U.S. patent application number 16/573517 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for image encoder, image decoder, image encoding method, and image decoding method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America. Invention is credited to Kiyofumi ABE, Ryuichi KANOH, Jing Ya LI, Ru Ling LIAO, Chong Soon LIM, Takahiro NISHI, Sughosh Pavan SHASHIDHAR, Hai Wei SUN, Han Boon TEO, Tadamasa TOMA.
Application Number | 20200014947 16/573517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65439077 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200014947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ABE; Kiyofumi ; et
al. |
January 9, 2020 |
IMAGE ENCODER, IMAGE DECODER, IMAGE ENCODING METHOD, AND IMAGE
DECODING METHOD
Abstract
An image decoder includes circuitry and a memory, wherein the
circuitry, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing operation
along a boundary between a first partition having a triangular
shape and a second partition having a triangular shape that are
split from an image block. The boundary smoothing operation
includes: in response to determining to perform the boundary
smoothing operation; first-predicting first values of a set of
pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a first
motion vector for the first partition; second-predicting second
values of the set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using a second motion vector for the second partition;
weighting the first values and the second values; and decoding the
first partition using the weighted first values and the weighted
second values.
Inventors: |
ABE; Kiyofumi; (Osaka,
JP) ; NISHI; Takahiro; (Nara, JP) ; TOMA;
Tadamasa; (Osaka, JP) ; KANOH; Ryuichi;
(Osaka, JP) ; LIM; Chong Soon; (Singapore, SG)
; LIAO; Ru Ling; (Singapore, SG) ; SUN; Hai
Wei; (Singapore, SG) ; SHASHIDHAR; Sughosh Pavan;
(Singapore, SG) ; TEO; Han Boon; (Singapore,
SG) ; LI; Jing Ya; (Singapore, SG) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America |
Torrance |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65439077 |
Appl. No.: |
16/573517 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/JP2018/030061 |
Aug 10, 2018 |
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16573517 |
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62548719 |
Aug 22, 2017 |
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62698801 |
Jul 16, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 19/70 20141101;
H04N 19/139 20141101; H04N 19/119 20141101; H04N 19/117 20141101;
H04N 19/537 20141101; H04N 19/56 20141101; H04N 19/587 20141101;
H04N 19/176 20141101; H04N 19/44 20141101; H04N 19/105 20141101;
H04N 19/521 20141101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 19/44 20060101
H04N019/44; H04N 19/513 20060101 H04N019/513; H04N 19/139 20060101
H04N019/139; H04N 19/105 20060101 H04N019/105; H04N 19/176 20060101
H04N019/176 |
Claims
1. An image decoder comprising: circuitry; and a memory coupled to
the circuitry; wherein the circuitry, in operation, performs a
boundary smoothing operation along a boundary between a first
partition having a triangular shape and a second partition having a
triangular shape that are split from an image block, the boundary
smoothing operation including: in response to determining to
perform the boundary smoothing operation; first-predicting first
values of a set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using a first motion vector for the first partition;
second-predicting second values of the set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using a second motion vector for the
second partition; weighting the first values and the second values;
and decoding the first partition using the weighted first values
and the weighted second values.
2. The decoder of claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation,
performs: parsing a first index indicative of the first motion
vector and a second index indicative of the second motion vector;
selecting the first motion vector based on the first index; and
selecting the second motion vector based on the second index.
3. The decoder of claim 2, wherein the first motion vector is
selected from a first set of motion vector candidates, and the
second motion vector is selected from a second set of motion vector
candidates.
4. The decoder of claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation,
performs: determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation
based on an image block size condition.
5. The decoder of claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation,
performs: determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation
based on a parameter indicative of performing the boundary
smoothing operation.
6. The decoder of claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation,
performs: determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation
based on a parameter indicative of a split direction applied to
split the image block into the first partition and the second
partition, wherein the split direction includes: from a top-left
corner of the image block to a bottom-right corner thereof, and
from a top-right corner of the image block to a bottom-left corner
thereof.
7. The decoder of claim 1, wherein weights applied to the first
values and weights applied to the second values are non-zero.
8. The decoder of claim 1, wherein a number of pixels in a row or
in a column in the set of pixels is four.
9. An image decoder comprising: an entropy decoder which, in
operation, receives and decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain
quantized transform coefficients, an inverse quantizer and
transformer which, in operation, inverse quantizes the quantized
transform coefficients to obtain transform coefficients and inverse
transform the transform coefficients to obtain residuals, an adder
which, in operation, adds the residuals outputted from the inverse
quantizer and transformer and predictions outputted from a
prediction controller to reconstruct blocks, and the prediction
controller coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and a
memory, wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a
prediction of a current block based on a reference block in a
decoded reference picture and the intra predictor, in operation,
generates a prediction of a current block based on an decoded
reference block in a current picture, wherein the image decoder, in
operation, performs a boundary smoothing operation along a boundary
between a first partition having a triangular shape and a second
partition having a triangular shape that are split from an image
block, the boundary smoothing operation including: in response to
determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation;
first-predicting first values of a set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using a first motion vector for the
first partition; second-predicting second values of the set of
pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a second
motion vector for the second partition; weighting the first values
and the second values; and decoding the first partition using the
weighted first values and the weighted second values.
10. The decoder of claim 9, which, in operation, performs: parsing
a first index indicative of the first motion vector and a second
index indicative of the second motion vector; selecting the first
motion vector based on the first index; and selecting the second
motion vector based on the second index.
11. The decoder of claim 9, which, in operation, performs:
determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation based on an
image block size condition.
12. The decoder of claim 9, which, in operation, performs:
determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation based on at
least one parameter selected from: a first parameter indicative of
performing the boundary smoothing operation, and a second parameter
indicative of a split direction applied to split the image block
into the first partition and the second partition, wherein the
split direction includes: from a top-left corner of the image block
to a bottom-right corner thereof, and from a top-right corner of
the image block to a bottom-left corner thereof.
13. The decoder of claim 9, wherein weights applied to the first
values and weights applied to the second values are non-zero.
14. An image decoding method of performing a boundary smoothing
operation along a boundary between a first partition having a
triangular shape and a second partition having a triangular shape
that are split from an image block, the method comprising: in
response to determining to perform the boundary smoothing
operation; first-predicting first values of a set of pixels of the
first partition along the boundary, using a first motion vector for
the first partition; second-predicting second values of the set of
pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a second
motion vector for the second partition; weighting the first values
and the second values; and decoding the first partition using the
weighted first values and the weighted second values.
15. The method of claim 14, comprising: parsing a first index
indicative of the first motion vector and a second index indicative
of the second motion vector; selecting the first motion vector
based on the first index; and selecting the second motion vector
based on the second index.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first motion vector is
selected from a first set of motion vector candidates, and the
second motion vector is selected from a second set of motion vector
candidates.
17. The method of claim 14, comprising: determining to perform the
boundary smoothing operation based on an image block size
condition.
18. The method of claim 14, comprising: determining to perform the
boundary smoothing operation based on a parameter indicative of
performing the boundary smoothing operation.
19. The method of claim 14, comprising: determining to perform the
boundary smoothing operation based on a parameter indicative of a
split direction applied to split the image block into the first
partition and the second partition, wherein the split direction
includes: from a top-left corner of the image block to a
bottom-right corner thereof, and from a top-right corner of the
image block to a bottom-left corner thereof.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein weights applied to the first
values and weights applied to the second values are non-zero.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to video coding, and particularly to
video encoding and decoding systems, components, and methods for
performing an inter prediction function to build a current block
based on a reference frame or an intra prediction function to build
a current block based on an encoded/decoded reference block in a
current frame.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] With advancement in video coding technology, from H.261 and
MPEG-1 to H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding), MPEG-LA, H.265/HEVC
(High Efficiency Video Coding) and H.266/VVC (Versatile Video
Codec), there remains a constant need to provide improvements and
optimizations to the video coding technology to process an
ever-increasing amount of digital video data in various
applications. This disclosure relates to further advancements,
improvements and optimizations in video coding, particularly, in
connection with an inter prediction function or an intra prediction
function, splitting an image block into a plurality of partitions
including at least a first partition having a non-rectangular shape
(e.g., a triangle) and a second partition.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0003] According to one aspect, an image decoder is provided which
includes circuitry, and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing operation
along a boundary between a first partition having a triangular
shape and a second partition having a triangular shape that are
split from an image block. The boundary smoothing operation
includes: in response to determining to perform the boundary
smoothing operation; first-predicting first values of a set of
pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a first
motion vector for the first partition; second-predicting second
values of the set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using a second motion vector for the second partition;
weighting the first values and the second values; and decoding the
first partition using the weighted first values and the weighted
second values.
[0004] According to another aspect, an image decoder is provided,
which includes: an entropy decoder which, in operation, receives
and decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain quantized transform
coefficients; an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in
operation, inverse quantizes the quantized transform coefficients
to obtain transform coefficients and inverse transform the
transform coefficients to obtain residuals; an adder which, in
operation, adds the residuals outputted from the inverse quantizer
and transformer and predictions outputted from a prediction
controller to reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller
coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory,
wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction
of a current block based on a reference block in a decoded
reference picture and the intra predictor, in operation, generates
a prediction of a current block based on an decoded reference block
in a current picture. The image decoder, in operation, performs a
boundary smoothing operation along a boundary between a first
partition having a triangular shape and a second partition having a
triangular shape that are split from an image block. The boundary
smoothing operation includes: in response to determining to perform
the boundary smoothing operation; first-predicting first values of
a set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a
first motion vector for the first partition; second-predicting
second values of the set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using a second motion vector for the second partition;
weighting the first values and the second values; and decoding the
first partition using the weighted first values and the weighted
second values.
[0005] According to another aspect, an image decoding method is
provided for performing a boundary smoothing operation along a
boundary between a first partition having a triangular shape and a
second partition having a triangular shape that are split from an
image block. The method includes generally five steps: in response
to determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation;
first-predicting first values of a set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using a first motion vector for the
first partition; second-predicting second values of the set of
pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a second
motion vector for the second partition; weighting the first values
and the second values; and decoding the first partition using the
weighted first values and the weighted second values.
[0006] According to one aspect, an image encoder is provided
including circuitry and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs a partition syntax operation
including: splitting an image block into a plurality of partitions
including a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition based on a partition parameter indicative of the
splitting; encoding the first partition and the second partition;
and writing one or more parameters including the partition
parameter into a bitstream.
[0007] Some implementations of embodiments of the present
disclosure may improve an encoding efficiency, may simply be an
encoding/decoding process, may accelerate an encoding/decoding
process speed, may efficiently select appropriate
components/operations used in encoding and decoding such as
appropriate filter, block size, motion vector, reference picture,
reference block, etc.
[0008] Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed
embodiments will become apparent from the specification and
drawings. The benefits and/or advantages may be individually
obtained by the various embodiments and features of the
specification and drawings, not all of which need to be provided in
order to obtain one or more of such benefits and/or advantages.
[0009] It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may
be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a
computer program, a storage medium, or any selective combination
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional
configuration of an encoder according to an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicating one example of an overall
encoding process performed by the encoder.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of
block splitting.
[0013] FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of
a slice configuration.
[0014] FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of
a tile configuration.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a chart indicating transform basis functions for
various transform types.
[0016] FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram illustrating example
spatially varying transforms (SVT).
[0017] FIG. 6A is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of
a filter shape used in an adaptive loop filter (ALF).
[0018] FIG. 6B is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example
of a filter shape used in an ALF.
[0019] FIG. 6C is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example
of a filter shape used in an ALF.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a block diagram indicating one example of a
specific configuration of a loop filter which functions as a
deblocking filter (DBF).
[0021] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram indicating an example of a
deblocking filter having a symmetrical filtering characteristic
with respect to a block boundary.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a block
boundary on which a deblocking filter process is performed.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram indicating examples of Bs
values.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
process performed by a prediction processor of the encoder.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a
process performed by the prediction processor of the encoder.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a
process performed by the prediction processor of the encoder.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating sixty-seven
intra prediction modes used in intra prediction in an
embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an example basic
processing flow of inter prediction.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one example of
derivation of motion vectors.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
derivation of motion vectors.
[0031] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
derivation of motion vectors.
[0032] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter
prediction in normal inter mode.
[0033] FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter
prediction in merge mode.
[0034] FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of a motion vector derivation process in merge mode.
[0035] FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating one example of frame
rate up conversion (FRUC) process.
[0036] FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of pattern matching (bilateral matching) between two blocks along a
motion trajectory.
[0037] FIG. 24 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of pattern matching (template matching) between a template in a
current picture and a block in a reference picture.
[0038] FIG. 25A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one
example of deriving a motion vector of each sub-block based on
motion vectors of a plurality of neighboring blocks.
[0039] FIG. 25B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one
example of deriving a motion vector of each sub-block in affine
mode in which three control points are used.
[0040] FIG. 26A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
merge mode.
[0041] FIG. 26B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
merge mode in which two control points are used.
[0042] FIG. 26C is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
merge mode in which three control points are used.
[0043] FIG. 27 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
process in affine merge mode.
[0044] FIG. 28A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
inter mode in which two control points are used.
[0045] FIG. 28B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
inter mode in which three control points are used.
[0046] FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
process in affine inter mode.
[0047] FIG. 30A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
inter mode in which a current block has three control points and a
neighboring block has two control points.
[0048] FIG. 30B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
inter mode in which a current block has two control points and a
neighboring block has three control points.
[0049] FIG. 31A is a flow chart illustrating a merge mode process
including decoder motion vector refinement (DMVR).
[0050] FIG. 31B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one
example of a DMVR process.
[0051] FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating one example of
generation of a prediction image.
[0052] FIG. 33 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
generation of a prediction image.
[0053] FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
generation of a prediction image.
[0054] FIG. 35 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
prediction image correction process performed by an overlapped
block motion compensation (OBMC) process.
[0055] FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of a prediction image correction process performed by an OBMC
process.
[0056] FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating generation
of two triangular prediction images.
[0057] FIG. 38 is conceptual diagram for illustrating a model
assuming uniform linear motion.
[0058] FIG. 39 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of a prediction image generation method using a luminance
correction process performed by a local illumination compensation
(LIC) process.
[0059] FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example
of the encoder.
[0060] FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a functional
configuration of a decoder according to an embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 42 is a flow chart illustrating one example of an
overall decoding process performed by the decoder.
[0062] FIG. 43 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
process performed by a prediction processor of the decoder.
[0063] FIG. 44 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a
process performed by the prediction processor of the decoder.
[0064] FIG. 45 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter
prediction in normal inter mode in the decoder.
[0065] FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example
of the decoder.
[0066] FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating an overall process flow
of splitting an image block into a plurality of partitions
including at least a first partition having a non-rectangular shape
(e.g., a triangle) and a second partition and performing further
processing according to one embodiment.
[0067] FIG. 48 illustrates two exemplary methods of splitting an
image block into a first partition having a non-rectangular shape
(e.g., a triangle) and a second partition (also having a
non-rectangular shape in the illustrated examples).
[0068] FIG. 49 illustrates one example of a boundary smoothing
process involving weighting first values of boundary pixels
predicted based on the first partition and second values of the
boundary pixels predicted based on the second partition.
[0069] FIG. 50 illustrates three further samples of a boundary
smoothing process involving weighting first values of boundary
pixels predicted based on the first partition and second values of
the boundary pixels predicted based on the second partition.
[0070] FIG. 51 is a table of sample parameters ("first index
values") and sets of information respectively encoded by the
parameters.
[0071] FIG. 52 is a table illustrating banalization of parameters
(index values).
[0072] FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a process of splitting
an image block into a plurality of partitions including a first
partition having a non-rectangular-shape and a second
partition.
[0073] FIG. 54 illustrates examples of splitting an image block
into a plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape, which is a triangle in the illustrated
examples, and a second partition.
[0074] FIG. 55 illustrates further examples of splitting an image
block into a plurality of partitions including a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape, which is a polygon with at least
five sides and angles in the illustrated examples, and a second
partition.
[0075] FIG. 56 is a flowchart illustrating a boundary smoothing
process involving weighting first values of boundary pixels
predicted based on the first partition and second values of the
boundary pixels predicted based on the second partition.
[0076] FIG. 57A illustrates an example of a boundary smoothing
process wherein boundary pixels for which first values to be
weighted are predicted based on the first partition and second
values to be weighted are predicted based on the second
partition.
[0077] FIG. 57B illustrates an example of a boundary smoothing
process wherein boundary pixels for which first values to be
weighted are predicted based on the first partition and second
values to be weighted are predicted based on the second
partition.
[0078] FIG. 57C illustrates an example of a boundary smoothing
process wherein boundary pixels for which first values to be
weighted are predicted based on the first partition and second
values to be weighted are predicted based on the second
partition.
[0079] FIG. 57D illustrates an example of a boundary smoothing
process wherein boundary pixels for which first values to be
weighted are predicted based on the first partition and second
values to be weighted are predicted based on the second
partition.
[0080] FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed on
the encoder side of splitting an image block into a plurality of
partitions including a first partition having a non-rectangular
shape and a second partition, based on a partition parameter
indicative of the splitting, and writing one or more parameters
including the partition parameter into a bitstream in entropy
encoding.
[0081] FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed on
the decoder side of parsing one or more parameters from a
bitstream, which includes a partition parameter indicative of
splitting of an image block into a plurality of partitions
including a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition, and splitting the image block into the plurality
of partitions based on the partition parameter, and decoding the
first partition and the second partition.
[0082] FIG. 60 is a table of sample partition parameters ("first
index values") which respectively indicate splitting of an image
block into a plurality of partitions including a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition, and sets of
information that may be jointly encoded by the partition
parameters, respectively.
[0083] FIG. 61 is a table of sample combinations of a first
parameter and a second parameter, one of which being a partition
parameter indicative of splitting of an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition.
[0084] FIG. 62 illustrates an overall configuration of a content
providing system for implementing a content distribution
service.
[0085] FIG. 63 illustrates one example of an encoding structure in
scalable encoding.
[0086] FIG. 64 illustrates one example of an encoding structure in
scalable encoding.
[0087] FIG. 65 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web
page.
[0088] FIG. 66 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web
page.
[0089] FIG. 67 illustrates one example of a smartphone.
[0090] FIG. 68 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of a smartphone.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0091] According to one aspect, an image decoder is provided which
includes circuitry, and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing operation
along a boundary between a first partition having a triangular
shape and a second partition having a triangular shape that are
split from an image block. The boundary smoothing operation
includes: in response to determining to perform the boundary
smoothing operation; first-predicting first values of a set of
pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a first
motion vector for the first partition; second-predicting second
values of the set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using a second motion vector for the second partition;
weighting the first values and the second values; and decoding the
first partition using the weighted first values and the weighted
second values.
[0092] According to another aspect, an image decoder is provided,
which includes: an entropy decoder which, in operation, receives
and decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain quantized transform
coefficients; an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in
operation, inverse quantizes the quantized transform coefficients
to obtain transform coefficients and inverse transform the
transform coefficients to obtain residuals; an adder which, in
operation, adds the residuals outputted from the inverse quantizer
and transformer and predictions outputted from a prediction
controller to reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller
coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory,
wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction
of a current block based on a reference block in a decoded
reference picture and the intra predictor, in operation, generates
a prediction of a current block based on an decoded reference block
in a current picture. The image decoder, in operation, performs a
boundary smoothing operation along a boundary between a first
partition having a triangular shape and a second partition having a
triangular shape that are split from an image block. The boundary
smoothing operation includes: in response to determining to perform
the boundary smoothing operation; first-predicting first values of
a set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a
first motion vector for the first partition; second-predicting
second values of the set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using a second motion vector for the second partition;
weighting the first values and the second values; and decoding the
first partition using the weighted first values and the weighted
second values.
[0093] According to another aspect, an image decoding method is
provided for performing a boundary smoothing operation along a
boundary between a first partition having a triangular shape and a
second partition having a triangular shape that are split from an
image block. The method includes generally five steps: in response
to determining to perform the boundary smoothing operation;
first-predicting first values of a set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using a first motion vector for the
first partition; second-predicting second values of the set of
pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using a second
motion vector for the second partition; weighting the first values
and the second values; and decoding the first partition using the
weighted first values and the weighted second values.
[0094] According to one aspect, an image encoder is provided
including circuitry and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs: splitting an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition; predicting a first
motion vector for the first partition and a second motion vector
for the second partition; and encoding the first partition using
the first motion vector and the second partition using the second
motion vector.
[0095] According to a further aspect, the second partition has a
non-rectangular shape. According to another aspect, the
non-rectangular shape is a triangle. According to a further aspect,
the non-rectangular shape is selected from a group consisting of a
triangle, a trapezoid, and a polygon with at least five sides and
angles.
[0096] According to another aspect, the predicting includes
selecting the first motion vector from a first set of motion vector
candidates and selecting the second motion vector from a second set
of motion vector candidates. For example, the first set of motion
vector candidates may include motion vectors of partitions
neighboring the first partition, and the second set of motion
vector candidates may include motion vectors of partitions
neighboring the second partition. The partitions neighboring the
first partition and the partitions neighboring the second partition
may be outside of the image block from which the first partition
and the second partition are split. The neighboring partitions may
be one or both of spatially neighboring partitions and temporary
neighboring partitions. The first set of motion vector candidates
may be the same as, or different from, the second set of motion
vector candidates.
[0097] According to another aspect, the predicting includes,
selecting a first motion vector candidate from a first set of
motion vector candidates and deriving the first motion vector by
adding a first motion vector difference to the first motion vector
candidate, and selecting a second motion vector candidate from a
second set of motion vector candidates and deriving the second
motion vector by adding a second motion vector difference to the
second motion vector candidate.
[0098] According to another aspect, an image encoder is provided
including: a splitter which, in operation, receives and splits an
original picture into blocks; an adder which, in operation,
receives the blocks from the splitter and predictions from a
prediction controller, and subtracts each prediction from its
corresponding block to output a residual; a transformer which, in
operation, performs a transform on the residuals outputted from the
adder to output transform coefficients; a quantizer which, in
operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to generate
quantized transform coefficients; an entropy encoder which, in
operation, encodes the quantized transform coefficients to generate
a bitstream; and the prediction controller coupled to an inter
predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory, wherein the inter
predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current block
based on a reference block in an encoded reference picture and the
intra predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current
block based on an encoded reference block in a current picture. The
prediction controller, in operation, splits the blocks into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition; predicts a first
motion vector for the first partition and a second motion vector
for the second partition; and encodes the first partition using the
first motion vector and the second partition using the second
motion vector.
[0099] According to another aspect, an image encoding method is
provided, which includes generally three steps: splitting an image
block into a plurality of partitions including a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition; predicting a
first motion vector for the first partition and a second motion
vector for the second partition; and encoding the first partition
using the first motion vector and the second partition using the
second motion vector.
[0100] According to another aspect, an image decoder is provided
which includes circuitry and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs: splitting an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition; predicting a first
motion vector for the first partition and a second motion vector
for the second partition; and decoding the first partition using
the first motion vector and the second partition using the second
motion vector.
[0101] According to a further aspect, the second partition has a
non-rectangular shape. According to another aspect, the
non-rectangular shape is a triangle. According to a further aspect,
the non-rectangular shape is selected from a group consisting of a
triangle, a trapezoid, and a polygon with at least five sides and
angles.
[0102] According to another aspect, an image decoder is provided
including: an entropy decoder which, in operation, receives and
decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain quantized transform
coefficients; an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in
operation, inverse quantizes the quantized transform coefficients
to obtain transform coefficients and inverse transform the
transform coefficients to obtain residuals; an adder which, in
operation, adds the residuals outputted from the inverse quantizer
and transformer and predictions outputted from a prediction
controller to reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller
coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory,
wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction
of a current block based on a reference block in a decoded
reference picture and the intra predictor, in operation, generates
a prediction of a current block based on an decoded reference block
in a current picture. The prediction controller, in operation,
splits an image block into a plurality of partitions including a
first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a second
partition; predicts a first motion vector for the first partition
and a second motion vector for the second partition; and decodes
the first partition using the first motion vector and the second
partition using the second motion vector.
