EP4710552A1

EP4710552A1 - Temporal prediction of block partitioning parameters

Info

Publication number: EP4710552A1
Application number: EP24724277.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Saurabh PURI; Renan UTIDA BARBOSA FERREIRA; Frank Bossen; Charles BONNINEAU; Fabrice Le Leannec
Original assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS
Current assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS
Priority date: 2023-05-11
Filing date: 2024-05-10
Publication date: 2026-03-18
Also published as: CN121444444A; WO2024231544A1

Abstract

Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for enhancing temporal prediction of block partitioning parameters. A video decoding device may obtain, for a video block, a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list including multiple partitioning modes. The device may receive an index indicating a selected partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes. The device may apply the selected partitioning mode to the video block.

Description

TEMPORAL PREDICTION OF BLOCK PARTITIONING PARAMETERS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of European Provisional Patent Application No. 23315193.5, filed May 11 , 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Video coding systems may be used to compress digital video signals, e.g., to reduce the storage and/or transmission bandwidth needed for such signals. Video coding systems may include, for example, block-based, wavelet-based, and/or object-based systems.

SUMMARY

[0003] Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for enhancing temporal prediction of block partitioning parameters. A video decoding device may obtain, for a video block, a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list including multiple partitioning modes. The device may receive an index indicating a selected partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes. The device may apply the selected partitioning mode to the video block.

[0004] The device may identify multiple temporally neighboring blocks of the video block. The partitioning parameter candidate prediction list may be obtained based on the multiple temporally neighboring blocks of the video block.

[0005] A first mode of the multiple partitioning modes may be associated with bypassing partitioning. The device may determine that the selected partitioning mode includes the first partitioning mode. The device may apply the first partitioning mode to the video block. A second partitioning mode of the multiple partitioning modes may be associated with enabling partitioning. Enabling partitioning may include configuring a multi-type tree depth value. The device may determine that the selected partitioning mode includes the second partitioning mode. The device may apply the second partitioning mode to the video block based on the multi-type tree depth value.

[0006] The device may rank the multiple partitioning modes based on predicted parameters of the video block. The device may determine the selected partitioning mode based on the ranked multiple partitioning modes. The index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes may be coded at a coding tree unit level. The index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes may be coded based on context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC). [0007] A video encoding device may determine, for a video block, a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list comprising multiple partitioning modes. The device may select a partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes. The device may apply the selected partitioning mode to the video block. The device may include, in video data, an index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes.

[0008] The device may identify multiple temporally neighboring blocks of the video block. The partitioning parameter candidate prediction list may be obtained based on the multiple temporally neighboring blocks of the video block.

[0009] A first mode of the multiple partitioning modes may be associated with bypassing partitioning. The device may determine that the selected partitioning mode includes the first partitioning mode. The device may apply the first partitioning mode to the video block. A second partitioning mode of the multiple partitioning modes may be associated with enabling partitioning. Enabling partitioning may include configuring a multi-type tree depth value. The device may determine that the selected partitioning mode includes the second partitioning mode. The device may apply the second partitioning mode to the video block based on the multi-type tree depth value.

[0010] The device may rank the multiple partitioning modes based on predicted parameters of the video block. The device may determine the selected partitioning mode based on the ranked multiple partitioning modes. The index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes may be coded at a coding tree unit level. The index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the multiple partitioning modes may be coded based on context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC).

[0011] Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for enhancing temporal prediction of block partitioning parameters. In an example, a device, such as a video decoding device, may predict a partitioning parameter for a block based on temporal partition information from a reference picture. The device may obtain a partitioning parameter residual. The device may refine the predicted partitioning parameters based on the partitioning parameter residual. The partitioning parameter residual may be obtained based on an indication indicating to use a residual to refine partitioning parameter prediction. The partitioning parameter may include split partitioning information and/or maximum multi-tree depth information. The partitioning parameter may be predicted using a depth parameter associated with a size of the block. The depth parameter may be adjusted based on a split type including a quad-tree split, a ternary split, and/or a binary split.

[0012] Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for enhancing temporal prediction of block partitioning parameters. In an example, a device, such as a video encoding device, may predict a partitioning parameter for a block based on temporal partition information from a reference picture. The device may obtain a partitioning parameter residual. The device may include an indication of the partitioning parameter residual in video data. Based on obtaining the partitioning parameter residual, the device may include, in the video data, an indication to indicate that using a residual to refine partitioning parameter prediction is enabled. The partitioning parameter may include split partitioning information and/or maximum multi-tree depth information. The partitioning parameter may be predicted using a depth parameter associated with a size of the block. The depth parameter may be adjusted based on a split type including a quad-tree split, a ternary split, and/or a binary split.

[0013] Systems, methods, and instrumentalities described herein may involve a decoder. In examples, the systems, methods, and instrumentalities described herein may involve an encoder. In examples, the systems, methods, and instrumentalities described herein may involve a signal (e.g., from an encoder and/or received by a decoder). A computer-readable medium may include instructions for causing one or more processors to perform methods described herein. A computer program product may include instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors, may cause the one or more processors to carry out the methods described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 A is a system diagram illustrating an example communications system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented.

[0015] FIG. 1 B is a system diagram illustrating an example wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRLI) that may be used within the communications system illustrated in FIG. 1 A according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 1 C is a system diagram illustrating an example radio access network (RAN) and an example core network (CN) that may be used within the communications system illustrated in FIG. 1 A according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 1 D is a system diagram illustrating a further example RAN and a further example

CN that may be used within the communications system illustrated in FIG. 1A according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an example video encoder.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an example video decoder.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a system in which various aspects and examples may be implemented.

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates multi-type tree splitting modes.

[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates the signaling mechanism of the partition splitting information in quadtree with nested multi-type tree coding tree structure. [0023] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a quadtree with nested multi-type tree coding block structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 A is a diagram illustrating an example communications system 100 in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The communications system 100 may be a multiple access system that provides content, such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcast, etc., to multiple wireless users. The communications system 100 may enable multiple wireless users to access such content through the sharing of system resources, including wireless bandwidth. For example, the communications systems 100 may employ one or more channel access methods, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), zero-tail unique-word DFT-Spread OFDM (ZT LIW DTS-s OFDM), unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), resource block-filtered OFDM, filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), and the like.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1A, the communications system 100 may include wireless transmit/receive units (WTRLIs) 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, a RAN 104/1 13, a CN 106/1 15, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 1 10, and other networks 1 12, though it will be appreciated that the disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and/or network elements. Each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. By way of example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, any of which may be referred to as a “station” and/or a “STA”, may be configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals and may include a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a subscriptionbased unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, a hotspot or Mi- Fi device, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. Any of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d may be interchangeably referred to as a UE.

[0027] The communications systems 100 may also include a base station 1 14a and/or a base station 114b. Each of the base stations 1 14a, 114b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the CN 106/1 15, the Internet 110, and/or the other networks 1 12. By way of example, the base stations 1 14a, 1 14b may be a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a Home Node B, a Home eNode B, a gNB, a NR NodeB, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless router, and the like. While the base stations 114a, 1 14b are each depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the base stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base stations and/or network elements. [0028] The base station 1 14a may be part of the RAN 104/1 13, which may also include other base stations and/or network elements (not shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), relay nodes, etc. The base station 1 14a and/or the base station 114b may be configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals on one or more carrier frequencies, which may be referred to as a cell (not shown). These frequencies may be in licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or a combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrum. A cell may provide coverage for a wireless service to a specific geographical area that may be relatively fixed or that may change over time. The cell may further be divided into cell sectors. For example, the cell associated with the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Thus, in one embodiment, the base station 1 14a may include three transceivers, i.e., one for each sector of the cell. In an embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) technology and may utilize multiple transceivers for each sector of the cell. For example, beamforming may be used to transmit and/or receive signals in desired spatial directions.

[0029] The base stations 1 14a, 1 14b may communicate with one or more of the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d over an air interface 1 16, which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, centimeter wave, micrometer wave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, etc.). The air interface 116 may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

[0030] More specifically, as noted above, the communications system 100 may be a multiple access system and may employ one or more channel access schemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and the like. For example, the base station 1 14a in the RAN 104/1 13 and the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), which may establish the air interface 115/116/117 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMA may include communication protocols such as High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and/or Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed Downlink (DL) Packet Access (HSDPA) and/or High- Speed UL Packet Access (HSUPA).

[0031] In an embodiment, the base station 1 14a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air interface 116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or LTE-Advanced (LTE- A) and/or LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro). [0032] In an embodiment, the base station 1 14a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as NR Radio Access, which may establish the air interface 116 using New Radio (NR).

[0033] In an embodiment, the base station 1 14a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement multiple radio access technologies. For example, the base station 1 14a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement LTE radio access and NR radio access together, for instance using dual connectivity (DC) principles. Thus, the air interface utilized by WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be characterized by multiple types of radio access technologies and/or transmissions sent to/from multiple types of base stations (e.g., a eNB and a gNB).

[0034] In other embodiments, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE 802.1 1 (i.e., Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), and the like.

