Parallel Video Encoding Buffer Consistency via Target Calculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moving image encoding techniques face challenges in ensuring that the bitstream data produced by splicing encoded sub-data blocks meets the specifications of the standard decoder buffer, leading to inconsistencies in buffer occupancy, which can result in decreased image quality and increased encoding time due to the need for simulation and re-encoding.
Innovation Solution
A moving image encoding apparatus that determines target buffer occupancy values and allocates encoding bits to ensure consistent buffer occupancy by inserting an invalid bit string between sub-bitstream data blocks, thereby maintaining buffer consistency without the need for simulation or re-encoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple moving image data blocks are separately encoded and spliced together, then encoding speed is improved, but buffer occupancy consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates the convergence target value for buffer occupancy before the actual encoding process. This preliminary calculation allows the system to determine the appropriate number of encoding bits for each picture in advance, ensuring that when the encoded data is spliced together, the buffer occupancy remains consistent and meets the standard decoder buffer specifications without requiring simulation or re-encoding.
2Reliability
If simulation and re-encoding are performed to satisfy buffer specifications, then buffer occupancy consistency is improved, but encoding time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of simulation and re-encoding with a mathematical calculation approach. By calculating the convergence target value for buffer occupancy and determining the number of encoding bits based on this target, the system achieves buffer occupancy consistency directly during the encoding process, eliminating the need for time-consuming simulation and re-encoding operations.
3Reliability
If the number of encoding bits is adjusted to meet buffer specifications, then buffer occupancy consistency is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the number of encoding bits as a parameter based on the calculated convergence target value for buffer occupancy. By changing this parameter adaptively during the encoding process rather than using fixed or overly restrictive bit allocation, the system maintains buffer occupancy consistency while preserving image quality through optimized bit distribution across different pictures.
Data Source
AI summary
A moving image encoding apparatus, which divides moving image data into a plurality of sub-data, encodes the sub-data in parallel by using a plurality of encoders, and thereafter splices the resulting encoded sub-bitstream data into a single bitstream, includes a convergence target deriving function for determining a target value for a first amount of buffer occupancy so that the first amount of buffer occupancy at a point in time at which data corresponding to a last picture contained in first sub-bitstream data is removed from a first hypothetical buffer does not drop below a second amount of buffer occupancy which represents the amount of space that second sub-bitstream data occupies in a second hypothetical buffer at that point in time.