WO2020214899A1 - Supplemental enhancement information message for embedded image - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic apparatus performs a method of encoding a picture into a video bitstream and a method of extracting a picture from an encoded video bitstream, respectively. To encode a picture into a video bitstream, the electronic apparatus determines a set of parameters for the picture, generates an embedded image supplemental enhancement information (SEI) message of the picture using the set of parameters and then adds the embedded image SEI message to metadata of the video bitstream. To extract a picture from an encoded video bitstream, the electronic apparatus identifies, within video metadata of the encoded video bitstream, an embedded image SEI message, extracts a set of parameters from the embedded image SEI message, and generates a picture from image data stored in the embedded image SEI message using the set of parameters.

Description

SUPPLEMENTAL ENHANCEMENT INFORMATION MESSAGE

FOR EMBEDDED IMAGE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to video data encoding and decoding, and in particular, to method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a supplemental enhancement information message including an embedded image.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Digital video is supported by a variety of electronic devices, such as digital televisions, laptop or desktop computers, tablet computers, digital cameras, digital recording devices, digital media players, video gaming consoles, smart phones, video teleconferencing devices, video streaming devices, etc. The electronic devices transmit, receive, encode, decode, and/or store digital video data by implementing video compression/decompression standards as defined by MPEG-4, ITU-T H.263, ITU-T H.264/MPEG-4, Part 10, Advanced Video Coding (AVC), High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), and Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard. Video compression typically includes performing spatial (intra frame) prediction and/or temporal (inter frame) prediction to reduce or remove redundancy inherent in the video data. For block-based video coding, a video frame is partitioned into one or more slices, each slice having multiple video blocks, which may also be referred to as coding tree units (CTUs). Each CTU may contain one coding unit (CU) or recursively split into smaller CUs until the predefined minimum CU size is reached. Each CU (also named leaf CU) contains one or multiple transform units (TUs) and each CU also contains one or multiple prediction units (PUs). Each CU can be coded in either intra, inter or IBC modes. Video blocks in an intra coded (I) slice of a video frame are encoded using spatial prediction with respect to reference samples in neighboring blocks within the same video frame. Video blocks in an inter coded (P or B) slice of a video frame may use spatial prediction with respect to reference samples in neighboring blocks within the same video frame or temporal prediction with respect to reference samples in other previous and/or future reference video frames.

[0003] Spatial or temporal prediction based on a reference block that has been previously encoded, e.g., a neighboring block, results in a predictive block for a current video block to be coded. The process of finding the reference block may be accomplished by block matching algorithm. Residual data representing pixel differences between the current block to be coded and the predictive block is referred to as a residual block or prediction errors. An inter-coded block is encoded according to a motion vector that points to a reference block in a reference frame forming the predictive block, and the residual block. The process of determining the motion vector is typically referred to as motion estimation. An intra coded block is encoded according to an intra prediction mode and the residual block. For further compression, the residual block is transformed from the pixel domain to a transform domain, e.g., frequency domain, resulting in residual transform coefficients, which may then be quantized. The quantized transform coefficients, initially arranged in a two-dimensional array, may be scanned to produce a one-dimensional vector of transform coefficients, and then entropy encoded into a video bitstream to achieve even more compression.

[0004] The encoded video bitstream is then saved in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., flash memory) to be accessed by another electronic device with digital video capability or directly transmitted to the electronic device wired or wirelessly. The electronic device then performs video decompression (which is an opposite process to the video compression described above) by, e.g., parsing the encoded video bitstream to obtain syntax elements from the bitstream and reconstructing the digital video data to its original format from the encoded video bitstream based at least in part on the syntax elements obtained from the bitstream, and renders the reconstructed digital video data on a display of the electronic device. [0005] To maintain the flexibility and scalability, a video coding standard typically defines options for the syntax of an encoded video bitstream, which detail parameters allowed for the syntax in the bitstream. In many cases, the options also provide details about the decoding operations a decoder should perform to derive the syntax parameters from the bitstream and achieve correct results in decoding.

[0006] Supplemental enhancement information (SEI) message is such an option of video coding used by standards such as H.264/AVC and HEVC in high-level syntax. SEI message provides metadata in the bitstream to enhance the use of the video. For example, the usage of SEI message allows video encoder to include specific metadata in the video bitstream that is not required for correct decoding of the output pictures, but can be used for various other purposes, such as picture output timing, displaying, as well as error detection and concealment. In such cases, SEI messages are normally handled as part of the video decoding process. For example, the SEI message may contain a checksum derived from the decoded samples of the corresponding picture on the encoder side. At the decoder side, such information enables the decoder to perform error detection by comparing this hash value from the SEI message and the recalculated version from the decoded picture. Thus far, SEI messages have not been used independently without involving the decided pictures.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present application describes implementations related to video data encoding and decoding and, more particularly, to method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a supplemental enhancement information message including an embedded image.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present application, a method of encoding a picture into a video bitstream is provided, the method comprising: identifying a picture; determining a set of parameters for the picture; generating an embedded image supplemental enhancement information (SEI) message of the picture using the set of parameters; and adding the embedded image SEI message to metadata of the video bitstream. [0009] According to a second aspect of the present application, an electronic apparatus includes one or more processing units, memory and a plurality of programs stored in the memory. The programs, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of encoding a picture into a video bitstream as described above.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present application, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores a plurality of programs for execution by an electronic apparatus having one or more processing units. The programs, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of encoding a picture into a video bitstream as described above.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, a method of extracting a picture from an encoded video bitstream is provided, the method comprising: identifying, within video metadata of the encoded video bitstream, an embedded image supplemental enhancement information (SEI) message; extracting a set of parameters from the embedded image SEI message; and generating a picture from image data stored in the embedded image SEI message using the set of parameters.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present application, an electronic apparatus includes one or more processing units, memory and a plurality of programs stored in the memory. The programs, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of extracting a picture from an encoded video bitstream as described above.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present application, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores a plurality of programs for execution by an electronic apparatus having one or more processing units. The programs, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of extracting a picture from an encoded video bitstream as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the implementations and are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate the described implementations and together with the description serve to explain the underlying principles. Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts.

