Video encoding dynamic reference frame selection

1 . A computer implemented method comprising:

obtaining video frames to transmit;

encoding and transmitting multiple frames via a network connection;

determining a probability that a last video frame will be or was received, wherein the determining the probability includes:

receiving network quality information; and

generating the probability based on the received network quality information; and

encoding and transmitting a next frame as a P-frame that identifies changes from a previously transmitted frame selected as a function of the generated probability, including selecting, for use as a reference frame, between using the last video frame and a frame transmitted prior to the last video frame, wherein the previously transmitted frame is selected, for use as the reference frame, in response to:

obtaining a probability threshold;

comparing the generated probability to the probability threshold; and

selecting the frame transmitted prior to the last video frame in response to the probability threshold being greater than the generated probability.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the probability threshold is user settable.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the probability threshold is application specific.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the probability threshold is at least 99 percent.

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the received network quality information comprises cellular network signal strength received from a cellular network, receipt of an acknowledgement within a selected time, a network congestion signal, network packet error rates, or buffering occurring because of unsuccessful transmission.

6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the network quality information is indicative of future network quality.

7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the frame transmitted before the last video frame is more than one frame before the last video frame.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the probability is performed without counting on whether the last video frame was received.

9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a probability that a given video frame will be or was received; and

encoding and transmitting a subsequent frame as a P-frame that identifies changes from the given video frame, the given video frame being selected as a reference frame for the subsequent frame in response to the probability threshold being less than the probability that the given video frame will be or was received.

10 . A computer system comprising one or more processing units and memory, wherein the computer system implements a video encoder configured to perform operations comprising:

obtaining video frames to transmit;

encoding and transmitting multiple frames via a network connection;

determining a probability that a last video frame will be or was received, wherein the determining the probability includes:

obtaining a measure of quality of the network connection; and

generating the probability based on the obtained measure; and

encoding and transmitting a next frame as a P-frame that identifies changes from a previously transmitted frame selected as a function of the generated probability, including selecting, for use as a reference frame, between using the last video frame and a frame transmitted prior to the last video frame, wherein the previously transmitted frame is selected, for use as the reference frame, in response to:

obtaining a probability threshold;

comparing the generated probability to the probability threshold; and

selecting the frame transmitted prior to the last video frame in response to the probability threshold being greater than the generated probability.

11 . The computer system of claim 10 wherein the measure of quality of the network connection comprises cellular network signal strength received from a cellular network, receipt of an acknowledgement within a selected time, a network congestion signal, network packet error rates, or buffering occurring because of unsuccessful transmission.

12 . The computer system of claim 10 wherein the determining the probability is performed without counting on whether the last video frame was received.

13 . The computer system of claim 10 wherein the operations further comprise:

determining a probability that a given video frame will be or was received; and

encoding and transmitting a subsequent frame as a P-frame that identifies changes from the given video frame, the given video frame being selected as a reference frame for the subsequent frame in response to the probability threshold being less than the probability that the given video frame will be or was received.

14 . The computer system of claim 10 wherein the probability threshold is user settable and is application specific.

15 . A machine-readable storage device having instructions for execution by a processor of a machine to cause the processor to perform operations to perform a method, the operations comprising:

obtaining video frames to transmit;

encoding and transmitting multiple frames via a network connection;

determining a probability that a last video frame will be or was received, wherein the determining the probability includes:

receiving network quality information; and

generating the probability based on the received network quality information; and

encoding and transmitting a next frame as a P-frame that identifies changes from a previously transmitted frame selected as a function of the generated probability, including selecting, for use as a reference frame, between using the last video frame and a frame transmitted prior to the last video frame, wherein the previously transmitted frame is selected, for use as the reference frame, in response to:

obtaining a probability threshold;

comparing the generated probability to the probability threshold; and

selecting the frame transmitted prior to the last video frame in response to the probability threshold being greater than the generated probability.

16 . The device of claim 15 wherein the probability threshold is user settable and is application specific.

17 . The device of claim 15 wherein the received network quality information comprises cellular network signal strength received from a cellular network, receipt of an acknowledgement within a selected time, a network congestion signal, network packet error rates, or buffering occurring because of unsuccessful transmission.

18 . The device of claim 15 wherein the frame transmitted before the last video frame is more than one frame before the last video frame.

19 . The device of claim 15 wherein the determining the probability is performed without counting on whether the last video frame was received.

20 . The device of claim 15 wherein the operations further comprise:

determining a probability that a given previous frame will be or was received; and

encoding and transmitting a subsequent frame as a P-frame that identifies changes from the given previous frame, the given previous frame being selected as a reference frame for the subsequent frame in response to the probability threshold being less than the probability that the given previous frame will be or was received.