In-Loop Adaptive Filter Signaling Through Predictive Coding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video encoding and decoding technologies face challenges in efficiently signaling and applying adaptive loop filters (ALFs) due to high syntax costs, which affect compression efficiency and artifact reduction.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods and devices that encode/decode a mapping between classes and filter indices using predictive coding, and arithmetically decoding filter indices based on neighboring blocks to reduce syntax overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional signaling methods are used for adaptive loop filters, then filter application can be achieved, but syntax overhead is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesyntax overheadVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by constructing a candidate list of filter indices from neighboring blocks before encoding the current block's filter index. This pre-computation of candidates based on spatial correlation allows the encoder to select from a limited set of likely values, reducing the number of bits needed to signal the filter index while ensuring accurate reconstruction at the decoder side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by transitioning from direct signaling of filter indices to differential coding based on a candidate list. Instead of encoding absolute filter indices, the system encodes differences or selections from pre-determined candidates, thereby reducing the syntax overhead while maintaining the ability to represent all necessary filter configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If more filter indices are signaled explicitly, then filtering accuracy is improved, but bitstream size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering accuracyVSAvoidbitstream size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adapting the filter index selection to local characteristics of neighboring blocks. Instead of using a uniform signaling approach for all blocks, the system constructs candidate lists based on the specific filter indices of adjacent blocks, allowing each block to be processed with locally optimized parameters that reflect the local image structure and correlation properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By pre-constructing candidate lists from neighboring block information before encoding the current block, the system ensures that the most probable filter indices are available for selection. This preliminary action based on spatial correlation allows accurate filtering to be achieved with fewer bits, as the candidate list is tailored to the local context of each block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If adaptive loop filters are applied to all blocks, then artifact reduction is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding artifactsVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively applying adaptive loop filtering only to blocks where it is most beneficial, rather than uniformly to all blocks. By using candidate lists derived from neighboring blocks and differential coding, the system can identify and process only those blocks that require filtering, reducing computational complexity while maintaining effective artifact reduction in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the approach from universal filter application to selective filter application by introducing a candidate list mechanism. This allows the encoder to determine, based on local characteristics and neighboring block information, which blocks warrant filtering and with which specific filter indices, thereby reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining effective artifact reduction where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4633169A1Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding with in-loop adaptive filters
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS SAS
  • EP4633169A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4633169A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4633169A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In various implementations, methods and devices are disclosed that encode/decode a mapping between a class and a filter index, for instance for signaling ALF usage information with predictive coding. Besides, methods and devices are disclosed that encode/decode a filter index of a set of filters, for instance for signaling ALF usage information with predictive coding.