[0015] FIG. l is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary video encoding and decoding system in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary video encoder in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary video decoder in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIGS. 4A-4D are block diagrams illustrating how a frame is recursively quad tree partitioned into multiple video blocks of different sizes in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIGS. 5A-5C are block diagrams illustrating the data structures of an encoded video bitstream including multiple embedded image supplemental enhancement information (SEI) messages, at least one of the embedded SEI messages including an embedded image, and the embedded image in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process by which a video coder implements the techniques of generating an embedded image SEI message using a picture and adding the SEI message into a video bitstream in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. [0021] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process by which a video decoder implements the techniques of extracting an embedded image SEI message from a video bitstream and generating a picture using the embedded image SEI message in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to specific implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous non-limiting specific details are set forth in order to assist in understanding the subject matter presented herein. But it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various alternatives may be used without departing from the scope of claims and the subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. For example, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the subject matter presented herein can be implemented on many types of electronic devices with digital video capabilities.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system 10 for encoding and decoding video blocks in parallel in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, system 10 includes a source device 12 that generates and encodes video data to be decoded at a later time by a destination device 14. Source device 12 and destination device 14 may comprise any of a wide variety of electronic devices, including desktop or laptop computers, tablet computers, smart phones, set-top boxes, digital televisions, cameras, display devices, digital media players, video gaming consoles, video streaming device, or the like. In some implementations, source device 12 and destination device 14 are equipped with wireless communication capabilities.

[0024] In some implementations, destination device 14 may receive the encoded video data to be decoded via a link 16. Link 16 may comprise any type of communication medium or device capable of moving the encoded video data from source device 12 to destination device 14. In one example, link 16 may comprise a communication medium to enable source device 12 to transmit the encoded video data directly to destination device 14 in real-time. The encoded video data may be modulated according to a communication standard, such as a wireless communication protocol, and transmitted to destination device 14. The communication medium may comprise any wireless or wired communication medium, such as a radio frequency (RF) spectrum or one or more physical transmission lines. The communication medium may form part of a packet-based network, such as a local area network, a wide-area network, or a global network such as the Internet. The communication medium may include routers, switches, base stations, or any other equipment that may be useful to facilitate communication from source device 12 to destination device 14.

[0025] In some other implementations, the encoded video data may be transmitted from output interface 22 to a storage device 32. Subsequently, the encoded video data in storage device 32 may be accessed by destination device 14 via input interface 28. Storage device 32 may include any of a variety of distributed or locally accessed data storage media such as a hard drive, Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, flash memory, volatile or non-volatile memory, or any other suitable digital storage media for storing encoded video data. In a further example, storage device 32 may correspond to a file server or another intermediate storage device that may hold the encoded video data generated by source device 12.

Destination device 14 may access the stored video data from storage device 32 via streaming or downloading. The file server may be any type of computer capable of storing encoded video data and transmitting the encoded video data to destination device 14. Exemplary file servers include a web server (e.g., for a website), an FTP server, network attached storage (NAS) devices, or a local disk drive. Destination device 14 may access the encoded video data through any standard data connection, including a wireless channel (e.g., a Wi-Fi connection), a wired connection (e.g., DSL, cable modem, etc.), or a combination of both that is suitable for accessing encoded video data stored on a file server. The transmission of encoded video data from storage device 32 may be a streaming transmission, a download transmission, or a combination of both. [0026] As shown in FIG. 1, source device 12 includes a video source 18, a video encoder 20 and an output interface 22. Video source 18 may include a source such as a video capture device, e.g., a video camera, a video archive containing previously captured video, a video feed interface to receive video from a video content provider, and/or a computer graphics system for generating computer graphics data as the source video, or a combination of such sources. As one example, if video source 18 is a video camera of a security surveillance system, source device 12 and destination device 14 may form camera phones or video phones. However, the implementations described in the present application may be applicable to video coding in general, and may be applied to wireless and/or wired applications.

[0027] The captured, pre-captured, or computer-generated video may be encoded by video encoder 20. The encoded video data may be transmitted directly to destination device 14 via output interface 22 of source device 12. The encoded video data may also (or alternatively) be stored onto storage device 32 for later access by destination device 14 or other devices, for decoding and/or playback. Output interface 22 may further include a modem and/or a transmitter.

[0028] Destination device 14 includes an input interface 28, a video decoder 30, and a display device 34. Input interface 28 may include a receiver and/or a modem and receive the encoded video data over link 16. The encoded video data communicated over link 16, or provided on storage device 32, may include a variety of syntax elements generated by video encoder 20 for use by video decoder 30 in decoding the video data. Such syntax elements may be included within the encoded video data transmitted on a communication medium, stored on a storage medium, or stored a file server.

[0029] In some implementations, destination device 14 may include a display device

34, which can be an integrated display device and an external display device that is configured to communicate with destination device 14. Display device 34 displays the decoded video data to a user, and may comprise any of a variety of display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or another type of display device.

[0030] Video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may operate according to proprietary or industry standards, such as VVC, HEVC, MPEG-4, Part 10, Advanced Video Coding (AVC), or extensions of such standards. It should be understood that the present application is not limited to a specific video coding/decoding standard and may be applicable to other video coding/decoding standards. It is generally contemplated that video encoder 20 of source device 12 may be configured to encode video data according to any of these current or future standards. Similarly, it is also generally contemplated that video decoder 30 of destination device 14 may be configured to decode video data according to any of these current or future standards.