[0035] The base station 1 14b in FIG. 1 A may be a wireless router, Home Node B, Home eNode B, or access point, for example, and may utilize any suitable RAT for facilitating wireless connectivity in a localized area, such as a place of business, a home, a vehicle, a campus, an industrial facility, an air corridor (e.g., for use by drones), a roadway, and the like. In one embodiment, the base station 1 14b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In an embodiment, the base station 1 14b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may utilize a cellularbased RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR etc.) to establish a picocell or femtocell. As shown in FIG. 1 A, the base station 114b may have a direct connection to the Internet 1 10. Thus, the base station 114b may not be required to access the Internet 110 via the ON 106/1 15.

[0036] The RAN 104/1 13 may be in communication with the ON 106/1 15, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice, data, applications, and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. The data may have varying quality of service (QoS) requirements, such as differing throughput requirements, latency requirements, error tolerance requirements, reliability requirements, data throughput requirements, mobility requirements, and the like. The ON 106/115 may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-based services, pre-paid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and/or perform high-level security functions, such as user authentication. Although not shown in FIG. 1 A, it will be appreciated that the RAN 104/1 13 and/or the ON 106/115 may be in direct or indirect communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as the RAN 104/1 13 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected to the RAN 104/1 13, which may be utilizing a NR radio technology, the CN 106/115 may also be in communication with another RAN (not shown) employing a GSM, UMTS, CDMA 2000, WiMAX, E-UTRA, or WiFi radio technology.

[0037] The CN 106/1 15 may also serve as a gateway for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet 110, and/or the other networks 1 12. The PSTN 108 may include circuit-switched telephone networks that provide plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 1 10 may include a global system of interconnected computer networks and devices that use common communication protocols, such as the transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) and/or the internet protocol (IP) in the TCP/IP internet protocol suite. The networks 112 may include wired and/or wireless communications networks owned and/or operated by other service providers. For example, the networks 1 12 may include another CN connected to one or more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104/1 13 or a different RAT.

[0038] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the communications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities (e.g., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may include multiple transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks over different wireless links). For example, the WTRU 102c shown in FIG. 1 A may be configured to communicate with the base station 114a, which may employ a cellular-based radio technology, and with the base station 1 14b, which may employ an IEEE 802 radio technology.

[0039] FIG. 1 B is a system diagram illustrating an example WTRU 102. As shown in FIG. 1 B, the WTRU 102 may include a processor 1 18, a transceiver 120, a transmit/receive element 122, a speaker/microphone 124, a keypad 126, a display/touchpad 128, non-removable memory 130, removable memory 132, a power source 134, a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 136, and/or other peripherals 138, among others. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may include any sub-combination of the foregoing elements while remaining consistent with an embodiment. [0040] The processor 1 18 may be a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, and the like. The processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The processor 1 18 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be coupled to the transmit/receive element 122. While FIG. 1 B depicts the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 as separate components, it will be appreciated that the processor 1 18 and the transceiver 120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or chip.

[0041] The transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit signals to, or receive signals from, a base station (e.g., the base station 1 14a) over the air interface 116. For example, in one embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an antenna configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals. In an embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an emitter/detector configured to transmit and/or receive IR, UV, or visible light signals, for example. In yet another embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and/or receive both RF and light signals. It will be appreciated that the transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and/or receive any combination of wireless signals.

[0042] Although the transmit/receive element 122 is depicted in FIG. 1 B as a single element, the WTRLI 102 may include any number of transmit/receive elements 122. More specifically, the WTRL1 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the WTRL1 102 may include two or more transmit/receive elements 122 (e.g., multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals over the air interface 1 16.

[0043] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate the signals that are to be transmitted by the transmit/receive element 122 and to demodulate the signals that are received by the transmit/receive element 122. As noted above, the WTRLI 102 may have multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 120 may include multiple transceivers for enabling the WTRLI 102 to communicate via multiple RATs, such as NR and IEEE 802.1 1 , for example.

[0044] The processor 1 18 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to, and may receive user input data from, the speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data to the speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad 128. In addition, the processor 118 may access information from, and store data in, any type of suitable memory, such as the non-removable memory 130 and/or the removable memory 132. The non-removable memory 130 may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card, and the like. In other embodiments, the processor 118 may access information from, and store data in, memory that is not physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or a home computer (not shown).

[0045] The processor 1 18 may receive power from the power source 134, and may be configured to distribute and/or control the power to the other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may be any suitable device for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the power source 134 may include one or more dry cell batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel- zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, and the like.

[0046] The processor 1 18 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset 136, which may be configured to provide location information (e.g., longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of the WTRLI 102. In addition to, or in lieu of, the information from the GPS chipset 136, the WTRLI 102 may receive location information over the air interface 1 16 from a base station (e.g., base stations 1 14a, 114b) and/or determine its location based on the timing of the signals being received from two or more nearby base stations. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire location information by way of any suitable location-determination method while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

[0047] The processor 1 18 may further be coupled to other peripherals 138, which may include one or more software and/or hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality and/or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals 138 may include an accelerometer, an e-compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera (for photographs and/or video), a universal serial bus (USB) port, a vibration device, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, a Bluetooth® module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, a Virtual Reality and/or Augmented Reality (VR/AR) device, an activity tracker, and the like. The peripherals 138 may include one or more sensors, the sensors may be one or more of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a hall effect sensor, a magnetometer, an orientation sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a time sensor; a geolocation sensor; an altimeter, a light sensor, a touch sensor, a magnetometer, a barometer, a gesture sensor, a biometric sensor, and/or a humidity sensor.

[0048] The WTRU 102 may include a full duplex radio for which transmission and reception of some or all of the signals (e.g., associated with particular subframes for both the UL (e.g., for transmission) and downlink (e.g., for reception) may be concurrent and/or simultaneous. The full duplex radio may include an interference management unit to reduce and or substantially eliminate self-interference via either hardware (e.g., a choke) or signal processing via a processor (e.g., a separate processor (not shown) or via processor 118). In an embodiment, the WRTU 102 may include a half-duplex radio for which transmission and reception of some or all of the signals (e.g., associated with particular subframes for either the UL (e.g., for transmission) or the downlink (e.g., for reception)).

[0049] FIG. 1 C is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 104 and the CN 106 according to an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104 may employ an E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 1 16. The RAN 104 may also be in communication with the CN 106.

[0050] The RAN 104 may include eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of eNode-Bs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 1 16. In one embodiment, the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNode-B 160a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and/or receive wireless signals from, the WTRLI 102a.

[0051] Each of the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in the LIL and/or DL, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 C, the eNode- Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may communicate with one another over an X2 interface.

[0052] The CN 106 shown in FIG. 1 C may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, a serving gateway (SGW) 164, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway (or PGW) 166. While each of the foregoing elements are depicted as part of the CN 106, it will be appreciated that any of these elements may be owned and/or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0053] The MME 162 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 162a, 162b, 162c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a control node. For example, the MME 162 may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, bearer activation/deactivation, selecting a particular serving gateway during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like. The MME 162 may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as GSM and/or WCDMA.

[0054] The SGW 164 may be connected to each of the eNode Bs 160a, 160b, 160c in the RAN 104 via the S1 interface. The SGW 164 may generally route and forward user data packets to/from the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. The SGW 164 may perform other functions, such as anchoring user planes during inter-eNode B handovers, triggering paging when DL data is available for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, managing and storing contexts of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like.

[0055] The SGW 164 may be connected to the PGW 166, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 1 10, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices.

[0056] The CN 106 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications devices. For example, the CN 106 may include, or may communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the CN 106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to the other networks 112, which may include other wired and/or wireless networks that are owned and/or operated by other service providers.

[0057] Although the WTRLI is described in FIGS. 1 A-1 D as a wireless terminal, it is contemplated that in certain representative embodiments that such a terminal may use (e.g., temporarily or permanently) wired communication interfaces with the communication network. [0058] In representative embodiments, the other network 1 12 may be a WLAN.

[0059] A WLAN in Infrastructure Basic Service Set (BSS) mode may have an Access Point (AP) for the BSS and one or more stations (STAs) associated with the AP. The AP may have an access or an interface to a Distribution System (DS) or another type of wired/wireless network that carries traffic in to and/or out of the BSS. Traffic to STAs that originates from outside the BSS may arrive through the AP and may be delivered to the STAs. Traffic originating from STAs to destinations outside the BSS may be sent to the AP to be delivered to respective destinations. Traffic between STAs within the BSS may be sent through the AP, for example, where the source STA may send traffic to the AP and the AP may deliver the traffic to the destination STA. The traffic between STAs within a BSS may be considered and/or referred to as peer-to-peer traffic. The peer-to-peer traffic may be sent between (e.g., directly between) the source and destination STAs with a direct link setup (DLS). In certain representative embodiments, the DLS may use an 802.1 1 e DLS or an 802.1 1z tunneled DLS (TDLS). A WLAN using an Independent BSS (IBSS) mode may not have an AP, and the STAs (e.g., all of the STAs) within or using the IBSS may communicate directly with each other. The IBSS mode of communication may sometimes be referred to herein as an “ad-hoc” mode of communication.

