US5835149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bit allocation in a coded video sequence
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1997-06-25
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2017-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A computer-implemented method and apparatus for encoding video pictures of a sequence of video pictures, wherein each picture is defined by one picture type of a plurality of picture types and each picture has a complexity. According to a preferred embodiment, the complexity of each picture type is estimated to provide a complexity estimate for each picture type. Encoding a picture at an average quantization level produces an encoded bit stream having a codesize related to the complexity of the picture, and each picture type is associated with a target codesize. An average quantization level is determined for the first picture of each picture type in accordance with the target codesize and complexity estimate of each of the first pictures, respectively. The first picture of each picture type is then encoded at its respective average quantization level. An actual average quantization level at which each first picture was actually encoded is determined, and the complexity estimate for each picture type is updated in accordance with the actual average quantization level and codesize of the first picture of the picture type encoded.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Astle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N19/00; H04N19/50; H04N19/59; H04N19/10; H04N19/102; H04N19/103; H04N19/107; H04N19/114; H04N19/115; H04N19/124; H04N19/126; H04N19/134; H04N19/136; H04N19/14; H04N19/142; H04N19/146; H04N19/149; H04N19/152; H04N19/169; H04N19/17; H04N19/172; H04N19/177; H04N19/189; H04N19/192; H04N19/60; H04N19/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A computer-implemented method for encoding video pictures of a sequence of video pictures, wherein each picture is defined by one picture type of a plurality of picture types and each picture has a complexity, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a complexity estimate for each picture type, wherein encoding a picture at an average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize related to the complexity of the picture; (b) determining an average quantization level for the first picture of each picture type in accordance with a target codesize and complexity estimate of each said first picture, respectively; (c) encoding the first picture of each picture type at its respective average quantization level; (d) determining an actual average quantization level at which each first picture was actually encoded in step (c); and (e) updating the complexity estimate for each picture type in accordance with the actual average quantization level and codesize of the first picture of the picture type encoded in step (c).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A computer-implemented method for encoding video pictures of a sequence of video pictures, wherein each picture is defined by one picture type of a plurality of picture types and each picture has a complexity, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a complexity estimate for each picture type, wherein encoding a picture at an average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize related to the complexity of the picture; (b) determining an average quantization level for the first picture of each picture type in accordance with a target codesize and complexity estimate of each said first picture, respectively; (c) encoding the first picture of each picture type at its respective average quantization level; (d) determining an actual average quantization level at which each first picture was actually encoded in step (c); and (e) updating the complexity estimate for each picture type in accordance with the actual average quantization level and codesize of the first picture of the picture type encoded in step (c).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein encoding a picture at the average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize inversely related to the average quantization level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of picture types comprises intra pictures, predicted pictures, and bidirectional pictures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the encoded bitstreams are received by a buffer of a hypothetical model decoder which reads the encoded bitstreams from the buffer for decoding the encoded bitstreams; and the target codesize for each picture is selected in order to avoid underflow and overflow of the buffer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 4, wherein: the target codesize for each picture is selected to achieve a nominal buffer fullness after the encoding of step (c); and step (b) further comprises the steps of: (1) comparing the actual buffer fullness achieved after a previous picture was encoded to the nominal buffer fullness for the encoding of the previous picture; and (2) adjusting the average quantization level in accordance with the comparison of step (b)(1).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 5, wherein step (b)(2) comprises the step of: (2) if the actual buffer fullness differs from the nominal buffer fullness by more than a predetermined threshold, then adjusting the average quantization level to obtain nominal buffer fullness within a predetermined number of following pictures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the predetermined number of following pictures is ten.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6, wherein encoding a picture at the average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize inversely related to the average quantization level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of picture types comprises intra pictures, predicted pictures, and bidirectional pictures.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for encoding video pictures of a sequence of video pictures, wherein each picture is defined by one picture type of a plurality of picture types and each picture has a complexity, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for providing a complexity estimate for each picture type, wherein encoding a picture at an average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize related to the complexity of the picture; (b) means for determining an average quantization level for the first picture of each picture type in accordance with a target codesize and complexity estimate of each said first picture, respectively; (c) means for encoding the first picture of each picture type at its respective average quantization level; (d) means for determining an actual average quantization level at which each first picture was actually encoded by means (c); and (e) means for updating the complexity estimate for each picture type in accordance with the actual average quantization level and codesize of the first picture of the picture type encoded by means (c).