[0031] Video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 each may be implemented as any of a variety of suitable encoder circuitry, such as one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), discrete logic, software, hardware, firmware or any combinations thereof. When implemented partially in software, an electronic device may store instructions for the software in a suitable, non-transitory computer-readable medium and execute the instructions in hardware using one or more processors to perform the video coding/decoding operations disclosed in the present disclosure. Each of video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may be included in one or more encoders or decoders, either of which may be integrated as part of a combined encoder/decoder (CODEC) in a respective device.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary video encoder 20 in accordance with some implementations described in the present application. Video encoder 20 may perform intra and inter predictive coding of video blocks within video frames. Intra predictive coding relies on spatial prediction to reduce or remove spatial redundancy in video data within a given video frame or picture. Inter predictive coding relies on temporal prediction to reduce or remove temporal redundancy in video data within adjacent video frames or pictures of a video sequence.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, video encoder 20 includes video data memory 40, prediction processing unit 41, decoded picture buffer (DPB) 64, summer 50, transform processing unit 52, quantization unit 54, and entropy encoding unit 56. Prediction processing unit 41 further includes motion estimation unit 42, motion compensation unit 44, partition unit 45, intra prediction processing unit 46, and intra block copy (BC) unit 48. In some implementations, video encoder 20 also includes inverse quantization unit 58, inverse transform processing unit 60, and summer 62 for video block reconstruction. A deblocking filter (not shown) may be positioned between summer 62 and DPB 64 to filter block boundaries to remove blockiness artifacts from reconstructed video. An in loop filter (not shown) may also be used in addition to the deblocking filter to filter the output of summer 62. Video encoder 20 may take the form of a fixed or programmable hardware unit or may be divided among one or more of the illustrated fixed or programmable hardware units.

[0034] Video data memory 40 may store video data to be encoded by the components of video encoder 20. The video data in video data memory 40 may be obtained, for example, from video source 18. DPB 64 is a buffer that stores reference video data for use in encoding video data by video encoder 20 (e.g., in intra or inter predictive coding modes). Video data memory 40 and DPB 64 may be formed by any of a variety of memory devices. In various examples, video data memory 40 may be on-chip with other components of video encoder 20, or off-chip relative to those components.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, after receiving video data, partition unit 45 within prediction processing unit 41 partitions the video data into video blocks. This partitioning may also include partitioning a video frame into slices, tiles, or other larger coding units (CUs) according to a predefined splitting structures such as quad-tree structure associated with the video data. The video frame may be divided into multiple video blocks (or sets of video blocks referred to as tiles). Prediction processing unit 41 may select one of a plurality of possible predictive coding modes, such as one of a plurality of intra predictive coding modes or one of a plurality of inter predictive coding modes, for the current video block based on error results (e.g., coding rate and the level of distortion). Prediction processing unit 41 may provide the resulting intra or inter prediction coded block to summer 50 to generate a residual block and to summer 62 to reconstruct the encoded block for use as part of a reference frame subsequently. Prediction processing unit 41 also provides syntax elements, such as motion vectors, intra-mode indicators, partition information, and other such syntax information, to entropy encoding unit 56.

[0036] In order to select an appropriate intra predictive coding mode for the current video block, intra prediction processing unit 46 within prediction processing unit 41 may perform intra predictive coding of the current video block relative to one or more neighboring blocks in the same frame as the current block to be coded to provide spatial prediction.

Motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44 within prediction processing unit 41 perform inter predictive coding of the current video block relative to one or more predictive blocks in one or more reference frames to provide temporal prediction. Video encoder 20 may perform multiple coding passes, e.g., to select an appropriate coding mode for each block of video data.

[0037] In some implementations, motion estimation unit 42 determines the inter prediction mode for a current video frame by generating a motion vector, which indicates the displacement of a prediction unit (PU) of a video block within the current video frame relative to a predictive block within a reference video frame, according to a predetermined pattern within a sequence of video frames. Motion estimation, performed by motion estimation unit 42, is the process of generating motion vectors, which estimate motion for video blocks. A motion vector, for example, may indicate the displacement of a PU of a video block within a current video frame or picture relative to a predictive block within a reference frame (or other coded unit) relative to the current block being coded within the current frame (or other coded unit). The predetermined pattern may designate video frames in the sequence as P frames or B frames. Intra BC unit 48 may determine vectors, e.g., block vectors, for intra BC coding in a manner similar to the determination of motion vectors by motion estimation unit 42 for inter prediction, or may utilize motion estimation unit 42 to determine the block vector.

[0038] A predictive block is a block of a reference frame that is deemed as closely matching the PU of the video block to be coded in terms of pixel difference, which may be determined by sum of absolute difference (SAD), sum of square difference (SSD), or other difference metrics. In some implementations, video encoder 20 may calculate values for sub integer pixel positions of reference frames stored in DPB 64. For example, video encoder 20 may interpolate values of one-quarter pixel positions, one-eighth pixel positions, or other fractional pixel positions of the reference frame. Therefore, motion estimation unit 42 may perform a motion search relative to the full pixel positions and fractional pixel positions and output a motion vector with fractional pixel precision.

[0039] Motion estimation unit 42 calculates a motion vector for a PU of a video block in an inter prediction coded frame by comparing the position of the PU to the position of a predictive block of a reference frame selected from a first reference frame list (List 0) or a second reference frame list (List 1), each of which identifies one or more reference frames stored in DPB 64. Motion estimation unit 42 sends the calculated motion vector to motion compensation unit 44 and then to entropy encoding unit 56.

[0040] Motion compensation, performed by motion compensation unit 44, may involve fetching or generating the predictive block based on the motion vector determined by motion estimation unit 42. Upon receiving the motion vector for the PU of the current video block, motion compensation unit 44 may locate a predictive block to which the motion vector points in one of the reference frame lists, retrieve the predictive block from DPB 64, and forward the predictive block to summer 50. Summer 50 then forms a residual video block of pixel difference values by subtracting pixel values of the predictive block provided by motion compensation unit 44 from the pixel values of the current video block being coded. The pixel difference values forming the residual vide block may include luma or chroma difference components or both. Motion compensation unit 44 may also generate syntax elements associated with the video blocks of a video frame for use by video decoder 30 in decoding the video blocks of the video frame. The syntax elements may include, for example, syntax elements defining the motion vector used to identify the predictive block, any flags indicating the prediction mode, or any other syntax information described herein. Note that motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44 may be highly integrated, but are illustrated separately for conceptual purposes.

