Adaptive Reference Sample Filtering for Wide Angle Intra Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current video coding technologies, such as HEVC and VVC, have limitations in intra prediction modes, particularly for non-square blocks, where conventional angular modes fail to capture wide angular directions effectively, leading to suboptimal filtering of reference samples.

Innovation Solution

The method involves identifying whether an intra prediction mode has a wide angle direction, and if so, using an edge-smoothing filter, or an edge-preserve filter, depending on the block size and direction, to adaptively filter reference samples for accurate prediction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional intra prediction modes are used, then the prediction is simple and fast, but wide angular directions cannot be captured effectively leading to poor prediction accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidfiltering complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the filtering process adaptive rather than static. The filter selection (edge-smoothing vs. edge-preserve) dynamically changes based on the intra prediction mode angle, allowing the system to optimize prediction accuracy for different directional scenarios without requiring a fixed complex filtering structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the filtering parameter based on the prediction mode angle. When the angle exceeds 45 degrees, the system switches from edge-preserve filtering to edge-smoothing filtering, using parameter changes to resolve the contradiction between handling wide angles and maintaining filtering simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If edge-smoothing filter is used for wide angle directions, then prediction accuracy improves, but filtering complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference sample accuracyVSAvoidfilter selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by applying different filtering strategies to different local cases: edge-preserve filtering for conventional angles (≤45°) and edge-smoothing filtering for wide angles (>45°). This localized approach improves reference sample accuracy where needed while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by applying the more complex edge-smoothing filter only partially - specifically only when the prediction mode angle exceeds 45 degrees. This selective application improves accuracy for wide-angle cases without incurring the full complexity cost for all prediction modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If adaptive filtering based on prediction mode is applied, then prediction quality improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintra prediction qualityVSAvoidfiltering processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the appropriate filter type before performing the actual filtering operation. The angle comparison and filter selection are done in advance based on the prediction mode, allowing the subsequent filtering to proceed efficiently without runtime decision-making delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3888367B1Reference sample filter selection in intra prediction
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 TENCENT AMERICA LLC
  • EP3888367B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3888367B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3888367B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A method of controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence, is by at least one processor and includes identifying whether an intra prediction mode of a current block has a wide angle direction, based on the intra prediction mode being identified to have the wide angle direction, filtering reference samples of the current block, using an edge-smoothing filter, and based on the intra prediction mode being identified to not have the wide angle direction, filtering the reference samples, using an edge-preserve filter.