Temporal Sublayer Signaling for Scalable Video Coding

The patent uses temporal sublayers as an intermediary mechanism to achieve scalability functionality. Instead of implementing traditional scalability layers that require specialized decoder support, the invention maps scalability information onto the existing temporal sublayer structure that is universally supported by HEVC and VVC decoders. This intermediary approach allows scalability to be conveyed through temporal sublayer parameters (such as different temporal IDs representing different quality levels) without requiring decoders to understand native scalability layer syntax.

The patent applies universality by making the temporal sublayer structure serve multiple functions: it maintains temporal prediction functionality as defined in the HEVC/VVC standards while simultaneously carrying scalability information. By encoding scalability-related data (such as quality differences, resolution variations, or view information) within the temporal sublayer framework, the same universal decoder infrastructure can handle both temporal prediction and scalability without requiring separate scalability layer support.

The patent creates a copy or representation of scalability information within the temporal sublayer framework. Instead of relying on decoders to natively understand and process scalability layer data structures, the invention encodes scalability information in a format that mirrors temporal sublayer syntax. This copying approach ensures that scalability information is preserved and can be decoded by any standard-compliant HEVC/VVC decoder, eliminating information loss that would occur with proprietary scalability layer implementations.