Video Processing Circuit Block-Based Encoding Memory Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video processing circuits are resource-intensive and inefficient due to the need to store multiple frames in memory, leading to high memory consumption and delays in processing.
Innovation Solution
A video processing circuit that reads and processes partial image blocks from external memory, reducing memory usage and processing delays by generating video streams from image blocks rather than complete frames, and utilizing a control circuit, image processing circuit, and video encoding circuit to manage and encode these blocks efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple complete frames are stored in memory for video processing, then video stream generation can be performed, but memory consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a complete video frame into multiple independent image blocks (e.g., 16x16 pixel blocks). Instead of storing and processing entire frames, the system processes and encodes individual image blocks separately. This segmentation allows the memory to store only the necessary reference blocks for motion compensation rather than complete frames, dramatically reducing memory requirements while maintaining video stream generation capability.
2Productivity
If multiple complete frames are stored in memory, then video encoding can be performed, but system resources are consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The video encoding process is segmented into independent block-level operations. Each image block is encoded separately using motion compensation against reference blocks, allowing the system to process and output encoded data in smaller increments without requiring full frame buffers, thus reducing overall system resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional frame-based processing to a more granular block-based approach, effectively adding a dimensional level of granularity to the processing unit. This allows the system to operate with reduced memory footprints by only loading and processing necessary block portions rather than entire frames.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the video processing circuit outputs multiple video streams, then versatility is improved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting frames into reusable image blocks, the system can efficiently serve multiple video streams from the same block data. Different streams can be generated by applying different processing or encoding parameters to the same source blocks, eliminating the need to store separate frame data for each stream and thus keeping memory requirements manageable while supporting multiple outputs.
4Device complexity
If frames are processed sequentially in conventional circuits, then processing is simplified, but processing delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by identifying and storing reference image blocks before they are needed for motion compensation. The control circuit predicts future block positions and pre-loads reference blocks into memory, so that when encoding is needed, the data is already available. This eliminates waiting delays while maintaining relatively simple sequential processing logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of data loading and processing based on predicted needs. The control circuit uses motion vector information to determine which blocks will be needed and when, allowing flexible scheduling of memory operations and processing steps to minimize idle time and delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A video processing circuit coupled to an external memory and for generating a video stream is provided. The external memory stores a part of a first frame. The video processing circuit includes a memory, a control circuit, an image processing circuit, and a video encoding circuit. The control circuit is used for reading a first image block from the external memory and storing the first image block in the memory, the first image block being a part of the first frame. The image processing circuit is used for reading the first image block from the memory and processing the first image block to generate a second image block which is a part of the second frame different from the first frame. The video encoding circuit is used for reading the first image block from the memory and encoding the first image block to generate a part of the video stream.