Method and apparatus for detecting image blocking artifacts

US 20100027897A1
Filed: 07/24/2009
Published: 02/04/2010
Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2008
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An apparatus, comprising:

a full-reference blocking artifact detector for detecting blocking artifacts in a processed version of a picture based on a blockiness metric,wherein the blockiness metric is determined based on respective local variations in the processed version of the picture and in an original version of the picture.

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting image blocking artifacts. The apparatus includes a full-reference blocking artifact detector for detecting blocking artifacts in a processed version of a picture based on a blockiness metric. The blockiness metric is determined based on respective local variations in the processed version of the picture and in an original version of the picture.

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22 Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a full-reference blocking artifact detector for detecting blocking artifacts in a processed version of a picture based on a blockiness metric,wherein the blockiness metric is determined based on respective local variations in the processed version of the picture and in an original version of the picture.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- - 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the respective local variations comprise a local variation across a block border in the processed version of the picture, a local variation across a co-located block border in the original version of the picture, a local variation within a block contiguous to the block border in the processed version of the picture, and a local variation within a co-located block contiguous to the block border in the original version of the picture.
  - 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the local variation across the block border, the local variation across the co-located block border, the local variation within the block, and the local variation within the co-located block relate to one or more gradients.
  - 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a quantity of blockiness is determined responsive to a difference between a gradient at a block border in the original version of the picture and a gradient at a co-located block border in the processed version of the picture, and a gradient within a block, contiguous to the block border, in the original version of the picture and a gradient within a co-located block, contiguous to the co-located block border, in the processed version of the picture.
  - 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a border blockiness is determined by comparing the difference between the gradient at the block border in the original version of the picture and the gradient at the co-located block border in the processed version of the picture.
  - 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blockiness metric is binarized by comparing a value of the blockiness metric to a threshold value.
  - 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blockiness metric is aggregated for all portions of the picture.
  - 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised in a video encoder.
  - 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is implemented in a post processing environment relative to a video encoder.
  - 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a re-encoding decision device for determining whether to re-encode at least one of the original version of the picture and the processed version of the picture when blocking artifacts are detected.
  - 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said re-encoding decision device indicates that re-encoding is to be performed, when an amount of blockiness detected exceeds a threshold.

12. A method, comprising:
- detecting blocking artifacts in a processed version of a picture based on a blockiness metric,wherein the blockiness metric is determined based on respective local variations in the processed version of the picture and in an original version of the picture.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- - 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the respective local variations comprise a local variation across a block border in the processed version of the picture, a local variation across a co-located block border in the original version of the picture, a local variation within a block contiguous to the block border in the processed version of the picture, and a local variation within a co-located block contiguous to the block border in the original version of the picture.
  - 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the local variation across the block border, the local variation across the co-located block border, the local variation within the block, and the local variation within the co-located block relate to one or more gradients.
  - 15. The method of claim 12, wherein a quantity of blockiness is determined responsive to a difference between a gradient at a block border in the original version of the picture and a gradient at a co-located block border in the processed version of the picture, and a gradient within a block, contiguous to the block border, in the original version of the picture and a gradient within a co-located block, contiguous to the co-located block border, in the processed version of the picture.
  - 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a border blockiness is determined by comparing the difference between the gradient at the block border in the original version of the picture and the gradient at the co-located block border in the processed version of the picture.
  - 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the blockiness metric is binarized by comparing a value of the blockiness metric to a threshold value.
  - 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the blockiness metric is aggregated for all portions of the picture.
  - 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the method is performed in a video encoder.
  - 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the method is performed in a post processing environment relative to a video encoder.
  - 21. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining whether to re-encode at least one of the original version of the picture and the processed version of the picture when blocking artifacts are detected.
  - 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing an indication that re-encoding is to be performed, when an amount of blockiness detected exceeds a threshold.

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Current Assignee
InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
Original Assignee
Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
Inventors
Yin, Peng, Sole, Joel

Granted Patent

US 8,315,475 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

382/232
CPC Class Codes

H04N 19/117   Filters, e.g. for pre-proce...

H04N 19/14   Coding unit complexity, e.g...

H04N 19/154   Measured or subjectively es...

H04N 19/176   the region being a block, e...

H04N 19/48   using compressed domain pro...

H04N 19/61   in combination with predict...

H04N 19/70   characterised by syntax asp...

H04N 19/86   involving reduction of codi...

Method and apparatus for detecting image blocking artifacts

First Claim

5 Assignments

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Abstract

31 Citations

22 Claims

Specification

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Method and apparatus for detecting image blocking artifacts

First Claim

5 Assignments

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Subscription Required

0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

31 Citations

22 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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