Sample Adaptive Offset Coding Without Sign Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high efficiency video coding (HEVC) systems are inefficient due to the increased number of pixels requiring sample adaptive offset (SAO) processing, particularly with band offset (BO) and edge offset (EO), leading to reduced system efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method and apparatus for sample adaptive offset without sign coding by classifying pixels into edge shape categories, determining offset thresholds, changing offset signs based on these thresholds, and performing entropy coding that accounts for the sign and value of the offset.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sample adaptive offset (SAO) is applied with band offset (BO) and edge offset (EO) to improve video coding quality, then coding quality is improved, but the number of pixels requiring processing increases leading to reduced system efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoding qualityVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the sign information from the offset data that needs to be transmitted in the bitstream. By determining the sign of offsets based on classification results rather than transmitting it explicitly, the patent reduces the amount of data that needs to be coded and transmitted, thereby improving system efficiency while maintaining coding quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directly coding the sign of each offset value, the patent inverts the approach by inferring the sign from the classification category and neighboring pixel values. This indirect method reduces the bitstream overhead while preserving the necessary information for accurate offset application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the number of pixels is increased for more detailed processing, then coding precision is improved, but the complexity of processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoding precisionVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different processing strategies to different regions based on their characteristics. By classifying pixels into edge and non-edge categories and applying appropriate offset signaling only where necessary, the patent achieves high coding precision for important regions while reducing processing complexity for other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies full offset signaling only where absolutely necessary (edge regions with uncertain signs), and uses inferred sign methods elsewhere. This partial application of the more complex method reduces overall processing complexity while maintaining sufficient precision for the most critical regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12532033B2Distribution of video content

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for sample adaptive offset without sign coding. The method includes selecting an edge offset type for at least a portion of an image, classifying at least one pixel of at least the portion of the image into edge shape category, calculating an offset of the pixel, determining the offset is larger or smaller than a predetermined threshold, changing a sign of the offset based on the threshold determination; and performing entropy coding accounting for the sign of the offset and the value of the offset.