Memory control apparatus and efficient search pattern for block-matching motion estimation
US7072395B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N19/557
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A memory control apparatus for block-matching motion estimation and an associated search pattern for processing video sequence in real-time are described in this disclosure. The motion estimation subsystem utilizes a set of memory banks to store a section of the reference picture used for computing the differences between an underlying block and a spatially shifted reference block. The memory control apparatus derives the memory addresses for storing the reference picture region in the memory banks in such a way that a row or a column of data from the reference block can be accessed in parallel without wait. The row- or column-data are then made available to the parallel computation unit for computing the block difference in a single processing cycle. An associated spiral search pattern that covers the whole search region is also described that minimizes the required data access and consequently saves power consumption. Combined with a search-stop criterion, the search pattern will result in early search termination during the block-matching motion estimation process and consequently conserves more power.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.