Video Encoding Pipeline Using Low-Resolution Motion Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining encoding parameters for high-resolution image data is computationally complex, hindering real-time or near real-time video encoding and transmission due to the large amount of data being analyzed.
Innovation Solution
A low-resolution pipeline is introduced in parallel with the main encoding pipeline to determine encoding parameters, using scaled image data to reduce memory bandwidth and facilitate efficient motion estimation, allowing the low-resolution pipeline to operate ahead of the main pipeline and provide necessary information for rate-distortion calculations and image stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full-resolution image data is used for motion estimation and encoding parameter determination, then encoding accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and memory bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the encoding process into two separate pipelines: a low-resolution pipeline that performs motion estimation and generates candidate motion vectors, and a main encoding pipeline that performs final encoding using full-resolution data. This segmentation allows motion estimation to be performed on downsampled data, reducing computational complexity while maintaining encoding accuracy through the two-stage approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-resolution pipeline performs preliminary motion estimation before the main encoding pipeline processes full-resolution data. By pre-calculating motion vectors at lower resolution, the system reduces the computational burden of the main encoding process while still achieving accurate encoding results when full-resolution data is used in the final stage.
2Measurement precision
If full-resolution image data is processed for motion estimation, then motion estimation accuracy is improved, but memory bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing into two resolution levels. The low-resolution pipeline processes downsampled image data for motion estimation, requiring minimal memory bandwidth. The main encoding pipeline then uses full-resolution data only for the final encoding stage, optimizing the balance between motion estimation accuracy and memory bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a downsampled copy of the full-resolution image data for use in the low-resolution pipeline. This copy contains sufficient information for motion estimation while occupying minimal memory resources, allowing the system to perform motion analysis without consuming excessive memory bandwidth.
3Measurement precision
If complex encoding parameter determination is performed for high-resolution images, then encoding quality is improved, but real-time processing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encoding process into a fast low-resolution pipeline that performs preliminary analysis and a main encoding pipeline that ensures quality. The low-resolution pipeline quickly generates motion vectors and encoding parameters from downsampled data, enabling real-time processing, while the main pipeline refines these parameters using full-resolution data to maintain encoding quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-resolution pipeline performs preliminary determination of encoding parameters including motion vectors and mode decisions before the main encoding pipeline processes full-resolution data. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly establish encoding parameters in real-time, while subsequent refinement maintains high encoding quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for improving operational efficiency of a video encoding system used to encode image data are provided. In embodiments, a video encoding system includes image processing circuitry configured to receive source image data and derive full-resolution image data and low-resolution image data from the source image data. The video encoding system also includes a low resolution pipeline configured to receive the low-resolution image data and determine one or more low resolution inter prediction modes based on the low-resolution image data. Furthermore, the video encoding system includes a main pipeline configured to encode the full-resolution image data based on the one or more low resolution inter prediction modes.