Extended Quadtree Partitioning for Video Coding Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video coding standards face challenges in achieving optimal compression ratios due to limitations in partitioning techniques, particularly for regions with high texture, where additional partitions are required but incur significant bit usage.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of extended quadtree (EQT) and flexible tree (FT) partitioning structures allows for more flexible block splitting, enabling blocks to be divided into sub-blocks of varying sizes and shapes, including unequal partitions, to improve coding efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional quadtree partitioning is used, then the partitioning process is simple and standardized, but it cannot achieve optimal compression ratios for regions with high texture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces extended quadtree (EQT) partitioning that divides a block into four sub-blocks, where at least one sub-block can be further divided into multiple smaller sub-sub-blocks. This multi-level segmentation allows regions with high texture to be partitioned into finer blocks, improving compression ratio by better adapting to local variations in the video content.
Solution Approach 2:
The EQT partitioning allows asymmetric division where sub-blocks can have different sizes and shapes. Specifically, one or more sub-blocks can be split into multiple unequal sub-sub-blocks, enabling the partitioning structure to adapt to the asymmetric characteristics of high-texture regions and achieve better coding efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional partitions are introduced for high texture regions, then coding efficiency improves, but bit usage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partitioning selectively based on local content characteristics. The EQT structure allows fine-grained partitioning only in regions that benefit from it (high texture areas), while maintaining coarser partitioning in smooth regions. This local adaptation improves coding efficiency where needed without unnecessarily increasing bit usage across the entire block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial refinement where only certain sub-blocks (those containing high texture) are further divided into sub-sub-blocks, while other sub-blocks remain at the original level. This partial action approach achieves the necessary coding efficiency improvement without the excessive bit usage that would result from uniformly refining all blocks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extended quadtree partitioning is applied, then partitioning flexibility increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EQT partitioning structure implements a nested hierarchy where blocks are divided into sub-blocks, and selected sub-blocks are further divided into sub-sub-blocks. This nested structure organizes the increased partitioning flexibility in a systematic way that manages processing complexity through a clear hierarchical framework, making the additional complexity more tractable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic partitioning where the level of subdivision is adaptively determined based on content characteristics. The encoder can dynamically decide which sub-blocks require further division into sub-sub-blocks, allowing the partitioning structure to flexibly adapt to different regions while managing overall processing complexity through content-driven decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and devices for using flexible and efficient partitioning techniques and in particular, restricting extended quadtree (EQT) partitioning, are described. An exemplary method for visual media decoding includes making a decision, based on one or more conditions, regarding a selective inclusion of one or more signaling bits for a partitioning process in a bitstream representation of a current visual media block of a plurality of visual media blocks, where the partitioning process splits the current visual media block into exactly four sub-blocks including at least one sub-block that has a size different from half of a width of the current visual media block times half of a height of the current visual media block; decoding, based on the bitstream representation, the four sub-blocks; and decoding, based on the four sub-blocks and the partitioning process, the current visual media block.