Patent Description:
The efficient sizing of bus bandwidth and memory components in a PCD is important for optimizing the functional capabilities of processing components on the SoC and guaranteeing a minimum required quality of service ("QoS") level. Commonly, the utilization of memory capacity and bus bandwidth is further optimized by compressing data so that the data requires less bus bandwidth to transmit and less space in the memory for storage. Not all data/frames compress with the same efficiency, however, and as such PCD designers are faced with a tradeoff decision - compress using a lossy compression methodology that produces a lower quality output when decompressed and, in return, benefit from a smaller memory component and bus bandwidth requirement or, alternatively, compress using a lossless compression methodology that produces a high quality output when decompressed but requires relatively larger memory components and bus bandwidths to maintain a satisfactory QoS. Either way, designers have to size busses and memory components in view of the "practical worst case" of compression, otherwise they risk reduced QoS as measured by any number of key performance indicators.

Simply stated, current systems and methods for data/frame compression known in the art dictate that PCD designers, in order to ensure delivery of an acceptable QoS level, must utilize memory components and bus bandwidths that are oversized for most use cases regardless of the compression methodology used. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system and method that enables PCD designers to right size memory components and bus bandwidths such that the optimum compression methodology may be used for a given use case. More specifically, there is a need in the art for an intelligent compression system and method that utilizes a mixed mode compression methodology to optimize QoS in view of any one or more key performance indicators.

<CIT>discloses an image coding apparatus which encodes an image on a block-by-block basis and which includes a first coding unit and a second coding unit. The first coding unit performs irreversible compression coding on a received first block. The second coding unit performs reversible compression coding on a received second block. A decision between reversible and irreversible coding is made by using the characteristics of an input image or by using a user input.

<CIT> discloses a video compressor including means for selecting a first, lossy compression algorithm, or a second, lossless compression algorithm. A decision unit selects whether lossy or lossless encoding is to be applied for a specific picture region. The decision unit relies on a comparison of the amount of data for lossy and lossless compression for a specific picture region and the target amount of data for any region.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims. Enabling disclosure for the protected invention is provided with the embodiments described in relation to <FIG>. While several embodiments and/or examples are disclosed throughout this description, the subject matter for which protection is sought is limited to such examples and/or embodiments that are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims. Embodiments and/or examples described herein that do not fall under the scope of the appended claims are to be regarded as useful for understanding the invention.

Various embodiments of methods and systems for intelligent data compression in a portable computing device ("PCD") are disclosed. An exemplary method begins by defining a threshold value for a temperature reading generated by a temperature sensor within the PCD. Depending on the embodiment, the temperature reading may be associated with a skin or outer shell temperature of the PCD, a PoP memory device temperature, a die junction temperature, etc. Next, a first data block is received into a compression module according to a first compression mode. The compression module is operable to toggle between the first compression mode and a second compression mode. With the first data block received into the compression module, an active level for the temperature reading is monitored and compared to the previously defined threshold value for the temperature reading. Based on the comparison of the active level for the temperature reading to the defined threshold value, the compression module may be toggled to the second compression mode such that a second data block is received into the compression module according to the second compression mode.

In an alternative embodiment, a threshold value for an average bandwidth reading over a period of time is generated. The bandwidth reading may be associated with a DRAM or other storage device. With the first data block received into the compression module, an active level for the bandwidth reading is monitored and compared to the previously defined threshold value for the bandwidth reading. Based on the comparison of the active level for the bandwidth reading to the defined threshold value, the compression module may be toggled to the second compression mode such that a second data block is received into the compression module according to the second compression mode.

Depending on the embodiment of the solution, the first compression mode may be associated with a lossless compression algorithm while the second compression mode is associated with a lossy compression algorithm. In other embodiments, both the first compression mode and the second compression mode are associated with a lossless compression algorithm, however, for the first compression mode the received data blocks are produced at a default high quality level setting while for the second compression mode the received data blocks are produced at a reduced quality level setting. Also, it is envisioned that some embodiments of the solution may be configured for application to data blocks in the form of image frames while other embodiments of the solution are configured for application to data blocks in the form of units within an image frame.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise indicated. For reference numerals with letter character designations such as "102A" or "102B", the letter character designations may differentiate two like parts or elements present in the same figure. Letter character designations for reference numerals may be omitted when it is intended that a reference numeral encompass all parts having the same reference numeral in all figures.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as exclusive, preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

In this description, the term "application" may also include files having executable content, such as: object code, scripts, byte code, markup language files, and patches. In addition, an "application" referred to herein, may also include files that are not executable in nature, such as documents that may need to be opened or other data files that need to be accessed.

In this description, reference to "DRAM" or "DDR" memory components will be understood to envision any of a broader class of volatile random access memory ("RAM") and will not limit the scope of the solutions disclosed herein to a specific type or generation of RAM. That is, it will be understood that various embodiments of the systems and methods provide a solution for managing transactions of data that have been compressed according to lossless and/or lossy compression algorithms and are not necessarily limited in application to compressed data transactions associated with double data rate memory. Moreover, it is envisioned that certain embodiments of the solutions disclosed herein may be applicable to DDR, DDR-<NUM>, DDR-<NUM>, low power DDR ("LPDDR") or any subsequent generation of DRAM.

As used in this description, the terms "component," "database," "module," "block," "system," and the like are intended to refer generally to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution, unless specifically limited to a certain computer-related entity. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device may be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components may execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal).

In this description, the terms "central processing unit ("CPU")," "digital signal processor ("DSP")," "graphical processing unit ("GPU")," and "chip" are used interchangeably. Moreover, a CPU, DSP, GPU or chip may be comprised of one or more distinct processing components generally referred to herein as "core(s).

In this description, the terms "engine," "processing engine," "processing component," "producer" and the like are used to refer to any component within a system on a chip ("SoC") that generates data and/or frames and transfers them over a bus to or from a memory component. As such, an engine may refer to, but is not limited to refer to, a CPU, DSP, GPU, modem, controller, camera, video recorder, etc..

In this description, the term "bus" refers to a collection of wires through which data is transmitted from a processing engine to a memory component or other device located on or off the SoC. It will be understood that a bus consists of two parts - an address bus and a data bus where the data bus transfers actual data and the address bus transfers information specifying location of the data in a memory component (i.e., address and associated metadata). The terms "width" or "bus width" or "bandwidth" refers to an amount of data, i.e. a "chunk size," that may be transmitted per cycle through a given bus. For example, a <NUM>-byte bus may transmit <NUM> bytes of data at a time, whereas <NUM>-byte bus may transmit <NUM> bytes of data per cycle. Moreover, "bus speed" refers to the number of times a chunk of data may be transmitted through a given bus each second. Similarly, a "bus cycle" or "cycle" refers to transmission of one chunk of data through a given bus.

In this description, the term "portable computing device" ("PCD") is used to describe any device operating on a limited capacity power supply, such as a battery. Although battery operated PCDs have been in use for decades, technological advances in rechargeable batteries coupled with the advent of third generation ("<NUM>") and fourth generation ("<NUM>") wireless technology have enabled numerous PCDs with multiple capabilities. Therefore, a PCD may be a cellular telephone, a satellite telephone, a pager, a PDA, a smartphone, a navigation device, a smartbook or reader, a media player, a combination of the aforementioned devices, a laptop computer with a wireless connection, among others.

