Extending merge list based on TMP fusion candidates

Abstract

A coder (encoder or decoder) generates a merge list of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block. The generating comprises adding, to the merge list, two or more BVP candidates used in generating a prediction block for a neighboring block of the block. The neighboring block is coded using an intra coding mode with multiple BVPs. The two or more BVP candidates are selected from the multiple BVPs. The coder further determines, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block and codes the block based on the prediction block for the block.

Description

Docket No.: 24-2038PCT TITLE Extending Merge List Based on TMP Fusion Candidates CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 702,202, filed October 2, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Some features are shown by way of example, and not by limitation, in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals reference similar elements.

[0003] FIG.1 illustrates an example video coding / decoding system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0004] FIG.2 illustrates an example encoder in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0005] FIG.3 illustrates an example decoder in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0006] FIG.4 illustrates an example quadtree partitioning of a coding tree block (CTB).

[0007] FIG.5 illustrates an example quadtree corresponding to the example quadtree partitioning of the CTB in FIG.4.

[0008] FIG.6 illustrates examples of binary tree and ternary tree partitions.

[0009] FIG.7A shows an example of combined quadtree and multi-type tree partitioning of a CTB.

[0010] FIG.7B shows an example tree corresponding to the combined quadtree and multi-type tree partitioning of the CTB shown in FIG.7A.

[0011] FIG.8 shows an example of partitioning modes in AV1.

[0012] FIG.9 illustrates an example set of reference samples determined for intra prediction of a current block.

[0013] FIG.10A, FIG.10B, and FIG.10C show example intra prediction modes.

[0014] FIG.11 illustrates an example of a current block and corresponding reference samples.

[0015] FIG.12 illustrates an example of applying an intra prediction mode (e.g., an angular mode) for prediction of a current block.

[0016] FIG.13A illustrates an example of inter prediction performed for a current block in a current picture.

[0017] FIG.13B illustrates an example motion vector.

[0018] FIG.14 illustrates an example of bi-prediction performed for a current block.

[0019] FIG.15A illustrates example spatial candidate neighboring blocks relative to a current block being coded.

[0020] FIG.15B illustrates example locations of two temporal, co-located blocks relative to a current block.

[0021] FIG.16 illustrates an example of intra block copy (IBC).

[0022] FIG.17 illustrates, for an example current block, a reference region or search area of reconstructed samples within which in Intra Template Match Prediction (IntraTMP) a search is performed for a candidate reference block of which the template best matches the template of the current block.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0023] FIG.18 illustrates a current block in a current CTU, and the reference region with the corresponding IntraTMP search regions R1-R6 identified.

[0024] FIG.19A illustrates the sparse search stage of IntraTMP.

[0025] FIG.19B illustrates a block vector according to IntraTMP where the block vector’s refinement window is clipped at the boundary of a search region.

[0026] FIG.20 illustrates an example of the top-template type that can be used in IntraTMP.

[0027] FIG.21 illustrates an example of the left-template type that can be used in IntraTMP.

[0028] FIG.22 illustrates an example of the L-shape template type that can be used in IntraTMP.

[0029] FIG.23A and FIG.23B illustrate sample positions for determining adjacent blocks and non-adjacent blocks for determining block vector candidates.

[0030] FIG.24 illustrates an IntraTMP with merge candidates process, according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG.25 illustrates example refinement windows for sparse block vector candidates and merge block vector candidates, according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG.26 shows an example of auto-relocated block vector prediction (AR-BVP) applied to IBC, according to some embodiments.

[0033] FIG.27 shows an example of chained motion vector prediction (CMVP), according to some embodiments.

[0034] FIG.28 shows an example of regular IntraTMP submode, according to some embodiments.

[0035] FIG.29 shows an example of a regular TMP mode used by a neighboring block of a current block which can be used to generate a TMP list for the current block, according to some embodiments.

[0036] FIG.30 shows an example of three TMP fusion groups generated for the final TMP list shown in FIG.28, according to some embodiments.

[0037] FIG.31 depicts an example of fusion prediction blocks for a TMP fusion group shown in FIG.30, according to some embodiments.

[0038] FIG.32 shows one example of the fusion of five TMP fusion prediction blocks selected from the refined TMP list shown in FIG.28, according to some embodiments.

[0039] FIG.33 shows an example of a neighboring block encoded in TMP fusion mode, using the BV candidates of a fusion group shown in FIG.30, according to some embodiments.

[0040] FIG.34 shows an example of an extended merge list of a current block by including one or more fusion candidates of a neighboring block, according to some embodiments.

[0041] FIG.35 shows an example of a process for generating an extended merge list of a current block by including one or more fusion candidates of a neighboring block, according to some embodiments.

[0042] FIG.36 shows an example of a process 3600 for deriving an intra merge candidate from a list of intra merge candidates for an intra merge mode, according to some embodiments.

[0043] FIG.37 shows an example of the BVG-DIMD mode for the intra-mode derivation and prediction block construction, according to some embodiments.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0044] FIG.38 shows a flowchart illustrating a process for coding a current block using a prediction block generated based on an extended merge list, according to some embodiments, according to some embodiments.

[0045] FIG.39 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

[0047] References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0048] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

[0049] The term “computer-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing, or carrying instruction(s) and / or data. A computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory medium in which data can be stored and that does not include carrier waves and / or transitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections. Examples of a non-transitory medium may include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk or tape, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory, memory or memory devices. A computer-readable medium may have stored thereon code and / or machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and / or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, orDocket No.: 24-2038PCT memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, or the like.

[0050] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer-program product) may be stored in a computer-readable or machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.

[0051] A video sequence, comprising multiple pictures / frames, may be represented in digital form for storage and / or transmission. Representing a video sequence in digital form may require a large quantity of bits. Large data sizes that may be associated with video sequences may require significant resources for storage and / or transmission. Video encoding may be used to compress a size of a video sequence for more efficient storage and / or transmission. Video decoding may be used to decompress a compressed video sequence for display and / or other forms of consumption.

[0052] FIG.1 shows an example video coding / decoding system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Video coding / decoding system 100 comprises a source device 102, a transmission medium 104, and a destination device 106. Source device 102 encodes a video sequence 108 into a bitstream 110 for more efficient storage and / or transmission. Source device 102 may store and / or send / transmit bitstream 110 to destination device 106 via transmission medium 104. Destination device 106 decodes bitstream 110 to display video sequence 108. Destination device 106 may receive bitstream 110 from source device 102 via transmission medium 104. Source device 102 and / or destination device 106 may be any of a plurality of different devices (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone, wearable device, television, camera, video gaming console, set-top box, video streaming device, etc.).

[0053] Source device 102 may comprise (e.g., for encoding video sequence 108 into bitstream 110) one or more of a video source 112, an encoder 114, and / or an output interface 116. Video source 112 may provide and / or generate video sequence 108 based on a capture of a natural scene and / or a synthetically generated scene. A synthetically generated scene may be a scene comprising computer generated graphics and / or screen content. Video source 112 may comprise a video capture device (e.g., a video camera), a video archive comprising previously captured natural scenes and / or synthetically generated scenes, a video feed interface to receive captured natural scenes and / or synthetically generated scenes from a video content provider, and / or a processor to generate synthetic scenes.

[0054] A video sequence, such as video sequence 108, may comprise a series of pictures (also referred to as frames). A video sequence may achieve an impression of motion based on successive presentation of pictures of the video sequence using a constant time interval or variable time intervals between the pictures. A picture may comprise one or more sample arrays of intensity values. The intensity values may be taken (e.g., measured, determined, provided) at a series of regularly spaced locations within a picture. A color picture may comprise (e.g., typically comprises) a luminance sample array and two chrominance sample arrays. The luminance sample array may comprise intensity values representing the brightness (e.g., luma component, Y) of a picture. The chrominanceDocket No.: 24-2038PCT sample arrays may comprise intensity values that respectively represent the blue and red components of a picture (e.g., chroma components, Cb and Cr) separate from the brightness. Other color picture sample arrays may be possible based on different color schemes (e.g., a red, green, blue (RGB) color scheme). A pixel, in a color picture, may refer to / comprise / be associated with all intensity values (e.g., luma component, chroma components), for a given location, in the sample arrays (e.g., three sample arrays are used for one luma component and two chroma components, respectively) used to represent color pictures. A monochrome picture may comprise a single, luminance sample array. A pixel, in a monochrome picture, may refer to / comprise / be associated with the intensity value (e.g., luma component) at a given location in the single, luminance sample array used to represent monochrome pictures.

[0055] Encoder 114 may encode video sequence 108 into bitstream 110. Encoder 114 may apply / use (e.g., to encode video sequence 108) one or more prediction techniques to reduce redundant information in video sequence 108. Redundant information is information that may be predicted at a decoder and need not be transmitted to the decoder for accurate decoding of video sequence 108. For example, encoder 114 may apply spatial prediction (e.g., intra-frame or intra prediction), temporal prediction (e.g., inter-frame prediction or inter prediction), inter-layer prediction, and / or other prediction techniques to reduce redundant information in video sequence 108. Encoder 114 may partition pictures comprising video sequence 108 into rectangular regions referred to as blocks, for example, before applying one or more prediction techniques. Encoder 114 may then encode a block using the one or more of the prediction techniques.

[0056] For temporal prediction, encoder 114 may search for a block similar to the block being encoded in another picture (e.g., referred to as a reference picture) of video sequence 108. The block determined during the search (e.g., referred to as a prediction block) may then be used to predict the block being encoded. For spatial prediction, encoder 114 may form a prediction block based on data from reconstructed neighboring samples of the block to be encoded within the same picture of video sequence 108. A reconstructed sample refers to a sample that was encoded and then decoded. Encoder 114 may determine a prediction error (e.g., also referred to as a residual) based on the difference between a block being encoded and a prediction block. The prediction error may represent non-redundant information that may be sent / transmitted to a decoder for accurate decoding of video sequence 108.

[0057] Encoder 114 may apply a transform to the prediction error (e.g. using a discrete cosine transform (DCT), or any other transform) to generate transform coefficients. Encoder 114 may form bitstream 110 based on the transform coefficients and other information used to determine prediction blocks using / based on prediction types, motion vectors, and / or prediction modes. Encoder 114 may perform one or more of quantization and entropy coding of the transform coefficients and / or the other information used to determine the prediction blocks, for example, before forming bitstream 110. The quantization and / or the entropy coding may further reduce the quantity of bits needed to store and / or transmit video sequence 108.

[0058] Output interface 116 may be configured to write and / or store bitstream 110 onto transmission medium 104 for transmission to destination device 106. In addition or alternatively, output interface 116 may be configured to send / transmit, upload, and / or stream bitstream 110 to destination device 106 via transmission medium 104. OutputDocket No.: 24-2038PCT interface 116 may comprise a wired and / or a wireless transmitter configured to send / transmit, upload, and / or stream bitstream 110 in accordance with one or more proprietary, open-source, and / or standardized communication protocols (e.g., Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standards, Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards, Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB) standards, Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standards, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards, Internet Protocol (IP) standards, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standards, and / or any other communication protocol).

[0059] Transmission medium 104 may comprise wireless, wired, and / or computer readable medium. For example, transmission medium 104 may comprise one or more wires, cables, air interfaces, optical discs, flash memory, and / or magnetic memory. In addition or alternatively, transmission medium 104 may comprise one or more networks (e.g., the internet) or file servers configured to store and / or send / transmit encoded video data.

[0060] Destination device 106 may decode bitstream 110 into video sequence 108 for display. Destination device 106 may comprise one or more of an input interface 118, a decoder 120, and / or a video display 122. Input interface 118 may be configured to read bitstream 110 stored on transmission medium 104 by source device 102. In addition or alternatively, input interface 118 may be configured to receive, download, and / or stream bitstream 110 from source device 102 via transmission medium 104. Input interface 118 may comprise a wired and / or a wireless receiver configured to receive, download, and / or stream bitstream 110 in accordance with one or more proprietary, open- source, standardized communication protocols, and / or any other communication protocol (e.g., such as referenced herein).

[0061] Decoder 120 may decode video sequence 108 from encoded bitstream 110. The decoder 120 may generate prediction blocks for pictures of video sequence 108 in a similar manner as encoder 114 and determine the prediction errors for the blocks, for example, to decode video sequence 108. Decoder 120 may generate the prediction blocks using / based on prediction types, prediction modes, and / or motion vectors received in bitstream 110. Decoder 120 may determine the prediction errors using the transform coefficients received in bitstream 110. Decoder 120 may determine the prediction errors by weighting transform basis functions using the transform coefficients. Decoder 120 may combine the prediction blocks and the prediction errors to decode video sequence 108. Video sequence 108 at the destination device 106 may be, or may not necessarily be, the same video sequence sent, such as video sequence 108 as sent by the source device 102. Decoder 120 may decode a video sequence that approximates video sequence 108, for example, because of lossy compression of video sequence 108 by encoder 114 and / or errors introduced into encoded bitstream 110 during transmission to destination device 106.

[0062] Video display 122 may display video sequence 108 to a user. Video display 122 may comprise a cathode rate tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and / or any other display device suitable for displaying video sequence 108.

[0063] Video coding / decoding system 100 is merely an example and video encoding / decoding systems different from the video coding / decoding system 100 and / or modified versions of the video coding / decoding system 100 mayDocket No.: 24-2038PCT similarly perform the methods and processes as described herein. For example, the video coding / decoding system 100 may comprise other components and / or arrangements. For example, video source 112 may be external to source device 102. Similarly, video display 122 may be external to destination device 106 or omitted altogether (e.g., if video sequence 108 is intended for consumption by a machine and / or storage device). In an example, source device 102 may further comprise a video decoder and destination device 106 may further comprise a video encoder. For example, source device 102 may be configured to further receive an encoded bitstream from destination device 106 to support two-way video transmission between the devices.

[0064] Encoder 114 and / or decoder 120 may operate according to one or more proprietary or industry video coding standards. For example, encoder 114 and / or decoder 120 may operate in accordance with one or more proprietary, open-source, and / or standardized protocols (e.g., International Telecommunications Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) H.263, ITU-T H.264 and Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG)-4 Visual (also known as Advanced Video Coding (AVC)), ITU-T H.265 and MPEG-H Part 2 (also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)), ITU-T H.265 and MPEG-I Part 3 (also known as Versatile Video Coding (VVC)), the WebM VP8 and VP9 codecs, and / or AOMedia Video 1 (AV1), and / or any other video coding protocol).

[0065] FIG.2 shows an example encoder. Encoder 200 as shown in FIG.2 may implement one or more processes described herein. Encoder 200 may encode a video sequence 202 into a bitstream 204 for more efficient storage and / or transmission. Encoder 200 may be implemented in video coding / decoding system 100 as shown in FIG.1 (e.g., as encoder 114) or in any computing, communication, or electronic device (e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone, wearable device, television, camera, video gaming console, set-top box, video streaming device, etc.). Encoder 200 may comprise one or more of an inter prediction unit 206, an intra prediction unit 208, combiners 210 and 212, a transform and quantization unit (TR + Q) 214, an inverse transform and quantization unit (iTR + iQ) 216, an entropy coding unit 218, one or more filters 220, and / or a buffer 222.

[0066] Encoder 200 may partition pictures (e.g., frames) of (e.g., comprising) video sequence 202 into blocks and encode video sequence 202 on a block-by-block basis. Encoder 200 may perform / apply a prediction technique on a block being encoded using either inter prediction unit 206 or intra prediction unit 208. Inter prediction unit 206 may perform inter prediction by searching for a block similar to the block being encoded in another, reconstructed picture (e.g., a reference picture) of video sequence 202. A reconstructed picture refers to a picture that was encoded and then decoded. The block determined during the search (e.g., referred to as a prediction block) may then be used to predict the block being encoded to remove redundant information. Inter prediction unit 206 may exploit temporal redundancy or similarities in scene content from picture to picture in video sequence 202 to determine the prediction block. For example, scene content between pictures of video sequence 202 may be similar except for differences due to motion and / or affine transformation of the screen content over time.

[0067] Intra prediction unit 208 may perform intra prediction by forming a prediction block based on data from reconstructed neighboring samples of the block to be encoded within the same picture of video sequence 202. A reconstructed sample refers to a sample that was encoded and then decoded. Intra prediction unit 208 may exploitDocket No.: 24-2038PCT spatial redundancy or similarities in scene content within a picture of video sequence 202 to determine the prediction block. For example, the texture of a region of scene content in a picture may be similar to the texture in the immediate surrounding area of the region of the scene content in the same picture.

[0068] Combiner 210 may determine a prediction error (e.g., referred to as a residual) based on the difference between the block being encoded and the prediction block. The prediction error may represent non-redundant information that may be sent / transmitted to a decoder for accurate decoding of video sequence 202.

[0069] Transform and quantization unit (TR + Q) 214 may transform and quantize the prediction error. Transform and quantization unit 214 may transform the prediction error into transform coefficients by applying, for example, a DCT to reduce correlated information in the prediction error. Transform and quantization unit 214 may quantize the coefficients by mapping data of the transform coefficients to a predefined set of representative values. Transform and quantization unit 214 may quantize the coefficients to reduce irrelevant information in bitstream 204. The irrelevant information refers to information that may be removed from the coefficients without producing visible and / or perceptible distortion in video sequence 202 after decoding (e.g., at a receiving device).

[0070] Entropy coding unit 218 may apply one or more entropy coding methods to the quantized transform coefficients to further reduce the bit rate. For example, entropy coding unit 218 may apply context adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC), context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), and / or syntax-based context-based binary arithmetic coding (SBAC). The entropy coded coefficients may be packed to form bitstream 204.

[0071] Inverse transform and quantization unit (iTR + iQ) 216 may inverse quantize and inverse transform the quantized transform coefficients to determine a reconstructed prediction error. Combiner 212 may combine the reconstructed prediction error with the prediction block to form a reconstructed block. Filter(s) 220 may filter the reconstructed block, for example, using a deblocking filter, a sample-adaptive offset (SAO) filter, constrained directional enhancement filters (CDEFs), and / or loop restoration (LR) filters. Buffer 222 may store the reconstructed block for prediction of one or more other blocks in the same and / or different picture of video sequence 202.

[0072] Encoder 200 may further comprise an encoder control unit. The encoder control unit may be configured to control one or more units of encoder 200 as shown in FIG.2. The encoder control unit may control the one or more units of encoder 200 such that bitstream 204 may be generated in conformance with the requirements of one or more proprietary coding protocols, industry video coding standards, and / or any other video cording protocol. For example, the encoder control unit may control the one or more units of encoder 200 such that bitstream 204 may be generated in conformance with one or more of ITU-T H.263, AVC, HEVC, VVC, VP8, VP9, AV1, and / or any other video coding standard / format.