[0103] According to another aspect, an image decoding method is
provided, which includes generally three steps: splitting an image
block into a plurality of partitions including a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition; predicting a
first motion vector for the first partition and a second motion
vector for the second partition; and decoding the first partition
using the first motion vector and the second partition using the
second motion vector.
[0104] According to one aspect, an image encoder is provided
including circuitry and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing operation
along a boundary between a first partition having a non-rectangular
shape and a second partition that are split from an image block.
The boundary smoothing operation includes: first-predicting first
values of a set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using information of the first partition;
second-predicting second values of the set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using information of the second
partition; weighting the first values and the second values; and
encoding the first partition using the weighted first values and
the weighted second values.
[0105] According to a further aspect, the non-rectangular shape is
a triangle. According to another aspect, the non-rectangular shape
is selected from a group consisting of a triangle, a trapezoid, and
a polygon with at least five sides and angles. According to yet
another aspect, the second partition has a non-rectangular
shape.
[0106] According to another aspect, at least one of the
first-predicting and the second-predicting is an inter prediction
process that predicts the first values and the second values based
on a reference partition in an encoded reference picture. The
inter-prediction process may predict first values of pixels of the
first partition including the set of pixels and may predict the
second values of only the set of pixels of the first partition.
[0107] According to another aspect, at least one of the
first-predicting and the second-predicting is an intra prediction
process that predicts the first values and the second values based
on an encoded reference partition in a current picture.
[0108] According to another aspect, a prediction method used in the
first-predicting is different from a prediction method used in the
second-predicting.
[0109] According to a further aspect, a number of the set of pixels
of each row or each column, for which the first values and the
second values are predicted, is an integer. For example, when the
number of the set of pixels of each row or each column is four,
weights of 1/8, 1/4, 3/4, and 7/8 may be applied to the first
values of the four pixels in the set, respectively, and weights of
7/8, 3/4, 1/4, and 1/8 may be applied to the second values of the
four pixels in the set, respectively. As another example, when the
number of the set of pixels of each row or each column is two,
weights of 1/3 and 2/3 may be applied to the first values of the
two pixels in the set, respectively, and weights of 2/3 and 1/3 may
be applied to the second values of the two pixels in the set,
respectively.
[0110] According to another aspect, the weights may be integer
values or may be fractional values.
[0111] According to another aspect, an image encoder is provided
including: a splitter which, in operation, receives and splits an
original picture into blocks; an adder which, in operation,
receives the blocks from the splitter and predictions from a
prediction controller, and subtracts each prediction from its
corresponding block to output a residual; a transformer which, in
operation, performs a transform on the residuals outputted from the
adder to output transform coefficients; a quantizer which, in
operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to generate
quantized transform coefficients; an entropy encoder which, in
operation, encodes the quantized transform coefficients to generate
a bitstream; and the prediction controller coupled to an inter
predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory, wherein the inter
predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current block
based on a reference block in an encoded reference picture and the
intra predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current
block based on an encoded reference block in a current picture. The
prediction controller, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing
operation along a boundary between a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition that are split from an
image block. The boundary smoothing operation includes:
first-predicting first values of a set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using information of the first
partition; second-predicting second values of the set of pixels of
the first partition along the boundary, using information of the
second partition; weighting the first values and the second values;
and encoding the first partition using the weighted first values
and the weighted second values.
[0112] According to another aspect, an image encoding method is
provided to perform a boundary smoothing operation along a boundary
between a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition that are split from an image block. The method
includes generally four steps: first-predicting first values of a
set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using
information of the first partition; second-predicting second values
of the set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary,
using information of the second partition; weighting the first
values and the second values; and encoding the first partition
using the weighted first values and the weighted second values.
[0113] According to a further aspect, an image decoder is provided
which includes circuitry and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing operation
along a boundary between a first partition having a non-rectangular
shape and a second partition that are split from an image block.
The boundary smoothing operation includes: first-predicting first
values of a set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using information of the first partition;
second-predicting second values of the set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using information of the second
partition; weighting the first values and the second values; and
decoding the first partition using the weighted first values and
the weighted second values.
[0114] According to another aspect, the non-rectangular shape is a
triangle. According to a further aspect, the non-rectangular shape
is selected from a group consisting of a triangle, a trapezoid, and
a polygon with at least five sides and angles. According to another
aspect, the second partition has a non-rectangular shape.
[0115] According to another aspect, at least one of the
first-predicting and the second-predicting is an inter prediction
process that predicts the first values and the second values based
on a reference partition in an encoded reference picture. The
inter-prediction process may predict first values of pixels of the
first partition including the set of pixels and may predict the
second values of only the set of pixels of the first partition.
[0116] According to another aspect, at least one of the
first-predicting and the second-predicting is an intra prediction
process that predicts the first values and the second values based
on an encoded reference partition in a current picture.
[0117] According to another aspect, an image decoder is provided
including: an entropy decoder which, in operation, receives and
decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain quantized transform
coefficients; an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in
operation, inverse quantizes the quantized transform coefficients
to obtain transform coefficients and inverse transform the
transform coefficients to obtain residuals; an adder which, in
operation, adds the residuals outputted from the inverse quantizer
and transformer and predictions outputted from a prediction
controller to reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller
coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory,
wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction
of a current block based on a reference block in a decoded
reference picture and the intra predictor, in operation, generates
a prediction of a current block based on an decoded reference block
in a current picture. The prediction controller, in operation,
performs a boundary smoothing operation along a boundary between a
first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a second
partition that are split from an image block. The boundary
smoothing operation includes: first-predicting first values of a
set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using
information of the first partition; second-predicting second values
of the set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary,
using information of the second partition; weighting the first
values and the second values; and decoding the first partition
using the weighted first values and the weighted second values.
[0118] According to another aspect, an image decoding method is
provided to perform a boundary smoothing operation along a boundary
between a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition that are split from an image block. The method
includes generally four steps: first-predicting first values of a
set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using
information of the first partition; second-predicting second values
of the set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary,
using information of the second partition; weighting the first
values and the second values; and decoding the first partition
using the weighted first values and the weighted second values.
[0119] According to one aspect, an image encoder is provided
including circuitry and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs a partition syntax operation
including: splitting an image block into a plurality of partitions
including a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition based on a partition parameter indicative of the
splitting; encoding the first partition and the second partition;
and writing one or more parameters including the partition
parameter into a bitstream.
[0120] According to a further aspect, the partition parameter
indicates the first partition has a triangle shape.
[0121] According to another aspect, the partition parameter
indicates the second partition has a non-rectangular shape.
[0122] According to another aspect, the partition parameter
indicates the non-rectangular shape is one of a triangle, a
trapezoid, and a polygon with at least five sides and angles.
[0123] According to another aspect, the partition parameter jointly
encodes a split direction applied to split the image block into the
plurality of partitions. For example, the split direction may
include: from a top-left corner of the image block to a
bottom-right corner thereof, and from a top-right corner of the
image block to a bottom-left corner thereof. The partition
parameter may jointly encode at least a first motion vector for the
first partition.
[0124] According to another aspect, the one or more parameters
other than the partition parameter encodes a split direction
applied to split the image block into the plurality of partitions.
The parameter encoding the split direction may jointly encode at
least a first motion vector for the first partition.
[0125] According to another aspect, the partition parameter may
jointly encode at least a first motion vector of the first
partition. The partition parameter may jointly encode a second
motion vector of the second partition.
[0126] According to another aspect, the one or more parameters
other than the partition parameter may encode at least a first
motion vector of the first partition.
[0127] According to another aspect, the one or more parameters are
binarized pursuant to a binarization scheme which is selected
depending on a value of at least one of the one or more
parameters.
[0128] According to a further aspect, an image encoder is provided
including: a splitter which, in operation, receives and splits an
original picture into blocks; an adder which, in operation,
receives the blocks from the splitter and predictions from a
prediction controller, and subtracts each prediction from its
corresponding block to output a residual; a transformer which, in
operation, performs a transform on the residuals outputted from the
adder to output transform coefficients; a quantizer which, in
operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to generate
quantized transform coefficients; an entropy encoder which, in
operation, encodes the quantized transform coefficients to generate
a bitstream; and the prediction controller coupled to an inter
predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory, wherein the inter
predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current block
based on a reference block in an encoded reference picture and the
intra predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current
block based on an encoded reference block in a current picture. The
prediction controller, in operation, splits an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition based on a partition
parameter indicative of the splitting, and encodes the first
partition and the second partition. The entropy encoder, in
operation, writes one or more parameters including the partition
parameter into a bitstream.
[0129] According to another aspect, an image encoding method
including a partition syntax operation is provided. The method
includes generally three steps: splitting an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition based on a partition
parameter indicative of the splitting; encoding the first partition
and the second partition; and writing one or more parameters
including the partition parameter into a bitstream.
[0130] According to another aspect, an image decoder is provided
including circuitry and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The
circuitry, in operation, performs a partition syntax operation
including: parsing one or more parameters from a bitstream, wherein
the one or more parameters include a partition parameter indicative
of splitting of an image block into a plurality of partitions
including a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition; splitting the image block into the plurality of
partitions based on the partition parameter; and decoding the first
partition and the second partition.
[0131] According to a further aspect, the partition parameter
indicates the first partition has a triangle shape.
[0132] According to another aspect, the partition parameter
indicates the second partition has a non-rectangular shape.
[0133] According to another aspect, the partition parameter
indicates the non-rectangular shape is one of a triangle, a
trapezoid, and a polygon with at least five sides and angles.
[0134] According to another aspect, the partition parameter jointly
encodes a split direction applied to split the image block into the
plurality of partitions. For example, the split direction includes:
from a top-left corner of the image block to a bottom-right corner
thereof, and from a top-right corner of the image block to a
bottom-left corner thereof. The partition parameter may jointly
encode at least a first motion vector of the first partition.
[0135] According to another aspect, the one or more parameters
other than the partition parameter encodes a split direction
applied to split the image block into the plurality of partitions.
The parameter encoding the split direction may jointly encode at
least a first motion vector of the first partition.
[0136] According to another aspect, the partition parameter may
jointly encode at least a first motion vector of the first
partition. The partition parameter may jointly encode a second
motion vector of the second partition.
[0137] According to another aspect, the one or more parameters
other than the partition parameter may encode at least a first
motion vector of the first partition.
[0138] According to another aspect, the one or more parameters are
binarized pursuant to a binarization scheme which is selected
depending on a value of at least one of the one or more
parameters.
[0139] According to a further aspect, an image decoder is provided
including: an entropy decoder which, in operation, receives and
decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain quantized transform
coefficients; an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in
operation, inverse quantizes the quantized transform coefficients
to obtain transform coefficients and inverse transform the
transform coefficients to obtain residuals; an adder which, in
operation, adds the residuals outputted from the inverse quantizer
and transformer and predictions outputted from a prediction
controller to reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller
coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and a memory,
wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction
of a current block based on a reference block in a decoded
reference picture and the intra predictor, in operation, generates
a prediction of a current block based on an decoded reference block
in a current picture. The entropy decoder, in operation: parses one
or more parameters from a bitstream, wherein the one or more
parameters include a partition parameter indicative of splitting of
an image block into a plurality of partitions including a first
partition having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition;
splits the image block into the plurality of partitions based on
the partition parameter; and decodes the first partition and the
second partition.
[0140] According to another aspect, an image decoding method
including a partition syntax operation is provided. The method
includes generally three steps: parsing one or more parameters from
a bitstream, wherein the one or more parameters include a partition
parameter indicative of splitting of an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition; splitting the image
block into the plurality of partitions based on the partition
parameter; and decoding the first partition and the second
partition.
[0141] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify
similar elements. The sizes and relative positions of elements in
the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0142] Hereinafter, embodiment(s) will be described with reference
to the drawings. Note that the embodiment(s) described below each
show a general or specific example. The numerical values, shapes,
materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the
components, steps, the relation and order of the steps, etc.,
indicated in the following embodiment(s) are mere examples, and are
not intended to limit the scope of the claims.
[0143] Embodiments of an encoder and a decoder will be described
below. The embodiments are examples of an encoder and a decoder to
which the processes and/or configurations presented in the
description of aspects of the present disclosure are applicable.
The processes and/or configurations can also be implemented in an
encoder and a decoder different from those according to the
embodiments. For example, regarding the processes and/or
configurations as applied to the embodiments, any of the following
may be implemented:
[0144] (1) Any of the components of the encoder or the decoder
according to the embodiments presented in the description of
aspects of the present disclosure may be substituted or combined
with another component presented anywhere in the description of
aspects of the present disclosure.
[0145] (2) In the encoder or the decoder according to the
embodiments, discretionary changes may be made to functions or
processes performed by one or more components of the encoder or the
decoder, such as addition, substitution, removal, etc., of the
functions or processes. For example, any function or process may be
substituted or combined with another function or process presented
anywhere in the description of aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0146] (3) In methods implemented by the encoder or the decoder
according to the embodiments, discretionary changes may be made
such as addition, substitution, and removal of one or more of the
processes included in the method. For example, any process in the
method may be substituted or combined with another process
presented anywhere in the description of aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0147] (4) One or more components included in the encoder or the
decoder according to embodiments may be combined with a component
presented anywhere in the description of aspects of the present
disclosure, may be combined with a component including one or more
functions presented anywhere in the description of aspects of the
present disclosure, and may be combined with a component that
implements one or more processes implemented by a component
presented in the description of aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0148] (5) A component including one or more functions of the
encoder or the decoder according to the embodiments, or a component
that implements one or more processes of the encoder or the decoder
according to the embodiments, may be combined or substituted with a
component presented anywhere in the description of aspects of the
present disclosure, with a component including one or more
functions presented anywhere in the description of aspects of the
present disclosure, or with a component that implements one or more
processes presented anywhere in the description of aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0149] (6) In methods implemented by the encoder or the decoder
according to the embodiments, any of the processes included in the
method may be substituted or combined with a process presented
anywhere in the description of aspects of the present disclosure or
with any corresponding or equivalent process.
[0150] (7) One or more processes included in methods implemented by
the encoder or the decoder according to the embodiments may be
combined with a process presented anywhere in the description of
aspects of the present disclosure.
[0151] (8) The implementation of the processes and/or
configurations presented in the description of aspects of the
present disclosure is not limited to the encoder or the decoder
according to the embodiments. For example, the processes and/or
configurations may be implemented in a device used for a purpose
different from the moving picture encoder or the moving picture
decoder disclosed in the embodiments.
[0152] [Encoder]
[0153] First, an encoder according to an embodiment will be
described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional
configuration of encoder 100 according to the embodiment. Encoder
100 is a video encoder which encodes a video in units of a
block.
[0154] As illustrated in FIG. 1, encoder 100 is an apparatus which
encodes an image in units of a block, and includes splitter 102,
subtractor 104, transformer 106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder
110, inverse quantizer 112, inverse transformer 114, adder 116,
block memory 118, loop filter 120, frame memory 122, intra
predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller
128.
[0155] Encoder 100 is implemented as, for example, a generic
processor and memory. In this case, when a software program stored
in the memory is executed by the processor, the processor functions
as splitter 102, subtractor 104, transformer 106, quantizer 108,
entropy encoder 110, inverse quantizer 112, inverse transformer
114, adder 116, loop filter 120, intra predictor 124, inter
predictor 126, and prediction controller 128. Alternatively,
encoder 100 may be implemented as one or more dedicated electronic
circuits corresponding to splitter 102, subtractor 104, transformer
106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder 110, inverse quantizer 112,
inverse transformer 114, adder 116, loop filter 120, intra
predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller
128.
[0156] Hereinafter, an overall flow of processes performed by
encoder 100 is described, and then each of constituent elements
included in encoder 100 will be described.
[0157] [Overall Flow of Encoding Process]
[0158] FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicating one example of an overall
encoding process performed by encoder 100.
[0159] First, splitter 102 of encoder 100 splits each of pictures
included in an input image which is a video into a plurality of
blocks having a fixed size (e.g., 128.times.128 pixels) (Step
Sa_1). Splitter 102 then selects a splitting pattern for the
fixed-size block (also referred to as a block shape) (Step Sa_2).
In other words, splitter 102 further splits the fixed-size block
into a plurality of blocks which form the selected splitting
pattern. Encoder 100 performs, for each of the plurality of blocks,
Steps Sa_3 to Sa_9 for the block (that is a current block to be
encoded).
[0160] In other words, a prediction processor which includes all or
part of intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction
controller 128 generates a prediction signal (also referred to as a
prediction block) of the current block to be encoded (also referred
to as a current block) (Step Sa_3).
[0161] Next, subtractor 104 generates a difference between the
current block and a prediction block as a prediction residual (also
referred to as a difference block) (Step Sa_4).
[0162] Next, transformer 106 transforms the difference block and
quantizer 108 quantizes the result, to generate a plurality of
quantized coefficients (Step Sa_5). It is to be noted that the
block having the plurality of quantized coefficients is also
referred to as a coefficient block.
[0163] Next, entropy encoder 110 encodes (specifically, entropy
encodes) the coefficient block and a prediction parameter related
to generation of a prediction signal to generate an encoded signal
(Step Sa_6). It is to be noted that the encoded signal is also
referred to as an encoded bitstream, a compressed bitstream, or a
stream.
[0164] Next, inverse quantizer 112 performs inverse quantization of
the coefficient block and inverse transformer 114 performs inverse
transform of the result, to restore a plurality of prediction
residuals (that is, a difference block) (Step Sa_7).
[0165] Next, adder 116 adds the prediction block to the restored
difference block to reconstruct the current block as a
reconstructed image (also referred to as a reconstructed block or a
decoded image block) (Step Sa_8). In this way, the reconstructed
image is generated.
[0166] When the reconstructed image is generated, loop filter 120
performs filtering of the reconstructed image as necessary (Step
Sa_9).
[0167] Encoder 100 then determines whether encoding of the entire
picture has been finished (Step Sa_10). When determining that the
encoding has not yet been finished (No in Step Sa_10), processes
from Step Sa_2 are executed repeatedly.
[0168] Although encoder 100 selects one splitting pattern for a
fixed-size block, and encodes each block according to the splitting
pattern in the above-described example, it is to be noted that each
block may be encoded according to a corresponding one of a
plurality of splitting patterns. In this case, encoder 100 may
evaluate a cost for each of the plurality of splitting patterns,
and, for example, may select the encoded signal obtainable by
encoding according to the splitting pattern which yields the
smallest cost as an encoded signal which is output.
[0169] As illustrated, the processes in Steps Sa_1 to Sa_10 are
performed sequentially by encoder 100. Alternatively, two or more
of the processes may be performed in parallel, the processes may be
reordered, etc.
[0170] [Splitter]
[0171] Splitter 102 splits each of pictures included in an input
video into a plurality of blocks, and outputs each block to
subtractor 104. For example, splitter 102 first splits a picture
into blocks of a fixed size (for example, 128.times.128). Other
fixed block sizes may be employed. The fixed-size block is also
referred to as a coding tree unit (CTU). Splitter 102 then splits
each fixed-size block into blocks of variable sizes (for example,
64.times.64 or smaller), based on recursive quadtree and/or binary
tree block splitting. In other words, splitter 102 selects a
splitting pattern. The variable-size block is also referred to as a
coding unit (CU), a prediction unit (PU), or a transform unit (TU).
It is to be noted that, in various kinds of processing examples,
there is no need to differentiate between CU, PU, and TU; all or
some of the blocks in a picture may be processed in units of a CU,
a PU, or a TU.
[0172] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of
block splitting according to an embodiment. In FIG. 3, the solid
lines represent block boundaries of blocks split by quadtree block
splitting, and the dashed lines represent block boundaries of
blocks split by binary tree block splitting.
[0173] Here, block 10 is a square block having 128.times.128 pixels
(128.times.128 block). This 128.times.128 block 10 is first split
into four square 64.times.64 blocks (quadtree block splitting).
[0174] The upper-left 64.times.64 block is further vertically split
into two rectangular 32.times.64 blocks, and the left 32.times.64
block is further vertically split into two rectangular 16.times.64
blocks (binary tree block splitting). As a result, the upper-left
64.times.64 block is split into two 16.times.64 blocks 11 and 12
and one 32.times.64 block 13.
[0175] The upper-right 64.times.64 block is horizontally split into
two rectangular 64.times.32 blocks 14 and 15 (binary tree block
splitting).
[0176] The lower-left 64.times.64 block is first split into four
square 32.times.32 blocks (quadtree block splitting). The
upper-left block and the lower-right block among the four
32.times.32 blocks are further split. The upper-left 32.times.32
block is vertically split into two rectangle 16.times.32 blocks,
and the right 16.times.32 block is further horizontally split into
two 16.times.16 blocks (binary tree block splitting). The
lower-right 32.times.32 block is horizontally split into two
32.times.16 blocks (binary tree block splitting). As a result, the
lower-left 64.times.64 block is split into 16.times.32 block 16,
two 16.times.16 blocks 17 and 18, two 32.times.32 blocks 19 and 20,
and two 32.times.16 blocks 21 and 22.
[0177] The lower-right 64.times.64 block 23 is not split. As
described above, in FIG. 3, block 10 is split into thirteen
variable-size blocks 11 through 23 based on recursive quadtree and
binary tree block splitting. This type of splitting is also
referred to as quadtree plus binary tree (QTBT) splitting.
[0178] It is to be noted that, in FIG. 3, one block is split into
four or two blocks (quadtree or binary tree block splitting), but
splitting is not limited to these examples. For example, one block
may be split into three blocks (ternary block splitting). Splitting
including such ternary block splitting is also referred to as
multi-type tree (MBT) splitting.
[0179] [Picture Structure: Slice/Tile]
[0180] A picture may be configured in units of one or more slices
or tiles in order to decode the picture in parallel. The picture
configured in units of one or more slices or tiles may be
configured by splitter 102.
[0181] Slices are basic encoding units included in a picture. A
picture may include, for example, one or more slices. In addition,
a slice includes one or more successive coding tree units (CTU).
FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of a slice
configuration. For example, a picture includes 11.times.8 CTUs and
is split into four slices (slices 1 to 4). Slice 1 includes sixteen
CTUs, slice 2 includes twenty-one CTUs, slice 3 includes
twenty-nine CTUs, and slice 4 includes twenty-two CTUs. Here, each
CTU in the picture belongs to one of the slices. The shape of each
slice is a shape obtainable by splitting the picture horizontally.
A boundary of each slice does not need to be coincide with an image
end, and may be coincide with any of the boundaries between CTUs in
the image. The processing order of the CTUs in a slice (an encoding
order or a decoding order) is, for example, a raster-scan order. A
slice includes header information and encoded data. Features of the
slice may be described in header information. The features include
a CTU address of a top CTU in the slice, a slice type, etc.
[0182] A tile is a unit of a rectangular region included in a
picture. Each of tiles may be assigned with a number referred to as
TileId in raster-scan order.
[0183] FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram indicating an example of a
tile configuration. For example, a picture includes 11.times.8 CTUs
and is split into four tiles of rectangular regions (tiles 1 to 4).
When tiles are used, the processing order of CTUs are changed from
the processing order in the case where no tile is used. When no
tile is used, CTUs in a picture are processed in raster-scan order.
When tiles are used, at least one CTU in each of the tiles is
processed in raster-scan order. For example, as illustrated in FIG.
4B, the processing order of the CTUs included in tile 1 is the
order which starts from the left-end of the first row of tile 1
toward the right-end of the first row of tile 1 and then starts
from the left-end of the second row of tile 1 toward the right-end
of the second row of tile 1. It is to be noted that the one tile
may include one or more slices, and one slice may include one or
more tiles.
