Signal Enhancement Coding Architecture for Backward Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video encoding and decoding technologies lack flexibility and compatibility with existing decoder hardware, necessitating the need for backward compatibility and high-quality video output.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid coding technology that combines a base codec with two enhancement levels, allowing for flexible and adaptable encoding and decoding by integrating a down-sampled source signal with correction and enhancement data, suitable for both hardware and software implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a base codec is used for encoding, then backward compatibility with existing decoder hardware is achieved, but video quality and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The encoding system is segmented into a base codec layer and enhancement layers. The base codec handles backward compatibility while enhancement layers add quality improvements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Enhancement layers are nested within the base codec framework. The enhancement data is structured to be processed in conjunction with base codec output, allowing quality improvement while maintaining compatibility with existing decoders that only process the base layer.
2Manufacturing precision
If enhancement data is added to improve video quality, then video output quality improves, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Enhancement data is applied selectively to specific regions or aspects of the video signal rather than uniformly across the entire signal. This allows quality improvement where most needed while minimizing unnecessary computational overhead in areas where enhancement is less critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for partial enhancement where full enhancement data is not always applied. Decoders can choose to process only the base layer or add enhancement layers based on computational resources available, enabling quality improvement without always incurring maximum computational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple enhancement levels are integrated, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enhancement structure is designed to be dynamic, allowing decoders to adaptively process only the necessary enhancement levels based on available resources. The system can dynamically adjust between processing base layer only, base plus first enhancement, or base plus both enhancements, providing flexibility without requiring all components to handle maximum complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a method of encoding an input signal, the method comprising producing a base encoded signal by feeding an encoder with a down-sampled version of an input signal. The method further comprising producing a first quantised residual signal by: decoding the base encoded signal to produce a base decoded signal; and using a difference between the base decoded signal and the down-sampled version of the input signal to produce a first residual signal; quantising the first residual signal to produce the first quantised residual signal. The method further comprises producing a second residual signal by: de-quantising the first quantised residual signal to produce a reconstructed version of the first residual signal; correcting the base decoded signal using the first reconstructed version of the residual signal to create a corrected decoded version; upsampling the corrected decoded version; and using a difference between the corrected decoded signal and the input signal to produce the second residual signal.