• ETRI Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.380-389
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• 2010

This paper presents a new edge-protection algorithm and its very large scale integration (VLSI) architecture for block artifact reduction. Unlike previous approaches using block classification, our algorithm utilizes pixel classification to categorize each pixel into one of two classes, namely smooth region and edge region, which are described by the edge-protection maps. Based on these maps, a two-step adaptive filter which includes offset filtering and edge-preserving filtering is used to remove block artifacts. A pipelined VLSI architecture of the proposed deblocking algorithm for HD video processing is also presented in this paper. A memory-reduced architecture for a block buffer is used to optimize memory usage. The architecture of the proposed deblocking filter is verified on FPGA Cyclone II and implemented using the ANAM 0.25 ${\mu}m$ CMOS cell library. Our experimental results show that our proposed algorithm effectively reduces block artifacts while preserving the details. The PSNR performance of our algorithm using pixel classification is better than that of previous algorithms using block classification.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.63-72
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• 2012

In this paper, we proposed a parallel architecture of line & block edge filter for high-performance H.264/AVC deblocking filter for Quad Full High Definition(Quad FHD) video real time processing. To improve throughput, we designed 4-parallel block edge filter with 16 line edge filter. To reduce internal buffer size and processing cycle, we scheduled 4-parallel zig-zag scan order as deblocking filtering order. To avoid data conflicts we placed 1 delay cycle between block edge filtering. We implemented interleaving buffer, as internal buffer of block edge filter, to sharing buffer for reducing buffer size. The proposed architecture was simulated in 0.18um standard cell library. The maximum operation frequency is 108MHz. The gate count is 140.16Kgates. The proposed H.264/AVC deblocking filter can support Quad FHD at 113.17 frames per second by running at 90MHz.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.36 no.11C
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• pp.662-672
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• 2011

This paper presents a new edge-preserving algorithm and its VLSI architecture for block artifact reduction. Unlike previous approaches using block classification, our algorithm utilizes pixel classification to categorize each pixel into one of two classes, namely smooth region and edge region, which are described by the edge-preserving maps. Based on these maps, a two-step adaptive filter which includes offset filtering and edge-preserving filtering is used to remove block artifacts. A pipelined VLSI architecture of the proposed deblocking algorithm for HD video processing is also presented in this paper. A memory-reduced architecture for a block buffer is used to optimize memory usage. The architecture of the proposed deblocking filter is prototyped on FPGA Cyclone II, and then we estimated performance when the filter is synthesized on ANAM 0.25 ${\mu}m$ CMOS cell library using Synopsys Design Compiler. Our experimental results show that our proposed algorithm effectively reduces block artifacts while preserving the details.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2004.11c
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• pp.178-180
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• 2004

In this work, we propose new method of sigma filtering for efficient filtering and preserving edge regions in DCT Domain. In block-based image compression technique, the image is first divided into non-overlapping $8{\times}8$ blocks. Then, the two-dimensional DCT is computed for each $8{\times}8$ block. Once the DCT coefficients are obtained, they are quantized using a specific quantization table. Quantization of the DCT coefficients is a lossy process, and in this step, noise is added. In this work, we combine IDCT matrix and filter matrix to a new matrix to simplify filtering process to remove noise after IDCT in spatial domain, for each $8{\times}8$ DCT coefficient block, we determine whether this block is edge or homogeneous region. If this block is edge region, we divide this $8{\times}8$ block into four $4{\times}4$ sub-blocks, and do filtering process for sub-blocks which is homogeneous region. By this process, we can remove blocking artifacts efficiently preserving edge regions at the same time.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2002.07b
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• pp.1007-1010
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• 2002

In this paper, we present a new blocking artifact reduction algorithm using interpolation and signal adaptive filter (SAF) based on the edge map. Generally, block-based coding, such as JPEG and MPEG, is the most popular image compression method. However, for high compression it produces noticeable blocking and ringing artifacts in the decoded image. In proposed method, all the block is classified into low and high frequency blocks in block classification procedure. And edge map is obtained by using Sobel operator on decoded image. And according to the block property we applied blocking artifacts reduction algorithm. Namely, four neighbor low frequency block is participated in interpolation based on edge map. And ringing artifacts is removed by applying a signal adaptive filter around the edge using edge map in high frequency block. The computer simulation results confirmed a better performance by the proposed method in both the subjective and objective image qualities.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1998.11b
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• pp.569-571
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• 1998

