Reference Picture List Derivation for Zero-Entry Video Prediction

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a flag mechanism that prevents the undetermined reference picture issue before it occurs. When the number of reference pictures is 0, the flag is set to indicate this state, and the system proactively selects a default reference picture (such as the most recent decoded picture) instead of allowing the reference picture to remain undetermined. This preemptive measure eliminates the reliability problem while preserving the flexibility to define lists with 0 entries.

The patent applies self-service by enabling the decoding apparatus to automatically derive and manage reference picture lists without requiring explicit detailed configuration for each list. The system uses flags and compact syntax structures that allow the decoder to self-determine the number of reference pictures and select appropriate reference pictures based on predefined rules and the current decoding context, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple reference picture lists.

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining default reference picture selection rules that are established before the actual prediction image generation process. When the number of reference pictures is 0, the system has already predetermined which picture should be used as the reference (such as the most recently decoded picture or a picture from a default list), allowing the prediction image generation to proceed smoothly without requiring additional runtime determination, thus maintaining both coding efficiency and prediction reliability.