[0184] [Subtractor]
[0185] Subtractor 104 subtracts a prediction signal (prediction
sample that is input from prediction controller 128 indicated
below) from an original signal (original sample) in units of a
block input from splitter 102 and split by splitter 102. In other
words, subtractor 104 calculates prediction errors (also referred
to as residuals) of a block to be encoded (hereinafter also
referred to as a current block). Subtractor 104 then outputs the
calculated prediction errors (residuals) to transformer 106.
[0186] The original signal is a signal which has been input into
encoder 100 and represents an image of each picture included in a
video (for example, a luma signal and two chroma signals).
Hereinafter, a signal representing an image is also referred to as
a sample.
[0187] [Transformer]
[0188] Transformer 106 transforms prediction errors in spatial
domain into transform coefficients in frequency domain, and outputs
the transform coefficients to quantizer 108. More specifically,
transformer 106 applies, for example, a defined discrete cosine
transform (DCT) or discrete sine transform (DST) to prediction
errors in spatial domain. The defined DCT or DST may be
predefined.
[0189] It is to be noted that transformer 106 may adaptively select
a transform type from among a plurality of transform types, and
transform prediction errors into transform coefficients by using a
transform basis function corresponding to the selected transform
type. This sort of transform is also referred to as explicit
multiple core transform (EMT) or adaptive multiple transform
(AMT).
[0190] The transform types include, for example, DCT-II, DCT-V,
DCT-VIII, DST-I, and DST-VII. FIG. 5A is a chart indicating
transform basis functions for the example transform types. In FIG.
5A, N indicates the number of input pixels. For example, selection
of a transform type from among the plurality of transform types may
depend on a prediction type (one of intra prediction and inter
prediction), and may depend on an intra prediction mode.
[0191] Information indicating whether to apply such EMT or AMT
(referred to as, for example, an EMT flag or an AMT flag) and
information indicating the selected transform type is normally
signaled at the CU level. It is to be noted that the signaling of
such information does not necessarily need to be performed at the
CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at
the bit sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, or
CTU level).
[0192] In addition, transformer 106 may re-transform the transform
coefficients (transform result). Such re-transform is also referred
to as adaptive secondary transform (AST) or non-separable secondary
transform (NSST). For example, transformer 106 performs
re-transform in units of a sub-block (for example, 4.times.4
sub-block) included in a transform coefficient block corresponding
to an intra prediction error. Information indicating whether to
apply NSST and information related to a transform matrix for use in
NSST are normally signaled at the CU level. It is to be noted that
the signaling of such information does not necessarily need to be
performed at the CU level, and may be performed at another level
(for example, at the sequence level, picture level, slice level,
tile level, or CTU level).
[0193] Transformer 106 may employ a separable transform and a
non-separable transform. A separable transform is a method in which
a transform is performed a plurality of times by separately
performing a transform for each of a number of directions according
to the number of dimensions of inputs. A non-separable transform is
a method of performing a collective transform in which two or more
dimensions in multidimensional inputs are collectively regarded as
a single dimension.
[0194] In one example of a non-separable transform, when an input
is a 4.times.4 block, the 4.times.4 block is regarded as a single
array including sixteen elements, and the transform applies a
16.times.16 transform matrix to the array.
[0195] In another example of a non-separable transform, a 4.times.4
input block is regarded as a single array including sixteen
elements, and then a transform (hypercube givens transform) in
which givens revolution is performed on the array a plurality of
times may be performed.
[0196] In the transform in transformer 106, the types of bases to
be transformed into the frequency domain according to regions in a
CU can be switched. Examples include spatially varying transforms
(SVT). In SVT, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, CUs are split into two
equal regions horizontally or vertically, and only one of the
regions is transformed into the frequency domain. A transform basis
type can be set for each region. For example, DST7 and DST8 are
used. In this example, only one of these two regions in the CU is
transformed, and the other is not transformed. However, both of
these two regions may be transformed. In addition, the splitting
method is not limited to the splitting into two equal regions, and
can be more flexible. For example, the CU may be split into four
equal regions, or information indicating splitting may be encoded
separately and be signaled in the same manner as the CU splitting.
It is to be noted that SVT is also referred to as sub-block
transform (SBT).
[0197] [Quantizer]
[0198] Quantizer 108 quantizes the transform coefficients output
from transformer 106. More specifically, quantizer 108 scans, in a
determined scanning order, the transform coefficients of the
current block, and quantizes the scanned transform coefficients
based on quantization parameters (QP) corresponding to the
transform coefficients. Quantizer 108 then outputs the quantized
transform coefficients (hereinafter also referred to as quantized
coefficients) of the current block to entropy encoder 110 and
inverse quantizer 112. The determined scanning order may be
predetermined.
[0199] A determined scanning order is an order for
quantizing/inverse quantizing transform coefficients. For example,
a determined scanning order may be defined as ascending order of
frequency (from low to high frequency) or descending order of
frequency (from high to low frequency).
[0200] A quantization parameter (QP) is a parameter defining a
quantization step (quantization width). For example, when the value
of the quantization parameter increases, the quantization step also
increases. In other words, when the value of the quantization
parameter increases, the quantization error increases.
[0201] In addition, a quantization matrix may be used for
quantization. For example, several kinds of quantization matrices
may be used correspondingly to frequency transform sizes such as
4.times.4 and 8.times.8, prediction modes such as intra prediction
and inter prediction, and pixel components such as luma and chroma
pixel components. It is to be noted that quantization means
digitalizing values sampled at determined intervals correspondingly
to determined levels. In this technical field, quantization may be
referred to using other expressions, such as rounding and scaling,
and may employ rounding and scaling. The determined intervals and
levels may be predetermined.
[0202] Methods using quantization matrices include a method using a
quantization matrix which has been set directly at the encoder side
and a method using a quantization matrix which has been set as a
default (default matrix). At the encoder side, a quantization
matrix suitable for features of an image can be set by directly
setting a quantization matrix. This case, however, has a
disadvantage of increasing a coding amount for encoding the
quantization matrix.
[0203] There is a method for quantizing a high-frequency
coefficient and a low-frequency coefficient without using a
quantization matrix. It is to be noted that this method is
equivalent to a method using a quantization matrix (flat matrix)
whose coefficients have the same value.
[0204] The quantization matrix may be specified using, for example,
a sequence parameter set (SPS) or a picture parameter set (PPS).
The SPS includes a parameter which is used for a sequence, and the
PPS includes a parameter which is used for a picture. Each of the
SPS and the PPS may be simply referred to as a parameter set.
[0205] [Entropy Encoder]
[0206] Entropy encoder 110 generates an encoded signal (encoded
bitstream) based on quantized coefficients which have been input
from quantizer 108. More specifically, entropy encoder 110, for
example, binarizes quantized coefficients, and arithmetically
encodes the binary signal, and outputs a compressed bit stream or
sequence.
[0207] [Inverse Quantizer]
[0208] Inverse quantizer 112 inverse quantizes quantized
coefficients which have been input from quantizer 108. More
specifically, inverse quantizer 112 inverse quantizes, in a
determined scanning order, quantized coefficients of the current
block. Inverse quantizer 112 then outputs the inverse quantized
transform coefficients of the current block to inverse transformer
114. The determined scanning order may be predetermined.
[0209] [Inverse Transformer]
[0210] Inverse transformer 114 restores prediction errors
(residuals) by inverse transforming transform coefficients which
have been input from inverse quantizer 112. More specifically,
inverse transformer 114 restores the prediction errors of the
current block by applying an inverse transform corresponding to the
transform applied by transformer 106 on the transform coefficients.
Inverse transformer 114 then outputs the restored prediction errors
to adder 116.
[0211] It is to be noted that since information is lost in
quantization, the restored prediction errors do not match the
prediction errors calculated by subtractor 104. In other words, the
restored prediction errors normally include quantization
errors.
[0212] [Adder]
[0213] Adder 116 reconstructs the current block by adding
prediction errors which have been input from inverse transformer
114 and prediction samples which have been input from prediction
controller 128. Adder 116 then outputs the reconstructed block to
block memory 118 and loop filter 120. A reconstructed block is also
referred to as a local decoded block.
[0214] [Block Memory]
[0215] Block memory 118 is, for example, storage for storing blocks
in a picture to be encoded (hereinafter referred to as a current
picture) which is referred to in intra prediction. More
specifically, block memory 118 stores reconstructed blocks output
from adder 116.
[0216] [Frame Memory]
[0217] Frame memory 122 is, for example, storage for storing
reference pictures for use in inter prediction, and is also
referred to as a frame buffer. More specifically, frame memory 122
stores reconstructed blocks filtered by loop filter 120.
[0218] [Loop Filter]
[0219] Loop filter 120 applies a loop filter to blocks
reconstructed by adder 116, and outputs the filtered reconstructed
blocks to frame memory 122. A loop filter is a filter used in an
encoding loop (in-loop filter), and includes, for example, a
deblocking filter (DF or DBF), a sample adaptive offset (SAO), and
an adaptive loop filter (ALF).
[0220] In an ALF, a least square error filter for removing
compression artifacts is applied. For example, one filter selected
from among a plurality of filters based on the direction and
activity of local gradients is applied for each of 2.times.2
sub-blocks in the current block.
[0221] More specifically, first, each sub-block (for example, each
2.times.2 sub-block) is categorized into one out of a plurality of
classes (for example, fifteen or twenty-five classes). The
classification of the sub-block is based on gradient directionality
and activity. For example, classification index C (for example,
C=5D+A) is derived based on gradient directionality D (for example,
0 to 2 or 0 to 4) and gradient activity A (for example, 0 to 4).
Then, based on classification index C, each sub-block is
categorized into one out of a plurality of classes.
[0222] For example, gradient directionality D is calculated by
comparing gradients of a plurality of directions (for example, the
horizontal, vertical, and two diagonal directions). Moreover, for
example, gradient activity A is calculated by adding gradients of a
plurality of directions and quantizing the result of addition.
[0223] The filter to be used for each sub-block is determined from
among the plurality of filters based on the result of such
categorization.
[0224] The filter shape to be used in an ALF is, for example, a
circular symmetric filter shape. FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C illustrate
examples of filter shapes used in ALFs. FIG. 6A illustrates a
5.times.5 diamond shape filter, FIG. 6B illustrates a 7.times.7
diamond shape filter, and FIG. 6C illustrates a 9.times.9 diamond
shape filter. Information indicating the filter shape is normally
signaled at the picture level. It is to be noted that the signaling
of such information indicating the filter shape does not
necessarily need to be performed at the picture level, and may be
performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level,
slice level, tile level, CTU level, or CU level).
[0225] The ON or OFF of the ALF is determined, for example, at the
picture level or CU level. For example, the decision of whether to
apply the ALF to luma may be made at the CU level, and the decision
of whether to apply ALF to chroma may be made at the picture level.
Information indicating ON or OFF of the ALF is normally signaled at
the picture level or CU level. It is to be noted that the signaling
of information indicating ON or OFF of the ALF does not necessarily
need to be performed at the picture level or CU level, and may be
performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level,
slice level, tile level, or CTU level).
[0226] The coefficient set for the plurality of selectable filters
(for example, fifteen or up to twenty-five filters) is normally
signaled at the picture level. It is to be noted that the signaling
of the coefficient set does not necessarily need to be performed at
the picture level, and may be performed at another level (for
example, at the sequence level, slice level, tile level, CTU level,
CU level, or sub-block level).
[0227] [Loop Filter>Deblocking Filter]
[0228] In a deblocking filter, loop filter 120 performs a filter
process on a block boundary in a reconstructed image so as to
reduce distortion which occurs at the block boundary.
[0229] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a
specific configuration of loop filter 120 which functions as a
deblocking filter.
[0230] Loop filter 120 includes: boundary determiner 1201; filter
determiner 1203; filtering executor 1205; process determiner 1208;
filter characteristic determiner 1207; and switches 1202, 1204, and
1206.
[0231] Boundary determiner 1201 determines whether a pixel to be
deblock-filtered (that is, a current pixel) is present around a
block boundary. Boundary determiner 1201 then outputs the
determination result to switch 1202 and processing determiner
1208.
[0232] In the case where boundary determiner 1201 has determined
that a current pixel is present around a block boundary, switch
1202 outputs an unfiltered image to switch 1204. In the opposite
case where boundary determiner 1201 has determined that no current
pixel is present around a block boundary, switch 1202 outputs an
unfiltered image to switch 1206.
[0233] Filter determiner 1203 determines whether to perform
deblocking filtering of the current pixel, based on the pixel value
of at least one surrounding pixel located around the current pixel.
Filter determiner 1203 then outputs the determination result to
switch 1204 and processing determiner 1208.
[0234] In the case where filter determiner 1203 has determined to
perform deblocking filtering of the current pixel, switch 1204
outputs the unfiltered image obtained through switch 1202 to
filtering executor 1205. In the opposite case were filter
determiner 1203 has determined not to perform deblocking filtering
of the current pixel, switch 1204 outputs the unfiltered image
obtained through switch 1202 to switch 1206.
[0235] When obtaining the unfiltered image through switches 1202
and 1204, filtering executor 1205 executes, for the current pixel,
deblocking filtering with the filter characteristic determined by
filter characteristic determiner 1207. Filtering executor 1205 then
outputs the filtered pixel to switch 1206.
[0236] Under control by processing determiner 1208, switch 1206
selectively outputs a pixel which has not been deblock-filtered and
a pixel which has been deblock-filtered by filtering executor
1205.
[0237] Processing determiner 1208 controls switch 1206 based on the
results of determinations made by boundary determiner 1201 and
filter determiner 1203. In other words, processing determiner 1208
causes switch 1206 to output the pixel which has been
deblock-filtered when boundary determiner 1201 has determined that
the current pixel is present around the block boundary and filter
determiner 1203 has determined to perform deblocking filtering of
the current pixel. In addition, other than the above case,
processing determiner 1208 causes switch 1206 to output the pixel
which has not been deblock-filtered. A filtered image is output
from switch 1206 by repeating output of a pixel in this way.
[0238] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram indicating an example of a
deblocking filter having a symmetrical filtering characteristic
with respect to a block boundary.
[0239] In a deblocking filter process, one of two deblocking
filters having different characteristics, that is, a strong filter
and a weak filter is selected using pixel values and quantization
parameters. In the case of the strong filter, pixels p0 to p2 and
pixels q0 to q2 are present across a block boundary as illustrated
in FIG. 8, the pixel values of the respective pixel q0 to q2 are
changed to pixel values q'0 to q'2 by performing, for example,
computations according to the expressions below.
q'0=(p1+2.times.p0+2.times.q0+2.times.q1+q2+4)/8
q'1=(p0+q0+q1+q2+2)/4
q'2=(p0+q0+q1+3.times.q2+2.times.q3+4)/8
[0240] It is to be noted that, in the above expressions, p0 to p2
and q0 to q2 are the pixel values of respective pixels p0 to p2 and
pixels q0 to q2. In addition, q3 is the pixel value of neighboring
pixel q3 located at the opposite side of pixel q2 with respect to
the block boundary. In addition, in the right side of each of the
expressions, coefficients which are multiplied with the respective
pixel values of the pixels to be used for deblocking filtering are
filter coefficients.
[0241] Furthermore, in the deblocking filtering, clipping may be
performed so that the calculated pixel values are not set over a
threshold value. In the clipping process, the pixel values
calculated according to the above expressions are clipped to a
value obtained according to "a computation pixel value.+-.2.times.a
threshold value" using the threshold value determined based on a
quantization parameter. In this way, it is possible to prevent
excessive smoothing.
[0242] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a block
boundary on which a deblocking filter process is performed. FIG. 10
is a conceptual diagram indicating examples of Bs values.
[0243] The block boundary on which the deblocking filter process is
performed is, for example, a boundary between prediction units (PU)
having 8.times.8 pixel blocks as illustrated in FIG. 9 or a
boundary between transform units (TU). The deblocking filter
process may be performed in units of four rows or four columns.
First, boundary strength (Bs) values are determined as indicated in
FIG. 10 for block P and block Q illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0244] According to the Bs values in FIG. 10, whether to perform
deblocking filter processes of block boundaries belonging to the
same image using different strengths is determined. The deblocking
filter process for a chroma signal is performed when a Bs value is
2. The deblocking filter process for a luma signal is performed
when a Bs value is 1 or more and a determined condition is
satisfied. The determined condition may be predetermined. It is to
be noted that conditions for determining Bs values are not limited
to those indicated in FIG. 10, and a Bs value may be determined
based on another parameter.
[0245] [Prediction Processor (Intra Predictor, Inter Predictor,
Prediction Controller)]
[0246] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
process performed by the prediction processor of encoder 100. It is
to be noted that the prediction processor includes all or part of
the following constituent elements: intra predictor 124; inter
predictor 126; and prediction controller 128.
[0247] The prediction processor generates a prediction image of a
current block (Step Sb_1). This prediction image is also referred
to as a prediction signal or a prediction block. It is to be noted
that the prediction signal is, for example, an intra prediction
signal or an inter prediction signal. Specifically, the prediction
processor generates the prediction image of the current block using
a reconstructed image which has been already obtained through
generation of a prediction block, generation of a difference block,
generation of a coefficient block, restoring of a difference block,
and generation of a decoded image block.
[0248] The reconstructed image may be, for example, an image in a
reference picture, or an image of an encoded block in a current
picture which is the picture including the current block. The
encoded block in the current picture is, for example, a neighboring
block of the current block.
[0249] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a
process performed by the prediction processor of encoder 100.
[0250] The prediction processor generates a prediction image using
a first method (Step Sc_1a), generates a prediction image using a
second method (Step Sc_1b), and generates a prediction image using
a third method (Step Sc_1c). The first method, the second method,
and the third method may be mutually different methods for
generating a prediction image. Each of the first to third methods
may be an inter prediction method, an intra prediction method, or
another prediction method. The above-described reconstructed image
may be used in these prediction methods.
[0251] Next, the prediction processor selects any one of a
plurality of prediction methods generated in Steps Sc_1a, Sc_1b,
and Sc_1c (Step Sc_2). The selection of the prediction image, that
is selection of a method or a mode for obtaining a final prediction
image may be made by calculating a cost for each of the generated
prediction images and based on the cost. Alternatively, the
selection of the prediction image may be made based on a parameter
which is used in an encoding process. Encoder 100 may transform
information for identifying a selected prediction image, a method,
or a mode into an encoded signal (also referred to as an encoded
bitstream). The information may be, for example, a flag or the
like. In this way, the decoder is capable of generating a
prediction image according to the method or the mode selected based
on the information in encoder 100. It is to be noted that, in the
example illustrated in FIG. 12, the prediction processor selects
any of the prediction images after the prediction images are
generated using the respective methods. However, the prediction
processor may select a method or a mode based on a parameter for
use in the above-described encoding process before generating
prediction images, and may generate a prediction image according to
the method or mode selected.
[0252] For example, the first method and the second method may be
intra prediction and inter prediction, respectively, and the
prediction processor may select a final prediction image for a
current block from prediction images generated according to the
prediction methods.
[0253] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a
process performed by the prediction processor of encoder 100.
[0254] First, the prediction processor generates a prediction image
using intra prediction (Step Sd_1a), and generates a prediction
image using inter prediction (Step Sd_1b). It is to be noted that
the prediction image generated by intra prediction is also referred
to as an intra prediction image, and the prediction image generated
by inter prediction is also referred to as an inter prediction
image.
[0255] Next, the prediction processor evaluates each of the intra
prediction image and the inter prediction image (Step Sd_2). A cost
may be used in the evaluation. In other words, the prediction
processor calculates cost C for each of the intra prediction image
and the inter prediction image. Cost C may be calculated according
to an expression of an R-D optimization model, for example,
C=D+A.times.R. In this expression, D indicates a coding distortion
of a prediction image, and is represented as, for example, a sum of
absolute differences between the pixel value of a current block and
the pixel value of a prediction image. In addition, R indicates a
predicted coding amount of a prediction image, specifically, the
coding amount required to encode motion information for generating
a prediction image, etc. In addition, A indicates, for example, a
multiplier according to the method of Lagrange multiplier.
[0256] The prediction processor then selects the prediction image
for which the smallest cost C has been calculated among the intra
prediction image and the inter prediction image, as the final
prediction image for the current block (Step Sd_3). In other words,
the prediction method or the mode for generating the prediction
image for the current block is selected.
[0257] [Intra Predictor]
[0258] Intra predictor 124 generates a prediction signal (intra
prediction signal) by performing intra prediction (also referred to
as intra frame prediction) of the current block by referring to a
block or blocks in the current picture and stored in block memory
118. More specifically, intra predictor 124 generates an intra
prediction signal by performing intra prediction by referring to
samples (for example, luma and/or chroma values) of a block or
blocks neighboring the current block, and then outputs the intra
prediction signal to prediction controller 128.
[0259] For example, intra predictor 124 performs intra prediction
by using one mode from among a plurality of intra prediction modes
which have been defined. The intra prediction modes include one or
more non-directional prediction modes and a plurality of
directional prediction modes. The defined modes may be
predefined.
[0260] The one or more non-directional prediction modes include,
for example, the planar prediction mode and DC prediction mode
defined in the H.265/high-efficiency video coding (HEVC)
standard.
[0261] The plurality of directional prediction modes include, for
example, the thirty-three directional prediction modes defined in
the H.265/HEVC standard. It is to be noted that the plurality of
directional prediction modes may further include thirty-two
directional prediction modes in addition to the thirty-three
directional prediction modes (for a total of sixty-five directional
prediction modes). FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating
sixty-seven intra prediction modes in total that may be used in
intra prediction (two non-directional prediction modes and
sixty-five directional prediction modes). The solid arrows
represent the thirty-three directions defined in the H.265/HEVC
standard, and the dashed arrows represent the additional thirty-two
directions (the two non-directional prediction modes are not
illustrated in FIG. 14).
[0262] In various kinds of processing examples, a luma block may be
referred to in intra prediction of a chroma block. In other words,
a chroma component of the current block may be predicted based on a
luma component of the current block. Such intra prediction is also
referred to as cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction. The
intra prediction mode for a chroma block in which such a luma block
is referred to (also referred to as, for example, a CCLM mode) may
be added as one of the intra prediction modes for chroma
blocks.
[0263] Intra predictor 124 may correct intra-predicted pixel values
based on horizontal/vertical reference pixel gradients. Intra
prediction accompanied by this sort of correcting is also referred
to as position dependent intra prediction combination (PDPC).
Information indicating whether to apply PDPC (referred to as, for
example, a PDPC flag) is normally signaled at the CU level. It is
to be noted that the signaling of such information does not
necessarily need to be performed at the CU level, and may be
performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level,
picture level, slice level, tile level, or CTU level).
[0264] [Inter Predictor]
[0265] Inter predictor 126 generates a prediction signal (inter
prediction signal) by performing inter prediction (also referred to
as inter frame prediction) of the current block by referring to a
block or blocks in a reference picture, which is different from the
current picture and is stored in frame memory 122. Inter prediction
is performed in units of a current block or a current sub-block
(for example, a 4.times.4 block) in the current block. For example,
inter predictor 126 performs motion estimation in a reference
picture for the current block or the current sub-block, and finds
out a reference block or a sub-block which best matches the current
block or the current sub-block. Inter predictor 126 then obtains
motion information (for example, a motion vector) which compensates
a motion or a change from the reference block or the sub-block to
the current block or the sub-block. Inter predictor 126 generates
an inter prediction signal of the current block or the sub-block by
performing motion compensation (or motion prediction) based on the
motion information. Inter predictor 126 outputs the generated inter
prediction signal to prediction controller 128.
[0266] The motion information used in motion compensation may be
signaled as inter prediction signals in various forms. For example,
a motion vector may be signaled. As another example, the difference
between a motion vector and a motion vector predictor may be
signaled.
