Stepped scaling function to piecewise linearity conversion for film particle synthesis

Abstract

Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for performing step scaling to piecewise linearity conversion for film particle synthesis. The device may obtain a first set of film particle scaling factors. Each film particle scaling factor in the first set of film particle scaling factors may be associated with an intensity interval. The first set of film particle scaling factors may be represented by a step function. The device may generate a second set of film particle scaling factors from the first set of film particle scaling factors. The second set of film particle scaling factors may be represented by a piecewise linear function or a lookup table (LUT).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of European Provisional Patent Application No. EP22305513.8 filed on April 8, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] Video coding systems may be used to compress digital video signals, for example, to reduce the storage and / or transmission bandwidth required for such signals. Video coding systems may include, for example, block-based, wavelet-based, and / or object-based systems. Summary of the invention

[0004] Systems, methods, and means for performing step scaling to piecewise linear conversion for film grain synthesis are disclosed. A device may obtain a first set of film grain scaling factors. Each film grain scaling factor in the first set of film grain scaling factors may be associated with an intensity interval. The first set of film grain scaling factors may be represented by a step function. The device may generate a second set of film grain scaling factors from the first set of film grain scaling factors. The second set of film grain scaling factors may be represented by a piecewise linear function or a lookup table (LUT). Each film grain scaling factor in the second set of film grain scaling factors may be represented by a pivot point. In an example, for a triangular approximation, if a neighboring intensity is associated with a lower scaling factor, the scaling factor may be lower on average. In an example, for a modified triangular approximation, the average over the interval may be closer to the average of the step function (e.g., may provide a better approximation of the step function than the triangular approximation).

[0005] The systems, methods, and means described herein may relate to decoders. In some examples, the systems, methods, and means described herein may relate to encoders. In some examples, the systems, methods, and means described herein may relate to signals (e.g., signals from encoders and / or received by decoders). A computer-readable medium may include instructions for causing one or more processors to perform the methods described herein. A computer program product may include instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause one or more processors to perform the methods described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1A is a system diagram illustrating an example communication system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented.

[0007] Figure 1B is an example of a method that can be used according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1AA system diagram of an example wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) for use within the illustrated communication system.

[0008] Figure 1C is an example of a method that can be used according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1A System diagram of an example Radio Access Network (RAN) and an example Core Network (CN) for use within the illustrated communication system.

[0009] Figure 1D is an example of a method that can be used according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1A System diagram of yet another example RAN and yet another example CN for use within the illustrated communication system.

[0010] Figure 2 An example video encoder is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 3 An example video decoder is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 4 Examples of systems in which various aspects and examples may be implemented are illustrated.

[0013] Figure 5 An example of a film grain synthesis flow chart is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 An example of a file grain pattern for film grain synthesis is shown.

[0015] Figure 7 An example of generating block offsets for film grain synthesis is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 Examples of piecewise linear and step functions are shown.

[0017] Fig. 9 An example of overlapping intervals hiding and maintaining the maximum zoom factor is shown.

[0018] Fig.10 An example of interval gap hiding and filling the middle gap with the average of the neighbors is shown.

[0019] Fig.11 An example of interval gap hiding and closing of the intermediate gap by interval expansion is shown.

[0020] Fig.12 An example of directly mapping a step function to a piecewise linear function is shown.

[0021] Fig.13 An example of a triangular approximation is shown.

[0022] Fig.14 An example of a triangular approximation with overlapping intervals is shown.

[0023] Fig.15 An example of a modified trigonometric approximation is shown.

[0024] Fig.16 An example of a modified triangular approximation with multiple local extremas is shown.

[0025] Fig.17 An example of a smooth curve fit is shown.

[0026] Fig.18 An example of the dynamic range of the particle in relation to the cutoff frequency is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A more detailed understanding may be obtained from the following description given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1A 1 is a diagram illustrating an example communication system 100 in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The communication system 100 may be a multiple access system that provides content such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcast, etc. to multiple wireless users. The communication system 100 may enable multiple wireless users to access such content through sharing of system resources (including wireless bandwidth). For example, the communication system 100 may employ one or more channel access methods such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), zero tail unique word DFT spread OFDM (ZT UW DTS-s OFDM), unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), resource block filtered OFDM, filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), etc.

[0029] like Figure 1AAs shown, the communication system 100 may include wireless transmit / receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, RAN 104 / 113, CN 106 / 115, public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, Internet 110 and other networks 112, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and / or network elements. Each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to operate and / or communicate in a wireless environment. By way of example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d (any of which may be referred to as a “station” and / or “STA”) may be configured to send and / or receive wireless signals and may include user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a subscription-based unit, a pager, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, a hotspot or Mi-Fi device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or automated process chain environment), a consumer electronic device, a device operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. Any of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d may be interchangeably referred to as a UE.

[0030] The communication system 100 may also include a base station 114a and / or a base station 114b. Each of the base stations 114a, 114b may be any type of device that is configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the CN 106 / 115, the Internet 110, and / or other networks 112. By way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node B, an eNode B, a Home Node B, a Home eNode B, a gNB, an NR Node B, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless router, and the like. While the base stations 114a, 114b are each depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the base stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base stations and / or network elements.

[0031] The base station 114a may be part of the RAN 104 / 113, which may also include other base stations and / or network elements (not shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), a relay node, etc. The base station 114a and / or the base station 114b may be configured to send and / or receive wireless signals on one or more carrier frequencies (which may be referred to as cells (not shown)). These frequencies may be in a licensed spectrum, an unlicensed spectrum, or a combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrums. A cell may provide coverage of wireless services to a specific geographic area, which may be relatively fixed or may change over time. The cell may be further divided into cell sectors. For example, a cell associated with the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Therefore, in one embodiment, the base station 114a may include three transceivers, i.e., one transceiver for each sector of the cell. In an embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology and may utilize multiple transceivers for each sector of the cell. For example, beamforming may be used to send and / or receive signals in a desired spatial direction.

[0032] The base stations 114a, 114b may communicate with one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d over an air interface 116, which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, centimeter wave, micrometer wave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, etc.). The air interface 116 may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

[0033] More specifically, as noted above, the communication system 100 may be a multiple access system and may employ one or more channel access schemes such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, etc. For example, the base station 114a in the RAN 104 / 113 and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), which may use Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) to establish the air interface 115 / 116 / 117. WCDMA may include communication protocols such as High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA) and / or Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High Speed ​​Downlink (DL) Packet Access (HSDPA) and / or High Speed ​​UL Packet Access (HSUPA).

[0034] In an embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) that may establish the air interface 116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and / or Advanced LTE (LTE-A) and / or Advanced LTE Pro (LTE-APro).

[0035] In one embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as NR radio access, which may establish the air interface 116 using New Radio (NR).

[0036] In an embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement multiple radio access technologies. For example, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may together implement LTE radio access and NR radio access, for example using the dual connectivity (DC) principle. Thus, the air interface utilized by the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be characterized by multiple types of radio access technologies and / or transmissions transmitted to / from multiple types of base stations (e.g., eNBs and gNBs).

[0037] In other embodiments, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE 802.11 (i.e., Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)), IEEE 802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), etc.

[0038] Figure 1AThe base station 114b in the may be, for example, a wireless router, a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or an access point, and may utilize any suitable RAT to facilitate wireless connectivity in a local area, such as a business location, a home, a vehicle, a campus, an industrial facility, an air corridor (e.g., for use by drones), a road, and the like. In one embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology (such as IEEE 802.11) to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In an embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology (such as IEEE 802.15) to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may utilize a cellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.) to establish a picocell or a femtocell. As Figure 1A As shown, base station 114b may have a direct connection to Internet 110. Therefore, base station 114b may not need to access Internet 110 via CN 106 / 115.

[0039] The RAN 104 / 113 may be in communication with the CN 106 / 115, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice, data, applications, and / or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. The data may have different quality of service (QoS) requirements, such as different throughput requirements, latency requirements, error tolerance requirements, reliability requirements, data throughput requirements, mobility requirements, etc. The CN 106 / 115 may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-based services, prepaid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and / or perform advanced security functions, such as user authentication. Although not described in detail in the text, the CN 106 / 115 may be configured to provide voice, data, applications, and / or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. The data may have different quality of service (QoS) requirements, such as different throughput requirements, latency requirements, error tolerance requirements, reliability requirements, data throughput requirements, mobility requirements, etc. The CN 106 / 115 may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-based services, prepaid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and / or perform advanced security functions, such as user authentication. Figure 1A Although not shown in the figure, it will be appreciated that the RAN 104 / 113 and / or the CN 106 / 115 may be in direct or indirect communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 / 113 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected to the RAN 104 / 113, which may utilize NR radio technology, the CN 106 / 115 may also be in communication with another RAN (not shown) that employs GSM, UMTS, CDMA 2000, WiMAX, E-UTRA, or WiFi radio technology.

