3DTV Video Compression Format Determination for Stereo Image Quality Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for providing 3DTV services using both fixed and mobile broadcasting channels face challenges in maintaining image quality due to bandwidth differences between 8-VSB and ATSC M/H channels, leading to imbalances in resolution and image quality of stereo images.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine an image compression format to ensure the resolution of the encoded low-quality image is higher than or equal to a reference value compared to the high-quality image, allowing for balanced transmission and synthesis of 3D stereo images across different channels, including encoding additional information and using scalable video codecs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the right image is compressed and transmitted through the M/H channel with limited bandwidth, then mobile 3DTV service is available, but the resolution and image quality of the right image become lower than the left image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile 3DTV service availabilityVSAvoidimage quality balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the resolution of the right image transmitted through the M/H channel based on available bandwidth conditions. The system modifies transmission parameters (resolution, compression ratio) to optimize the balance between mobile service availability and image quality, ensuring the right image maintains acceptable quality despite bandwidth limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic adaptation by continuously monitoring bandwidth availability and adjusting the right image transmission parameters in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize image quality while maintaining mobile 3DTV service availability under varying network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the left image is compressed by MPEG-2 to maintain reverse compatibility with conventional ATSC method, then compatibility is maintained, but the bandwidth utilization is reduced to 62.5% or 52.6% of conventional ATSC method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereverse compatibilityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compression parameter from MPEG-2 to H.264/AVC, achieving both reverse compatibility through proper packet formatting and significantly improved bandwidth utilization. The H.264 codec provides more efficient compression while maintaining compatibility with existing ATSC receivers through appropriate packet structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a compatible version of the compressed video stream that can be decoded by both conventional MPEG-2 receivers and advanced H.264 receivers. By encoding additional information packets that follow ATSC standards, the system enables legacy devices to access the broadcast while advanced devices utilize the more efficient H.264 compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If stereo image is transmitted through both 8-VSB channel and M/H channel in a dividing manner, then high image quality is achieved, but encoding of the right image to HD level is difficult due to great difference in bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidencoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transmitting the left image at full HD quality through the 8-VSB channel while transmitting the right image at adaptive quality through the M/H channel. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize overall image quality while accounting for the bandwidth limitations of the mobile channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the stereo image transmission into two separate channels with different quality levels. The left image is transmitted through the high-bandwidth 8-VSB channel at full quality, while the right image is transmitted through the limited-bandwidth M/H channel with adaptive compression, simplifying the encoding process for each channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2640073B1Method and apparatus for determining a video compression standard in a 3DTV service
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST
  • EP2640073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2640073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2640073B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for determining an image compression format of a 3-dimensional television (3DTV). The method may include encoding a high-quality image and transmitting the encoded high-quality image through a first channel, determining an image compression format in which a resolution of the encoded low-quality image is higher than or equal to a reference value in comparison to the high-quality image, and encoding the low-quality image according to the determined image compression format and transmitting the encoded low-quality image through a second channel.