In this description, the terms "lossless" and "lossy" refer to different categories of compression algorithms or methodologies and are not meant to refer to any specific algorithm. Whether a given specific compression algorithm is "lossless" or "lossy" would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Generally speaking, and as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, "lossless" and "lossy" are terms that describe whether or not, in the compression of a data set or frame, all original data can be recovered when the file is uncompressed. With "lossless" compression, every single bit of data that was originally in the frame remains after the frame is uncompressed, I. , all of the information is completely restored. The Graphics Interchange File ("GIF") is an exemplary image format that provides a lossless compression. By contrast, lossy compression algorithms reduce a frame or data set by permanently eliminating certain information, especially redundant information. As such, when a file compressed with a lossy algorithm is decompressed, only a part of the original information is still there (although the user experience may not suffer for it). Lossy compression algorithms may be suitable for video and sound based use cases, for example, as a certain amount of information loss may not be detected by a user. The JPEG image file is an exemplary image format that provides a lossy compression. Using a lossy compression algorithm, designers can decide how much loss to introduce and make a trade-off between file size and output image quality.

In this description, the terms "image," "data set," "data," "frame," "image frame," "buffer," "file" and the like are used interchangeably. Although embodiments of the solution are described herein within the context of a producer component generating a data set in the form of an image frame, such as may be generated by a camera or video subsystem, it will be understood that the solution described herein is not limited in application to a frame. Rather, it is envisioned that embodiments of the solution may be applicable in any use case that may benefit from compression of data in general.

In this description, the terms "tile" and "unit" are used interchangeably to refer to a block of data that forms a subset of a larger block of data such as a frame.

In this description, the term "uncompressed" refers to a frame in its original, precompression state whereas the term "decompressed" refers to a frame that was first compressed from its uncompressed state using a compression algorithm and then later decompressed. Depending on the class of compression used, the data set of a decompressed frame may be identical to the data set of the frame's original, uncompressed state (lossless compression) or it may not (lossy compression).

As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of frame compression, the resulting compression ratio generated by any given compression algorithm inevitably varies from frame to frame. The texture level, light condition, ISO setting, etc. in a given frame of a digitally captured video sequence may differ significantly from a different frame in the same sequence and, as such, the relative levels of compression for the frames will also differ significantly. For example, a frame in a video sequence that captures a couple of people standing and talking may be more likely to experience a high level of compression than a subsequent frame that captures the same couple of people sprinting down a street away from an explosion in the background. Simply stated, the frame with the running subjects and explosion just has a lot of data, the loss of which in compression cannot be afforded if the frame is to deliver a high quality rendering when later decompressed.

With enough large processing components, memory components, bus bandwidths and power supplies, PCD designers would not have to consider the tradeoffs of one compression algorithm versus another - they'd simply produce frames at the highest quality level possible and compress, if at all, with a lossless compression algorithm. That way, they could be assured that the QoS experienced by a user was always at its maximum possible level. But, the realities of limited form factors for PCDs force designers to weigh the tradeoffs of various compression algorithms when sizing components in the PCD to deliver a minimum acceptable QoS for all predicted use cases.

Consequently, PCD designers have typically used the "practical worst case" compression ratio when evaluating the bandwidth requirements and component sizes needed for all known use cases. The practical worst case, therefore, is the compression ratio required to maintain a minimum acceptable QoS for the most difficult frames needing compression (e.g., the frame that captures people sprinting down a street away from an explosion in the background). Using the practical worst case, designers make conservative sizing selections to ensure that the memory and bus bandwidth will always be sufficient regardless of a given frame's complexity. Notably, if the designers undersize the bandwidth, the resulting latency in processing during a problematic use case may cause frame drops, a reduction in frame per second ("FPS")rate, , or the like. Conversely, for all use cases that are better than the practical worst case, the system may be significantly oversized for delivery of the minimum acceptable QoS resulting in a higher cost system.

Advantageously, embodiments of the solution provide designers with the ability to "right size" producers, memory components and bus bandwidths to optimize power consumption and QoS levels across a range of use cases. Notably, embodiments of the solution leverage a mixed mode compression approach. In doing so, and as will be explained more thoroughly below in view of the figures, certain embodiments provide for use of lossless and lossy compression algorithms in a single use case, the selection and duration of the algorithms being made in view of key performance indicators. Certain other embodiments provide for a dynamic frame quality level as an input to a lossless compression block in order to create a more "compressible" frame.

Turning to <FIG>, illustrated are the effects of compressing an image frame composed of multiple data sub-units or tiles. In this description, the various embodiments may be described within the context of an image frame made up of <NUM>-byte tiles. Notably, however, it will be understood that the <NUM>-byte tile sizes, as well as the various compressed data transaction sizes, are exemplary in nature and do not suggest that embodiments of the solution are limited in application to <NUM>-byte tile sizes. Moreover, it will be understood that the reference to any specific minimum access length ("MAL") or access block size ("ABS") for a DRAM in this description is being used for the convenience of describing the solution and does not suggest that embodiments of the solution are limited in application to a DRAM device having a particular MAL requirement. As such, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the particular data transfer sizes, chunk sizes, bus widths, MALs, etc. that are referred to in this description are offered for exemplary purposes only and do not limit the scope of the envisioned solutions as being applicable to applications having the same data transfer sizes, chunk sizes, bus widths, MALs etc..

Returning to the <FIG> illustration, an uncompressed image frame (aka, a "buffer") is depicted as being comprised of thirty uncompressed tiles or units, each of a size "K" as represented by a darkest shading. An exemplary size K may be <NUM> bytes, however, as explained above, a tile is not limited to any certain size and may vary according to application. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the uncompressed image frame may be reduced in size, thereby optimizing its transfer over a bus and minimizing its impact on memory capacity, by a compressor block (depicted in <FIG> as Image CODEC Module <NUM>) that applies a compression algorithm on a tile by tile basis. The result of the compression is a compressed image frame plus a metadata file, as can be seen in the <FIG> illustration. The compressed image frame is comprised of the tiles in the original, uncompressed image frame after having been subjected to a compression algorithm by the compression block <NUM>.

In the uncompressed image frame, each tile may be of a size K, whereas in the compressed image frame each tile may be of a size K or less (K for no compression possible, K-<NUM> bytes, K-<NUM> bytes, K-<NUM> bytes,. , K=<NUM> byte). In the illustration, the various tiles that form the compressed image frame are represented by differing levels of shading depending on the extent of compression that resulted from the compression block <NUM> having applied its compression algorithm to the data held by the given tile. Notably, the compression block <NUM> creates a companion buffer for a compressed image frame metadata, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The compressed image frame metadata contains a record of the size, type and attributes for each compressed tile in the compressed image frame. Because DRAM access may be limited to units of the minimum access length MAL the size of a given compressed tile may be represented in the metadata as the number of ABSs required to represent the compressed tile size (e.g., <NUM> MAL, <NUM> MAL,. This size description in the meta-data allows a future reader of the buffer to ask the memory for only the minimum required amount of data needed to decompress each tile back to the original size K.

