Adaptive Deblocking Filter Coefficient Selection for Image Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image coding technologies use fixed filter coefficients for deblocking filters, which are not always suitable for the target picture, leading to suboptimal picture quality and coding efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An image coding and decoding system that dynamically selects and applies filter coefficients based on the type of block edge, using a filter coefficient set storage unit, edge type determination unit, filter coefficient selection unit, and filter processing unit to perform adaptive deblocking filter processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fixed filter coefficients are used for deblocking filters, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but picture quality deteriorates and coding efficiency is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidpicture quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic filter coefficient selection by determining edge types (smooth, moderate, sharp) and selecting appropriate filter coefficients based on the determined edge type. This allows the deblocking filter to adapt its behavior to different block edge characteristics, improving picture quality while maintaining reasonable operational complexity through automated classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the filter coefficient parameter based on the determined edge type. Different filter coefficients are selected for different edge types (e.g., stronger filtering for sharp edges, weaker filtering for smooth edges), allowing optimal picture quality reconstruction while adapting to the specific characteristics of each block edge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed filter coefficients are used for deblocking filters, then device complexity is reduced, but coding efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcoding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the block edges into different types (smooth, moderate, sharp) based on their characteristics. By classifying edges into distinct categories, the system can apply appropriate filter coefficients to each segment, improving coding efficiency through targeted filtering while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through systematic classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the filter coefficient parameter according to the determined edge type, enabling optimal filtering for each edge category. This parameter adaptation improves coding efficiency by reducing artifacts appropriately for each edge type without requiring excessively complex processing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If adaptive filter processing is implemented based on edge type, then picture quality is improved and coding efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepicture qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different filter coefficients to different local regions (block edges) based on their specific characteristics. By determining the edge type for each block edge and applying locally optimized filter coefficients, the system achieves high picture quality through localized adaptation without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes filter coefficients based on locally determined edge types, allowing optimal picture quality reconstruction for each specific edge region. This localized parameter adaptation achieves high picture quality while keeping device complexity manageable through efficient local decision-making rather than global complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If adaptive filter processing is implemented based on edge type, then coding efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments block edges into distinct types and applies appropriate filtering to each segment. This segmentation approach improves coding efficiency by enabling targeted processing of different edge characteristics while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic classification and rule-based selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adapts filter coefficients based on determined edge types, improving coding efficiency through parameter optimization. This adaptive parameter selection achieves better coding efficiency while keeping device complexity reasonable through automated classification and selection logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10805642B2Image coding apparatus, image coding method, image decoding apparatus, image decoding method, and image transmission system
Publication Date: 2020.10.13 OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO LTD
  • US10805642B2 patent drawing
  • US10805642B2 patent drawing
  • US10805642B2 patent drawing

AI summary

To reduce picture quality deterioration and improve coding efficiency when image coding processing and image decoding processing involving deblocking filter processing are performed.The present invention relates to an image transmission system including an image coding apparatus and an image decoding apparatus. The image coding apparatus of the present invention performs coding processing on a target picture in units of blocks and performs filter processing on a picture generated during coding processing by using a filter unit configured to perform filter processing using at least a deblocking filter. Further, the image decoding apparatus of the present invention decodes a target picture in units of blocks and performs filter processing on a picture generated during decoding processing by using a filter unit configured to perform filter processing using at least a deblocking filter. In addition, the deblocking filter determines a type of each block edge of the target picture, selects filter coefficients depending on the type of each block edge of the target picture from filter coefficient sets and applies the selected filter coefficients.