[0267] [Basic Flow of Inter Prediction]
[0268] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an example basic
processing flow of inter prediction.
[0269] First, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction signal
(Steps Se_1 to Se_3). Next, subtractor 104 generates the difference
between a current block and a prediction image as a prediction
residual (Step Se_4).
[0270] Here, in the generation of the prediction image, inter
predictor 126 generates the prediction image through determination
of a motion vector (MV) of the current block (Steps Se_1 and Se_2)
and motion compensation (Step Se_3). Furthermore, in determination
of an MV, inter predictor 126 determines the MV through selection
of a motion vector candidate (MV candidate) (Step Se_1) and
derivation of an MV (Step Se_2). The selection of the MV candidate
is made by, for example, selecting at least one MV candidate from
an MV candidate list. Alternatively, in derivation of an MV, inter
predictor 126 may further select at least one MV candidate from the
at least one MV candidate, and determine the selected at least one
MV candidate as the MV for the current block. Alternatively, inter
predictor 126 may determine the MV for the current block by
performing estimation in a reference picture region specified by
each of the selected at least one MV candidate. It is to be noted
that the estimation in a reference picture region may be referred
to as motion estimation.
[0271] In addition, although Steps Se_1 to Se_3 are performed by
inter predictor 126 in the above-described example, a process that
is for example Step Se_1, Step Se_2, or the like may be performed
by another constituent element included in encoder 100.
[0272] [Motion Vector Derivation Flow]
[0273] FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one example of
derivation of motion vectors.
[0274] Inter predictor 126 derives an MV of a current block in a
mode for encoding motion information (for example, an MV). In this
case, for example, the motion information is encoded as a
prediction parameter, and is signaled. In other words, the encoded
motion information is included in an encoded signal (also referred
to as an encoded bitstream).
[0275] Alternatively, inter predictor 126 derives an MV in a mode
in which motion information is not encoded. In this case, no motion
information is included in an encoded signal.
[0276] Here, MV derivation modes may include a normal inter mode, a
merge mode, a FRUC mode, an affine mode, etc. which are described
later. Modes in which motion information is encoded among the modes
include the normal inter mode, the merge mode, the affine mode
(specifically, an affine inter mode and an affine merge mode), etc.
It is to be noted that motion information may include not only an
MV but also motion vector predictor selection information which is
described later. Modes in which no motion information is encoded
include the FRUC mode, etc. Inter predictor 126 selects a mode for
deriving an MV of the current block from the modes, and derives the
MV of the current block using the selected mode.
[0277] FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
derivation of motion vectors.
[0278] Inter predictor 126 derives an MV of a current block in a
mode in which an MV difference is encoded. In this case, for
example, the MV difference is encoded as a prediction parameter,
and is signaled. In other words, the encoded MV difference is
included in an encoded signal. The MV difference is the difference
between the MV of the current block and the MV predictor.
[0279] Alternatively, inter predictor 126 derives an MV in a mode
in which no MV difference is encoded. In this case, no encoded MV
difference is included in an encoded signal.
[0280] Here, as described above, the MV derivation modes include
the normal inter mode, the merge mode, the FRUC mode, the affine
mode, etc. which are described later. Modes in which an MV
difference is encoded among the modes include the normal inter
mode, the affine mode (specifically, the affine inter mode), etc.
Modes in which no MV difference is encoded include the FRUC mode,
the merge mode, the affine mode (specifically, the affine merge
mode), etc. Inter predictor 126 selects a mode for deriving an MV
of the current block from the plurality of modes, and derives the
MV of the current block using the selected mode.
[0281] [Motion Vector Derivation Flow]
[0282] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
derivation of motion vectors. The MV derivation modes which are
inter prediction modes include a plurality of modes and are roughly
divided into modes in which an MV difference is encoded and modes
in which no motion vector difference is encoded. The modes in which
no MV difference is encoded include the merge mode, the FRUC mode,
the affine mode (specifically, the affine merge mode), etc. These
modes are described in detail later. Simply, the merge mode is a
mode for deriving an MV of a current block by selecting a motion
vector from an encoded surrounding block, and the FRUC mode is a
mode for deriving an MV of a current block by performing estimation
between encoded regions. The affine mode is a mode for deriving, as
an MV of a current block, a motion vector of each of a plurality of
sub-blocks included in the current block, assuming affine
transform.
[0283] More specifically, as illustrated when the inter prediction
mode information indicates 0 (0 in Sf_1), inter predictor 126
derives a motion vector using the merge mode (Sf_2). When the inter
prediction mode information indicates 1 (1 in Sf_1), inter
predictor 126 derives a motion vector using the FRUC mode (Sf_3).
When the inter prediction mode information indicates 2 (2 in Sf_1),
inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector using the affine mode
(specifically, the affine merge mode) (Sf_4). When the inter
prediction mode information indicates 3 (3 in Sf_1), inter
predictor 126 derives a motion vector using a mode in which an MV
difference is encoded (for example, a normal inter mode (Sf_5).
[0284] [MV Derivation>Normal Inter Mode]
[0285] The normal inter mode is an inter prediction mode for
deriving an MV of a current block based on a block similar to the
image of the current block from a reference picture region
specified by an MV candidate. In this normal inter mode, an MV
difference is encoded.
[0286] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter
prediction in normal inter mode.
[0287] First, inter predictor 126 obtains a plurality of MV
candidates for a current block based on information such as MVs of
a plurality of encoded blocks temporally or spatially surrounding
the current block (Step Sg_1). In other words, inter predictor 126
generates an MV candidate list.
[0288] Next, inter predictor 126 extracts N (an integer of 2 or
larger) MV candidates from the plurality of MV candidates obtained
in Step Sg_1, as motion vector predictor candidates (also referred
to as MV predictor candidates) according to a determined priority
order (Step Sg_2). It is to be noted that the priority order may be
determined in advance for each of the N MV candidates.
[0289] Next, inter predictor 126 selects one motion vector
predictor candidate from the N motion vector predictor candidates,
as the motion vector predictor (also referred to as an MV
predictor) of the current block (Step Sg_3). At this time, inter
predictor 126 encodes, in a stream, motion vector predictor
selection information for identifying the selected motion vector
predictor. It is to be noted that the stream is an encoded signal
or an encoded bitstream as described above.
[0290] Next, inter predictor 126 derives an MV of a current block
by referring to an encoded reference picture (Step Sg_4). At this
time, inter predictor 126 further encodes, in the stream, the
difference value between the derived MV and the motion vector
predictor as an MV difference. It is to be noted that the encoded
reference picture is a picture including a plurality of blocks
which have been reconstructed after being encoded.
[0291] Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for
the current block by performing motion compensation of the current
block using the derived MV and the encoded reference picture (Step
Sg_5). It is to be noted that the prediction image is an inter
prediction signal as described above.
[0292] In addition, information indicating the inter prediction
mode (normal inter mode in the above example) used to generate the
prediction image is, for example, encoded as a prediction
parameter.
[0293] It is to be noted that the MV candidate list may be also
used as a list for use in another mode. In addition, the processes
related to the MV candidate list may be applied to processes
related to the list for use in another mode. The processes related
to the MV candidate list include, for example, extraction or
selection of an MV candidate from the MV candidate list, reordering
of MV candidates, or deletion of an MV candidate.
[0294] [MV Derivation>Merge Mode]
[0295] The merge mode is an inter prediction mode for selecting an
MV candidate from an MV candidate list as an MV of a current block,
thereby deriving the MV.
[0296] FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter
prediction in merge mode.
[0297] First, inter predictor 126 obtains a plurality of MV
candidates for a current block based on information such as MVs of
a plurality of encoded blocks temporally or spatially surrounding
the current block (Step Sh_1). In other words, inter predictor 126
generates an MV candidate list.
[0298] Next, inter predictor 126 selects one MV candidate from the
plurality of MV candidates obtained in Step Sh_1, thereby deriving
an MV of the current block (Step Sh_2). At this time, inter
predictor 126 encodes, in a stream, MV selection information for
identifying the selected MV candidate.
[0299] Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for
the current block by performing motion compensation of the current
block using the derived MV and the encoded reference picture (Step
Sh_3).
[0300] In addition, information indicating the inter prediction
mode (merge mode in the above example) used to generate the
prediction image and included in the encoded signal is, for
example, encoded as a prediction parameter.
[0301] FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of a motion vector derivation process of a current picture in merge
mode.
[0302] First, an MV candidate list in which MV predictor candidates
are registered is generated. Examples of MV predictor candidates
include: spatially neighboring MV predictors which are MVs of a
plurality of encoded blocks located spatially surrounding a current
block; temporally neighboring MV predictors which are MVs of
surrounding blocks on which the position of a current block in an
encoded reference picture is projected; combined MV predictors
which are MVs generated by combining the MV value of a spatially
neighboring MV predictor and the MV of a temporally neighboring MV
predictor; and a zero MV predictor which is an MV having a zero
value.
[0303] Next, one MV predictor is selected from a plurality of MV
predictors registered in an MV predictor list, and the selected MV
predictor is determined as the MV of a current block.
[0304] Furthermore, the variable length encoder describes and
encodes, in a stream, merge_idx which is a signal indicating which
MV predictor has been selected.
[0305] It is to be noted that the MV predictors registered in the
MV predictor list described in FIG. 21 are examples. The number of
MV predictors may be different from the number of MV predictors in
the diagram, the MV predictor list may be configured in such a
manner that some of the kinds of the MV predictors in the diagram
may not be included, or that one or more MV predictors other than
the kinds of MV predictors in the diagram are included.
[0306] A final MV may be determined by performing a decoder motion
vector refinement process (DMVR) to be described later using the MV
of the current block derived in merge mode.
[0307] It is to be noted that the MV predictor candidates are MV
candidates described above, and the MV predictor list is the MV
candidate list described above. It is to be noted that the MV
candidate list may be referred to as a candidate list. In addition,
merge_idx is MV selection information.
[0308] [MV Derivation>FRUC Mode]
[0309] Motion information may be derived at the decoder side
without being signaled from the encoder side. It is to be noted
that, as described above, the merge mode defined in the H.265/HEVC
standard may be used. In addition, for example, motion information
may be derived by performing motion estimation at the decoder side.
In an embodiment, at the decoder side, motion estimation is
performed without using any pixel value in a current block.
[0310] Here, a mode for performing motion estimation at the decoder
side is described. The mode for performing motion estimation at the
decoder side may be referred to as a pattern matched motion vector
derivation (PMMVD) mode, or a frame rate up-conversion (FRUC)
mode.
[0311] One example of a FRUC process in the form of a flow chart is
illustrated in FIG. 22. First, a list of a plurality of candidates
each having a motion vector (MV) predictor (that is, an MV
candidate list that may be also used as a merge list) is generated
by referring to a motion vector in an encoded block which spatially
or temporally neighbors a current block (Step Si_1). Next, a best
MV candidate is selected from the plurality of MV candidates
registered in the MV candidate list (Step Si_2). For example, the
evaluation values of the respective MV candidates included in the
MV candidate list are calculated, and one MV candidate is selected
based on the evaluation values. Based on the selected motion vector
candidates, a motion vector for the current block is then derived
(Step Si_4). More specifically, for example, the selected motion
vector candidate (best MV candidate) is derived directly as the
motion vector for the current block. In addition, for example, the
motion vector for the current block may be derived using pattern
matching in a surrounding region of a position in a reference
picture where the position in the reference picture corresponds to
the selected motion vector candidate. In other words, estimation
using the pattern matching and the evaluation values may be
performed in the surrounding region of the best MV candidate, and
when there is an MV that yields a better evaluation value, the best
MV candidate may be updated to the MV that yields the better
evaluation value, and the updated MV may be determined as the final
MV for the current block. A configuration in which no such a
process for updating the best MV candidate to the MV having a
better evaluation value is performed is also possible.
[0312] Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for
the current block by performing motion compensation of the current
block using the derived MV and the encoded reference picture (Step
Si_5).
[0313] A similar process may be performed in units of a
sub-block.
[0314] Evaluation values may be calculated according to various
kinds of methods. For example, a comparison is made between a
reconstructed image in a region in a reference picture
corresponding to a motion vector and a reconstructed image in a
determined region (the region may be, for example, a region in
another reference picture or a region in a neighboring block of a
current picture, as indicated below). The determined region may be
predetermined.
[0315] The difference between the pixel values of the two
reconstructed images may be used for an evaluation value of the
motion vectors. It is to be noted that an evaluation value may be
calculated using information other than the value of the
difference. Next, an example of pattern matching is described in
detail.
[0316] First, one MV candidate included in an MV candidate list
(for example, a merge list) is selected as a start point of
estimation by the pattern matching. For example, as the pattern
matching, either a first pattern matching or a second pattern
matching may be used. The first pattern matching and the second
pattern matching are also referred to as bilateral matching and
template matching, respectively.
[0317] [MV Derivation>FRUC>Bilateral Matching]In the first
pattern matching, pattern matching is performed between two blocks
along a motion trajectory of a current block which are two blocks
in different two reference pictures. Accordingly, in the first
pattern matching, a region in another reference picture along the
motion trajectory of the current block is used as a determined
region for calculating the evaluation value of the above-described
candidate. The determined region may be predetermined.
[0318] FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of the first pattern matching (bilateral matching) between the two
blocks in the two reference pictures along the motion trajectory.
As illustrated in FIG. 23, in the first pattern matching, two
motion vectors (MV0, MV1) are derived by estimating a pair which
best matches among pairs in the two blocks in the two different
reference pictures (Ref0, Ref1) which are the two blocks along the
motion trajectory of the current block (Cur block). More
specifically, a difference between the reconstructed image at a
specified location in the first encoded reference picture (Ref0)
specified by an MV candidate and the reconstructed image at a
specified location in the second encoded reference picture (Ref1)
specified by a symmetrical MV obtained by scaling the MV candidate
at a display time interval is derived for the current block, and an
evaluation value is calculated using the value of the obtained
difference. It is possible to select, as the final MV, the MV
candidate which yields the best evaluation value among the
plurality of MV candidates, and which is likely to produce good
results.
[0319] In the assumption of a continuous motion trajectory, the
motion vectors (MV0, MV1) specifying the two reference blocks are
proportional to temporal distances (TD0, TD1) between the current
picture (Cur Pic) and the two reference pictures (Ref0, Ref1). For
example, when the current picture is temporally located between the
two reference pictures and the temporal distances from the current
picture to the respective two reference pictures are equal to each
other, mirror-symmetrical bi-directional motion vectors are derived
in the first pattern matching.
[0320] [MV Derivation>FRUC>Template Matching]
[0321] In the second pattern matching (template matching), pattern
matching is performed between a block in a reference picture and a
template in the current picture (the template is a block
neighboring the current block in the current picture (the
neighboring block is, for example, an upper and/or left neighboring
block(s))). Accordingly, in the second pattern matching, the block
neighboring the current block in the current picture is used as the
determined region for calculating the evaluation value of the
above-described candidate.
[0322] FIG. 24 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of pattern matching (template matching) between a template in a
current picture and a block in a reference picture. As illustrated
in FIG. 24, in the second pattern matching, the motion vector of
the current block (Cur block) is derived by estimating, in the
reference picture (Ref0), the block which best matches the block
neighboring the current block in the current picture (Cur Pic).
More specifically, it is possible that the difference between a
reconstructed image in an encoded region which neighbors both left
and above or either left or above and a reconstructed image which
is in a corresponding region in the encoded reference picture
(Ref0) and is specified by an MV candidate is derived, an
evaluation value is calculated using the value of the obtained
difference, and the MV candidate which yields the best evaluation
value among a plurality of MV candidates is selected as the best MV
candidate.
[0323] Such information indicating whether to apply the FRUC mode
(referred to as, for example, a FRUC flag) may be signaled at the
CU level. In addition, when the FRUC mode is applied (for example,
when a FRUC flag is true), information indicating an applicable
pattern matching method (either the first pattern matching or the
second pattern matching) may be signaled at the CU level. It is to
be noted that the signaling of such information does not
necessarily need to be performed at the CU level, and may be
performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level,
picture level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, or sub-block
level).
[0324] [MV Derivation>Affine Mode]
[0325] Next, the affine mode for deriving a motion vector in units
of a sub-block based on motion vectors of a plurality of
neighboring blocks is described. This mode is also referred to as
an affine motion compensation prediction mode.
[0326] FIG. 25A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one
example of deriving a motion vector of each sub-block based on
motion vectors of a plurality of neighboring blocks. In FIG. 25A,
the current block includes sixteen 4.times.4 sub-blocks. Here,
motion vector V0 at an upper-left corner control point in the
current block is derived based on a motion vector of a neighboring
block, and likewise, motion vector V1 at an upper-right corner
control point in the current block is derived based on a motion
vector of a neighboring sub-block. Two motion vectors v0 and v1 may
be projected according to an expression (1A) indicated below, and
motion vectors (vx, vy) for the respective sub-blocks in the
current block may be derived.
[ Math . 1 ] { v x = ( v 1 x - v 0 x ) w x - ( v 1 y - v 0 y ) w y
+ v 0 x v y = ( v 1 y - v 0 y ) w x - ( v 1 x - v 0 x ) w y + v 0 y
( 1 A ) ##EQU00001##
[0327] Here, x and y indicate the horizontal position and the
vertical position of the sub-block, respectively, and w indicates a
determined weighting coefficient. The determined weighting
coefficient may be predetermined.
[0328] Such information indicating the affine mode (for example,
referred to as an affine flag) may be signaled at the CU level. It
is to be noted that the signaling of the information indicating the
affine mode does not necessarily need to be performed at the CU
level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the
sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, CTU level,
or sub-block level).
[0329] In addition, the affine mode may include several modes for
different methods for deriving motion vectors at the upper-left and
upper-right corner control points. For example, the affine mode
include two modes which are the affine inter mode (also referred to
as an affine normal inter mode) and the affine merge mode.
[0330] [MV Derivation>Affine Mode]
[0331] FIG. 25B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one
example of deriving a motion vector of each sub-block in affine
mode in which three control points are used. In FIG. 25B, the
current block includes sixteen 4.times.4 blocks. Here, motion
vector V0 at the upper-left corner control point for the current
block is derived based on a motion vector of a neighboring block,
and likewise, motion vector V1 at the upper-right corner control
point for the current block is derived based on a motion vector of
a neighboring block, and motion vector V2 at the lower-left corner
control point for the current block is derived based on a motion
vector of a neighboring block. Three motion vectors v0, v1, and v2
may be projected according to an expression (1B) indicated below,
and motion vectors (vx, vy) for the respective sub-blocks in the
current block may be derived.
[ Math . 2 ] { v x = ( v 1 x - v 0 x ) w x - ( v 2 x - v 0 x ) h y
+ v 0 x v y = ( v 1 y - v 0 y ) w x - ( v 2 y - v 0 y ) h y + v 0 y
( 1 B ) ##EQU00002##
[0332] Here, x and y indicate the horizontal position and the
vertical position of the center of the sub-block, respectively, w
indicates the width of the current block, and h indicates the
height of the current block.
[0333] Affine modes in which different numbers of control points
(for example, two and three control points) are used may be
switched and signaled at the CU level. It is to be noted that
information indicating the number of control points in affine mode
used at the CU level may be signaled at another level (for example,
the sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, CTU
level, or sub-block level).
[0334] In addition, such an affine mode in which three control
points are used may include different methods for deriving motion
vectors at the upper-left, upper-right, and lower-left corner
control points. For example, the affine modes include two modes
which are the affine inter mode (also referred to as the affine
normal inter mode) and the affine merge mode.
[0335] [MV Derivation>Affine Merge Mode]
[0336] FIG. 26A, FIG. 26B, and FIG. 26C are conceptual diagrams for
illustrating the affine merge mode.
[0337] As illustrated in FIG. 26A, in the affine merge mode, for
example, motion vector predictors at respective control points of a
current block are calculated based on a plurality of motion vectors
corresponding to blocks encoded according to the affine mode among
encoded block A (left), block B (upper), block C (upper-right),
block D (lower-left), and block E (upper-left) which neighbor the
current block. More specifically, encoded block A (left), block B
(upper), block C (upper-right), block D (lower-left), and block E
(upper-left) are checked in the listed order, and the first
effective block encoded according to the affine mode is identified.
Motion vector predictors at the control points of the current block
are calculated based on a plurality of motion vectors corresponding
to the identified block.
[0338] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26B, when block A which
neighbors to the left of the current block has been encoded
according to an affine mode in which two control points are used,
motion vectors v3 and v4 projected at the upper-left corner
position and the upper-right corner position of the encoded block
including block A are derived. Motion vector predictor v0 at the
upper-left corner control point of the current block and motion
vector predictor v1 at the upper-right corner control point of the
current block are then calculated from derived motion vectors v3
and v4.
[0339] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26C, when block A which
neighbors to the left of the current block has been encoded
according to an affine mode in which three control points are used,
motion vectors v3, v4, and v5 projected at the upper-left corner
position, the upper-right corner position, and the lower-left
corner position of the encoded block including block A are derived.
Motion vector predictor v0 at the upper-left corner control point
of the current block, motion vector predictor v1 at the upper-right
corner control point of the current block, and motion vector
predictor v2 at the lower-left corner control point of the current
block are then calculated from derived motion vectors v3, v4, and
v5.
[0340] It is to be noted that this method for deriving motion
vector predictors may be used to derive motion vector predictors of
the respective control points of the current block in Step Sj_1 in
FIG. 29 described later.
[0341] FIG. 27 is a flow chart illustrating one example of the
affine merge mode.
[0342] In affine merge mode as illustrated, first, inter predictor
126 derives MV predictors of respective control points of a current
block (Step Sk_1). The control points are an upper-left corner
point of the current block and an upper-right corner point of the
current block as illustrated in FIG. 25A, or an upper-left corner
point of the current block, an upper-right corner point of the
current block, and a lower-left corner point of the current block
as illustrated in FIG. 25B.
[0343] In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 26A, inter predictor
126 checks encoded block A (left), block B (upper), block C
(upper-right), block D (lower-left), and block E (upper-left) in
the listed order, and identifies the first effective block encoded
according to the affine mode.
[0344] When block A is identified and block A has two control
points, as illustrated in FIG. 26B, inter predictor 126 calculates
motion vector v0 at the upper-left corner control point of the
current block and motion vector v1 at the upper-right corner
control point of the current block from motion vectors v3 and v4 at
the upper-left corner and the upper-right corner of the encoded
block including block A. For example, inter predictor 126
calculates motion vector v0 at the upper-left corner control point
of the current block and motion vector v1 at the upper-right corner
control point of the current block by projecting motion vectors v3
and v4 at the upper-left corner and the upper-right corner of the
encoded block onto the current block.
[0345] Alternatively, when block A is identified and block A has
three control points, as illustrated in FIG. 26C, inter predictor
126 calculates motion vector v0 at the upper-left corner control
point of the current block, motion vector v1 at the upper-right
corner control point of the current block, and motion vector v2 at
the lower-left corner control point of the current block from
motion vectors v3, v4, and v5 at the upper-left corner, the
upper-right corner, and the lower-left corner of the encoded block
including block A. For example, inter predictor 126 calculates
motion vector v0 at the upper-left corner control point of the
current block, motion vector v1 at the upper-right corner control
point of the current block, and motion vector v2 at the lower-left
corner control point of the current block by projecting motion
vectors v3, v4, and v5 at the upper-left corner, the upper-right
corner, and the lower-left corner of the encoded block onto the
current block.
[0346] Next, inter predictor 126 performs motion compensation of
each of a plurality of sub-blocks included in the current block. In
other words, inter predictor 126 calculates, for each of the
plurality of sub-blocks, a motion vector of the sub-block as an
affine MV, by using either (i) two motion vector predictors v0 and
v1 and the expression (1A) described above or (ii) three motion
vector predictors v0, v1, and v2 and the expression (1B) described
above (Step Sk_2). Inter predictor 126 then performs motion
compensation of the sub-blocks using these affine MVs and encoded
reference pictures (Step Sk_3). As a result, motion compensation of
the current block is performed to generate a prediction image of
the current block.