[0040] The CN 106 / 115 may also serve as a gateway for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet 110, and / or other networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include a circuit-switched telephone network that provides plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 110 may include a global system of interconnected computer networks and devices that use common communication protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and / or the Internet Protocol (IP) in the TCP / IP Internet protocol suite. The networks 112 may include wired communication networks and / or wireless communication networks owned and / or operated by other service providers. For example, the networks 112 may include another CN connected to one or more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 / 113 or a different RAT.

[0041] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the communication system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities (e.g., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may include multiple transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks via different wireless links). Figure 1A The illustrated WTRU 102c may be configured to communicate with the base station 114a, which may employ a cellular-based radio technology, and with the base station 114b, which may employ an IEEE 802 radio technology.

[0042] Figure 1B is a system diagram illustrating an example WTRU 102. Figure 1B As shown, the WTRU 102 may include, among other things, a processor 118, a transceiver 120, a transmit / receive element 122, a speaker / microphone 124, a keypad 126, a display / touchpad 128, non-removable memory 130, removable memory 132, a power source 134, a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 136, and / or other peripherals 138. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may include any sub-combination of the foregoing elements while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

[0043] The processor 118 may be a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, etc. The processor 118 may perform signal decoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, and / or any other functionality that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be coupled to the transmit / receive element 122. Although Figure 1B The processor 118 and the transceiver 120 are depicted as separate components, but it is understood that the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or chip.

[0044] The send / receive element 122 may be configured to send a signal to a base station (e.g., base station 114a) or receive a signal from the base station via an air interface 116. For example, in one embodiment, the send / receive element 122 may be an antenna configured to send and / or receive an RF signal. In an embodiment, the send / receive element 122 may be a transmitter / detector configured to send and / or receive, for example, IR, UV or visible light signals. In another embodiment, the send / receive element 122 may be configured to send and / or receive both RF signals and optical signals. It should be understood that the send / receive element 122 may be configured to send and / or receive any combination of wireless signals.

[0045] Although the transmit / receive element 122 Figure 1B 1 as a single element, the WTRU 102 may include any number of transmit / receive elements 122. More specifically, the WTRU 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the WTRU 102 may include two or more transmit / receive elements 122 (e.g., multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals over the air interface 116.

[0046] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate signals to be transmitted by the transmit / receive element 122 and to demodulate signals received by the transmit / receive element 122. As noted above, the WTRU 102 may have multi-mode capabilities. For example, the transceiver 120 may include multiple transceivers for enabling the WTRU 102 to communicate via multiple RATs, such as NR and IEEE 802.11.

[0047] The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to and may receive user input data from a speaker / microphone 124, a keypad 126, and / or a display / touchpad 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data to the speaker / microphone 124, the keypad 126, and / or the display / touchpad 128. In addition, the processor 118 may access information from and store data in any type of suitable memory, such as a non-removable memory 130 and / or a removable memory 132. The non-removable memory 130 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card, and the like. In other embodiments, the processor 118 may access information from and store data in a memory that is not physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or a home computer (not shown).

[0048] The processor 118 may receive power from the power source 134, and may be configured to distribute and / or control power to other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may be any suitable device for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the power source 134 may include one or more dry cell batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, etc.

[0049] The processor 118 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset 136, which may be configured to provide location information (e.g., longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of the WTRU 102. In addition to or in lieu of the information from the GPS chipset 136, the WTRU 102 may receive location information from a base station (e.g., base stations 114a, 114b) over the air interface 116 and / or determine its location based on the timing of signals received from two or more nearby base stations. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire location information by any suitable location-determination method while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

[0050] The processor 118 may also be coupled to other peripherals 138, which may include one or more software modules and / or hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality, and / or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals 138 may include an accelerometer, an electronic compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera (for photos and / or video), a universal serial bus (USB) port, a vibration device, a television transceiver, a hands-free headset, module, a frequency modulation (FM) radio unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, a virtual reality and / or augmented reality (VR / AR) device, an activity tracker, etc. Peripheral device 138 may include one or more sensors, which may be one or more of the following: a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a Hall effect sensor, a magnetometer, an orientation sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a time sensor; a geolocation sensor; an altimeter, a light sensor, a touch sensor, a magnetometer, a barometer, a gesture sensor, a biometric sensor, and / or a humidity sensor.

[0051] The WTRU 102 may include a full-duplex radio for which transmission and reception of some or all signals (e.g., associated with specific subframes for UL (e.g., for transmission) and downlink (e.g., for reception)) may be concurrent and / or simultaneous. The full-duplex radio may include an interference management unit for reducing and / or substantially eliminating self-interference via signal processing performed via hardware (e.g., a choke) or via a processor (e.g., a separate processor (not shown) or via the processor 118). In an embodiment, the WRTU 102 may include a half-duplex radio for which transmission and reception of some or all signals (e.g., associated with specific subframes for UL (e.g., for transmission) or downlink (e.g., for reception)) may be concurrent and / or simultaneous.

[0052] Figure 1C 1 is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 104 and the CN 106 in accordance with an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104 may employ an E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also be in communication with the CN 106.

[0053] The RAN 104 may include evolved Node-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of evolved Node-Bs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The evolved Node-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. In one embodiment, the evolved Node-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may implement MIMO technology. Thus, the evolved Node-B 160a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to and / or receive wireless signals from the WTRU 102a.

[0054] Each of the evolved Node Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in UL and / or DL, etc. Figure 1C As shown, the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may communicate with one another via an X2 interface.

[0055] Figure 1C The illustrated CN 106 may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, a serving gateway (SGW) 164, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway (or PGW) 166. While each of the foregoing elements is depicted as being part of the CN 106, it should be understood that any of these elements may be owned and / or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0056] The MME 162 may be connected to each of the evolved Node-Bs 162a, 162b, 162c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a control node. For example, the MME 162 may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, bearer activation / deactivation, selecting a particular serving gateway during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, etc. The MME 162 may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as GSM and / or WCDMA.

[0057] The SGW 164 may be connected to each of the evolved Node-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface. The SGW 164 may generally route and forward user data packets to / from the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. The SGW 164 may perform other functions, such as anchoring the user plane during inter-evolved Node-B handovers, triggering paging when DL data is available for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, managing and storing the context of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like.

[0058] The SGW 164 may be connected to the PGW 166, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices.

[0059] The CN 106 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications devices. For example, the CN 106 may include, or may be in communication with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server) that acts as an interface between the CN 106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to other networks 112, which may include other wired networks and / or wireless networks owned and / or operated by other service providers.

[0060] Although the WTRU Figures 1A to 1D Although described as wireless terminals, it is contemplated that in certain representative embodiments, such terminals may (eg, temporarily or permanently) use a wired communication interface with a communication network.

[0061] In a representative embodiment, the other network 112 may be a WLAN.

[0062] A WLAN in infrastructure basic service set (BSS) mode may have an access point (AP) for the BSS and one or more stations (STA) associated with the AP. The AP may have access or an interface to a distribution system (DS) or another type of wired / wireless network that carries traffic to and / or carries traffic away from the BSS. Traffic originating from outside the BSS and leading to the STA may be reached by the AP and may be delivered to the STA. Traffic originating from the STA and leading to a destination outside the BSS may be transmitted to the AP to be delivered to the corresponding destination. Traffic between STAs within the BSS may be transmitted by the AP, for example, wherein the source STA may transmit traffic to the AP, and the AP may deliver traffic to the destination STA. Traffic between STAs within the BSS may be considered and / or referred to as point-to-point traffic. Point-to-point traffic may be transmitted between the source STA and the destination STA (e.g., directly between them) using a direct link establishment (DLS). In certain representative embodiments, the DLS may use 802.11e DLS or 802.11z tunnel DLS (TDLS). A WLAN using an independent BSS (IBSS) mode may not have an AP, and STAs within or using the IBSS (eg, all STAs in the STA) may communicate directly with each other. The IBSS communication mode may sometimes be referred to herein as an "ad hoc" communication mode.

