Video Quality Estimation Using Concealed Block Difference Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing No Reference methods for estimating video quality are not accurate and increase decoding time, as they rely on the number of macroblocks with errors and luminance discontinuity, which may not reflect the overall quality of the video signal effectively.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method analyzes the difference between external pixels of a concealed block and its corresponding reference block, using a difference metric to estimate the quality of concealed video frames and error propagation in subsequent frames, focusing on blocks with complex motion and implementing this analysis throughout the sequence of frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If No Reference methods use the number of macroblocks containing errors and luminance discontinuity to estimate video quality, then the method requires less information transmission and bandwidth, but the accuracy of quality estimation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for quality estimation from simple error counts and luminance discontinuity to a rate distortion metric that measures the difference between concealed blocks and reference blocks. This parameter transformation enables more accurate quality assessment without requiring additional information transmission, as the metric is derived from already-decoded video data.
2Quantity of substance
If No Reference methods analyze error macroblocks to estimate video quality, then bandwidth requirements are reduced, but decoding time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs quality estimation during the decoding process itself, using reference blocks that are already decoded and available. By utilizing pre-decoded reference data to compute the rate distortion metric, the method avoids additional processing steps that would increase decoding time, while still achieving accurate quality assessment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If error concealment effectiveness is evaluated using motion-level information and luminance discontinuity, then quality estimation can be performed without reference to original signal, but the accuracy deteriorates due to inability to capture complex motion differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the quality estimation parameter from motion-level information and luminance discontinuity to a rate distortion metric that captures the actual visual difference between concealed and reference blocks. This parameter change maintains independence from the original signal while significantly improving accuracy by directly measuring perceptual quality differences.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, device and computer program product for estimating quality of a video signal, wherein frames of the video signal are received at receiving means of the device, each frame comprising a plurality of blocks of pixels. A section of a first frame of the video signal, which is correctly received, is used to provide a concealed block for use in place of a block of a second frame of the video signal. A difference measure is determined indicative of a difference between at least some of the pixels surrounding the block in the second frame and the corresponding pixels surrounding the section in the first frame. The difference measure is used to estimate the quality of the second frame of the video signal.