[0073] The encoder control unit may be configured to attempt to minimize (or reduce) the bitrate of bitstream 204 and / or maximize (or increase) the reconstructed video quality (e.g., within the constraints of a proprietary coding protocol, industry video coding standard, and / or any other video cording protocol). For example, the encoder control unit may be configured to attempt to minimize or reduce the bitrate of bitstream 204 such that the reconstructed video quality does not fall below a certain level / threshold, and / or to maximize or increase the reconstructed video qualityDocket No.: 24-2038PCT such that the bitrate of bitstream 204 does not exceed a certain level / threshold. The encoder control unit may determine / control one or more of: partitioning of the pictures of video sequence 202 into blocks, whether a block is inter predicted by inter prediction unit 206 or intra predicted by intra prediction unit 208, a motion vector for inter prediction of a block, an intra prediction mode among a plurality of intra prediction modes for intra prediction of a block, filtering performed by filter(s) 220, and / or one or more transform types and / or quantization parameters applied by transform and quantization unit 214. The encoder control unit may determine / control one or more of the above based on a rate-distortion measure for a block or picture being encoded. The encoder control unit may determine / control one or more of the above to reduce the rate-distortion measure for a block or picture being encoded.

[0074] The prediction type used to encode a block (intra or inter prediction), prediction information of the block (intra prediction mode if intra predicted, motion vector, etc.), and / or transform and / or quantization parameters, may be sent to entropy coding unit 218 to be further compressed (e.g., to reduce the bitrate). For example, entropy coding unit 218 may apply context adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC), context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), syntax-based context-based binary arithmetic coding (SBAC), and / or symbol-to-symbol adaptive multi-symbol (non- binary) arithmetic coding to achieve further compression. The prediction type, prediction information, and / or transform and / or quantization parameters may be packed with the prediction error to form bitstream 204.

[0075] Encoder 200 is merely an example and encoders different from encoder 200 and / or modified versions of encoder 200 may perform the methods and processes as described herein. For example, encoder 200 may comprise other components and / or arrangements. One or more of the components shown in FIG.2 may be optionally included in encoder 200 (e.g., entropy coding unit 218 and / or filters(s) 220).

[0076] FIG.3 shows an example decoder. A decoder 300 as shown in FIG.3 may implement one or more processes described herein. Decoder 300 may decode a bitstream 302 into a decoded video sequence 304 for display and / or some other form of consumption. Decoder 300 may be implemented in video coding / decoding system 100 in FIG.1 and / or in a computing, communication, or electronic device (e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone, wearable device, television, camera, video gaming console, set-top box, and / or video streaming device). Decoder 300 may comprise an entropy decoding unit 306, an inverse transform and quantization (iTR + iQ) unit 308, a combiner 310, one or more filters 312, a buffer 314, an inter prediction unit 316, and / or an intra prediction unit 318.

[0077] Decoder 300 may comprise a decoder control unit configured to control one or more units of decoder 300. The decoder control unit may control the one or more units of decoder 300 such that bitstream 302 is decoded in conformance with the requirements of one or more proprietary coding protocols, industry video coding standards, and / or any other communication protocol. For example, the decoder control unit may control the one or more units of decoder 300 such that the bitstream 302 is decoded in conformance with one or more of ITU-T H.263, AVC, HEVC, VVC, VP8, VP9, AV1, and / or any other video coding standard / format.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0078] The decoder control unit may determine / control one or more of: whether a block is inter predicted by inter prediction unit 316 or intra predicted by intra prediction unit 318, a motion vector for inter prediction of a block, an intra prediction mode among a plurality of intra prediction modes for intra prediction of a block, filtering performed by filter(s) 312, and / or one or more inverse transform types and / or inverse quantization parameters to be applied by inverse transform and quantization unit 308. One or more of the control parameters used by the decoder control unit may be packed in bitstream 302.

[0079] Entropy decoding unit 306 may entropy decode the bitstream 302. For example, entropy decoding unit 306 may apply context adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC), context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), and syntax-based context-based binary arithmetic coding (SBAC) to decompress the prediction type used to encode a block (intra or inter prediction), prediction information of the block (intra prediction mode if intra predicted, motion vector, etc.), and transform and quantization parameters. Inverse transform and quantization unit 308 may inverse quantize and / or inverse transform the quantized transform coefficients to determine a decoded prediction error. Combiner 310 may combine the decoded prediction error with a prediction block to form a decoded block. The prediction block may be generated by intra prediction unit 318 or inter prediction unit 316 (e.g., as described above with respect to encoder 200 in FIG 2). Filter(s) 312 may filter the decoded block, for example, using a deblocking filter, a sample-adaptive offset (SAO) filter, constrained directional enhancement filters (CDEFs), and / or loop restoration (LR) filters. Buffer 314 may store the decoded block for prediction of one or more other blocks in the same and / or different picture of the video sequence in bitstream 302. Decoded video sequence 304 may be output from filter(s) 312 as shown in FIG.3.

[0080] Decoder 300 is merely an example and decoders different from decoder 300 and / or modified versions of decoder 300 may perform the methods and processes as described herein. For example, decoder 300 may have other components and / or arrangements. One or more of the components shown in FIG.3 may be optionally included in decoder 300 (e.g., entropy decoding unit 306 and / or filters(s) 312).

[0081] Although not shown in FIGS.2 and 3, each of encoder 200 and decoder 300 may further comprise an intra block copy unit in addition to inter prediction and intra prediction units. The intra block copy unit may perform / operate similar to an inter prediction unit but may predict blocks within the same picture. For example, the intra block copy unit may exploit repeated patterns that appear in screen content. The screen content may include computer generated text, graphics, animation, etc.

[0082] Video encoding and / or decoding may be performed on a block-by-block basis. The process of partitioning a picture into blocks may be adaptive based on the content of the picture. For example, larger block partitions may be used in areas of a picture with higher levels of homogeneity to improve coding efficiency.

[0083] A picture (e.g., in HEVC, or any other coding standard / format) may be partitioned into non-overlapping square blocks, which may be referred to as coding tree blocks (CTBs). The CTBs may comprise samples of a sample array. A CTB may have a size of 2nx2n samples, where n may be specified by a parameter of the encoding system. For example, n may be 4, 5, 6, or any other value. A CTB may have any other size. A CTB may be further partitionedDocket No.: 24-2038PCT by a recursive quadtree partitioning into coding blocks (CBs) of half vertical and half horizontal size. The CTB may form the root of the quadtree. A CB that is not split further as part of the recursive quadtree partitioning may be referred to as a leaf CB of the quadtree, and otherwise may be referred to as a non-leaf CB of the quadtree. A CB may have a minimum size specified by a parameter of the encoding system. For example, a CB may have a minimum size of 4x4, 8x8, 16x16, 32x32, 64x64 samples, or any other minimum size. A CB may be further partitioned into one or more prediction blocks (PBs) for performing inter and / or intra prediction. A PB may be a rectangular block of samples on which the same prediction type / mode may be applied. A CB may also be further partitioned into intra sub- partitions (ISP) where the reconstructed samples of each sub-partition are available to generate the prediction of the next sub-partition. For example, a CB may be split into 2 to 4 sub-partitions. For transformations, a CB may be partitioned into one or more transform blocks (TBs). A TB may be a rectangular block of samples that may determine / indicate an applied transform size.

[0084] FIG.4 shows an example quadtree partitioning of a CTB 400. FIG.5 shows an example quadtree 500 corresponding to the example quadtree partitioning of CTB 400 in FIG.4. As shown in the examples of FIGS.4 and 5, CTB 400 may first be partitioned into four CBs of half vertical and half horizontal size. Three of the resulting CBs of the first level partitioning of CTB 400 are leaf CBs. The three leaf CBs of the first level partitioning of CTB 400 are respectively labeled 7, 8, and 9 in FIGS.4 and 5. The non-leaf CB of the first level partitioning of CTB 400 is partitioned into four sub-CBs of half vertical and half horizontal size. Three of the resulting sub-CBs of the second level partitioning of CTB 400 are leaf CBs. The three leaf CBs of the second level partitioning of CTB 400 are respectively labeled 0, 5, and 6 in FIGS.4 and 5. Finally, The non-leaf CB of the second level partitioning of CTB 400 is partitioned into four leaf CBs of half vertical and half horizontal size. The four leaf CBs are respectively labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 in FIGS.4 and 5.

[0085] The example CTB 400 of FIG.4 is partitioned into 10 leaf CBs respectively labeled 0-9, but may be partitioned into other quantities of leaf CBs. The 10 leaf CBs may correspond to 10 CB leaf nodes (e.g., 10 CB leaf nodes of quadtree 500 as shown in FIG.5). In other examples, a CTB may be partitioned into a different number of leaf CBs. The resulting quadtree partitioning of CTB 400 may be scanned using a z-scan (e.g., left-to-right, top-to- bottom) to form the sequence order for encoding / decoding the CB leaf nodes. A numeric label (e.g., indicator, index) of each CB leaf node in FIGS.4 and 5 may correspond to the sequence order for encoding / decoding. For example, CB leaf node 0 may be encoded / decoded first and CB leaf node 9 may be encoded / decoded last. Although not shown in FIGS.4 and 5, each CB leaf node may comprise one or more PBs and / or TBs.

[0086] A picture, in VVC (or in any other coding standard / format), may be partitioned in a similar manner (such as in HEVC). A picture may be first partitioned into non-overlapping square CTBs. The CTBs may then be partitioned, using a recursive quadtree partitioning, into CBs of half vertical and half horizontal size. A quadtree leaf node (e.g., in VVC) may be further partitioned by a binary tree or ternary tree partitioning (or any other partitioning) into CBs of unequal sizes.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0087] FIG.6 shows example binary tree and ternary tree partitions. A binary tree partition may divide a parent block in half in either a vertical direction 602 or a horizontal direction 604. The resulting partitions may be half in size as compared to the parent block. In other examples, the resulting partitions may correspond to sizes that are less than and / or greater than half of the parent block size. A ternary tree partition may divide a parent block into three parts in either a vertical direction 606 or a horizontal direction 608. FIG.6 shows an example in which the middle partition may be twice as large as the other two end partitions in the ternary tree partitions. In other examples, partitions may be of other sizes relative to each other and to the parent block. Binary and ternary tree partitions are examples of multi-type tree partitioning. Multi-type tree partitions may comprise partitioning a parent block into other quantities of smaller blocks. The block partitioning strategy (e.g., in VVC) may be referred to as a combination of quadtree and multi-type tree partitioning (quadtree + multi-type tree partitioning) because of the addition of binary and / or ternary tree partitioning to quadtree partitioning.

[0088] FIG.7A shows an example of combined quadtree and multi-type tree partitioning of a CTB 700A. FIG.7B shows an example tree 700B corresponding to the combined quadtree and multi-type tree partitioning of CTB 700A shown in FIG.7A. In both FIGS.7A and 7B, quadtree splits are shown in solid lines and multi-type tree splits are shown in dashed lines. For ease of explanation, CTB 700A is shown with the same quadtree partitioning as the CTB 400 described in FIG.4, and a description of the quadtree partitioning of CTB 700A, which is similar to that for CTB 400, is omitted. The quadtree partitioning of the CTB 700A is merely an example and a CTB may be quadtree partitioned in a manner different from the CTB 700A. Additional multi-type tree partitions of CTB 700A may be made relative to three leaf CBs shown in FIG.4. The three leaf CBs in FIG.4 that are shown in FIG.7A as being further partitioned may be leaf CBs 5, 8, and 9. The three leaf CBs may be further partitioned using one or more binary and / or ternary tree partitions.

[0089] The leaf CB 5 of FIG.4 may be partitioned into two CBs based on a vertical binary tree partitioning. The two resulting CBs may be leaf CBs respectively labeled 5 and 6 in FIGS.7A and 7B. The leaf CB 8 of FIG.4 may be partitioned into three CBs based on a vertical ternary tree partition. Two of the three resulting CBs may be leaf CBs respectively labeled 9 and 14 in FIGS.7A and 7B. The remaining, non-leaf CB may be partitioned first into two CBs based on a horizontal binary tree partition. One of the two CBs may be a leaf CB labeled 10. The other of the two CBs may be further partitioned into three CBs based on a vertical ternary tree partition. The resulting three CBs may be leaf CBs respectively labeled 11, 12, and 13 in FIGS.7A and 7B. The leaf CB 9 of FIG.4 may be partitioned into three CBs based on a horizontal ternary tree partition. Two of the three CBs may be leaf CBs respectively labeled 15 and 19 in FIGS.7A and 7B. The remaining, non-leaf CB may be partitioned into three CBs based on another horizontal ternary tree partition. The resulting three CBs may all be leaf CBs respectively labeled 16, 17, and 18 in FIGS.7A and 7B.

[0090] Altogether, CTB 700A may be partitioned into 20 leaf CBs respectively labeled 0-19. The 20 leaf CBs may correspond to 20 leaf nodes (e.g., 20 leaf nodes of tree 700B shown in FIG.7B). The resulting combination of quadtree and multi-type tree partitioning of the CTB 700A may be scanned using a z-scan (left-to-right, top-to-bottom)Docket No.: 24-2038PCT to form the sequence order for encoding / decoding the CB leaf nodes. A numeric label of each CB leaf node in FIGS. 7A and 7B may correspond to the sequence order for encoding / decoding, with CB leaf node 0 encoded / decoded first and CB leaf node 19 encoded / decoded last. Although not shown in FIGS.7A and 7B, it should be noted that each CB leaf node may comprise one or more PBs and / or TBs.

[0091] A coding standard / format (e.g., HEVC, VVC, or any other coding standard / format) may define various units (e.g., in addition to specifying various blocks (e.g., CTBs, CBs, PBs, TBs)). Blocks may comprise a rectangular area of samples in a sample array. Units may comprise the collocated blocks of samples from the different sample arrays (e.g., luma and chroma sample arrays) that form a picture as well as syntax elements and prediction data of the blocks. A coding tree unit (CTU) may comprise the collocated CTBs of the different sample arrays and may form a complete entity in an encoded bitstream. A coding unit (CU) may comprise the collocated CBs of the different sample arrays and syntax structures used to code the samples of the CBs. A prediction unit (PU) may comprise the collocated PBs of the different sample arrays and syntax elements used to predict the PBs. A transform unit (TU) may comprise TBs of the different samples arrays and syntax elements used to transform the TBs.

[0092] In some implementations of partitioning (e.g., AV1), a picture can be partitioned into multiple coding blocks. The largest coding blocks are also referred to as superblocks having sizes of either 128x128 or 64x64. Superblocks can be partitioned into smaller coding blocks which can be performed in nine partitioning modes. FIG.8 shows the nine partitioning modes among which only PARTITION_SPLIT allows recursive partitioning. In addition, PARTITION_VERT_4 and PARTITION_HORZ_4 modes are not allowed for 8x8 or 128x128 coding blocks, and T- shaped partitioning modes are not allowed for 8x8 coding blocks. The minimum coding block size is 4x4. Intra and inter coding blocks can be further partitioned into transform blocks and the partitioning depth is up to two levels.

[0093] A block may refer to any of a CTB, CB, PB, TB, CTU, CU, PU, and / or TU (e.g., in the context of HEVC, VVC, or any other coding format / standard). A block may be used to refer to similar data structures in the context of any video coding format / standard / protocol. For example, a block may refer to a macroblock in the AVC standard, a macroblock or a sub-block in the VP8 coding format, a superblock or a sub-block in the VP9 coding format, and / or a superblock or a sub-block (coding block or transform block) in the AV1 coding format.

[0094] In intra prediction, samples of a block to be encoded (e.g., also referred to as a current block) may be predicted from samples in a line of samples immediately adjacent to the current block. For example, the line of sample1s may include samples of the column immediately adjacent to the left-most column of the current block and samples of the row immediately adjacent to the top-most row of the current block. The samples from the immediately adjacent column and row may be jointly referred to as reference samples. Each sample of the current block may be predicted (e.g., in an intra prediction mode) by projecting the position of the sample in the current block in a given direction to a point along the reference samples. The sample may be predicted by interpolating between the two closest reference samples of the projection point if the projection does not fall directly on a reference sample. A prediction error (e.g., referred to as a residual) may be determined for the current block based on differences between the predicted sample values and the original sample values of the current block.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0095] Predicting samples and determining a prediction error based on a difference between the predicted samples and original samples may be performed (e.g., at an encoder) for a plurality of different intra prediction modes (e.g., including non-directional intra prediction modes). The encoder may select one of the plurality of intra prediction modes and its corresponding prediction error to encode the current block. The encoder may send an indication of the selected prediction mode and its corresponding prediction error to a decoder for decoding of the current block. The decoder may decode the current block by predicting the samples of the current block, using the intra prediction mode indicated by the encoder, and / or combining the predicted samples with the prediction error.

[0096] FIG.9 shows an example set of reference samples 902 determined for intra prediction of a current block 904. Current block 904 may correspond to a block being encoded and / or decoded. Current block 904 may correspond to block 3 of partitioned CTB 700 as shown in FIG.7A. As described herein, the numeric labels 0-19 of the blocks of partitioned CTB 700A may correspond to the sequence order for encoding / decoding the blocks and may be used as such in the example of FIG.9.

[0097] In some embodiments, reference samples 902 may include a line of samples immediately adjacent to current block 904 and include samples from a column and a row immediately adjacent to current block 904. For example, the line of samples may include reference samples to the left and / or above current block 904. In some embodiments, reference samples 902 may be obtained (or selected) from a reference line of multiple reference lines (MRL), which may include a line of samples adjacent to current block 904 and also a line of non-adjacent samples. The MRL may include reference lines identified by corresponding reference line indices that indicate an i-th line of samples adjacent to current block 904 such that the 0-th line indicates the reference line immediate adjacent (or closest) to current block 904 and a higher numbered i-th line indicates a line of samples further away from current block 904. An encoder may select a reference line from a set of MRL and signal an MLR index in the bitstream to indicate the selected reference line. For example, the encoder may signal a codeword encoding the MRL index. The decoder may decode the codeword to determine the MRL index that identifies a specific reference line used in intra prediction of current block 904.

