Multi-Standard Video Decoder Hardware Pipeline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital video decoders are unable to provide real-time decoding for a large number of widely used video encoding standards, as they either require multiple hardware decoders for different standards, leading to high costs and limited accessibility, or rely on software-based solutions that are inefficient and lack real-time capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A hardware multi-standard video decoder device that includes a command parser to identify the encoding standard and activate specific subsets of hardware decoding blocks within a multiple stage macro-block level pipeline, allowing for real-time decoding of multiple video standards without the need for multiple hardware decoders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single-standard hardware video decoders are used to support multiple video encoding standards, then decoding capability for different standards is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal hardware video decoder that can decode multiple video encoding standards (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, etc.) using a single device. The decoder includes a standard identification module that detects the input standard and dynamically configures the hardware pipeline to execute the appropriate decoding algorithm, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated hardware decoders while maintaining support for all major standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic configuration mechanism where the hardware decoding pipeline is reconfigured based on the detected video standard. The system identifies the encoding standard in real-time and activates only the necessary decoding components for that standard, allowing the same hardware infrastructure to adapt to different standards without requiring parallel static hardware for each standard
2Adaptability or versatility
If software-based programmable core video decoders are used to provide multi-standard decoding, then adaptability to different standards is improved, but processing efficiency and real-time performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based decoding with hardware-based decoding implementation. By implementing decoding algorithms in hardware logic circuits rather than software, the system achieves significant performance improvements including real-time decoding capability, lower latency, and reduced CPU overhead while maintaining multi-standard support through dynamic hardware configuration
3Adaptability or versatility
If all hardware decoding blocks are activated to support all video standards, then versatility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by activating only the specific decoding blocks required for the detected video standard. The system identifies the encoding standard and selectively enables the corresponding hardware pipeline components, keeping unused blocks in a low-power or inactive state, thereby significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining full multi-standard capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality optimization by configuring different parts of the hardware pipeline according to the specific requirements of each video standard. Each decoding block is selectively activated based on the local needs of the detected standard, ensuring that only the necessary computational resources are consumed for each decoding task rather than uniformly activating all blocks
Data Source
AI summary
A hardware multi-standard video decoder device. A command parser accesses a video stream and identifies a video encoding standard used for encoding the video stream. A plurality of hardware decoding blocks perform operations associated with decoding the video stream, wherein different subsets of the plurality of hardware decoding blocks are for decoding video streams encoded using different video encoding standards.