Methods, apparatus and system for film grain cache splitting for film grain simulation

• US 20060115175A1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Gomila, Cristina, Llach, Joan, Cooper, Jeffrey Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,483,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/260
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20204 Removing film grain; Adding simulated film grain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/002 Denoising; Smoothing noise processing or correction adapted to be used in an image pickup device containing and electronic image sensor H04N23/81, H04N25/60 - H04N25/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/70 Denoising; Smoothing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/423 characterised by memory arrangements H04N19/433 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/80 Details of filtering operations specially adapted for video compression, e.g. for pixel interpolation H04N19/635, H04N19/86 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for film grain cache splitting for film grain simulation. In one embodiment of the present invention a method for storing film grain patterns includes storing at least a first portion of film grain patterns in an internal memory and storing at least a second portion of the film grain patterns in an external memory. That is, in the present invention a method for film grain cache splitting for film grain simulation includes splitting the storage of film grain patterns between an internal cache and an external memory. In one embodiment of the present invention, the internal cache is integrated into an integrated circuit chip of a decoder.

Claims

1. A method for storing film grain patterns, comprising:

storing at least a first portion of said film grain patterns in an internal memory; and

storing at least a second portion of said film grain patterns in an external memory.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said internal memory is located in a video decoder.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said internal memory is located in a video decoder integrated circuit chip.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein only a small portion of said film grain patterns are stored in said internal memory such that only a small additional chip area is required for providing said internal memory.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said internal memory stores at least film grain patterns most commonly implemented in a film grain simulation process.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said internal memory and said external memory together store all film grain patterns required in a film grain simulation process.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein luma components and chroma components of said film grain patterns are stored separately in said internal memory and said external memory.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said luma components are stored in said internal memory and said chroma components are stored in said external memory.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a priority order for storing said film grain patterns in said internal memory and said external memory is derived from a standardized film grain supplemental information message.

10. A method for storing film grain patterns for a film grain simulation process, comprising:

splitting the storage of film grain patterns between an internal cache and an external memory.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said internal cache is located in a video decoder.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said internal cache is located in a video decoder integrated circuit chip.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein only a small portion of said film grain patterns are stored in said internal cache such that only a small additional chip area is required for providing said internal cache.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said internal cache stores at least film grain patterns most commonly implemented in said film grain simulation process.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein a priority order for storing said film grain patterns in said internal memory and said external memory is derived from a standardized film grain supplemental information message.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for receiving comprises a decoder.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a means for receiving at least an encoded image and supplemental information including film grain characterization information for use in a film grain simulation process;

an internal storage means for storing at least a first portion of film grain patterns; and

an external storage means for storing at least a second portion of said film grain simulation patterns.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said internal storage means comprises an internal cache.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said internal storage means comprises at least film grain patterns most commonly implemented in said film grain simulation process.

20. A system for simulating film grain, comprising:

a decoder for receiving at least an encoded image and a supplemental information message including film grain characterization information for use in a film grain simulation process;

an internal storage means for storing at least at least a first portion of film grain patterns; and

an external storage means for storing at least a second portion of said film grain simulation patterns.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said internal storage means is located in said decoder.