[0060] When using the 802.11 ac infrastructure mode of operation or a similar mode of operations, the AP may transmit a beacon on a fixed channel, such as a primary channel. The primary channel may be a fixed width (e.g., 20 MHz wide bandwidth) or a dynamically set width via signaling. The primary channel may be the operating channel of the BSS and may be used by the STAs to establish a connection with the AP. In certain representative embodiments, Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) may be implemented, for example in in 802.11 systems. For CSMA/CA, the STAs (e.g., every STA), including the AP, may sense the primary channel. If the primary channel is sensed/detected and/or determined to be busy by a particular STA, the particular STA may back off. One STA (e.g., only one station) may transmit at any given time in a given BSS.

[0061] High Throughput (HT) STAs may use a 40 MHz wide channel for communication, for example, via a combination of the primary 20 MHz channel with an adjacent or nonadjacent 20 MHz channel to form a 40 MHz wide channel.

[0062] Very High Throughput (VHT) STAs may support 20MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and/or 160 MHz wide channels. The 40 MHz, and/or 80 MHz, channels may be formed by combining contiguous 20 MHz channels. A 160 MHz channel may be formed by combining 8 contiguous 20 MHz channels, or by combining two non-contiguous 80 MHz channels, which may be referred to as an 80+80 configuration. For the 80+80 configuration, the data, after channel encoding, may be passed through a segment parser that may divide the data into two streams. Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) processing, and time domain processing, may be done on each stream separately. The streams may be mapped on to the two 80 MHz channels, and the data may be transmitted by a transmitting STA. At the receiver of the receiving STA, the above described operation for the 80+80 configuration may be reversed, and the combined data may be sent to the Medium Access Control (MAC).

[0063] Sub 1 GHz modes of operation are supported by 802.1 1 af and 802.1 1 ah. The channel operating bandwidths, and carriers, are reduced in 802.1 1 af and 802.1 1 ah relative to those used in 802.11 n, and 802.1 1 ac. 802.11 af supports 5 MHz, 10 MHz and 20 MHz bandwidths in the TV White Space (TVWS) spectrum, and 802.1 1 ah supports 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 8 MHz, and 16 MHz bandwidths using non-TVWS spectrum. According to a representative embodiment, 802.1 1 ah may support Meter Type Control/Machine-Type Communications, such as MTC devices in a macro coverage area. MTC devices may have certain capabilities, for example, limited capabilities including support for (e.g., only support for) certain and/or limited bandwidths. The MTC devices may include a battery with a battery life above a threshold (e.g., to maintain a very long battery life).

[0064] WLAN systems, which may support multiple channels, and channel bandwidths, such as 802.1 1 n, 802.1 1 ac, 802.1 1 af, and 802.1 1 ah, include a channel which may be designated as the primary channel. The primary channel may have a bandwidth equal to the largest common operating bandwidth supported by all STAs in the BSS. The bandwidth of the primary channel may be set and/or limited by a STA, from among all STAs in operating in a BSS, which supports the smallest bandwidth operating mode. In the example of 802.1 1 ah, the primary channel may be 1 MHz wide for STAs (e.g., MTC type devices) that support (e.g., only support) a 1 MHz mode, even if the AP, and other STAs in the BSS support 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 8 MHz, 16 MHz, and/or other channel bandwidth operating modes. Carrier sensing and/or Network Allocation Vector (NAV) settings may depend on the status of the primary channel. If the primary channel is busy, for example, due to a STA (which supports only a 1 MHz operating mode), transmitting to the AP, the entire available frequency bands may be considered busy even though a majority of the frequency bands remains idle and may be available.

[0065] In the United States, the available frequency bands, which may be used by 802.1 1 ah, are from 902 MHz to 928 MHz. In Korea, the available frequency bands are from 917.5 MHz to 923.5 MHz. In Japan, the available frequency bands are from 916.5 MHz to 927.5 MHz. The total bandwidth available for 802.1 1 ah is 6 MHz to 26 MHz depending on the country code. [0066] FIG. 1 D is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 113 and the CN 115 according to an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 113 may employ an NR radio technology to communicate with the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 1 16. The RAN 1 13 may also be in communication with the CN 1 15.

[0067] The RAN 1 13 may include gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 1 13 may include any number of gNBs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. In one embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement MIMO technology. For example, gNBs 180a, 108b may utilize beamforming to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c. Thus, the gNB 180a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and/or receive wireless signals from, the WTRLI 102a. In an embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement carrier aggregation technology. For example, the gNB 180a may transmit multiple component carriers to the WTRLI 102a (not shown). A subset of these component carriers may be on unlicensed spectrum while the remaining component carriers may be on licensed spectrum. In an embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) technology. For example, WTRLI 102a may receive coordinated transmissions from gNB 180a and gNB 180b (and/or gNB 180c).

[0068] The WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using transmissions associated with a scalable numerology. For example, the OFDM symbol spacing and/or OFDM subcarrier spacing may vary for different transmissions, different cells, and/or different portions of the wireless transmission spectrum. The WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using subframe or transmission time intervals (TTIs) of various or scalable lengths (e.g., containing varying number of OFDM symbols and/or lasting varying lengths of absolute time).

[0069] The gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be configured to communicate with the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c in a standalone configuration and/or a non-standalone configuration. In the standalone configuration, WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c without also accessing other RANs (e.g., such as eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c). In the standalone configuration, WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c may utilize one or more of gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c as a mobility anchor point. In the standalone configuration, WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using signals in an unlicensed band. In a non- standalone configuration WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with/connect to gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c while also communicating with/connecting to another RAN such as eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c. For example, WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement DC principles to communicate with one or more gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c and one or more eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c substantially simultaneously. In the non-standalone configuration, eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may serve as a mobility anchor for WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may provide additional coverage and/or throughput for servicing WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c.

[0070] Each of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in the UL and/or DL, support of network slicing, dual connectivity, interworking between NR and E-UTRA, routing of user plane data towards User Plane Function (UPF) 184a, 184b, routing of control plane information towards Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 182a, 182b and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 D, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may communicate with one another over an Xn interface.

[0071] The CN 115 shown in FIG. 1 D may include at least one AMF 182a, 182b, at least one UPF 184a, 184b, at least one Session Management Function (SMF) 183a, 183b, and possibly a Data Network (DN) 185a, 185b. While each of the foregoing elements are depicted as part of the CN 1 15, it will be appreciated that any of these elements may be owned and/or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0072] The AMF 182a, 182b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c in the RAN 1 13 via an N2 interface and may serve as a control node. For example, the AMF 182a, 182b may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, support for network slicing (e.g., handling of different PDU sessions with different requirements), selecting a particular SMF 183a, 183b, management of the registration area, termination of NAS signaling, mobility management, and the like. Network slicing may be used by the AMF 182a, 182b in order to customize CN support for WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c based on the types of services being utilized WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. For example, different network slices may be established for different use cases such as services relying on ultra-reliable low latency (URLLC) access, services relying on enhanced massive mobile broadband (eMBB) access, services for machine type communication (MTC) access, and/or the like. The AMF 162 may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 113 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, and/or non-3GPP access technologies such as WiFi.

[0073] The SMF 183a, 183b may be connected to an AMF 182a, 182b in the CN 1 15 via an N11 interface. The SMF 183a, 183b may also be connected to a UPF 184a, 184b in the CN 115 via an N4 interface. The SMF 183a, 183b may select and control the UPF 184a, 184b and configure the routing of traffic through the UPF 184a, 184b. The SMF 183a, 183b may perform other functions, such as managing and allocating UE IP address, managing PDU sessions, controlling policy enforcement and QoS, providing downlink data notifications, and the like. A PDU session type may be IP-based, non-IP based, Ethernet-based, and the like.

[0074] The UPF 184a, 184b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c in the RAN 113 via an N3 interface, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices. The UPF 184, 184b may perform other functions, such as routing and forwarding packets, enforcing user plane policies, supporting multihomed PDll sessions, handling user plane QoS, buffering downlink packets, providing mobility anchoring, and the like.

[0075] The CN 115 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the CN 115 may include, or may communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the CN 115 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the CN 1 15 may provide the WTRLIs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to the other networks 1 12, which may include other wired and/or wireless networks that are owned and/or operated by other service providers. In one embodiment, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be connected to a local Data Network (DN) 185a, 185b through the UPF 184a, 184b via the N3 interface to the UPF 184a, 184b and an N6 interface between the UPF 184a, 184b and the DN 185a, 185b.

[0076] In view of Figures 1 A-1 D, and the corresponding description of Figures 1 A-1 D, one or more, or all, of the functions described herein with regard to one or more of: WTRU 102a-d, Base Station 1 14a-b, eNode-B 160a-c, MME 162, SGW 164, PGW 166, gNB 180a-c, AMF 182a-b, UPF 184a-b, SMF 183a-b, DN 185a-b, and/or any other device(s) described herein, may be performed by one or more emulation devices (not shown). The emulation devices may be one or more devices configured to emulate one or more, or all, of the functions described herein. For example, the emulation devices may be used to test other devices and/or to simulate network and/or WTRU functions.

[0077] The emulation devices may be designed to implement one or more tests of other devices in a lab environment and/or in an operator network environment. For example, the one or more emulation devices may perform the one or more, or all, functions while being fully or partially implemented and/or deployed as part of a wired and/or wireless communication network in order to test other devices within the communication network. The one or more emulation devices may perform the one or more, or all, functions while being temporarily implemented/deployed as part of a wired and/or wireless communication network. The emulation device may be directly coupled to another device for purposes of testing and/or may perform testing using over-the-air wireless communications.

