Video Decoder Reference Picture Tracking via Wrapped POC Cycle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding technologies face challenges in efficiently managing and tracking reference pictures, particularly in reducing overhead signaling for long-term reference pictures, which can lead to ambiguity and increased bit requirements, affecting the accuracy and efficiency of video decoding.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves using a cycle parameter and modification parameters within the buffer description to track and decode reference pictures with reduced overhead, allowing for efficient identification and management of reference pictures in the decoded picture buffer, even when picture order count (POC) wraps around, and incorporating a scaling parameter for resolution adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If absolute long-term picture referencing is used, then reference picture identification is straightforward, but overhead signaling increases and bit requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference picture identification accuracyVSAvoidoverhead signaling
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cycle parameter as an intermediary between the picture order count and the reference picture identification. Instead of directly using absolute POC values for long-term reference pictures, the cycle parameter wraps around after reaching a maximum value, serving as a mediator that reduces the number of bits required to signal reference picture identifiers while maintaining unique identification through the combination of cycle parameter and temporal identifier

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation from absolute POC values to wrapped cycle parameters. By modifying how reference picture identifiers are encoded (using cycle parameters that wrap around instead of continuously increasing values), the system reduces overhead signaling while maintaining the ability to uniquely identify reference pictures through the combination of cycle parameter and temporal identifier

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If picture order count wraps around, then bit requirements are reduced, but ambiguity in reference picture tracking occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit requirementsVSAvoidreference picture tracking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds an additional dimension to reference picture identification by introducing the temporal identifier alongside the wrapped cycle parameter. While the cycle parameter wraps around in one dimension (reducing bit requirements), the temporal identifier provides differentiation in another dimension, ensuring that reference pictures can be uniquely identified even when POC values repeat

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The temporal identifier serves as an intermediary that resolves the ambiguity caused by POC wrapping. When cycle parameters wrap around and potentially collide, the temporal identifier acts as a mediator to distinguish between different reference pictures that may have the same cycle parameter value but different temporal positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If more reference picture parameters are signaled, then decoding accuracy improves, but overhead and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding accuracyVSAvoidparameter management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference picture identification into multiple components: cycle parameter, temporal identifier, and list index. By dividing the identification process into these segments, the system can manage complexity more effectively, using compact representations for each segment while maintaining overall decoding accuracy through their combination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4060991A1Tracking a reference picture based on a designated picture on an electronic device
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
  • EP4060991A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4060991A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4060991A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for tracking a reference picture on a decoder is proposed. A modification of buffer description which includes "wrapped POC" and a poc cycle to signal long term pictures is introduced to reduce overhead of referencing pictures.