[0347] [MV Derivation>Affine Inter Mode]
[0348] FIG. 28A is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
inter mode in which two control points are used.
[0349] In the affine inter mode, as illustrated in FIG. 28A, a
motion vector selected from motion vectors of encoded block A,
block B, and block C which neighbor the current block is used as
motion vector predictor v0 at the upper-left corner control point
of the current block. Likewise, a motion vector selected from
motion vectors of encoded block D and block E which neighbor the
current block is used as motion vector predictor v1 at the
upper-right corner control point of the current block.
[0350] FIG. 28B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an affine
inter mode in which three control points are used.
[0351] In the affine inter mode, as illustrated in FIG. 28B, a
motion vector selected from motion vectors of encoded block A,
block B, and block C which neighbor the current block is used as
motion vector predictor v0 at the upper-left corner control point
of the current block. Likewise, a motion vector selected from
motion vectors of encoded block D and block E which neighbor the
current block is used as motion vector predictor v1 at the
upper-right corner control point of the current block. Furthermore,
a motion vector selected from motion vectors of encoded block F and
block G which neighbor the current block is used as motion vector
predictor v2 at the lower-left corner control point of the current
block.
[0352] FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating one example of an
affine inter mode.
[0353] In the affine inter mode as illustrated, first, inter
predictor 126 derives MV predictors (v0, v1) or (v0, v1, v2) of
respective two or three control points of a current block (Step
Sj_1). The control points are an upper-left corner point of the
current block and an upper-right corner point of the current block
as illustrated in FIG. 25A, or an upper-left corner point of the
current block, an upper-right corner point of the current block,
and a lower-left corner point of the current block as illustrated
in FIG. 25B.
[0354] In other words, inter predictor 126 derives the motion
vector predictors (v0, v1) or (v0, v1, v2) of respective two or
three control points of the current block by selecting motion
vectors of any of the blocks among encoded blocks in the vicinity
of the respective control points of the current block illustrated
in either FIG. 28A or FIG. 28B. At this time, inter predictor 126
encodes, in a stream, motion vector predictor selection information
for identifying the selected two motion vectors.
[0355] For example, inter predictor 126 may determine, using a cost
evaluation or the like, the block from which a motion vector as a
motion vector predictor at a control point is selected from among
encoded blocks neighboring the current block, and may describe, in
a bitstream, a flag indicating which motion vector predictor has
been selected.
[0356] Next, inter predictor 126 performs motion estimation (Step
Sj_3 and Sj_4) while updating a motion vector predictor selected or
derived in Step Sj_1 (Step Sj_2). In other words, inter predictor
126 calculates, as an affine MV, a motion vector of each of
sub-blocks which corresponds to an updated motion vector predictor,
using either the expression (1A) or expression (1B) described above
(Step Sj_3). Inter predictor 126 then performs motion compensation
of the sub-blocks using these affine MVs and encoded reference
pictures (Step Sj_4). As a result, for example, inter predictor 126
determines the motion vector predictor which yields the smallest
cost as the motion vector at a control point in a motion estimation
loop (Step Sj_5). At this time, inter predictor 126 further
encodes, in the stream, the difference value between the determined
MV and the motion vector predictor as an MV difference.
[0357] Lastly, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image for
the current block by performing motion compensation of the current
block using the determined MV and the encoded reference picture
(Step Sj_6).
[0358] [MV Derivation>Affine Inter Mode]
[0359] When affine modes in which different numbers of control
points (for example, two and three control points) are used may be
switched and signaled at the CU level, the number of control points
in an encoded block and the number of control points in a current
block may be different from each other. FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B are
conceptual diagrams for illustrating methods for deriving motion
vector predictors at control points when the number of control
points in an encoded block and the number of control points in a
current block are different from each other.
[0360] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 30A, when a current
block has three control points at the upper-left corner, the
upper-right corner, and the lower-left corner, and block A which
neighbors to the left of the current block has been encoded
according to an affine mode in which two control points are used,
motion vectors v3 and v4 projected at the upper-left corner
position and the upper-right corner position in the encoded block
including block A are derived. Motion vector predictor v0 at the
upper-left corner control point of the current block and motion
vector predictor v1 at the upper-right corner control point of the
current block are then calculated from derived motion vectors v3
and v4. Furthermore, motion vector predictor v2 at the lower-left
corner control point is calculated from derived motion vectors v0
and v1.
[0361] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 30B, when a current
block has two control points at the upper-left corner and the
upper-right corner, and block A which neighbors to the left of the
current block has been encoded according to the affine mode in
which three control points are used, motion vectors v3, v4, and v5
projected at the upper-left corner position, the upper-right corner
position, and the lower-left corner position in the encoded block
including block A are derived. Motion vector predictor v0 at the
upper-left corner control point of the current block and motion
vector predictor v1 at the upper-right corner control point of the
current block are then calculated from derived motion vectors v3,
v4, and v5.
[0362] It is to be noted that this method for deriving motion
vector predictors may be used to derive motion vector predictors of
the respective control points of the current block in Step Sj_1 in
FIG. 29.
[0363] [MV Derivation>DMVR]
[0364] FIG. 31A is a flow chart illustrating a relationship between
the merge mode and DMVR.
[0365] Inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector of a current
block according to the merge mode (Step Sl_1). Next, inter
predictor 126 determines whether to perform estimation of a motion
vector, that is, motion estimation (Step Sl_2). Here, when
determining not to perform motion estimation (No in Step Sl_2),
inter predictor 126 determines the motion vector derived in Step
Sl_1 as the final motion vector for the current block (Step Sl_4).
In other words, in this case, the motion vector of the current
block is determined according to the merge mode.
[0366] When determining to perform motion estimation in Step Sl_1
(Yes in Step Sl_2), inter predictor 126 derives the final motion
vector for the current block by estimating a surrounding region of
the reference picture specified by the motion vector derived in
Step Sl_1 (Step Sl_3). In other words, in this case, the motion
vector of the current block is determined according to the
DMVR.
[0367] FIG. 31B is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one
example of a DMVR process for determining an MV.
[0368] First, (for example, in merge mode) the best MVP which has
been set to the current block is determined to be an MV candidate.
A reference pixel is identified from a first reference picture (L0)
which is an encoded picture in the LO direction according to an MV
candidate (LO). Likewise, a reference pixel is identified from a
second reference picture (L1) which is an encoded picture in the L1
direction according to an MV candidate (L1). A template is
generated by calculating an average of these reference pixels.
[0369] Next, each of the surrounding regions of MV candidates of
the first reference picture (L0) and the second reference picture
(L1) are estimated, and the MV which yields the smallest cost is
determined to be the final MV. It is to be noted that the cost
value may be calculated, for example, using a difference value
between each of the pixel values in the template and a
corresponding one of the pixel values in the estimation region, the
values of MV candidates, etc.
[0370] It is to be noted that the processes, configurations, and
operations described here typically are basically common between
the encoder and a decoder to be described later.
[0371] Exactly the same example processes described here do not
always need to be performed. Any process for enabling derivation of
the final MV by estimation in surrounding regions of MV candidates
may be used.
[0372] [Motion Compensation>BIO/OBMC]
[0373] Motion compensation involves a mode for generating a
prediction image, and correcting the prediction image. The mode is,
for example, BIO and OBMC to be described later.
[0374] FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating one example of
generation of a prediction image.
[0375] Inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image (Step
Sm_1), and corrects the prediction image, for example, according to
any of the modes described above (Step Sm_2).
[0376] FIG. 33 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
generation of a prediction image.
[0377] Inter predictor 126 determines a motion vector of a current
block (Step Sn_1). Next, inter predictor 126 generates a prediction
image (Step Sn_2), and determines whether to perform a correction
process (Step Sn_3). Here, when determining to perform a correction
process (Yes in Step Sn_3), inter predictor 126 generates the final
prediction image by correcting the prediction image (Step Sn_4).
When determining not to perform a correction process (No in Step
Sn_3), inter predictor 126 outputs the prediction image as the
final prediction image without correcting the prediction image
(Step Sn_5).
[0378] In addition, motion compensation involves a mode for
correcting a luminance of a prediction image when generating the
prediction image. The mode is, for example, LIC to be described
later.
[0379] FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating another example of
generation of a prediction image.
[0380] Inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector of a current
block (Step So_1). Next, inter predictor 126 determines whether to
perform a luminance correction process (Step So_2). Here, when
determining to perform a luminance correction process (Yes in Step
So_2), inter predictor 126 generates the prediction image while
performing a luminance correction process (Step So_3). In other
words, the prediction image is generated using LIC. When
determining not to perform a luminance correction process (No in
Step So_2), inter predictor 126 generates a prediction image by
performing normal motion compensation without performing a
luminance correction process (Step So_4).
[0381] [Motion Compensation>OBMC]
[0382] It is to be noted that an inter prediction signal may be
generated using motion information for a neighboring block in
addition to motion information for the current block obtained from
motion estimation. More specifically, the inter prediction signal
may be generated in units of a sub-block in the current block by
performing a weighted addition of a prediction signal based on
motion information obtained from motion estimation (in the
reference picture) and a prediction signal based on motion
information for a neighboring block (in the current picture). Such
inter prediction (motion compensation) is also referred to as
overlapped block motion compensation (OBMC).
[0383] In OBMC mode, information indicating a sub-block size for
OBMC (referred to as, for example, an OBMC block size) may be
signaled at the sequence level. Moreover, information indicating
whether to apply the OBMC mode (referred to as, for example, an
OBMC flag) may be signaled at the CU level. It is to be noted that
the signaling of such information does not necessarily need to be
performed at the sequence level and CU level, and may be performed
at another level (for example, at the picture level, slice level,
tile level, CTU level, or sub-block level).
[0384] Examples of the OBMC mode will be described in further
detail. FIGS. 35 and 36 are a flow chart and a conceptual diagram
for illustrating an outline of a prediction image correction
process performed by an OBMC process.
[0385] First, as illustrated in FIG. 36, a prediction image (Pred)
is obtained through normal motion compensation using a motion
vector (MV) assigned to the processing target (current) block. In
FIG. 36, the arrow "MV" points a reference picture, and indicates
what the current block of the current picture refers to in order to
obtain a prediction image.
[0386] Next, a prediction image (Pred_L) is obtained by applying a
motion vector (MV_L) which has been already derived for the encoded
block neighboring to the left of the current block to the current
block (re-using the motion vector for the current block). The
motion vector (MV_L) is indicated by an arrow "MV_L" indicating a
reference picture from a current block. A first correction of a
prediction image is performed by overlapping two prediction images
Pred and Pred_L. This provides an effect of blending the boundary
between neighboring blocks.
[0387] Likewise, a prediction image (Pred_U) is obtained by
applying a motion vector (MV_U) which has been already derived for
the encoded block neighboring above the current block to the
current block (re-using the motion vector for the current block).
The motion vector (MV_U) is indicated by an arrow "MV_U" indicating
a reference picture from a current block. A second correction of a
prediction image is performed by overlapping the prediction image
Pred_U to the prediction images (for example, Pred and Pred_L) on
which the first correction has been performed. This provides an
effect of blending the boundary between neighboring blocks. The
prediction image obtained by the second correction is the one in
which the boundary between the neighboring blocks has been blended
(smoothed), and thus is the final prediction image of the current
block.
[0388] Although the above example is a two-path correction method
using left and upper neighboring blocks, it is to be noted that the
correction method may be three- or more-path correction method
using also the right neighboring block and/or the lower neighboring
block.
[0389] It is to be noted that the region in which such overlapping
is performed may be only part of a region near a block boundary
instead of the pixel region of the entire block.
[0390] It is to be noted that the prediction image correction
process according to OBMC for obtaining one prediction image Pred
from one reference picture by overlapping additional prediction
image Pred_L and Pred_U have been described above. However, when a
prediction image is corrected based on a plurality of reference
images, a similar process may be applied to each of the plurality
of reference pictures. In such a case, after corrected prediction
images are obtained from the respective reference pictures by
performing OBMC image correction based on the plurality of
reference pictures, the obtained corrected prediction images are
further overlapped to obtain the final prediction image.
[0391] It is to be noted that, in OBMC, the unit of a current block
may be the unit of a prediction block or the unit of a sub-block
obtained by further splitting the prediction block.
[0392] One example of a method for determining whether to apply an
OBMC process is a method for using an obmc_flag which is a signal
indicating whether to apply an OBMC process. As one specific
example, an encoder determines whether the current block belongs to
a region having complicated motion. The encoder sets the obmc_flag
to a value of "1" when the block belongs to a region having
complicated motion and applies an OBMC process when encoding, and
sets the obmc_flag to a value of "0" when the block does not belong
to a region having complicated motion and encodes the block without
applying an OBMC process. The decoder switches between application
and non-application of an OBMC process by decoding the obmc_flag
written in the stream (for example, a compressed sequence) and
decoding the block by switching between the application and
non-application of the OBMC process in accordance with the flag
value.
[0393] Inter predictor 126 generates one rectangular prediction
image for a rectangular current block in the above example.
However, inter predictor 126 may generate a plurality of prediction
images each having a shape different from a rectangle for the
rectangular current block, and may combine the plurality of
prediction images to generate the final rectangular prediction
image. The shape different from a rectangle may be, for example, a
triangle.
[0394] FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating generation
of two triangular prediction images.
[0395] Inter predictor 126 generates a triangular prediction image
by performing motion compensation of a first partition having a
triangular shape in a current block by using a first MV of the
first partition, to generate a triangular prediction image.
Likewise, inter predictor 126 generates a triangular prediction
image by performing motion compensation of a second partition
having a triangular shape in a current block by using a second MV
of the second partition, to generate a triangular prediction image.
Inter predictor 126 then generates a prediction image having the
same rectangular shape as the rectangular shape of the current
block by combining these prediction images.
[0396] It is to be noted that, although the first partition and the
second partition are triangles in the example illustrated in FIG.
37, the first partition and the second partition may be trapezoids,
or other shapes different from each other. Furthermore, although
the current block includes two partitions in the example
illustrated in FIG. 37, the current block may include three or more
partitions.
[0397] In addition, the first partition and the second partition
may overlap with each other. In other words, the first partition
and the second partition may include the same pixel region. In this
case, a prediction image for a current block may be generated using
a prediction image in the first partition and a prediction image in
the second partition.
[0398] In addition, although an example in which a prediction image
is generated for each of two partitions using inter prediction, a
prediction image may be generated for at least one partition using
intra prediction.
[0399] [Motion Compensation>BIO]
[0400] Next, a method for deriving a motion vector is described.
First, a mode for deriving a motion vector based on a model
assuming uniform linear motion will be described. This mode is also
referred to as a bi-directional optical flow (BIO) mode.
[0401] FIG. 38 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a model
assuming uniform linear motion. In FIG. 38, (vx, vy) indicates a
velocity vector, and .tau.0 and .tau.1 indicate temporal distances
between a current picture (Cur Pic) and two reference pictures
(Ref0, Ref1). (MVx0, MVy0) indicate motion vectors corresponding to
reference picture Ref0, and (MVx1, MVy1) indicate motion vectors
corresponding to reference picture Ref1.
[0402] Here, under the assumption of uniform linear motion
exhibited by velocity vectors (vx, vy), (MVx0, MVy0) and (MVx1,
MVy1) are represented as (vx.tau.0, vy.tau.0) and (-vx.tau.1,
-vy.tau.1), respectively, and the following optical flow equation
(2) may be employed.
[MATH. 3]
.differential.I.sup.(k)/.differential.t+v.sub.x.differential.I.sup.(k)/.-
differential.x+v.sub.y.differential.I.sup.(k)/.differential.y=0
(2)
[0403] Here, I(k) indicates a motion-compensated luma value of
reference picture k (k=0, 1). This optical flow equation shows that
the sum of (i) the time derivative of the luma value, (ii) the
product of the horizontal velocity and the horizontal component of
the spatial gradient of a reference image, and (iii) the product of
the vertical velocity and the vertical component of the spatial
gradient of a reference image is equal to zero. A motion vector of
each block obtained from, for example, a merge list may be
corrected in units of a pixel, based on a combination of the
optical flow equation and Hermite interpolation.
[0404] It is to be noted that a motion vector may be derived on the
decoder side using a method other than deriving a motion vector
based on a model assuming uniform linear motion. For example, a
motion vector may be derived in units of a sub-block based on
motion vectors of neighboring blocks.
[0405] [Motion Compensation>LIC]
[0406] Next, an example of a mode in which a prediction image
(prediction) is generated by using a local illumination
compensation (LIC) process will be described.
[0407] FIG. 39 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating one example
of a prediction image generation method using a luminance
correction process performed by a LIC process.
[0408] First, an MV is derived from an encoded reference picture,
and a reference image corresponding to the current block is
obtained.
[0409] Next, information indicating how the luma value changed
between the reference picture and the current picture is extracted
for the current block. This extraction is performed based on the
luma pixel values for the encoded left neighboring reference region
(surrounding reference region) and the encoded upper neighboring
reference region (surrounding reference region), and the luma pixel
value at the corresponding position in the reference picture
specified by the derived MV. A luminance correction parameter is
calculated by using the information indicating how the luma value
changed.
[0410] The prediction image for the current block is generated by
performing a luminance correction process in which the luminance
correction parameter is applied to the reference image in the
reference picture specified by the MV.
[0411] It is to be noted that the shape of the surrounding
reference region illustrated in FIG. 39 is just one example; the
surrounding reference region may have a different shape.
[0412] Moreover, although the process in which a prediction image
is generated from a single reference picture has been described
here, cases in which a prediction image is generated from a
plurality of reference pictures can be described in the same
manner. The prediction image may be generated after performing a
luminance correction process of the reference images obtained from
the reference pictures in the same manner as described above.
[0413] One example of a method for determining whether to apply a
LIC process is a method for using a lic_flag which is a signal
indicating whether to apply the LIC process. As one specific
example, the encoder determines whether the current block belongs
to a region having a luminance change. The encoder sets the
lic_flag to a value of "1" when the block belongs to a region
having a luminance change and applies a LIC process when encoding,
and sets the lic_flag to a value of "0" when the block does not
belong to a region having a luminance change and encodes the
current block without applying a LIC process. The decoder may
decode the lic_flag written in the stream and decode the current
block by switching between application and non-application of a LIC
process in accordance with the flag value.
[0414] One example of a different method of determining whether to
apply a LIC process is a determining method in accordance with
whether a LIC process was applied to a surrounding block. In one
specific example, when the merge mode is used on the current block,
whether a LIC process was applied in the encoding of the
surrounding encoded block selected upon deriving the MV in the
merge mode process is determined. According to the result, encoding
is performed by switching between application and non-application
of a LIC process. It is to be noted that, also in this example, the
same processes are applied in processes at the decoder side.
[0415] An embodiment of the luminance correction (LIC) process
described with reference to FIG. 39 is described in detail
below.
[0416] First, inter predictor 126 derives a motion vector for
obtaining a reference image corresponding to a current block to be
encoded from a reference picture which is an encoded picture.
[0417] Next, inter predictor 126 extracts information indicating
how the luma value of the reference picture has been changed to the
luma value of the current picture, using the luma pixel value of an
encoded surrounding reference region which neighbors to the left of
or above the current block and the luma value in the corresponding
position in the reference picture specified by a motion vector, and
calculates a luminance correction parameter. For example, it is
assumed that the luma pixel value of a given pixel in the
surrounding reference region in the current picture is p0, and that
the luma pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the given pixel
in the surrounding reference region in the reference picture is p1.
Inter predictor 126 calculates coefficients A and B for optimizing
A.times.p1+B=p0 as the luminance correction parameter for a
plurality of pixels in the surrounding reference region.
[0418] Next, inter predictor 126 performs a luminance correction
process using the luminance correction parameter for the reference
image in the reference picture specified by the motion vector, to
generate a prediction image for the current block. For example, it
is assumed that the luma pixel value in the reference image is p2,
and that the luminance-corrected luma pixel value of the prediction
image is p3. Inter predictor 126 generates the prediction image
after being subjected to the luminance correction process by
calculating A.times.p2+B=p3 for each of the pixels in the reference
image.
[0419] It is to be noted that the shape of the surrounding
reference region illustrated in FIG. 39 is one example; a different
shape other than the shape of the surrounding reference region may
be used. In addition, part of the surrounding reference region
illustrated in FIG. 39 may be used. For example, a region having a
determined number of pixels extracted from each of an upper
neighboring pixel and a left neighboring pixel may be used as a
surrounding reference region. The determined number of pixels may
be predetermined.
[0420] In addition, the surrounding reference region is not limited
to a region which neighbors the current block, and may be a region
which does not neighbor the current block. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 39, the surrounding reference region in the
reference picture is a region specified by a motion vector in a
current picture, from a surrounding reference region in the current
picture. However, a region specified by another motion vector is
also possible. For example, the other motion vector may be a motion
vector in a surrounding reference region in the current
picture.
[0421] Although operations performed by encoder 100 have been
described here, it is to be noted that decoder 200 typically
performs similar operations.
[0422] It is to be noted that the LIC process may be applied not
only to the luma but also to chroma. At this time, a correction
parameter may be derived individually for each of Y, Cb, and Cr, or
a common correction parameter may be used for any of Y, Cb, and
Cr.
[0423] In addition, the LIC process may be applied in units of a
sub-block. For example, a correction parameter may be derived using
a surrounding reference region in a current sub-block and a
surrounding reference region in a reference sub-block in a
reference picture specified by an MV of the current sub-block.
[0424] [Prediction Controller]
[0425] Inter predictor 128 selects one of an intra prediction
signal (a signal output from intra predictor 124) and an inter
prediction signal (a signal output from inter predictor 126), and
outputs the selected signal to subtractor 104 and adder 116 as a
prediction signal.
[0426] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in various kinds of encoder
examples, prediction controller 128 may output a prediction
parameter which is input to entropy encoder 110. Entropy encoder
110 may generate an encoded bitstream (or a sequence), based on the
prediction parameter which is input from prediction controller 128
and quantized coefficients which are input from quantizer 108. The
prediction parameter may be used in a decoder. The decoder may
receive and decode the encoded bitstream, and perform the same
processes as the prediction processes performed by intra predictor
124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128. The
prediction parameter may include (i) a selection prediction signal
(for example, a motion vector, a prediction type, or a prediction
mode used by intra predictor 124 or inter predictor 126), or (ii)
an optional index, a flag, or a value which is based on a
prediction process performed in each of intra predictor 124, inter
predictor 126, and prediction controller 128, or which indicates
the prediction process.
[0427] [Mounting Example of Encoder]
[0428] FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example
of an encoder 100. Encoder 100 includes processor a1 and memory a2.
For example, the plurality of constituent elements of encoder 100
illustrated in FIG. 1 are mounted on processor a1 and memory a2
illustrated in FIG. 40.
[0429] Processor a1 is circuitry which performs information
processing and is accessible to memory a2. For example, processor
a1 is dedicated or general electronic circuitry which encodes a
video. Processor a1 may be a processor such as a CPU. In addition,
processor a1 may be an aggregate of a plurality of electronic
circuits. In addition, for example, processor a1 may take the roles
of two or more constituent elements out of the plurality of
constituent elements of encoder 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, etc.
[0430] Memory a2 is dedicated or general memory for storing
information that is used by processor a1 to encode a video. Memory
a2 may be electronic circuitry, and may be connected to processor
a1. In addition, memory a2 may be included in processor al. In
addition, memory a2 may be an aggregate of a plurality of
electronic circuits. In addition, memory a2 may be a magnetic disc,
an optical disc, or the like, or may be represented as a storage, a
recording medium, or the like. In addition, memory a2 may be
non-volatile memory, or volatile memory.
[0431] For example, memory a2 may store a video to be encoded or a
bitstream corresponding to an encoded video. In addition, memory a2
may store a program for causing processor a1 to encode a video.
