Multi-Layered Rate Control for Scalable Video Coding

A computing device comprising:

• a memory for storing executable program code;
• and
• a processor, functionally coupled to the memory, the processor being responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program code and operative to:
• determine a parameter value based on a current layer target bit rate and a current layer buffer state for a video frame, the video frame comprising a lower layer and at least one higher layer;
• determine whether the current layer is the lower layer;
• determine whether a coupling request has been received from the at least one higher layer in the video frame upon determining that the current layer is the lower layer;
• and
• increase the parameter value for the current layer based on a buffer state threshold value of the at least one higher layer in the video frame.

A computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions which, when executed on a computing device, will cause the computing device to perform a method of multi-layered rate control for scalable video coding, the method comprising:

• calculating a quantization value solely based on a current layer target bit rate and a current layer buffer state for the video frame, the video frame comprising a base layer and an enhancement layer;
• determining whether the current layer is the base layer;
• upon determining that the current layer is the base layer, determining whether a coupling request has been received from the enhancement layer in the video frame;
• upon determining that the coupling request has been received from the enhancement layer in the video frame, increasing the quantization parameter value for the base layer based on a buffer state threshold value of the enhancement layer in the video frame;
• upon determining that the current layer is the enhancement layer in the video frame, determining whether a delta for a quantization parameter value for the base layer exceeds a maximum delta;
• and
• upon determining that the delta for the parameter value for the base layer exceeds the maximum delta, triggering layer coupling between the enhancement layer and the base layer.