Smart frame rate reduction

A method for encoding comprising:

• receiving a sequence of frames, wherein each frame includes an original timestamp;
• determining an original interframe timestamp spacing based on the original timestamps;
• dropping, based on changes in a region of interest in the sequence of frames, one or more frames in the sequence of frames to produce a reduced number of remaining frames;
• modifying, based on the original interframe timestamp spacing, timestamps of the reduced number of remaining frames so an interframe timestamp spacing of the reduced number of remaining frames is substantially similar to the original interframe timestamp spacing;
• encoding the reduced number of remaining frames with an encoder;
• and
• restoring modified timestamps of the encoded frames to the original timestamps.

A selective frame encoder comprising:

• frame drop logic configured to:
• receive a sequence of frames, wherein each frame includes an original timestamp;
• drop, based on changes in a region of interest in the sequence of frames, one or more frames in the sequence of frames to produce a reduced number of remaining frames;
• a timestamp modifier configured to:
• determine an original interframe timestamp spacing based on the original timestamps;
• and
• modify, based on the original interframe timestamp spacing, timestamps of the reduced number of remaining frames so an interframe timestamp spacing of the reduced number of remaining frames is substantially similar to the original interframe timestamp spacing of the received sequence of frames;
• an encoder configured to encode the reduced number of remaining frames;
• and
• a timestamp restorer to restore modified timestamps of the encoded frames to the original timestamps.

A non-transitory processor readable medium encoded with instructions for encoding, the instructions comprising instructions to:

• receive a sequence of frames, wherein each frame includes an original timestamp;
• determine an original interframe timestamp spacing based on the original timestamps;
• drop, based on changes in a region of interest in the sequence of frames, one or more frames in the sequence of frames to produce a reduced number of remaining frames;
• modify, based on the original interframe timestamp spacing, timestamps of the reduced number of remaining frames so an interframe timestamp spacing of the reduced number of remaining frames is substantially similar to the original interframe timestamp spacing of the received sequence of frames;
• encode the reduced number of remaining frames with an encoder;
• and
• restore modified timestamps of the encoded frames to the original timestamps.