[0041] In some implementations, intra BC unit 48 may generate vectors and fetch predictive blocks in a manner similar to that described above in connection with motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44, but with the predictive blocks being in the same frame as the current block being coded and with the vectors being referred to as block vectors as opposed to motion vectors. In particular, intra BC unit 48 may determine an intra-prediction mode to use to encode a current block. In some examples, intra BC unit 48 may encode a current block using various intra-prediction modes, e.g., during separate encoding passes, and test their performance through rate-distortion analysis. Next, intra BC unit 48 may select, among the various tested intra-prediction modes, an appropriate intra prediction mode to use and generate an intra-mode indicator accordingly. For example, intra BC unit 48 may calculate rate-distortion values using a rate-distortion analysis for the various tested intra-prediction modes, and select the intra-prediction mode having the best rate- distortion characteristics among the tested modes as the appropriate intra-prediction mode to use. Rate-distortion analysis generally determines an amount of distortion (or error) between an encoded block and an original, unencoded block that was encoded to produce the encoded block, as well as a bitrate (i.e., a number of bits) used to produce the encoded block. Intra BC unit 48 may calculate ratios from the distortions and rates for the various encoded blocks to determine which intra-prediction mode exhibits the best rate-distortion value for the block.

[0042] In other examples, intra BC unit 48 may use motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44, in whole or in part, to perform such functions for Intra BC prediction according to the implementations described herein. In either case, for Intra block copy, a predictive block may be a block that is deemed as closely matching the block to be coded, in terms of pixel difference, which may be determined by sum of absolute difference (SAD), sum of squared difference (SSD), or other difference metrics, and identification of the predictive block may include calculation of values for sub-integer pixel positions.

[0043] Whether the predictive block is from the same frame according to intra prediction, or a different frame according to inter prediction, video encoder 20 may form a residual video block by subtracting pixel values of the predictive block from the pixel values of the current video block being coded, forming pixel difference values. The pixel difference values forming the residual video block may include both luma and chroma component differences.

[0044] Intra prediction processing unit 46 may intra-predict a current video block, as an alternative to the inter-prediction performed by motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44, or the intra block copy prediction performed by intra BC unit 48, as described above. In particular, intra prediction processing unit 46 may determine an intra prediction mode to use to encode a current block. To do so, intra prediction processing unit 46 may encode a current block using various intra prediction modes, e.g., during separate encoding passes, and intra prediction processing unit 46 (or a mode select unit, in some examples) may select an appropriate intra prediction mode to use from the tested intra prediction modes. Intra prediction processing unit 46 may provide information indicative of the selected intra-prediction mode for the block to entropy encoding unit 56. Entropy encoding unit 56 may encode the information indicating the selected intra-prediction mode in the bitstream.

[0045] After prediction processing unit 41 determines the predictive block for the current video block via either inter prediction or intra prediction, summer 50 forms a residual video block by subtracting the predictive block from the current video block. The residual video data in the residual block may be included in one or more transform units (TUs) and is provided to transform processing unit 52. Transform processing unit 52 transforms the residual video data into residual transform coefficients using a transform, such as a discrete cosine transform (DCT) or a conceptually similar transform.

[0046] Transform processing unit 52 may send the resulting transform coefficients to quantization unit 54. Quantization unit 54 quantizes the transform coefficients to further reduce bit rate. The quantization process may also reduce the bit depth associated with some or all of the coefficients. The degree of quantization may be modified by adjusting a quantization parameter. In some examples, quantization unit 54 may then perform a scan of a matrix including the quantized transform coefficients. Alternatively, entropy encoding unit 56 may perform the scan.

[0047] Following quantization, entropy encoding unit 56 entropy encodes the quantized transform coefficients into a video bitstream using, e.g., context adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC), context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CAB AC), syntax-based context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (SBAC), probability interval partitioning entropy (PIPE) coding or another entropy encoding methodology or technique. The encoded bitstream may then be transmitted to video decoder 30, or archived in storage device 32 for later transmission to or retrieval by video decoder 30. Entropy encoding unit 56 may also entropy encode the motion vectors and the other syntax elements for the current video frame being coded. [0048] Inverse quantization unit 58 and inverse transform processing unit 60 apply inverse quantization and inverse transformation, respectively, to reconstruct the residual video block in the pixel domain for generating a reference block for prediction of other video blocks. As noted above, motion compensation unit 44 may generate a motion compensated predictive block from one or more reference blocks of the frames stored in DPB 64. Motion compensation unit 44 may also apply one or more interpolation filters to the predictive block to calculate sub-integer pixel values for use in motion estimation.

[0049] Summer 62 adds the reconstructed residual block to the motion compensated predictive block produced by motion compensation unit 44 to produce a reference block for storage in DPB 64. The reference block may then be used by intra BC unit 48, motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44 as a predictive block to inter predict another video block in a subsequent video frame.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary video decoder 30 in accordance with some implementations of the present application. Video decoder 30 includes video data memory 79, entropy decoding unit 80, prediction processing unit 81, inverse quantization unit 86, inverse transform processing unit 88, summer 90, and DPB 92.

Prediction processing unit 81 further includes motion compensation unit 82, intra prediction processing unit 84, and intra BC unit 85. Video decoder 30 may perform a decoding process generally reciprocal to the encoding process described above with respect to video encoder 20 in connection with FIG. 2. For example, motion compensation unit 82 may generate prediction data based on motion vectors received from entropy decoding unit 80, while intra prediction unit 84 may generate prediction data based on intra-prediction mode indicators received from entropy decoding unit 80.

[0051] In some examples, a unit of video decoder 30 may be tasked to perform the implementations of the present application. Also, in some examples, the implementations of the present disclosure may be divided among one or more of the units of video decoder 30. For example, intra BC unit 85 may perform the implementations of the present application, alone, or in combination with other units of video decoder 30, such as motion compensation unit 82, intra prediction processing unit 84, and entropy decoding unit 80. In some examples, video decoder 30 may not include intra BC unit 85 and the functionality of intra BC unit 85 may be performed by other components of prediction processing unit 81, such as motion compensation unit 82.

[0052] Video data memory 79 may store video data, such as an encoded video bitstream, to be decoded by the other components of video decoder 30. The video data stored in video data memory 79 may be obtained, for example, from storage device 32, from a local video source, such as a camera, via wired or wireless network communication of video data, or by accessing physical data storage media (e.g., a flash drive or hard disk). Video data memory 79 may include a coded picture buffer (CPB) that stores encoded video data from an encoded video bitstream. Decoded picture buffer (DPB) 92 of video decoder 30 stores reference video data for use in decoding video data by video decoder 30 (e.g., in intra or inter predictive coding modes). Video data memory 79 and DPB 92 may be formed by any of a variety of memory devices, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), including synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), or other types of memory devices. For illustrative purpose, video data memory 79 and DPB 92 are depicted as two distinct components of video decoder 30 in FIG. 3. But it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that video data memory 79 and DPB 92 may be provided by the same memory device or separate memory devices. In some examples, video data memory 79 may be on-chip with other components of video decoder 30, or off-chip relative to those components.

