Video Slice Header Processing Overhead Constraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding standards, such as HEVC, face significant processing overhead due to the parsing of slice headers, which can become burdensome for real-time decoder implementations, especially when dealing with high frame rates and variable picture sizes.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves computing a maximum slice rate for a video sequence based on parameters like maximum luma sample rate, maximum luma picture size, and maximum number of slices per picture. This maximum slice rate is then used to constrain the number of slices per second, ensuring that the slice header processing overhead remains constant across different frame rates and picture sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of slices per picture is increased to handle high frame rates and variable picture sizes, then the adaptability of the video coding system is improved, but the processing overhead due to slice header parsing increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to high frame rates and variable picture sizesVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of maximum slices per picture from a fixed value to a dynamically computed value based on the relationship: max_slices_per_picture = max(1, floor(max_slice_rate / frame_rate)). This allows the system to adapt to different frame rates and picture sizes while constraining the slice header processing overhead to a constant maximum rate, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If software is used for slice header parsing and reference picture list re-ordering to maintain flexibility and error resiliency, then the reliability is improved, but the processing speed and real-time performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and error resiliencyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary computation of the maximum number of slices during encoding based on the maximum slice rate constraint. By pre-determining and signaling this parameter in the bitstream, the decoder can prepare and allocate resources in advance, reducing the real-time processing burden during decoding while maintaining software-based flexibility and error resiliency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250168406A1Constraining Slice Header Processing Overhead in Video Coding

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A method for encoding a picture of a video sequence in a bit stream that constrains slice header processing overhead is provided. The method includes computing a maximum slice rate for the video sequence, computing a maximum number of slices for the picture based on the maximum slice rate, and encoding the picture wherein a number of slices used to encode the picture is enforced to be no more than the maximum number of slices.