<FIG> illustrates a compressed data transaction with a DRAM memory component that meets the requirement for each transaction to be an integer-multiple of the minimum access length ("MAL") per transaction. As can be understood from the <FIG> illustration, a compressed tile may be of a length that is less than an integer multiple of the minimum access length requirement for the DRAM in which it is stored. Consequently, a request for the compressed data requires a transaction that includes a certain amount of useless data, or "padding," needed to meet the integer-multiple of MAL requirement. The padding, which carries no information, is added to the compressed tile data to make the transaction size an integer multiple of the system MAL (i*MAL). An exemplary MAL may be <NUM> bytes or <NUM> bytes, depending on the particular chip technology (such as LPDDR2, LPDDR3, LPDDR4, etc.) and the memory bus width (x16, x32, x64). As an example, a compressed tile having a <NUM> byte size may be padded with <NUM> byte of padding data in order to make a complete <NUM> byte transaction size (2x32B MAL or 1x64B MAL). Similarly, a compressed tile having a <NUM> byte size may be padded with <NUM> bytes of the MAL is <NUM> Bytes (3x32B MAL) or <NUM> bytes of padding data if MAL is <NUM> bytes in order to make a complete <NUM> byte transaction size (2x64B MAL). Note that in the above examples, the difference in the compressed tile sizes is a mere <NUM> bytes; however, because the <NUM> byte compressed tile is over <NUM> bytes, a transaction of it must include significantly more padding.

<FIG> illustrates a series of compressed data transactions associated with an exemplary image frame. Notably, the transactions or units in the <FIG> illustration may be considered as having been compressed according to either a lossless or a lossy compression algorithm (as well as those units depicted in the <FIG> and <FIG> illustrations).

The image frame is shown with "N" columns and "M" rows of tiles. The first four sequential tiles in the first row of tiles are illustrated in their uncompressed lengths, compressed lengths, and transaction lengths (compressed lengths plus padding) according to methods known in the art. The illustration is made within the context of the first four sequential tiles for convenience of illustration - the concepts depicted are relevant to groups of tiles other than the first four sequential tiles in a first row of tiles of an image frame, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Looking to the exemplary four sequential tiles in their uncompressed states, each tile (#<NUM>,<NUM>; #<NUM>,<NUM>; #<NUM>,<NUM>; #<NUM>,<NUM>) is of a <NUM> byte length (other lengths are envisioned). When compressed, the exemplary four sequential tiles have lengths of <NUM> bytes, <NUM> bytes, <NUM> bytes and <NUM> bytes, respectively. Assuming the MAL is <NUM> bytes, the transaction lengths for each of the exemplary four sequential tiles, respectively, may be <NUM> bytes (<NUM> bytes compressed data plus <NUM> bytes padding), <NUM> bytes (<NUM> bytes compressed data plus <NUM> bytes padding), <NUM> bytes (<NUM> bytes compressed data plus <NUM> bytes padding) and <NUM> bytes (<NUM> bytes compressed data plus <NUM> bytes padding). Notably, to transact all four of the exemplary sequential tiles, methods known in the art make four transactions - one for each compressed tile.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary frame sequence in a video stream, the individual frames being of varying complexity and compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm. <FIG>, which will be described in conjunction with the <FIG> graph, illustrates the exemplary frame sequence of the <FIG> illustration, the frames compressed according to an intelligent compression methodology that utilizes a mixed mode compression including lossless and lossy algorithms. Notably, although the blocks in the <FIG> illustration are referred to as frames, it is envisioned that the blocks may also represent tiles within a frame. That is, it is envisioned that embodiments of the solution may be implemented on a frame by frame basis or, if so configured, implemented on a tile by tile basis. As such, the scope of the solution described herein will not be limited to application at the frame level only as embodiments of the solution may also be applied at the tile level.

As can be understood from the legend associated with <FIG>, those frames depicted as a solid block are frames compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm whereas those frames depicted with a transparent block are frames compressed according to a lossy compression algorithm. Those frames connected by solid lines are those frames which form the sequence of frames that were generated, compressed, and output to a memory device (such as a DDR memory component, for example). The "y-axis" on both the <FIG> graphs represents compression ratio of the frames while the "x-axis" represents time.

Referring first to the <FIG> graph, a producer of frames, such as a camera or video subsystem for example, is generating sequential frames that are compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm. For the first seven frames beginning with Frame <NUM>, the compression ratio of the frames is above a minimum target compression ratio threshold as represented by the horizontal dashed line in the graph. As such, for the first seven frames, the complexity of the originally produced frame was such that application of a lossless compression algorithm did not produce a compression ratio so low as to overburden system bandwidth and detrimentally impact QoS levels. Beginning with Frame <NUM> and continuing to Frame <NUM>, however, the relative complexity of the originally produced frames increased such that the lossless compression algorithm was unable to reduce the frame sizes to a level higher than the desired target minimum compression ratio. The relative complexity of the originally produced frames reduces at Frame <NUM> such that the lossless compression algorithm being applied reduces the size of the frames adequately to maintain a compression ratio above the target lineFor Frames <NUM> through <NUM> in the <FIG> illustration, which were compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm that was unable to reduce the frame sizes beyond a target minimum compression ratio, there is a risk of an unacceptably low QoS experienced by a user. The inadequate bandwidth to accommodate Frames <NUM> through <NUM> may cause the system to respond by dropping one or more of the frames, increasing latency such that the effective frame rate is lowered, etc..

Referring to the <FIG> graph, the same sequence of originally produced frames illustrated in the <FIG> graph are compressed using an intelligent compression methodology according to an embodiment of the solution. Like in the <FIG> graph, Frames <NUM> through <NUM> are compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm. Frame <NUM>, with its relative complexity in its uncompressed state, is minimally compressed using the lossless compression algorithm and, as such, exhibits a compression ratio below the target minimum compression ratio. In response to the Frame <NUM> compression ratio, Frame <NUM> may be compressed using a lossy compression algorithm that generates a compression ratio in excess of the target minimum. The frame sequence continues with subsequent frames being compressed according to the lossy compression algorithm until, at Frame <NUM>, it is recognized that the preferred lossless compression algorithm would have produced an acceptable compression ratio. At such point, the mixed mode methodology defaults back to the lossless compression algorithm and continues compression at Frame <NUM> using the lossless algorithm.

Detection of the reduced complexity in Frame <NUM> can be achieved in multiple ways. One example would be to encode each frame/tile in a lossless manner and record the resulting compression ratio while not writing the actual lossless compressed data to the storage device or DRAM; once the recorded compression frame over a frame is higher than the target minimum, the system may switch to using lossless compression for frame <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the detection of the reduced complexity in Frame <NUM> can be achieved by examining the compression ratio of the lossy frame. For a low complexity frame, the lossy compression ratio will be significantly higher than that that for a high complexity frame. The system can then use a pre-defined threshold for lossy compression ratio to indicate the system may switch to using lossless compression once that lossy compression ratio threshold is exceeded for a given frame (for example for frame <NUM> as shown in <FIG>).

Advantageously, by using the mixed mode approach, an embodiment of an intelligent compression solution may minimize the number of frames in a sequence that are compressed to a compression ratio below the target minimum compression ratio (e.g., Frame <NUM> in the <FIG> graph) while also minimizing the number of frames in the sequence that are compressed using a lossy compression algorithm when a lossless compression algorithm would have produced an acceptable compression ratio (e.g., Frame <NUM> in the <FIG> graph).

<FIG> is a logical flowchart illustrating an intelligent compression method <NUM> that utilizes the mixed mode compression approach of <FIG> in view of any one or more key performance indicators ("KPI") such as, but not limited to, minimum target compression ratio, bandwidth utilization, voltage level, frame rate ("FPS"), compression latency, etc. Notably, the mixed mode compression approach illustrated by the <FIG> graph was described using the compression ratio of the output frames as the KPI, however, it is envisioned that the same methodology may be employed using KPIs other than compression ratio as the trigger for toggling compression modes.