[0078] The one or more emulation devices may perform the one or more, including all, functions while not being implemented/deployed as part of a wired and/or wireless communication network. For example, the emulation devices may be utilized in a testing scenario in a testing laboratory and/or a non-deployed (e.g., testing) wired and/or wireless communication network in order to implement testing of one or more components. The one or more emulation devices may be test equipment. Direct RF coupling and/or wireless communications via RF circuitry (e.g., which may include one or more antennas) may be used by the emulation devices to transmit and/or receive data.

[0079] This application describes a variety of aspects, including tools, features, examples, models, approaches, etc. Many of these aspects are described with specificity and, at least to show the individual characteristics, are often described in a manner that may sound limiting. However, this is for purposes of clarity in description, and does not limit the application or scope of those aspects. Indeed, all of the different aspects may be combined and interchanged to provide further aspects. Moreover, the aspects may be combined and interchanged with aspects described in earlier filings as well.

[0080] The aspects described and contemplated in this application may be implemented in many different forms. FIGS. 5-7 described herein may provide examples, but other examples are contemplated. The discussion of FIGS. 5-7 does not limit the breadth of the implementations. At least one of the aspects generally relates to video encoding and decoding, and at least one other aspect generally relates to transmitting a bitstream generated or encoded. These and other aspects may be implemented as a method, an apparatus, a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions for encoding or decoding video data according to any of the methods described, and/or a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a bitstream generated according to any of the methods described.

[0081] In the present application, the terms “reconstructed” and “decoded” may be used interchangeably, the terms “pixel” and “sample” may be used interchangeably, the terms “image,” “picture” and “frame” may be used interchangeably.

[0082] Various methods are described herein, and each of the methods comprises one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. Unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified or combined. Additionally, terms such as “first”, “second”, etc. may be used in various examples to modify an element, component, step, operation, etc., such as, for example, a “first decoding” and a “second decoding”. Use of such terms does not imply an ordering to the modified operations unless specifically required. So, in this example, the first decoding need not be performed before the second decoding, and may occur, for example, before, during, or in an overlapping time period with the second decoding.

[0083] Various methods and other aspects described in this application may be used to modify modules, for example, decoding modules, of a video encoder 200 and decoder 300 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Moreover, the subject matter disclosed herein may be applied, for example, to any type, format or version of video coding, whether described in a standard or a recommendation, whether pre-existing or future-developed, and extensions of any such standards and recommendations. Unless indicated otherwise, or technically precluded, the aspects described in this application may be used individually or in combination. [0084] Various numeric values are used in examples described the present application, such as numeric values referenced in examples shown and discussed relative to FIGS. 9 and 10, Eq. (5), Table 1 , a number of intra modes, a down sampling ratio, a number of adjustment values, etc. These and other specific values are for purposes of describing examples and the aspects described are not limited to these specific values.

[0085] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example video encoder. Variations of example encoder 200 are contemplated, but the encoder 200 is described below for purposes of clarity without describing all expected variations.

[0086] Before being encoded, the video sequence may go through pre-encoding processing (201 ), for example, applying a color transform to the input color picture (e.g., conversion from RGB 4:4:4 to YCbCr 4:2:0), or performing a remapping of the input picture components in order to get a signal distribution more resilient to compression (for instance using a histogram equalization of one of the color components). Metadata may be associated with the preprocessing, and attached to the bitstream.

[0087] In the encoder 200, a picture is encoded by the encoder elements as described below. The picture to be encoded is partitioned (202) and processed in units of, for example, coding units (Oils). Each unit is encoded using, for example, either an intra or inter mode. When a unit is encoded in an intra mode, it performs intra prediction (260). In an inter mode, motion estimation (275) and compensation (270) are performed. The encoder decides (205) which one of the intra mode or inter mode to use for encoding the unit, and indicates the intra/inter decision by, for example, a prediction mode flag. Prediction residuals are calculated, for example, by subtracting (210) the predicted block from the original image block.

[0088] The prediction residuals are then transformed (225) and quantized (230). The quantized transform coefficients, as well as motion vectors and other syntax elements, such as picture partitioning information, are entropy coded (245) to output a bitstream. The encoder can skip the transform and apply quantization directly to the non-transformed residual signal. The encoder can bypass both transform and quantization, i.e., the residual is coded directly without the application of the transform or quantization processes.

[0089] The encoder decodes an encoded block to provide a reference for further predictions. The quantized transform coefficients are de-quantized (240) and inverse transformed (250) to decode prediction residuals. Combining (255) the decoded prediction residuals and the predicted block, an image block is reconstructed. In-loop filters (265) are applied to the reconstructed picture to perform, for example, deblocking/SAO (Sample Adaptive Offset)/ALF (Adaptive Loop Filter) filtering to reduce encoding artifacts. The filtered image is stored at a reference picture buffer (280). [0090] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a video decoder. In example decoder 300, a bitstream is decoded by the decoder elements as described below. Video decoder 300 generally performs a decoding pass reciprocal to the encoding pass as described in FIG. 2. The encoder 200 also generally performs video decoding as part of encoding video data.

[0091] In particular, the input of the decoder includes a video bitstream, which may be generated by video encoder 200. The bitstream is first entropy decoded (330) to obtain transform coefficients, prediction modes, motion vectors, and other coded information. The picture partition information indicates how the picture is partitioned. The decoder may therefore divide (335) the picture according to the decoded picture partitioning information. The transform coefficients are de-quantized (340) and inverse transformed (350) to decode the prediction residuals. Combining (355) the decoded prediction residuals and the predicted block, an image block is reconstructed. The predicted block may be obtained (370) from intra prediction (360) or motion-compensated prediction (i.e., inter prediction) (375). In-loop filters (365) are applied to the reconstructed image. The filtered image is stored at a reference picture buffer (380). In examples, for a given picture, the contents of the reference picture buffer 380 on the decoder 300 side may be identical to the contents of the reference picture buffer 280 on the encoder 200 side (e.g., for the same picture). [0092] The decoded picture can further go through post-decoding processing (385), for example, an inverse color transform (e.g., conversion from YCbCr 4:2:0 to RGB 4:4:4) or an inverse remapping performing the inverse of the remapping process performed in the preencoding processing (201 ). The post-decoding processing can use metadata derived in the preencoding processing and signaled in the bitstream. In examples, the decoded images (e.g., after application of the in-loop filters (365) and/or after post-decoding processing (385), if postdecoding processing is used) may be sent to a display device for rendering to a user.

[0093] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a system in which various aspects and examples described herein may be implemented. System 400 may be embodied as a device including the various components described below and is configured to perform one or more of the aspects described in this document. Examples of such devices, include, but are not limited to, various electronic devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, smartphones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set top boxes, digital television receivers, personal video recording systems, connected home appliances, and servers. Elements of system 400, singly or in combination, may be embodied in a single integrated circuit (IC), multiple ICs, and/or discrete components. For example, in at least one example, the processing and encoder/decoder elements of system 400 are distributed across multiple ICs and/or discrete components. In various examples, the system 400 is communicatively coupled to one or more other systems, or other electronic devices, via, for example, a communications bus or through dedicated input and/or output ports. In various examples, the system 400 is configured to implement one or more of the aspects described in this document. [0094] The system 400 includes at least one processor 410 configured to execute instructions loaded therein for implementing, for example, the various aspects described in this document. Processor 410 can include embedded memory, input output interface, and various other circuitries as known in the art. The system 400 includes at least one memory 420 (e.g., a volatile memory device, and/or a non-volatile memory device). System 400 includes a storage device 440, which can include non-volatile memory and/or volatile memory, including, but not limited to, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), flash, magnetic disk drive, and/or optical disk drive. The storage device 440 can include an internal storage device, an attached storage device (including detachable and non-detachable storage devices), and/or a network accessible storage device, as non-limiting examples.

[0095] System 400 includes an encoder/decoder module 430 configured, for example, to process data to provide an encoded video or decoded video, and the encoder/decoder module 430 can include its own processor and memory. The encoder/decoder module 430 represents module(s) that may be included in a device to perform the encoding and/or decoding functions. As is known, a device can include one or both of the encoding and decoding modules. Additionally, encoder/decoder module 430 may be implemented as a separate element of system 400 or may be incorporated within processor 410 as a combination of hardware and software as known to those skilled in the art.

[0096] Program code to be loaded onto processor 410 or encoder/decoder 430 to perform the various aspects described in this document may be stored in storage device 440 and subsequently loaded onto memory 420 for execution by processor 410. In accordance with various examples, one or more of processor 410, memory 420, storage device 440, and encoder/decoder module 430 can store one or more of various items during the performance of the processes described in this document. Such stored items can include, but are not limited to, the input video, the decoded video or portions of the decoded video, the bitstream, matrices, variables, and intermediate or final results from the processing of equations, formulas, operations, and operational logic.

