Reference Picture List Signaling for Lower-Bandwidth Video Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding standards face challenges in efficiently managing reference pictures, leading to suboptimal transmission bandwidth utilization and decoding complexity.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves 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 management of reference pictures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional reference picture management is used in video coding, then decoding can proceed, but transmission bandwidth is inefficiently utilized and decoding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission bandwidth utilizationVSAvoiddecoding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference picture management system is segmented into multiple candidate reference picture lists (e.g., L0, L1, L2 lists), each containing references for different temporal directions or types. This segmentation allows the system to manage reference pictures in organized groups, reducing the complexity of searching through all possible references while enabling more efficient bandwidth utilization through targeted signaling of only the necessary lists.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary organization of reference pictures into candidate lists before the actual decoding process. By pre-arranging references in structured lists and signaling which lists are needed through parameter sets and picture headers, the decoding process is simplified as it only needs to access pre-organized data rather than dynamically searching for references.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If comprehensive reference picture lists are signaled for all pictures, then reference availability is maximized, but transmission bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference picture availabilityVSAvoidtransmission bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different quality levels of reference picture lists are provided for different picture types or regions. For example, I-frames or P-frames may have access to comprehensive reference lists while B-frames or specific region pictures use simplified reference lists. This local differentiation ensures reliable reference availability where needed while reducing bandwidth consumption in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of signaling complete reference picture lists for all pictures unconditionally, the system signals reference lists partially - only when and where needed. The parameter set and picture header mechanisms allow selective signaling of candidate reference lists, providing comprehensive references when necessary and minimal information when sufficient references are already available or not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3895432B1Systems and methods for signaling reference pictures in video coding

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SHARP KK

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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.