Beginning at block <NUM>, an originally produced frame is received into an image CODEC <NUM> that comprises one or more lossless compression blocks and one or more lossy compression blocks. At block <NUM>, the received frame is compressed using the default or preferred lossless compression block. Next, at block <NUM>, the relevant KPI is monitored to determine if the QoS remains at an acceptable level and, at decision block <NUM>, the monitored KPI is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the KPI is above (or below, as the case might be) the predetermined threshold, I. , the KPI is at an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "YES" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames using the lossless compression algorithm. If, however, the monitored KPI is not at an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "NO" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to block <NUM>. In an exemplary implementation, the "No" branch is followed immediately after the first instance of a KPI at an unacceptable level is encountered. In other exemplary implementations, a hysteresis is added to the "No" decision where the KPI has to be unacceptable for a programmable sequence of X consecutive times or for X times in a window of Y consecutive sequences before the "No" branch is invoked.

At block <NUM>, a next produced uncompressed frame is received into the CODEC <NUM> and compressed using a lossy compression block. Advantageously, although a frame compressed using a lossy compression algorithm may later generate a decompressed frame that is of a relatively lower quality level than the originally produced uncompressed frame, the reduced bandwidth associated with the lossy compression may cause the relevant KPI to trend back toward an acceptable level.

Next, at block <NUM>, the relevant KPI is monitored to determine if the QoS has returned to an acceptable level and, at decision block <NUM>, the monitored KPI is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the KPI has not returned to an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames using the lossy compression algorithm. If, however, the monitored KPI indicates that the KPI may have returned to an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to decision block <NUM>.

At decision block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may consider whether enough frames have been generated using the lossy compression algorithm to justify returning to the lossless compression algorithm. Although some embodiments of the solution may trigger reversion back to the preferred lossless compression mode as soon as the KPI indicates an acceptable level, it is envisioned that other embodiments may include a hysteresis consideration to mitigate the probability that the KPI may bounce back and forth across the threshold and, in doing so, trigger excessive events of toggling between lossless and lossy modes. In an exemplary implementation, the "Yes" branch is followed immediately after the first instance of a KPI above a threshold is encountered. For other exemplary implementations, a hysteresis is added to the "Yes" decision where the KPI has to be acceptable for a programmable sequence of K consecutive times or for K times in a window of L consecutive sequences before the
"Yes" branch is invoked.

Returning to the method <NUM> at decision block <NUM>, if a predetermined number of frames have been compressed using the lossy compression while the KPI is at an acceptable level when compared to the threshold, the "YES" branch may be followed and the method returned to block <NUM> where the lossless compression algorithm will be applied to the next input uncompressed frame. If, however, at decision block <NUM> a predetermined number of frames have not been compressed using the lossy compression algorithm while the KPI remains at an acceptable level, the "NO" branch may be followed to block <NUM> and the next uncompressed frame received and compressed using the lossy compression block. At block <NUM> the KPI is monitored and the method <NUM> loops back to decision block <NUM>.

In this way, the embodiment of the solution for an intelligent compression method using a mixed mode compression approach may compromise on the future quality of some decompressed frames in order to optimize QoS as quantified by the relevant KPI or KPIs.

<FIG> is a logical flowchart illustrating an intelligent compression method <NUM> that utilizes the mixed mode compression approach of <FIG> in view of thermal energy measurements and thresholds. Notably, the mixed mode compression approach illustrated by the <FIG> graph was described using the compression ratio of the output frames as the trigger for determining when to toggle between lossless and lossy compression modes, however, it is envisioned that the same methodology may be employed in view of thermal budget constraints and/or thermal measurements as a way to mitigate and manage thermal energy generation. That is, it is envisioned that the mixed mode compression approach of <FIG> may be leveraged as a thermal management technique.

Beginning at block <NUM>, an originally produced frame may be received into an image CODEC <NUM> that comprises one or more lossless compression blocks and one or more lossy compression blocks. At block <NUM>, the received frame is compressed using the default or preferred lossless compression block. Next, at block <NUM>, one or more temperature sensors are monitored to determine if thermal energy levels remain at an acceptable level and, at decision block <NUM>, the temperature reading produced by the sensor(s) is compared to a predetermined threshold. The temperature sensor(s) monitored may be associated with a skin temperature of the PCD <NUM>, a junction temperature of a processing core, a temperature of a PoP memory component, etc. If the temperature is below the predetermined threshold, I. , the monitored thermal condition is at an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames using the lossless compression algorithm. If, however, the monitored thermal condition is not at an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to block <NUM>. An alternative implementation may choose not to take the "Yes" branch immediately after the thermal KPI is met but rather wait until the thermal KPI is above a threshold for a predetermined period of time prior to taking the "Yes" branch.

At block <NUM>, a next produced uncompressed frame is received into the CODEC <NUM> and compressed using a lossy compression block. Advantageously, although a frame compressed using a lossy compression algorithm may later generate a decompressed frame that is of a relatively lower quality level than the originally produced uncompressed frame, the reduced bandwidth associated with the lossy compression may decrease power consumption and cause the monitored thermal condition to trend back toward an acceptable level.

Next, at block <NUM>, the temperature sensor(s) are monitored to determine if the thermal condition has returned to an acceptable level and, at decision block <NUM>, the temperature readings are compared to a predetermined threshold. If the thermal condition monitored by the temperature sensor(s) has not returned to an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "YES" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames using the lossy compression algorithm. If, however, the readings from the temperature sensor(s) indicate that the thermal condition may have returned to an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "NO" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to decision block <NUM>.

At decision block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may consider whether enough frames have been generated using the lossy compression algorithm to justify returning to the lossless compression algorithm. Although some embodiments of the solution may trigger reversion back to the preferred lossless compression mode as soon as the temperature readings indicate an acceptable level for the thermal condition being monitored, it is envisioned that other embodiments may include a hysteresis consideration to mitigate the probability that the thermal condition may bounce back and forth across the threshold and, in doing so, trigger excessive events of toggling between lossless and lossy modes.

Returning to the method <NUM> at decision block <NUM>, if a predetermined number of frames have been compressed using the lossy compression, or if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, while the thermal condition associated with the temperature sensor(s) is at an acceptable level when compared to the threshold, the "YES" branch may be followed and the method returned to block <NUM> where the lossless compression algorithm will be applied to the next input uncompressed frame. If, however, at decision block <NUM> a predetermined number of frames have not been compressed using the lossy compression algorithm , or a predetermined amount of time has not elapsed, while the thermal condition remains at an acceptable level, the "NO" branch may be followed to block <NUM> and the next uncompressed frame received and compressed using the lossy compression block. At block <NUM> the thermal condition is monitored using temperature readings generated by the temperature sensor(s) and the method <NUM> loops back to decision block <NUM>.

In this way, the embodiment of the solution for an intelligent compression method using a mixed mode compression approach may compromise on the future quality of some decompressed frames in order to mitigate detrimental thermal energy generation and subsequently the temperature of the device.