[0097] In examples, memory inside of the processor 410 and/or the encoder/decoder module 430 is used to store instructions and to provide working memory for processing that is needed during encoding or decoding. In other examples, however, a memory external to the processing device (for example, the processing device may be either the processor 410 or the encoder/decoder module 430) is used for one or more of these functions. The external memory may be the memory 420 and/or the storage device 440, for example, a dynamic volatile memory and/or a non-volatile flash memory. In several examples, an external non-volatile flash memory is used to store the operating system of, for example, a television. In at least one example, a fast external dynamic volatile memory such as a RAM is used as working memory for video encoding and decoding operations.

[0098] The input to the elements of system 400 may be provided through various input devices as indicated in block 445. Such input devices include, but are not limited to, (i) a radio frequency (RF) portion that receives an RF signal transmitted, for example, over the air by a broadcaster, (ii) a Component (COMP) input terminal (or a set of COMP input terminals), (iii) a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input terminal, and/or (iv) a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) input terminal. Other examples, not shown in FIG. 4, include composite video.

[0099] In various examples, the input devices of block 445 have associated respective input processing elements as known in the art. For example, the RF portion may be associated with elements suitable for (i) selecting a desired frequency (also referred to as selecting a signal, or band-limiting a signal to a band of frequencies), (ii) downconverting the selected signal, (iii) bandlimiting again to a narrower band of frequencies to select (for example) a signal frequency band which may be referred to as a channel in certain examples, (iv) demodulating the downconverted and band-limited signal, (v) performing error correction, and/or (vi) demultiplexing to select the desired stream of data packets. The RF portion of various examples includes one or more elements to perform these functions, for example, frequency selectors, signal selectors, bandlimiters, channel selectors, filters, downconverters, demodulators, error correctors, and demultiplexers. The RF portion can include a tuner that performs various of these functions, including, for example, downconverting the received signal to a lower frequency (for example, an intermediate frequency or a near-baseband frequency) or to baseband. In one set-top box example, the RF portion and its associated input processing element receives an RF signal transmitted over a wired (for example, cable) medium, and performs frequency selection by filtering, downconverting, and filtering again to a desired frequency band. Various examples rearrange the order of the above-described (and other) elements, remove some of these elements, and/or add other elements performing similar or different functions. Adding elements can include inserting elements in between existing elements, such as, for example, inserting amplifiers and an analog-to-digital converter. In various examples, the RF portion includes an antenna.

[0100] The USB and/or HDMI terminals can include respective interface processors for connecting system 400 to other electronic devices across USB and/or HDMI connections. It is to be understood that various aspects of input processing, for example, Reed-Solomon error correction, may be implemented, for example, within a separate input processing IC or within processor 410 as necessary. Similarly, aspects of USB or HDMI interface processing may be implemented within separate interface ICs or within processor 410 as necessary. The demodulated, error corrected, and demultiplexed stream is provided to various processing elements, including, for example, processor 410, and encoder/decoder 430 operating in combination with the memory and storage elements to process the datastream as necessary for presentation on an output device.

[0101] Various elements of system 400 may be provided within an integrated housing, Within the integrated housing, the various elements may be interconnected and transmit data therebetween using suitable connection arrangement 425, for example, an internal bus as known in the art, including the Inter-IC (I2C) bus, wiring, and printed circuit boards.

[0102] The system 400 includes communication interface 450 that enables communication with other devices via communication channel 460. The communication interface 450 can include, but is not limited to, a transceiver configured to transmit and to receive data over communication channel 460. The communication interface 450 can include, but is not limited to, a modem or network card and the communication channel 460 may be implemented, for example, within a wired and/or a wireless medium.

[0103] Data is streamed, or otherwise provided, to the system 400, in various examples, using a wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network, for example IEEE 802.1 1 (IEEE refers to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The Wi-Fi signal of these examples is received over the communications channel 460 and the communications interface 450 which are adapted for Wi-Fi communications. The communications channel 460 of these examples is typically connected to an access point or router that provides access to external networks including the Internet for allowing streaming applications and other over-the-top communications. Other examples provide streamed data to the system 400 using a set-top box that delivers the data over the HDMI connection of the input block 445. Still other examples provide streamed data to the system 400 using the RF connection of the input block 445. As indicated above, various examples provide data in a non-streaming manner. Additionally, various examples use wireless networks other than Wi-Fi, for example a cellular network or a Bluetooth® network.

[0104] The system 400 can provide an output signal to various output devices, including a display 475, speakers 485, and other peripheral devices 495. The display 475 of various examples includes one or more of, for example, a touchscreen display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a curved display, and/or a foldable display. The display 475 may be for a television, a tablet, a laptop, a cell phone (mobile phone), or other device. The display 475 can also be integrated with other components (for example, as in a smart phone), or separate (for example, an external monitor for a laptop). The other peripheral devices 495 include, in various examples, one or more of a stand-alone digital video disc (or digital versatile disc) (DVD, for both terms), a disk player, a stereo system, and/or a lighting system. Various examples use one or more peripheral devices 495 that provide a function based on the output of the system 400. For example, a disk player performs the function of playing the output of the system 400.

[0105] In various examples, control signals are communicated between the system 400 and the display 475, speakers 485, or other peripheral devices 495 using signaling such as AV.Link, Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), or other communications protocols that enable device-to- device control with or without user intervention. The output devices may be communicatively coupled to system 400 via dedicated connections through respective interfaces 470, 480, and 490. Alternatively, the output devices may be connected to system 400 using the communications channel 460 via the communications interface 450. The display 475 and speakers 485 may be integrated in a single unit with the other components of system 400 in an electronic device such as, for example, a television. In various examples, the display interface 470 includes a display driver, such as, for example, a timing controller (T Con) chip.

[0106] The display 475 and speakers 485 can alternatively be separate from one or more of the other components, for example, if the RF portion of input 445 is part of a separate set-top box. In various examples in which the display 475 and speakers 485 are external components, the output signal may be provided via dedicated output connections, including, for example, HDMI ports, USB ports, or COMP outputs.

The examples may be carried out by computer software implemented by the processor 410 or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. As a non-limiting example, the examples may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits. The memory 420 may be of any type appropriate to the technical environment and may be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology, such as optical memory devices, magnetic memory devices, semiconductor-based memory devices, fixed memory, and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. The processor 410 may be of any type appropriate to the technical environment, and can encompass one or more of microprocessors, general purpose computers, special purpose computers, and processors based on a multi-core architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0107] Various implementations involve decoding. “Decoding”, as used in this application, can encompass all or part of the processes performed, for example, on a received encoded sequence in order to produce a final output suitable for display. In various examples, such processes include one or more of the processes typically performed by a decoder, for example, entropy decoding, inverse quantization, inverse transformation, and differential decoding. In various examples, such processes also, or alternatively, include processes performed by a decoder of various implementations described in this application, for example, for a video block, obtaining a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list comprising a plurality of partitioning modes; receiving an index indicating a selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes; and applying the selected partitioning mode to the video block.

[0108] As further examples, in one example “decoding” refers only to entropy decoding, in another example “decoding” refers only to differential decoding, and in another example “decoding” refers to a combination of entropy decoding and differential decoding. Whether the phrase “decoding process” is intended to refer specifically to a subset of operations or generally to the broader decoding process will be clear based on the context of the specific descriptions and is believed to be well understood by those skilled in the art.

[0109] Various implementations involve encoding. In an analogous way to the above discussion about “decoding”, “encoding” as used in this application can encompass all or part of the processes performed, for example, on an input video sequence in order to produce an encoded bitstream. In various examples, such processes include one or more of the processes typically performed by an encoder, for example, partitioning, differential encoding, transformation, quantization, and entropy encoding. In various examples, such processes also, or alternatively, include processes performed by an encoder of various implementations described in this application, for example, determining, for a video block, a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list comprising a plurality of partitioning modes; selecting a partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes; applying the selected partitioning mode to the video block; and including, in video data, an index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes.

[0110] As further examples, in one example “encoding” refers only to entropy encoding, in another example “encoding” refers only to differential encoding, and in another example “encoding” refers to a combination of differential encoding and entropy encoding. Whether the phrase “encoding process” is intended to refer specifically to a subset of operations or generally to the broader encoding process will be clear based on the context of the specific descriptions and is believed to be well understood by those skilled in the art. Note that syntax elements as used herein, for example, coding syntax for indication indicating temporal prediction of split parameters, a usage flag for temporal prediction of split parameters at the picture level, a restrictions flag indicating partitioning restrictions, respectively, etc., are descriptive terms. As such, they do not preclude the use of other syntax element names or functions.

[0111] When a figure is presented as a flow diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a block diagram of a corresponding apparatus. Similarly, when a figure is presented as a block diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a flow diagram of a corresponding method/process.

[0112] The implementations and aspects described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method or a process, an apparatus, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if only discussed in the context of a single form of implementation (for example, discussed only as a method), the implementation of features discussed can also be implemented in other forms (for example, an apparatus or program). An apparatus may be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware, software, and firmware. The methods may be implemented in, for example, a processor, which refers to processing devices in general, including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. Processors also include communication devices, such as, for example, computers, cell phones, portable/personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), and other devices that facilitate communication of information between end-users.

[0113] Reference to “one example” or “an example” or “one implementation” or “an implementation”, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the example is included in at least one example. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one example” or “in an example” or “in one implementation” or “in an implementation”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout this application are not necessarily all referring to the same example.

