IBC Mode Control for Image Encoding Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for high-resolution and high-quality images leads to a significant increase in transmission and storage costs due to the large amount of information required, necessitating the development of high-efficient image compression technologies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image encoding/decoding method that limits the application of the Intra Block Copy (IBC) mode to blocks exceeding Virtual Pipeline Data Units (VPDU), optimizing encoding/decoding efficiency by determining whether to parse or encode information based on block size and slice type, thereby controlling the use of IBC mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IBC mode is applied to all blocks regardless of size, then compression efficiency is improved, but decoding complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of block size threshold to control IBC mode application. By setting a maximum block size threshold (e.g., 64x64 pixels), the system selectively applies IBC mode only to blocks that meet the size criterion, thereby balancing compression efficiency gains against decoding complexity increases. This parameter-based selection resolves the contradiction by adapting the compression strategy to block characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different compression strategies to different regions based on block size. Small blocks (below threshold) use traditional compression methods while larger blocks (at or above threshold) utilize IBC mode. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize compression efficiency for suitable blocks without unnecessarily increasing complexity for all blocks, resolving the contradiction through spatially adaptive processing.
2Loss of substance
If IBC mode is applied to large blocks, then compression ratio is improved, but memory requirements and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the block size parameter as a gating condition for IBC mode application. By changing this parameter threshold, the system controls which blocks undergo IBC processing, thereby managing the trade-off between compression ratio improvement and memory/processing resource consumption. Only blocks exceeding the threshold consume the additional memory and processing resources required for IBC.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies IBC mode partially - only to blocks that meet the size criterion rather than universally. This partial application provides sufficient compression improvement for large blocks while avoiding the excessive memory and processing demands that would result from applying IBC to all blocks, thus resolving the contradiction between compression ratio and resource requirements.
3Productivity
If block size threshold for IBC mode is increased, then more blocks can use IBC mode improving compression, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts the block size threshold parameter to find the optimal balance point. By varying this parameter, the system can control the number of blocks eligible for IBC mode, thereby tuning the trade-off between compression efficiency (more blocks processed) and processing complexity (more blocks to evaluate and process). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by identifying the threshold that maximizes compression within acceptable complexity bounds.
Data Source
AI summary
An image encoding/decoding method and apparatus are provided. An image decoding method performed by an image decoding apparatus may include determining whether to parse first information specifying whether a skip mode applies to a current block, determining whether to parse second information specifying whether an IBC (Intra Block Copy) mode applies to the current block, determining whether the IBC mode applies to the current block based on the first information and the second information, and deriving a prediction block of the current block based on whether to apply the IBC mode. Whether to parse the first information may be determined based on at least one of a width or height of the current block.