<FIG> is a logical flowchart illustrating an intelligent compression method <NUM> that utilizes the mixed mode compression approach of <FIG> in view of a system reliability target associated with average voltage settings. Notably, the mixed mode compression approach illustrated by the <FIG> graph was described using the compression ratio of the output frames as the trigger for determining when to toggle between lossless and lossy compression modes, however, it is envisioned that the same methodology may be employed in view of a system reliability target associated with average voltage settings. That is, it is envisioned that the mixed mode compression approach of <FIG> may be leveraged as a technique to maintain an average voltage supply between an upper and lower threshold. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, to ensure reliability of a chip <NUM> it may be desirable to keep the average voltage supply below a maximum average but not so far below that the average QoS experienced by a user unnecessarily suffers.

Beginning at block <NUM>, an originally produced frame may be received into an image CODEC <NUM> that comprises one or more lossless compression blocks and one or more lossy compression blocks. At block <NUM>, the received frame is compressed using the default or preferred lossless compression block. Next, at block <NUM>, one or more voltage sensors are monitored for calculation of a running average of the voltage supplied to the chip <NUM> over time. Based on the running average, the method <NUM> may determine if the long term reliability of the chip is acceptable by, at decision block <NUM>, comparing the voltage average to a predetermined threshold. If the voltage supply average is below the predetermined threshold, I. , the predicted long term reliability of the chip is at an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames using the lossless compression algorithm. If, however, the voltage supply average is not at an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to block <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a next produced uncompressed frame is received into the CODEC <NUM> and compressed using a lossy compression block. Advantageously, although a frame compressed using a lossy compression algorithm may later generate a decompressed frame that is of a relatively lower quality level than the originally produced uncompressed frame, the reduced bandwidth associated with the lossy compression may decrease power consumption and cause the voltage supply average to trend back toward an acceptable level.

Next, at block <NUM>, the voltage sensor(s) are monitored to determine if the voltage supply average has returned to an acceptable level and, at decision block <NUM>, the voltage supply average is compared to a predetermined low threshold. If the voltage supply average calculated from the monitored voltage sensor(s) remains above the lower threshold, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to block <NUM> and continues compression of incoming uncompressed frames using the lossy compression algorithm. If, however, the voltage supply average indicates that the average voltage supply to the chip <NUM> has fallen below the low average threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> back to block <NUM> where lossless compression is applied to the next incoming uncompressed frame.

In this way, the embodiment of the solution for an intelligent compression method using a mixed mode compression approach may compromise on the future quality of some decompressed frames in order to maintain an average voltage supply in a range associated with a target chip reliability goal.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary frame sequence in a video stream, the individual frames being of varying complexity and compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm after dynamic adjustment of an image quality setting. Notably, although the blocks in the <FIG> illustration are referred to as frames, it is envisioned that the blocks may also represent tiles within a frame. That is, it is envisioned that embodiments of the solution may be implemented on a frame by frame basis or, if so configured, implemented on a tile by tile basis. As such, the scope of the solution described herein will not be limited to application at the frame level only as embodiments of the solution may also be applied at the tile level.

As can be understood from the legend associated with <FIG>, those frames depicted as a solid square block are frames compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm when the uncompressed frame was generated using a default "high" image quality level. By contrast, those frames depicted with a transparent square block are frames compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm when the uncompressed frame was generated using an adjusted image quality level that is "lower" in quality relative to the default image quality level. The solid circles indicate the image quality level at which the uncompressed frame is being generated by a producer, such as a camera or video subsystem. Those frames connected by solid lines are those frames which form the sequence of frames that were generated in accordance with the active image quality level setting, compressed, and output to a memory device (such as a DDR memory component, for example). The left-side "y-axis" on <FIG> graph represents compression ratio of the output frames, the right-side "y-axis" represents the image quality level settings for the producer of uncompressed frames, and the "x-axis" represents time.

Referring to the <FIG> graph, a producer of frames, such as a camera or video subsystem for example, is generating sequential frames at a default image quality level that are then compressed according to a lossless compression algorithm. For the first seven frames beginning with Frame <NUM>, the compression ratio of the frames is above a minimum target compression ratio threshold and below a maximum target compression ratio, as represented by the horizontal dashed lines in the graph. As such, for the first seven frames, the complexity of the originally produced frame at the default image quality setting was such that application of a lossless compression algorithm did not produce a compression ratio so low as to overburden system bandwidth and detrimentally impact QoS levels. Beginning with Frame <NUM> and continuing to Frame <NUM>, however, the relative complexity of the frames when produced at the default image quality level was such that the lossless compression algorithm was unable to significantly reduce the frame sizes. In response, the image quality level setting associated with Frame <NUM> may be reduced such that the relative complexity of the originally produced uncompressed frame is lowered so that the lossless compression algorithm may adequately maintain a compression ratio above the target line.

It is envisioned that any number and/or combination of "knobs" may be adjusted within the image producer in order to lower the image quality level of the uncompressed image upstream of the CODEC module <NUM>. For example, image quality settings such as, but not limited to, texture settings, color bit resolution, fovea settings, etc. may be adjusted in order to lower the complexity of an uncompressed frame generated by the producer.

Returning to the <FIG> illustration, at Frame <NUM> the lower image quality level settings in the producer causes the lossless compression algorithm to generate a compressed frame with a compression ratio above the predetermined maximum compression ratio. In response, the image quality settings used to generate Frame <NUM> in its uncompressed form may be returned to the default settings. Moving forward in the frame sequence, the image quality settings may remain at the default levels unless and until the lossless compression algorithm again produces a compressed frame with a compression ratio below the minimum target.

Advantageously, by using the dynamic quality settings approach, an embodiment of an intelligent compression solution may minimize the number of frames in a sequence that are compressed to a compression ratio below the target minimum compression ratio (e.g., Frame <NUM> in the <FIG> graph) while also minimizing the number of frames in the sequence that are compressed from an uncompressed frame generated using lower quality settings (e.g., Frame <NUM> in the <FIG> graph).

<FIG> is a logical flowchart illustrating an intelligent compression method <NUM> that utilizes the dynamic input compression approach of <FIG> in view of any one or more key performance indicators ("KPI") such as, but not limited to, minimum target compression ratio, bandwidth utilization, voltage level, frame rate ("FPS"), compression latency, etc. Notably, the dynamic input frame quality approach illustrated by the <FIG> graph was described using the compression ratio of the output frames as the KPI, however, it is envisioned that the same methodology may be employed using KPIs other than compression ratio as the trigger for adjusting producer quality settings.

Beginning at block <NUM>, an uncompressed frame produced according to default image quality settings may be received into an image CODEC <NUM> that comprises one or more lossless compression blocks and compressed accordingly. Next, at block <NUM>, the relevant KPI is monitored to determine if the KPI remains at an acceptable level and, at decision block <NUM>, the monitored KPI is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the KPI is above (or below, as the case might be) the predetermined threshold, I. , the KPI is at an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames produced at the default image quality settings. If, however, the monitored KPI is not at an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to block <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a next produced uncompressed frame is produced according to reduced image quality level settings and, at block <NUM> received into the CODEC <NUM> and compressed using the lossless compression algorithm. Advantageously, although producing the uncompressed frame using lower quality level settings will effect the ultimate quality of the frame when later decompressed, the reduced bandwidth associated with the lossless compression of the relatively less complex uncompressed frame may cause the relevant KPI to trend back toward an acceptable level.