[0053] During the decoding process, video decoder 30 receives an encoded video bitstream that represents video blocks of an encoded video frame and associated syntax elements. Video decoder 30 may receive the syntax elements at the video frame level and/or the video block level. Entropy decoding unit 80 of video decoder 30 entropy decodes the bitstream to generate quantized coefficients, motion vectors or intra-prediction mode indicators, and other syntax elements. Entropy decoding unit 80 then forwards the motion vectors and other syntax elements to prediction processing unit 81.

[0054] When the video frame is coded as an intra predictive coded (I) frame or for intra coded predictive blocks in other types of frames, intra prediction processing unit 84 of prediction processing unit 81 may generate prediction data for a video block of the current video frame based on a signaled intra prediction mode and reference data from previously decoded blocks of the current frame.

[0055] When the video frame is coded as an inter-predictive coded (i.e., B or P) frame, motion compensation unit 82 of prediction processing unit 81 produces one or more predictive blocks for a video block of the current video frame based on the motion vectors and other syntax elements received from entropy decoding unit 80. Each of the predictive blocks may be produced from a reference frame within one of the reference frame lists. Video decoder 30 may construct the reference frame lists, List 0 and List 1, using default construction techniques based on reference frames stored in DPB 92.

[0056] In some examples, when the video block is coded according to the intra BC mode described herein, intra BC unit 85 of prediction processing unit 81 produces predictive blocks for the current video block based on block vectors and other syntax elements received from entropy decoding unit 80. The predictive blocks may be within a reconstructed region of the same picture as the current video block defined by video encoder 20.

[0057] Motion compensation unit 82 and/or intra BC unit 85 determines prediction information for a video block of the current video frame by parsing the motion vectors and other syntax elements, and then uses the prediction information to produce the predictive blocks for the current video block being decoded. For example, motion compensation unit 82 uses some of the received syntax elements to determine a prediction mode (e.g., intra or inter prediction) used to code video blocks of the video frame, an inter prediction frame type (e.g., B or P), construction information for one or more of the reference frame lists for the frame, motion vectors for each inter predictive encoded video block of the frame, inter prediction status for each inter predictive coded video block of the frame, and other information to decode the video blocks in the current video frame.

[0058] Similarly, intra BC unit 85 may use some of the received syntax elements, e.g., a flag, to determine that the current video block was predicted using the intra BC mode, construction information of which video blocks of the frame are within the reconstructed region and should be stored in DPB 92, block vectors for each intra BC predicted video block of the frame, intra BC prediction status for each intra BC predicted video block of the frame, and other information to decode the video blocks in the current video frame.

[0059] Motion compensation unit 82 may also perform interpolation using the interpolation filters as used by video encoder 20 during encoding of the video blocks to calculate interpolated values for sub-integer pixels of reference blocks. In this case, motion compensation unit 82 may determine the interpolation filters used by video encoder 20 from the received syntax elements and use the interpolation filters to produce predictive blocks.

[0060] Inverse quantization unit 86 inverse quantizes the quantized transform coefficients provided in the bitstream and entropy decoded by entropy decoding unit 80 using the same quantization parameter calculated by video encoder 20 for each video block in the video frame to determine a degree of quantization. Inverse transform processing unit 88 applies an inverse transform, e.g., an inverse DCT, an inverse integer transform, or a conceptually similar inverse transform process, to the transform coefficients in order to reconstruct the residual blocks in the pixel domain. [0061] After motion compensation unit 82 or intra BC unit 85 generates the predictive block for the current video block based on the vectors and other syntax elements, summer 90 reconstructs decoded video block for the current video block by summing the residual block from inverse transform processing unit 88 and a corresponding predictive block generated by motion compensation unit 82 and intra BC unit 85. An in-loop filter (not pictured) may be positioned between summer 90 and DPB 92 to further process the decoded video block. The decoded video blocks in a given frame are then stored in DPB 92, which stores reference frames used for subsequent motion compensation of next video blocks. DPB 92, or a memory device separate from DPB 92, may also store decoded video for later presentation on a display device, such as display device 34 of FIG. 1.

[0062] In a typical video coding process, a video sequence typically includes an ordered set of frames or pictures. Each frame may include three sample arrays, denoted SL, SCb, and SCr. SL is a two-dimensional array of luma samples. SCb is a two-dimensional array of Cb chroma samples. SCr is a two-dimensional array of Cr chroma samples. In other instances, a frame may be monochrome and therefore includes only one two-dimensional array of luma samples.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4A, video encoder 20 (or more specifically partition unit 45) generates an encoded representation of a frame by first partitioning the frame into a set of coding tree units (CTUs). A video frame may include an integer number of CTUs ordered consecutively in a raster scan order from left to right and from top to bottom. Each CTU is a largest logical coding unit and the width and height of the CTU are signaled by the video encoder 20 in a sequence parameter set, such that all the CTUs in a video sequence have the same size being one of 128x 128, 64x64, 32x32, and 16x 16. But it should be noted that the present application is not necessarily limited to a particular size. As shown in FIG. 4B, each CTU may comprise one coding tree block (CTB) of luma samples, two corresponding coding tree blocks of chroma samples, and syntax elements used to code the samples of the coding tree blocks. The syntax elements describe properties of different types of units of a coded block of pixels and how the video sequence can be reconstructed at the video decoder 30, including inter or intra prediction, intra prediction mode, motion vectors, and other parameters. In monochrome pictures or pictures having three separate color planes, a CTU may comprise a single coding tree block and syntax elements used to code the samples of the coding tree block. A coding tree block may be an NxN block of samples.

