Block-Based Adaptive Loop Filtering with Luma–Chroma APS Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding technologies lack flexibility in applying adaptive loop filters (ALF) parameters for different color components, leading to suboptimal coding efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing techniques that allow signaling a number of adaptive parameter sets and indices for both luma and chroma blocks within a picture, slice, or tile group, enabling more flexible application of ALF parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single adaptive parameter set is used for all blocks in a picture/slice/tile, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and coding efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of ALF parametersVSAvoidcomplexity of parameter signaling
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The picture/slice/tile is divided into multiple adaptive parameter sets (APS), each containing ALF parameters for specific blocks. The encoder signals multiple APS indices (e.g., apsIdxLuma, apsIdxChroma) that reference different parameter sets, allowing different regions to use different filtering parameters. This segmentation enables region-specific optimization while managing complexity through indexed reference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different ALF parameters are applied to different spatial regions (luma blocks, chroma blocks) based on their specific characteristics. Each APS contains parameters optimized for local content properties, allowing the filtering to adapt to local image features rather than applying uniform parameters globally. This improves coding efficiency by matching parameters to local requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If separate adaptive parameter sets are used for luma and chroma blocks, then coding efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of parameter management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptive parameter sets are segmented into separate sets for luma components and chroma components. The encoder independently manages apsIdxLuma for luma blocks and apsIdxChroma for chroma blocks, allowing different parameter optimizations for each color component type. This separation enables component-specific tuning that improves overall coding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptive parameter set structure is designed to be universally applicable to both luma and chroma blocks through a common APS framework. The same APS indexing mechanism and parameter structure can be used for different color components, providing a unified solution that handles multiple functions (luma filtering, chroma filtering) through a single versatile system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3949412B1Block-based adaptive loop filter (ALF) with adaptive parameter set (APS) in video coding
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3949412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3949412B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3949412B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A method of decoding video data including decoding, from a video bitstream for which adaptive loop filtering is enabled for luma blocks of one or more of a picture, a slice, a tile, or a tile group, a first syntax element indicating a number of adaptive parameter sets for the luma blocks, decoding a plurality of first adaptive parameter set indices for the luma blocks based on the number of adaptive parameter sets for the luma blocks, and decoding, from the video bitstream for which adaptive loop filtering is enabled for chroma blocks of the one or more of the picture, the slice, the tile, or the tile group, a second adaptive parameter set index for the chroma blocks.