Patent ID: 6111913
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for encoding a picture having a plurality of macroblocks, each macroblock containing coefficients, said method comprising for each macroblock:encoding the coefficients of the macroblock;determining a target bit rate for the macroblock;if the target bit rate is less than x meqabits per second (Mbps), wherein x is a predetermined number, applying a constraining pattern to the coefficients, said constraining pattern zeroing selected coefficients of the macroblock; andwherein the coefficients of each macroblock are arranged in blocks, and wherein said method further comprises determining if the picture comprises a nonintra picture, and if so, then for each macroblock:generating a Fixed Coded Block Pattern (FCBP) header for the macroblock and outputting the FCBP in a bitstream, said FCBP signifying that each block of the macroblock contains at least one nonzero coefficient; andensuring that each block of the macroblock contains at least one nonzero coefficient.