Region Merging for Video Coding Parameter Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image and video coding standards are limited in their ability to sub-divide pictures into blocks, leading to inefficient use of side information for coding parameters due to fixed block sizes that do not align with the arbitrary shapes of objects in images, increasing bit rate and coding complexity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves spatially sub-dividing an array of information samples into simply connected regions of varying sizes using recursive multi-partitioning, followed by a merging process to adapt coding parameters based on relative location relationships between regions, reducing the need for redundant side information by allowing for more flexible block configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed block sizes are used for coding, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but coding efficiency deteriorates and bit rate increases due to misalignment with arbitrary object shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple blocks of varying sizes rather than uniform fixed blocks. This segmentation allows each block to be tailored to the local image content and object shapes, improving coding efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through systematic block division rules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different block sizes to different regions of the image based on local content characteristics. Objects with arbitrary shapes are enclosed in blocks that match their spatial extent, while homogeneous regions use larger blocks, optimizing the balance between coding efficiency and operational ease
2Device complexity
If fixed block sizes are used for coding, then device complexity is reduced, but bit rate increases due to redundant side information required for each block
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges adjacent blocks that share common characteristics (such as similar object content or homogeneous regions) into larger blocks. This reduces the total number of blocks requiring individual side information, thereby reducing bit rate while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured merging rules
3Ease of operation
If fixed block sizes are used for coding, then ease of operation is improved, but rate-distortion compromise deteriorates due to inability to adapt to image content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic block size selection that adapts to local image content characteristics. Blocks are sized and positioned to match object shapes and regional variations, allowing the coding system to optimize rate-distortion performance while maintaining operational simplicity through systematic adaptation rules
Data Source
AI summary
A favorable merging or grouping of simply connected regions into which the array of information samples is sub-divided, is coded with a reduced amount of data. To this end, a predetermined relative locational relationship is defined enabling an identifying, for a predetermined simply connected region, of simply connected regions within the plurality of simply connected regions which have the predetermined relative locational relationship to the predetermined simply connected region. Namely, if the number is zero, a merge indicator for the predetermined simply connected region may be absent within the data stream In other embodiments, spatial sub-division is performed depending on a first subset of syntax elements, followed by combining spatially neighboring simply connected regions depending on a second subset of syntax elements, to obtain an intermediate sub-division.