Chroma Reshaping for HDR Video Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current video compression standards are inefficient in handling high-dynamic range (HDR) images, as they often require more bits for chroma information, leading to motion-blurred pictures due to inadequate bit allocation, especially when using color spaces like YCbCr, which are not optimized for HDR signals.

Innovation Solution

The method involves reshaping HDR video signals to match statistical characteristics of codec-friendly formats like IPT-PQ or ICtCp, which are better suited for HDR, by transforming and reshaping chroma signals to reduce energy distribution tails, allowing for more efficient compression and retaining sharpness and detail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If YCbCr color space is used for HDR video compression, then chroma information can be represented, but more bits are required leading to motion-blurred pictures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechroma information representationVSAvoidpicture sharpness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms chroma signals from YCbCr color space to a different color space optimized for HDR, changing the statistical parameters of the signal representation. This parameter transformation allows the same chroma information to be encoded with fewer bits while maintaining quality, resolving the contradiction between chroma representation and picture sharpness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If more bits are allocated to chroma information in YCbCr format, then color accuracy improves, but luma quality and motion sharpness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidluma quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the color space parameters from YCbCr to an HDR-optimized color space, the patent redistributes the bit allocation efficiency. The transformation allows chroma information to be represented more compactly in the new color space, freeing up bits for luma information and improving motion sharpness while maintaining color accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard video compression is applied to HDR signals, then compatibility is maintained, but compression efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecodec compatibilityVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the statistical parameters of HDR chroma signals through color space transformation, making them更符合 the assumptions of standard video compression algorithms. This parameter adaptation improves compression efficiency by reducing the energy distribution tails and making the signal more predictable, while still using standard codecs for compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3226563B1Chroma reshaping
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP
  • EP3226563B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3226563B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3226563B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first signal in a first color format is received. The first signal is transformed to a second signal in a second color format to be compressed using an encoder. Before encoding, the chroma components of the second signal are reshaped according to the statistical characteristics of the chroma components of the first signal to generate a third signal. In a decoder, an inverse reshaping functions is applied to the chroma components of the decoded signal to generate an approximation of the second signal.