Next, at decision block <NUM> the monitored KPI is compared to the predetermined threshold to determine if the QoS has returned to an acceptable level. If the KPI has not returned to an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to either block <NUM> (where the lowered image quality settings are maintained) or block <NUM> (where the image quality settings are further reduced). If, however, the monitored KPI indicates that the KPI may have returned to an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to decision block <NUM>.

At decision block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may consider whether enough frames have been compressed from uncompressed frames produced with lowered image quality settings to justify returning to the default image quality settings. Although some embodiments of the solution may trigger reversion back to the default image quality settings as soon as the KPI indicates an acceptable level, it is envisioned that other embodiments may include a hysteresis consideration to mitigate the probability that the KPI may bounce back and forth across the threshold and, in doing so, trigger excessive events of toggling between default image quality settings and lowered image quality settings.

Returning to the method <NUM> at decision block <NUM>, if a predetermined number of frames have been compressed from uncompressed frames produced with lowered image quality settings to justify returning to the default image quality settings, the "YES" branch may be followed to block <NUM> where the image quality settings for produced uncompressed frames are returned to the default settings. If, however, at decision block <NUM> a predetermined number of frames have not been compressed from uncompressed frames produced with lowered image quality settings to justify returning to the default image quality settings, the "NO" branch may be followed to block <NUM> and the next uncompressed frame generated using reduced image quality settings before being compressed with the lossless algorithm. The method <NUM> loops back to decision block <NUM>.

In this way, the embodiment of the solution for an intelligent compression method using the dynamic quality settings approach may compromise on the future quality of some decompressed frames in order to optimize QoS as quantified by the relevant KPI or KPIs.

<FIG> is a logical flowchart illustrating an intelligent compression method <NUM> that utilizes the dynamic input compression approach of <FIG> in view of thermal energy measurements and thresholds. Notably, the dynamic input frame quality approach illustrated by the <FIG> graph was described using the compression ratio of the output frames as the trigger for determining when to adjust the image quality settings of the producer, however, it is envisioned that the same methodology may be employed in view of thermal budget constraints and/or thermal measurements as a way to mitigate and manage thermal energy generation. That is, it is envisioned that the dynamic input compression approach of <FIG> may be leveraged as a thermal management technique.

Beginning at block <NUM>, an uncompressed frame produced according to default image quality settings may be received into an image CODEC <NUM> that comprises one or more lossless compression blocks and compressed accordingly. Next, at block <NUM>, one or more temperature sensors are monitored to determine if thermal energy levels remain at an acceptable level and, at decision block <NUM>, the temperature reading produced by the sensor(s) is compared to a predetermined threshold. The temperature sensor(s) monitored may be associated with a skin temperature of the PCD <NUM>, a junction temperature of a processing core, a temperature of a PoP memory component, etc. If the temperature is below the predetermined threshold, I. , the monitored thermal condition is at an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames produced at the default image quality settings. If, however, the monitored thermal condition is not at an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to block <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a next produced uncompressed frame is produced according to reduced image quality level settings and, at block <NUM> received into the CODEC <NUM> and compressed using the lossless compression algorithm. Advantageously, although producing the uncompressed frame using lower quality level settings will effect the ultimate quality of the frame when later decompressed, the reduced bandwidth associated with the lossless compression of the relatively less complex uncompressed frame may cause the thermal condition being monitored to trend back toward an acceptable level.

Next, at decision block <NUM> the monitored thermal condition is compared to the predetermined threshold to determine if the thermal condition has returned to an acceptable level. If the thermal condition has not returned to an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "YES" branch back to either block <NUM> (where the lowered image quality settings are maintained) or block <NUM> (where the image quality settings are further reduced). If, however, the monitored temperature sensor(s) reading(s) indicates that the thermal condition may have returned to an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined threshold, then the "NO" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to decision block <NUM>.

At decision block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may consider whether enough frames have been compressed from uncompressed frames produced with lowered image quality settings to justify returning to the default image quality settings. Although some embodiments of the solution may trigger reversion back to the default image quality settings as soon as the temperature sensor readings indicate that the thermal condition being monitored has returned to an acceptable level, it is envisioned that other embodiments may include a hysteresis consideration to mitigate the probability that the thermal condition may bounce back and forth across the threshold and, in doing so, trigger excessive events of toggling between default image quality settings and lowered image quality settings.

Returning to the method <NUM> at decision block <NUM>, if a predetermined number of frames have been compressed from uncompressed frames produced with lowered image quality settings, or if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, to justify returning to the default image quality settings, the "YES" branch may be followed to block <NUM> where the image quality settings for produced uncompressed frames are returned to the default settings. If, however, at decision block <NUM> a predetermined number of frames have not been compressed from uncompressed frames produced with lowered image quality settings, or if a predetermined amount of time has yet to elapse, to justify returning to the default image quality settings, the "NO" branch may be followed to block <NUM> and the next uncompressed frame generated using reduced image quality settings before being compressed with the lossless algorithm. The method <NUM> loops back to decision block <NUM>.

In this way, the embodiment of the solution for an intelligent compression method using the dynamic quality settings approach may compromise on the future quality of some decompressed frames in order to mitigate detrimental thermal energy generation.

<FIG> is a logical flowchart illustrating an intelligent compression method <NUM> that utilizes the dynamic input compression approach of <FIG> in view of a system reliability target associated with average voltage settings. Notably, the dynamic input compression approach illustrated by the <FIG> graph was described using the compression ratio of the output frames as the trigger for determining when to adjust the image quality settings of the producer, however, it is envisioned that the same methodology may be employed in view of a system reliability target associated with average voltage settings. That is, it is envisioned that the dynamic input compression approach of <FIG> may be leveraged as a technique to maintain an average voltage supply between an upper and lower threshold. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, to ensure reliability of a chip <NUM> it may be desirable to keep the average voltage supply below a maximum average but not so far below that the average QoS experienced by a user unnecessarily suffers.

Beginning at block <NUM>, an uncompressed frame produced according to default image quality settings may be received into an image CODEC <NUM> that comprises one or more lossless compression blocks and compressed accordingly. Next, at block <NUM>, one or more voltage sensors are monitored for calculation of a running average of the voltage supplied to the chip <NUM> over time. Based on the running average, the method <NUM> may determine if the long term reliability of the chip is acceptable by, at decision block <NUM>, comparing the voltage average to a predetermined upper threshold. If the voltage supply average is below the predetermined upper threshold, I. , the predicted long term reliability of the chip is at an acceptable level, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to block <NUM> and continue compression of incoming uncompressed frames produced using default quality settings. If, however, the voltage supply average is not at an acceptable level when compared to the predetermined upper threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to block <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a next uncompressed frame is produced according to reduced image quality level settings and, at block <NUM> received into the CODEC <NUM> and compressed using the lossless compression algorithm. Advantageously, although producing the uncompressed frame using lower quality level settings will effect the ultimate quality of the frame when later decompressed, the reduced bandwidth associated with the lossless compression of the relatively less complex uncompressed frame may decrease power consumption and cause the voltage supply average to trend back toward an acceptable level.

Next, at decision block <NUM>, the voltage supply average is compared to a predetermined low threshold. If the voltage supply average calculated from the monitored voltage sensor(s) remains above the lower threshold, then the method <NUM> may follow the "NO" branch back to either block <NUM> (where the lowered image quality settings are maintained) or block <NUM> (where the image quality settings are further reduced). If, however, the voltage supply average indicates that the average voltage supply to the chip <NUM> has fallen below the low average threshold, then the "YES" branch is followed from decision block <NUM> to block <NUM>. At block <NUM>, the quality level settings of the producer may be increased back to the default levels. The method <NUM> loops back to block <NUM>.

