JP2012134870A - Video encoding method and video decoding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an operation amount of decoding processing, to perform acceleration of decoding processing and to improve efficiency of encoding processing.SOLUTION: First, information indicating a block size of interframe prediction is read (S201), information of a motion vector is read (S202), and whether or not to use an interpolation filter for pixel generation is determined (S203). Then, in the case of using the interpolation filter, whether or not the block size is equal to or smaller than a prescribed threshold is determined (S204). An interpolation image is generated using a filter with a short tap length in the case that the block size is equal to or smaller than the prescribed threshold (S205), an interpolation image is generated using a filter with a long tap length in the case that the block size is not equal to or smaller than the prescribed threshold (S206), and a reference signal of a position indicated by the motion vector is read and stored as a prediction signal (S207).

Description

  The present invention relates to a video encoding method and a video decoding method for improving performance of an interpolation filter in video encoding and improving encoding efficiency.

  In video encoding, inter-frame prediction (motion compensation) encoding in which prediction is performed between different screens, a motion vector is obtained so as to minimize prediction error energy with reference to an already decoded frame, The residual signal is orthogonally transformed, quantized, and entropy-encoded to become binary data. In order to increase the encoding efficiency, it is essential to reduce the prediction error energy, that is, a more accurate prediction method is required.

  A number of tools for improving the accuracy of inter-screen prediction have been introduced into the video encoding standard system (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). For example, H.M. In H.264 / AVC, when there is occlusion in the latest frame, it is possible to refer to a plurality of frames because prediction error energy can be reduced by referring to a frame slightly apart in time. This tool is called multiple reference frame prediction. In addition to 16 × 16 and 8 × 8, 16 × 8, 8 × 16, 8 × 4, 4 × 8, 4 × 4, etc., in addition to 16 × 16 and 8 × 8, can be supported. The block size can be divided finely. This tool is called variable block size prediction. In the same manner, ½ precision pixels are interpolated from the integer precision pixels of the reference frame using a 6 tap filter, and ¼ precision pixels are generated by linear interpolation using the pixels. As a result, the prediction is applied to the motion with non-integer precision. This tool is called 1/4 pixel accuracy prediction.

  H. Various proposals from all over the world are now gathering in the international standardization organizations ISO / IEC “MPEG” and ITU-T “VCEG” for the establishment of the next generation video coding standard system with higher coding efficiency than H.264 / AVC. It has been. In particular, many proposals related to inter-screen prediction (motion compensation) have been made (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2). The next generation video coding software (hereinafter referred to as KTA (Key Technical Area) software) created by VCEG is a tool that reduces the amount of code of motion vectors and the block size is expanded to 16 × 16 or more. Tools are adopted. In particular, a tool that adaptively changes the interpolation filter coefficient of the decimal precision pixel is called an adaptive interpolation filter, which is effective for all images, and was first adopted in the KTA software. Since the effect is high, the improvement regarding the interpolation filter is considered to be a highly expected area in the future.

  In the past video encoding standard method MPEG-1 / 2/4, in order to interpolate ½-precision pixels, they were generated from the two adjacent integer pixels using an averaging. That is, an average value filter of [1/2, 1/2] is applied to the two integer pixels. Since it is a very simple process, it is effective from the viewpoint of computational complexity, but the filter performance is not high in obtaining a pixel with 1/4 accuracy.

  On the other hand, H. In H.264 / AVC, when interpolating half-precision pixels, interpolation is performed using a total of six integer pixels for each of the left and right three points of the target interpolation pixel. In the vertical direction, interpolation is performed using a total of 6 integer pixels for each of the upper and lower three points. The filter coefficients are [(1, -5, 20, 20, -5, 1) / 32], respectively. After the ½ precision pixel is interpolated, the ¼ precision pixel is interpolated using an average filter of [1/2, 1/2]. H. As an improvement of H.264 / AVC, an interpolation filter based on discrete cosine transform has been proposed. In the interpolation filter, the filter tap length (12 taps, 8 taps, 6 taps) in sequence units is set at the start of encoding according to the requirement of the encoding complexity. Note that the same value is used for the set tap length through the encoding of the sequence.