[0098] For current block 904 that is w x h samples in size, reference samples 902 may comprise: 2w samples (or any other quantity of samples) of an i-th row (e.g., indicated by an MRL index) adjacent to the top-most row of current block 904, 2h samples (or any other quantity of samples) of the i-th column adjacent to the left-most column of current block 904, and the top left neighboring corner sample(s) extending from the i-th column and i-th row with respect to current block 904. Current block 904 may be square, such that w = h = s. In other examples, a current block need not be square, such that w ≠ h. Available samples from neighboring blocks of current block 904 may be used for constructing the set of reference samples 902. Samples may not be available for constructing the set of reference samples 902, for example, if the samples lie outside the picture of the current block, the samples are part of a different slice of the current block (e.g., if the concept of slices is used), and / or the samples belong to blocks that have been inter coded and constrained intra prediction is indicated. Intra prediction may not be dependent on inter predicted blocks, for example, if constrained intra prediction is indicated.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0099] Samples that may not be available for constructing the set of reference samples 902 may comprise samples in blocks that have not already been encoded and reconstructed at an encoder and / or decoded at a decoder based on the sequence order for encoding / decoding. Restriction of such samples from inclusion in the set of reference samples 902 may allow identical prediction results to be determined at both the encoder and decoder. In the example of FIG.9, samples from neighboring blocks 0, 1, 2, and 8 may be available to construct reference samples 902 given that these blocks are encoded and reconstructed at an encoder and decoded at a decoder prior to coding of current block 904. The samples from neighboring blocks 0, 1, 2, and 8 may be available to construct reference samples 902, for example, if there are no other issues (e.g., as mentioned above) preventing the availability of the samples from the neighboring blocks 0, 1, 2, and 8. The portion of reference samples 902 from neighboring block 6 may not be available due to the sequence order for encoding / decoding (e.g., because the block 6 may not have already been encoded and reconstructed at the encoder and / or decoded at the decoder based on the sequence order for encoding / decoding).

[0100] In some examples, unavailable samples from reference samples 902 may be filled with one or more of the available reference samples 902. For example, an unavailable reference sample may be filled with a nearest available reference sample. The nearest available reference sample may be determined by moving in a clock-wise direction through reference samples 902 from the position of the unavailable reference. The reference samples 902 may be filled with the mid-value of the dynamic range of the picture being coded, for example, if no reference samples are available.

[0101] Samples of current block 904 may be intra predicted based on reference samples 902, for example, based on (e.g., after) determination and (optionally) filtering of reference samples 902. In some examples, a filtering scheme (e.g., a filtering algorithm) may be applied to reference samples 902 to improve prediction accuracy. The filtering scheme may be one of a plurality of filter types including at least: a smoothing filter (or reference sample smoothing filter) or an interpolation filter. In some examples, if reference samples of a given block are to be filtered, only one of the plurality of filter types is selected (e.g., activated) to be applied to the reference samples. For example, if the smoothing filter is selected (e.g., activated), the interpolation filter is not selected (e.g., disabled) or vice versa.

[0102] Many encoders / decoders may support a plurality of intra prediction modes in accordance with one or more video coding standards. For example, HEVC supports 35 intra prediction modes, including a planar mode, a direct current (DC) mode, and 33 angular modes. VVC supports 67 intra prediction modes, including a planar mode, a DC mode, and 65 angular modes. Planar and DC modes may be used to predict smooth and gradually changing regions of a picture. Angular modes may be used to predict directional structures in regions of a picture. Any quantity of intra prediction modes may be supported.

[0103] FIGS.10A-B show example intra prediction modes. FIG.10A shows 35 intra prediction modes, such as supported by HEVC. The 35 intra prediction modes may be indicated / identified by indices 0 to 34. Prediction mode 0 may correspond to planar mode. Prediction mode 1 may correspond to DC mode. Prediction modes 2-34 may correspond to angular modes. Prediction modes 2-18 may be referred to as horizontal prediction modes because theDocket No.: 24-2038PCT principal source of prediction is in the horizontal direction. Prediction modes 19-34 may be referred to as vertical prediction modes because the principal source of prediction is in the vertical direction.

[0104] FIG.10B shows 67 intra prediction modes, such as supported by VVC. The 67 intra prediction modes may be indicated / identified by indices 0 to 66. Prediction mode 0 may correspond to planar mode. Prediction mode 1 corresponds to DC mode. Prediction modes 2-66 may correspond to angular modes. Prediction modes 2-34 may be referred to as horizontal prediction modes because the principal source of prediction is in the horizontal direction. Prediction modes 35-66 may be referred to as vertical prediction modes because the principal source of prediction is in the vertical direction. Some of the intra prediction modes illustrated in FIG.10B may be adaptively replaced by wide-angle directions because blocks in VVC need not be squares.

[0105] In some implementations of intra prediction modes (e.g., as supported by AV1), the angular modes can be defined by specifying a set of nominal modes and a set of angle delta offsets can be defined around each of the nominal modes. For example, there may be eight nominal angular prediction modes each having a set of angle delta offsets indexed between -3 and +3 with the nominal angle located at 0. FIG.10C shows the eight nominal modes (in solid arrows) and the set of angle delta offsets around the D67_PRED nominal angle (in dotted arrows). The prediction angle can be derived by adding the offset to the associated nominal angle. As a result, there are 56 angular modes in AV1. Note that for small blocks, such as 4x4, 4x8, and 8x4, only nominal angular modes are applied. In addition to the 56 angular modes, there are five non-angular intra-prediction modes in AV1, including DC_PRED mode (averaging samples from reconstructed neighboring blocks), SMOOTH_V AND SMOOTH_H modes (using quadratic interpolation along the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively), SMOOTH mode (averaging the quadratic interpolation results along both directions), and Paeth mode (predicting each sample from its top, left and top left reference samples). Recursive intra-prediction modes may also be used where a coding block is divided into sub-blocks and each intra-predicted sub-block can be used to intra-predict the next sub-block.

[0106] FIG.11 shows a current block 904 and corresponding reference samples 902 from FIG.9. To further describe how intra prediction modes are applied to determine a prediction (e.g., a prediction block) of current block 904, FIG.11 shows current block 904 and reference samples 902, from a reference line among a set of multiple reference lines (MRL) 908-912, in a two-dimensional x, y plane, where a sample may be referenced as ^[^][^]. To simplify the prediction process, reference samples 902 may be placed in two, one-dimensional arrays. The reference samples 902 belonging to a reference line ^ from the set of MRL 908-912, above the current block 904, may be placed in the one-dimensional array ^^^^[^]:^^^^[^] = ^[−^ + ^][−^], (^ ≥ 0). (1)The reference samples 902 belonging to reference line l, to the left of current block 904, may be placed in the one- dimensional array ^^^^[^]:^^^^[^] = ^[−^][−^ + ^], (^ ≥ 0). (2)The variable l represents how many lines away the selected reference line is from current block. For example, if reference line #0908 is selected, then l is set to 1 to indicate the reference line adjacent to current block 904. ForDocket No.: 24-2038PCT example, if reference line #1910 is selected, then l is set to 2. For example, if reference line #2912 is selected, then l is set to 3.

[0107] In some examples, if MRL is not activated or selected, then reference samples 902 may be from reference line #0908 that is immediately adjacent to current block 904. In this example, the variable l in Equations (1) and (2) is set to 1.

[0108] The prediction process may comprise determination of a predicted sample ^[^][^] (e.g., a predicted value) at a location [^][^] in current block 904. For planar mode, a sample at the location [^][^] in current block 904 may be predicted by determining / calculating the mean of two interpolated values. The first of the two interpolated values may be based on a horizontal linear interpolation at the location [^][^] in current block 904. The second of the two interpolated values may be based on a vertical linear interpolation at location [^][^] in current block 904. The predicted sample ^[^][^] in current block 904 may be determined / calculated as: 1^[^][^] = (3)2 ∙ ^ (ℎ[^][^] + ^[^][^] + ^),whereℎ[^][^] = (^ − ^ − 1) ∙ ^^^^[^] + (^ + 1) ∙ ^^^^[^] (4)may be the horizonal linear interpolation at the location [^][^] in current block 904 and^[^][^] = (^ − ^ − 1) ∙ ^^^ [^] + (^ + 1) ∙ ^^^ [^] (5)^ ^may be the vertical linear interpolation at the location [^][^] in current block 904. ^ may be equal to a length of a side (e.g., a number of samples on a side) of the current block 904.

[0109] For DC mode, a sample at a location [^][^] in current block 904 may be predicted by the mean of the reference samples 902. The predicted sample ^[^][^] in current block 904 may be determined / calculated as: ^^^ ^^^ 1^ ^^ ^(6)

[0110] For angular modes, alocation [^][^] in a direction specified by a given angular mode to a point on the horizontal or vertical line of samples comprising reference samples 902. The sample at the location [^][^] may be predicted by interpolating between the two closest reference samples of the projection point if the projection does not fall directly on a reference sample. The direction specified by the angular mode may be given by an angle φ defined relative to the y-axis for vertical prediction modes (e.g., modes 19-34 in HEVC and modes 35-66 in VVC). The direction specified by the angular mode may be given by an angle φ defined relative to the x-axis for horizontal prediction modes (e.g., modes 2-18 in HEVC and modes 2-34 in VVC).

[0111] FIG.12 shows an example of applying an intra prediction mode (e.g., an angular mode such as vertical prediction mode 906) for prediction of a current block 904. FIG.12 specifically shows prediction of a sample at a location [^][^] in current block 904 for a vertical prediction mode 906. Vertical prediction mode 906 may be given byDocket No.: 24-2038PCT an angle φ with respect to the vertical axis. The location [^][^] in current block 904, in vertical prediction modes, may be projected to a point (e.g., referred to as a projection point) on the horizontal line of reference samples^^^^[^]. The reference samples 902 are only partially shown in FIG.12 and shown as being from a reference linewith reference line index of 0 for ease of illustration. Reference samples 902 may be from another reference line of the set of MRL, as explained in FIG.9. As shown in FIG.12, the projection point on the horizontal line of reference samples ^^^^[^] may not be exactly on a reference sample. A predicted sample ^[^][^] in current block 904 may be determined / calculated by linearly interpolating between the two reference samples, for example, if the projection point falls at a fractional sample position between two reference samples. The predicted sample ^[^][^] may be determined / calculated as:^[^][^] = (1 − %&) ∙ ^^^^[^ + %' + 1] + %& ∙ ^^^^[^ + %' + 2]. (7)%' may be the integer part of the horizontal displacement of the projection point relative to the location [^][^]. %' maybe determined / calculated as a function of the tangent of the angle φ of the vertical prediction mode 906 as:%' = ⌊(^ + 1) ∙ tan ,⌋. (8)%& may be the fractional part of the horizontal displacement of the projection point relative to the location [^][^] andmay be determined / calculated as:%& = ((^ + 1) ∙ tan ,) − ⌊(^ + 1) ∙ tan ,⌋, (9)where⌊∙⌋is the integer floor function.

[0112] For horizontal prediction modes, a location [x][y] of a sample in current block 904 may be projected onto the vertical line of reference samples ^^^^[^]. A predicted sample ^[^][^]for horizontal prediction modes may be determined / calculated as:^[^][^] = (1 − %&) ∙ ^^^^[^ + %' + 1] + %& ∙ ^^^^[^ + %' + 2]. (10)%' may be the integer part of the vertical displacement of the projection point relative to the location [^][^]. %'may bedetermined / calculated as a function of the tangent of the angle φ of the horizontal prediction mode as:%' = ⌊(^ + 1) ∙ tan ,⌋. (11)%& may be the fractional part of the vertical displacement of the projection point relative to the location [^][^]. %& maybe determined / calculated as:%. = ((^ + 1) ∙ tan ,) − ⌊(^ + 1) ∙ tan ,⌋, (12)where⌊∙⌋is the integer floor function.

[0113] The interpolation functions given by Equations (7) and (10) may be implemented by an encoder and / or a decoder (e.g., encoder 200 in FIG.2 and / or decoder 300 in FIG.3). The interpolation functions may be implemented by finite impulse response (FIR) filters. For example, the interpolation functions may be implemented as a set of two- tap FIR filters. The coefficients of the two-tap FIR filters may be respectively given by (1-%&) and %&. The predicted sample ^[^][^], in angular intra prediction, may be calculated with some predefined level of sample accuracy (e.g., 1 / 32 sample accuracy, or accuracy defined by any other metric). For 1 / 32 sample accuracy, the set of two-tap FIR interpolation filters may comprise up to 32 different two-tap FIR interpolation filters — one for each of the 32 possibleDocket No.: 24-2038PCT values of the fractional part of the projected displacement %&. In other examples, different levels of sample accuracy may be used.

[0114] In some examples, the FIR filters may be used for predicting chroma samples and / or luma samples. For example, the two-tap interpolation FIR filter may be used for predicting chroma samples and a same and / or a different interpolation technique / filter may be used for luma samples. For example, a four-tap FIR filter may be used to determine a predicted value of a luma sample. Coefficients of the four tap FIR filter may be determined based on %&(e.g., similar to the two-tap FIR filter). For 1 / 32 sample accuracy, a set of 32 different four-tap FIR filters may comprise up to 32 different four-tap FIR filters — one for each of the 32 possible values of the fractional part of the projected displacement %&. In other examples, different levels of sample accuracy may be used. The set of four-tap FIR filters may be stored in a look-up table (LUT) and referenced based on %&. A predicted sample ^[^][^], for vertical prediction modes, may be determined based on the four-tap FIR filter as: 2 (13) ^[^][^] = ^ ^ / [%] ∙ ^^^^[^ + %01^ + %] ,where fT[i], i = 0...3, may be , forhorizontal prediction modes, may be determined based on the four-tap FIR filter as: 2 (14) ^[^][^] = ^ ^ / [%] ∙ ^^^^[^ + %01^ + %] .

[0115] Supplementarycurrent block 904 to be predicted is projected to a negative x coordinate. The location [^][^] of a sample may be projected to a negative x coordinate, for example, if negative vertical prediction angles φ are used. The supplementary reference samples may be determined / constructed by projecting the reference samples in ^^^^[^] in the vertical line of reference samples 902 to the horizontal line of reference samples 902 using the negative vertical prediction angle φ. Supplementary reference samples may be similarly determined / constructed, for example, if the location [^][^] of a sample in current block 904 to be predicted is projected to a negative y coordinate. The location[^][^] of a sample may be projected to a negative y coordinate, for example, if negative horizontal prediction anglesφ are used. The supplementary reference samples may be determined / constructed by projecting the reference samples in ^^^^[^] on the horizontal line of reference samples 902 to the vertical line of reference samples 902 using the negative horizontal prediction angle φ.

[0116] An encoder may determine / predict samples of a current block being encoded (e.g., current block 904) for a plurality of intra prediction modes (e.g., using one or more of the functions described herein). For example, an encoder may determine / predict samples of a current block for each of 35 intra prediction modes in HEVC and / or 67 intra prediction modes in VVC and / or including extended intra prediction modes from WAIP for rectangular blocks. The encoder may determine, for each intra prediction mode applied, a corresponding prediction error for the current block based on a difference (e.g., sum of squared differences (SSD), sum of absolute differences (SAD), or sum ofDocket No.: 24-2038PCT absolute transformed differences (SATD)) between the prediction samples, generated from reference samples 902 of a reference line (e.g., from a set of MRL), determined for the intra prediction mode and the original samples of the current block. The encoder may determine / select one of the intra prediction modes to encode the current block based on the determined prediction errors. For example, the encoder may determine / select one of the intra prediction modes that results in the smallest prediction error for the current block. In some examples, the encoder may determine / select the intra prediction mode and the associated reference line to encode the current block based on a rate-distortion measure (e.g., Lagrangian rate-distortion cost) determined using the prediction errors. The encoder may signal, in the bitstream to a decoder for decoding of the current block, an indication of the determined / selected intra prediction mode and an indication of the associated MRL index (which may indicate a reference line index). The encoder may also signal in the bitstream to the decoder a corresponding prediction error (e.g., residual) of the intra prediction mode.

[0117] A decoder may determine / predict samples of a current block being decoded (e.g., current block 904) for an intra prediction mode. For example, a decoder may receive an indication of a reference line (e.g., a reference line index or an MRL index associated with the reference line index) and an intra prediction mode (e.g., an angular intra prediction mode) from an encoder for a current block. The decoder may retrieve a set of reference samples and perform intra prediction based on the MRL index and the intra prediction mode indicated by the encoder for the current block in a similar manner (e.g., as described above for the encoder). For example, the decoder may obtain the reference samples from a reference line indicated / identified by the decoded MRL index. In some examples, when MRL is not enabled / activated / selected, the reference line has reference line index 0 and is immediately adjacent to the current block. In these examples, no indication of MRL index is signaled.

[0118] The decoder may add predicted values of the samples (e.g., determined based on the intra prediction mode) of the current block to a residual of the current block to reconstruct the current block. In some examples, a decoder need not receive an indication of an angular intra prediction mode from an encoder for a current block. Instead, the decoder may determine an intra prediction mode through other decoder-side means (e.g., by applying template- based intra mode derivation (TIMD) tool / technique).

[0119] While various examples herein correspond to intra prediction modes in HEVC and VVC, the methods, devices, and systems as described herein may be applied to / used for other intra prediction modes (e.g., as used in other video coding standards / formats, such as VP8, VP9, AV1, etc.).

[0120] Intra prediction may exploit correlations between spatially neighboring samples in the same picture of a video sequence to perform video compression. Inter prediction is another coding tool that may be used to perform video compression. Inter prediction may exploit correlations in the time domain between blocks of samples in different pictures of a video sequence. For example, an object may be seen across multiple pictures of a video sequence. The object may move (e.g., by some translation and / or affine motion) or remain stationary across the multiple pictures. A current block of samples in a current picture being encoded may have / be associated with a corresponding block of samples in a previously decoded picture. The corresponding block of samples may accurately predict the currentDocket No.: 24-2038PCT block of samples. The corresponding block of samples may be displaced from the current block of samples, for example, due to movement of the object, represented in both blocks, across the respective pictures of the blocks. The previously decoded picture may be a reference picture. The corresponding block of samples in the reference picture may be a reference block for motion compensated prediction. An encoder may use a block matching technique to estimate the displacement (or motion) of the object and / or to determine the reference block in the reference picture.

[0121] Similar to intra prediction, an encoder may determine a difference between a current block and a prediction for a current block. An encoder may determine a difference, for example, based on / after determining / generating a prediction for a current block (e.g., using inter prediction). The difference may be a prediction error (e.g., a residual). The encoder may store and / or send (e.g., signal), in / via a bitstream, the prediction error and / or other related prediction information. The prediction error and / or other related prediction information may be used for decoding and / or other forms of consumption. A decoder may decode the current block by predicting the samples of the current block (e.g., by using the related prediction information) and combining the predicted samples with the prediction error.

