Video Block Coding With Differential Intra Direction Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding technologies face inefficiencies in representing intra prediction directions, particularly with newer coding technologies like JEM/VVC/BMS, where less likely directions require more bits, and motion vector prediction mechanisms are not optimized for maximum compression.

Innovation Solution

Enhanced video coding methods that refine intra prediction by increasing the number of directions and optimizing motion vector prediction, utilizing advanced entropy coding techniques to efficiently represent likely directions and reduce redundancy in video data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of intra prediction directions is increased to improve prediction accuracy, then the coding precision is improved, but the number of bits required to represent each direction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidbitrate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation by introducing a differential coding scheme where instead of encoding absolute direction values from a large set (e.g., 65 directions requiring 6 bits), it encodes the difference between current and previous block directions. This reduces the effective range of values needing representation, thereby reducing bitrate while maintaining prediction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the direction value from the previously decoded block as a predictor before encoding the current block's direction. This preliminary estimation allows the encoder to work with smaller differential values, reducing the bits needed for representation while maintaining high prediction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If motion vector prediction mechanisms are simplified to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the compression efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction mechanism complexityVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having the decoder generate its own motion vector predictors using the same spatial and temporal neighboring block information that is already available during decoding. This eliminates the need for complex encoder-side prediction mechanisms while achieving the same compression efficiency, as the decoder independently derives the predictors without additional signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If advanced entropy coding techniques are applied to reduce redundancy, then the compression ratio is improved, but the computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression ratioVSAvoidcoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the entropy coding process by applying different coding strategies to different syntax elements. For example, it uses separate context models for different prediction direction ranges and different block types, allowing efficient coding of each segment without requiring a single complex universal model, thereby balancing compression ratio and computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3818704B1Method and apparatus for video coding
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 TENCENT AMERICA LLC
  • EP3818704B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3818704B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3818704B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for video decoding. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry receives encoding information of a block associated with a picture in a coded video bitstream. The processing circuitry determines whether the block includes a valid region in the picture and an invalid region outside the picture based on the encoding information. Further, the processing circuitry reconstructs at least one sample in the valid region of the block when the block is determined to include the valid region in the picture and the invalid region outside the picture.