Okubo et al., “Revised Third Edition H.264 / AVC Textbook,” Impress R & D, P.118-123, Jan. 2009. Ken McCann et al., “Samsung's Response to the Call for Proposals on Video Compression Technology,” in Document JCTVC-A124 (ITU-T SG16 Q.6 (VCEG) and ISO / IEC JCT1 / SC29 / WG11 (MPEG)), P. 12-14, Apr. 2010.

  By the way, in the conventional interpolation filter, the tap length of the filter is fixed. This is because it is assumed that the characteristics of the signal in the region to which the filter is applied do not change. However, the interpolation accuracy is generally improved by using a filter with a long tap length. That is, depending on the image, it is possible to suppress a decrease in interpolation accuracy due to the use of a filter with a short tap length. For example, it is a case where the boundary part of the area | region (background area | region and moving body area | region) from which the characteristic of a signal differs is made into the object of filtering.

  However, in the prior art, the filter tap length is fixed despite the fact that, depending on the image, it is possible to suppress a decrease in interpolation accuracy due to the use of a filter with a short tap length, it is necessary to calculate the filter coefficient. There is a problem that complicated calculation must be performed and the amount of calculation of the decoding process cannot be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to allow adaptive control of the filter tap length within a frame in consideration of the locality (local nature) of the image. By switching between multiple tap length filter groups within a frame, the computational complexity required for filter coefficient calculation can be reduced, and the amount of decoding processing can be reduced and speeded up. An object of the present invention is to provide a video encoding method and a video decoding method capable of improving processing efficiency.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a video encoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel accuracy, the step of obtaining a block size and a motion vector as a unit of prediction, and a reference Determining whether or not to generate a reference signal by filtering processing using a pixel value of a frame as input, and generating the reference signal based on the block size when it is determined to generate the reference signal A reference signal generation filter, and a step of generating a reference signal using the selected reference signal generation filter to generate a predicted image.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as a selection candidate of the reference signal generation filter.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a predetermined filter group is used as a selection candidate of the reference signal generation filter.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is a video encoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel accuracy, the block obtaining a block size and a motion vector as a unit of prediction, and Determining whether or not to generate a pixel value at a decimal pixel position based on the motion vector, and when determining to generate an interpolated pixel value at the decimal pixel position, based on the block size, Selecting an interpolation filter for generating an interpolated pixel value at the decimal pixel position; and interpolating decimal precision pixels using the selected interpolation filter to generate a predicted image. Is a video encoding method.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as a candidate for selection of the interpolation filter.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a predetermined filter group is used as a candidate for selection of the interpolation filter.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is a video decoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel accuracy, and decoding a block size and a motion vector as a prediction unit; A step of determining whether or not to generate a reference signal by filtering processing using a pixel value of a reference frame as an input, and when it is determined to generate the reference signal, the reference signal is generated based on the block size A video decoding method comprising: selecting a reference signal generation filter for generating a reference signal, and generating a prediction image using the selected reference signal generation filter.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as a selection candidate of the reference signal generation filter.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a predetermined filter group is used as a selection candidate of the reference signal generation filter.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is a video decoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel accuracy, and decoding a block size and a motion vector as a prediction unit; Determining whether or not to generate a pixel value at a decimal pixel position based on the motion vector; and, if it is determined to generate an interpolated pixel value at the decimal pixel position, based on the block size, the decimal A step of selecting an interpolation filter for generating an interpolated pixel value at a pixel position; and a step of interpolating decimal precision pixels using the selected interpolation filter to generate a predicted image. This is a video decoding method.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as a candidate for selection of the interpolation filter.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a predetermined filter group is used as a candidate for selection of the interpolation filter.

  According to the present invention, considering the locality (local nature) of an image, the tap length of a filter can be adaptively controlled within a frame, and a filter group having a plurality of tap lengths can be switched within a frame. It is possible to reduce the computational complexity required for filter coefficient calculation and to reduce the amount of decoding processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the moving image encoder by this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the inter prediction process part 102 by a prior art. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the inter prediction process part 102 by a prior art. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the inter prediction process part 102 by this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the inter prediction process part 102 by this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the moving image decoder by this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the inter prediction process part 203 by a prior art. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the inter prediction process part 203 by this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present invention, the filter tap length is not fixed to the sequence, and a plurality of filter coefficient groups are prepared and switched according to the local properties of the image, thereby reducing the amount of computation for generating the interpolation filter and decoding. It is characterized by realizing a reduction in the processing amount of processing.