[0122] FIG.13A shows an example of inter prediction. The inter prediction may be performed for a current block 1300 in a current picture 1302 being encoded. An encoder (e.g., encoder 200 as shown in FIG.2) may perform inter prediction to determine and / or generate a reference block 1304 in a reference picture 1306. Reference block 1304 may be used to predict the current block 1300. Reference pictures (e.g., reference picture 1306) may be prior decoded pictures available at the encoder and / or a decoder. Availability of a prior decoded picture may depend / be based on whether the prior decoded picture is available in a decoded picture buffer, at the time, current block 1300 is being encoded and / or decoded. The encoder may search the one or more reference pictures 1306 for a block (e.g., a candidate reference block) that is similar (or substantially similar) to current block 1300. The encoder may determine the best matching block from the blocks (e.g., candidate reference blocks) tested during the searching process. The best matching block may be a reference block 1304. The encoder may determine that reference block 1304 is the best matching reference block based on one or more cost criteria. The one or more cost criteria may comprise a rate- distortion criterion (e.g., Lagrangian rate-distortion cost). The one or more cost criteria may be based on a difference (e.g., SSD, SAD, and / or SATD) between prediction samples of reference block 1304 and original samples of current block 1300.

[0123] The encoder may search for reference block 1304 within a reference region (e.g., a search range 1308). The reference region (e.g., a search range 1308) may be positioned around a collocated block (or position) 1310, of current block 1300, in reference picture 1306. Collocated block 1310 may have a same position in the reference picture 1306 as the current block 1300 in the current picture 1302. The reference region (e.g., search range 1308) may at least partially extend outside of reference picture 1306. Constant boundary extension may be used, for example, if the reference region (e.g., search range 1308) extends outside of reference picture 1306. The constant boundary extension may be used such that values of the samples in a row or a column of reference picture 1306, immediately adjacent to a portion of the reference region (e.g., search range 1308) extending outside of reference picture 1306, may be used for sample locations outside of reference picture 1306. A subset of potential positions, orDocket No.: 24-2038PCT all potential positions, within the reference region (e.g., search range 1308) may be searched for reference block 1304. The encoder may utilize one or more search implementations to determine and / or generate the reference block 1304. For example, the encoder may determine a set of candidate search positions based on motion information of neighboring blocks (e.g., a motion vector 1312) to the current block 1300.

[0124] One or more reference pictures may be searched by the encoder during inter prediction to determine and / or generate the best matching reference block. The reference pictures searched by the encoder may be included in (e.g., added to) one or more reference picture lists. For example, in HEVC and VVC (and / or in one or more other communication protocols), two reference picture lists may be used (e.g., a reference picture list 0 and a reference picture list 1). A reference picture list may include one or more pictures. The reference picture 1306 of reference block 1304 may be indicated by a reference index pointing into a reference picture list comprising reference picture 1306. The reference frames can include different types of frames. For example, in some implementations (e.g., such as in AV1), up to seven frames can be used as reference frames and there are four types of frames, including LAST frame (a frame that was displayed in the near past), BWD frame ( a frame that will be displayed in the future), GOLDEN frame (a frame that was displayed in the distant past), and ARF frame (a frame from either the past or the future).

[0125] FIG.13B shows an example motion vector. A displacement between reference block 1304 and current block 1300 may be interpreted as an estimate of the motion between reference block 1304 and current block 1300 across their respective pictures. The displacement may be represented by a motion vector 1312. For example, motion vector 1312 may be indicated by a horizontal component (MVx) and a vertical component (MVy) relative to the position of current block 1300. A motion vector (e.g., motion vector 1312) may have fractional or integer resolution. A motion vector with fractional resolution may point between two samples in a reference picture to provide a better estimation of the motion of current block 1300. For example, a motion vector may have 1 / 2, 1 / 4, 1 / 8, 1 / 16, 1 / 32, or any other fractional sample resolution. Interpolation between the two samples at integer positions may be used to generate a reference block and its corresponding samples at fractional positions, for example, if a motion vector points to a non- integer sample value in the reference picture. The interpolation may be performed by a filter with two or more taps.

[0126] The encoder may determine a difference (e.g., a corresponding sample-by-sample difference) between reference block 1304 and current block 1300. The encoder may determine the difference between reference block 1304 and current block 1300, for example, based on / after reference block 1304 is determined and / or generated, using inter prediction, for current block 1300. The difference may be a prediction error (e.g., a residual). The encoder may store and / or send (e.g., signal), in / via a bitstream, the prediction error and / or related motion information. The prediction error and / or the related motion information may be used for decoding (e.g., decoding current block 1300) and / or other forms of consumption. The motion information may comprise the motion vector 1312 and a reference indicator / index. The reference indicator may indicate the reference picture 1306 in a reference picture list. In other examples, the motion information may comprise an indication of motion vector 1312 and / or an indication of the reference indicator / index. The reference indicator may indicate reference picture 1306 in the reference picture list comprising reference picture 1306. A decoder may decode current block 1300 by determining and / or generating theDocket No.: 24-2038PCT reference block 1304, which may correspond to / form (e.g., be considered as) a prediction of the current block 1300. The decoder may determine and / or generate the reference block 1304, for example, based on the related motion information. The decoder may decode current block 1300 based on combining the prediction (e.g., a reference block) with the prediction error (e.g., a residual block).

[0127] Inter prediction, as shown in FIG.13A, may be performed using one reference picture 1306 as a source of a prediction for current block 1300. Inter prediction based on a prediction of a current block using a single picture may be referred to as uni-prediction or single reference inter prediction.

[0128] Inter prediction of a current block, using bi-prediction or compound prediction, may be based on two pictures (e.g., the source of prediction may be from the two pictures). Bi-prediction may be useful, for example, if a video sequence comprises fast motion, camera panning, zooming, and / or scene changes. Bi-prediction also may be useful to capture fade outs of one scene or fade outs from one scene to another, where two pictures may effectively be displayed simultaneously with different levels of intensity.

[0129] One or both of uni-prediction and bi-prediction may be available / used for performing inter prediction (e.g., at an encoder and / or at a decoder). Performing a specific type of inter prediction (e.g., uni-prediction / single reference prediction and / or bi-prediction / compound prediction) may depend on a slice type of current block. For example, for P slices, only uni-prediction may be available / used for performing inter prediction. For B slices, either uni-prediction or bi-prediction may be available / used for performing inter prediction. An encoder may determine and / or generate a reference block, for predicting a current block, from a reference picture list 0, for example, if the encoder is using uni- prediction. An encoder may determine and / or generate a first reference block, for predicting a current block, from a reference picture list 0 and determine and / or generate a second reference block, for predicting the current block, from a reference picture list 1, for example, if the encoder is using bi-prediction.

[0130] FIG.14 shows an example of bi-prediction / compound prediction. Two reference blocks 1402 and 1404 may be used to predict a current block 1400. For example, reference block 1402 may be in a reference picture of one of reference picture list 0 or reference picture list 1. Reference block 1404 may be in a reference picture of another one of reference picture list 0 or reference picture list 1. As shown in FIG.14, reference block 1402 may be in a first picture that precedes (e.g., in time) a current picture of current block 1400, and the reference block 1404 may be in a second picture that succeeds (e.g., in time) the current picture of current block 1400. The first picture may precede the current picture in terms of a picture order count (POC) or a display order. The second picture may succeed the current picture in terms of the POC or the display order. In other examples, the reference pictures may both precede or both succeed the current picture in terms of POC or the display order. A POC may be / indicate an order in which pictures are output (e.g., from a decoded picture buffer). A POC may be / indicate an order in which pictures are generally intended to be displayed. Pictures that are output may not necessarily be displayed but may undergo different processing and / or consumption (e.g., transcoding). The two reference blocks determined and / or generated using / for bi-prediction may correspond to (e.g., be comprised in) a same reference picture. The reference picture mayDocket No.: 24-2038PCT be included in both the reference picture list 0 and the reference picture list 1, for example, if the two reference blocks correspond to the same reference picture.

[0131] A configurable weight and / or offset value may be applied to one or more inter prediction reference blocks. An encoder may enable the use of weighted prediction using a flag in a picture parameter set (PPS) or a set of parameters at a similar level. The encoder may send / signal the weight and / or offset parameters in a slice segment header for current block 1400. Different weight and / or offset parameters may be sent / signaled for luma and / or chroma components.

[0132] The encoder may determine and / or generate the reference blocks 1402 and 1404 for the current block 1400 using inter prediction. The encoder may determine a difference between current block 1400 and each of reference blocks 1402 and 1404. The differences may be prediction errors or residuals. The encoder may store and / or send / signal, in / via a bitstream, the prediction errors and / or their respective related motion information. The prediction errors and their respective related motion information may be used for decoding and / or other forms of consumption.

[0133] The motion information for reference block 1402 may comprise a motion vector 1406 and / or a reference indicator / index. The reference indicator may indicate a reference picture, of the reference block 1402, in a reference picture list. In some examples, the motion information for reference block 1402 may comprise an indication of motion vector 1406 and / or an indication of the reference index. The reference index may indicate the reference picture, of reference block 1402, in the reference picture list.

[0134] The motion information for reference block 1404 may comprise a motion vector 1408 and / or a reference index / indicator. The reference indicator may indicate a reference picture, of the reference block 1404, in a reference picture list. The motion information for reference block 1404 may comprise an indication of motion vector 1408 and / or an indication of the reference index. The reference index may indicate the reference picture, of the reference block 1404, in the reference picture list.

[0135] A decoder may decode current block 1400 by determining and / or generating the reference blocks 1402 and 1404. The decoder may determine and / or generate the reference blocks 1402 and 1404, for example, based on the respective related motion information for the reference blocks 1402 and 1404. The reference blocks 1402 and 1404 may correspond to / form (e.g., be considered as) the prediction (e.g., used to generate a prediction block) of the current block 1400. The decoder may decode the current block 1400 based on combining the prediction with the prediction errors.

[0136] Motion information may be predictively coded, for example, before being stored and / or sent / signaled in / via a bit stream (e.g., in HEVC, VVC, and / or other video coding standards / formats / protocols). The motion information for a current block may be predictively coded based on motion information of one or more blocks neighboring the current block. The motion information of the neighboring block(s) may often correlate with the motion information of the current block because the motion of an object represented in the current block is often the same as (or similar to) the motion of objects in the neighboring block(s). Motion information prediction techniques (such as those in HEVC andDocket No.: 24-2038PCT VVC) may comprise advanced motion vector prediction (AMVP) and / or inter prediction block merging (e.g., merge mode).

[0137] An encoder (e.g., encoder 200 as shown in FIG.2), may code a motion vector. The encoder may code the motion vector (e.g., using AMVP) as a difference between a motion vector of a current block being coded and a motion vector predictor (MVP). An encoder may determine / select the MVP from a list of candidate MVPs. The candidate MVPs may be / correspond to previously decoded motion vectors of neighboring blocks in the current picture of the current block, and / or blocks at or near the collocated position of the current block in other reference pictures. The encoder and / or a decoder may reciprocally generate and / or determine the list of candidate MVPs.

[0138] The encoder may determine / select an MVP from the list of candidate MVPs. Then, the encoder may send / signal, in / via a bitstream, an indication of the selected MVP and / or a motion vector difference (MVD). The encoder may indicate the selected MVP in the bitstream using an index / indicator. The index may indicate the selected MVP in the list of candidate MVPs. The MVD may be determined / calculated based on a difference between the motion vector of the current block and the selected MVP. For example, for a motion vector (e.g., comprising a horizontal component (MVx) and a vertical component (MVy)) that indicates a position relative to a position of the current block being coded, the MVD may be represented by two components MVD^and MVD". MVD^and MVD"may be determined / calculated as:MVD^ = MV^ − MVP^ , (15)MVD" = MV" − MVP". (16)MVDx and MVDy may respectively represent horizontal and vertical components of the MVD. MVPx and MVPy may respectively represent horizontal and vertical components of the MVP.

[0139] A decoder (e.g., decoder 300 as shown in FIG.3) may decode the motion vector by adding the MVD to the MVP indicated in / via the bitstream. The decoder may decode the current block by determining and / or generating the reference block. The decoder may determine and / or generate the reference block, for example, based on the decoded motion vector. The reference block may correspond to / form (e.g., be considered as) the prediction of the current block (e.g., a prediction block). The decoder may decode the current block by combining the prediction with the prediction error.

[0140] The list of candidate MVPs (e.g., in HEVC, VVC, and / or one or more other communication protocols), for AMVP, may comprise two or more candidates (e.g., candidates A and B). Candidates A and B may comprise: up to two (or any other quantity of) spatial candidate MVPs determined / derived from five (or any other quantity of) spatial neighboring blocks of a current block being coded; one (or any other quantity of) temporal candidate MVP determined / derived from two (or any other quantity of) temporal, co-located blocks (e.g., if both of the two spatial candidate MVPs are not available or are identical); and / or zero motion vector candidate MVPs (e.g., if one or both of the spatial candidate MVPs or temporal candidate MVPs are not available). Other quantities of spatial candidate MVPs, spatial neighboring blocks, temporal candidate MVPs, and / or temporal, co-located blocks may be used for the list of candidate MVPs.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0141] FIG.15A shows example spatial candidate neighboring blocks for a current block. For example, five (or any other quantity of) spatial candidate neighboring blocks may be located relative to a current block 1500 being encoded. The five spatial candidate neighboring blocks may be A0, A1, B0, B1, and B2. FIG.15B shows temporal, co-located blocks for the current block. For example, two (or any other quantity of) temporal, co-located blocks may be located relative to current block 1500 being coded. The two temporal, co-located blocks may be C0 and C1. The two temporal, co-located blocks may be in one or more reference pictures that may be different from the current picture of current block 1500.

[0142] An encoder (e.g., encoder 200 as shown in FIG.2) may code a motion vector using inter prediction block merging (e.g., a merge mode). For example, the encoder (e.g., using merge mode) may reuse the same motion information of a neighboring block (e.g., one of neighboring blocks A0, A1, B0, B1, and B2) for inter prediction of a current block. For example, the encoder (e.g., using merge mode) may reuse the same motion information of a temporal, co-located block (e.g., one of temporal, co-located blocks C0 and C1) for inter prediction of a current block. An MVD need not be sent (e.g., indicated, signaled) for the current block because the same motion information as that of a neighboring block or a temporal, co-located block may be used for the current block (e.g., at the encoder and / or a decoder). A signaling overhead for sending / signaling the motion information of the current block may be reduced because the MVD need not be indicated for the current block. The encoder and / or the decoder may reciprocally generate a candidate list of motion information from neighboring blocks or temporal, co-located blocks of the current block (e.g., in a manner similar to AMVP). The encoder may determine to use (e.g., inherit) motion information, of one neighboring block or one temporal, co-located block in the candidate list, for predicting motion information of the current block being coded. The encoder may signal / send, in / via a bitstream, an indication of the determined motion information from the candidate list. For example, the encoder may signal / send an indicator / index. The index may indicate the determined motion information in the list of candidate motion information. The encoder may signal / send the index to indicate the determined motion information.

[0143] A list of candidate motion information for merge mode (e.g., in HEVC, VVC, or any other coding formats / standards / protocols) may comprise: up to four (or any other quantity of) spatial merge candidates derived / determined from five (or any other quantity of) spatial neighboring blocks (e.g., as shown in FIG.15A); one (or any other quantity of) temporal merge candidate derived from two (or any other quantity of) temporal, co-located blocks (e.g., as shown in FIG.15B); and / or additional merge candidates comprising bi-predictive candidates and zero motion vector candidates. In some examples, the spatial neighboring blocks and the temporal, co-located blocks used for merge mode may be the same as the spatial neighboring blocks and the temporal, co-located blocks used for AMVP.

[0144] In some examples (e.g., AV1), a list of derived MV predictors may be generated by pooling the spatial and temporal MV candidates and ranking them based on weightings determined by evaluating each of the candidates. Up to four candidates may be added to the list of MV predictors, which may also be referred to as the dynamic reference list (DRL). The DRL may be used in dynamic MV prediction modes.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0145] Inter prediction may be performed in other ways and variants than those described herein. For example, motion information prediction techniques other than AMVP and merge mode may be used. While various examples herein correspond to inter prediction modes, such as used in HEVC and VVC or AV1, the methods, devices, and systems as described herein may be applied to / used for other inter prediction modes (e.g., as used for other video coding standards / formats such as VP8, VP9, etc.). History-based motion vector prediction (HMVP), combined intra / inter prediction mode (CIIP) or compound inter-intra prediction, warped motion compensation, overlapped block motion compensation (OBMC), and / or merge mode with motion vector difference (MMVD) (e.g., as described in VVC) may be performed / used and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0146] A block matching operation (or technique) may be applied / used (e.g., in inter prediction) to determine a reference block in a different picture than that of a current block being coded (e.g., encoded and / or decoded). A block matching operation also may be applied / used to determine a reference block in a same picture as that of a current block being coded. The reference block, in a same picture as that of the current block, as determined using block matching may often not accurately predict the current block (e.g., for camera captured videos). Prediction accuracy for screen content videos may not be similarly impacted, for example, if a reference block in the same picture as that of the current block is used for encoding. Screen content videos may comprise, for example, computer generated text, graphics, animation, etc. Screen content videos may comprise (e.g., may often comprise) repeated patterns (e.g., repeated patterns of text and / or graphics) within the same picture. Using a reference block (e.g., as determined using block matching), in a same picture as that of a current block being encoded, may provide efficient compression for screen content videos.

[0147] A prediction technique may be used (e.g., in HEVC, VVC, AV1, and / or any other coding standards / formats / protocols) to exploit correlation between blocks of samples within a same picture (e.g., of screen content videos). The prediction technique may be intra block copy (IBC or IntraBC) or current picture referencing (CPR). An encoder may apply / use a block matching technique (e.g., similar to inter prediction) to determine a displacement vector (e.g., a block vector (BV)). The BV may indicate a relative position of a reference block (e.g., in accordance with intra block compensated prediction), that best matches the current block, from a position of the current block. For example, the relative position of the reference block may be a relative position of a top-left corner (or any other point / sample) of the reference block. The BV may indicate a relative displacement from the current block to the reference block that best matches the current block. The encoder may determine the best matching reference block from blocks tested during a searching process (e.g., in a manner similar to that used for inter prediction). The encoder may determine that a reference block is the best matching reference block based on one or more cost criteria. The one or more cost criteria may comprise a rate-distortion criterion (e.g., Lagrangian rate-distortion cost). The one or more cost criteria may be based on, for example, one or more differences (e.g., an SSD, an SAD, an SATD, and / or a difference determined based on a hash function) between the prediction samples of the reference block and the original samples of the current block. A reference block may correspond to / comprise prior decoded blocks of samples (e.g., reconstructed samples) of the current picture. The reference block may comprise decodedDocket No.: 24-2038PCT blocks of samples of the current picture prior to being processed by in-loop filtering operations (e.g., deblocking, SAO filtering, CDEFs, and / or LR filters). In some examples, the reference block may be restricted to a certain area. For example, in AV1, if the top-left pixel coordinate of a superblock is (x0, y0), IntraBC prediction is available at pixel position (x, y) only if the value of the vertical coordinate y is less than y0 and the value of the horizontal coordinate x is less x0 + 2(y0 − y). Further, due to hardware write-back delays, the immediate reconstructed area may not be accessible by IntraBC prediction.

[0148] FIG.16 shows an example of IBC (e.g., an IBC mode or an IntraBC mode). The example shown in FIG.16 may correspond to screen content. The rectangular portions / sections with arrows beginning at their boundaries may be the current blocks being encoded. The rectangular portions / sections that the arrows point to may be the reference blocks for predicting the respective current blocks.

[0149] A reference block may be determined and / or generated, for a current block, using IBC. The encoder may determine a difference (e.g., a corresponding sample-by-sample difference) between the reference block and the current block. The difference may be a prediction error or residual. The encoder may store and / or send / signal, in / via a bitstream the prediction error and / or related prediction information. The prediction error and / or the related prediction information may be used for decoding and / or other forms of consumption. The prediction information may comprise a BV. The prediction information may comprise an indication of the BV. A decoder (e.g., decoder 300 as shown in FIG. 3), may decode the current block by determining and / or generating the reference block. The decoder may determine and / or generate the current block, for example, based on the prediction information (e.g., the BV). The reference block may correspond to / form (e.g., be considered as) the prediction (e.g., a prediction block) of the current block. The decoder may decode the current block by combining the prediction (e.g., prediction block) with the prediction error (e.g., residual or residual block).

[0150] A BV may be predictively coded (e.g., in HEVC, VVC, and / or any other coding standards / formats / protocols) before being stored and / or sent / signaled in / via a bitstream. For example, the BV for a current block may be predictively coded based on a BV of one or more blocks neighboring the current block. For example, an encoder may predictively code a BV using the merge mode (e.g., in a manner similar to as described herein for inter prediction), AMVP (e.g., as described herein for inter prediction), or a technique similar to AMVP. The technique similar to AMVP may be BV prediction and difference coding (or AMVP for IBC).

[0151] An encoder (e.g., encoder 200 as shown in FIG.2) performing BV prediction and coding may code a BV as a difference between the BV of a current block being coded and a block vector predictor (BVP). An encoder may select / determine the BVP from a list of candidate BVPs. The candidate BVPs may comprise / correspond to previously decoded BVs of neighboring blocks in the current picture of the current block. The encoder and / or a decoder may reciprocally generate or determine the list of candidate BVPs.

[0152] The encoder may send / signal, in / via a bitstream, an indication of the selected BVP and a block vector difference (BVD). The encoder may indicate the selected BVP in the bitstream using an index / indicator. The index may indicate (e.g., point to) the selected BVP in the list of candidate BVPs. The BVD may be determined / calculatedDocket No.: 24-2038PCT based on a difference between a BV of the current block and the selected BVP. For example, for a BV (e.g., represented by a horizontal component (BVx) and a vertical component (BVy)) that indicates a position relative to a position of the current block being coded, the BVD may be represented by two components BVD^and BVD". BVD^and BVD" may be determined / calculated as:BVD^ = BV^ − BVP^ , (17)BVD" = BV" − BVP" . (18)BVDx and BVDy may respectively represent horizontal and vertical components of the BVD. BVPx and BVPy may respectively represent horizontal and vertical components of the BVP. A decoder (e.g., decoder 300 as shown in FIG. 3), may decode the BV by adding the BVD to the BVP indicated in / via the bitstream. The decoder may decode the current block by determining and / or generating the reference block. The decoder may determine and / or generate the reference block, for example, based on the decoded BV. The reference block may correspond to / form (e.g., be considered as) the prediction (e.g., a prediction block) of the current block. The decoder may decode the current block by combining the prediction (e.g., the prediction block) with the prediction error (e.g., residual or residual block).

[0153] A same BV as that of a neighboring block may be used for the current block and a BVD need not be separately signaled / sent for the current block, such as in the merge mode. A BVP (in the candidate BVPs), which may correspond to a decoded BV of the neighboring block, may itself be used as a BV for the current block. Not sending the BVD may reduce the signaling overhead.

[0154] A list of candidate BVPs (e.g., in HEVC, VVC, and / or any other coding standard / format / protocol) may comprise two (or more) candidates. The candidates may comprise candidates A and B. Candidates A and B may comprise: up to two (or any other quantity of) spatial candidate BVPs determined / derived from five (or any other quantity of) spatial neighboring blocks of a current block being encoded; and / or one or more of last two (or any other quantity of) coded BVs (e.g., if spatial neighboring candidates are not available). Spatial neighboring candidates may not be available, for example, if neighboring blocks are encoded using intra prediction or inter prediction. Locations of the spatial candidate neighboring blocks, relative to a current block, being encoded using IBC may be illustrated in a manner similar to spatial candidate neighboring blocks used for coding motion vectors in inter prediction (e.g., as shown in FIG.15A). For example, five spatial candidate neighboring blocks of a current block being coded using IBC may be respectively denoted A0, A1, B0, B1, and B2 as shown in FIG.15A.

[0155] The most probable mode (MPM) refers to the intra prediction mode (IPM) that is most likely to be the best mode for the current block being encoded or decoded. In current intra prediction techniques, the MPM is determined by analyzing the intra prediction modes of the neighboring CUs (e.g., also referred to as blocks) of a current block (or CU) to be coded (e.g., encoded or decoded). For example, a list of 6 MPMs (referred to as the “MPM list”) may be constructed for intra prediction. The MPM list is derived from the intra prediction modes of the neighboring CUs, and is updated as the encoder progresses through the video frame. When encoding a block, the encoder may determine if the current block is a candidate for any of the MPMs in the MPM list. If it is, the encoder then compares the prediction errors of the respective MPMs to determine which MPM from the MPM list is the best mode for the current block. IfDocket No.: 24-2038PCT the current block is not a candidate for any of the MPMs in the MPM list, the encoder may then evaluate remaining intra prediction modes (e.g., from a total of 67 intra prediction modes which may include a planar mode, a DC mode, and 65 angular directional modes) to determine the best mode for the current block.

[0156] The use of MPMs can significantly improve the coding efficiency because the encoder does not need to explicitly signal the intra prediction mode for the current block if it is one of the MPMs. Instead, the decoder can infer the intra prediction mode for the current block from the corresponding MPM list identically generated at the decoder. Thus, signaling overhead in the bitstream may be reduced.

[0157] In some examples, three types of intra modes may be considered to construct the MPM list: default intra modes; neighboring intra modes; and derived intra modes. A unified 6 MPM list may be used for intra blocks irrespective of whether Multiple Reference Lines (MRL) and Intra Sub-Partitions (ISP) coding tools are applied. The MPM list for the current block is constructed based on intra modes of the left neighbor block (e.g., block corresponding to A1 in FIG.15A) and the above neighbor block (e.g., block corresponding to B1 in FIG.15A) of the current block. Suppose the mode of the left neighbor block is denoted as Left and the mode of the above neighbor block is denoted as Above, the unified MPM list may be constructed as follows: when a neighboring block is not available, its intra mode is set to planar mode by default; if both modes Left and Above are non-angular modes, then the MPM list is set to include{planar, DC, V, H, V − 4, V + 4}, where “V” and “H” refer to vertical mode and horizontal mode, respectively; if one of modes Left and Above is an angular mode, and the other is non-angular, set a mode Max as the larger mode of Left and Above, and set MPM list to include {planar, Max, Max − 1, Max + 1, Max –– 2, Max + 2}; if Left and Above are both angular and they are different, set a mode Max and a mode Min as the larger mode in Left and Above and as the smaller mode in Left and Above, respectively, and thereafter, if Max – Min is equal to 1, then set MPM list to include {planar, Left, Above, Min – 1, Max + 1, Min – 2}, if Max – Min is greater than or equal to 62, then set MPM list to include {planar, Left, Above, Min + 1, Max – 1, Min + 2}, if Max – Min is equal to 2, set MPM list to include {planar, Left, Above, Min + 1, Min – 1, Max + 1}, or otherwise, set MPM list to include {planar, Left, Above, Min – 1, –Min + 1, Max – 1}; and if Left and Above are both angular and they are the same, set MPM list to include {planar, Left, Left − 1, Left + 1, Left – 2, Left + 2}.

[0158] The encoder may encode an MPM index in the bitstream to indicate the position of the selected intra prediction mode in the MPM list to the decoder. The encoder may represent the MPM index as a codeword and entropy encode the codeword into the bitstream. The decoder may derive the MPM list in a manner identical to the encoder, and use the MPM index obtained from the codeword decoded from bitstream to obtain the intra prediction mode from the MPM list derived at the decoder. In some instances, the first bin of codeword, representing the MPM index, is context coded using an arithmetic coder (e.g., CABAC) so as to achieve additional coding efficiencies. For example, three contexts may be used, corresponding to whether the current intra block is MRL enabled, ISP enabled, or a normal intra block.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0159] In some examples, during the 6 MPM list generation process, pruning may be used to remove duplicated intra modes so that the MPM list includes only unique intra modes. For entropy coding of the 61 non-MPM modes (that is, the 67 modes in VVC minus the 6 MPM), a truncated binary code (TBC) may be used.

[0160] In some implementations, the MPM list is extended to include 16 additional candidates, and is divided into two parts, the primary MPM (PMPM) (e.g., including 6 entries) and the secondary (SMPM) (e.g., including 16 entries). In some implementations, the first entry in the general MPM list is the planar mode. The remaining entries include the intra modes of the adjacent neighboring blocks corresponding to positions left (L), above (A), below-left (BL), above- right (AR), and above-left (AL) (e.g., shown in FIG.15A as A1, B1, A0, B0, and B2), and decoder-side intra mode derivation (DIMD) modes which are sorted in ascending order of a cost such as, for example, SAD, SSD, SATD, etc. In some examples, up to a preconfigured / predetermined number of modes (e.g., 5) with the smallest costs are added to the MPM list. The cost for a respective MPM (e.g., an IPM corresponding to an entry in the MPM list) may be computed between the prediction of the reconstructed samples of the template of the current block and the reconstructed samples. For example, the prediction may be generated by applying the respective MPM for the template. Sorted directional modes are added into the general MPM list, and then the default modes, until the general MPM list with 22 entries is constructed. In some examples, if a CU block is vertically oriented, the order of neighboring blocks corresponds to A, L, BL, AR, AL; otherwise, it is L, A, AL, AR, BL.

[0161] Referring back to FIG.16, in IBC mode applied for screen content, a reference block (RB) may be determined as a “best matching” reference block to a current block. For example, the arrows correspond to block vectors (BVs) that indicate respective displacements from respective current blocks (CBs) to respective reference blocks that best match the respective current blocks. In the examples shown in FIG.16, the reference blocks match the respective current blocks and the calculated residuals would be small, if not zero. However, often, video content may be more efficiently encoded by considering symmetry properties. For example, it has been observed that symmetry is often present in video content, especially in text character regions and computer generated graphics in screen content video.

[0162] In some implementations, a Reconstruction-Reordered intra block copy IBC (RRIBC) mode (e.g., also referred to as IBC-Mirror Mode) is used for screen content video coding to take advantage of symmetry within video content to further improve the coding efficiency of IBC. In some examples, the RRIBC mode may be signaled based on IBC mode with an indication (or flag) indicating whether flipping is applied and if flipping is applied, further signaling an indication (or flag) indication a direction of flipping.

[0163] In some embodiments, when the RRIBC mode is indicated for encoding a current block, a residual for the current block may be calculated based on samples of a reference block (e.g., corresponding to an original reference block being encoded and decoded to form a reconstructed block) being flipped relative to the current block according to a flip direction indicated for the current block. In an example, at the encoder side, the current block (to be predicted) may be flipped before matching and residual calculation, while the reference block (used to predict the current block) may be derived without flipping. Similarly, at the decoder side, the current block (that was flipped at the encoder) mayDocket No.: 24-2038PCT be determined based on the reference block and residual information, then flipped back to restore the original orientation of the current block before being flipped at the encoder side. In another example, instead of the current block being flipped, the reference block may be flipped instead such that the reference block is flipped to encode the current block (at the encoder) and flipped back (at the decoder) to restore the original orientation of the reference block at the encoder. As described in this specification, reference to flipping the current block may alternatively refer to flipping the reference block and not the current block such that the reference block and the current block are flipped in the direction with respect to each other.

[0164] In an example, in the RRIBC mode, the flip direction may include one of a horizontal direction (e.g., along an x-axis) or a vertical direction (e.g., along a y-axis) for RRIBC coded blocks. In an embodiment, for a current block coded in the RRIBC mode (e.g., an IBC advanced motion vector prediction (AMVP) coded block), a first indication (e.g., a first syntax flag) may indicate / signal whether to use flipping (e.g., also referred to as mirror flipping) to encode / decode the current block. Additionally, for the current block, a second indication (e.g., a second syntax flag) may indicate / signal the direction for flipping (e.g., vertical or horizontal). For IBC merge, the flip direction may be inherited from neighboring blocks, without syntax signaling. In an example, for RRIBC, flipping of a current block (or a reference block in an alternative embodiment) in a horizontal and a vertical direction can be represented in (19) and (20), respectively:Reference(x, y) = ?@A^^^(B − 1 − ^, ^) (19)Reference(x, y) = ?@A^^^(^, ℎ − 1 − ^) (20)where w and h are the width and height of a current block, respectively. Sample(x,y) may indicate a sample value located in (x,y). Reference(x,y) may indicate a corresponding reference sample value after flipping. In other words, for horizontal flipping, (19) shows that the current block is flipped in the horizontal direction by sampling from right to left. Similarly, for vertical flipping, (20) shows that the current block is flipped in the vertical direction by sampling the current block from down to up.

[0165] Considering the horizontal or vertical symmetry, the current block and the reference block are normally aligned horizontally or vertically, respectively. Therefore, in an example, based on the RRIBC mode and a flipping direction, the reference block may be determined from a reference region (including candidate reference blocks) aligned in the same flipping direction, as will be further described below. As a result, when flipping in a horizontal direction is applied / indicated, the vertical component (BVy) of the BV (indicating a displacement from the current block to the reference block) may not need to be signaled because it may be inferred to be equal to 0. Similarly, when flipping in a vertical direction is applied / indicated, the horizontal component (BVx) of the BV may not need to be signaled because it may be inferred to be equal to 0. In other words, in an example, only one component, aligned with the direction for flipping, of the BV may be encoded and signaled for the current block.

[0166] For a current block coded in IBC mode, a BV for the current block may be constrained to indicate a relative displacement from the current block to a reference block within an IBC reference region. In some examples, a BVP used to predicatively code a BV may be similarly constrained. This is because a BVP may be derived from a BV of aDocket No.: 24-2038PCT spatially neighboring block of the current block or a prior coded BV as explained above. Based on the BVP, a BVD may be determined as a difference between the BV and the BVP. This BVD may be encoded and transmitted along with an indication of the selected BVP in a bitstream to enable decoding of the current block, as described above.

[0167] Intra-template matching prediction (IntraTMP) is a special intra-prediction mode that selects a prediction block within a pre-determined reference region (RR) or search area from the reconstructed samples within the current frame. IntraTMP uses a pre-defined template of the current block to search for a candidate reference block of which the template best matches the template of the current block. FIG.17 illustrates, for an example current block 1700, a reference region 1712 or search area from the reconstructed samples 1704 within which a search is performed for a candidate reference block 1706 of which the template 1708 (“candidate reference block template”) best matches the template 1702 (“current block template”) of the current block 1700. In this example the reference region is divided in four rectangular reference regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4).

[0168] By computing a cost function (e.g., SAD, SATD) between the template 1702 of the current block and the templates of several candidate reference blocks, N candidates with lower template costs, each indicated by a corresponding block vector predictor (BVP) candidate 1710 (BVP candidate may also be referred to herein as block vector (BV) candidate), are stored in an intraTMP list and ranked by lower cost value (ascending cost). This process is performed by both encoder and decoder.

[0169] The residual blocks obtained as the difference between the samples of the current block 1700 and the candidate's reference blocks 1706 in the list are computed, and the reference block with the better rate-distortion performance is selected as the best intraTMP reference block. An index indicating the position of the best BVP or BV candidate within the intraTMP list is signaled to the decoder in order to facilitate the block decoding using the IntraTMP prediction mode.

[0170] Due to the reference region having an irregular (non-rectangular) shape and to facilitate its hardware implementation, the template matching in the reference region 1712 is carried out in a set of rectangular sub-regions (R1 to R4 in the example of FIG.17), whose dimensions are determined based on the current blocks' size and relative position inside the current CTU.

[0171] The global reference region 1712 dimensions comprising all sub-regions are determined by the SearchRange_w and SearchRange_h parameters, which are set proportional to the current block 1700 dimension (CbWidth, CbHeight) using a multifactor parameter denoted as 'a', which controls the gain / complexity trade-off. In some implementations of IntraTMP, the multifactor parameter 'a' may be uniform and equal to 5 or may be determined by of the current block dimension. SearchRange_w = a * CbWidth SearchRange_h = a * CbHeight

[0172] In some implementations of IntraTMP, the global RR for block dimensions 4 and 8 were extended to 64 pixels, according to the following equations: SearchRange_w = max (64, 5* CbWidth)Docket No.: 24-2038PCT SearchRange_h = max (64, 5* CbHeight)

[0173] In practice, this has the effect of using a variable multifactor parameter 'a' based on the block dimensions, as shown in the following table: Block size 64 32 16 8 4 Multifactor' a' 5 5 5 8 16 [ple corresponding TMP search regions R1-R6 identified. An example reference block 1816, and reference block template 1818 and current block template 1808 are also illustrated.

[0175] In order to reduce the high computational burn of the exhaustive template matching searching in the whole RR, the searching process is split into 2 steps: a sparse search step, and a refinement search step.

[0176] The sparse search is illustrated in FIG.19A. The sparse search in some implementations is carried out in a regular grid using a subsampling interval (e.g., 4 pixels or 3 pixels) in the horizontal and vertical directions. FIG.19A shows an example candidate reference block 1916 in search region 4 (R4) and the corresponding reference template 1918. The template cost is computed for each reference block position within a search region (e.g., reference block position 1920 of reference block 1916), and the BVP candidates associated with the best (e.g., least cost) reference block are recorded in a sparse list and sorted in an ascending order based on the cost. The subsample positions are shown in the form of dark squares within the RR region, separately determined for each search region. In some implementations of IntraTMP, the size of the sparse list is set to 30.

[0177] The refinement search, the second step, is a refinement of the reference block candidates (correspondingly, BVP candidates) in the sparse list. In some implementations, the refinement is made in a window of a predetermined size (e.g., 5x5 pixels or 3x3 pixels) around the respective sparse BVP candidates using a sampling interval of 1. In other words, in addition to the sparse BVP, one or more additional BVP candidates can be generated within the refinement search window at the integer pixel positions. If the refinement window crosses into another search region, the refinement window is clipped to the region boundary to which the candidate belongs. FIG.19B illustrates a current block 1906 and template 1908 located in a current CTU 1904 of a current frame 1900 (i.e., current picture), corresponding RR with respective search regions R1-R6, and an example BVP 1910 with its refinement search window 1912 being clipped where R5 (search region in which the BVP 1910 is located) borders R2 and R3. The 19 candidates with the lowest template costs (e.g., SAD costs) among the generated additional candidates and the sparse BVP candidates are selected to generate a “refined IntraTMP list.”

[0178] Once the encoder / decoder has constructed the refined IntraTMP list, the encoder / decoder can select among different intraTMP sub-modes by checking the rate-distortion performance of each sub-mode. The IntraTMP sub- mode is signaled to the decoder in combination with an index to the best candidate in the refined IntraTMP list or aDocket No.: 24-2038PCT cluster of candidates (e.g. the fusion mode). The IntraTMP sub-modes may be the single predictor sub-mode, the fusion sub-mode, the sub-pel precision sub-mode, and the linear filter mode sub-mode. In the single predictor sub- mode, a single BVP candidate is selected from the refined IntraTMP list and signaled to the decoder. In the fusion sub-mode, multiple BVP candidates are blended to derive the final BV prediction block. The blending weights may be either computed from the template matching cost of each predictor or with a Wiener-filter-based weight derivation method. In the sub-pel precision sub-mode, when a single predictor is used, sub-pel precision can be used with 1 / 2- pel precision, 1 / 4-pel precision, and 3 / 4-pel precision, each with 8 possible directions. In the linear filter model sub- mode, a linear filter can be learned between the reference and current templates and applied to the reference block. This mode can be used for a single predictor when sub-pel precision is not used and a single predictor is used.

[0179] In some implementations of IntraTMP, several types of template shapes may be used. Five types of templates have been proposed according to the current block location in the frame: top template, left template, L- shape template, an only top template type, and an only left template type.

[0180] The template type of top template may be used when only the current block’s top samples are available, such as when the current block is located to the left boundary of the picture. Consequently, the TMP cost is computed using the top samples of the current and reference blocks. In some implementations, the top template is four samples in height.

[0181] The template type of left-template may be used when only the left samples of the current block are available, such as when the current block is located at the top boundary of the picture. Consequently, the TMP cost is computed using exclusively the left samples of both the current and the reference block. In some implementations, the left template is four samples in width.

[0182] The L-shape template type is used in the other cases (e.g., the current block is not located at the top or left boundary of the picture) where the samples surrounding the current block included in the L-shape are available. Consequently, the TMP cost is computed using the L-shape template of both the current and the reference block. In some implementations, the L-shape template is four samples in width and height.

[0183] The L-shape template introduces two more template types: the Only-Top (Only-T) and Only-Left (Only-L) templates. Therefore, in addition to the L-shape TMP cost, the TMP cost for the Only-T and Only-L templates are also computed, and the best N BV candidates are stored in different Only-T and Only-L lists.

[0184] FIG.20 depicts an example of the top-template type. Only the top templates (e.g., template 2001 of current block and template 2000 of reference block 1816) are used for the TMP cost computation in 2003. The sparse search 2003 is computed using a sampling interval (SI) 2002 of three, and one Sparse List (sparse candidates list) 2004 is built using the best (lower cost) 30 BV candidates in some implementations. Those candidates are refined in 2006 using a 3x3 window 2005 with an SI of 1, and a Refined Candidates List 2007 is built.

[0185] For the left-template type, the same top-template type logic is applied, but the left templates (2100 and 2101) of reference and current blocks are used instead of the top templates illustrated in FIG.21. The TMP cost calculation in search regions 2103, search intervals for sparse search 2102, sparse candidates list 2104, refinement of theDocket No.: 24-2038PCT sparse list 2116, refinement search windows 2105, and the refined candidates list 2107 of the Only-L process shown in FIG.21 may be identical (except for the use of Only-L template instead of Only-T template) to 2003, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2005, and 2007, respectively, described in relation to FIG.20.

[0186] FIG.22 depicts an example of a current block that has available (e.g., reconstructed samples are available for) the L-shape template 2201, and the L-shape template 2200 of the reference block is used to compute the L- shape TMP cost in all search regions, as it was described for the top-template and left-template type.

[0187] In addition to the L-shape cost, the Only-Top TMP and Only-Left TMP costs may also be computed. In some implementations, the sparse search builds three sparse lists, one sparse L-shape list with a size of 30 BV candidates, and two additional lists, the Only-T sparse list and Only-L sparse list, both with a length of 6 BV candidates.

[0188] These three sparse lists are refined by computing the respective template type cost using a window of 3x3 in some implementations. The best N BV candidates, which have obtained the lower TMP costs, are stored in three new refined lists: the refined L-shape list with a size of 19 BV candidates, the refined Only-T list with a length of 3 BV candidates and refined Only-L list with a size of 3 BV candidates. In some implementations, the final IntraTMP List has 19 candidates as the L-Shape List, but it is a combination of the BVs candidates in the L-Shape List, and the Refined Only-T and Only-L Lists.

[0189] In addition to the sparse BVP candidates obtained by TMP searching within the RR in IntraTMP, a set of merge BVP candidates is generated using another technique called “IntraTMP with merge candidates.” In some implementations, merge BVP candidates are a subset of the IBC merge candidates, including only the spatial candidates of the current block. In particular, the TMP merge BVP candidates may use the 5 adjacent BVs from the adjacent blocks and multiple (e.g., 20) non-adjacent BV candidates from the non-adjacent neighboring blocks encoded using an IBC or TMP mode. FIG.23A illustrates an example of positions for identifying adjacent blocks of a block 2300 for determining block vector candidates. In this example, which is similar to the example shown in FIG. 15A, a neighboring block is considered as an adjacent block (or adjacent neighboring block) of the current block 2300 if it contains one or more of the samples at positions indicated by a0, a1, b0, b2, and b2. In particular, a sample at a1 (left position) is the immediate left sample of the lower left sample of the block 2300. The sample at a0 (below-left position) is one row below the sample at a1. The sample at b2 (above-left position) is at the top left of the top-left sample of the block 2300; the sample at b0 (above-right position) is at the top right of the top-right sample of the block 2300; and the sample at b1 (above position) is the above sample of the top-right sample of the block 2300. FIG.23B illustrates an example of positions for identifying non-adjacent blocks for a block in addition to the positions for identifying adjacent blocks shown in FIG.23A. In FIG.23B, a grid 2301 having a resolution as the size of the block 2300 is shown. The adjacent blocks are determined based on the positions represented by squares labelled with numbers 1 to 5. The non-adjacent blocks are determined based on the positions represented by squares labelled with numbers higher than 5. The numbers indicate the order of the positions being examined when determining the non- adjacent neighboring blocks. For a position % (i > 5), a coding block containing the position i is identified as the non-Docket No.: 24-2038PCT adjacent neighboring block of the block 2300. Because a neighboring coding block may not have the same size as the current block 2300, one non-adjacent neighboring block may contain more than one position.

[0190] An example of the IntraTMP with merge candidates process is illustrated in FIG.24. In this example, a maximum of 50 BVP candidates including BVP candidates 2405 (maximum of 10) from the adjacent blocks and BVP candidates 2406 (maximum of 40) from non-adjacent blocks are obtained. In some examples, auto-relocated block vector prediction (AR-BVP), which will be discussed in more detail below, can be applied to the adjacent merge BVPs 2405 and the non-adjacent merge BVP 2406 to generate AR-BVP candidates 2409 using the BVPs in 2405 and 2406 as guiding BVs. Further, a sparse list 2404 is generated at 2403 for the current block, as described above in relation to IntraTMP. For example, the sparse list 2404 can be generated by calculating TMP costs for reference templates (e.g., L-shape reference templates) 2400 and the current block’s template 2401 in search regions using a predetermined sampling interval 2402.

[0191] In some examples, a TMP BVP clustering 2700 is applied to the BVP candidates generated above, such as the adjacent merge BVP candidates 2405, the non-adjacent merge BVP candidates 2406, the sparse list 2404, and / or the AR-BVP candidates 2409. Each BVP candidate in the sparse list 2404, adjacent merge list 2405, non-adjacent 2406, and AR-BVP list 2409, is refined using a refinement window around the BVP (e.g., 3x3, 5x5, 7x7). Because the BVP candidates are not constrained, the refinement windows of two BVP candidates in the sparse list may overlap those of the BVP candidates in the other lists (adjacent, non-adjacent, and AR-BVP lists). The overlapping of refinement windows is inefficient because the same potential BVP candidates are evaluated several times. Moreover, the refined window overlapping reduces the diversity of these lists (adjacent, non-adjacent, and AR-BVP lists) because they include BVP candidates that may derivate similar BVP candidates. The BVPs clustering based on the refine windows overlapping, merges two BVP candidates in a new BVP candidate (e.g., selecting the BVP with less TMP cost) and determines a new refine window comprising the overlapped refine windows of each BVP candidate. As a result of the clustering, two lists are built: a sparse and merge list 3204 that includes BVP candidates from any of the lists 2404, 2405, 2406, 2409 and / or BVP candidates corresponding to enlarged refinement windows for any of the BVP candidates from the lists 2404, 2405, 2406, 2409 and a refinement window list 3206 comprising corresponding information (e.g., height and width of the refinement window or the top-left and bottom-right coordinates) of the corresponding refinement windows. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the refinement window information may be maintained in the same list as the corresponding BVP candidate information.

[0192] At 2407, the BVP candidates in list 2408 are reordered in ascendent TM cost of the BVP candidates (non- clustered BVP candidate, a new BVP candidate defined for the centroid of the clustered refinement search regions, or one of the BVP candidates whose refinement windows partially or fully overlap) and pruned to the best 30 candidates forming the updated sparse and merge list 2411. The refinement stage 2704 of BVP candidates of the updated sparse and merge list 2411 uses the refinement window list 2712 to apply the refinement search efficiently to respective BVP candidates in the updated sparse and merge list 2411 and to generate the refined list 2414. During the refinement search, similar to that described above in relation to the refinement stage of IntraTMP, for theDocket No.: 24-2038PCT respective refinement window of each BVP candidate in the list being considered, the candidate reference block that has the best TMP cost is determined and the BVP candidate corresponding to that candidate reference block is added to the refined list 2414.

[0193] FIG.25 depicts an example of refinement windows of 5 merge BVP candidates (BVP-M1 to BVP-M5) located outside of the regular TMP reference region, one merge BVP candidate (BVP-M6) located inside the regular TMP reference region, and one merge BVP candidate (BVP-M7) which is partially overlapping with the regular TMP reference region. FIG.25 also shows an example of refinement windows of three sparse BVP candidates (BVP-S1 to BVP-S3) positioned within the regular TMP reference region.

[0194] Another technique, known as auto-relocated block vector prediction (AR-BVP), may be used in the construction of the AMVP and / or merge IBC list. In some implementations, a guiding BV is selected from the BVP candidates in the AMVP and / or merge IBC list. A BV (referred to herein as a “coding BV” or a “reference BV”) pointing to a reference block of a block containing a position derived relative to a position pointed to by the guiding BV is identified. An AR-BVP candidate can be determined as the combination of the guiding BV and the identified coding BV. For example, the coding BV may be similar to a block vector displacement (BVD) in AMVP IBC.

[0195] FIG.26 shows an example of AR-BVP applied to IBC where the guiding BV (BV-1) 2601 is a BVP candidate in the IBC list, according to some embodiments. The guiding BV may be used to identify a first reference block (e.g., reference PU1), and five positions of the first reference block that are aligned with the five positions of the current block 2106 are also identified. Each of the five positions is checked to determine if a coding block containing the sample at the position is encoded / decoded using the IBC mode or IntraTMP mode. These positions are denoted correspond to the center of block (CT) 2620, left-top (LT) 2621, right-top (TR) 2622, left-bottom (LB) 2623, and right- bottom (RB) 2624. In the case that AR-BVP is used in IBC and a block containing a sample at a position of at least one of the five positions (CT, LT, RT, LB, and RB) defined relative to the first reference block was encoded / decoded using IntraTMP or IBC mode, the block vector used to indicate the reference block of the first reference block is used as the coding BV to combine with the guiding BV.

[0196] FIG.26 further shows one example of multiple candidate AR BVPs iteratively derived from the initial guiding BV 2601. Guiding BV 2601 points to the first reference block (PU1). The five positions of the first reference block PU1, correspond to the guiding BV 2601 applied to the five respective positions (CT, LT, RT, LB, and RB) of current block 2106. Each of the five positions of the first reference block may be checked to determine if a block at any of those positions was coded in an IBC or IntraTMP mode. For example, a block at the position CT of the first reference block may be determined to be coded using BV-CT12604. Then, BV-CT12604 may be applied to the first reference block to determine a second reference block (reference PU2), from which five positions of the second reference block may be checked to derive one or more AR-BVPs. For example, the first AR-BVP candidate (BVP-AR1) 2605 may be derived as the addition of the guiding BV 2601 and the coding BV(BV-CT1) 2604 used for the encoding / decoding of the block containing / at position CT of the first reference block. The second AR-BVP candidate, BV-AR22607, may be derived as the addition of previous AR-BVP (BVP-AR12605) and a block vector BV-LT212606 derived from a blockDocket No.: 24-2038PCT at LT position of the second reference block (reference PU2). For example, each of the five positions of the second reference block (reference PU2) may be checked to determine if a block containing the sample at those respective positions was encoded / decoded in an IntraTMP or IBC mode. For example, the block at the LT position may satisfy the condition and was coded using BV-LT212606, which points to a third reference block (reference PU3).

[0197] This cascading process may be iterated multiple times and referred to a number of hops. In some examples, the cascading process may be constrained to one hop. For example, BVP-AR12605 may be added as a candidate AR BVP derived from BVP-12601, but BVP-AR22607—which corresponds to a second hop—would not be determined and added as a second candidate AR BVP.

[0198] In some embodiments, the AR-BVP candidates 2605 (and 2607) may be included in the AMVP and / or merge lists after the spatial adjacent candidates. In some embodiments, AR-BVP candidates 2605 (and 2607) may be included in the AMVP and / or merge lists after the spatial non-adjacent candidates. In some embodiments, AR-BVP candidates 2305 (and 2307) may be included in the AMVP and / or merge lists after the HMVP candidates.

[0199] As discussed above, in some examples, AR-BVP technique may be implemented for IntraTMP and is referred to as IntraTMP AR-BVP merge. This technique uses the BVPs in the IntraTMP merge list as guiding BVs for the AR-BVP process.

[0200] In some examples, the TMP AR-BVP candidates, 2605 and 2607, may be included in the TMP merge lists after the adjacent and non-adjacent merge candidates. In some examples, TMP AR-BVP candidates 2605 and 2607 and the adjacent and the non-adjacent merge candidates may be sorted in an ascending order of the TMP costs within the TMP merge list. In some embodiments, the merge candidates (adjacent and non-adjacent candidates) and the AR-BVP candidates outside the TMP reference region may be included first within the TMP merge list. In some examples, the refinement window for the AR-BVP candidates may have a different window size than that of the TMP merge candidates and the TMP sparse candidates.

[0201] In inter prediction, the chained motion vector prediction (CMVP) is introduced as an inter merge candidate list construction. CMVP candidates can be derived as the accumulation of the recursively traced motion vectors (MVs) and block vectors (BVs) based on the pre-derived MVs. FIG.27 shows an example of chained motion vector prediction (CMVP), according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG.27, when deriving a CMVP motion vector, five positions, including the center (CT), top-left (LT), top-right (RT), bottom-left (LB), and bottom-right (RB) of the reference block (corresponding to respective positions of the current block), are checked to find traced MVs or BVs.

[0202] For instance, for a current block 2706 of a current picture 2730, a guiding motion vector 2701 is applied to one of the five positions (the CT position in this example) to identify a guiding reference block 2702 in a reference picture 2731. Each of the five positions in the guiding reference block 2702 that correspond to five respective positions in the current block are evaluated to determine reference BVPs (also referred to as coding BVPs). For example, a position in the guiding reference block 2702 can be examined to determine whether a coding block (previously reconstructed block) containing the position is coded with IBC or IntraTMP. If so, the BV of the coding block can be used as a reference BV 2703 (coding BV). The reference BV 2703 can be combined with (added to) theDocket No.: 24-2038PCT guiding motion vector 2701 to generate a CMVP motion vector 2705 which points to a CMVP reference block 2707. The generated CMVP motion vector (along with the information of the reference picture 2731) can be added to a list of candidate MVs for the current block from which a MV is selected (e.g., based on a prediction error / cost) to inter code the current block.

[0203] In some examples, CMVP candidates are derived for each MV in a MV merge list, each reference picture list (i.e., L0 and L1), and each trace depth, and are inserted after HMVP candidates. In some implementations, the number of traced depths to derive CMVPs is restricted to one. The traceable reference pictures are only within the reference picture list.

[0204] As mentioned above, there are two IntraTMP submodes: regular IntraTMP submode and fusion IntraTMP submode (which may also be referred to as “IntraTMP fusion mode,” “TMP fusion mode,” or “fusion mode”). The regular IntraTMP selects only one BVP in the refined TMP list (e.g., the refined list 2414 containing 19 candidates) to derivate one prediction block for the current block. FIG.28 depicts one example of this mode. In FIG.28, the refined TMP list 2804 based on Only-T candidates and the refined TMP list 2805 based on Only-L candidates are combined with the refined TMP list 2800 based on L-shape candidates to generate the final TMP list 2806 which contains 19 candidates (e.g., as the refined list 2414). Each entry in the list represents one BVP candidate and includes an index 2801, a name of the candidate 2802, and the horizontal and vertical components 2803 of the BVP candidate. In the example regular IntraTMP submode shown in FIG.28, the encoder has selected the BV at position 12 (TMP index = 12) 2807 as the BV to code the block.