[0114] Additionally, this application may refer to “determining” various pieces of information. Determining the information can include one or more of, for example, estimating the information, calculating the information, predicting the information, or retrieving the information from memory. Obtaining may include receiving, retrieving, constructing, generating, and/or determining.

[0115] Further, this application may refer to “accessing” various pieces of information. Accessing the information can include one or more of, for example, receiving the information, retrieving the information (for example, from memory), storing the information, moving the information, copying the information, calculating the information, determining the information, predicting the information, or estimating the information.

[0116] Additionally, this application may refer to “receiving” various pieces of information. Receiving is, as with “accessing”, intended to be a broad term. Receiving the information can include one or more of, for example, accessing the information, or retrieving the information (for example, from memory). Further, “receiving” is typically involved, in one way or another, during operations such as, for example, storing the information, processing the information, transmitting the information, moving the information, copying the information, erasing the information, calculating the information, determining the information, predicting the information, or estimating the information.

[0117] It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following 7”, “and/or”, and “at least one of”, for example, in the cases of “A/B”, “A and/or B” and “at least one of A and B”, is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of “A, B, and/or C” and “at least one of A, B, and C”, such phrasing is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This may be extended, as is clear to one of ordinary skill in this and related arts, for as many items as are listed. [0118] Also, as used herein, the word “signal” refers to, among other things, indicating something to a corresponding decoder. Encoder signals may include, for example, a signal indicating whether an encoder selected implicit or explicit determination of one or more adjustment values, etc. In this way, in an example the same parameter is used at both the encoder side and the decoder side. Thus, for example, an encoder can transmit (explicit signaling) a particular parameter to the decoder so that the decoder can use the same particular parameter. Conversely, if the decoder already has the particular parameter as well as others, then signaling may be used without transmitting (implicit signaling) to simply allow the decoder to know and select the particular parameter. By avoiding transmission of any actual functions, a bit savings is realized in various examples. It is to be appreciated that signaling may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, one or more syntax elements, flags, and so forth are used to signal information to a corresponding decoder in various examples. While the preceding relates to the verb form of the word “signal”, the word “signal” can also be used herein as a noun.

[0119] As will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, implementations may produce a variety of signals formatted to carry information that may be, for example, stored or transmitted. The information can include, for example, instructions for performing a method, or data produced by one of the described implementations. For example, a signal may be formatted to carry the bitstream of a described example. Such a signal may be formatted, for example, as an electromagnetic wave (for example, using a radio frequency portion of spectrum) or as a baseband signal. The formatting may include, for example, encoding a data stream and modulating a carrier with the encoded data stream. The information that the signal carries may be, for example, analog or digital information. The signal may be transmitted over a variety of different wired or wireless links, as is known. The signal may be stored on, or accessed or received from, a processor-readable medium.

[0120] Many examples are described herein. Features of examples may be provided alone or in any combination, across various claim categories and types. Further, examples may include one or more of the features, devices, or aspects described herein, alone or in any combination, across various claim categories and types. For example, features described herein may be implemented in a bitstream or signal that includes information generated as described herein. The information may allow a decoder to decode a bitstream, the encoder, bitstream, and/or decoder according to any of the embodiments described. For example, features described herein may be implemented by creating and/or transmitting and/or receiving and/or decoding a bitstream or signal. For example, features described herein may be implemented a method, process, apparatus, medium storing instructions, medium storing data, or signal. For example, features described herein may be implemented by a TV, set-top box, cell phone, tablet, or other electronic device that performs decoding. The TV, set-top box, cell phone, tablet, or other electronic device may display (e.g., using a monitor, screen, or other type of display) a resulting image (e.g., an image from residual reconstruction of the video bitstream). The TV, set-top box, cell phone, tablet, or other electronic device may receive a signal including an encoded image and perform decoding.

[0121] Features described herein may be associated with video coding. Examples may be associated with the temporal prediction of block partitioning parameters in video coding. It may be possible to achieve coding gains and run time reduction by predicting the partitioning parameters temporally. The split parameters may be predicted to impose restrictions on the partitioning of the current block or a set of blocks in an area. Examples described herein may affect the temporal prediction of partition parameters.

[0122] Features described herein may be associated with block partitioning. A CTU may be split into CUs using a quaternary-tree structure denoted as a coding tree to adapt to local characteristics. The decision whether to code a picture area using inter-picture (e.g., temporal) or intra-picture (e.g., spatial) prediction may be made at the leaf CU level. A leaf CU may be split into one, two, or four PUs according to the PU splitting type. Inside one PU, the (e.g., the same) prediction process may be applied and the relevant information may be transmitted to the decoder on a PU basis. After obtaining the residual block by applying the prediction process based on the PU splitting type, a leaf CU may be partitioned into transform units (TUs) according to a quaternary-tree structure (e.g., similar to the coding tree for the CU). Partition conceptions may include CU, PU, and TU.

[0123] In video processing, a quaternary tree with nested multi-type tree using binary and ternary splits segmentation structure may replace the concepts of multiple prediction unit types. For example, a quaternary tree with a nested multi-type tree may remove the separation of the CU, PU and TU concepts except for CUs that have a size larger than the maximum transform size. A quaternary tree with a nested multi-type tree partitioning may provide flexibility for CU partition shapes. In the coding tree structure, a CU may have a square or rectangular shape. A coding tree unit (CTU) may be partitioned by a quaternary tree (e.g., quadtree) structure. The quaternary tree leaf nodes may be partitioned by a multi-type tree structure.

[0124] FIG. 5 illustrates multi-type tree splitting modes. As shown in FIG. 5, there may be four splitting types in a multi-type tree structure: vertical binary splitting (SPLIT BT VER), horizontal binary splitting (SPLIT BT HOR), vertical ternary splitting (SPLIT TT VER), and horizontal ternary splitting (SPLIT TT HOR). The multi-type tree leaf nodes may be called coding units (CUs), and unless the CU is too large for the maximum transform length, this segmentation may be used for prediction and transform processing (e.g., without any further partitioning). The CU, PU and TU may have the same block size in the quadtree with nested multi-type tree coding block structure. The exception may occur when a maximum supported transform length is smaller than the width or height of the color component of the CU. [0125] FIG. 6 illustrates the signaling mechanism of the partition splitting information in quadtree with nested multi-type tree coding tree structure. A coding tree unit (CTU) may be treated as the root of a quaternary tree and may be partitioned by a quaternary tree structure. A quaternary tree leaf node may be partitioned by a multi-type tree structure when the resulting partitions have a size equal to or larger than a given minimum partition size. In quadtree with nested multi-type tree coding tree structure, for a CU node, a first indication (split_cu_indication) may be signaled to indicate whether the node is further partitioned. If the current CU node is a quadtree CU node, a second indication (split_qt_indication) may be signaled to indicate whether it is a quaternary tree (QT) or multi-type tree (MTT) partitioning mode. When a node is partitioned with MTT partitioning mode, a third indication (mtt_split_cu_vertical_indication) may be signaled to indicate the splitting direction, and a fourth indication (mtt_split_cu_binary_indication) may be signaled to indicate whether the split is a binary split or a ternary split. Based on the values of mtt_split_cu_vertical_indicationand mtt_split_cu_binary_indication, the multi-type tree slitting mode (MttSplitMode) of a CU may be derived, as shown in Table 1 .

Table 1 - MttSplitMode derivation based on multi-type tree syntax elements

[0126] FIG. 7 illustrates a CTU divided into multiple CUs with a quadtree and nested multi-type tree coding block structure, where the bold block edges may represent quadtree partitioning and the remaining edges may represent multi-type tree partitioning. The quadtree with nested multitype tree partition may provide a content-adaptive coding (CABAC) tree structure comprised of CUs. The size of the CU may be as large as the CTU or as small as 4x4 in units of luma samples. For the case of the 4:2:0 chroma format, the maximum chroma CB size may be 64x64, and the minimum size chroma CB may include 16 chroma samples.

[0127] The maximum supported luma transform size may be 64x64 and the maximum supported chroma transform size may be 32x32. When the width or height of the CB is larger than the maximum transform width or height, the CB may be implicitly split in the horizontal and/or vertical direction to meet the transform size restriction in that direction. [0128] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a quadtree with nested multi-type tree coding block structure. The following parameters may be defined for the quadtree with nested multi-type tree coding tree scheme. One or more of the following parameters may be specified by SPS syntax elements and may be refined by picture header syntax elements: CTU size: the root node size of a quaternary tree; MinQTSize: the minimum allowed quaternary tree leaf node size; MaxBtSize: the maximum allowed binary tree root node size; MaxTtSize: the maximum allowed ternary tree root node size; MaxMttDepth: the maximum allowed hierarchy depth of multi-type tree splitting from a quadtree leaf; and/or MinCbSize: the minimum allowed coding block node size.