[0063] When using the 802.11ac infrastructure operating mode or a similar operating mode, the AP may send beacons on a fixed channel (such as a primary channel). The primary channel may be a fixed width (e.g., a 20 MHz wide bandwidth) or a width dynamically set via signaling. The primary channel may be an operating channel of the BSS and may be used by the STA to establish a connection with the AP. In certain representative embodiments, carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) may be implemented, for example, in an 802.11 system. For CSMA / CA, a STA (e.g., each STA) (including the AP) may listen to the primary channel. In the case where the primary channel is listened / detected and / or determined to be busy by a specific STA, the specific STA may back off. One STA (e.g., only one station) may transmit at any given time in a given BSS.

[0064] High throughput (HT) STAs may communicate using a 40 MHz wide channel, for example, via a combination of a primary 20 MHz channel and adjacent or non-adjacent 20 MHz channels to form a 40 MHz wide channel.

[0065] Very high throughput (VHT) STA can support 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz and / or 160MHz wide channels. 40MHz channels and / or 80MHz channels can be formed by combining continuous 20MHz channels. 160MHz channels can be formed by combining 8 continuous 20MHz channels, or by combining two non-continuous 80MHz channels (this can be called 80+80 configuration). For 80+80 configuration, after channel coding, the data can pass through a segment parser that can divide the data into two streams. Each stream can be processed by inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) and time domain processing separately. These streams can be mapped to two 80MHz channels, and data can be sent by the transmitter STA. At the receiver of the receiver STA, the above-mentioned operation for the 80+80 configuration can be reversed, and the combined data can be transmitted to the medium access control (MAC).

[0066] 802.11af and 802.11ah support operating modes below 1GHz. Channel operating bandwidths and carriers are reduced in 802.11af and 802.11ah relative to those used in 802.11n and 802.11ac. 802.11af supports 5MHz, 10MHz, and 20MHz bandwidths in the TV White Space (TVWS) spectrum, and 802.11ah supports 1MHz, 2MHz, 4MHz, 8MHz, and 16MHz bandwidths using non-TVWS spectrum. According to a representative embodiment, 802.11ah may support instrument type control / machine type communications, such as MTC devices in macro coverage areas. MTC devices may have certain capabilities, such as limited capabilities, including support for (e.g., only support for) certain bandwidths and / or limited bandwidths. MTC devices may include batteries with battery life above a threshold (e.g., to maintain very long battery life).

[0067] WLAN systems that can support multiple channels and channel bandwidths (such as 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11af, and 802.11ah) include channels that can be designated as primary channels. The primary channel may have a bandwidth equal to the maximum common operating bandwidth supported by all STAs in the BSS. The bandwidth of the primary channel may be set and / or limited by a STA (which supports the minimum bandwidth operating mode) from all STAs operating in the BSS. In the example of 802.11ah, for STAs (e.g., MTC-type devices) that support (e.g., only support) a 1MHz mode, the primary channel may be 1MHz wide, even if the AP and other STAs in the BSS support 2MHz, 4MHz, 8MHz, 16MHz, and / or other channel bandwidth operating modes. Carrier sensing and / or network allocation vector (NAV) settings may depend on the state of the primary channel. If the primary channel is busy, for example, because a STA (supporting only a 1MHz operating mode) is sending to the AP, the entire available frequency band may be considered busy even if most of the frequency bands remain idle and may be available.

[0068] In the United States, the available frequency band for 802.11ah is 902MHz to 928MHz. In South Korea, the available frequency band is 917.5MHz to 923.5MHz. In Japan, the available frequency band is 916.5MHz to 927.5MHz. The total bandwidth available for 802.11ah is 6MHz to 26MHz, depending on the country code.

[0069] Figure 1D 1 is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 113 and the CN 115 in accordance with an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 113 may employ NR radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 113 may also be in communication with the CN 115.

[0070] The RAN 113 may include gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 113 may include any number of gNBs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. In one embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement MIMO technology. For example, the gNBs 180a, 180b may utilize beamforming to send signals to and / or receive signals from the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c. Thus, the gNB 180a may, for example, use multiple antennas to send wireless signals to and / or receive wireless signals from the WTRU 102a. In an embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement carrier aggregation technology. For example, gNB 180a may transmit multiple component carriers to WTRU 102a (not shown). A subset of these component carriers may be on unlicensed spectrum, while the remaining component carriers may be on licensed spectrum. In an embodiment, gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement coordinated multi-point (CoMP) technology. For example, WTRU 102a may receive coordinated transmissions from gNB 180a and gNB 180b (and / or gNB 180c).

[0071] The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using transmissions associated with parameter sets that may be scalable. For example, OFDM symbol spacing and / or OFDM subcarrier spacing may vary for different transmissions, different cells, and / or different portions of the wireless transmission spectrum. The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using subframes or transmit time intervals (TTIs) of varying or scalable lengths (e.g., containing different numbers of OFDM symbols and / or varying absolute time lengths over time).

[0072] The gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be configured to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c in a standalone configuration and / or a non-standalone configuration. In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c while not accessing other RANs (e.g., such as the eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c). In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may use one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c as mobility anchors. In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using signals in an unlicensed band. In a non-standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate / connect with the gNB 180a, 180b, 180c while also communicating / connecting with another RAN, such as the eNode-B 160a, 160b, 160c. For example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement the DC principle to communicate with one or more gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c and one or more eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c substantially simultaneously. In a non-standalone configuration, the eNode-B 160a, 160b, 160c may act as a mobility anchor for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the gNB 180a, 180b, 180c may provide additional coverage and / or throughput for serving the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c.

[0073] Each of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in UL and / or DL, support of network slicing, dual connectivity, interworking between NR and E-UTRA, routing of user plane data towards a user plane function (UPF) 184a, 184b, routing of control plane information towards an access and mobility management function (AMF) 182a, 182b, etc. Figure 1D As shown, gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may communicate with each other via an Xn interface.

[0074] Figure 1DThe illustrated CN 115 may include at least one AMF 182a, 182b, at least one UPF 184a, 184b, at least one session management function (SMF) 183a, 183b, and possible data networks (DNs) 185a, 185b. Although each of the foregoing elements is depicted as part of the CN 115, it should be understood that any of these elements may be owned and / or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0075] The AMF 182a, 182b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c in the RAN 113 via the N2 interface and may act as a control node. For example, the AMF 182a, 182b may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c, support of network slicing (e.g., handling of different PDU sessions with different requirements), selecting a specific SMF 183a, 183b, management of registration areas, termination of NAS signaling, mobility management, etc. The AMF 182a, 182b may use network slicing to customize CN support for the WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c based on the type of services utilized by the WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c. For example, different network slices may be established for different use cases, such as services relying on ultra-reliable low latency (URLLC) access, services relying on enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) access, services for machine type communication (MTC) access, etc. The AMF 162 may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 113 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, and / or non-3GPP access technologies, such as WiFi.

[0076] The SMF 183a, 183b may be connected to the AMF 182a, 182b in the CN 115 via the N11 interface. The SMF 183a, 183b may also be connected to the UPF 184a, 184b in the CN 115 via the N4 interface. The SMF 183a, 183b may select and control the UPF 184a, 184b, and configure the traffic routing through the UPF 184a, 184b. The SMF 183a, 183b may perform other functions, such as managing and allocating UE IP addresses, managing PDU sessions, controlling policy enforcement and QoS, providing downlink data notification, etc. The PDU session type may be IP-based, non-IP-based, Ethernet-based, etc.

[0077] The UPF 184a, 184b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c in the RAN 113 via the N3 interface, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices. The UPF 184, 184b may perform other functions, such as routing and forwarding packets, enforcing user plane policies, supporting multi-homed PDU sessions, handling user plane QoS, buffering downlink packets, providing mobility anchoring, etc.

[0078] The CN 115 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the CN 115 may include or may communicate with an IP gateway (e.g., an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server) that acts as an interface between the CN 115 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the CN 115 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to other networks 112, which may include other wired networks and / or wireless networks owned and / or operated by other service providers. In one embodiment, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be connected to local data networks (DNs) 185a, 185b via the UPF 184a, 184b via the N3 interface to the UPF 184a, 184b and the N6 interface between the UPF 184a, 184b and the DN 185a, 185b.

