Video Encoding Control for Decoder Buffer Underflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video encoding methods experience significant image quality degradation due to underflow conditions in decoder buffers, where the rate of occupancy decreases, leading to prolonged suppression of generated code and subsequent image distortion.
Innovation Solution
A video encoding control method that detects underflows in decoder buffers, suppresses code generation by skipping or minimizing encoded pictures, and continues this suppression until the buffer occupancy rate exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby preventing prolonged image quality degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the amount of generated code is suppressed to prevent underflow, then buffer occupancy is maintained, but image quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the code generation amount based on real-time buffer occupancy status. When underflow is detected, the system temporarily suppresses code generation to restore buffer occupancy to an appropriate level. Once the buffer occupancy exceeds the threshold, normal encoding resumes, thereby dynamically balancing buffer management with image quality preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encoding parameter (code generation amount) based on buffer occupancy conditions. By monitoring buffer occupancy rate and adjusting the encoding bit rate accordingly, the system prevents underflow while minimizing impact on image quality. The threshold-based control mechanism allows parameter adjustment only when necessary.
2Reliability
If code generation is continuously suppressed after underflow detection, then buffer occupancy is restored, but image quality degradation persists for prolonged period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where buffer occupancy is continuously monitored and compared against a predetermined threshold. When the threshold is exceeded, the code suppression is terminated and normal encoding resumes. This feedback control ensures that code suppression is applied only for the minimum necessary duration to restore buffer occupancy, thereby minimizing image quality degradation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A video encoding control method for controlling encoding of an input video signal. The method includes the steps of detecting an underflow of a decoder buffer; if the underflow of the decoder buffer has been detected, suppressing an amount of generated code by skipping an encoding target picture or by encoding the encoding target picture so as to produce a minimum amount of generated code; after suppressing the amount of generated code, comparing a current rate of occupancy in the decoder buffer with a predetermined threshold for the rate of occupancy in the decoder buffer; and performing a control for continuously suppressing the amount of code generated for each encoding target image by using the above step of suppressing the amount of generated code until the rate of occupancy in the decoder buffer exceeds the threshold based on a result of the above comparison.