Patent ID: 6307886
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for encoding a sequence of video frames, said method comprising:(a) encoding the sequence of video frames to produce an encoded bitstream;(b) during said encoding (a), dynamically determining, as a function of frame variation between a frame and a reference frame within the sequence of video frames, a group of picture (GOP) length for at least one GOP of the encoded bitstream;wherein said encoding (a) comprises encoding a frame of the sequence of video frames as an intra-coded (I) frame and employing forward prediction motion estimation based on said encoded I frame for each frame of a variable number of frames temporally subsequent to said encoded I frame, said I frame and said variable number of frames temporally subsequent thereto comprising said GOP length of said at least one GOP, and wherein said dynamically determining (b) comprises dynamically determining said variable number of frames temporally subsequent to said I frame to be encoded employing forward prediction motion estimation based on said encoded I frame, said encoded I frame comprising said reference frame; andwherein said encoding (a) comprises encoding each frame of said variable number of frames temporally subsequent to said I frame as a B frame, wherein said GOP length comprises said encoded I frame and said variable number of encoded B frames only.