[0079] Given that Figures 1A to 1D as well as Figures 1A to 1D Corresponding to the description of the present invention, one or more or all of the functions described herein with reference to one or more of the following may be performed by one or more simulation devices (not shown): WTRU102a-d, base station 114a-b, evolved Node B 160a-c, MME 162, SGW 164, PGW 166, gNB 180a-c, AMF182a-b, UPF 184a-b, SMF 183a-b, DN 185a-b and / or any other device described herein. The simulation device may be one or more devices configured to emulate one or more or all of the functions described herein. For example, the simulation device may be used to test other devices and / or simulate network and / or WTRU functions.

[0080] The simulation device may be designed to implement one or more tests of other devices in a laboratory environment and / or in an operator network environment. For example, one or more simulation devices may perform one or more functions or all functions while being fully or partially implemented and / or deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network in order to test other devices within the communication network. One or more simulation devices may perform one or more functions or all functions while being temporarily implemented / deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. The simulation device may be directly coupled to another device for testing purposes and / or may use over-the-air wireless communications to perform testing.

[0081] One or more simulation devices can perform one or more (including all) functions without being implemented / deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. For example, the simulation device can be used in a test scenario in a test laboratory and / or a non-deployed (e.g., testing) wired and / or wireless communication network to implement testing of one or more components. One or more simulation devices can be test equipment. Direct RF coupling and / or wireless communication via RF circuits (e.g., which may include one or more antennas) can be used by the simulation device to send and / or receive data.

[0082] The present application describes a number of aspects, including tools, features, examples, models, methods, etc. Many of these aspects are described in a particular manner, and at least in order to illustrate individual features, are usually described in a manner that may sound restrictive. However, this is to describe clearly and does not limit the application or scope of these aspects. In fact, all different aspects can be combined and interchanged to provide further aspects. In addition, these aspects can also be combined and interchanged with the aspects described in the earlier submission.

[0083] The aspects described and contemplated in this application can be implemented in many different forms. Figures 5 to 18 Some examples may be provided, but others are also contemplated. Figures 5 to 18 The discussion of the present invention does not limit the breadth of specific implementations. At least one of these aspects generally relates to video encoding and decoding, and at least one other aspect generally relates to sending a generated or encoded bitstream. These and other aspects can be implemented as methods, apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions for encoding or decoding video data according to any of the methods, and / or a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a bitstream generated according to any of the methods.

[0084] In this application, the terms "reconstruction" and "decoding" may be used interchangeably, the terms "pixel" and "sample" may be used interchangeably, and the terms "image", "picture" and "frame" may be used interchangeably.

[0085] Various methods are described herein, and each method includes one or more steps or actions for implementing the method. Unless the correct operation method requires a specific order of steps or actions, the order and / or purpose of specific steps and / or actions can be modified or combined. In addition, in various examples, terms such as "first", "second" and the like can be used to modify elements, parts, steps, operations, etc., such as "first decoding" and "second decoding". Unless specifically required, the use of such terms does not imply the ordering of the modification operation. Therefore, in this example, the first decoding does not need to be performed before the second decoding, and can, for example, occur before, during, or in an overlapping time period of the second decoding.

[0086] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, various methods and other aspects described in this application can be used to modify modules (e.g., decoding modules) of video encoder 200 and decoder 300. In addition, the subject matter disclosed herein can be applied to, for example, any type, format, or version of video decoding (whether described in a standard or described in a recommendation), whether pre-existing or developed in the future, as well as extensions of any such standards and recommendations. Unless otherwise indicated or technically excluded, the aspects described in this application can be used alone or in combination.

[0087] Various numerical values ​​are used in describing the examples of the present application, such as 0, 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 28, 10, 16, 64, 256, etc. These values ​​and other specific values ​​are used for the purpose of describing the examples, and the described aspects are not limited to these specific values.

[0088] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example video encoder. Variations of the example encoder 200 are contemplated, but the following describes encoder 200 for clarity without describing all contemplated variations.

[0089] Prior to being encoded, the video sequence may undergo pre-encoding processing (201), such as applying a color transform to an input color picture (e.g., conversion from RGB 4:4:4 to YCbCr 4:2:0), or performing a remapping of input picture components to obtain a signal distribution that is more resilient to compression (e.g., using histogram equalization of one of the color components). Metadata may be associated with the pre-processing and may be appended to the bitstream.

[0090] In encoder 200, a picture is encoded by encoder elements as described below. The picture to be encoded is partitioned (202) and processed in units such as coding units (CUs). Each unit is encoded, for example, using intra mode or inter mode. When a unit is encoded in intra mode, the unit performs intra prediction (260). In inter mode, motion estimation (275) and compensation (270) are performed. The encoder decides (205) which of intra mode or inter mode to use to encode the unit, and indicates the intra / inter decision by, for example, a prediction mode flag. The prediction residual is calculated, for example, by subtracting (210) the predicted block from the original image block.

[0091] The prediction residual is then transformed (225) and quantized (230). The quantized transform coefficients, along with motion vectors and other syntax elements, are entropy coded (245) to output a bitstream. The encoder may skip the transform and apply quantization directly to the untransformed residual signal. The encoder may bypass both the transform and quantization, i.e., directly code the residual without applying the transform or quantization process.

[0092] The encoder decodes the coded block to provide a reference for further prediction. The quantized transform coefficients are dequantized (240) and inverse transformed (250) to decode the prediction residual. The image block is reconstructed by combining the decoded prediction residual and the predicted block (255). An in-loop filter (265) is applied to the reconstructed picture to perform, for example, deblocking / SAO (sample adaptive offset) filtering to reduce coding artifacts. The filtered image is stored at a reference picture buffer (280).

[0093] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a video decoder. In the example decoder 300, a bitstream is decoded by decoder elements as described below. The video decoder 300 generally performs the same Figure 2 The decoding process is the reverse of the encoding process described in . The encoder 200 also typically performs video decoding as part of encoding the video data.

[0094] Specifically, the input of the decoder includes a video bitstream, which may be generated by the video encoder 200. First, the bitstream is entropy decoded (330) to obtain transform coefficients, motion vectors, and other decoded information. Picture partition information indicates how the picture is partitioned. Therefore, the decoder can divide (335) the picture according to the decoded picture partition information. The transform coefficients are dequantized (340) and inverse transformed (350) to decode the prediction residual. The image block is reconstructed by combining (355) the decoded prediction residual and the predicted block. The predicted block can be obtained (370) from intra-frame prediction (360) or motion compensated prediction (i.e., inter-frame prediction) (375). An in-loop filter (365) is applied to the reconstructed image. The filtered image is stored at a reference picture buffer (380).

[0095] The decoded picture may also undergo post-decoding processing (385), such as an inverse color transform (e.g., a transform from YCbCr 4:2:0 to RGB 4:4:4) or an inverse remapping that performs the inverse of the remapping performed in the pre-encoding process (201). The post-decoding processing may use metadata derived in the pre-encoding process and signaled in the bitstream. In an example, the decoded image (e.g., after applying the in-loop filter (365) and / or after the post-decoding processing (385), if post-decoding processing is used) may be transmitted to a display device for presentation to a user.

[0096] Figure 4 4 is a diagram showing an example of a system in which various aspects and examples described herein can be implemented. System 400 may be embodied as a device including various components described below and configured to perform one or more aspects of the aspects described in this document. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, various electronic devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, smart phones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set-top boxes, digital television receivers, personal video recording systems, connected home appliances, and servers. The elements of system 400 may be embodied in a single integrated circuit (IC), multiple ICs, and / or discrete components, either individually or in combination. For example, in at least one example, the processing and encoder / decoder elements of system 400 are distributed over multiple ICs and / or discrete components. In various examples, system 400 is communicatively coupled to one or more other systems or other electronic devices via, for example, a communication bus or through dedicated input ports and / or output ports. In various examples, system 400 is configured to implement one or more aspects of the aspects described in this document.

[0097] The system 400 includes at least one processor 410 configured to execute instructions loaded therein for implementing, for example, various aspects described in this document. The processor 410 may include embedded memory, input-output interfaces, and various other circuits as known in the art. The system 400 includes at least one memory 420 (e.g., a volatile memory device and / or a non-volatile memory device). The system 400 includes a storage device 440, which may include a non-volatile memory and / or a volatile memory, including but not limited to an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a flash memory, a magnetic disk drive, and / or an optical disk drive. As non-limiting examples, the storage device 440 may include an internal storage device, an attached storage device (including a removable and non-removable storage device), and / or a network-accessible storage device.

