Netflix patents video filter to smooth out blocky artifacts
Netflix has been granted a patent for a method that improves video quality by fixing visual glitches called banding during the decoding process. The system checks specific data points in the video stream and applies a chosen filter to smooth them out before the final image is built.
In the filing’s own words
In various embodiments, a technique for reducing banding artifacts in decoded video data includes receiving a first set of reference samples, determining that the first set of reference samples meets a first criterion, selecting a first filter corresponding to the first criterion, applying the first filter to the first set of reference samples to generate a first set of filtered samples, performing at least one intra-prediction decoding operation on the first set of filtered samples to generate a first set of predicted samples, and generating a first portion of reconstructed video data based on the first set of predicted samples.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method for reducing banding artifacts in decoded video data, the method comprising: receiving a first set of reference samples via a compressed bitstream; determining that the first set of reference samples meets a first criterion; selecting a first filter corresponding to the first criterion, wherein the first filter is selected from a plurality of filters based on the first criterion met by the first set of reference samples received via the compressed bitstream, wherein the plurality of filters perform a plurality of different types of functions that includes a linear function, a constraint function, and a deblocking function; applying the first filter to the first set of reference samples to generate a first set of filtered samples; performing at least one intra-prediction decoding operation on the first set of filtered samples to generate a first set of predicted samples; and generating a first portion of reconstructed video data based on the first set of predicted samples.
Facts
- Company
- Netflix (NETFLIX, INC.)
- Official title
- Techniques for debanding in the intra-prediction stage of a video coding pipeline
- Patent number
- US12764344B2
- Application number
- 18904032
- Filed
- Oct 1, 2024
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04N 19/86 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/117 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/124 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/132 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/136 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/147 Electricity & electronicsMore from Netflix in AI & software
- Netflix patents method to train AI for better video scaling Sep 15, 2026
- Netflix patents method to bundle game frames for smoother streaming Sep 22, 2026
- Netflix patents search system that explains why a show is missing Sep 29, 2026
- Netflix patents tech to match video scenes across different languages Oct 13, 2026
- Netflix patents method to estimate video depth in real time Sep 24, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.