Inter Prediction Encoding Using Motion Vector Candidates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image compression methods, such as those in MPEG and H.264, face inefficiencies in encoding motion vectors due to increased overhead, particularly when neighboring motion vectors are dissimilar, leading to suboptimal prediction and compression ratios.

Innovation Solution

An inter prediction encoding method that derives spatial and temporal motion vector candidates from neighboring and previously encoded prediction units, selecting one as a predictor to encode the motion vector difference and reference picture index, thereby reducing the amount of coding bits required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If motion vector information is encoded and inserted as it is, then the motion vector can be accurately decoded, but the compression ratio of image data is decreased because overhead is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion vector decoding accuracyVSAvoidcompression ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the motion vector through prediction using neighboring block motion vectors. Instead of encoding the original motion vector directly, a predicted motion vector is generated by copying and combining motion vector information from adjacent blocks, and only the difference (residual) is encoded and transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for accurate decoding by separating the motion vector into a predicted component (obtained from neighboring blocks) and a residual component (the difference between actual and predicted motion vectors). Only the residual is encoded and transmitted, removing redundant information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of energy

If motion vector prediction is performed using neighboring blocks, then the compression ratio is improved, but the encoding complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression ratioVSAvoidencoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the motion vector encoding process into distinct stages: prediction stage (obtaining motion vectors from neighboring blocks), residual calculation stage (computing the difference between actual and predicted motion vectors), and encoding stage (encoding only the residual). This segmentation makes the complex process more manageable and systematic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating the predicted motion vector from neighboring blocks before the actual motion vector encoding. This preliminary prediction step simplifies the subsequent encoding process by reducing the amount of data that needs to be encoded and transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the median of neighboring block motion vectors is used as predictor, then the prediction can be calculated simply, but the prediction effectiveness is reduced when neighboring motion vectors are dissimilar

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction calculation simplicityVSAvoidprediction effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic selection of prediction methods. Instead of always using the median of neighboring block motion vectors, the system dynamically selects between different prediction approaches (such as using motion vectors from specifically positioned neighboring blocks or alternative prediction methods) based on the actual characteristics of the current block and its neighbors, improving prediction effectiveness while maintaining computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3958562B1Apparatus for encoding an image
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 M&K HLDG
  • EP3958562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3958562B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3958562B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is an apparatus for encoding an image that determines a quantization step size of a previous coding block according to scan order as the quantization step size predictor of the current coding block when a quantization step size of a left coding block of a current coding block and a quantization step size of an above coding block of the current coding block are unavailable, divides quantized transform coefficients of a quantized transform block into a plurality of sub-blocks when a size of the transform block is larger than 4x4, and scans the plurality of sub-blocks according to a scan pattern determined by an intra prediction mode of a current block. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of coding bits required to encode motion information and the quantization step size of the current prediction block.