[0098] The system 400 includes an encoder / decoder module 430, which is configured to process data, for example, to provide encoded video or decoded video, and the encoder / decoder module 430 may include its own processor and memory. The encoder / decoder module 430 represents a module that may be included in a device to perform encoding and / or decoding functions. As is well known, a device may include one or both of an encoding module and a decoding module. Additionally, the encoder / decoder module 430 may be implemented as a separate element of the system 400, or may be incorporated into the processor 410 as a combination of hardware and software known to those skilled in the art.

[0099] Program code to be loaded onto the processor 410 or the encoder / decoder 430 to perform various aspects described in this document may be stored in the storage device 440 and subsequently loaded onto the memory 420 for execution by the processor 410. According to various examples, one or more of the processor 410, the memory 420, the storage device 440, and the encoder / decoder module 430 may store one or more of various items during the execution of the processes described in this document. Such stored items may include, but are not limited to, input video, decoded video or partially decoded video, bitstreams, matrices, variables, and intermediate or final results of processing equations, formulas, operations, and operation logic.

[0100] In some examples, memory inside the processor 410 and / or the encoder / decoder module 430 is used to store instructions and provide working memory for processing required during encoding or decoding. However, in other examples, memory external to the processing device (e.g., the processing device may be the processor 410 or the encoder / decoder module 430) is used for one or more of these functions. The external memory may be a memory 420 and / or a storage device 440, such as a dynamic volatile memory and / or a non-volatile flash memory. In several examples, the external non-volatile flash memory is used to store, for example, an operating system for a television. In at least one example, a fast external dynamic volatile memory (such as RAM) is used as working memory for video encoding and decoding operations.

[0101] Inputs to the elements of system 400 may be provided through various input devices as indicated in block 445. Such input devices include, but are not limited to: (i) a radio frequency (RF) section that receives an RF signal, such as that transmitted over the air by a broadcaster; (ii) a component (COMP) input terminal (or a set of COMP input terminals); (iii) a universal serial bus (USB) input terminal; and / or (iv) a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) input terminal. Other examples ( Figure 4 ) includes composite video.

[0102] In various examples, the input device of block 445 has associated corresponding input processing elements as known in the art. For example, the RF section may be associated with elements suitable for the following items: (i) selecting a desired frequency (also referred to as selecting a signal, or band limiting a signal to a frequency band), (ii) down-converting the selected signal, (iii) again band-limiting to a narrower frequency band to select a signal band that (for example) may be referred to as a channel in some examples, (iv) demodulating the down-converted and band-limited signal, (v) performing error correction, and (vi) demultiplexing to select a desired packet stream. Various examples of the RF section include one or more elements for performing these functions, such as a frequency selector, a signal selector, a band limiter, a channel selector, a filter, a down-converter, a demodulator, an error corrector, and a demultiplexer. The RF section may include a tuner that performs various of these functions, including, for example, down-converting a received signal to a lower frequency (e.g., an intermediate frequency or a near-baseband frequency) or to baseband. In a set-top box example, the RF part and its associated input processing element receive the RF signal sent by wired (for example, cable) medium, and perform frequency selection by filtering, down-conversion and filtering to the desired frequency band again.Various examples rearrange the order of above-mentioned (and other) elements, remove some elements in these elements, and / or add other elements that perform similar or different functions.Adding element can include inserting element between existing elements, for example, inserting amplifier and analog-to-digital converter.In various examples, the RF part includes antenna.

[0103] The USB and / or HDMI terminals may include corresponding interface processors for connecting the system 400 to other electronic devices across the USB and / or HDMI connections. It should be understood that various aspects of input processing (e.g., Reed-Solomon error correction) may be implemented as needed, for example, in a separate input processing IC or in the processor 410. Similarly, various aspects of USB or HDMI interface processing may be implemented as needed in a separate interface IC or in the processor 410. The demodulated, error-corrected, and demultiplexed streams are provided to various processing elements, including, for example, the processor 410 and the encoder / decoder 430, which operate in conjunction with the memory and storage elements to process the data streams as needed for presentation on the output device.

[0104] The various components of system 400 may be disposed within an integrated housing. Within the integrated housing, the various components may be interconnected and transmit data between the components using a suitable connection arrangement 425 (e.g., an internal bus known in the art, including an inter-chip (I2C) bus, wiring, and a printed circuit board).

[0105] System 400 includes a communication interface 450 that enables communication with other devices via a communication channel 460. Communication interface 450 may include, but is not limited to, a transceiver configured to send and receive data through communication channel 460. Communication interface 450 may include, but is not limited to, a modem or a network card, and communication channel 460 may be implemented, for example, within a wired and / or wireless medium.

[0106] In various examples, data is streamed or otherwise provided to the system 400 using a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, e.g., IEEE 802.11 (IEEE refers to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The Wi-Fi signals of these examples are received via a communication channel 460 and a communication interface 450 suitable for Wi-Fi communications. The communication channel 460 of these examples is typically connected to an access point or router that provides access to external networks, including the Internet, to allow streaming applications and other cross-top communications. Other examples provide streaming data to the system 400 using a set-top box that delivers data via an HDMI connection of an input box 445. Still other examples use an RF connection of an input box 445 to provide streaming data to the system 400. As described above, various examples provide data in a non-streaming manner. Additionally, various examples use wireless networks other than Wi-Fi, such as cellular networks or network.

[0107] The system 400 may provide output signals to various output devices, including a display 475, a speaker 485, and other peripherals 495. The display 475 of various examples includes, for example, one or more of a touch screen display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a curved display, and / or a foldable display. The display 475 may be used for a television, a tablet device, a laptop computer, a cellular phone (mobile phone), or another device. The display 475 may also be integrated with other components (e.g., as in a smart phone), or may be independent (e.g., an external monitor for a laptop computer). In various examples, other peripherals 495 include one or more of an independent digital video disc (or digital versatile disc) (DVD, for both terms), a disc player, a stereo system, and / or a lighting system. Various examples use one or more peripherals 495 that provide functions based on the output of the system 400. For example, a disc player performs the function of playing the output of the system 400.

[0108] In various examples, control signals are transmitted between the system 400 and the display 475, speaker 485, or other peripheral device 495 using signaling such as AV.Link, consumer electronics control (CEC), or other communication protocols that enable device-to-device control with or without user intervention. Output devices may be communicatively coupled to the system 400 via dedicated connections through respective interfaces 470, 480, and 490. Alternatively, the output devices may be connected to the system 400 via a communication interface 450 using a communication channel 460. The display 475 and speaker 485 may be integrated into a single unit with other components of the system 400 in an electronic device such as, for example, a television. In various examples, the display interface 470 includes a display driver, such as, for example, a timing controller (TCon) chip.

[0109] For example, if the RF portion of input 445 is part of a separate set-top box, the display 475 and speaker 485 may alternatively be separate from one or more of the other components. In various examples where the display 475 and speaker 485 are external components, the output signal may be provided via a dedicated output connection including, for example, an HDMI port, a USB port, or a COMP output.

[0110] These examples may be performed by computer software implemented by processor 410 or by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software. As a non-limiting example, these examples may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits. Memory 420 may be of any type suitable for the technical environment and may be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology, such as, as a non-limiting example, optical memory devices, magnetic memory devices, semiconductor-based memory devices, fixed memory, and removable memory. Processor 410 may be of any type suitable for the technical environment and may include, as a non-limiting example, one or more of a microprocessor, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, and a processor based on a multi-core architecture.

[0111] Various implementations involve decoding. As used in this application, "decoding" may encompass, for example, all or part of a process performed on a received coded sequence to produce a final output suitable for display. In various examples, such processes include one or more of the processes typically performed by a decoder, such as entropy decoding, inverse quantization, inverse transform, and differential decoding. In various examples, such processes also include or alternatively include processes performed by a decoder of various implementations described in this application, such as a device may determine a first set of film grain scaling factors. Each film grain scaling factor in the first set of film grain scaling factors may be associated with an intensity interval. The first set of film grain scaling factors may be represented by a step function. The device may generate a second set of film grain scaling factors from the first set of film grain scaling factors. The second set of film grain scaling factors may be represented by a piecewise linear function or a lookup table (LUT).

[0112] As another example, in one example, "decoding" refers only to entropy decoding, in another example, "decoding" refers only to differential decoding, and in another example, "decoding" refers to a combination of entropy decoding and differential decoding. Whether the phrase "decoding process" is intended to refer specifically to a subset of operations or broadly to a broader decoding process will be clear based on the context of the specific description and is considered to be well understood by those skilled in the art.

