Reference Picture List Signaling Using Temporal POC Differences

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Solution Overview

Problem

The coding of lists of reference pictures in video compression methods incurs a non-negligible bitrate cost, adversely affecting compression efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Determine a picture order count difference between a current reference picture and the current picture based on temporal identifiers, skipping certain reference pictures with higher temporal identifiers or unused statuses, and signal this information in the video data to reduce bitrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lists of reference pictures are coded at high-level syntax to enable decoder management of the decoded picture buffer, then the decoder can properly manage reference pictures, but the bitrate cost increases adversely affecting compression efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoder management capabilityVSAvoidbitrate cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for decoder management by signaling the difference between the maximum picture order count in the reference picture list and the current picture's picture order count, rather than coding complete reference picture lists. This extraction approach maintains decoder capability while reducing bitrate overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter being signaled from complete reference picture list information to a simplified difference value (maximum POC minus current POC). This parameter transformation enables the decoder to reconstruct necessary reference picture information with significantly reduced bitrate cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If complete reference picture lists are signaled in the bitstream, then the decoder can accurately reconstruct reference picture information, but the compression efficiency deteriorates due to increased bitrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference picture information accuracyVSAvoidcompression efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a simplified copy mechanism where the decoder reconstructs reference picture information by adding the signaled difference value to the current picture's POC, rather than transmitting complete reference picture lists. This copying approach preserves accuracy while improving compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by signaling only the necessary difference value rather than complete reference picture information. This partial signaling provides sufficient information for decoder reconstruction while avoiding the bitrate overhead of complete list transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20260107006A1Reference picture lists signaling

Publication Date: 2026.04.16 INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS SAS

AI summary

A method comprising obtaining (711) from video data an information allowing determining a picture order count difference between a picture order count of a current reference picture of a list of reference pictures associated to a current picture and a picture order count of the current picture; determining (712) the picture order count difference from the information; and, determining (713) a picture order count of the current reference picture from the picture order count difference; wherein, the determining of the picture order count difference from the information is based at least on a temporal identifier of the current picture.