[0432] In addition, for example, memory a2 may take the roles of
two or more constituent elements for storing information out of the
plurality of constituent elements of encoder 100 illustrated in
FIG. 1, etc. For example, memory a2 may take the roles of block
memory 118 and frame memory 122 illustrated in FIG. 1. More
specifically, memory a2 may store a reconstructed block, a
reconstructed picture, etc.
[0433] It is to be noted that, in encoder 100, all of the plurality
of constituent elements indicated in FIG. 1, etc. may not be
implemented, and all the processes described above may not be
performed. Part of the constituent elements indicated in FIG. 1,
etc. may be included in another device, or part of the processes
described above may be performed by another device.
[0434] [Decoder]
[0435] Next, a decoder capable of decoding an encoded signal
(encoded bitstream) output, for example, from encoder 100 described
above will be described. FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a
functional configuration of decoder 200 according to an embodiment.
Decoder 200 is a video decoder which decodes a video in units of a
block.
[0436] As illustrated in FIG. 41, decoder 200 includes entropy
decoder 202, inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer 206, adder
208, block memory 210, loop filter 212, frame memory 214, intra
predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller
220.
[0437] Decoder 200 is implemented as, for example, a generic
processor and memory. In this case, when a software program stored
in the memory is executed by the processor, the processor functions
as entropy decoder 202, inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer
206, adder 208, loop filter 212, intra predictor 216, inter
predictor 218, and prediction controller 220. Alternatively,
decoder 200 may be implemented as one or more dedicated electronic
circuits corresponding to entropy decoder 202, inverse quantizer
204, inverse transformer 206, adder 208, loop filter 212, intra
predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller
220.
[0438] Hereinafter, an overall flow of processes performed by
decoder 200 is described, and then each of constituent elements
included in decoder 200 will be described.
[0439] [Overall Flow of Decoding Process]
[0440] FIG. 42 is a flow chart illustrating one example of an
overall decoding process performed by decoder 200.
[0441] First, entropy decoder 202 of decoder 200 identifies a
splitting pattern of a block having a fixed size (, for example,
128.times.128 pixels) (Step Sp_1). This splitting pattern is a
splitting pattern selected by encoder 100. Decoder 200 then
performs processes of Step Sp_2 to Sp_6 for each of a plurality of
blocks of the splitting pattern.
[0442] In other words, entropy decoder 202 decodes (specifically,
entropy-decodes) encoded quantized coefficients and a prediction
parameter of a current block to be decoded (also referred to as a
current block) (Step Sp_2).
[0443] Next, inverse quantizer 204 performs inverse quantization of
the plurality of quantized coefficients and inverse transformer 206
performs inverse transform of the result, to restore a plurality of
prediction residuals (that is, a difference block) (Step Sp_3).
[0444] Next, the prediction processor including all or part of
intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller
220 generates a prediction signal (also referred to as a prediction
block) of the current block (Step Sp_4).
[0445] Next, adder 208 adds the prediction block to the difference
block to generate a reconstructed image (also referred to as a
decoded image block) of the current block (Step Sp_5).
[0446] When the reconstructed image is generated, loop filter 212
performs filtering of the reconstructed image (Step Sp_6).
[0447] Decoder 200 then determines whether decoding of the entire
picture has been finished (Step Sp_7). When determining that the
decoding has not yet been finished (No in Step Sp_7), decoder 200
repeatedly executes the processes starting with Step Sp_1.
[0448] As illustrated, the processes of Steps Sp_1 to Sp_7 are
performed sequentially by decoder 200. Alternatively, two or more
of the processes may be performed in parallel, the processing order
of the two or more of the processes may be modified, etc.
[0449] [Entropy Decoder]
[0450] Entropy decoder 202 entropy decodes an encoded bitstream.
More specifically, for example, entropy decoder 202 arithmetic
decodes an encoded bitstream into a binary signal. Entropy decoder
202 then debinarizes the binary signal. With this, entropy decoder
202 outputs quantized coefficients of each block to inverse
quantizer 204. Entropy decoder 202 may output a prediction
parameter included in an encoded bitstream (see FIG. 1) to intra
predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller 220.
Intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller
220 in an embodiment are capable of executing the same prediction
processes as those performed by intra predictor 124, inter
predictor 126, and prediction controller 128 at the encoder
side.
[0451] [Inverse Quantizer]
[0452] Inverse quantizer 204 inverse quantizes quantized
coefficients of a block to be decoded (hereinafter referred to as a
current block) which are inputs from entropy decoder 202. More
specifically, inverse quantizer 204 inverse quantizes quantized
coefficients of the current block, based on quantization parameters
corresponding to the quantized coefficients. Inverse quantizer 204
then outputs the inverse quantized transform coefficients of the
current block to inverse transformer 206.
[0453] [Inverse Transformer]
[0454] Inverse transformer 206 restores prediction errors by
inverse transforming the transform coefficients which are inputs
from inverse quantizer 204.
[0455] For example, when information parsed from an encoded
bitstream indicates that EMT or AMT is to be applied (for example,
when an AMT flag is true), inverse transformer 206 inverse
transforms the transform coefficients of the current block based on
information indicating the parsed transform type.
[0456] Moreover, for example, when information parsed from an
encoded bitstream indicates that NSST is to be applied, inverse
transformer 206 applies a secondary inverse transform to the
transform coefficients.
[0457] [Adder]
[0458] Adder 208 reconstructs the current block by adding
prediction errors which are inputs from inverse transformer 206 and
prediction samples which are inputs from prediction controller 220.
Adder 208 then outputs the reconstructed block to block memory 210
and loop filter 212.
[0459] [Block Memory]
[0460] Block memory 210 is storage for storing blocks in a picture
to be decoded (hereinafter referred to as a current picture) and to
be referred to in intra prediction. More specifically, block memory
210 stores reconstructed blocks output from adder 208.
[0461] [Loop Filter]
[0462] Loop filter 212 applies a loop filter to blocks
reconstructed by adder 208, and outputs the filtered reconstructed
blocks to frame memory 214, display device, etc.
[0463] When information indicating ON or OFF of an ALF parsed from
an encoded bitstream indicates that an ALF is ON, one filter from
among a plurality of filters is selected based on direction and
activity of local gradients, and the selected filter is applied to
the reconstructed block.
[0464] [Frame Memory]
[0465] Frame memory 214 is, for example, storage for storing
reference pictures for use in inter prediction, and is also
referred to as a frame buffer. More specifically, frame memory 214
stores a reconstructed block filtered by loop filter 212.
[0466] [Prediction Processor (Intra Predictor, Inter Predictor,
Prediction Controller)]
[0467] FIG. 43 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
process performed by a prediction processor of decoder 200. It is
to be noted that the prediction processor includes all or part of
the following constituent elements: intra predictor 216; inter
predictor 218; and prediction controller 220.
[0468] The prediction processor generates a prediction image of a
current block (Step Sq_1). This prediction image is also referred
to as a prediction signal or a prediction block. It is to be noted
that the prediction signal is, for example, an intra prediction
signal or an inter prediction signal. Specifically, the prediction
processor generates the prediction image of the current block using
a reconstructed image which has been already obtained through
generation of a prediction block, generation of a difference block,
generation of a coefficient block, restoring of a difference block,
and generation of a decoded image block.
[0469] The reconstructed image may be, for example, an image in a
reference picture, or an image of a decoded block in a current
picture which is the picture including the current block. The
decoded block in the current picture is, for example, a neighboring
block of the current block.
[0470] FIG. 44 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a
process performed by the prediction processor of decoder 200.
[0471] The prediction processor determines either a method or a
mode for generating a prediction image (Step Sr_1). For example,
the method or mode may be determined based on, for example, a
prediction parameter, etc.
[0472] When determining a first method as a mode for generating a
prediction image, the prediction processor generates a prediction
image according to the first method (Step Sr_2a). When determining
a second method as a mode for generating a prediction image, the
prediction processor generates a prediction image according to the
second method (Step Sr_2b). When determining a third method as a
mode for generating a prediction image, the prediction processor
generates a prediction image according to the third method (Step
Sr_2c).
[0473] The first method, the second method, and the third method
may be mutually different methods for generating a prediction
image. Each of the first to third methods may be an inter
prediction method, an intra prediction method, or another
prediction method. The above-described reconstructed image may be
used in these prediction methods.
[0474] [Intra Predictor]
[0475] Intra predictor 216 generates a prediction signal (intra
prediction signal) by performing intra prediction by referring to a
block or blocks in the current picture stored in block memory 210,
based on the intra prediction mode parsed from the encoded
bitstream. More specifically, intra predictor 216 generates an
intra prediction signal by performing intra prediction by referring
to samples (for example, luma and/or chroma values) of a block or
blocks neighboring the current block, and then outputs the intra
prediction signal to prediction controller 220.
[0476] It is to be noted that when an intra prediction mode in
which a luma block is referred to in intra prediction of a chroma
block is selected, intra predictor 216 may predict the chroma
component of the current block based on the luma component of the
current block.
[0477] Moreover, when information parsed from an encoded bitstream
indicates that PDPC is to be applied, intra predictor 216 corrects
intra-predicted pixel values based on horizontal/vertical reference
pixel gradients.
[0478] [Inter Predictor]
[0479] Inter predictor 218 predicts the current block by referring
to a reference picture stored in frame memory 214. Inter prediction
is performed in units of a current block or a sub-block (for
example, a 4.times.4 block) in the current block. For example,
inter predictor 218 generates an inter prediction signal of the
current block or the sub-block by performing motion compensation by
using motion information (for example, a motion vector) parsed from
an encoded bitstream (for example, a prediction parameter output
from entropy decoder 202), and outputs the inter prediction signal
to prediction controller 220.
[0480] It is to be noted that when the information parsed from the
encoded bitstream indicates that the OBMC mode is to be applied,
inter predictor 218 generates the inter prediction signal using
motion information of a neighboring block in addition to motion
information of the current block obtained from motion
estimation.
[0481] Moreover, when the information parsed from the encoded
bitstream indicates that the FRUC mode is to be applied, inter
predictor 218 derives motion information by performing motion
estimation in accordance with the pattern matching method
(bilateral matching or template matching) parsed from the encoded
bitstream. Inter predictor 218 then performs motion compensation
(prediction) using the derived motion information.
[0482] Moreover, when the BIO mode is to be applied, inter
predictor 218 derives a motion vector based on a model assuming
uniform linear motion. Moreover, when the information parsed from
the encoded bitstream indicates that the affine motion compensation
prediction mode is to be applied, inter predictor 218 derives a
motion vector of each sub-block based on motion vectors of
neighboring blocks.
[0483] [MV Derivation>Normal Inter Mode]
[0484] When information parsed from an encoded bitstream indicates
that the normal inter mode is to be applied, inter predictor 218
derives an MV based on the information parsed from the encoded
bitstream and performs motion compensation (prediction) using the
MV.
[0485] FIG. 45 is a flow chart illustrating an example of inter
prediction in normal inter mode in decoder 200.
[0486] Inter predictor 218 of decoder 200 performs motion
compensation for each blocks. Inter predictor 218 obtains a
plurality of MV candidates for a current block based on information
such as MVs of a plurality of decoded blocks temporally or
spatially surrounding the current block (Step Ss_1). In other
words, inter predictor 218 generates an MV candidate list.
[0487] Next, inter predictor 218 extracts N (an integer of 2 or
larger) MV candidates from the plurality of MV candidates obtained
in Step Ss_1, as motion vector predictor candidates (also referred
to as MV predictor candidates) according to a determined priority
order (Step Ss_2). It is to be noted that the priority order may be
determined in advance for each of the N MV predictor
candidates.
[0488] Next, inter predictor 218 decodes motion vector predictor
selection information from an input stream (that is, an encoded
bitstream), and selects, one MV predictor candidate from the N MV
predictor candidates using the decoded motion vector predictor
selection information, as a motion vector (also referred to as an
MV predictor) of the current block (Step Ss_3).
[0489] Next, inter predictor 218 decodes an MV difference from the
input stream, and derives an MV for a current block by adding a
difference value which is the decoded MV difference and a selected
motion vector predictor (Step Ss_4).
[0490] Lastly, inter predictor 218 generates a prediction image for
the current block by performing motion compensation of the current
block using the derived MV and the decoded reference picture (Step
Ss_5).
[0491] [Prediction Controller]
[0492] Prediction controller 220 selects either the intra
prediction signal or the inter prediction signal, and outputs the
selected prediction signal to adder 208. As a whole, the
configurations, functions, and processes of prediction controller
220, intra predictor 216, and inter predictor 218 at the decoder
side may correspond to the configurations, functions, and processes
of prediction controller 128, intra predictor 124, and inter
predictor 126 at the encoder side.
[0493] [Mounting Example of Decoder]
[0494] FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating a mounting example
of a decoder 200. Decoder 200 includes processor b1 and memory b2.
For example, the plurality of constituent elements of decoder 200
illustrated in FIG. 41 are mounted on processor b1 and memory b2
illustrated in FIG. 46.
[0495] Processor b1 is circuitry which performs information
processing and is accessible to memory b2. For example, processor
b1 is dedicated or general electronic circuitry which decodes a
video (that is, an encoded bitstream). Processor b1 may be a
processor such as a CPU. In addition, processor b1 may be an
aggregate of a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, for
example, processor b1 may take the roles of two or more constituent
elements out of the plurality of constituent elements of decoder
200 illustrated in FIG. 41, etc.
[0496] Memory b2 is dedicated or general memory for storing
information that is used by processor b1 to decode an encoded
bitstream. Memory b2 may be electronic circuitry, and may be
connected to processor b1. In addition, memory b2 may be included
in processor b1. In addition, memory b2 may be an aggregate of a
plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, memory b2 may be a
magnetic disc, an optical disc, or the like, or may be represented
as a storage, a recording medium, or the like. In addition, memory
b2 may be a non-volatile memory, or a volatile memory.
[0497] For example, memory b2 may store a video or a bitstream. In
addition, memory b2 may store a program for causing processor b1 to
decode an encoded bitstream.
[0498] In addition, for example, memory b2 may take the roles of
two or more constituent elements for storing information out of the
plurality of constituent elements of decoder 200 illustrated in
FIG. 41, etc. Specifically, memory b2 may take the roles of block
memory 210 and frame memory 214 illustrated in FIG. 41. More
specifically, memory b2 may store a reconstructed block, a
reconstructed picture, etc.
[0499] It is to be noted that, in decoder 200, all of the plurality
of constituent elements illustrated in FIG. 41, etc. may not be
implemented, and all the processes described above may not be
performed. Part of the constituent elements indicated in FIG. 41,
etc. may be included in another device, or part of the processes
described above may be performed by another device.
[0500] [Definitions of Terms]
[0501] The respective terms may be defined as indicated below as
examples.
[0502] A picture is an array of luma samples in monochrome format
or an array of luma samples and two corresponding arrays of chroma
samples in 4:2:0, 4:2:2, and 4:4:4 color format. A picture may be
either a frame or a field.
[0503] A frame is the composition of a top field and a bottom
field, where sample rows 0, 2, 4, . . . originate from the top
field and sample rows 1, 3, 5, . . . originate from the bottom
field.
[0504] A slice is an integer number of coding tree units contained
in one independent slice segment and all subsequent dependent slice
segments (if any) that precede the next independent slice segment
(if any) within the same access unit.
[0505] A tile is a rectangular region of coding tree blocks within
a particular tile column and a particular tile row in a picture. A
tile may be a rectangular region of the frame that is intended to
be able to be decoded and encoded independently, although
loop-filtering across tile edges may still be applied.
[0506] A block is an M.times.N (M-column by N-row) array of
samples, or an M.times.N array of transform coefficients. A block
may be a square or rectangular region of pixels including one Luma
and two Chroma matrices.
[0507] A coding tree unit (CTU) may be a coding tree block of luma
samples of a picture that has three sample arrays, or two
corresponding coding tree blocks of chroma samples. Alternatively,
a CTU may be a coding tree block of samples of one of a monochrome
picture and a picture that is coded using three separate color
planes and syntax structures used to code the samples. A super
block may be a square block of 64.times.64 pixels that consists of
either 1 or 2 mode info blocks or is recursively partitioned into
four 32.times.32 blocks, which themselves can be further
partitioned.
[0508] (Non-rectangular Partitioning)
[0509] In prediction controller 128 coupled to intra predictor 124
and inter predictor 126 on the encoder side (see FIG. 1) as well as
in prediction controller 220 coupled to intra predictor 216 and
inter predictor 218 on the decoder side (see FIG. 41), heretofore
partitions (or variable size blocks or sub-blocks) obtained from
splitting each block, for which motion information (e.g., motion
vectors) are obtained, are invariably rectangular, as shown in FIG.
3. The inventors have discovered that generating partitions having
a non-rectangular shape, such as a triangular shape, leads to an
improvement in image quality and encoding efficiency depending on
the content of an image in a picture in various implementations.
Below, various embodiments will be described, in which at least one
partition split from an image block for the purpose of prediction
has a non-rectangular shape. Note that these embodiments are
equally applicable on the encoder side (prediction controller 128
coupled to intra predictor 124 and inter predictor 126) and on the
decoder side (prediction controller 220 coupled to intra predictor
216 and inter predictor 218), and may be implemented in the encoder
of FIG. 1 or the like, or in the decoder of FIG. 41 or the
like.
[0510] FIG. 47 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a
process of splitting an image block into partitions including at
least a first partition having a non-rectangular shape (e.g., a
triangle) and a second partition, and performing further processing
including encoding (or decoding) the image block as a reconstructed
combination of the first and second partitions.
[0511] In step S1001, an image block is split into partitions
including a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition, which may or may not have a non-rectangular
shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 48, an image block may be
split from a top-left corner of the image block to a bottom-right
corner of the image block to create a first partition and a second
partition both having a non-rectangular shape (e.g., a triangle),
or an image block may be split from a top-right corner of the image
block to a bottom-left corner of the image block to create a first
partition and a second partition both having a non-rectangular
shape (e.g., a triangle). Various examples of the non-rectangular
partitioning will be described below in reference to FIGS. 48 and
53-55.
[0512] In step S1002, the process predicts a first motion vector
for the first partition and predicts a second motion vector for the
second partition. For example, the predicting of the first and
second motion vectors may include selecting the first motion vector
from a first set of motion vector candidates and selecting the
second motion vector from a second set of motion vector
candidates.
[0513] In step S1003, a motion compensation process is performed to
obtain the first partition using the first motion vector, which is
derived in step S1002 above, and to obtain the second partition
using the second motion vector, which is derived in step S1002
above.
[0514] In step S1004, a prediction process is performed for the
image block as a (reconstructed) combination of the first partition
and the second partition. The prediction process may include a
boundary smoothing process to smooth out the boundary between the
first partition and the second partition. For example, the boundary
smoothing process may involve weighting first values of boundary
pixels predicted based on the first partition and second values of
the boundary pixels predicted based on the second partition.
Various implementations of the boundary smoothing process will be
described below in reference to FIGS. 49, 50, 56 and 57A-57D.
[0515] In step S1005, the process encodes or decodes the image
block using one or more parameters including a partition parameter
indicative of the splitting of the image block into the first
partition having a non-rectangular shape and the second partition.
As summarized in a table of FIG. 51, for example, the partition
parameter ("the first index value") may jointly encode, for
example, a split direction applied in the splitting (e.g., from
top-left to bottom-right or from top-right to bottom-left as shown
in FIG. 48) and the first and second motion vectors derived in step
S1002 above. Details of such partition syntax operation involving
the one or more parameters including the partition parameter will
be described in detail below in reference to FIGS. 51, 52 and
58-61.
[0516] FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a process 2000 of
splitting an image block. In step S2001, the process splits an
image into a plurality of partitions including a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition, which may or
may not have a non-rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 48, an image
block may be split into a first partition having a triangle shape
and a second partition also having a triangle shape. There are
numerous other examples in which an image block is split into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition and a second
partition of which at least the first partition has a
non-rectangular shape. The non-rectangular shape may be a triangle,
a trapezoid, and a polygon with at least five sides and angles.
[0517] For example, as shown in FIG. 54, an image block may be
split into two triangular shape partitions; an image block may be
split into more than two triangular shape partitions (e.g., three
triangular shape partitions); an image block may be split into a
combination of triangular shape partition(s) and rectangular shape
partition(s); or an image block may be split into a combination of
triangle shape partition(s) and polygon shape partition(s).
[0518] As further shown in FIG. 55, an image block may be split
into an L-shaped (polygon shape) partition and a rectangular shape
partition; an image block may be split into a pentagon (polygon)
shape partition and a triangular shape partition; an image block
may be split into a hexagon (polygon) shape partition and a
pentagon (polygon) shape partition; or an image block may be split
into multiple polygon shape partitions.
[0519] Referring back to FIG. 53, in step S2002, the process
predicts a first motion vector for the first partition, for example
by selecting the first partition from a first set of motion vector
candidates, and predicts a second motion vector for the second
partition, for example by selecting the second partition from a
second set of motion vector candidates. For example, the first set
of motion vector candidates may include motion vectors of
partitions neighboring the first partition, and the second set of
motion vector candidates may include motion vectors of partitions
neighboring the second partition. The neighboring partitions may be
one or both of spatially neighboring partitions and temporary
neighboring partitions. Some examples of the spatially neighboring
partitions include a partition located at the left, bottom-left,
bottom, bottom-right, right, top-right, top, or top-left of the
partition that is being processed. Examples of the temporary
neighboring partitions are co-located partitions in the reference
pictures of the image block.
[0520] In various implementations, the partitions neighboring the
first partition and the partitions neighboring the second partition
may be outside of the image block from which the first partition
and the second partition are split. The first set of motion vector
candidates may be the same as, or different from, the second set of
motion vector candidates. Further, at least one of the first set of
motion vector candidates and the second set of motion vector
candidates may be the same as another, third set of motion vector
candidates prepared for the image block.
[0521] In some implementations, in step S2002, in response to
determining that the second partition, similar to the first
partition, too has a non-rectangular shape (e.g., a triangle), the
process 2000 creates the second set of motion vector candidates
(for the non-rectangular shape second partition) that includes
motion vectors of partitions neighboring the second partition
exclusive of the first partition (i.e., exclusive of the motion
vector of the first partition). On the other hand, in response to
determining that the second partition, unlike the first partition,
has a rectangular shape, the process 2000 creates the second set of
motion vector candidates (for the rectangular shape second
partition) that includes motion vectors of partitions neighboring
the second partition inclusive of the first partition.
[0522] In step S2003, the process encodes or decodes the first
partition using the first motion vector derived in step S2002
above, and encodes or decodes the second partition using the second
motion vector derived in step S2002 above.
[0523] An image block splitting process, like the process 2000 of
FIG. 53, may be performed by an image encoder, as shown in FIG. 1
for example, which includes circuitry and a memory coupled to the
circuitry. The circuitry, in operation, performs: splitting an
image block into a plurality of partitions including a first
partition having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition
(step S2001); predicting a first motion vector for the first
partition and a second motion vector for the second partition (step
S2002); and encoding the first partition using the first motion
vector and the second partition using the second motion vector
(step S2003).
[0524] According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an
image encoder is provided including: a splitter 102 which, in
operation, receives and splits an original picture into blocks; an
adder 104 which, in operation, receives the blocks from the
splitter and predictions from a prediction controller 128, and
subtracts each prediction from its corresponding block to output a
residual; a transformer 106 which, in operation, performs a
transform on the residuals outputted from the adder 104 to output
transform coefficients; a quantizer 108 which, in operation,
quantizes the transform coefficients to generate quantized
transform coefficients; an entropy encoder 110 which, in operation,
encodes the quantized transform coefficients to generate a
bitstream; and the prediction controller 128 coupled to an inter
predictor 126, an intra predictor 124, and a memory 118, 122,
wherein the inter predictor 126, in operation, generates a
prediction of a current block based on a reference block in an
encoded reference picture and the intra predictor 124, in
operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
encoded reference block in a current picture. The prediction
controller 128, in operation, splits the blocks into a plurality of
partitions including a first partition having a non-rectangular
shape and a second partition (FIG. 53, step S2001); predicts a
first motion vector for the first partition and a second motion
vector for the second partition (step S2002); and encodes the first
partition using the first motion vector and the second partition
using the second motion vector (step S2003).