[0129] In an example of the quadtree with a nested multi-type tree coding tree structure, the CTU size may be set as 128x128 luma samples with two corresponding 64x64 blocks of 4:2:0 chroma samples. The MinQTSize may be equal to 8x8, the MaxBtSize may be set as 128x128, the MaxTtSize may be set as 64x64, the MinCbsize (e.g., for width and height) may be set as 4x4, and the MaxMttDepth may be set as 4, as an example. The quaternary tree partitioning may be applied to the CTU to generate quaternary tree leaf nodes. The quaternary tree leaf nodes may have a size between 8x8 (e.g., the MinQTSize) and the CTU size. If the leaf QT node has a size larger than MaxBtSize and MaxTtSize, the leaf QT node may not be further split with a binary or ternary split mode. If the leaf QT node has a size less than or equal to MaxBtSize and MaxTtSize, the leaf quadtree node may be further partitioned by the multi-type tree. The quaternary tree leaf node may be the root node for the multi-type tree and it may have a multitype tree depth (mttDepth) of 0. When the multi-type tree depth reaches MaxMttDepth (e.g., for example, 4), further splitting may not be considered. When the multi-type tree node has a width equal to MinCbsize, further horizontal splitting may not be considered. When the multi-type tree node has a height equal to MinCbsize, further vertical splitting may not be considered.

[0130] The coding tree scheme may support the ability for the luma and chroma to have a separate block tree structure. For P and B slices, the luma and chroma CTBs in a CTU may share the same coding tree structure. For I slices, the luma and chroma may have separate block tree structures. When separate block tree mode is applied, luma CTB may be partitioned into CUs by a coding tree structure, and the chroma CTBs may be partitioned into chroma CUs by another coding tree structure. A CU in an I slice may include a coding block of the luma component or coding blocks of two chroma components, and a CU in a P or B slice may include coding blocks of the three-color components (e.g., unless the video is monochrome).

[0131] The QT, BT and TT partitioning of a block or set of blocks may be modified based on the temporal partitioning parameters in a local neighborhood. The method may predict the allowance of splits and the maximum depth for a given block based on the (e.g., previous) coded frames in a sequence. Two of the following examples may be included.

[0132] Whether split partitioning is allowed may be determined. For example, for a block, the allowances of splits partitioning may be predicted according to the minimum QT split and the average QT split obtained from a temporal area (e.g., collocated CTU or set of collocated CTUs in a collocated picture). When the current QT depth is inferior to the temporal minimum QT depth minus 1 , the QT split may be allowed. When the current QT depth is inferior to the temporal average QT depth minus 1 , no split, QT Split, and TT split may be allowed. BT split may be allowed if TT is selected in a parent node.

[0133] MTT depth parameter(s) may adaptively change. For example, the maximum multi-tree depth may be predicted for a block. If the temporal maximum multi-tree depth is inferior to the maximum multi-tree depth of the current block, it (e.g., the MTT depth parameter) may be decreased (e.g., except if the current QP is superior or equal to the QP of the reference frame). If the temporal maximum multi-tree depth is superior to the maximum multi-tree depth of the current block and if the current depth is equal to the current QT depth, the maximum multi-tree depth may be incremented.

[0134] Subblock temporal motion vector prediction (SbTMVP) may exploit the temporal correlations to predict the motion of sub-block from a previous block. Context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) initialization may be dependent (e.g., made dependent) on the previous inter slice.

[0135] The local split parameters (e.g., coding tree parameters like maximum multi-type tree depth, QT depth or allowance of splits partitioning) may be derived from the local temporal neighborhood. In a slow-moving scene, the partitioning in two consecutive frames may look similar. Parameters associated with partitioning may be predicted from the previous frame. In examples, when there is fast motion in a scene, predicting split parameters between frames may be disabled or deactivated.

[0136] Partitioning parameters may be predicted using temporal prediction. Predicted partitioning parameters may be derived.

[0137] The collocated picture may be used as the reference picture for temporal prediction of partitioning related parameters. The collocated picture may be identified, for example, as follows. [0138] At the beginning of decoding a P or B slice, after the decoding of the slice header, and once reference picture lists are computed for the current slice, the collocated picture may be determined as the reference picture with an index equal to parsed picture header syntax element ph_collocated_ref_idx, in the reference picture list LO or L1 identified by picture header syntax element ph_collocated_from_IO_indication. If the two syntax elements are not present in picture header, slice header syntax elements sh_collocated_from_IO_indication and sh_collocated_ref_idx may be used to identify the collocated picture of current picture.

[0139] A collocated picture may be defined when temporal motion vector prediction (TMVP) is enabled. For example, TMVP may be enabled when ph_temporal_mvp_enabled_indication is equal to 1 . A picture from the collocated picture may be used, as described herein. [0140] When the current picture is an Intra Random Access Point (IRAP), a prediction may not occur. When the current picture is not an IRAP, prediction may occur according to one of the following: predict from the previous picture in coding order; predict from the most recent previous picture in coding order which has a temporal ID equal to or smaller than the current picture; predict from the most recent previous picture in coding order which has a temporal ID equal to or smaller than the current picture and the same resolution as the current picture; predict from the picture that has the highest POC value among the pictures that precede the current picture in coding order; predict from the picture that has the highest POC value among the pictures that precede the current picture in coding order and that have a temporal ID equal to or smaller than the current picture; predict from the picture that has the highest POC value among the pictures that precede the current picture in coding order and that have a temporal ID equal to or smaller than the current picture and the same resolution as the current picture; predict from the collocated picture (if no such picture is defined, predict from the previous picture in coding order; and/or predict from the picture referred to by an index explicitly coded in the picture header. The index may point to a picture with a temporal ID equal to or smaller than the current picture and a resolution equal to the resolution of the current picture.

[0141] Prediction may be disabled according to one or more of the following: the current picture does not contain I slices, and the picture used for prediction contains I slices (e.g., only I slices); the current picture does not contain I slices, and the picture used for prediction contains one or more I slices; the slice type associated with the current CTU is different than the slice type associated with the collocated CTU in the picture used for prediction; and/or the current picture has a temporal ID lower than the picture used for prediction.

[0142] Parameters may apply to the temporal prediction of coding tree parameters (e.g., partitioning parameters) according to any of the following examples. If the picture used to predict coding tree parameters of the current picture is coded in dual tree mode and the current picture is in non-dual tree mode, luma coding tree parameters of the picture referred to may be used for prediction (and not chroma coding tree parameters, for example). If adaptive resolution coding is used in the considered video bit-stream, temporal prediction of partitioning parameters may happen between pictures coded at same resolution level. If adaptive resolution coding is used in the considered video bit-stream, temporal prediction of partitioning parameters may happen between pictures coded at full resolution.

[0143] Predicted partitioning parameters may be refined (e.g., corrected) by coding residual data. In examples, the predicted parameters (e.g., split partitioning information and/or maximum multi-tree depth) from temporal information may be corrected based on a residual in video data. For a given block or set of blocks, a prediction of partitioning parameters may be made based on the temporal partition information. Once the predicted parameters are derived, a partial or full search of partitioning may be performed at the encoder. The syntax coded may be the residual of (e.g., the difference between) the partition information computed by encoder and the predicted partition information.

[0144] The decoder may perform the prediction of the partitioning parameters, decode the residual of these parameters, and refine the prediction using the decoded residual.

[0145] In examples, a flag (e.g., at the picture level) may be coded to indicate the use of residual syntax to correct the predicted partition information, or the reliance on the predicted parameters without refinement.

[0146] A multiple candidate prediction list may be used. In examples, multiple types of partitioning parameter predictions (e.g., multiple modes) may be derived at the encoder and/or decoder, and stored in a candidate list. An index may be coded per area (e.g., at the CTU level) to indicate which mode applies to the area.

[0147] Mode 0 may correspond to, for example, split disabled; mode 1 may correspond to, for example, split enabled, maximum multi-tree depth set to 4; mode 2 may correspond to, for example, split enabled, maximum multi-tree depth set to 3; mode 3 may correspond to, for example, split enabled, maximum multi-tree depth set to 2.

[0148] The modes may be ranked based on predicted parameters. The mode that is most similar to those prediction parameters may be placed first in the list. The coding of the index may be based on CABAC coding, using the prediction parameters in the CABAC context model.

[0149] Features described herein may be associated with CABAC contexts. In examples, predicted partitioning parameters may be used to restrict the split decisions. In examples, predicted partitioning parameters may not be used to restrict the split decisions. The parameters may be used to determine which CABAC contexts are used to code split decisions, e.g., which contexts are used to encode syntax elements and flags such as split_qt_flag, split_cu_flag, mtt_split_cu_vertical_flag, and/or mtt_split_cu_binary_flag.

[0150] A first set of CABAC contexts may be used for coding a flag if both values of the flag are permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters. A second set of CABAC contexts may be used for coding a flag if a first value of the flag is permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters. A third set of CABAC contexts may be used for coding a flag if a second value of the flag is permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters. A fourth set of CABAC contexts may be used if neither value of the flag is permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters.

[0151] The number of sets of CABAC contexts may be reduced. For example, the set of CABAC contexts that may be used for coding a flag if neither or both values of the flag may be permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters. A second set of CABAC contexts may be used for coding a flag if one of the possible binary values of the flag is permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters. The interpretation of the flag may be as follows: a first value (e.g., 0) may be interpreted as the split flag value that is permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters, and a second value (e.g., example 1 ) may be interpreted as the split flag value that is not permissible according to the predicted partitioning parameters.