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for encoding video pictures of a sequence of video pictures, wherein each picture is defined by one picture type of a plurality of picture types and each picture has a complexity, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for providing a complexity estimate for each picture type, wherein encoding a picture at an average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize related to the complexity of the picture; (b) means for determining an average quantization level for the first picture of each picture type in accordance with a target codesize and complexity estimate of each said first picture, respectively; (c) means for encoding the first picture of each picture type at its respective average quantization level; (d) means for determining an actual average quantization level at which each first picture was actually encoded by means (c); and (e) means for updating the complexity estimate for each picture type in accordance with the actual average quantization level and codesize of the first picture of the picture type encoded by means (c).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein encoding a picture at the average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize inversely related to the average quantization level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of picture types comprises intra pictures, predicted pictures, and bidirectional pictures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the encoded bitstreams are received by a buffer of a hypothetical model decoder which reads the encoded bitstreams from the buffer for decoding the encoded bitstreams; and the target codesize for each picture is selected in order to avoid underflow and overflow of the buffer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the target codesize for each picture is selected to achieve a nominal buffer fullness after the encoding of means (c); and means (b) further comprises: (1) means for comparing the actual buffer fullness achieved after a previous picture was encoded to the nominal buffer fullness for the encoding of the previous picture; and (2) means for adjusting the average quantization level in accordance with the comparison of means (b)(1).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein means (b)(2) comprises means for adjusting the average quantization level to obtain nominal buffer fullness within a predetermined number of following pictures if the actual buffer fullness differs from the nominal buffer fullness by more than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the predetermined number of following pictures is ten.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein encoding a picture at the average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize inversely related to the average quantization level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of picture types comprises intra pictures, predicted pictures, and bidirectional pictures.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is electrically connected to a bus and the bus is electrically connected to a memory device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is electrically connected to a bus and the bus is electrically connected to a memory device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
200 words
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, wherein the plurality of instructions are for encoding video pictures of a sequence of video pictures, wherein each picture is defined by one picture type of a plurality of picture types and each picture has a complexity, and wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by a processor of a computer system having a storage area, cause the processor to perform the steps of: (a) providing a complexity estimate for each picture type, wherein encoding a picture at an average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize related to the complexity of the picture; (b) determining an average quantization level for the first picture of each picture type in accordance with a target codesize and complexity estimate of each said first picture, respectively; (c) encoding the first picture of each picture type at its respective average quantization level; (d) determining an actual average quantization level at which each first picture was actually encoded in step (c); and (e) updating the complexity estimate for each picture type in accordance with the actual average quantization level and codesize of the first picture of the picture type encoded in step (c).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
200 words
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, wherein the plurality of instructions are for encoding video pictures of a sequence of video pictures, wherein each picture is defined by one picture type of a plurality of picture types and each picture has a complexity, and wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by a processor of a computer system having a storage area, cause the processor to perform the steps of: (a) providing a complexity estimate for each picture type, wherein encoding a picture at an average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize related to the complexity of the picture; (b) determining an average quantization level for the first picture of each picture type in accordance with a target codesize and complexity estimate of each said first picture, respectively; (c) encoding the first picture of each picture type at its respective average quantization level; (d) determining an actual average quantization level at which each first picture was actually encoded in step (c); and (e) updating the complexity estimate for each picture type in accordance with the actual average quantization level and codesize of the first picture of the picture type encoded in step (c).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein encoding a picture at the average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize inversely related to the average quantization level.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the plurality of picture types comprises intra pictures, predicted pictures, and bidirectional pictures.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein: the encoded bitstreams are received by a buffer of a hypothetical model decoder which reads the encoded bitstreams from the buffer for decoding the encoded bitstreams; and the target codesize for each picture is selected in order to avoid underflow and overflow of the buffer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein: the target codesize for each picture is selected to achieve a nominal buffer fullness after the encoding of step (c); and step (b) further comprises the steps of: (1) comparing the actual buffer fullness achieved after a previous picture was encoded to the nominal buffer fullness for the encoding of the previous picture; and (2) adjusting the average quantization level in accordance with the comparison of step (b)(1).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein step (b)(2) comprises the step of: (2) if the actual buffer fullness differs from the nominal buffer fullness by more than a predetermined threshold, then adjusting the average quantization level to obtain nominal buffer fullness within a predetermined number of following pictures.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the predetermined number of following pictures is ten.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein encoding a picture at the average quantization level produces an encoded bitstream having a codesize inversely related to the average quantization level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the plurality of picture types comprises intra pictures, predicted pictures, and bidirectional pictures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |