Intra-Prediction Mode Signaling via CABAC Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current video coding techniques face inefficiencies in signaling intra-prediction modes for video data, particularly in reducing bitstream size and improving decoding efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) to signal intra-prediction modes by determining most probable modes and mapping other modes to modified indexes, reducing the number of codewords needed and optimizing bit allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional signaling methods are used for intra-prediction modes, then all modes can be signaled explicitly, but the bitstream size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebitstream sizeVSAvoidcoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation by introducing modified intra-prediction mode indexes instead of using original mode indexes directly. This transformation allows the encoder to signal only the difference between the current mode and the most probable mode, significantly reducing the number of bits required to represent intra-prediction mode information in the bitstream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by determining the most probable intra-prediction mode for a block before encoding the actual mode. This pre-computation of the most probable mode (based on neighboring blocks and context) allows the encoder to use a compact signaling scheme where only the deviation from the most probable mode needs to be transmitted, rather than signaling the absolute mode value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding is used to signal intra-prediction modes, then bitstream efficiency improves, but decoding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding efficiencyVSAvoiddecoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the intra-prediction mode signaling into two parts: the most probable mode determination (which can be done with simple context rules) and the deviation signaling (which uses CABAC). This segmentation allows the decoder to first quickly determine the most probable mode using context information, then apply the more complex CABAC decoding only to the smaller deviation value, reducing overall decoding complexity compared to applying CABAC to the full mode index.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the concept of modified intra-prediction mode indexes as an intermediary representation. This intermediary form bridges the gap between the human-readable mode indexes and the binary arithmetic coding process, making the CABAC decoding more efficient by working with smaller, transformed values that have better probability distributions for arithmetic coding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If modified intra-prediction mode indexes are used, then the number of codewords is reduced, but the mapping complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of codewordsVSAvoidmapping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptation by allowing the most probable mode to change based on context (neighboring blocks, block size, picture type). This dynamic determination of the most probable mode means the modified indexes are context-dependent, but it also means the mapping can be adaptively adjusted without requiring a complete static mapping table, reducing memory requirements while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2661890B1Indicating intra-prediction mode selection for video coding using cabac
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2661890B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2661890B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2661890B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For a block of video data, a video encoder can signal to a video decoder, using a context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process, a selected intra-prediction mode using a codeword that is mapped to a modified intra-prediction mode index. The video decoder can perform a context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process to determine the codeword signaled by the video encoder, determine the modified intra-prediction mode index corresponding to the codeword, determine most probable modes based on a context, map the modified intra-prediction mode index to an intra-prediction mode index by comparing the modified intra-prediction mode index to the mode indexes of the most probable modes, and determine the selected intra-prediction mode used to encode the block of video data based on the intra-prediction mode index.