In this way, the embodiment of the solution for an intelligent compression method using the dynamic quality settings approach may compromise on the future quality of some decompressed frames in order to maintain an average voltage supply in a range associated with a target chip reliability goal.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an on-chip system <NUM> for intelligent compression. The system <NUM> may be configured to implement any one or more of the intelligent compression methodologies described herein including a mixed mode approach and/or a dynamic quality settings approach. The monitor module <NUM>, depending on the embodiment of the solution being implemented, may monitor power or voltage levels associated with the power management integrated circuit ("PMIC") and being supplied to the chip <NUM>, temperature readings from sensors <NUM>, compression ratios of compressed frames emanating from image CODEC module <NUM>, or any other relevant KPI.

The intelligent compression ("IC") module <NUM> may work with the frame producer, such as data/frame engine <NUM>, to dynamically adjust image quality settings at which uncompressed frames are produced before being input to the image CODEC module <NUM> for compression. Alternatively, the IC module <NUM> may work with the image CODEC module <NUM> to toggle between lossless and lossy compression algorithms. Consistent with that which has been described above relative to <FIG>, the IC module <NUM> may instruct the producer engine <NUM> and/or the image CODEC module <NUM> based on input data from the monitor module <NUM> regarding compression ratios of compressed frames, temperature readings from sensors <NUM>, voltage levels, or any relevant KPI.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the image CODEC module of <FIG> configured for implementation of an intelligent compression approach that utilizes a mixed mode compression including lossless and lossy algorithms. When the system <NUM> is configured for execution of an intelligent compression method using a mixed mode approach, consistent with that which has been described relative to <FIG>, the producer engine 201A may provide its uncompressed frame input to the image CODEC 113A which, in turn, may compress the frame according to either a lossless compressor block or a lossy compression block. The determination as to which compressor block may be used to compress a given frame is dependent upon instructions received from the IC module 101A. The IC module 101A may generate the instructions in view of any one or more inputs received from the monitor module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the image CODEC module of <FIG> configured for implementation of an intelligent compression approach that utilizes a lossless compression algorithm after dynamic adjustment of an image quality setting. When the system <NUM> is configured for execution of an intelligent compression method using a dynamic quality setting approach, consistent with that which has been described relative to <FIG>, the producer engine 201B may provide its uncompressed frame input to the image CODEC 113B which, in turn, will compress the frame according to a lossless compressor block. The complexity of the uncompressed frame produced by the engine 201B may be dictated by the image quality level settings dictated to it by the IC module 101B.

As shown in the <FIG> illustration, an image quality filter and Mux logic comprised within the image CODEC module 113B, and upstream of the lossless compressor, may be comprised within the engine 201B in other embodiments. Regardless of the particular arrangement, the IC module 101B dictates whether an uncompressed frame produced at the default image quality settings or an uncompressed frame produced at reduced image quality settings is ultimately compressed by the image CODEC module 113B. The IC module 101B may generate the instructions for adjustment of image quality settings at which uncompressed frames are produced in view of any one or more inputs received from the monitor module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limiting aspect of a portable computing device ("PCD") <NUM> in the form of a wireless telephone for implementing intelligent compression methods and systems. As shown, the PCD <NUM> includes an on-chip system <NUM> that includes a multi-core central processing unit ("CPU") <NUM> and an analog signal processor <NUM> that are coupled together. The CPU <NUM> may comprise a zeroth core <NUM>, a first core <NUM>, and an Nth core <NUM> as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, instead of a CPU <NUM>, a digital signal processor ("DSP") may also be employed as understood by one of ordinary skill.

In general, intelligent compression ("IC") module <NUM> may be formed from hardware and/or firmware and may be responsible for dynamically adjusting image quality settings at which a producer generates an uncompressed frame and/or for causing an image CODEC module <NUM> to toggle between lossy and lossless compression algorithms. As illustrated in <FIG>, a display controller <NUM> and a touch screen controller <NUM> are coupled to the digital signal processor <NUM>. A touch screen display <NUM> external to the on-chip system <NUM> is coupled to the display controller <NUM> and the touch screen controller <NUM>. PCD <NUM> may further include a video encoder <NUM>, e.g., a phase-alternating line ("PAL") encoder, a sequential couleur avec memoire ("SECAM") encoder, a national television system(s) committee ("NTSC") encoder or any other type of video encoder <NUM>. The video encoder <NUM> is coupled to the multi-core CPU <NUM>. A video amplifier <NUM> is coupled to the video encoder <NUM> and the touch screen display <NUM>. A video port <NUM> is coupled to the video amplifier <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, a universal serial bus ("USB") controller <NUM> is coupled to the CPU <NUM>. Also, a USB port <NUM> is coupled to the USB controller <NUM>.

A memory <NUM>, which may include a PoP memory, a cache, a mask ROM / Boot ROM, a boot OTP memory, a type DDR of DRAM memory may also be coupled to the CPU <NUM>. A subscriber identity module ("SIM") card <NUM> may also be coupled to the CPU <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG>, a digital camera <NUM> may be coupled to the CPU <NUM>. In an exemplary aspect, the digital camera <NUM> is a charge-coupled device ("CCD") camera or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor ("CMOS") camera.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, a stereo audio CODEC <NUM> may be coupled to the analog signal processor <NUM>. Moreover, an audio amplifier <NUM> may be coupled to the stereo audio CODEC <NUM>. In an exemplary aspect, a first stereo speaker <NUM> and a second stereo speaker <NUM> are coupled to the audio amplifier <NUM>. <FIG> shows that a microphone amplifier <NUM> may be also coupled to the stereo audio CODEC <NUM>. Additionally, a microphone <NUM> may be coupled to the microphone amplifier <NUM>. In a particular aspect, a frequency modulation ("FM") radio tuner <NUM> may be coupled to the stereo audio CODEC <NUM>. Also, an FM antenna <NUM> is coupled to the FM radio tuner <NUM>. Further, stereo headphones <NUM> may be coupled to the stereo audio CODEC <NUM>.

<FIG> further indicates that a radio frequency ("RF") transceiver <NUM> may be coupled to the analog signal processor <NUM>. An RF switch <NUM> may be coupled to the RF transceiver <NUM> and an RF antenna <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a keypad <NUM> may be coupled to the analog signal processor <NUM>. Also, a mono headset with a microphone <NUM> may be coupled to the analog signal processor <NUM>. Further, a vibrator device <NUM> may be coupled to the analog signal processor <NUM>. <FIG> also shows that a power supply <NUM>, for example a battery, is coupled to the on-chip system <NUM> through a power management integrated circuit ("PMIC") <NUM>. In a particular aspect, the power supply <NUM> includes a rechargeable DC battery or a DC power supply that is derived from an alternating current ("AC") to DC transformer that is connected to an AC power source.

The CPU <NUM> may also be coupled to one or more internal, on-chip thermal sensors 157A as well as one or more external, off-chip thermal sensors 157B. The on-chip thermal sensors 157A may comprise one or more proportional to absolute temperature ("PTAT") temperature sensors that are based on vertical PNP structure and are usually dedicated to complementary metal oxide semiconductor ("CMOS") very large-scale integration ("VLSI") circuits. The off-chip thermal sensors 157B may comprise one or more thermistors. The thermal sensors <NUM> may produce a voltage drop that is converted to digital signals with an analog-to-digital converter ("ADC") controller (not shown). However, other types of thermal sensors <NUM> may be employed.

