Selective Video Block Filtering for IPCM Quality Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional filtering methods in the H.264 Video Compression Standard deteriorate image quality by applying filtering to both Intra Pulse Code Modulation (IPCM) and non-IPCM blocks, which can lead to degradation in IPCM block quality.

Innovation Solution

A filtering method that determines whether each block is an IPCM or non-IPCM block and applies filtering only to non-IPCM blocks, outputting filtered data for non-IPCM blocks while maintaining unfiltered pixel values for IPCM blocks, and optionally adjusts filter strengths to minimize filtering impact on IPCM blocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If filtering is applied to both IPCM and non-IPCM blocks to improve overall image quality, then block boundary artifacts are reduced, but image quality of IPCM blocks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidimage quality of IPCM block

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image into IPCM blocks and non-IPCM blocks, applying different filtering operations to each segment. Non-IPCM blocks undergo filtering to reduce artifacts, while IPCM blocks are excluded from filtering to preserve their original pixel values and maintain image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making the filtering operation conditional on block type. The filtering strength and application are localized to non-IPCM blocks only, while IPCM blocks receive no filtering, thereby adapting the processing quality to the specific characteristics of each block type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If filtering is applied uniformly to all blocks to reduce block boundary artifacts, then overall image quality improves, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies processing by segmenting blocks into two categories (IPCM and non-IPCM) and applying filtering only to the non-IPCM segment. This selective approach reduces the total number of filtering operations required compared to uniform filtering of all blocks, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining image quality improvements where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10798391B2Filtering method, moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture decoding apparatus, and moving picture coding and decoding apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 TAGIVAN II

AI summary

A filtering method according to the present invention is for filtering a plurality of blocks included in an image, and comprises: determining whether each of the blocks is an IPCM block or not; filtering a non-IPCM block that is not an IPCM block among the blocks to generate filtered data; outputting the filtered data as pixel values of the non-IPCM block, and outputting pixel values of the unfiltered IPCM block as pixel values of the IPCM block.