[0113] Various implementations relate to encoding. In a manner similar to the discussion above about "decoding", "encoding" as used in this application may encompass, for example, all or part of a process performed on an input video sequence to produce an encoded bitstream. In various examples, such processes include one or more of the processes typically performed by an encoder, such as partitioning, differential encoding, transforming, quantization, and entropy encoding. In various examples, such processes also include or alternatively include processes performed by encoders of various implementations described in this application, such as a device may determine a first set of film grain scaling factors. Each film grain scaling factor in the first set of film grain scaling factors may be associated with an intensity interval. The first set of film grain scaling factors may be represented by a step function. The device may generate a second set of film grain scaling factors from the first set of film grain scaling factors. The second set of film grain scaling factors may be represented by a piecewise linear function or a lookup table (LUT).

[0114] As another example, in one example, "encoding" refers only to entropy encoding, in another example, "encoding" refers only to differential encoding, and in another example, "encoding" refers to a combination of differential encoding and entropy encoding. Whether the phrase "encoding process" specifically refers to a subset of operations or broadly refers to a broader encoding process will be clear based on the context of the specific description and is believed to be well understood by those skilled in the art.

[0115] Note that the syntax elements as used herein (eg, coding syntax for intensity intervals, granular scaling factors, scaling factor gaps, pivot points, etc.) are descriptive terms. Therefore, they do not exclude the use of other syntax element names.

[0116] When the figures are presented as flow charts, it should be understood that they also provide block diagrams of corresponding devices. Similarly, when the figures are presented as block diagrams, it should be understood that they also provide flow charts of corresponding methods / processes.

[0117] The specific implementations and aspects described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method or process, a device, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if only discussed in the context of a single form of specific implementation (e.g., discussed only as a method), the specific implementation of the features discussed may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., a device or program). The device may be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware, software, and firmware. These methods may be implemented in, for example, a processor, which generally refers to a processing device, including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. The processor also includes communication equipment, such as, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, a portable / personal digital assistant ("PDA"), and other equipment that facilitates information communication between end users.

[0118] References to "one example" or "an example" or "one implementation" or "an implementation" and other variations thereof mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, etc. described in connection with the example is included in at least one example. Thus, the phrases "in one example" or "in an example" or "in one implementation" or "in an implementation" and any other variations appearing in various places throughout this application are not necessarily all referring to the same example.

[0119] Additionally, the present application may involve "determining" various pieces of information. Determining information may include, for example, one or more of estimating information, calculating information, predicting information, or retrieving information from a memory. Obtaining may include receiving, retrieving, constructing, generating, and / or determining.

[0120] Furthermore, the present application may refer to "accessing" various information. Accessing information may include, for example, one or more of receiving information, retrieving information (e.g., from a memory), storing information, moving information, copying information, calculating information, determining information, predicting information, or estimating information.

[0121] Additionally, the present application may refer to "receiving" various information. Like "accessing," receiving is intended to be a broad term. Receiving information may include, for example, one or more of accessing information or retrieving information (e.g., from a memory). Furthermore, "receiving" generally involves, in one way or another, during operations such as, for example, storing information, processing information, sending information, moving information, copying information, erasing information, calculating information, determining information, predicting information, or estimating information.

[0122] It should be understood that, for example, in the case of "A / B," "A and / or B," and "at least one of A and B," the use of any of the following " / ," "and / or," and "at least one of" is intended to encompass selecting only the first listed option (A), or only the second listed option (B), or both options (A and B). As a further example, in the case of "A, B, and / or C" and "at least one of A, B, and C," such phrases are intended to encompass selecting only the first listed option (A), or only the second listed option (B), or only the third listed option (C), or only the first listed option and the second listed option (A and B), or only the first listed option and the third listed option (A and C), or only the second listed option and the third listed option (B and C), or all three options (A and B and C). This can be extended to as many items as listed, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in this and related arts.

[0123] Moreover, as used herein, the term "signaling" refers to (among other things) indicating something to a corresponding decoder. The encoder signal may include, for example, an intensity interval, a particle scaling factor, a scaling factor gap, a pivot point, etc. Thus, in the example, the same parameters are used at both the encoder side and the decoder side. Thus, for example, the encoder may send (explicit signaling) specific parameters to the decoder so that the decoder can use the same specific parameters. On the contrary, if the decoder already has specific parameters and other parameters, signaling may be used without sending (implicit signaling) to simply allow the decoder to know and select specific parameters. Bit savings are achieved in various examples by avoiding sending any actual function. It should be understood that signaling can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, in various examples, one or more syntax elements, flags, etc. are used to signal information to the corresponding decoder. Although the verb form of the term "signaling" is previously referred to, the term may also be used as a noun "signal" herein.

[0124] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a specific implementation may generate a variety of signals formatted to carry, for example, storable or transmittable information. The information may include, for example, instructions for executing a method or data generated by one of the described specific implementations. For example, a signal may be formatted to carry a bit stream of the example. Such a signal may be formatted as, for example, an electromagnetic wave (e.g., using a radio frequency portion of a spectrum) or a baseband signal. Formatting may include, for example, encoding a data stream and modulating a carrier using the encoded data stream. The information carried by the signal may be, for example, analog or digital information. As is well known, a signal may be sent over a variety of different wired or wireless links. The signal may be stored on, or accessed or received from, a processor-readable medium.

[0125] Many examples are described herein. The features of the examples may be provided individually or in any combination across various claim categories and types. In addition, the examples may include one or more of the features, devices or aspects described herein individually or in any combination across various claim categories and types. For example, the features described herein may include a bitstream or signal of information generated as described herein to be implemented. This information may allow a decoder to decode a bitstream, an encoder, a bitstream and / or a decoder according to any of the embodiments described in the embodiments. For example, the features described herein may be implemented by creating and / or sending and / or receiving and / or decoding a bitstream or a signal. For example, the features described herein may be implemented by a method, a process, a device, a medium storing instructions, a medium storing data or a signal. For example, the features described herein may be implemented by a TV, a set-top box, a mobile phone, a tablet computer or other electronic devices that perform decoding. A TV, a set-top box, a mobile phone, a tablet computer or other electronic devices may display (e.g., using a monitor, a screen or other type of display) a result image (e.g., an image reconstructed from the residual of a video bitstream). A TV, a set-top box, a mobile phone, a tablet computer or other electronic devices may receive a signal including an encoded image and perform decoding.

[0126] The synthesis of film grain may be blended with the target picture. The synthesis of film grain may result in one or more of: hiding artifacts present in a picture decoded from a compressed video stream; or creating an appearance similar to the original picture in the presence of film grain (e.g., in the case where the picture is denoised for better compression efficiency or film grain is removed due to compression itself). Film grain synthesis may be associated with post-processing (e.g., or image processing), which may be independent of decoding, encoding, or transcoding, for example.

[0127] Figure 5An example flow chart for film grain synthesis is shown. Film grain synthesis may include one or more of the following (e.g., for one color component): a set of film grain patterns of a given size A (e.g., 64×64) may be generated or retrieved (e.g., from a database such as a film stock scan), as illustrated at 502; a noise picture to be generated and mixed with a target picture may be divided into blocks of size B (e.g., decoded blocks), which may be smaller than size A (e.g., size B may be 16×16), as illustrated at 504; for each block of size B (e.g., each block of size B), a random size B position selection may be generated from a set of hypothetical size A samples (e.g., pseudo-random offsets such that a position within the size A pattern is selected from the sample set); The offset may be such that the block of size B obtained can remain within the boundaries of the pattern), as illustrated at 506; a pattern may be selected for each block, as illustrated at 508; within the block of size B, samples of multiple patterns from the set of film grain patterns may be blended (e.g., one source pattern per 8×8 sub-block, or one source pattern per sample), and the same position selection rules (e.g., same offset) described herein may be applied (e.g., the source pattern may depend on the local average of collocated picture samples); or other processes may depend on picture sample values, follow (e.g., like scaling (e.g., as illustrated at 510)), deblocking changes boundaries (e.g., including block boundaries of size B, as illustrated at 510), etc. The selected pattern may be blended with the target picture (e.g., as illustrated at 512).

[0128] Figure 6 An example of a film grain pattern for film grain synthesis is shown. Figure 6 As shown, a set of film grain patterns of a given size A (eg, 64×64) may be generated or retrieved (eg, from a database such as film stock scans).

[0129] Figure 7 An example of generating block offsets for film grain synthesis is shown. Figure 7 As shown, a noise image can be generated and mixed with the target image. A random size B position selection can be generated from a set of samples of assumed size A.

