Video Encoding Non-Residual Mode Distortion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video compression standards, such as H.264, face challenges in achieving high quality at low bitrates due to the high distortion caused by the PSKIP mode, which propagates compression errors and results in inefficient bit usage, especially when prohibited for low complexity content.

Innovation Solution

A method that enables and disables the non-residual mode for video encoding, specifically by disabling it initially, checking for null information patterns, and re-encoding macroblocks with such patterns to limit distortion propagation, thereby optimizing bit allocation and quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If PSKIP mode is used to achieve high compression efficiency, then coding efficiency is improved, but distortion between coded macroblock and original macroblock increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoding efficiencyVSAvoiddistortion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the parameter of residual encoding by disabling it for PSKIP mode macroblocks under specific conditions (when prediction error is below a threshold). This allows the system to switch between residual and non-residual encoding modes, achieving high compression efficiency when possible while maintaining quality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If PSKIP mode is used to reduce bitrate, then compression ratio is improved, but visual quality deteriorates due to distortion propagation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebitrateVSAvoidvisual quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different encoding strategies to different macroblocks based on local characteristics. By evaluating the prediction error for each macroblock individually and applying residual encoding only where necessary, the system achieves local optimization of quality while maintaining overall low bitrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If PSKIP mode is prohibited to improve visual quality, then distortion is reduced, but bit overhead increases due to NULL Information Pattern coding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual qualityVSAvoidbit overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the encoding mode dynamic rather than static. Instead of permanently prohibiting PSKIP mode or using it unconditionally, the system dynamically selects between PSKIP and residual encoding modes based on the prediction error of each macroblock, achieving adaptability that balances quality and bitrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If rate distortion based mode decision is used to optimize encoding choices, then encoding optimization is improved, but comparison between PSKIP mode and other modes becomes inaccurate due to zero coding rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencoding optimizationVSAvoidrate distortion comparison accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary metric (prediction error threshold) to facilitate comparison between PSKIP mode and other encoding modes. By using prediction error as a proxy for distortion and comparing it against a dynamically determined threshold, the system achieves accurate mode selection despite the zero coding rate of PSKIP mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8306118B1High quality low bitrate video coding by enabling and disabling a non-residual mode

Publication Date: 2012.11.06 GEO SEMICONDUCTOR INC

AI summary

A method for encoding video, comprising the steps of (A) encoding a number of macroblocks of a video signal with a non-residual mode disabled, (B) checking each of the macroblocks for a null information pattern, and (C) re-encoding each of the macroblocks having the null information pattern with the non-residual mode enabled.