Method and Apparatus for Determining the Perceptual Video Quality of a Chunk of Multimedia Content

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This invention provides a method and device for automatically estimating the perceived video quality of multimedia content chunks being transmitted from a server to a client. The system calculates how encoding (such as compression), upscaling (resizing), and frame rate reduction affect video quality as perceived by users. Crucially, the method adapts to the available device resources and the level of access to stream data (handling scenarios from highly encrypted or minimal access, to full bitstream access), ensuring flexible and scalable quality assessment under varying operational constraints.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Real-time video quality monitoring for streaming service providers (e.g., Netflix, YouTube, IPTV).
• Quality assurance in adaptive bitrate streaming to optimize user experience based on network conditions.
• Integration into set-top boxes, smart TVs, or mobile devices to provide real-time feedback on video quality.
• Network planning and resource allocation by telecom and broadcast operators.
• Objective measurement tools for regulatory or contractual compliance (e.g., service level agreements in video delivery).
• Cloud-based video processing services to automate perceptual quality control before delivery.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Flexible: Works across multiple device types and resource constraints, from simple hardware to powerful servers.
• Scalable: Adapts the complexity of analysis depending on the level of information available and the device's computational power.
• No requirement for reference content: Supports 'no-reference' scenarios where the original, non-degraded video is not available.
• Covers multiple degradation sources: Simultaneously evaluates effects of compression, upscaling, and frame rate reduction on video quality.
• Automatable: Suitable for fully automated monitoring and large-scale deployment across a network.
• Improves user satisfaction: Helps maintain optimal perceived video quality, enhancing the viewing experience.
• Supports encrypted streams: Can provide quality estimates even for partially or fully encrypted content, increasing applicability.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the perceptual video quality of a chunk of multimedia content to be transmitted from a server to a client as well as a corresponding computer program product. The method comprises the step of: determining the quantization degradation Dq of the video content of the multimedia content using at least one set of input parameters, wherein the at least one set of input parameters for the estimation of the quantization degradation Dq is selected considering at least one computational resource of a device on which the method is to be carried out and/or considering at least one available resource of the multimedia content.