[0064] To achieve a better performance, video encoder 20 may recursively perform tree partitioning such as binary-tree partitioning, quad-tree partitioning or a combination of both on the coding tree blocks of the CTU and divide the CTU into smaller coding units (CUs). As depicted in FIG. 4C, the 64x64 CTU 400 is first divided into four smaller CU, each having a block size of 32x32. Among the four smaller CUs, CU 410 and CU 420 are each divided into four CUs of 16x16 by block size. The two 16x16 CUs 430 and 440 are each further divided into four CUs of 8x8 by block size. FIG. 4D depicts a quad-tree data structure illustrating the end result of the partition process of the CTU 400 as depicted in FIG. 4C, each leaf node of the quad-tree corresponding to one CU of a respective size ranging from 32x32 to 8x8. Like the CTU depicted in FIG. 4B, each CU may comprise a coding block (CB) of luma samples and two corresponding coding blocks of chroma samples of a frame of the same size, and syntax elements used to code the samples of the coding blocks. In

monochrome pictures or pictures having three separate color planes, a CU may comprise a single coding block and syntax structures used to code the samples of the coding block.

[0065] In some implementations, video encoder 20 may further partition a coding block of a CU into one or more MxN prediction blocks (PB). A prediction block is a rectangular (square or non-square) block of samples on which the same prediction, inter or intra, is applied. A prediction unit (PU) of a CU may comprise a prediction block of luma samples, two corresponding prediction blocks of chroma samples, and syntax elements used to predict the prediction blocks. In monochrome pictures or pictures having three separate color planes, a PU may comprise a single prediction block and syntax structures used to predict the prediction block. Video encoder 20 may generate predictive luma, Cb, and Cr blocks for luma, Cb, and Cr prediction blocks of each PU of the CU.

[0066] Video encoder 20 may use intra prediction or inter prediction to generate the predictive blocks for a PU. If video encoder 20 uses intra prediction to generate the predictive blocks of a PU, video encoder 20 may generate the predictive blocks of the PU based on decoded samples of the frame associated with the PU. If video encoder 20 uses inter prediction to generate the predictive blocks of a PU, video encoder 20 may generate the predictive blocks of the PU based on decoded samples of one or more frames other than the frame associated with the PU.

[0067] After video encoder 20 generates predictive luma, Cb, and Cr blocks for one or more PUs of a CU, video encoder 20 may generate a luma residual block for the CU by subtracting the CU’s predictive luma blocks from its original luma coding block such that each sample in the CU’s luma residual block indicates a difference between a luma sample in one of the CU's predictive luma blocks and a corresponding sample in the CU's original luma coding block. Similarly, video encoder 20 may generate a Cb residual block and a Cr residual block for the CU, respectively, such that each sample in the CU's Cb residual block indicates a difference between a Cb sample in one of the CU's predictive Cb blocks and a

corresponding sample in the CU's original Cb coding block and each sample in the CU's Cr residual block may indicate a difference between a Cr sample in one of the CU's predictive Cr blocks and a corresponding sample in the CU's original Cr coding block.

[0068] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, video encoder 20 may use quad-tree partitioning to decompose the luma, Cb, and Cr residual blocks of a CU into one or more luma, Cb, and Cr transform blocks. A transform block is a rectangular (square or non-square) block of samples on which the same transform is applied. A transform unit (TU) of a CU may comprise a transform block of luma samples, two corresponding transform blocks of chroma samples, and syntax elements used to transform the transform block samples. Thus, each TU of a CU may be associated with a luma transform block, a Cb transform block, and a Cr transform block. In some examples, the luma transform block associated with the TU may be a sub-block of the CU's luma residual block. The Cb transform block may be a sub-block of the CU's Cb residual block. The Cr transform block may be a sub-block of the CU's Cr residual block. In monochrome pictures or pictures having three separate color planes, a TU may comprise a single transform block and syntax structures used to transform the samples of the transform block.

[0069] Video encoder 20 may apply one or more transforms to a luma transform block of a TU to generate a luma coefficient block for the TU. A coefficient block may be a two-dimensional array of transform coefficients. A transform coefficient may be a scalar quantity. Video encoder 20 may apply one or more transforms to a Cb transform block of a TU to generate a Cb coefficient block for the TU. Video encoder 20 may apply one or more transforms to a Cr transform block of a TU to generate a Cr coefficient block for the TU.

[0070] After generating a coefficient block (e.g., a luma coefficient block, a Cb coefficient block or a Cr coefficient block), video encoder 20 may quantize the coefficient block. Quantization generally refers to a process in which transform coefficients are quantized to possibly reduce the amount of data used to represent the transform coefficients, providing further compression. After video encoder 20 quantizes a coefficient block, video encoder 20 may entropy encode syntax elements indicating the quantized transform coefficients. For example, video encoder 20 may perform Context-Adaptive Binary

Arithmetic Coding (CAB AC) on the syntax elements indicating the quantized transform coefficients. Finally, video encoder 20 may output a bitstream that includes a sequence of bits that forms a representation of coded frames and associated data, which is either saved in storage device 32 or transmitted to destination device 14. [0071] After receiving a bitstream generated by video encoder 20, video decoder 30 may parse the bitstream to obtain syntax elements from the bitstream. Video decoder 30 may reconstruct the frames of the video data based at least in part on the syntax elements obtained from the bitstream. The process of reconstructing the video data is generally reciprocal to the encoding process performed by video encoder 20. For example, video decoder 30 may perform inverse transforms on the coefficient blocks associated with TUs of a current CU to reconstruct residual blocks associated with the TUs of the current CU. Video decoder 30 also reconstructs the coding blocks of the current CU by adding the samples of the predictive blocks for PUs of the current CU to corresponding samples of the transform blocks of the TUs of the current CU. After reconstructing the coding blocks for each CU of a frame, video decoder 30 may reconstruct the frame.

[0072] As noted above, SEI messages have been adopted multiple video coding standards for various purposes. Table 1 below lists some examples of the HEVC-based SEI message types and briefly describes their functions. For example, the SEI message having a “Picture snapshot” type contains a snapshot ID number, indicating that the picture in the reconstructed video content with this snapshot ID is labelled for use as a still-image snapshot of the video content. In other words, the SEI message itself does not include the picture and it only has a pointer (i.e., snapshot ID) pointing to the picture stored in the reconstructed video content. In order to access the picture, video decoder 30 has to reconstruct at least a portion of the video content including the picture, which is not only computationally expensive but also time-consuming. Moreover, the picture snapshot SEI message does not include additional information to allow further process of the picture such as photo editing, logo, title, text, highlight, quality enhancement, etc. Often times a single frame from the video with no further editing or enhancement is not sufficient to be used in conveying what the video is all about.