[0130] Film grain synthesis can use different techniques to define scaling factors based on target picture sample values ​​(eg, or color component intensities).

[0131] For example, the film grain synthesis process may utilize a lookup table (LUT) with 256 entries (e.g., suitable for 8-bit pictures), plus interpolation when the target picture is 10-bit. The values ​​of the LUT may be derived from a piecewise linear function defined by its pivot point, which may be part of the normative film grain synthesis parameters.

[0132] Film grain synthesis (e.g., based on film grain synthesis supplemental enhancement information (SEI) from VSEI) may use a step scaling function. The normative film grain synthesis parameters in VSEI may define the scaling factor as a constant for a given color component intensity interval, and may allow overlapping intervals.

[0133] Figure 8 Examples of piecewise linear and step functions are shown. In a multi-standard implementation, parameters can be formed to use common hardware (e.g., LUT). Converting a step function to a piecewise linear function can avoid sharp transitions or can translate film grain parameters from one form to another (e.g., translating SEI to another form).

[0134] The FGS SEI may define a set of intensity intervals that potentially overlap and / or have gaps, each with a constant scaling factor. Features associated with converting scaling factors into piecewise linear functions or directly into LUT values ​​are provided.

[0135] Overlaps between intensity bins may be removed from a film grain synthesis (FGS) supplemental enhancement information (SEI) format, and gaps in the FGS SEI format may be filled. The resulting function (e.g., after removing overlaps and filling gaps) may be a step scaling function. The step scaling function may be converted to a piecewise linear function or to a LUT (e.g., directly to a LUT).

[0136] Pre-processing techniques may be used to avoid overlapping intervals and gaps from the FGS SEI (eg, as described herein).

[0137] The scaling factors may be converted from the FGS SEI format to a piecewise linear function (eg, to convert FGS SEI parameters to other parameters). The conversion may involve one or more of the following techniques: direct mapping; triangular approximation; or modified triangular approximation.

[0138] The LUT may be populated using the techniques described herein using scaling factors from color component intensities (e.g., for use in multi-standard implementations). In an example, the LUT may be populated with scaling factors, such as for table entries (e.g., intensities that index table entries). The values ​​of the scaling factors may be sampled (e.g., piecewise sampling, linear sampling, smooth sampling, etc.).

[0139] Example adjustments are provided herein. For example, when the particle patterns associated with the bins (eg, each bin) have different dynamic ranges, the scaling factor for each FGS SEI intensity bin can be corrected (eg, adjusted).

[0140] Fig. 9An example of hiding and maintaining a maximum scaling factor for overlapping intervals is shown. Preprocessing may involve hiding overlapping intervals. FGS SEI may allow overlapping intervals. Film grain synthesis may be considered a multi-pass process (e.g., one pass per interval and accumulating the results). To enable the use of a single pass, this may be simplified to non-overlapping intervals. Overlapping may include multiple passes (e.g., synthesizing grain for each overlapping interval and blending the results). A scaling function (e.g., a single scaling function) may be provided (e.g., with a 1 to 1 mapping of intensity to scaling factor). If multiple intervals define a scaling factor for a particular intensity value, the single-pass scaling factor may be determined based on one or more of the following: a scaling factor defined by the first interval or a scaling factor defined by the last interval may be used (e.g., as Fig. 9 ); a combination of scaling factors defined by intervals (e.g., all intervals, such as the average, sum, or maximum of all intervals) or a subset (e.g., the first and last intervals); or a combination of scaling factors defined by intervals (e.g., all intervals) weighted by the position of the intensity value within the interval (e.g., when the intensity is closer to the beginning of the interval, more weight is given to the scaling factor found in the first interval, and when it is closer to the end of the interval, more weight is given to the scaling factor of the last interval. For the first and last intervals, the intervals can be scanned in order of increasing intensity (e.g., the lower limit of the interval). In an example, if multiple intervals overlap, the maximum scaling factor can be selected.

[0141] Features associated with filling gaps are provided. Intensity intervals defined by the FGS SEI may have gaps. No interval may contain multiple intensities. Fig.10 An example of interval gap hiding and filling the middle gap with the average value of adjacent intervals is shown. Fig.11 An example of interval gap hiding and closing of the intermediate gap by interval expansion is shown.

[0142] In order to have a scaling factor defined for the full range of intensities (e.g., without gaps between intensity intervals), one or more of the following may be used to add intensity intervals to cover all possible intensities: the intervals may be scanned in order of increasing intensity; an interval with a zero scaling factor may be added between zero intensity and the first interval; if there is a gap between consecutive intervals (e.g., two consecutive intervals), a scaling factor equal to zero or a combination of two adjacent intervals (e.g., as Fig.10 ) to fill the gap; and / or the gap may be filled by extending the previous interval and the next interval so that the previous interval and the next interval are, for example, added in the middle of the gap (e.g., as shown in Fig.11As shown, half of the gap uses the value of the previous scaling factor, and the other half of the gap uses the value of the next scaling factor); or an interval with a zero scaling factor may be added between the last interval and the maximum intensity (e.g., as shown in Fig.10 and Fig.11 ).

[0143] Fig.12 An example of directly mapping a step function to a piecewise linear function is shown. A direct mapping may be provided to simulate a step scaling function using a piecewise linear function. As described herein, the pivot points (e.g., each pivot point) of the piecewise linear function may be represented by an {intensity, scaling factor} coordinate pair, with intensity as input and scaling factor as output. The preprocessing techniques described for overlapping interval hiding and gap filling techniques may be performed (e.g., so that there are no overlapping intensity intervals and no gaps). Intensity intervals may be scanned in order of increasing intensity (e.g., including intervals of zero scaling), and for each interval, a pivot point (e.g., two pivot points) may be added to the piecewise linear function. For example, one pivot point may be set to {the first intensity of the interval; the scaling factor of the interval}, and the next pivot point may be set to {the last intensity of the interval; the scaling factor of the interval}.

[0144] Fig.13 An example of a triangular approximation is shown. A triangular approximation can be used to approximate a step scaling function while avoiding discontinuities, which can make the scaling transition from one intensity interval to another smoother. Preprocessing techniques as described for hiding overlapping intervals can be used to avoid overlapping intervals. Preprocessing techniques as described for filling gaps may (or may not) be performed to avoid gaps. A first pivot point may be added and set to {0; 0}. The intensity intervals may be scanned in order of increasing intensity. For each interval, a pivot point may be added and set to {center intensity of the interval; scaling factor of the interval}. A final pivot point may be added and set to {maximum intensity; 0}.

[0145] In an example, the first pivot point and the last pivot point may be set to {0; scaling factor for first interval} and {maximum strength; scaling factor for last interval}, respectively. Fig.14 An example of a triangular approximation with overlapping intervals is shown. In an example, the preprocessing described for hiding the overlapping intervals can be skipped, thereby potentially leaving the overlapping intervals. In such a case, the intensity intervals can be scanned in the order of the center intensity (e.g., as Fig.14 shown).

[0146] Features associated with a modified trigonometric approximation are provided. Fig.15An example of a modified trigonometric approximation is shown. The scaling function may have a bell shape (e.g., first increasing and then decreasing with respect to time). Using the trigonometric approximation described herein, the interval with the largest scaling factor may result in a lower scaling factor on average (e.g., as Fig.13 and Fig.14 ). When there is a single extreme value in an interval (e.g., an interval with a minimum or maximum scaling factor), one or more of the following may be used (e.g., instead of a triangular approximation). The preprocessing techniques described for hiding overlapping intervals may be used to avoid overlapping intervals. The preprocessing techniques described for filling gaps may (or may not) be performed to avoid gaps. Two values ​​δ1 and δ2 between 0 and 1 / 2 may be obtained (e.g., 1 / 3 for both δ1=1 / 2 and δ2=1 / 4). A first pivot point may be added and set to {0; 0}. Intensity intervals may be scanned in order of increasing intensity. The interval length may be defined as the difference between the first intensity and the last intensity of the interval. For each interval before the interval with an extreme value (e.g., an interval with a minimum or maximum scaling factor), a pivot point may be added to {first intensity of the interval + interval length * δ1; scaling factor of the interval}. For the interval with extreme values, two pivot points may be added and set to: {interval's first intensity + interval length * δ2; interval's scaling factor} and {interval's last intensity - interval length * δ2; interval's scaling factor}. For each interval after the interval with extreme values, one pivot point may be added and set to {interval's last intensity - interval length * δ1; interval's scaling factor}. A final pivot point may be added and set to {maximum intensity; 0}.

