time encoding.
2Measurement precision
If traditional error propagation distortion calculation methods are used, then measurement precision of distortion is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, disposable distortion calculation methods that require minimal computational energy. By avoiding the maintenance of complex historical distortion maps and using simple independent block-wise calculations, the energy consumption is dramatically reduced while still providing sufficient distortion measurement for mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the energy-intensive multi-parameter distortion calculation into a low-energy single-parameter approach by assuming zero motion and using simplified distortion measures. This parameter change enables real-time encoding on resource-constrained devices with limited energy budgets.
3Measurement precision
If traditional error propagation distortion calculation methods are used, then measurement precision of distortion is improved, but device memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential distortion information needed for mode selection, discarding the complex historical distortion map data. By taking out only the necessary current block distortion measurement and assuming zero motion for error propagation, the patent eliminates the need to store and process large amounts of historical distortion data, significantly reducing memory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable, lightweight distortion measurements for each block independently rather than maintaining persistent complex distortion maps in memory. This approach uses minimal memory resources while still providing sufficient information for encoding mode selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising: for each target image portion to be encoded in a frame, selecting one of a set of encoding modes by optimizing a function comprising an estimate of distortion for the target image portion and a measure of bit rate required to encode the target image portion, encoding the target image portion into the encoded video stream using the selected mode. The encoded video stream is transmitted over a lossy channel. An error propagation distortion map is maintained, which comprises a plurality of error propagation distortion values mapping to respective frame partitions, the error propagation distortion values being based on previous encoding mode selections. The estimate of distortion used to select the encoding mode for each of the target image portions is based on a corresponding portion from the error propagation distortion map, and that corresponding portion is constrained to being co-located with the target image portion.