Video Encoder Error Recovery Using Block Cost and Counter Metrics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video codec standards face complexity and high costs in implementing effective error recovery for lossless compression, particularly in network transmission errors, which are not adaptable to the displayed content or timely refresh of artefacts.
Innovation Solution
A method for a video encoder to select data from image blocks based on counter values and costs, preferring blocks with lower counter values for prediction, and using raw data transfer when maximum lifetime is exceeded, allowing pre-setting of error recovery time and adapting to network quality and content significance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex error correction codes are used for all regions, then error recovery reliability is improved, but device complexity and computational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into multiple regions with different error recovery requirements. Critical regions (e.g., regions with significant information) use robust error correction codes, while non-critical regions use simpler or no error correction. This segmentation allows selective application of complex error correction only where needed, improving overall reliability without uniformly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different error correction strategies are applied to different regions based on their importance. The patent classifies regions and assigns appropriate error correction codes locally, so that only regions with significant information receive the complex error correction treatment, while other regions use simpler methods.
2Speed
If I-frames are used frequently for error recovery, then error recovery speed is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores cost metrics for different blocks during encoding, which represent the bandwidth cost of using that block for prediction. During error recovery, these pre-computed costs are used to quickly determine the most efficient refresh strategy without requiring full I-frame transmissions, thus enabling fast error recovery with controlled bandwidth usage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of refreshing the entire frame using full I-frames, the patent selectively refreshes only the affected regions or blocks that contain errors. This partial action approach restores error-free data where needed while avoiding the excessive bandwidth consumption of complete frame retransmissions.
3Quantity of substance
If prediction is used for all blocks, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but error propagation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the prediction strategy for each block based on its age and error status. Blocks are associated with counter values representing their age since last update. When a block exceeds a maximum age or is detected as erroneous, the system switches from prediction to direct data transmission for that specific block, preventing error propagation while maintaining bandwidth efficiency for other blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses counter values and cost metrics as feedback mechanisms to monitor block freshness and prediction effectiveness. When feedback indicates that a block has become too old or is propagating errors, the system adjusts its strategy by transmitting fresh data for that block, thus preventing error propagation while maintaining overall bandwidth efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to a method for a video encoder to select data from a set of image blocks, each block being associated with a frame, a counter value and a cost, the method comprising: calculating, for a target block from among said set of image blocks, the respective counter values and the respective costs of other blocks from among said set of image blocks, said other blocks being associated with the same frame as the target block or with a previous frame; and selecting from said other blocks a reference block having the lowest cost and counter value, according to predefined criteria. The invention also pertains to a computer program product for carrying out the method, and to a video encoder apparatus.