Adaptive rate control for digital video compression

A method for adaptively controlling the encoded bit rate of a video input for image compression, comprising the steps of:

• encoding a segment of video in accordance with a predetermined set of quantization settings to generate a plurality of encoded streams of data bits,
• selecting a selected encoded stream in accordance with a predetermined selection algorithm based on a bit rate;
• generating a control signal based on said selected encoded stream;
• and
• updating said quantization settings in accordance with said control signal.

A method for adaptively controlling the encoded bit rate of a video input for image compression, comprising the steps of:

• encoding a segment of video in accordance with a predetermined set of quantization settings to generate a plurality of encoded streams of data bits;
• determining a bit rate corresponding to each of said plurality of encoded streams;
• and
• selecting a selected encoded stream in accordance with a predetermined selection algorithm based on said bit rates corresponding to said plurality of encoded streams.

In an image compression system, a sub-system for controlling the encoded bit rate of a video signal, comprising:

• means for receiving a segment of video signal and generating a plurality of encoded streams of data bits and corresponding bit rates;
• and
• means for receiving said plurality of encoded streams and corresponding bit rates, comprising:
• means for receiving the bit rates and comparing the bit rates with a target bit rate;
• and
• means for receiving said plurality of encoded streams and selecting one of said plurality of encoded streams based on the results of the comparison.

In an image compression system, a sub-system for controlling the encoded bit rate of a video signal, comprising:

• means for receiving a segment of video signal;
• and
• means for receiving said plurality of encoded streams;
• wherein the means for receiving the segment of video signal comprises:
• a plurality of means, each for receiving and quantizing the segment of video signal in accordance with a predetermined quantization index;
• a plurality of means, each for receiving and encoding one of quantized segment of video to generate a plurality of encoded streams of data bits;
• and
• wherein the means for receiving said plurality of encoded streams comprises:
• means for generating a selected encoded stream in accordance with predetermined selection algorithm;
• and
• a buffer for receiving said selected encoded stream in preparation for transmission.