[0152] Partitioning may be predicted from average block sizes in a temporal reference area. The coding tree depth (e.g., quad-tree depth or multi-type-tree depth) may be used as the partitioning parameter to predict along the temporal axis. The block characteristics that may be correlated from one coded picture to another one is the block size (e.g., rather than the coding tree itself). The block size may be related to the spatial activity of the picture signaled being compressed, which may correlate from picture to picture. Reaching a considered block size during the partitioning process may be achieved through various series of splits mode from the coding tree root to coding tree leaves, resulting in different depth values associated to the leaves. The multi-type tree depth may or may not relate to the size of the coded blocks. For example, the horizontal and vertical ternary split modes may divide a block into 3 sub-blocks with different sizes. The middle subblock area (e.g., number of samples) may be twice the area of the two other subblocks.

[0153] The temporal propagation of a block size parameter may be performed. The average block area of a coded block in a given region of a reference picture may be computed. Partitioning may be determined (e.g., predicted) based on the average block size.

[0154] For a given coding tree node, if the current node surface is more than half the propagated block area, further splitting the current node may be allowed. If the current coding tree node area is less than half the temporally propagated block size value, splitting of the current tree node may be disallowed.

[0155] In some examples, partitioning based on the average block size may be performed at the encoder side. In some examples, partitioning based on the average block size may be performed synchronously at encoder and decoder sides.

[0156] The partitioning process may be driven by a parameter that reflects the temporal correlation that lies between two pictures in terms of block partitioning, resulting in compression efficiency.

[0157] Partitioning may be predicted from a temporal depth parameter representative of block size. In examples, the partitioning parameter(s) that may be propagated from one picture to another may include in a depth parameter. The depth parameter may be different from the quadtree depth and from the multi-type tree depth, and may be representative of an average, minimum, or maximum block size.

[0158] The depth parameter(s) may be determined as follows. At coding tree root level, set depth=O. When dividing a coding tree node with depth value parentDepth into several children coding tree nodes, a children coding tree may be given the following depth value, as depicted in (1 ):

[0159] With the depth parameter as described herein, there may exist a bijection between the depth value and the block area.

[0160] Temporal propagation of the depth parameter may be applied, and whether to allow/disallow splitting of a block may be determined based on the propagated depth parameter(s). The maximum and minimum values of the depth parameter may be taken in a spatial region of reference picture. For the current tree node in the current picture, the depth parameter as described herein may be computed.

[0161] Temporally-propagated depth parameter-based split rule(s) may be applied. For example, if the current node depth is at least the temporal maximum depth obtained plus one, splitting the current tree node may be disallowed. If the current node depth is lower than the temporal minimum depth minus one, splitting the current tree node may be forced. If the current node depth is less than the temporal maximum depth obtained plus one, or if the current node depth is at least the temporal minimum depth minus one, splitting the current tree node may be allowed. The splitting parameter(s) may be chosen on the encoder side and the splitting decision may be signaled in the bit-stream.

[0162] In some examples, allowing/disallowing splitting of a block based on the propagated depth parameter(s) may be implemented on the encoder side during the rate distortion optimized coding tree decision. In some examples, allowing/disallowing splitting of a block based on the propagated depth parameter(s) may be implemented at both encoder and decoder sides. Certain split operations may be allowed or disallowed based on one or more rules at encoder and decoder sides. The depth parameter as described herein may be similar to a cbSubDiv parameter, in the partitioning process.

[0163] The cbSubDiv parameter may be temporally propagated and used to drive the encoder and/or decoder sides partitioning process(es). The same temporal propagation and splitting rules as described herein may be applied (e.g., with the cbSubDiv variable in place of the depth parameter described herein).

[0164] While the examples provided herein may assume that media content is streamed to a display device, there is no specific restriction on the type of display device that may benefit from the example techniques described herein. For example, the display device may be a television, a projector, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc. Further, the example techniques described herein may apply to not only streaming use cases, but also teleconferencing settings. In addition, a decoder and a display as described herein may be separate devices or may be parts of a same device. For example, a set-top box may decode an incoming video stream and provide (e.g., subsequently) the decoded stream to a display device (e.g., via HDMI), and information regarding viewing conditions such as a viewing distance may be transmitted from the display device to the set-top box (e.g., via HDMI).

[0165] Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. In addition, the methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer- readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted over wired or wireless connections) and computer- readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs). A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a WTRU, UE, terminal, base station, RNC, or any host computer.

Claims

What is Claimed:

1 . A video decoding device comprising: a processor configured to: for a video block, obtain a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list comprising a plurality of partitioning modes; receive an index indicating a selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes; and apply the selected partitioning mode to the video block.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to: identify a plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block, wherein the partitioning parameter candidate prediction list is obtained based on the plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block.

3. The device of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein a first mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with bypassing partitioning, and wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that the selected partitioning mode comprises the first partitioning mode; and apply the first partitioning mode to the video block.

4. The device of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein a second partitioning mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with enabling partitioning, and wherein enabling partitioning comprises configuring a multi-type tree depth value, and wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that the selected partitioning mode comprises the second partitioning mode; and apply the second partitioning mode to the video block based on the multi-type tree depth value.

5. The device of any of claims 1 through 4, wherein the processor is further configured to: rank the plurality of partitioning modes based on predicted parameters of the video block; and determine the selected partitioning mode based on the ranked plurality of partitioning modes.

6. The device of any of claims 1 through 5, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded at a coding tree unit level.

7. The device of any of claims 1 through 6, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded based on context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC).

8. A video encoding device comprising: a processor configured to: for a video block, determine a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list comprising a plurality of partitioning modes; select a partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes; apply the selected partitioning mode to the video block; and include, in video data, an index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to: identify a plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block, wherein the partitioning parameter candidate prediction list is determined based on the plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block.

10. The device of any of claims 8 or 9, wherein a first mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with bypassing partitioning, and wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that the selected partitioning mode comprises the first partitioning mode; and apply the first partitioning mode to the video block.

11 . The device of any of claims 8 or 9, wherein a second partitioning mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with enabling partitioning, and wherein enabling partitioning comprises configuring a multi-type tree depth value, and wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that the selected partitioning mode comprises the second partitioning mode; and apply the second partitioning mode to the video block based on the multi-type tree depth value.

12. The device of any of claims 8 through 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to: rank the plurality of partitioning modes based on predicted parameters of the video block; and determine the selected partitioning mode based on the ranked plurality of partitioning modes.

13. The device of any of claims 8 through 12, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded at a coding tree unit level.

14. The device of any of claims 8 through 13, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded based on context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC).

15. A method for a video decoder, the method comprising: for a video block, obtaining a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list comprising a plurality of partitioning modes; receiving an index indicating a selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes; and applying the selected partitioning mode to the video block.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: identifying a plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block, wherein the partitioning parameter candidate prediction list is obtained based on the plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block.

17. The method of any of claims 15 or 16, wherein a first mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with bypassing partitioning, and wherein the method further comprises: determining that the selected partitioning mode comprises the first partitioning mode; and applying the first partitioning mode to the video block.

18. The method of any of claims 15 or 16, wherein a second partitioning mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with enabling partitioning, and wherein enabling partitioning comprises configuring a multi-type tree depth value, and wherein the method further comprises: determining that the selected partitioning mode comprises the second partitioning mode; and applying the second partitioning mode to the video block based on the multi-type tree depth value.

19. The method of any of claims 15 through 18, wherein the method further comprises: ranking the plurality of partitioning modes based on predicted parameters of the video block; and determining the selected partitioning mode based on the ranked plurality of partitioning modes.

20. The method of any of claims 15 through 19, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded at a coding tree unit level.

21. The method of any of claims 15 through 20, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded based on context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC).

22. A method for a video encoder, the method comprising: for a video block, determining a partitioning parameter candidate prediction list comprising a plurality of partitioning modes; selecting a partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes; applying the selected partitioning mode to the video block; and including, in video data, an index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further comprises: identifying a plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block, wherein the partitioning parameter candidate prediction list is determined based on the plurality of temporally neighboring blocks of the video block.

24. The method of any of claims 22 or 23, wherein a first mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with bypassing partitioning, and wherein the method further comprises: determining that the selected partitioning mode comprises the first partitioning mode; and applying the first partitioning mode to the video block.

25. The method of any of claims 22 or 23, wherein a second partitioning mode of the plurality of partitioning modes is associated with enabling partitioning, and wherein enabling partitioning comprises configuring a multi-type tree depth value, and wherein the method further comprises: determining that the selected partitioning mode comprises the second partitioning mode; and applying the second partitioning mode to the video block based on the multi-type tree depth value.

26. The method of any of claims 22 through 25, wherein the method further comprises: ranking the plurality of partitioning modes based on predicted parameters of the video block; and determining the selected partitioning mode based on the ranked plurality of partitioning modes.

27. The method of any of claims 22 through 26, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded at a coding tree unit level.

28. The device of any of claims 22 through 27, wherein the index indicating the selected partitioning mode from the plurality of partitioning modes is coded based on context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC).

29. A computer program product which is stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprises program code instructions for implementing the steps of a method according to any of claims 15 through 28 when executed by a processor.

30. A computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the steps of a method according to any of claims 15 through 28 when executed by a processor.

31 . Video data comprising information representative of the coding block encoded according to one of the methods of any of claims 22 through 28.