Video Coding Unit Ternary Splitting for High-Resolution Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video encoding and decoding methods using square coding units lead to image quality deterioration for high-resolution images, as they fail to efficiently signal and process blocks of various shapes, limiting the effectiveness of video compression.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding videos by determining and signaling the sizes of coding units of various shapes, allowing for ternary splitting and adaptive block splitting based on information from the bitstream, enabling efficient decoding of blocks split into non-square shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If square coding units are used for video encoding, then the encoding process is simple and uniform, but image quality deteriorates for high-resolution images
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into coding units of various shapes (square, rectangular, triangular, etc.) rather than uniform squares. This segmentation allows different regions to be processed with appropriate block shapes, improving image quality while maintaining encoding efficiency through standardized shape categories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-square coding units including rectangular blocks (e.g., 2N×4N, 4N×2N) and triangular blocks, breaking the symmetry of traditional square coding units. This asymmetry enables better adaptation to image content characteristics, reducing blocking artifacts and improving reconstruction quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If coding units of various shapes are used, then image quality improves, but the complexity of signaling and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter-based signaling where the shape and size of coding units are indicated through syntax elements in the bitstream. By encoding shape information as parameters rather than explicit geometric definitions, the system manages complexity while supporting diverse block shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coding unit shape is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The encoder can select from multiple predefined shapes based on local image characteristics, and this selection is signaled to the decoder. This dynamic adaptation improves quality while the predefined shape set limits processing complexity.
3Productivity
If various shaped blocks are used for high-resolution images, then compression efficiency improves, but the bit amount required for signaling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) and other entropy coding techniques where the coding process itself adapts to the data characteristics. The shape signaling leverages statistical properties of shape distribution in natural images, using context models that reduce the average number of bits required.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than signaling all possible shape parameters for every coding unit, the patent uses differential coding and default value assumptions. Only deviations from expected patterns are explicitly signaled, reducing the average signaling overhead while maintaining full shape representation capability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A video decoding method includes: determining a largest size of a coding unit and a smallest size of the coding unit by using information about the largest size of the coding unit and information about the smallest size of the coding unit, the information being obtained from a bitstream; obtaining, from the bitstream, information about a largest size of a block allowed to be ternary split and information about a smallest size of the block allowed to be ternary split, determining the largest size of the block allowed to be ternary split, determining the smallest size of the block allowed to be ternary split, determining whether to ternary split a current block, and decoding blocks generated by ternary splitting the current block.