Digital Image Artifact Reduction via Pixel Substitution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital images compressed using standards like MPEG exhibit significant compression artifacts, such as edge effects and 'ringing' noise, particularly on large-area and high-resolution screens, leading to loss of fidelity and visibility issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine displaced pixels and substitution information to replace original pixels with displaced or combined pixels based on visual uniformity, using thresholds to minimize block structures and artifacts during image processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high compression ratios are used to optimize transmission and storage, then compression efficiency is improved, but compression artifacts such as block effects and ringing noise become significant on large-area and high-resolution screens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidcompression artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the block structure created by compression as a basis for processing, applying a substitution method that specifically targets and reduces the visible artifacts (block effects and ringing noise) while preserving the compressed image data. This converts the harmful block structure into a processing framework that eliminates the artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing treatments to different regions of the image based on local characteristics. The substitution method analyzes local pixel variations and applies replacement only where artifacts are present, preserving image quality in regions without artifacts while reducing block effects in problematic areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If block-based transformation is used to facilitate compression, then compression processing is simplified, but block structures are created that manifest as visible artifacts on large screens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression processing simplicityVSAvoidblock structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent accepts the block structure created by standard compression algorithms and uses it as the foundation for a post-processing substitution method. By analyzing pixel relationships within and across blocks, the invention transforms the harmful visual block effects into a structured processing approach that reduces artifacts while maintaining compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If normal decoders are used without additional processing, then device complexity is reduced, but fidelity loss in colors occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoder simplicityVSAvoidcolor fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing step between decoding and display. The substitution method acts as a mediator that receives the decoded image, analyzes pixel relationships, and produces a corrected output image with improved color fidelity. This intermediary process adds minimal complexity while significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If pixel substitution is performed to reduce artifacts, then block effects are reduced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock effectsVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image processing into discrete pixel-level operations. By analyzing individual pixels and their neighbors independently through substitution, the method breaks down the complex task of artifact reduction into manageable units. This segmentation allows for efficient processing while achieving effective block effect reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substitution method uses the image data itself to determine where substitution should occur. By analyzing local pixel variations and comparing adjacent pixels, the algorithm automatically identifies artifact regions and applies replacement only where needed, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7616830B2Method and device for reducing blocking artifacts in a compressed digital image without reducing clarity of edges

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 STMICROELECTRONICS FRANCE

AI summary

Artifacts of an incident digital image including pixels carrying information are reduced by determining, for certain pixels being considered from the image, displaced pixels. A displaced pixel associated with a pixel being considered is situated at a location that is displaced with respect to the location of the pixel being considered. Substitution information is determined by taking into account the variations between each piece of information carried by pixels situated at locations adjacent to the pixel being considered. The pixel being considered is then selectively replaced by a substitution pixel equal to the displaced pixel or to a combination of the displaced pixel and the pixel being considered, depending on the value of the substitution information.