Reference Picture List Signaling for Lower Video Coding Bandwidth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding standards face challenges in efficiently signaling reference pictures, which affects transmission bandwidth and overall video distribution system performance.

Innovation Solution

The proposed techniques involve signaling one or more candidate reference picture lists in a parameter set and using an index to select the appropriate list in a picture header, allowing for improved reference picture management and reduced bandwidth requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If reference pictures are signaled using existing video coding standards, then video compression is achieved, but transmission bandwidth is inefficiently utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission bandwidthVSAvoidreference picture signaling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference picture list is divided into two separate lists (list0 and list1), allowing independent optimization and signaling of each list. This segmentation enables more efficient bandwidth utilization by selectively signaling only the necessary reference pictures for each list based on picture type and coding conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reference picture list configuration is made dynamic through adaptive signaling mechanisms. The number of reference pictures and their signaling method (explicit vs. implicit) varies based on picture type (I, P, B frames), slice type, and coding conditions, optimizing bandwidth usage for different video content characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If more reference pictures are signaled to improve coding accuracy, then video quality improves, but transmission bandwidth increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference picture accuracyVSAvoidtransmission bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of signaling all possible reference pictures uniformly, the patent applies partial signaling by selecting and signaling only the necessary subset of reference pictures based on picture type and coding conditions. For example, B-frames may use fewer reference pictures compared to P-frames, optimizing the balance between coding accuracy and bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of reference picture list configuration dynamically based on coding conditions. The number of reference pictures, their temporal distance, and signaling method are adjusted as parameters to optimize the trade-off between coding accuracy and bandwidth usage for different video sequences and picture types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If reference picture lists are simplified to reduce complexity, then signaling overhead decreases, but video coding efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidvideo coding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Reference pictures are pre-organized into candidate lists during the decoding process before actual prediction. This preliminary organization allows the decoder to efficiently select and signal only the necessary reference pictures based on picture type and coding conditions, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining coding efficiency through pre-computed candidate sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12506863B2Systems and methods for signaling reference pictures in video coding

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SHARP KK

AI summary

According to an aspect of an invention, a method for signaling reference pictures in video coding is disclosed. The method comprises: decoding a number of entries in a reference picture list syntax structure; decoding a number of reference index active minus one syntax in a slice header, if the number of entries is greater than one; and deriving an active variable by using the number of reference index active minus one syntax.