Table 1. HEVC-based SEI messages

[0073] On the other hand, the prevalence of smartphones produces more and more video content on the Internet and there is no good, lightweight approach in the existing video coding standards that allows a content provider to designate certain portion of a video as a representative of the video. In this application, it is proposed to expand the SEI message by introducing a new message type called“embedded image”, which allows the SEI message to embed a representative image of the video at the encoding stage such that the encoded video bitstream has additional data corresponding to the representative image of the video. For convenience, such SEI message is referred to as“embedded image SEI message”. Unlike the picture snapshot type, the embedded image SEI message includes a copy of the representative image itself. As such, the representative image can be made available to an end user by video decoder 30 or other tools without going through the video decoding process as described above in connection with FIG. 3. It should be noted that, throughout this application, the term “representative image” can be a cover image of a video or a thumbnail image of the video depending on how such representative image is to be presented to the end user, both of which should be treated as interchangeably and will be treated in the same way from the perspective of SEI messages as described below.

[0074] FIGS. 5A-5C are block diagrams illustrating the data structures of an encoded video bitstream including multiple embedded image supplemental enhancement information (SEI) messages, at least one of the embedded SEI messages including an embedded image, and the embedded image in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 5A depicts the data structure of an encoded video bitstream 500, which is generated by video encoder 20. As described above, video encoder 20 encodes the incoming video data into encoded video content data 520 using intra-prediction mode and/or inter prediction mode and generates corresponding video metadata 510 such as syntax elements for characterizing how the video data is encoded. SEI messages are one member of the video metadata 510 along with other metadata.

[0075] As depicted in FIG. 5A, the encoded video bitstream 500 (or more

specifically, the video metadata 510) may include one or more embedded image SEI messages 510-1, ..., 510-N. For example, video encoder 20 may choose every one of 10 or 100 frames in the video data (depending on the length of the video) and generate an embedded image SEI message using the chosen frame. Such set of temporally sub-sampled frames, when played one by one, simulates a fast forward play of the video like a synopsis of the encoded video bitstream. Of course, the encoded video bitstream 500 may include only one embedded image SEI message including a representative image of the video serving as a cover image of the video. But this is different from the conventional picture snapshot type SEI image described above because the embedded image SEI message here includes the cover image itself and it does not require the decoding of the video bitstream 500 in order to reconstruct the picture corresponding to the snapshot ID. Alternatively, the temporal gap between two consecutive embedded image SEI messages may not be a constant value. For example, video encoder 20 may generate an embedded image SEI message for one of the first images of each new scene within the video content or generate a set of embedded image SEI messages according to the randomly chosen moments in time.

[0076] FIG. 5B depicts the data structure of an embedded image SEI message 530, including a message id 530-1, a payload type 530-3, a payload size 530-5, and an embedded image 530-7 as the payload. Note that these parameters are the same for the other SEI message types described in Table 1. In other words, the newly introduced embedded image type does not alter the syntax of the existing SEI message such that there is no need to alter the existing syntax. The embedded image type is simply added to the existing SEI message syntax and treated in the same way like the other SEI message types as follows:

[0077] Note that, if the payload type is“ SEI EMBEDDED IMAGE”, the SEI message has a corresponding embedded image 530-7 as a function of the payload size 530- 5. FIG. 5C depicts the data structure of an embedded image 540, including an image format 540-1, an image id 540-3, an image width 540-5, an image height 540-7 and image data 540- 9. In one implementation, these parameters are defined as follows:

[0078] Because the embedded image 540 exists independently from the video content data 520, it can has its own image format that may or may not be the same as the video content data 520. For example, the embedded image format 540-1 can be one integer number for one type of image format, such as VIF (VVC intra coded Image Format), HEIF (HE VC/ A VC intra coded image), JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, TIF, WEBP, JP2, YUV. In some cases, the Picture snapshot type merges with the embedded image type by having a special embedded image format“SNAPSHOT”. With the image format 540-1 being

“SNAPSHOT”, this SEI message may have any image data 540-9 because the image id 540-3 is used to refer to the decoded picture from the video.

[0079] This embedded image SEI message provides a way for a video content provider to bind desired thumbnail s/cover images with the video bitstream, so that same embedded images can be available to different platforms or applications. The techniques described herein also applies to all the video coding standards in which SEI messages are supported, such as H.264/AVC, HEVC, VVC, and any future video coding standard that supports SEI messages. For illustrative purposes, two exemplary processes are described below describing how a video encoder or decoder generates such embedded SEI message into an encoded video bitstream and extract an embedded image from the encoded video bitstream.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process by which a video coder

(e.g., video encoder 20) implements the techniques of generating an embedded image SEI message using a picture and adding the SEI message into a video bitstream in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. First, video encoder 20 identifies a picture (610). It should be noted that the picture can be one image frame of the video content to be encoded as described above (610-1) or any arbitrary picture (e.g., an image of the video shooter or a logo of the company making the video content) that is not part of the video content at all (610-3). In the first case, the video bitstream includes a plurality of embedded image SEI messages, each embedded image SEI message including image data corresponding to a respective image frame encoded into the video bitstream and a picture order count (POC) of the respective image frame. In the latter case, the image id may be set to a null value. A difference between the POCs of any two consecutive ones of the plurality of embedded image SEI messages can a constant value or a variable.

[0081] Next, video encoder 20 determines a set of parameters for the picture (630).