[0147] In an example, the first pivot point and the last pivot point may be set to {0; scaling factor of the first interval} and {maximum intensity; scaling factor of the last interval}, respectively. In an example, the preprocessing described for hiding overlapping intervals may be skipped, thereby potentially leaving overlapping intervals. In such cases, the intensity intervals may be scanned in order of increasing center intensity. The modified triangular approximation may be extended to multiple local extrema. In this case, one or more of the following may be applied: only considering a single extremum (e.g., the first extremum, the middle extremum, or the last extremum); considering the centroid of the extremum (e.g., the average value); or repeating the process described herein for each extremum and setting δ1=1 / 2 at least once between the first extremum and the last extremum. Fig.16 An example of a modified triangular approximation with multiple local extremas is shown.

[0148] Features associated with directly filling a LUT are provided. If the entries in the LUT represent the value of a scaling function for each intensity (e.g., or multiple intensities, e.g., if 256 scaling values ​​are used for 10-bit intensity, only 1 out of every 4 intensities may have a defined scaling factor and the other intensities may be interpolated). The values ​​of the LUT may be defined by one or more of: filling the LUT with the values ​​of a piecewise linear function obtained using the techniques described herein; or filling the LUT with the values ​​of a continuous function that approximates a step function (e.g., a cubic spline function or a polynomial function with the aid of a curve fitting process, such as, for example, using cubic spline interpolation between pivot points as described herein to minimize squared error). Fig.17 An example of a smooth curve fit is shown.

[0149] Fig.18 An example of a grain dynamic range associated with a cutoff frequency is shown. A scaling factor may be adjusted to balance the grain pattern dynamic range. In the parameter set defined in the FGS SEI, an intensity interval may define a scaling factor and parameters of a film grain pattern to be used for that interval. Film grain patterns for different intervals may have different dynamic ranges, which may result in inconsistencies in techniques for approximating a step scaling function using a continuous function (e.g., as described herein). This effect may be compensated for using one or more of the following: for each interval, a scaling factor K representing the dynamic range of the pattern for that interval may be determined; the scaling factor (e.g., the scaling factor for all intervals) may be divided by K (e.g., this may form a scaling factor for a normalized pattern); the continuous function may be calculated as described herein; the scaling factor may be multiplied by K (e.g., for each interval). For example, for LUT-based techniques, a scaling factor entry of the LUT (e.g., each scaling factor entry of the LUT) may be multiplied by K. For a piecewise linear function, the piecewise linear function may be split at the boundary of the interval (e.g., by adding two pivot points), and the scaling factor may be multiplied by K for all pivot points within the interval. In an example, the fill ratio of the inverse discrete cosine transform (iDCT) block may depend on the horizontal cutoff frequency f h and vertical cutoff frequency f v (For example, it can be specified for each intensity interval so that ).

[0150] Although the features and elements are described above in particular combinations, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that each feature or element may be used alone or in any combination with other features and elements. In addition, the methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable media include electronic signals (sent via a wired or wireless connection) and computer-readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), registers, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media (such as built-in hard disks and removable disks), magneto-optical media, and optical media (such as CD-ROM disks and digital versatile disks (DVDs)). A processor associated with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for a WTRU, UE, terminal, base station, RNC, or any host computer.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: A processor, the processor being configured to: determining a first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein each film grain scaling factor in the first set of film grain scaling factors is associated with an intensity interval, and wherein the first set of film grain scaling factors is represented by a step function; as well as A second set of film grain scaling factors is generated from the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the second set of film grain scaling factors is represented by a piecewise linear function or a look-up table (LUT).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate the second set of film grain scaling factors from the first set of film grain scaling factors comprises: The processor is configured to: determining at least one pivot point for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors; as well as Successive pivot points are connected to generate a second set of film grain scaling factors.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine, for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, at least one pivot point comprises: The processor is configured to: determining a first pivot point for each intensity interval in a first subset of the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the first pivot point for a given intensity interval in the first subset of the intensity intervals is located at a first distance between an endpoint of the given intensity interval in the first subset of the intensity intervals and a center intensity of the given intensity interval in the first subset of the intensity intervals; as well as A second pivot point and a third pivot point are determined for each intensity interval in a second subset of the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the second pivot point for a given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals is located at a second distance between a first endpoint of the given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals and a center intensity of the given intensity interval, and wherein the third pivot point for a given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals is located at a third distance between a second endpoint of the given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals and a center intensity of the given intensity interval.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine, for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, at least one pivot point comprises: The processor is configured to: A first pivot point and a second pivot point are determined for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the first pivot point for a given intensity interval is located at a first endpoint of the given intensity interval and the second pivot point for the given intensity interval is located at a second endpoint of the given intensity interval.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine, for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, at least one pivot point comprises: The processor is configured to: A pivot point is determined for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the pivot point for a given intensity interval is located at a center intensity of the given intensity interval.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors form an intensity interval set, a first film grain scaling factor from the first set of film grain scaling factors is associated with a first intensity interval in the intensity interval set, a second film grain scaling factor from the first set of film grain scaling factors is associated with a second intensity interval in the intensity interval set, and wherein the processor is further configured to: Based on a determination that at least a portion of the first intensity interval overlaps with at least a portion of the second intensity interval to form an overlapping intensity interval, a third film grain scaling factor assigned to the overlapping intensity interval is determined, wherein the third film grain scaling factor is determined based on film grain scaling factors associated with one or more intensity intervals in the set of intensity intervals.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors form an intensity interval set, and wherein the processor is further configured to: Scanning the set of intensity intervals in order of increasing intensity; determining that there is an intensity gap between two consecutive intensity intervals of the set of intensity intervals; and A film grain scaling factor is added to fill the intensity gap between the two consecutive intensity intervals.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of film grain scaling factors is received in a Film Grain Synthesis (FGS) Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message.

9. A method comprising: determining a first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein each film grain scaling factor in the first set of film grain scaling factors is associated with an intensity interval, and wherein the first set of film grain scaling factors is represented by a step function; as well as A second set of film grain scaling factors is generated from the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the second set of film grain scaling factors is represented by a piecewise linear function or a look-up table (LUT).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein generating the second set of film grain scaling factors from the first set of film grain scaling factors comprises: determining at least one pivot point for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors; as well as Successive pivot points are connected to generate a second set of film grain scaling factors.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining at least one pivot point for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors comprises: determining a first pivot point for each intensity interval in a first subset of the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the first pivot point for a given intensity interval in the first subset of the intensity intervals is located at a first distance between an endpoint of the given intensity interval in the first subset of the intensity intervals and a center intensity of the given intensity interval in the first subset of the intensity intervals; as well as A second pivot point and a third pivot point are determined for each intensity interval in a second subset of the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the second pivot point for a given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals is located at a second distance between a first endpoint of the given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals and a center intensity of the given intensity interval, and wherein the third pivot point for a given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals is located at a third distance between a second endpoint of the given intensity interval in the second subset of the intensity intervals and a center intensity of the given intensity interval.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining at least one pivot point for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors comprises: A first pivot point and a second pivot point are determined for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the first pivot point for a given intensity interval is located at a first endpoint of the given intensity interval and the second pivot point for the given intensity interval is located at a second endpoint of the given intensity interval.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein determining at least one pivot point for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors comprises: A pivot point is determined for each intensity interval associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors, wherein the pivot point for a given intensity interval is located at a center intensity of the given intensity interval.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors form an intensity interval set, a first film grain scaling factor from the first set of film grain scaling factors is associated with a first intensity interval in the intensity interval set, a second film grain scaling factor from the first set of film grain scaling factors is associated with a second intensity interval in the intensity interval set, and wherein the method further comprises: Based on a determination that at least a portion of the first intensity interval overlaps with at least a portion of the second intensity interval to form an overlapping intensity interval, a third film grain scaling factor assigned to the overlapping intensity interval is determined, wherein the third film grain scaling factor is determined based on film grain scaling factors associated with one or more intensity intervals in the set of intensity intervals.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the intensity intervals associated with the first set of film grain scaling factors form a set of intensity intervals, and wherein the method further comprises: Scanning the set of intensity intervals in order of increasing intensity; determining that there is an intensity gap between two consecutive intensity intervals of the set of intensity intervals; as well as A third film grain scaling factor is added to fill the intensity gap between the two consecutive intensity intervals.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the first set of film grain scaling factors is received in a Film Grain Synthesis (FGS) Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message.

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