Context Derivation for Video Coding Using Function-Based Indexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding techniques require large mapping tables to determine contexts for coding bins of last significant coefficients, which can be inefficient in terms of memory usage and processing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a function-based approach to derive context indexes for coding bins, eliminating the need for mapping tables by using a function of the bin index to determine the context index for CABAC coding of last significant coefficient positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mapping tables are used to determine contexts for coding bins, then the coding process can be simplified, but memory requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding process simplicityVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the context determination logic from the mapping table and implements it through a function-based approach. Instead of storing pre-computed context indexes in a mapping table, the system computes context indexes dynamically using a function that takes bin index and transform unit size as inputs, thereby removing the memory burden while preserving the coding simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical lookup operation in mapping tables with a computational function. The function `ctx_idx = f(bin_idx, tu_size)` substitutes the table-based mechanism, transforming the context determination from a memory access operation to a mathematical computation that requires minimal memory storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If mapping tables are used to store context information, then context determination is straightforward, but processing efficiency decreases due to memory access overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext determination simplicityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes memory access operations with mathematical computations. The context index is calculated using the function `ctx_idx = f(bin_idx, tu_size)` which involves basic arithmetic operations that can be executed faster than memory access, thereby improving processing efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system becomes self-sufficient by computing its own context indexes through the function rather than relying on pre-stored values. The function uses readily available parameters (bin index and transform unit size) to generate context indexes on-demand, eliminating the need for external memory resources and reducing processing bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If large mapping tables are implemented, then all context scenarios can be covered, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal function `ctx_idx = f(bin_idx, tu_size)` that handles all context determination scenarios regardless of transform unit size or bin index. This single function replaces multiple specialized mapping tables, providing adaptability across different video coding scenarios while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple data structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of storing data and looking it up (table-based approach), the patent inverts the approach by computing values on-demand through a function. This inversion transforms the system from a data-storage-heavy architecture to a computation-light architecture, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive context coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2829061B1Deriving context for last position coding for video coding
Publication Date: 2016.11.16 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2829061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2829061B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2829061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one example, a device includes a video coder configured to determine a context for entropy coding a bin of a value indicative of a last significant coefficient of a block of video data using a function of an index of the bin, and code the bin using the determined context. The video coder may encode or decode the bin using context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC). The function may also depend on a size of the block. In this manner, a table indicating context indexes for the contexts need not be stored by the device.