Video Encoding Region Management for Buffer Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video encoding methods experience significant picture quality degradation due to frequent use of simplified encoding after intra-picture insertion, leading to buffer underflow and impaired transition to normal encoding, especially at low bit rates.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves strategically managing encoding regions by initially reducing the normal encoding region of intra-pictures and gradually enlarging it, employing simplified encoding techniques such as encoding only the DC component of transform coefficients and skip mode for inter-pictures to suppress buffer underflow and optimize computation, while ensuring efficient transition to normal encoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If simplified encoding is performed on a major portion of intra-picture to reduce code amount, then buffer underflow is suppressed, but picture quality is significantly degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode amountVSAvoidpicture quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating encoding methods across different regions of the picture. Specifically, it performs simplified encoding on certain blocks while performing normal encoding on other blocks within the same picture, allowing high-quality encoding only where necessary (e.g., important regions) while using simplified encoding in less critical areas to control overall code amount and prevent buffer underflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If normal encoding is performed on inter-picture to maintain picture quality, then code amount increases, but buffer underflow occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepicture qualityVSAvoidcode amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively applying normal encoding only to specific blocks within inter-pictures that require high quality (such as regions with significant motion or detail), while applying simplified encoding to other blocks. This localized approach maintains picture quality in critical areas while controlling overall code amount to prevent buffer underflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If simplified encoding is frequently used to control code amount, then buffer stability is improved, but transition to normal encoding is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer stabilityVSAvoidencoding method transition
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the encoding method adaptive and changeable based on real-time conditions. It dynamically switches between simplified and normal encoding methods for different blocks based on local picture characteristics, motion complexity, and buffer status. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to transition smoothly between encoding modes, maintaining buffer stability while preserving the ability to use normal encoding when and where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3531699B1Video encoding method, device, and program
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • EP3531699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3531699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3531699B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an intra-picture, a predetermined region is set as a normal encoding region, and a region other than the predetermined region is set as a simplified encoding region. In a subsequent picture, the normal encoding region is set as a larger region including a normal encoding region of a previous picture, and a region other than the normal encoding region is set as a simplified encoding region. In each picture, normal encoding is performed on a block of the normal encoding region, and simplified encoding in which a generated code amount and a computation amount are smaller than in the normal encoding is performed on a block of the simplified encoding region.