Amorphous Pre-Filter for Transcoding Compression Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The distribution of media objects over network connections is resource intensive, and transcoding between different compression formats often introduces compression artifacts, affecting the quality of the media object.
Innovation Solution
A transcoding system that includes a decoder, a pre-filtering system with an amorphous filter, and an encoder. The pre-filtering system uses a content analysis module and an orchestration module to identify and filter compression artifacts, selecting appropriate filtering sequences and strengths based on artifact types and encoding parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transcoding is performed between different compression formats, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but compression artifacts are introduced and quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary filtering actions before the final encoding stage. The filtering system analyzes the decoded media data and applies appropriate filters to remove compression artifacts introduced during decoding, before the data is re-encoded in the target format. This preliminary cleanup action prevents artifacts from being carried forward into the final encoded output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtering system between the decoder and encoder. This intermediary component includes various filter types (spatial domain filters, frequency domain filters, temporal domain filters) that act as mediators to process and clean the media data, removing harmful compression artifacts while preserving the essential content before it reaches the encoder.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filtering strength is increased to remove compression artifacts, then quality is improved, but natural details may be removed along with artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by analyzing different regions of the media data and applying filtering with varying strengths based on local characteristics. The system identifies regions containing compression artifacts versus regions containing important visual details, and applies filtering selectively to preserve important details while removing artifacts from appropriate regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the filtering system continuously monitors the output quality and adjusts filtering strength accordingly. The system analyzes the filtered output and uses this feedback to refine subsequent filtering operations, ensuring that artifacts are removed while preserving natural details and preventing over-filtering.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complex filtering sequences are used to remove various artifact types, then quality is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtering process into multiple independent filter types (spatial domain filters, frequency domain filters, temporal domain filters) that can be applied selectively. The system divides the overall filtering task into separate segments, each targeting specific types of compression artifacts, allowing for more efficient processing compared to a single monolithic filtering approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic filtering where the filtering sequence and strength are adjusted in real-time based on the characteristics of the input media data and the types of artifacts detected. The system dynamically selects and configures filtering parameters, applying only the necessary filters at appropriate strengths, thereby reducing unnecessary computational overhead while maintaining effective artifact removal.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of transcoding system that includes a pre-filtering system are disclosed. The pre-filtering system includes amorphous sub-filter modules and is configured to automatically configure a sequence of filter modules to be used to filter a given segment of a media object being transcoded based on artifacts resulting from an earlier decoding process. The pre-filtering system does not require prior knowledge of what encoding parameters that were used to encode the media object being transcoded. Also, the filtering system supports a wide variety of encoding formats and can automatically adjust the filtering sequence and/or filtering parameters based on the variability of compression artifacts resulting from the decoding of media objects previously encoded using a plurality of encoding formats and/or encoding parameters.