[0205] The information related to the BV can be stored to allow this BV to be used for other blocks as a BV candidate. In particular, the TMP flag, the TMP index, and the BV candidate can be recorded to be available for subsequent blocks (e.g., neighboring blocks). FIG.29 shows an example of the regular TMP mode used by a neighboring block of a current block which can be used to generate the TMP merge list 2900 for the current block. The final TMP list of the neighboring block is TMP list 2806 shown in FIG.28 (also shown in FIG.29). In this example, the BV (-24, -18) with the TMP index 8 is selected from the TMP list 2806 for the neighboring block to intra code the neighboring block. Because the regular TMP mode is used, the TMP flag is set to 1 and the TMP fusion flag is set to 0.

[0206] In some examples, when a merge or ARBVP list, such as list 2900, (or a merge list including the ARBVP candidates) is built for a current block, the information related to the TMP or IBC prediction mode used by the spatial adjacent blocks (e.g., BVP-IBCA or BVP-TMPA shown in FIG.29) and non-adjacent blocks (e.g., BVP-IBCNA or BVP- TMPNAin FIG.29) is retrieved. If such a neighbor block was encoded using the IBC or TMP mode, its respective BV may be used as a BV candidate in the merge / ARBVP list. In the example of FIG.29, the TMP information 2904 is used to construct a merge / ARBVP list. The TMP BV is inserted in the last free position (BVP-TMPNA9) of the merge / ARBVP list, which has a total capacity of 20.

[0207] In the fusion IntraTMP submode, the encoder may select 5 BVs predictors from the final refined list (e.g., the final TMP list 2806). These BVs predictors may be blended to derive a final fused prediction block. In examplesDocket No.: 24-2038PCT where the final refined list has a size of 19, three fusion groups each with 5 BV candidates are determined. FIG.30 shows an example of 3 TMP fusion groups generated for the final TMP list 2806 shown in FIG.28, namely, group 0 (3002), group 1 (3004), and group 2 (3006). These three groups are contiguous and are built starting from the first position in the TMP refined list 2806. If the refined list size is less than 15, some of the fusion groups may not be available, and some may have a size of less than 5 BV candidates.

[0208] In some examples, the TMP tools are signaled to the decoder as follows. If the IntraTMP tool is selected as the intra-mode for predicting the current block, the encoder signals a flag TmpFlag with value 1; otherwise, the encoder signals the flag TmpFlag with value 0. The flag TmpFlag may be context-encoded.

[0209] If the intra mode selected is the IntraTMP mode (e.g., TmpFlag = 1), further signaling is performed based on whether the TMP fusion mode is selected or not. If the TMP fusion mode is selected, a flag tmpFusionFlag can be signaled with value 1. Further, another flag is signaled to indicate the TMP fusion model used to derive the fusion weight parameters. As will be discussed below, there are two TMP fusion models that can be used to derive the fusion weight parameters: a cost-based model and a Gaussian solver model. If the TMP fusion model is the cost- based model, a flag tmpFusionModel can be signaled with value 0. If the TMP fusion model is the Gaussian solver model, the flag tmpFusionModel can be signaled with value 1. Both the tmpFusionFlag and the tmpFusionModel may be context coded. Furthermore, a fusion index indicating one of the three TMP fusion groups can be signaled, for example, with one or two bins as shown in Table 1. In some examples, the first bin is context coded and the second bin is coded with equal probability (EP) via a bypass mode. In addition, a TMP LIC flag can be signaled to indicate if the local illumination compensation (LIC) mode uses the intra TMP candidates to predict the current block in the LIC mode. If so, the encoder signals tmpLicFlag = 1; otherwise, the encoder signals tmpLicFlag = 0. The flag tmpLicFlag can be context-encoded. Table 1 Fusion Index Signaling Fusion Group Fusion Index Bins

[0210] If the TMP fusion is not selected, the tmpFusionFlag is signaled with value 0 to indicate that the regular TMP mode is used. The regular TMP index, TmpIdx with value between 0 and 18, can be signaled to indicate the BV candidate selected from the refined list (e.g., the final TMP list 2806). In this case, a tmpFlmFlag flag can be signaled if the prediction block pointed to by the BV associated with the TmpIdx must be filtered using a linear model (FLM). If so, tmpFlmFlag is signaled with value 1; otherwise, tmpFlmFlag is signaled with value 0. If tmpFlmFlag = 0, the LIC and fractional BV precision flags may be signaled.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0211] It should be understood that the above flags and / or the values of these flags are examples and should not be construed as limiting. Other flags or other flag values may be used to signal the mode and tools used at the encoder.

[0212] FIG.31 depicts an example of fusion prediction blocks for the TMP fusion group 2 shown in FIG.30. In this example, three fusion BV candidates are TMP merge candidates outside the TMP search region (BVP-LS113201, BVP-LS123202, and BVP-T13204), and the other two fusion BV candidates (BVP-LS133203and BVP-T23205) are candidates derived from the TMP search region.

[0213] The positions indicated by the 5 fusion BVs include the 5 fusion prediction blocks (F-PB1 to F-PB5), which are blended to derive a final fused prediction block. The blending weights used for the fusion of the prediction blocks can be derived from the templates of the prediction blocks associated with the fusion candidates and the template of the current block. FIG.32 shows one example of the fusion of 5 TMP fusion prediction blocks (F-PB13106 to F-PB5 3110) selected from the refined TMP list 2806. Each prediction block is weighted by a fusion weight parameter (Wi), and the weighted blocks (F-WPB13206 to F-WPB53210) are blended to generate the fused prediction block (FPB 3212) as follows: MCD^^1 E^^1%FG%HI J^HFK = ^ L' ∙ CEJ'' ^where n is the number of fusion prediction blocks (e.g., the number of blocks to be blended or fused). In the example of FIG.32, n = 5. Fusion residual block 3213 is generated by subtracting the fused prediction block 3212 from the current block 3126.

[0214] In some examples, the fusion weight parameters (L') 3211 may be derived using two models, referred to as fusion models. In the first fusion model, the fusion weight parameters 3211 can be computed based on the template matching cost of each candidate prediction block, such as the ?NOs, according to the following: ∑M' ^ ?NOL ' − ?NO= ''with n is the number of fusion predictioncandidates are ranked according to an ascending cost order. Because the fusion weight parameters (L') are inversely related to the TMP cost, the BV candidates are effectively ordered according to a decreasing order of the L'parameters.

[0215] In the second fusion model, the derivation of the fusion weight parameters, denoted as BM, is performed by solving a linear system obtained to determine a linear prediction equation between the template samples of the reference block and the current block template samples using a Gaussian solver method used in convolutional cross- component model (CCCM). For template samples of the fusion prediction block, denoted as GA^CD^%HIM(^, ^),and the samples of the current block’s template, denoted as GA^RD^^J^HFK(^, ^), the linear equation is definedas follows:Docket No.: 24-2038PCT B! ∗ GA^CD^%HI!(^, ^) + B^ ∗ GA^CD^%HI^(^, ^) + B^ ∗ GA^CD^%HI^(^, ^) + B2∗ GA^CD^%HI2(^, ^) + BS ∗ GA^CD^%HIS(^, ^) + BT ∗ A%1U@^= GA^RD^^J^HFK(^, ^)where A%1U@^ is a global bias for all the samples. For samples using a bit-depth of 10-bits, A%1U@^ = 512(2W^^, X = X%G1^^Gℎ). This model derives the fused prediction block from the N fusion candidates as follows:T^^^D^^1J^HFK = ^ BM ∗ ^^^1J^HFKM + BT ∗ A%1U@^D^where ^D^^1J^HFK represent the n-th ofthe N fusion prediction BMderived for a block. Table 2. Fusion weight parameters BMderived for a block Fusion weight parameter indexBMAs can be seen from Table 2, in this fusion model, the fusion parameters BMare not inversely related to the TMP cost and, consequently, the B'may not be sorted in a descending order of their absolute magnitudes. For example, B2which is ranked before BShas an absolute magnitude around 100 times smaller than that of BS. This means that the weight of the prediction block of the fourth BV candidate (index 3) is negligible compared to that of other candidates.

[0216] FIG.33 shows an example of a neighboring block encoded in TMP fusion mode, using the BV candidates of group 1 (TMP fusion index = 1). In examples, only the information 3304 of the first BV candidate (BV (-296,152)) of an encoded block neighboring to the current block is recorded. Consequently, only the first BV candidate of the fusion group for the neighboring block is available for constructing a merge / ARBVP list 3300 of the current block. In this example, only the sixth candidate (BVP-LS6) in the TMP refined list 2806 is inserted in the fifteenth position 3305 in the merge / ARBVP list of the current block.

[0217] As can be seen from the example of FIG.33, when a block is encoded using the TMP fusion submode, only the first BV candidate of the candidates belonging to the selected fusion group is recorded for future blocks. Consequently, the construction of a merge / ARBVP list of a current block cannot use the remainder BV candidates in the fusion group. Even though the first BV candidate of a TMP fusion group has a lower TMP cost than the remainder fusion BV candidates (also referred to as “fusion candidates”) in the same group, the fusion weight parameter of theDocket No.: 24-2038PCT first BV candidate may have a lower value than other fusion candidates in the group, for example, when the Gaussian solver method is used to determine the fusion weight parameters as shown in Table 2. As a result, the first BV candidate in the TMP fusion group may not be the prediction that contributed the most to the prediction of the neighboring block, and thus may not be the best prediction of the current block.

[0218] To solve this problem, the BV information of one or more of the fusion candidates in a fusion group can be recorded for future blocks. For example, when a coding block is encoded using the TMP fusion mode, one or more of the TMP fusion candidates can be selected and stored. When a block (“current block”) that neighbors the coding block is encoded, these TMP candidates can be used for the construction of the merge and / or ARBVP list of the current block, such as by adding these TMP candidates to the merge and / or ARBVP list. The one or more TMP fusion candidates can be selected based on a pre-determined number or based on one or more conditions being satisfied. As a result, the merge and / or ARBVP list of the current block can be extended to include more BV candidates and provide a better prediction for the current block, thereby reducing the number of bits needed to encode the prediction residual and increasing the coding efficiency.

[0219] These and other features of the present disclosure are described further below.

[0220] FIG. 34 shows an example of an extended merge list of a current block by including one or more fusion candidates of a neighboring block, according to some embodiments. In this example, a neighboring block of the current block is encoded via a TMP fusion mode using TMP fusion group 13004. To construct the merge / ARBVP list 3400 of the current block, three of the five BV candidates from the TMP fusion group 1 (BVP6, BVP7, and BVP10) are stored in the BV information 3404 and inserted in the first available positions 3406 (BVP-TMPNA9) in the list 3400. Additional BV candidates may be added to the list as discussed above. The encoder can then determine the intra-coding mode for the current block based on the merge / ARBVP list 3400 as discussed above.

[0221] FIG.35 shows an example of a process for generating an extended merge list of a current block by including one or more fusion candidates of a neighboring block, according to some embodiments. Operations of process 3500 may be performed by an encoder, such as, for example, encoder 200 in FIG.2, or by a decoder, such as, for example, decoder 300 in FIG.3.

[0222] At 3502, the process 3500 involves obtaining merge BVP candidates which include fusion BVP candidates. In some examples, obtaining merge BVP candidates include obtaining merge BVP candidates from adjacent neighboring blocks (such as the adjacent merge BVP candidate 2405 in FIG.24) and non-adjacent neighboring blocks (such as the non-adjacent merge BVP candidate 2406 in FIG.24). In addition, if a neighboring block (adjacent or non- adjacent) is encoded using the TMP fusion mode, one or more of the fusion BV candidates can be included in the merge BVP candidates.

[0223] In some examples, a pre-determined number N of fusion candidates in the TMP fusion group are added to the merge BVP candidates where 1<N <= k with k being the number of fusion candidates in the TMP fusion group. In the examples shown in FIGS.30-32 and 34, k is 5. In other examples, k may be less than or greater than 5. In further examples, the fusion candidates added to the merge BVP candidates may be determined based on the fusion weightDocket No.: 24-2038PCT parameters. For instance, a fusion candidate may be determined to be included in the merge BVP candidates if the fusion weight parameter (e.g., L'or B'discussed above) is greater than a threshold value. As a result, it is likely that only one fusion candidate is added to the merge BVP candidates if only one fusion candidate has a fusion weight parameter greater than the threshold. Compared with the adding only the first fusion candidate in the fusion group to the merge list described above with respect to FIG.33, the encoder and decoder disclosed herein will add the one fusion candidate with the highest fusion weight (contributed the most to the prediction), rather than the one with the lowest template matching cost. If more than one fusion candidate has a fusion weight higher than the threshold, the more than one fusion candidate can be added to the merge candidates.

[0224] As such, in the example where the pre-determined N fusion candidates are added, the N fusion candidates can be the first N fusion candidates in the fusion group (based on the order of the candidates in the final TMP list of the neighboring block), N fusion candidates with the higher fusion weights than other fusion candidates, or N fusion candidates whose fusion weights are higher than a threshold value.

[0225] At 3504, the process 3500 involves obtaining AR-BVP candidates based on the merge BVP candidates obtained at 3502. Each candidate in the merge BVP candidates can be used as the guiding BV for generating AR-BVP candidates as discussed in more detail above with respect to FIG.26. Further, if a coding block containing a position (one of the five positions: LT, RT, CT, LB, and RB) of the reference block pointed to by the guiding BV is coded with a fusion IntraTMP submode, one or more of the fusion candidates in the TMP fusion group may be used as the coding BV (or reference BV) in the AR-BVP derivation. The one or more fusion candidates can be selected in a way similar to that used in 3502. At 3506, the process 3500 involves reordering the merge BVP candidates according to, for example, an ascending order of template matching costs of the candidates, and pruning the candidates to remove any duplicates or excessive candidates. The output of this process is the extended merge list 3508.

[0226] It should be noted that the above process 3500 is for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting. More or fewer operations may be involved in the process of generating the extended merge list 3508. For example, the operation of obtaining AR-BVP candidates may be skipped. Likewise, the neighboring blocks can include only adjacent neighboring blocks or only non-adjacent neighboring blocks. Similarly, the reordering and / or the pruning operations may also be skipped.

[0227] Further, while the above examples focus on using one or more of the fusion BVP candidates of a neighboring block for generating the extended merge list, other types of modes that use multiple BVPs in coding a neighboring block can be considered for generating the extended merge list. For example, if a neighboring block is coded using an intra merge mode which has multiple BVs (e.g., through BV replacement as will be discussed with respect to FIG.36), one or more of these BVs may be used to generate the extended merge list as discussed above.

[0228] FIG.36 shows an example of a process 3600 for deriving an intra merge candidate from a list of intra merge candidates for an intra merge mode, according to some embodiments. At 3602, the process 3600 involves generating an initial list of intra merge candidates. For example, the intra merge candidates can be constructed according to IPM information (e.g., the DIMD parameters or TIMD information) of neighboring blocks, of the current block, that are codedDocket No.: 24-2038PCT in an IPM-based coding mode. DIMD parameters may include indications, amplitudes from histogram of gradient (HoG), weights, and / or location-dependency indications of the selected DIMD modes. TIMD information may include indexes / indications of selected IPMs, costs, derived weights, and / or location dependency / directionalities of the IPMs. An IPM-based coding mode refers to a mode that generates a prediction of a block by combining a first prediction based on a first IPM and a second prediction based on a second IPM), such as a DIMD-based mode or a TIMD-based mode. The IPM information of those neighboring blocks can be collected as intra merge candidates for the initial list. In other words, if any of the neighboring blocks are coded with or have IPM information, the IPM information of that neighboring block is collected as an intra merge candidate. The neighboring blocks may be evaluated according to a predetermined order such as that shown in FIG.23B. In some examples, the initial list of intra merge candidates has a size limit and the process of deriving the initial list of intra merge candidates stops when the list is full (excluding duplicate candidates).

[0229] At 3604, which includes 3606-3614, the process 3600 involves reordering the initial list of intra merge candidates. At 3606, the process 3600 involves initializing the template matching process for a current block. The initialization may include, for example, deriving / specifying template matching type (e.g., using left template, top template or top-left template). The initialization may also include initializing the metrics used to measure the template matching cost (e.g., using Hadamard metric, SAD metric, or SATD metric) and fill reference samples used to calculate the template matching cost (e.g., by copying the reference samples or applying interpolation filters to the reference samples).

[0230] At 3608, the process 3600 involves identifying IPMs for evaluation. In some examples, the IPMs of all intra merge candidates in the initial list are identified. At 3610, the process 3600 involves evaluating the costs of the IPMs identified at 3608. The cost of an IPM can be the template matching cost over the template area. For example, a prediction of a template area (left and / or top) of the current block can be generated using the IPM (if the prediction has not been generated before). The cost of the template area (left and / or top) can be determined based on the difference between the template area and the prediction of the template area. If the template area used to determine the template matching cost contains both top and left template, the template matching cost of the IPM can be the sum of the template matching cost of the left and top template areas.

[0231] At 3612, the process 3600 involves determining costs of the intra merge candidates. For each intra merge candidate, the cost can be calculated as a weighted sum of the costs of the IPMs of the intra merge candidate. In some examples, the weights can be determined based on the respective costs of the IPMs in a similar way for determining the weights of the TIMD. At 3614, the process 3600 involves reordering the intra merge candidates according to an ascending order of their costs.

[0232] At 3616, the process 3600 involves selecting the intra-marge candidate for the current block from the ordered list of intra merge candidates. In some examples, the candidate having the lowest cost can be selected as the intra merge candidate for the current block. For instance, at the encoder, the encoder may signal an index in the bitstream to indicate that the intra merge candidate, in the list of intra merge candidates, is to be used to code the current block.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT At the decoder, the decoder may decode from the bitstream an indication (e.g., index) of the intra merge candidate in the list of intra merge candidates, and identify the intra merge candidate from the list according to the indication.

