Video Encoder Profile-Based Bit Allocation for Logo Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Encoders and transcoders often fail to produce high image quality in regions containing graphical elements like logos due to limited computational resources, making it difficult to efficiently allocate bits for these areas.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize pre-defined profiles with metadata about static graphical elements to optimize encoding parameters, allowing for more efficient allocation of bits to regions with graphical elements, and a confidence level assessment to refine the accuracy of these profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If automated techniques are used to locate graphical elements within video programs, then the encoder can allocate bits more effectively to regions with graphical elements, but the computational cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage quality in logo regionsVSAvoidcomputational resources required
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining profiles containing metadata about static graphical elements (logos) before the encoding process. These profiles include information about logo presence, location, and characteristics, allowing the encoder to allocate bits effectively without performing computationally expensive automated detection during encoding. This resolves the contradiction by preparing graphical element information in advance, eliminating the need for resource-intensive real-time detection while maintaining high image quality in logo regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the encoder allocates more bits to regions with graphical elements, then image quality in those regions improves, but the overall encoding efficiency decreases due to limited bit budget

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage quality in graphical element regionsVSAvoidencoding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allocating encoding resources non-uniformly across different regions of the video frame. Specifically, the encoder identifies regions containing graphical elements using pre-defined profiles and allocates a greater percentage of bits to these specific regions while maintaining standard allocation for other areas. This resolves the contradiction by concentrating bit budget on critical regions (logos) that require higher quality, thereby improving local image quality without excessively compromising overall encoding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If pre-defined profiles with graphical element metadata are used, then bit allocation to graphical elements is optimized, but the system complexity increases due to profile management and confidence level assessment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit allocation accuracy for graphical elementsVSAvoidprofile selection and evaluation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing a confidence level assessment mechanism that evaluates the accuracy of selected profiles. The system assigns confidence levels to profiles based on how well they match the actual video content, and uses this feedback to refine profile selection and improve bit allocation accuracy over time. This resolves the contradiction by introducing a self-correcting mechanism that manages system complexity through adaptive learning, allowing the encoder to become more accurate in profile selection without linearly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10070173B2Video encoder customization through use of crowdsourcing and program metadata
Publication Date: 2018.09.04 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
  • US10070173B2 patent drawing
  • US10070173B2 patent drawing
  • US10070173B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method is provided for encoding a video program that includes receiving a video program to be encoded and evaluating the program with a profile is selected from among a plurality of profiles stored in a database. Each of the plurality of profiles include program attributes associated with one or more video programs and information pertaining to one or more static graphical elements that overlay content in the one or more video programs. The selected profile is applicable to the video program to be encoded. At least a portion of the video program is caused to be encoded based at least in part on the information in the selected profile. The encoded portion of the video program is evaluated to assess an accuracy of the selected profile and, based at least in part on the evaluation, a confidence level is assigned to the selected profile.