Intervideo, Inc.

Kuo-Wei Hsu

Ioannis Katsavounidis

Lifeng Zhao

The invention is related to methods and apparatus that advantageously improve picture quality in a video encoder, such as an MPEG video encoder. The picture quality of a video encoder can be compromised by bit stuffing. Bit stuffing is a technique that is commonly used when encoding to resolve buffer underrun problems. However, bit stuffing can introduce instabilities in the encoding process. Embodiments of the invention advantageously stabilize the encoding process due to bit stuffing, and thereby improve picture quality.

Systems and methods for improving bit rate control of video encoding by correcting for the effects of scene changes and bit stuffing in a video buffer verifier (VBV) buffer model

The invention is related to methods and apparatus that can advantageously be used in a video encoder to improve picture quality, to improve the speed of encoding, and the like. One embodiment of the invention advantageously computes activity measures using an efficient L1-norm, which can advantageously be relatively quickly computed by selected microprocessors. Another embodiment of the invention advantageously allocates bits to macroblocks of a picture based at least in part on the motion activities of the macroblocks.

Systems and methods for allocating bits to macroblocks within a picture depending on the motion activity of macroblocks as calculated by an L1 norm of the residual signals of the macroblocks

Methods and apparatus are provided to advantageously improve bit rate control in a video encoder, such as an MPEG video encoder. The targeted bit allocation for a picture to be encoded is advantageously varied based on an occupancy level of a buffer model, such as a video buffer verifier (VBV) buffer model.

Systems and methods for adjusting targeted bit allocation based on an occupancy level of a VBV buffer model

The invention is related to methods and apparatus that advantageously improve picture quality in a video encoder, such as an MPEG video encoder. Scene changes typically occur relatively frequently in picture sequences, such as movies. One embodiment of the invention detects a scene change within a group of pictures and allocates bits within the group of pictures in response to the detected scene change without changing a predetermined structure for the group of pictures.

Growing community of inventors

San Lorenzo, CA, United States of America

Kuo-Wei Hsu