Encoding device and method for utility-driven video compression

A method for utility-driven video compression, the method comprising:

• accepting, by an encoding device, an input video having a first data volume comprising at least one frame, each frame comprising a plurality of blocks;
• identify, by the encoding device, at least one region of interest in a first spatial region of the first data volume, the first spatial region comprising a first plurality of included blocks;
• identifying, by the encoding device, at least a feature reflecting a structural or content attribute of the at least one region of interest;
• identifying, by the encoding device, a region of exclusion identified as a region containing blocks associated with at least one object detected in the input video, the at least one object including at least one of a human face, a person, a vehicle, or a license plate, the at least one object being a feature to be selectively excluded from the bitstream;
• generating, by the encoding device, an output video, wherein:
• the output video contains a second data volume that is less than the first data volume;
• and
• the output video preserves the at least a feature of the region of interest;
• and
• generating, by the encoding device, an encoded bitstream including the output video and signaling information including a header indicating a block-level association of blocks to regions in the second data volume.

An encoding device for utility-driven video compression, the encoding device comprising circuitry configured to:

• accept an input video comprising a plurality of frames and having a first data volume;
• identify in the input video at least a first feature relevant to a first application and a second feature relevant to a second application, wherein the first and second feature each concerning a specific structural or content attribute of the input video;
• generate a first encoded application specific sub-bitstream for human viewing consisting essentially of a subset of frames including the first feature and having a volume less than the first data volume;
• and
• generate a second encoded application specific sub-bitstream for a machine-based application consisting essentially of a subset of frames including the second feature and having a volume less than the first data volume, the second encoded application specific sub-bitstream comprising motion information of blocks in the input video and excluding texture data and color data of the blocks, the second encoded application specific sub-bitstream being incapable of reconstructing pixels of the input video necessary for human viewing.