[0233] At 3618, the process 3600 involves applying a BV prediction mode replacement for the IPMs of the selected intra merge candidate. The BVs can be derived using, for example, the IntraTMP merge BV derivation process where a list of BVs can be obtained from neighboring blocks (adjacent or non-adjacent), of the current block, that are coded with a mode with one or more BVs. Each BV can be evaluated to compute its cost. If the cost is lower than the cost of an IPM in the intra merge candidate, the BV can be used to replace the IPM in the intra merge candidate. Note that, at the encoder, the cost of a BV may have already been computed as used in the DIMD process where the planar mode may be replaced with the BV-based prediction. In some examples, a weight is calculated for each BV based on the respective template matching costs of the BVs. Two or more BVs may be selected from the multiple BVs based on their weights in a similar way as described above with respect to selecting multiple BVPs from the TMP fusion mode.

[0234] In another example, if a neighboring block is coded with the block vector guided (BVG)-DIMD mode, the multiple BVs involved in this mode may be used to generate the extended merge list in a way similar to the multiple BVPs used in the TMP fusion mode. Similar to DIMD, the BVG-DIMD mode derives up to 2 dominant intra prediction modes by computing the HoG. Different from DIMD, the HoG in BVG-DIMD is computed on the reconstructed samples belonging to reference blocks (GA^Y^^') pointed to by a set of BVs, rather than the reconstructed template samples of the current block. Specifically, up to 5 BVs are obtained by a searching process similar to intraTMP sparse searching. Only the first BV candidate from the TMP sparse list is refined, and the top 5 candidates with a TMP cost less than a threshold are selected. FIG.37 shows an example of the BVG-DIMD mode for the intra-mode derivation and prediction block construction, according to some embodiments. The two intra modes, M1 and M2, with higher HoG amplitudes, are derived from the reference blocks 940 instead of the current block's template 910. Note that reference samples 902 adjacent to the current block 904 are not involved in the intra-mode derivation. According to the two derived dominant modes, M1 and M2, the encoder and decoder may build the two prediction blocks 966 (FD^E^^1^@I1 FD^E^^1^) using the reference samples curRef 902 adjacent to the current block. A linear combination 950 fused the two prediction blocks 966 with up to 5 reference blocks pointed to by the IntraTMP BVs. In some examples, a weight is calculated for each BV / reference block based on the respective template matching costs of the BVs, for example, as discussed above with respect to the TMP fusion mode. The weights can be used to weigh the reference blocks in the linear combination 950 when generating the fused prediction block 960. The fused prediction block 960 is utilized to derive the residual block as the difference from the current block 904. On the decoder side, the current block is reconstructed by adding the fused prediction block 960 to the residual block received from the bitstream. In some examples, two or more BVs may be selected from the multiple BVs based on their weights in a similar way as described above with respect to selecting multiple BVPs from the TMP fusion mode.

[0235] FIG.38 shows an example flowchart illustrating a process 3800 for coding a current block using a prediction block generated based on an extended merge list, according to some embodiments. Operations of process 3800 mayDocket No.: 24-2038PCT be performed by an encoder, such as, for example, encoder 200 in FIG.2, or by a decoder, such as, for example, decoder 300 in FIG.3.

[0236] At 3802, process 3800 involves generating a merge list (e.g., an extended merge list) of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block. In some examples, generating the merge list of BVP candidates includes selecting, based on respective weights of BVP candidates used in generating a prediction block for a neighboring block of the block, a BVP candidate from the BVP candidates, and adding the selected BVP candidate to the merge list. The neighboring block may be coded using an intra coding mode with multiple BVPs, such as a fusion intra-template matching prediction (IntraTMP) mode, a BVG-DIMD, or an intra merge mode. The BVP candidate is selected from the multiple BVPs. The neighboring block can be adjacent to the block or non-adjacent to the block. In some examples, the merge list of BVP candidates comprises all or a pre-determined number of BVP candidates used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block. In some examples, the prediction block for the neighboring block is generated by combining a first reference block pointed to by the BVP candidate with at least a second reference block pointed to by another BVP candidate according to respective weights of the BVP candidate and the other BVP candidate. The BVP candidate is added to the merge list based on the weight associated with the BVP candidate. For example, the BVP candidate is added to the merge list based on the weight associated with the BVP candidate being higher than a threshold. Alternatively, or additionally, the BVP candidate is added to the merge list based on the weight associated with the BVP candidate being higher than a weight associated with another BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block. In one example, the weight of a BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block may be determined based on a template matching cost of a candidate prediction block determined using the BVP candidate (e.g., the cost-based fusion model). In another example, the weight of a BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block is determined according to a Gaussian solver fusion model.

[0237] In other examples, generating the merge list of BVP candidates includes adding, to the merge list, two or more BVP candidates used in generating a prediction block for a neighboring block of the block. The neighboring block is coded using an intra coding mode with multiple BVPs, such as a fusion intra-template matching prediction (IntraTMP) mode, a BVG-DIMD, or an intra merge mode. The two or more BVP candidates are selected from the multiple BVPs. If the neighboring block is coded with the fusion IntraTMP mode, generating the merge list may further includes obtaining a fusion mode index associated with the neighboring block and obtaining, based on the fusion mode index, the two or more BVP candidates from a second merge list of BVP candidates for the neighboring block. The second merge list may be a list of BVP candidates for the fusion mode or the refined list of BVP candidates of the neighboring block. The neighboring block can be adjacent to the block or non-adjacent to the block.

[0238] In some examples, the merge list of BVP candidates comprises all or a pre-determined number of BVP candidates used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block. The prediction block is generated by combining reference blocks pointed to by two or more BVP candidates according to respective weights of the two or more BVP candidates. The two or more BVP candidates are added to the merge list based on the respective weightsDocket No.: 24-2038PCT associated with the two or more BVP candidates. For example, the two or more BVP candidates are added to the merge list based on the respective weights associated with the two or more BVP candidates being higher than a threshold. Alternatively, or additionally, the two or more BVP candidates are added to the merge list based on the respective weights associated with the two or more BVP candidates being higher than a weight associated with another BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block. In one example, the weight of a BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block is determined based on a template matching cost of a candidate prediction block determined using the BVP candidate (e.g., the cost-based fusion model). In another example, the weight of a BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block is determined according to a Gaussian solver fusion model.

[0239] In some examples, generating the merge list of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block further comprises adding an AR-BVP candidate for a BVP candidate of the merge list to the merge list.

[0240] At 3804, process 3800 involves determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block. In some examples, the prediction block is determined based on a list of BVP candidates for a block. The list of BVP candidates can be determined based on the merge list. In the IntraTMP mode, such as shown in FIG.24), the list of BVP candidates can be the refined list 2414. In this example, the merge list may be the TMP merge list 2408 or a part of thereof (e.g., excluding the sparse list 2404). The refined list 2414 may be generated by the recording, pruning, and refinement process. For example, determining the list of BVP candidates can include generating a sparse and merge list of BVP candidates (e.g., the sparse and merge list 2411) based on the merge list, refining BVP candidates in the sparse and merge list of BVP candidates (e.g., 2704), and generating the list of BVP candidates (e.g., refined list 2414) from the refined BVP candidates. In the IBC mode, the list of BVP candidates can be the IBC merge list generated based on the merge list.

[0241] In some examples, determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises generating the prediction block using decoder-side intra mode derivation (DIMD) or a template-based intra mode derivation (TIMD) by replacing a predictor used in the DIMD or the TIMD with a predictor block indicated by a BVP candidate from the merge list. DIMD is an intra coding mode in which one or more intra prediction modes (IPMs) used to generate a prediction block of a current block are not transmitted in the bitstream. Instead, the one or more IPMs may be derived by the decoder using a gradient analysis of neighboring reconstructed pixels (or reference samples) of current block. In some examples, the one or more IPMs may be determined by the encoder, for example, by a rate distortion optimization (RDO) algorithm. Similar to the DIMD, the TIMD mode is a type of intra prediction in which an intra prediction mode (IPM) may be identically determined (e.g., independently derived) by an encoder (e.g., encoder 200) and a decoder (e.g., decoder 300) such that the IPM(s) determined (e.g., selected) by the encoder does not need to be signaled to the decoder. The IPMs in TIMD may be determined by the encoder or decoder based on template matching costs. In some examples, the replaced predictor is a planar predictor used in the DIMD. In some examples, the replaced predictor is an angular predictor or a non-angular predictor used in the TIMD. In these examples, the merge list of BVP candidates may include an AR-BVP candidate for a BVP candidate in the merge list.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0242] In some examples, the block is coded using a spatial geometric partition mode (SGPM). In these examples, determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises determining, from the merge list of BVP candidates, a candidate mode to be included in a SGPM list for the block and determining the prediction block for the block based on the SGPM list.

[0243] In some examples, the block is coded using a chained motion vector prediction (CMVP). In these examples, determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises determining a second motion vector for the block based on a first motion vector and a BVP candidate in the merge list and determining the prediction block for the block based on the first motion vector and the second motion vector. For example, the encoder or decoder can use the first motion vector as the guiding vector and a BVP candidate in the merge list as the reference BV to determine the CMVP (the second motion vector) as shown in FIG.27. The encoder or decoder can select a motion vector for the block from the first motion vector (the guiding motion vector) and the second motion vector (the CMVP motion vector) for inter prediction of the block.

[0244] In some examples, the block is coded using an intra merge mode. In these examples, determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises updating, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, an intra merge mode candidate list used by the intra merge mode by replacing an intra mode in the intra merge mode candidate list with a BVP candidate in the merge list; and determining the prediction block for the block based on the updated intra merge mode candidate list. For example, the intra merge mode may build an intra-candidate list using the intra-modes that are used in intra-coded neighboring blocks to predict a current coding block. The neighboring blocks can be adjacent or non-adjacent neighboring blocks. In some examples, the BV candidates from the merge list obtained above can be used to replace the intra-mode of the intra-merge mode through template cost analysis. For instance, the template matching costs can be determined for the intra-modes and the BV candidates. If the intra-mode is an angular mode, a left and an above template with a width and height of n samples, respectively, can be created. For example, n can be a first value for smaller blocks (e.g., blocks less than or equal to 8 samples) and a second value for larger blocks (e.g., blocks larger than 8 samples). The first value and the second value can be different (e.g., first value being 2 and the second value being 4) or the same. The samples in such templates can be generated using the angular prediction in a way similar to that of generating the prediction block. Reference row and reference column samples adjacent to those templates (left and above the templates) can be used to make the prediction. The SAD between these templates and the respective templates of the current block can be computed and the added costs (left and above) may be used as the template matching cost of the angular mode. If a BV candidate has a template matching cost lower than that of an intra-mode in the intra-candidate list, the BV candidate in the merge list may be used to replace the intra-mode in the intra-candidate list.

[0245] At 3806, process 3800 involves coding the block based on the prediction block. At the encoder, coding the block includes determining a residual of the block based on the prediction block and encoding the residual of the block in a bitstream. At the decoder, the decoder further obtains a residual of the block from a bitstream. Coding the block includes reconstructing the block based on the prediction block and the obtained residual of the block.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT

[0246] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware using analog and / or digital circuits, in software, through the execution of instructions by one or more general purpose or special-purpose processors, or as a combination of hardware and software. Consequently, embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in the environment of a computer system or other processing system. An example of such a computer system 3900 is shown in FIG.39. Blocks depicted in the figures above, such as the blocks in FIGS.1, 2, and 3, may execute on one or more computer systems 3900. Furthermore, each of the steps of the flowcharts depicted in this disclosure may be implemented on one or more computer systems 3900.

[0247] Computer system 3900 includes one or more processors, such as processor 3904. Processor 3904 may be, for example, a special purpose processor, general purpose processor, microprocessor, or digital signal processor. Processor 3904 may be connected to a communication infrastructure 3902 (for example, a bus or network). Computer system 3900 may also include a main memory 3906, such as random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 3908.

[0248] Secondary memory 3908 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 3910 and / or a removable storage drive 3912, representing a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, or the like. Removable storage drive 3912 may read from and / or write to a removable storage unit 3916 in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit 3916 represents a magnetic tape, optical disk, or the like, which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 3912. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), removable storage unit 3916 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and / or data.

[0249] In alternative implementations, secondary memory 3908 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 3900. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 3918 and an interface 3914. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a thumb drive and USB port, and other removable storage units 3918 and interfaces 3914 which allow software and data to be transferred from removable storage unit 3918 to computer system 3900.

[0250] Computer system 3900 may also include a communications interface 3920. Communications interface 3920 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 3900 and external devices. Examples of communications interface 3920 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface 3920 are in the form of signals which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 3920. These signals are provided to communications interface 3920 via a communications path 3922. Communications path 3922 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, and other communications channels.

[0251] As used herein, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer readable medium” are used to refer to tangible storage media, such as removable storage units 3916 and 3918 or a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 3910.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT These computer program products are means for providing software to computer system 3900. Computer programs (also called computer control logic) may be stored in main memory 3906 and / or secondary memory 3908. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 3920. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system 3900 to implement the present disclosure as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor 3904 to implement the processes of the present disclosure, such as any of the methods described herein. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system 3900.

[0252] In another embodiment, features of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and gate arrays. Implementation of a hardware state machine to perform the functions described herein will also be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Claims

Docket No.: 24-2038PCT CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising: generating a merge list of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block, wherein the generating comprises: adding, to the merge list, two or more BVP candidates used in generating a prediction block for a neighboring block of the block, the neighboring block coded using a fusion intra-template matching prediction (IntraTMP) mode; determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block; and coding the block based on the prediction block for the block.

2. A method comprising: generating a merge list of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block, wherein the generating comprises: adding, to the merge list, two or more BVP candidates used in generating a prediction block for a neighboring block of the block, the neighboring block coded using an intra coding mode with multiple BVPs, wherein the two or more BVP candidates are selected from the multiple BVPs; determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block; and coding the block based on the prediction block for the block.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the intra coding mode is a block vector guided (BVG)-decoder-side intra mode derivation (DIMD) mode or an intra merge mode.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the intra coding mode is a fusion intra template matching prediction (IntraTMP) mode.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 or 4, further comprising: obtaining a fusion mode index associated with the neighboring block; and obtaining, based on the fusion mode index, the two or more BVP candidates from a second merge list of BVP candidates for the neighboring block.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the prediction block for the neighboring block is generated by combining reference blocks pointed to by two or more BVP candidates according to respective weights of the two or more BVP candidates.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the two or more BVP candidates are added to the merge list based on the respective weights associated with the two or more BVP candidates.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the two or more BVP candidates are added to the merge list based on the respective weights associated with the two or more BVP candidates being higher than a threshold.Docket No.: 24-2038PCT 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the two or more BVP candidates are added to the merge list based on the respective weights associated with the two or more BVP candidates being higher than a weight associated with another BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block.

10. The method of any one of claims 6-9, wherein the weight of a BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block is determined based on a template matching cost of a candidate prediction block determined using the BVP candidate.

11. The method of any one of claims 6-9, wherein the weight of a BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block is determined according to a Gaussian solver fusion model.

12. A method comprising: generating a merge list of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block, wherein the generating comprises: selecting, based on respective weights of BVP candidates used in generating a prediction block for a neighboring block of the block, a BVP candidate from the BVP candidates, wherein the neighboring block is coded using an intra coding mode with multiple BVPs, wherein the BVP candidate is selected from the multiple BVPs; and adding the selected BVP candidate to the merge list; determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block; and coding the block based on the prediction block for the block.

13. The method of any one of claims 1, 2-5, or 12, wherein the prediction block for the neighboring block is generated by combining a first reference block pointed to by the BVP candidate with at least a second reference block pointed to by another BVP candidate according to respective weights of the BVP candidate and the another BVP candidate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the BVP candidate is added to the merge list based on the weight associated with the BVP candidate.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the BVP candidate is added to the merge list based on the weight associated with the BVP candidate being higher than a threshold.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the BVP candidate is added to the merge list based on the weight associated with the BVP candidate being higher than another weight associated with another BVP candidate used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block.

17. The method of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the neighboring block is adjacent to the block.

18. The method of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the neighboring block is non-adjacent to the block.

19. The method of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the merge list of BVP candidates comprises all or a predetermined number of BVP candidates used in generating the prediction block for the neighboring block.

20. The method of any one of claims 1-19, further comprising:Docket No.: 24-2038PCT determining a list of BVP candidates for a block based on the merge list, wherein the prediction block for the block is determined based on the list of BVP candidates.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the generating a merge list of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block further comprises adding an AR-BVP candidate for a BVP candidate in the merge list to the merge list.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining the list of BVP candidates comprising: generating a sparse and merge list of BVP candidates based on the merge list; refining BVP candidates in the sparse and merge list of BVP candidates; and generating the list of BVP candidates from the refined BVP candidates.

23. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises: generating the prediction block for the block using decoder-side intra mode derivation (DIMD) or a template- based intra mode derivation (TIMD) by replacing a predictor used in the DIMD or the TIMD with a predictor block indicated by a BVP candidate from the merge list.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the replaced predictor is a planar predictor used in the DIMD.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the replaced predictor is an angular predictor or a non-angular predictor used in the TIMD.

26. The method of any one of claims 23-25, wherein the generating a merge list of block vector prediction (BVP) candidates for a block further comprises adding an AR-BVP candidate for a BVP candidate in the merge list to the merge list.

27. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the block is coded using a spatial geometric partition mode (SGPM) and wherein the determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises: determining, from the merge list of BVP candidates, a candidate mode to be included in a SGPM list for the block; and determining the prediction block for the block based on the SGPM list.

28. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the block is coded using an intra merge mode and wherein the determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises: updating, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, an intra merge mode candidate list used by the intra merge mode by replacing an intra mode in the intra merge mode candidate list with a BVP candidate in the merge list; and determining the prediction block for the block based on the updated intra merge mode candidate list.

29. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the block is coded using a chained motion vector prediction (CMVP) and wherein the determining, based on the merge list of BVP candidates, a prediction block for the block comprises:Docket No.: 24-2038PCT determining a second motion vector for the block based on a first motion vector and a BVP candidate in the merge list; and determining the prediction block for the block based on the first motion vector and the second motion vector.

30. The method of any one of claims 1-29, wherein the coding the block based on the prediction block for the block comprises: determining a residual of the block based on the prediction block for the block; and encoding, in a bitstream, the residual of the block.

31. The method of any one of claims 1-29, further comprising: obtaining a residual of the block from a bitstream, wherein the coding the block based on the prediction block for the block comprises: reconstructing the block based on the prediction block for the block and the obtained residual of the block.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-31.

33. An encoder comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the encoder to perform the method of any one of claim 1-30.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a bitstream generated by the method for encoding a video according to any one of claims 1-30.

35. A decoder comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the decoder to perform the method of any one of claims 1-29 and 31.

36. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a bitstream, which, when decoded by a decoder, causes the decoder to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-29 and 31.

37. A bitstream generated according to any one of claims 1-30.

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