In this paper, we propose a method of restoring blurred images by an edge-sensitive adaptive filter. The direction of the edge is estimated using the properties of 2-D block FFT. Reduction of blurring due to the added noise during image transfer and the focus of lens caused by shooting a fast moving object is very important. To remove this phenomenon effectively, we can use the edge information obtained by processing the blurred images. The proposed algorithm estimates both the existence and the direction of the edge. On the basis of the acquired edge direction information, we choose the appropriate edge-sensitive adaptive filter, which enables us to get better images than images obtained by methods not considering the direction of the edge. The performance of the proposed algorithm is shown in the simulation result.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.1693-1702
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• 1999

This paper proposes the use of an adaptive Wiener filter for edge-preserving image filtering. Images are partitioned into a set of blocks of pixels which is divided into five subsets of blocks according to their edge contents and orientations. Each subset of blocks is used to define a covariance matrix, from which a Wiener filter is derived. Five covariance matrices and Wiener filters are thus obtained. An image-block classifier using the five sets of covariance matrices of the class is designed to classify each incoming block of pixels according to its edge content in the presence of noise. Experimental results are included to verify the usefulness of the proposed method.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.296-306
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• 2006

We proposed the algorithm for the quantization noise reduction based on variable filter adaptive to edge signal in MPEG postprocessing system. In our algorithm, edge map and local modulus maxima in the decoded images are obtained by using 2D Mallat wavelet tilter. And then, blocking artifacts in inter-block are reduced by Gaussian LPF that is variable to filtering region according to edge map. Ringing artifacts in intra-block are reduced by 2D SAF according to local modulus maxima. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm was superior to the conventional algorithms as regards PSNR, which was improved by 0.04-0.20 dB, and the subjective image quality.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.506-515
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• 2008

The H.264/AVC standard has adopted new coding tools such as intra-prediction, variable block size, motion estimation with quarter-pixel-accuracy, loop filter, and so on. The adoption of these tools enables an H.264/AVC-coded bitstream to have more information than was possible with previous standards. In this paper, we propose an effective spatial error concealment method with low complexity in H.264/AVC intra-frame. From information included in an H.264/AVC-coded bitstream, we use prediction modes of intra-blocks to recover a damaged block. This is because the prediction direction in each prediction mode is highly correlated to the edge direction. We first estimate the edge direction of a damaged block using the prediction modes of the intra-blocks adjacent to a damaged block and classify the area inside the damaged block into edge and flat areas. Our method then recovers pixel values in the edge area using edge-directed interpolation, and recovers pixel values in the flat area using weighted interpolation. Simulation results show that the proposed method yields better video quality than conventional approaches.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.663-671
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• 1988

In this paper, in order to reduce the blocking effect of block coded images, we propose the method considering the lowpass and bandpass components of Granrath's human visual model. This method consists of two-stage enhancement procedure. The first step is lowpass filtering which smooths out the blocking effect, and the second step is a high frequency enhancement procedure to increase the contrast decreased by the lowpass filtering in the first step. In the first step, the one-dimensional Gaussian filter which aligthns parallel to the edge direction is considered to preserve the edge in the block and the two-dimensional Gaussian filter is used to smooth out the blocking effect near the block boundaries. In the second step, the lowpass and bandpass components of the Granrath's model are considered to increase contrast in a restored image. The performance comparison of the proposed method and the existing mehtods is made by a computer simulation with several block coded images. We can see that the enhancement in the subjective quality of images of the proposed method is more significant than the enhancement in the subjective quality of images of the proposed method is more significant than the existing methods, though the proposed method does not show better performance on the PSNR gain, the poor measure of picture quality for block coded images.