Exemplary parameters include an image format, an image identifier, and an image size as described above in connection with FIG. 5C (630-1). In some implementations, the image size of the picture is defined by an image width, an image height and an image origin, which may be defined as a top and left comer of the picture. Next, video encoder 20 generates an embedded image SEI message using the set of parameters (650) according to the format of the embedded image SEI message as described above in connection with FIG. 5B. Finally, video encoder adds the embedded image SEI message to metadata of the video bitstream as described above in connection with FIG. 5A (670). It should be noted that various encoding techniques described above, e.g., intra-prediction and inter-prediction, can be used to encode the embedded image. [0082] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process by which a video decoder (e.g., video decoder 30) implements the techniques of extracting an embedded image SEI message from a video bitstream and generating a picture using the embedded image SEI message in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. First, video decoder 30 identifies, within video metadata of the encoded video bitstream, an embedded image SEI message as described above in connection with FIG. 5 A (710). Note that the embedded image may be encoded using the various encoding techniques described above, e.g., intra-prediction and inter-prediction. Next, video decoder 30 extracts a set of parameters from the embedded image SEI message as described above in connection with FIG. 5B (730). Finally, video decoder 30 generates a picture from image data stored in the embedded image SEI message using the set of parameters (750). The picture may be used as a cover image of the video stream (750-1). Alternatively, if the video stream has multiple embedded image SEI messages, video decoder 30 can generate multiple pictures and form them into a sequence to be played as a synopsis of the encoded video bitstream (750-3). By doing so, an end user can learn what the video is about without having to decode the entire video bitstream.

[0083] In some implementations, the pictures used for generating the embedded image SEI message has a same or lower resolution than the corresponding image frame encoded into the video bitstream. The picture having the same resolution may be used as a cover image of the video and the picture having a lower resolution may be used as a thumbnail image of the video. The embedded image can be a downscaled version of the picture in the video sequence, with a fixed size or a fixed downscaling ratio, or a fixed dimension. The overhead of the embedded image, compared with video clip size, is very small. For example, to generate one embedded image for one minute of 1080p SDR 30fps video, the embedded image with downscaled dimension 960x540 has a size of around 50KB (using JPEG compression quality 75). [0084] In some implementations, video encoder 20 may only extract a portion of a picture in the video content to generate the embedded image. In this case, the size of the embedded image is defined by an image width, an image height and an image origin. By default, the image origin may be chosen to be the top and left corner of the picture. In this case, video encoder 20 does not need to signal the image origin to video decoder 30.

Alternatively, the image origin may be an arbitrary point in the picture. In this case, video encoder 20 may need to signal the image origin to video decoder 30.

[0085] With the methods described above, video bitstreams are packaged together with their thumbnail images and cover images generated by the content producer. Such packaging is achieved either through a new type of embedded SEI message or through a new type of metadata. As such, video bitstreams together with their thumbnail images generated by the video producer can be shared easily across different platforms and devices. In addition, the thumbnail images can be generated by the video producer in a very flexible manner. They do not have to be frames directly selected from the associated video. The video producer is free to choose any frames and use any video editing in generating the thumbnails for the video.

[0086] In one or more examples, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over, as one or more instructions or code, a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. Computer- readable media may include computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible medium such as data storage media, or communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another, e.g., according to a communication protocol. In this manner, computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangible computer-readable storage media which is non-transitory or (2) a

communication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, code and/or data structures for implementation of the implementations described in the present application. A computer program product may include a computer- readable medium.

[0087] The terminology used in the description of the implementations herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to limit the scope of claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term“and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0088] It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first electrode could be termed a second electrode, and, similarly, a second electrode could be termed a first electrode, without departing from the scope of the implementations. The first electrode and the second electrode are both electrodes, but they are not the same electrode.

[0089] The description of the present application has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, and alternative implementations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various implementations and to best utilize the underlying principles and various implementations with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, it is to be understood that the scope of claims is not to be limited to the specific examples of the implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of encoding a picture into a video bitstream, the method comprising:

identifying a picture;

determining a set of parameters for the picture;

generating an embedded image supplemental enhancement information (SEI) message of the picture using the set of parameters; and

adding the embedded image SEI message to metadata of the video bitstream.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the picture corresponds to a respective image frame encoded into the video bitstream.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the picture has a same or lower resolution than the corresponding image frame encoded into the video bitstream.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the video bitstream includes a plurality of embedded image SEI messages, each embedded image SEI message including image data corresponding to a respective image frame encoded into the video bitstream and a picture order count (POC) of the respective image frame.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a difference between the POCs of any two consecutive ones of the plurality of embedded image SEI messages is a constant.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein a difference between the POCs of any two consecutive ones of the plurality of embedded image SEI messages is a variable.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of parameters include an image format, an image identifier, an image size of the picture.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the image size of the picture is defined by an image width, an image height and an image origin.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the image origin of the picture is defined as a top and left comer of the picture.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the picture does not correspond to any image frame encoded into the video bitstream.

11. An electronic apparatus comprising:

one or more processing units;

memory coupled to the one or more processing units; and

a plurality of programs stored in the memory that, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of claims 1-10.

12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of programs for execution by an electronic apparatus having one or more processing units, wherein the plurality of programs, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of claims 1-10.

13. A method of extracting a picture from an encoded video bitstream, the method comprising:

identifying, within video metadata of the encoded video bitstream, an embedded image supplemental enhancement information (SEI) message;

extracting a set of parameters from the embedded image SEI message; and generating a picture from image data stored in the embedded image SEI message using the set of parameters.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the set of parameters include an image format, an image identifier, an image size of the picture.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the image size of the picture is defined by an image width, an image height and an image origin.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the image origin of the picture is defined as a top and left corner of the picture.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the picture is presented as a cover image of the encoded video bitstream.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the video bitstream includes a plurality of embedded image SEI messages, each embedded image SEI message including image data corresponding to a respective image frame encoded into the video bitstream, and a plurality of pictures generated from the plurality of embedded image SEI messages are played as a synopsis of the encoded video bitstream.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of pictures has a same or lower resolution than a corresponding image frame encoded into the video bitstream.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a time difference between any two consecutive ones of the plurality of pictures is a constant.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein a time difference between any two consecutive ones of the plurality of pictures is a variable.

22. An electronic apparatus comprising:

one or more processing units;

memory coupled to the one or more processing units; and

a plurality of programs stored in the memory that, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of claims 13-18.

23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of programs for execution by an electronic apparatus having one or more processing units, wherein the plurality of programs, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the electronic apparatus to perform the method of claims 13-18.