[0525] According to another embodiment, an image decoder, as shown
in FIG. 41 for example, is provided which includes circuitry and a
memory coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry, in operation,
performs: splitting an image block into a plurality of partitions
including a first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a
second partition (FIG. 53, step S2001); predicting a first motion
vector for the first partition and a second motion vector for the
second partition (step S2002); and decoding the first partition
using the first motion vector and the second partition using the
second motion vector (step S2003).
[0526] According to a further embodiment, an image decoder as shown
in FIG. 41 is provided including: an entropy decoder 202 which, in
operation, receives and decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain
quantized transform coefficients; an inverse quantizer 204 and
transformer 206 which, in operation, inverse quantizes the
quantized transform coefficients to obtain transform coefficients
and inverse transform the transform coefficients to obtain
residuals; an adder 208 which, in operation, adds the residuals
outputted from the inverse quantizer 204 and transformer 206 and
predictions outputted from a prediction controller 220 to
reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller 220 coupled to an
inter predictor 218, an intra predictor 216, and a memory 210, 214,
wherein the inter predictor 218, in operation, generates a
prediction of a current block based on a reference block in a
decoded reference picture and the intra predictor 216, in
operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
decoded reference block in a current picture. The prediction
controller 220, in operation, splits an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition (FIG. 53, step S2001);
predicts a first motion vector for the first partition and a second
motion vector for the second partition (step S2002); and decodes
the first partition using the first motion vector and the second
partition using the second motion vector (step S2003).
[0527] (Boundary Smoothing)
[0528] As described above in FIG. 47, step S1004, according to
various embodiments, performing a prediction process for the image
block as a (reconstructed) combination of the first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and the second partition may involve
application of a boundary smoothing process along the boundary
between the first partition and the second partition.
[0529] For example, FIG. 57B illustrates one example of a boundary
smoothing process involving weighting first values of boundary
pixels, which are first-predicted based on the first partition, and
second values of the boundary pixels, which are second-predicted
based on the second partition.
[0530] FIG. 56 is a flowchart illustrating an overall boundary
smoothing process 3000 involving weighting first values of boundary
pixels first-predicted based on the first partition and second
values of the boundary pixels second-predicted based on the second
partition, according to one embodiment. In step S3001, an image
block is split into a first partition and a second partition along
a boundary wherein at least the first partition has a
non-rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 57A or in FIGS. 48, 54 and
55 described above.
[0531] In step S3002, first values (e.g., color, luminance,
transparency, etc.) of a set of pixels ("boundary pixels" in FIG.
57A) of the first partition along the boundary are first-predicted,
wherein the first values are first-predicted using information of
the first partition. In step S3003, second values of the (same) set
of pixels of the first partition along the boundary are
second-predicted, wherein the second values are second-predicted
using information of the second partition. In some implementation,
at least one of the first-predicting and the second-predicting is
an inter prediction process that predicts the first values and the
second values based on a reference partition in an encoded
reference picture. Referring to FIG. 57D, in some implementations,
the prediction process predicts first values of all pixels of the
first partition ("the first set of samples") including the set of
pixels over which the first partition and the second partition
overlap, and predicts second values of only the set of pixels ("the
second set of samples") over which the first and second partitions
overlap. In another implementation, at least one of the
first-predicting and the second-predicting is an intra prediction
process that predicts the first values and the second values based
on an encoded reference partition in a current picture. In some
implementations, a prediction method used in the first-predicting
is different from a prediction method used in the
second-predicting. For example, the first-predicting may include an
inter prediction process and the second-predicting may include an
intra prediction process. The information used to first-predict the
first values or to second-predict the second values may be motion
vectors, intra-prediction directions, etc. of the first or second
partition.
[0532] In step S3004, the first values, predicted using the first
partition, and the second values, predicted using the second
partition, are weighted. In step S3005, the first partition is
encoded or decoded using the weighted first and second values.
[0533] FIG. 57B illustrates an example of a boundary smoothing
operation wherein the first partition and the second partition
overlap over five pixels (at a maximum) of each row or each column.
That is, the number of the set of pixels of each row or each
column, for which the first values are predicted based on the first
partition and the second values are predicted based on the second
partition, are five at a maximum. FIG. 57C illustrates another
example of a boundary smoothing operation wherein the first
partition and the second partition overlap over three pixels (at a
maximum) of each row or each column. That is, the number of the set
of pixels of each row or each column, for which the first values
are predicted based on the first partition and the second values
are predicted based on the second partition, are three at a
maximum.
[0534] FIG. 49 illustrates another example of boundary smoothing
operation wherein the first partition and the second partition
overlap over four pixels (at a maximum) of each row or each column.
That is, the number of the set of pixels of each row or each
column, for which the first values are predicted based on the first
partition and the second values are predicted based on the second
partition, are four at a maximum. In the illustrated example,
weights of 1/8, 1/4, 3/4, and 7/8 may be applied to the first
values of the four pixels in the set, respectively, and weights of
7/8, 3/4, 1/4, and 1/8 may be applied to the second values of the
four pixels in the set, respectively.
[0535] FIG. 50 illustrate further examples of a boundary smoothing
operation wherein the first partition and the second partition
overlap over zero pixels of each row or each column (i.e., they do
not overlap), overlap over one pixel (at a maximum) of each row or
each column, and overlap over two pixels (at a maximum) of each row
or each column, respectively. In the example wherein the first and
second partitions do not overlap, zero weights are applied. In the
example wherein the first and second partitions overlap over one
pixel of each row or each column, a weight of 1/2 may be applied to
the first values of the pixels in the set predicted based on the
first partition, and a weight of 1/2 may be applied to the second
values of the pixels in the set predicted based on the second
partition. In the example wherein the first and second partitions
overlap over two pixels of each row or each column, weights of 1/3
and 2/3 may be applied to the first values of the two pixels in the
set predicted based on the first partition, respectively, and
weights of 2/3 and 1/3 may be applied to the second values of the
two pixels in the set predicted based on the second partition,
respectively.
[0536] According to the embodiments described above, the number of
pixels in the set over which the first partition and the second
partition overlap is an integer. In other implementations, the
number of overlapping pixels in the set may be non-integer and may
be fractional, for example. Also, the weights applied to the first
and second values of the set of pixels may be fractional or integer
depending on each application.
[0537] A boundary smoothing process, like the process 3000 of FIG.
56, may be performed by an image encoder, as shown in FIG. 1 for
example, which includes circuitry and a memory coupled to the
circuitry. The circuitry, in operation, performs a boundary
smoothing operation along a boundary between a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition that are
split from an image block (FIG. 56, step S3001). The boundary
smoothing operation includes: first-predicting first values of a
set of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using
information of the first partition (step S3002); second-predicting
second values of the set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using information of the second partition (step S3003);
weighting the first values and the second values (step S3004); and
encoding the first partition using the weighted first values and
the weighted second values (step S3005).
[0538] According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an
image encoder is provided including: a splitter 102 which, in
operation, receives and splits an original picture into blocks; an
adder 104 which, in operation, receives the blocks from the
splitter and predictions from a prediction controller 128, and
subtracts each prediction from its corresponding block to output a
residual; a transformer 106 which, in operation, performs a
transform on the residuals outputted from the adder 104 to output
transform coefficients; a quantizer 108 which, in operation,
quantizes the transform coefficients to generate quantized
transform coefficients; an entropy encoder 110 which, in operation,
encodes the quantized transform coefficients to generate a
bitstream; and the prediction controller 128 coupled to an inter
predictor 126, an intra predictor 124, and a memory 118, 122,
wherein the inter predictor 126, in operation, generates a
prediction of a current block based on a reference block in an
encoded reference picture and the intra predictor 124, in
operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
encoded reference block in a current picture. The prediction
controller 128, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing
operation along a boundary between a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition that are split from an
image block (FIG. 56, step S3001). The boundary smoothing operation
includes: first-predicting first values of a set of pixels of the
first partition along the boundary, using information of the first
partition (step S3002); second-predicting second values of the set
of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using
information of the second partition (step S3003); weighting the
first values and the second values (step S3004); and encoding the
first partition using the weighted first values and the weighted
second values (step S3005).
[0539] According to another embodiment, an image decoder is
provided, as shown in FIG. 41 for example, which includes circuitry
and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry, in operation,
performs a boundary smoothing operation along a boundary between a
first partition having a non-rectangular shape and a second
partition that are split from an image block (FIG. 56, steps
S3001). The boundary smoothing operation includes: first-predicting
first values of a set of pixels of the first partition along the
boundary, using information of the first partition (step S3002);
second-predicting second values of the set of pixels of the first
partition along the boundary, using information of the second
partition (step S3003); weighting the first values and the second
values (step S3004); and decoding the first partition using the
weighted first values and the weighted second values (step
S3005).
[0540] According to another embodiment, an image decoder as shown
in FIG. 41 is provided including: an entropy decoder 202 which, in
operation, receives and decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain
quantized transform coefficients; an inverse quantizer 204 and
transformer 206 which, in operation, inverse quantizes the
quantized transform coefficients to obtain transform coefficients
and inverse transform the transform coefficients to obtain
residuals; an adder 208 which, in operation, adds the residuals
outputted from the inverse quantizer 204 and transformer 206 and
predictions outputted from a prediction controller 220 to
reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller 220 coupled to an
inter predictor 218, an intra predictor 216, and a memory 210, 214,
wherein the inter predictor 218, in operation, generates a
prediction of a current block based on a reference block in a
decoded reference picture and the intra predictor 216, in
operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
decoded reference block in a current picture. The prediction
controller 220, in operation, performs a boundary smoothing
operation along a boundary between a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition that are split from an
image block. (FIG. 56, step S3001) The boundary smoothing operation
includes: first-predicting first values of a set of pixels of the
first partition along the boundary, using information of the first
partition (step S3002); second-predicting second values of the set
of pixels of the first partition along the boundary, using
information of the second partition (step S3003); weighting the
first values and the second values (step S3004); and decoding the
first partition using the weighted first values and the weighted
second values (step S3005).
[0541] (Entropy Encoding and Decoding using Partition Parameter
Syntax)
[0542] As described in FIG. 47, step S1005, according to various
embodiments, the image block split into a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition may be encoded or
decoded using one or more parameters including a partition
parameter indicative of the non-rectangular splitting of the image
block. In various embodiments, such partition parameter may jointly
encode, for example, a split direction applied to the splitting
(e.g., from top-left to bottom-right or from top-right to
bottom-left, see FIG. 48) and the first and second motion vectors
predicted in step S1002, as will be more fully described below.
[0543] FIG. 51 is a table of sample partition parameters ("the
first index value") and sets of information jointly encoded by the
partition parameters, respectively. The partition parameters ("the
first index values") range from 0 to 6 and jointly encode: the
direction of splitting an image block into a first partition and a
second partition both of which are triangles (see FIG. 48), the
first motion vector predicted for the first partition (FIG. 47,
step S1002), and the second motion vector predicted for the second
partition (FIG. 47, step S1002). Specifically, the partition
parameter 0 encodes the split direction is from top-left corner to
bottom-right corner, the first motion vector is the "2nd" motion
vector listed in the first set of motion vector candidates for the
first partition, and the second motion vector is the "1st" motion
vector listed in the second set of motion vector candidates for the
second partition.
[0544] The partition parameter 1 encodes the split direction is
from top-right corner to bottom-left corner, the first motion
vector is the "1st" motion vector listed in the first set of motion
vector candidates for the first partition, and the second motion
vector is the "2nd" motion vector listed in the second set of
motion vector candidates for the second partition. The partition
parameter 2 encodes the split direction is from top-right corner to
bottom-left corner, the first motion vector is the "2nd" motion
vector listed in the first set of motion vector candidates for the
first partition, and the second motion vector is the "1st" motion
vector listed in the second set of motion vector candidates for the
second partition. The partition parameter 3 encodes the split
direction is from top-left corner to bottom-right corner, the first
motion vector is the "2nd" motion vector listed in the first set of
motion vector candidates for the first partition, and the second
motion vector is the "2nd" motion vector listed in the second set
of motion vector candidates for the second partition. The partition
parameter 4 encodes the split direction is from top-right corner to
bottom-left corner, the first motion vector is the "2nd" motion
vector listed in the first set of motion vector candidates for the
first partition, and the second motion vector is the "3rd" motion
vector listed in the second set of motion vector candidates for the
second partition. The partition parameter 5 encodes the split
direction is from top-left corner to bottom-right corner, the first
motion vector is the "3rd" motion vector listed in the first set of
motion vector candidates for the first partition, and the second
motion vector is the "1st" motion vector listed in the second set
of motion vector candidates for the second partition. The partition
parameter 6 encodes the split direction is from top-left corner to
bottom-right corner, the first motion vector is the "4th" motion
vector listed in the first set of motion vector candidates for the
first partition, and the second motion vector is the "1st" motion
vector listed in the second set of motion vector candidates for the
second partition.
[0545] FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating a method 4000 performed
on the encoder side. In step S4001, the process splits an image
block into a plurality of partitions including a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition, based on a
partition parameter indicative of the splitting. For example, as
shown in FIG. 51 described above, the partition parameter may
indicate the direction of splitting an image block (e.g., from
top-right corner to bottom-left corner or from top-left corner to
bottom-right corner). In step S4002, the process encodes the first
partition and the second partition. In step S4003, the process
writes one or more parameters including the partition parameter
into a bit stream, which the decoder side can receive and decode to
obtain the one or more parameters to perform the same prediction
process (as performed on the encoder side) for the first and second
partitions on the decoder side. The one or more parameters
including the partition parameter may jointly or separately encode
various pieces of information such as the non-rectangular shape of
the first partition, the shape of the second partition, the split
direction used to split an image block to obtain the first and
second partitions, the first motion vector of the first partition,
the second motion vector of the second partition, etc.
[0546] FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating a method 5000 performed
on the decoder side. In step S5001, the process parses one or more
parameters from a bitstream, wherein the one or more parameters
include a partition parameter indicative of splitting of an image
block into a plurality of partitions including a first partition
having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition. The one or
more parameters including the partition parameter parsed out of the
bitstream may jointly or separately encode various pieces of
information needed for the decoder side to perform the same
prediction process as performed on the encoder side, such as the
non-rectangular shape of the first partition, the shape of the
second partition, the split direction used to split an image block
to obtain the first and second partitions, the first motion vector
of the first partition, the second motion vector of the second
partition, etc. In step S5002, the process 5000 splits the image
block into the plurality of partitions based on the partition
parameter parsed out of the bitstream. In step S5003, the process
decodes the first partition and the second partition, as split from
the image block.
[0547] FIG. 60 is a table of sample partition parameters ("the
first index value") and sets of information jointly encoded by the
partition parameters, respectively, similar in nature to the sample
table described above in FIG. 51. In FIG. 60, the partition
parameters ("the first index values") range from 0 to 6 and jointly
encode: the shape of the first and second partitions split from an
image block, the direction of splitting an image block into the
first and second partitions, the first motion vector predicted for
the first partition (FIG. 47, step S1002), and the second motion
vector predicted for the second partition (FIG. 47, step S1002).
Specifically, the partition parameter 0 encodes that neither of the
first and second partitions has a triangular shape, and thus the
split direction information is "N/A", the first motion vector
information is "N/A", and the second motion vector information is
"N/A". The partition parameter 1 encodes the first and second
partitions are triangles, the split direction is from top-left
corner to bottom-right corner, the first motion vector is the "2nd"
motion vector listed in the first set of motion vector candidates
for the first partition, and the second motion vector is the "1st"
motion vector listed in the second set of motion vector candidates
for the second partition. The partition parameter 2 encodes the
first and second partitions are triangles, the split direction is
from top-right corner to bottom-left corner, the first motion
vector is the "1st" motion vector listed in the first set of motion
vector candidates for the first partition, and the second motion
vector is the "2nd" motion vector listed in the second set of
motion vector candidates for the second partition. The partition
parameter 3 encodes the first and second partitions are triangles,
the split direction is from top-right corner to bottom-left corner,
the first motion vector is the "2nd" motion vector listed in the
first set of motion vector candidates for the first partition, and
the second motion vector is the "1st" motion vector listed in the
second set of motion vector candidates for the second partition.
The partition parameter 4 encodes the first and second partitions
are triangles, the split direction is from top-left corner to
bottom-right corner, the first motion vector is the "2nd" motion
vector listed in the first set of motion vector candidates for the
first partition, and the second motion vector is the "2nd" motion
vector listed in the second set of motion vector candidates for the
second partition. The partition parameter 5 encodes the first and
second partitions are triangles, the split direction is from
top-right corner to bottom-left corner, the first motion vector is
the "2nd" motion vector listed in the first set of motion vector
candidates for the first partition, and the second motion vector is
the "3rd" motion vector listed in the second set of motion vector
candidates for the second partition. The partition parameter 6
encodes the first and second partitions are triangles, the split
direction is from top-left corner to bottom-right corner, the first
motion vector is the "3rd" motion vector listed in the first set of
motion vector candidates for the first partition, and the second
motion vector is the "1st" motion vector listed in the second set
of motion vector candidates for the second partition.
[0548] According to some implementations, the partition parameters
(index values) may be binarized pursuant to a binarization scheme,
which is selected depending on a value of at least one or the one
or more parameters. FIG. 52 illustrates a sample binarization
scheme of binarizing the index values (the partition parameter
values).
[0549] FIG. 61 is a table of sample combinations of a first
parameter and a second parameter, wherein one of which is a
partition parameter indicative of splitting of an image block into
a plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition. In this example, the
partition parameter may be used to indicate splitting of an image
block without jointly encoding other information, which is encoded
by one or more of the other parameters.
[0550] In the first example in FIG. 61, the first parameter is used
to indicate an image block size, and the second parameter is used
as the partition parameter (a flag) to indicate that at least one
of a plurality of partitions split from an image block has a
triangular shape. Such combination of the first and second
parameters may be used to indicate, for example, 1) when the image
block size is larger than 64.times.64, there is no triangular shape
partition, or 2) when the ratio of width and height of an image
block is larger than 4 (e.g., 64.times.4), there is no triangular
shape partition.
[0551] In the second example of FIG. 61, the first parameter is
used to indicate a prediction mode, and the second parameter is
used as the partition parameter (a flag) to indicate that at least
one of a plurality of partitions split from an image block has a
triangular shape. Such combination of the first and second
parameters may be used to indicate, for example, 1) when an image
block is coded in intra mode, there is no triangular partition.
[0552] In the third example of FIG. 61, the first parameter is used
as the partition parameter (a flag) to indicate that at least one
of a plurality of partitions split from an image block has a
triangular shape, and the second parameter is used to indicate a
prediction mode. Such combination of the first and second
parameters may be used to indicate, for example, 1) when at least
one of the plurality of partitions split from an image block has a
triangular shape, the image block must be inter coded.
[0553] In the fourth example of FIG. 61, the first parameter
indicates the motion vector of a neighboring block, and the second
parameter is used as the partition parameter which indicates the
direction of splitting an image block into two triangles. Such
combination of the first and second parameters may be used to
indicate, for example, 1) when the motion vector of a neighboring
block is a diagonal direction, the direction of splitting the image
block into two triangles is from top-left corner to bottom-right
corner.
[0554] In the fifth example of FIG. 61, the first parameter
indicates the intra prediction direction of a neighboring block,
and the second parameter is used as the partition parameter which
indicates the direction of splitting an image block into two
triangles. Such combination of the first and second parameters may
be used to indicate, for example, 1) when the intra prediction
direction of a neighboring block is an inverse-diagonal direction,
the direction of splitting the image block into two triangles is
from top-right corner to bottom-left corner.
[0555] It should be understood that the tables of one or more
parameters including the partition parameter and what information
is jointly or separately encoded, as shown in FIGS. 51, 60, and 61,
are presented as examples only and numerous other ways of encoding,
jointly or separately, various information as part of the partition
syntax operation described above are within the scope of the
present disclosure. For example, the partition parameter may
indicate the first partition is a triangle, a trapezoid, or a
polygon with at least five sides and angles. The partition
parameter may indicate the second partition has a non-rectangular
shape, such as a triangle, a trapezoid, and a polygon with at least
five sides and angles. The partition parameter may indicate one or
more pieces of information about the splitting, such as the
non-rectangular shape of the first partition, the shape of the
second partition (which may be non-rectangular or rectangular), the
split direction applied to split an image block into a plurality of
partitions (e.g., from a top-left corner of the image block to a
bottom-right corner thereof, and from a top-right corner of the
image block to a bottom-left corner thereof). The partition
parameter may jointly encode further information such as the first
motion vector of the first partition, the second motion vector of
the second partition, image block size, prediction mode, the motion
vector of a neighboring block, the intra prediction direction of a
neighboring block, etc. Alternatively, any of the further
information may be separately encoded by one or more parameters
other than the partition parameter.
[0556] A partition syntax operation, like the process 4000 of FIG.
58, may be performed by an image encoder, as shown in FIG. 1 for
example, which includes circuitry and a memory coupled to the
circuitry. The circuitry, in operation, performs a partition syntax
operation including: splitting an image block into a plurality of
partitions including a first partition having a non-rectangular
shape and a second partition based on a partition parameter
indicative of the splitting (FIG. 58, step S4001); encoding the
first partition and the second partition (S4002); and writing one
or more parameters including the partition parameter into a
bitstream (S4003).
[0557] According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an
image encoder is provided including: a splitter 102 which, in
operation, receives and splits an original picture into blocks; an
adder 104 which, in operation, receives the blocks from the
splitter and predictions from a prediction controller 128, and
subtracts each prediction from its corresponding block to output a
residual; a transformer 106 which, in operation, performs a
transform on the residuals outputted from the adder 104 to output
transform coefficients; a quantizer 108 which, in operation,
quantizes the transform coefficients to generate quantized
transform coefficients; an entropy encoder 110 which, in operation,
encodes the quantized transform coefficients to generate a
bitstream; and the prediction controller 128 coupled to an inter
predictor 126, an intra predictor 124, and a memory 118, 122,
wherein the inter predictor 126, in operation, generates a
prediction of a current block based on a reference block in an
encoded reference picture and the intra predictor 124, in
operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
encoded reference block in a current picture. The prediction
controller 128, in operation, splits an image block into a
plurality of partitions including a first partition having a
non-rectangular shape and a second partition based on a partition
parameter indicative of the splitting (FIG. 58, step S4001), and
encodes the first partition and the second partition (step S4002).
The entropy encoder 110, in operation, writes one or more
parameters including the partition parameter into a bitstream (step
S4003).
[0558] According to another embodiment, an image decoder is
provided, as shown in FIG. 41 for example, which includes circuitry
and a memory coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry, in operation,
performs a partition syntax operation including: parsing one or
more parameters from a bitstream, wherein the one or more
parameters include a partition parameter indicative of splitting of
an image block into a plurality of partitions including a first
partition having a non-rectangular shape and a second partition
(FIG. 59, step S5001); splitting the image block into the plurality
of partitions based on the partition parameter (S5002); and
decoding the first partition and the second partition (S5003).
