Video Frame Fade Detection via Block DC Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video frame fade-in/fade-out detection methods are inefficient due to delays caused by entire-frame detection, increased bandwidth burden, and inability to detect local fade-in/fade-out scenarios, which affect motion estimation accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The method acquires pixel luminance information within a preset area and calculates direct current components of unit pixel blocks, allowing for timely detection and processing of fade-in/fade-out, enabling synchronous operation that saves bandwidth and improves motion estimation accuracy by using weighted prediction when fade-in/fade-out is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If entire-frame detection is performed before processing, then fade-in/fade-out can be detected globally, but processing delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefade detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the video frame into multiple blocks and performs fade detection on each block independently rather than processing the entire frame at once. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different blocks, reducing overall detection delay while maintaining global fade detection capability through aggregation of block-level results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs fade detection on individual blocks during the motion estimation process itself, rather than waiting for complete frame processing. This preliminary action on blocks enables fade detection to occur concurrently with other video processing operations, reducing the overall processing delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If picture data is loaded again during motion estimation match, then motion estimation can be performed, but bandwidth burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion estimation accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fade detection and motion estimation into a single processing pass. By integrating the fade detection operation with the motion estimation process, the system performs both functions using the same loaded picture data, eliminating the need for a separate data loading operation and reducing bandwidth consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If only global fade-in/fade-out is considered, then detection complexity is reduced, but local fade-in/fade-out cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection complexityVSAvoidfade detection coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frame into multiple blocks and performs fade detection on each block independently. This allows the system to detect both global fade (when all blocks show fading) and local fade (when only specific blocks show fading), increasing detection coverage without significantly increasing complexity since each block is processed using the same simple algorithm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing treatments to different blocks based on their individual fade detection results. Blocks identified as having fade-in/fade-out are processed differently from normal blocks, allowing local adaptation while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2983361B1Video frame fade detection method and device
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2983361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2983361B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2983361B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention provides a video frame fade-in/fade-out detection method and apparatus, where whether fade-in/fade-out exists in a video frame is detected, to mark whether a weighted prediction method is used for motion match, so as to improve motion vector accuracy. The detection method includes: before motion search, performing inter-frame comparison on block direct current components in some rows of a picture or performing inter-frame comparison on block direct current components in a partial area of a picture; collecting statistics on an inter-frame comparison result; determining whether fade-in/fade-out exists, to choose whether prediction is in a weighted mode; and if it is detected, by means of inter-frame comparison on block direct current components on some rows, that no global fade-in/fade-out exists, selecting a partial area within a range of some detected rows to perform inter-frame comparison on block direct current components again, and detecting local fade-in/fade-out. In the present invention, fade-in/fade-out is detected under the premise that easy hardware implementation is ensured, which saves a bandwidth and improves block match accuracy; in addition, the present invention proposes a solution for local fade-in/fade-out.