The touch screen display <NUM>, the video port <NUM>, the USB port <NUM>, the camera <NUM>, the first stereo speaker <NUM>, the second stereo speaker <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, the FM antenna <NUM>, the stereo headphones <NUM>, the RF switch <NUM>, the RF antenna <NUM>, the keypad <NUM>, the mono headset <NUM>, the vibrator <NUM>, thermal sensors 157B, the PMIC <NUM> and the power supply <NUM> are external to the on-chip system <NUM>. It will be understood, however, that one or more of these devices depicted as external to the on-chip system <NUM> in the exemplary embodiment of a PCD <NUM> in <FIG> may reside on chip <NUM> in other exemplary embodiments.

In a particular aspect, one or more of the method steps described herein may be implemented by executable instructions and parameters stored in the memory <NUM> or as form the IC module <NUM> and/or the image CODEC module <NUM>. Further, the IC module <NUM>, the image CODEC module <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the instructions stored therein, or a combination thereof may serve as a means for performing one or more of the method steps described herein.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram <NUM> illustrating an exemplary software architecture of the PCD of <FIG> for executing intelligent compression methodologies. As illustrated in <FIG>, the CPU or digital signal processor <NUM> is coupled to the memory <NUM> via main bus <NUM>. The CPU <NUM>, as noted above, is a multiple-core processor having N core processors. That is, the CPU <NUM> includes a first core <NUM>, a second core <NUM>, and an Nth core <NUM>. As is known to one of ordinary skill in the art, each of the first core <NUM>, the second core <NUM> and the Nth core <NUM> are available for supporting a dedicated application or program. Alternatively, one or more applications or programs may be distributed for processing across two or more of the available cores.

The CPU <NUM> may receive commands from the IC module(s) <NUM> that may comprise software and/or hardware. If embodied as software, the module(s) <NUM> comprise instructions that are executed by the CPU <NUM> that issues commands to other application programs being executed by the CPU <NUM> and other processors.

The first core <NUM>, the second core <NUM> through to the Nth core <NUM> of the CPU <NUM> may be integrated on a single integrated circuit die, or they may be integrated or coupled on separate dies in a multiple-circuit package. Designers may couple the first core <NUM>, the second core <NUM> through to the Nth core <NUM> via one or more shared caches and they may implement message or instruction passing via network topologies such as bus, ring, mesh and crossbar topologies.

Bus <NUM> may include multiple communication paths via one or more wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art and described above in the definitions. The bus <NUM> may have additional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the bus <NUM> may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

When the logic used by the PCD <NUM> is implemented in software, as is shown in <FIG>, it should be noted that one or more of startup logic <NUM>, management logic <NUM>, IC interface logic <NUM>, applications in application store <NUM> and portions of the file system <NUM> may be stored on any computer-readable medium for use by, or in connection with, any computer-related system or method.

In the context of this document, a computer-readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that may contain or store a computer program and data for use by or in connection with a computer-related system or method. The various logic elements and data stores may be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions.

The computer-readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random-access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, for instance via optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

In an alternative embodiment, where one or more of the startup logic <NUM>, management logic <NUM> and perhaps the IC interface logic <NUM> are implemented in hardware, the various logic may be implemented with any or a combination of the following technologies, which are each well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc..

The memory <NUM> is a non-volatile data storage device such as a flash memory or a solid-state memory device. Although depicted as a single device, the memory <NUM> may be a distributed memory device with separate data stores coupled to the digital signal processor <NUM> (or additional processor cores).

The startup logic <NUM> includes one or more executable instructions for selectively identifying, loading, and executing a select program for intelligent compression. The startup logic <NUM> may identify, load and execute a select intelligent compression program. An exemplary select program may be found in the program store <NUM> of the embedded file system <NUM>. The exemplary select program, when executed by one or more of the core processors in the CPU <NUM> may operate in accordance with one or more signals provided by the IC module <NUM> to implement intelligent compression methodologies.

The management logic <NUM> includes one or more executable instructions for terminating an IC program on one or more of the respective processor cores, as well as selectively identifying, loading, and executing a more suitable replacement program. The management logic <NUM> is arranged to perform these functions at run time or while the PCD <NUM> is powered and in use by an operator of the device. A replacement program may be found in the program store <NUM> of the embedded file system <NUM>.

The interface logic <NUM> includes one or more executable instructions for presenting, managing and interacting with external inputs to observe, configure, or otherwise update information stored in the embedded file system <NUM>. In one embodiment, the interface logic <NUM> may operate in conjunction with manufacturer inputs received via the USB port <NUM>. These inputs may include one or more programs to be deleted from or added to the program store <NUM>. Alternatively, the inputs may include edits or changes to one or more of the programs in the program store <NUM>. Moreover, the inputs may identify one or more changes to, or entire replacements of one or both of the startup logic <NUM> and the management logic <NUM>. By way of example, the inputs may include a change to the particular type of compression algorithm used and/or to the target application of an active intelligent compression approach at the frame level or tile level.

The interface logic <NUM> enables a manufacturer to controllably configure and adjust an end user's experience under defined operating conditions on the PCD <NUM>. When the memory <NUM> is a flash memory, one or more of the startup logic <NUM>, the management logic <NUM>, the interface logic <NUM>, the application programs in the application store <NUM> or information in the embedded file system <NUM> may be edited, replaced, or otherwise modified. In some embodiments, the interface logic <NUM> may permit an end user or operator of the PCD <NUM> to search, locate, modify or replace the startup logic <NUM>, the management logic <NUM>, applications in the application store <NUM> and information in the embedded file system <NUM>. The operator may use the resulting interface to make changes that will be implemented upon the next startup of the PCD <NUM>. Alternatively, the operator may use the resulting interface to make changes that are implemented during run time.

The embedded file system <NUM> includes a hierarchically arranged memory management store <NUM>. In this regard, the file system <NUM> may include a reserved section of its total file system capacity for the storage of information for the configuration and management of the various IC algorithms used by the PCD <NUM>.

Additionally, one of ordinary skill in programming is able to write computer code or identify appropriate hardware and/or circuits to implement the disclosed invention without difficulty based on the flow charts and associated description in this specification, for example. Therefore, disclosure of a particular set of program code instructions or detailed hardware devices is not considered necessary for an adequate understanding of how to make and use the invention. The inventive functionality of the claimed computer implemented processes is explained in more detail in the above description and in conjunction with the drawings, which may illustrate various process flows.

Claim 1:
A method for intelligent data compression in a portable computing device, PCD, the method comprising:
defining a threshold value for a key performance indicator within the PCD;
receiving (<NUM>) a first data block into a compression module and compressing the first data block according to a lossless compression algorithm, wherein the compression module is operable to toggle between a lossless compression algorithm and a lossy compression algorithm;
after receiving (<NUM>) the first data block into the compression module and compressing the first data block according to the lossless compression algorithm, and before receiving (<NUM>) a second data block into the compression module, monitoring (<NUM>) an active level for the key performance indicator and comparing the active level to the defined threshold value;
based on the comparison of the active level for the key performance indicator to the defined threshold value, toggling the compression module to the lossy compression mode; and
receiving (<NUM>) the second data block into the compression module and compressing the second data block according to the lossy compression algorithm.