[0559] According to a further embodiment, an image decoder as shown
in FIG. 41 is provided including: an entropy decoder 202 which, in
operation, receives and decodes an encoded bitstream to obtain
quantized transform coefficients; an inverse quantizer 204 and
transformer 206 which, in operation, inverse quantizes the
quantized transform coefficients to obtain transform coefficients
and inverse transform the transform coefficients to obtain
residuals; an adder 208 which, in operation, adds the residuals
outputted from the inverse quantizer 204 and transformer 206 and
predictions outputted from a prediction controller 220 to
reconstruct blocks; and the prediction controller 220 coupled to an
inter predictor 218, an intra predictor 216, and a memory 210, 214,
wherein the inter predictor 218, in operation, generates a
prediction of a current block based on a reference block in a
decoded reference picture and the intra predictor 216, in
operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
decoded reference block in a current picture. The entropy decoder
202, in operation: parses one or more parameters from a bitstream,
wherein the one or more parameters include a partition parameter
indicative of splitting of an image block into a plurality of
partitions including a first partition having a non-rectangular
shape and a second partition (FIG. 59, step S5001); splits the
image block into the plurality of partitions based on the partition
parameter (S5002); and decodes the first partition and the second
partition (S5003) in cooperation with the prediction controller 220
in some implementations.
[0560] According to other examples, an inter predictor may perform
the following process.
[0561] All motion vector candidates included in the first set of
motion vector candidates may be uni-prediction motion vectors. That
is, the inter predictor may determine only uni-prediction motion
vectors as motion vector candidates in the first set of motion
vector candidates.
[0562] The inter predictor may select only uni-prediction motion
vector candidates from the first set of motion vector
candidates.
[0563] Only uni-prediction motion vector may be used to predict a
small block. The bi-prediction motion vector may be used to predict
a big block. As one example, the predicting process may include
judging a size of the image block. When the size of the image block
is judged to be larger than a threshold, the predicting may include
selecting the first motion vector from a first set of motion vector
candidates, and the first set of motion vector candidates may
contain uni-prediction and/or bi-prediction motion vectors. When
the size of the image block is judged to be not larger than the
threshold, the predicting may include selecting the first motion
vector from a first set of motion vector candidates, and the first
set of motion vector candidates may contain only uni-prediction
motion vectors.
[0564] One or more of the aspects disclosed herein may be performed
by combining at least part of the other aspects in the present
disclosure. In addition, one or more of the aspects disclosed
herein may be performed by combining, with other aspects, part of
the processes indicated in any of the flow charts according to the
aspects, part of the configuration of any of the devices, part of
syntaxes, etc.
[Implementations and Applications]
[0565] As described in each of the above embodiments, each
functional or operational block may typically be realized as an MPU
(micro processing unit) and memory, for example. Moreover,
processes performed by each of the functional blocks may be
realized as a program execution unit, such as a processor which
reads and executes software (a program) recorded on a recording
medium such as ROM. The software may be distributed. The software
may be recorded on a variety of recording media such as
semiconductor memory. Note that each functional block can also be
realized as hardware (dedicated circuit). Various combinations of
hardware and software may be employed.
[0566] The processing described in each of the embodiments may be
realized via integrated processing using a single apparatus
(system), and, alternatively, may be realized via decentralized
processing using a plurality of apparatuses. Moreover, the
processor that executes the above-described program may be a single
processor or a plurality of processors. In other words, integrated
processing may be performed, and, alternatively, decentralized
processing may be performed.
[0567] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the
above exemplary embodiments; various modifications may be made to
the exemplary embodiments, the results of which are also included
within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0568] Next, application examples of the moving picture encoding
method (image encoding method) and the moving picture decoding
method (image decoding method) described in each of the above
embodiments will be described, as well as various systems that
implement the application examples. Such a system may be
characterized as including an image encoder that employs the image
encoding method, an image decoder that employs the image decoding
method, or an image encoder-decoder that includes both the image
encoder and the image decoder. Other configurations of such a
system may be modified on a case-by-case basis.
[0569] [Usage Examples]
[0570] FIG. 62 illustrates an overall configuration of content
providing system ex100 suitable for implementing a content
distribution service. The area in which the communication service
is provided is divided into cells of desired sizes, and base
stations ex106, ex107, ex108, ex109, and ex110, which are fixed
wireless stations in the illustrated example, are located in
respective cells.
[0571] In content providing system ex100, devices including
computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance
ex114, and smartphone ex115 are connected to internet ex101 via
internet service provider ex102 or communications network ex104 and
base stations ex106 through ex110. Content providing system ex100
may combine and connect any combination of the above devices. In
various implementations, the devices may be directly or indirectly
connected together via a telephone network or near field
communication, rather than via base stations ex106 through ex110.
Further, streaming server ex103 may be connected to devices
including computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home
appliance ex114, and smartphone ex115 via, for example, internet
ex101. Streaming server ex103 may also be connected to, for
example, a terminal in a hotspot in airplane ex117 via satellite
ex116.
[0572] Note that instead of base stations ex106 through ex110,
wireless access points or hotspots may be used. Streaming server
ex103 may be connected to communications network ex104 directly
instead of via internet ex101 or internet service provider ex102,
and may be connected to airplane ex117 directly instead of via
satellite ex116.
[0573] Camera ex113 is a device capable of capturing still images
and video, such as a digital camera. Smartphone ex115 is a
smartphone device, cellular phone, or personal handy-phone system
(PHS) phone that can operate under the mobile communications system
standards of the 2G, 3G, 3.9G, and 4G systems, as well as the
next-generation 5G system.
[0574] Home appliance ex114 is, for example, a refrigerator or a
device included in a home fuel cell cogeneration system.
[0575] In content providing system ex100, a terminal including an
image and/or video capturing function is capable of, for example,
live streaming by connecting to streaming server ex103 via, for
example, base station ex106. When live streaming, a terminal (e.g.,
computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance
ex114, smartphone ex115, or a terminal in airplane ex117) may
perform the encoding processing described in the above embodiments
on still-image or video content captured by a user via the
terminal, may multiplex video data obtained via the encoding and
audio data obtained by encoding audio corresponding to the video,
and may transmit the obtained data to streaming server ex103. In
other words, the terminal functions as the image encoder according
to one aspect of the present disclosure.
[0576] Streaming server ex103 streams transmitted content data to
clients that request the stream. Client examples include computer
ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114,
smartphone ex115, and terminals inside airplane ex117, which are
capable of decoding the above-described encoded data. Devices that
receive the streamed data may decode and reproduce the received
data. In other words, the devices may each function as the image
decoder, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
[0577] [Decentralized Processing]
[0578] Streaming server ex103 may be realized as a plurality of
servers or computers between which tasks such as the processing,
recording, and streaming of data are divided. For example,
streaming server ex103 may be realized as a content delivery
network (CDN) that streams content via a network connecting
multiple edge servers located throughout the world. In a CDN, an
edge server physically near the client may be dynamically assigned
to the client. Content is cached and streamed to the edge server to
reduce load times. In the event of, for example, some type of error
or change in connectivity due, for example, to a spike in traffic,
it is possible to stream data stably at high speeds, since it is
possible to avoid affected parts of the network by, for example,
dividing the processing between a plurality of edge servers, or
switching the streaming duties to a different edge server and
continuing streaming.
[0579] Decentralization is not limited to just the division of
processing for streaming; the encoding of the captured data may be
divided between and performed by the terminals, on the server side,
or both. In one example, in typical encoding, the processing is
performed in two loops. The first loop is for detecting how
complicated the image is on a frame-by-frame or scene-by-scene
basis, or detecting the encoding load. The second loop is for
processing that maintains image quality and improves encoding
efficiency. For example, it is possible to reduce the processing
load of the terminals and improve the quality and encoding
efficiency of the content by having the terminals perform the first
loop of the encoding and having the server side that received the
content perform the second loop of the encoding. In such a case,
upon receipt of a decoding request, it is possible for the encoded
data resulting from the first loop performed by one terminal to be
received and reproduced on another terminal in approximately real
time. This makes it possible to realize smooth, real-time
streaming.
[0580] In another example, camera ex113 or the like extracts a
feature amount (an amount of features or characteristics) from an
image, compresses data related to the feature amount as metadata,
and transmits the compressed metadata to a server. For example, the
server determines the significance of an object based on the
feature amount and changes the quantization accuracy accordingly to
perform compression suitable for the meaning (or content
significance) of the image. Feature amount data is particularly
effective in improving the precision and efficiency of motion
vector prediction during the second compression pass performed by
the server. Moreover, encoding that has a relatively low processing
load, such as variable length coding (VLC), may be handled by the
terminal, and encoding that has a relatively high processing load,
such as context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), may be
handled by the server.
[0581] In yet another example, there are instances in which a
plurality of videos of approximately the same scene are captured by
a plurality of terminals in, for example, a stadium, shopping mall,
or factory. In such a case, for example, the encoding may be
decentralized by dividing processing tasks between the plurality of
terminals that captured the videos and, if necessary, other
terminals that did not capture the videos, and the server, on a
per-unit basis. The units may be, for example, groups of pictures
(GOP), pictures, or tiles resulting from dividing a picture. This
makes it possible to reduce load times and achieve streaming that
is closer to real time.
[0582] Since the videos are of approximately the same scene,
management and/or instructions may be carried out by the server so
that the videos captured by the terminals can be
cross-referenced.
[0583] Moreover, the server may receive encoded data from the
terminals, change the reference relationship between items of data,
or correct or replace pictures themselves, and then perform the
encoding. This makes it possible to generate a stream with
increased quality and efficiency for the individual items of
data.
[0584] Furthermore, the server may stream video data after
performing transcoding to convert the encoding format of the video
data. For example, the server may convert the encoding format from
MPEG to VP (e.g., VP9), may convert H.264 to H.265, etc.
[0585] In this way, encoding can be performed by a terminal or one
or more servers. Accordingly, although the device that performs the
encoding is referred to as a "server" or "terminal" in the
following description, some or all of the processes performed by
the server may be performed by the terminal, and likewise some or
all of the processes performed by the terminal may be performed by
the server. This also applies to decoding processes.
[3D, Multi-Angle]
[0586] There has been an increase in usage of images or videos
combined from images or videos of different scenes concurrently
captured, or of the same scene captured from different angles, by a
plurality of terminals such as camera ex113 and/or smartphone
ex115. Videos captured by the terminals may be combined based on,
for example, the separately obtained relative positional
relationship between the terminals, or regions in a video having
matching feature points.
[0587] In addition to the encoding of two-dimensional moving
pictures, the server may encode a still image based on scene
analysis of a moving picture, either automatically or at a point in
time specified by the user, and transmit the encoded still image to
a reception terminal. Furthermore, when the server can obtain the
relative positional relationship between the video capturing
terminals, in addition to two-dimensional moving pictures, the
server can generate three-dimensional geometry of a scene based on
video of the same scene captured from different angles. The server
may separately encode three-dimensional data generated from, for
example, a point cloud and, based on a result of recognizing or
tracking a person or object using three-dimensional data, may
select or reconstruct and generate a video to be transmitted to a
reception terminal, from videos captured by a plurality of
terminals.
[0588] This allows the user to enjoy a scene by freely selecting
videos corresponding to the video capturing terminals, and allows
the user to enjoy the content obtained by extracting a video at a
selected viewpoint from three-dimensional data reconstructed from a
plurality of images or videos. Furthermore, as with video, sound
may be recorded from relatively different angles, and the server
may multiplex audio from a specific angle or space with the
corresponding video, and transmit the multiplexed video and
audio.
[0589] In recent years, content that is a composite of the real
world and a virtual world, such as virtual reality (VR) and
augmented reality (AR) content, has also become popular. In the
case of VR images, the server may create images from the viewpoints
of both the left and right eyes, and perform encoding that
tolerates reference between the two viewpoint images, such as
multi-view coding (MVC), and, alternatively, may encode the images
as separate streams without referencing. When the images are
decoded as separate streams, the streams may be synchronized when
reproduced, so as to recreate a virtual three-dimensional space in
accordance with the viewpoint of the user.
[0590] In the case of AR images, the server may superimpose virtual
object information existing in a virtual space onto camera
information representing a real-world space, based on a
three-dimensional position or movement from the perspective of the
user. The decoder may obtain or store virtual object information
and three-dimensional data, generate two-dimensional images based
on movement from the perspective of the user, and then generate
superimposed data by seamlessly connecting the images.
Alternatively, the decoder may transmit, to the server, motion from
the perspective of the user in addition to a request for virtual
object information. The server may generate superimposed data based
on three-dimensional data stored in the server in accordance with
the received motion, and encode and stream the generated
superimposed data to the decoder. Note that superimposed data
typically includes, in addition to RGB values, an a value
indicating transparency, and the server sets the a value for
sections other than the object generated from three-dimensional
data to, for example, 0, and may perform the encoding while those
sections are transparent. Alternatively, the server may set the
background to a determined RGB value, such as a chroma key, and
generate data in which areas other than the object are set as the
background. The determined RGB value may be predetermined.
[0591] Decoding of similarly streamed data may be performed by the
client (e.g., the terminals), on the server side, or divided
therebetween. In one example, one terminal may transmit a reception
request to a server, the requested content may be received and
decoded by another terminal, and a decoded signal may be
transmitted to a device having a display. It is possible to
reproduce high image quality data by decentralizing processing and
appropriately selecting content regardless of the processing
ability of the communications terminal itself. In yet another
example, while a TV, for example, is receiving image data that is
large in size, a region of a picture, such as a tile obtained by
dividing the picture, may be decoded and displayed on a personal
terminal or terminals of a viewer or viewers of the TV. This makes
it possible for the viewers to share a big-picture view as well as
for each viewer to check his or her assigned area, or inspect a
region in further detail up close.
[0592] In situations in which a plurality of wireless connections
are possible over near, mid, and far distances, indoors or
outdoors, it may be possible to seamlessly receive content using a
streaming system standard such as MPEG-DASH. The user may switch
between data in real time while freely selecting a decoder or
display apparatus including the user's terminal, displays arranged
indoors or outdoors, etc. Moreover, using, for example, information
on the position of the user, decoding can be performed while
switching which terminal handles decoding and which terminal
handles the displaying of content. This makes it possible to map
and display information, while the user is on the move in route to
a destination, on the wall of a nearby building in which a device
capable of displaying content is embedded, or on part of the
ground. Moreover, it is also possible to switch the bit rate of the
received data based on the accessibility to the encoded data on a
network, such as when encoded data is cached on a server quickly
accessible from the reception terminal, or when encoded data is
copied to an edge server in a content delivery service.
[Scalable Encoding]
[0593] The switching of content will be described with reference to
a scalable stream, illustrated in FIG. 63, which is compression
coded via implementation of the moving picture encoding method
described in the above embodiments. The server may have a
configuration in which content is switched while making use of the
temporal and/or spatial scalability of a stream, which is achieved
by division into and encoding of layers, as illustrated in FIG. 63.
Note that there may be a plurality of individual streams that are
of the same content but different quality. In other words, by
determining which layer to decode based on internal factors, such
as the processing ability on the decoder side, and external
factors, such as communication bandwidth, the decoder side can
freely switch between low resolution content and high resolution
content while decoding. For example, in a case in which the user
wants to continue watching, for example at home on a device such as
a TV connected to the internet, a video that the user had been
previously watching on smartphone ex115 while on the move, the
device can simply decode the same stream up to a different layer,
which reduces the server side load.
[0594] Furthermore, in addition to the configuration described
above, in which scalability is achieved as a result of the pictures
being encoded per layer, with the enhancement layer being above the
base layer, the enhancement layer may include metadata based on,
for example, statistical information on the image. The decoder side
may generate high image quality content by performing
super-resolution imaging on a picture in the base layer based on
the metadata. Super-resolution imaging may improve the SN ratio
while maintaining resolution and/or increasing resolution. Metadata
includes information for identifying a linear or a non-linear
filter coefficient, as used in super-resolution processing, or
information identifying a parameter value in filter processing,
machine learning, or a least squares method used in
super-resolution processing.
[0595] Alternatively, a configuration may be provided in which a
picture is divided into, for example, tiles in accordance with, for
example, the meaning of an object in the image. On the decoder
side, only a partial region is decoded by selecting a tile to
decode. Further, by storing an attribute of the object (person,
car, ball, etc.) and a position of the object in the video
(coordinates in identical images) as metadata, the decoder side can
identify the position of a desired object based on the metadata and
determine which tile or tiles include that object. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 64, metadata may be stored using a data storage
structure different from pixel data, such as an SEI (supplemental
enhancement information) message in HEVC. This metadata indicates,
for example, the position, size, or color of the main object.
[0596] Metadata may be stored in units of a plurality of pictures,
such as stream, sequence, or random access units. The decoder side
can obtain, for example, the time at which a specific person
appears in the video, and by fitting the time information with
picture unit information, can identify a picture in which the
object is present, and can determine the position of the object in
the picture.
[0597] [Web Page Optimization]
[0598] FIG. 65 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web
page on computer ex111, for example. FIG. 66 illustrates an example
of a display screen of a web page on smartphone ex115, for example.
As illustrated in FIGS. 65 and 66, a web page may include a
plurality of image links that are links to image content, and the
appearance of the web page may differ depending on the device used
to view the web page. When a plurality of image links are viewable
on the screen, until the user explicitly selects an image link, or
until the image link is in the approximate center of the screen or
the entire image link fits in the screen, the display apparatus
(decoder) may display, as the image links, still images included in
the content or I pictures; may display video such as an animated
gif using a plurality of still images or I pictures; or may receive
only the base layer, and decode and display the video.
[0599] When an image link is selected by the user, the display
apparatus performs decoding while, for example, giving the highest
priority to the base layer. Note that if there is information in
the HTML code of the web page indicating that the content is
scalable, the display apparatus may decode up to the enhancement
layer. Further, in order to guarantee real-time reproduction,
before a selection is made or when the bandwidth is severely
limited, the display apparatus can reduce delay between the point
in time at which the leading picture is decoded and the point in
time at which the decoded picture is displayed (that is, the delay
between the start of the decoding of the content to the displaying
of the content) by decoding and displaying only forward reference
pictures (I picture, P picture, forward reference B picture). Still
further, the display apparatus may purposely ignore the reference
relationship between pictures, and coarsely decode all B and P
pictures as forward reference pictures, and then perform normal
decoding as the number of pictures received over time
increases.
[0600] [Autonomous Driving]
[0601] When transmitting and receiving still image or video data
such as two- or three-dimensional map information for autonomous
driving or assisted driving of an automobile, the reception
terminal may receive, in addition to image data belonging to one or
more layers, information on, for example, the weather or road
construction as metadata, and associate the metadata with the image
data upon decoding. Note that metadata may be assigned per layer
and, alternatively, may simply be multiplexed with the image
data.
[0602] In such a case, since the automobile, drone, airplane, etc.,
containing the reception terminal is mobile, the reception terminal
may seamlessly receive and perform decoding while switching between
base stations among base stations ex106 through ex110 by
transmitting information indicating the position of the reception
terminal. Moreover, in accordance with the selection made by the
user, the situation of the user, and/or the bandwidth of the
connection, the reception terminal may dynamically select to what
extent the metadata is received, or to what extent the map
information, for example, is updated.
[0603] In content providing system ex100, the client may receive,
decode, and reproduce, in real time, encoded information
transmitted by the user.
[0604] [Streaming of Individual Content]
[0605] In content providing system ex100, in addition to high image
quality, long content distributed by a video distribution entity,
unicast or multicast streaming of low image quality, and short
content from an individual are also possible. Such content from
individuals is likely to further increase in popularity. The server
may first perform editing processing on the content before the
encoding processing, in order to refine the individual content.
This may be achieved using the following configuration, for
example.
[0606] In real time while capturing video or image content, or
after the content has been captured and accumulated, the server
performs recognition processing based on the raw data or encoded
data, such as capture error processing, scene search processing,
meaning analysis, and/or object detection processing. Then, based
on the result of the recognition processing, the server--either
when prompted or automatically--edits the content, examples of
which include: correction such as focus and/or motion blur
correction; removing low-priority scenes such as scenes that are
low in brightness compared to other pictures, or out of focus;
object edge adjustment; and color tone adjustment. The server
encodes the edited data based on the result of the editing. It is
known that excessively long videos tend to receive fewer views.
Accordingly, in order to keep the content within a specific length
that scales with the length of the original video, the server may,
in addition to the low-priority scenes described above,
automatically clip out scenes with low movement, based on an image
processing result. Alternatively, the server may generate and
encode a video digest based on a result of an analysis of the
meaning of a scene.
[0607] There may be instances in which individual content may
include content that infringes a copyright, moral right, portrait
rights, etc. Such instance may lead to an unfavorable situation for
the creator, such as when content is shared beyond the scope
intended by the creator. Accordingly, before encoding, the server
may, for example, edit images so as to blur faces of people in the
periphery of the screen or blur the inside of a house, for example.
Further, the server may be configured to recognize the faces of
people other than a registered person in images to be encoded, and
when such faces appear in an image, may apply a mosaic filter, for
example, to the face of the person. Alternatively, as pre- or
post-processing for encoding, the user may specify, for copyright
reasons, a region of an image including a person or a region of the
background to be processed. The server may process the specified
region by, for example, replacing the region with a different
image, or blurring the region. If the region includes a person, the
person may be tracked in the moving picture, and the person's head
region may be replaced with another image as the person moves.
[0608] Since there is a demand for real-time viewing of content
produced by individuals, which tends to be small in data size, the
decoder may first receive the base layer as the highest priority,
and perform decoding and reproduction, although this may differ
depending on bandwidth. When the content is reproduced two or more
times, such as when the decoder receives the enhancement layer
during decoding and reproduction of the base layer, and loops the
reproduction, the decoder may reproduce a high image quality video
including the enhancement layer. If the stream is encoded using
such scalable encoding, the video may be low quality when in an
unselected state or at the start of the video, but it can offer an
experience in which the image quality of the stream progressively
increases in an intelligent manner. This is not limited to just
scalable encoding; the same experience can be offered by
configuring a single stream from a low quality stream reproduced
for the first time and a second stream encoded using the first
stream as a reference.
[Other Implementation and Application Examples]
[0609] The encoding and decoding may be performed by LSI (large
scale integration circuitry) ex500 (see FIG. 62), which is
typically included in each terminal. LSI ex500 may be configured of
a single chip or a plurality of chips. Software for encoding and
decoding moving pictures may be integrated into some type of a
recording medium (such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a hard
disk) that is readable by, for example, computer ex111, and the
encoding and decoding may be performed using the software.
Furthermore, when smartphone ex115 is equipped with a camera, the
video data obtained by the camera may be transmitted. In this case,
the video data may be coded by LSI ex500 included in smartphone
ex115.
[0610] Note that LSI ex500 may be configured to download and
activate an application. In such a case, the terminal first
determines whether it is compatible with the scheme used to encode
the content, or whether it is capable of executing a specific
service. When the terminal is not compatible with the encoding
scheme of the content, or when the terminal is not capable of
executing a specific service, the terminal may first download a
codec or application software and then obtain and reproduce the
content.
[0611] Aside from the example of content providing system ex100
that uses internet ex101, at least the moving picture encoder
(image encoder) or the moving picture decoder (image decoder)
described in the above embodiments may be implemented in a digital
broadcasting system. The same encoding processing and decoding
processing may be applied to transmit and receive broadcast radio
waves superimposed with multiplexed audio and video data using, for
example, a satellite, even though this is geared toward multicast,
whereas unicast is easier with content providing system ex100.
[Hardware Configuration]
[0612] FIG. 67 illustrates further details of smartphone ex115
shown in FIG. 62. FIG. 68 illustrates a configuration example of
smartphone ex115. Smartphone ex115 includes antenna ex450 for
transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from base station
ex110, camera ex465 capable of capturing video and still images,
and display ex458 that displays decoded data, such as video
captured by camera ex465 and video received by antenna ex450.
Smartphone ex115 further includes user interface ex466 such as a
touch panel, audio output unit ex457 such as a speaker for
outputting speech or other audio, audio input unit ex456 such as a
microphone for audio input, memory ex467 capable of storing decoded
data such as captured video or still images, recorded audio,
received video or still images, and mail, as well as decoded data,
and slot ex464 which is an interface for SIM ex468 for authorizing
access to a network and various data. Note that external memory may
be used instead of memory ex467.
[0613] Main controller ex460, which may comprehensi