Video Encoder Power Control via Static Region Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video encoders face inefficiencies in power consumption due to the need for computation-intensive motion estimation to determine static regions, which overshadows the gains in efficiency from encoding these regions in SKIP mode.
Innovation Solution
Implementing pre-encoding logic to identify static regions of an image frame before motion estimation, allowing adjustment of power consumption by determining the amount of the image frame that is static and encoding it in a reduced complexity mode, such as SKIP mode, thereby reducing computational resources needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional video encoders perform motion estimation calculations to determine static regions, then encoding efficiency is improved by identifying SKIP mode regions, but power consumption increases due to computation-intensive operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a preliminary scan of the image frame to identify static regions before conducting full motion estimation. The encoder compares current frame blocks with corresponding blocks in the previous frame, identifies regions with no significant changes (static regions), and marks them for SKIP mode encoding before the computationally intensive motion estimation process begins. This preliminary identification prevents unnecessary calculations on known-static regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts static regions from the overall encoding process by separating them into a distinct handling pathway. Once static regions are identified through the preliminary scan, they are extracted from the normal motion estimation pipeline and encoded directly using SKIP mode without undergoing the full motion compensation calculation process. This extraction eliminates wasted computational resources on regions that will definitely be encoded as static.
2Measurement precision
If conventional encoders perform full motion estimation on all regions, then accurate motion vectors are obtained for dynamic regions, but computational resources are wasted on static regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by applying different processing strategies to different regions of the image frame based on their characteristics. Static regions identified through the preliminary scan receive simplified SKIP mode encoding, while dynamic regions undergo the complete motion estimation process. This localized approach ensures that computational resources are concentrated where they are needed (dynamic regions requiring accurate motion vectors) while avoiding waste on regions where full processing is unnecessary (static regions).
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and methods for controlling power consumption in video encoding obtain, before motion estimation is performed on an image frame to be encoded, information regarding an amount of the image frame to be encoded that is static with respect to a previously encoded image frame. The apparatus and methods adjust power consumption of the video encoder based on the obtained information regarding the amount of the image frame to be encoded that is static.