  In variable block size prediction, a block can be considered as a collection of pixels with similar properties. For this reason, filtering across blocks refers to areas with different properties. For this reason, for a small-sized block, even if a filter with a short tap length is used, the decrease in interpolation accuracy is expected to be small. Therefore, an adaptive process for switching the filter tap length based on the block size is introduced.

  In the variable block size prediction, since the block size is transmitted to the decoding side as encoded information, it is not necessary to separately transmit additional information for the adaptive processing.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving image encoder according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a moving image encoder includes an intra prediction processing unit 101, an inter prediction processing unit 102, a transform / quantization processing unit 103, an inverse transform / inverse quantization processing unit 104, adders A1, A2, and an in-loop filter. The processing unit 105 includes a decoded signal storage unit 106, an inter prediction information encoding unit 107, an intra prediction information encoding unit 108, and an entropy encoding processing unit 109.

  The adder A1 generates a difference signal (prediction residual signal) between an intra prediction mode or inter prediction mode from the intra prediction processing unit 101 or the inter prediction processing unit 102, which will be described later, and an input signal (original signal). . The transform / quantization processing unit 103 performs transform processing on the intra prediction (or inter prediction) error signal, generates transform coefficients, performs quantization processing on the transform coefficients, and generates a quantized coefficient signal.

  The inverse transform / inverse quantization processing unit 104 performs an inverse quantization process on the quantized coefficient signal, generates a decoded value of the transform coefficient, performs an inverse transform process on the decoded value of the change coefficient, and performs prediction. A decoded signal of the error signal is generated. The adder A2 adds the prediction signal from the intra prediction processing unit 101 or the inter prediction processing unit 102 to the decoded signal of the prediction residual signal, and generates a decoded signal. The in-loop filter processing unit 105 performs filter processing on the decoded signal. The decoded signal storage unit 106 holds the decoded signal after the filter processing.

  The intra prediction processing unit 101 sets an intra coding scheme (intra coding mode), and generates an (intra) prediction signal based on the set intra prediction mode. The inter prediction processing unit 102 sets an inter coding method (inter coding mode), and generates an (inter) prediction signal based on the set inter prediction mode. The outputs of the intra prediction processing unit 101 and the inter prediction processing unit 102 can be selectively switched via the switching unit SW1. The inter prediction information encoding unit 107 encodes (inter) prediction information. The intra prediction information encoding unit 108 encodes (intra) prediction information. The entropy encoding processing unit 109 entropy encodes the quantized coefficient signal, the inter prediction mode information, and the intra prediction mode information.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inter prediction processing unit 102 according to the related art. In FIG. 2, a motion vector setting processing unit 301 inputs an input signal and a decoded signal, sets a motion vector, and outputs motion vector information. The block size setting processing unit 302 inputs an input signal (original signal) and a decoded signal, and outputs block size information. The motion vector accuracy determination unit 303 receives the motion vector information, determines the accuracy of the motion vector, and based on the determination result, the reference signal generation processing unit 305 or the reference signal designation processing unit 304 of the prediction signal generation processing unit. Choose one. A reference signal designation processing unit 304 receives motion vector information, block size information, and a decoded signal, designates a reference signal, and finally outputs a prediction signal. The reference signal generation processing unit 305 receives motion vector information, block size information, and a decoded signal, generates a reference signal, and finally outputs a prediction signal.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the inter prediction processing unit 102 according to the prior art. First, information indicating the block size of inter-frame prediction is read (step S101), motion vector information is read (step S102), and a reference signal at a position indicated by the motion vector is read and stored as a prediction signal (step S103). ).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inter prediction processing unit 102 according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that parts corresponding to those in FIG. The difference between the prior art and this embodiment is that an interpolation filter selection processing unit 406 is added within the dotted line (predicted signal generation processing unit) shown in FIG. The interpolation filter selection processing unit 406 selects an interpolation filter according to the block size information.

  At this time, the interpolation filter selection processing unit 406 may set the tap length of the reference signal generation filter or the filter coefficient for generating the reference signal according to the block size or the side length of the block. . Further, the tap length or filter coefficient of the interpolation filter for generating the interpolation pixel value may be set according to the block size or the side length of the block.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the inter prediction processing unit 102 according to the present embodiment. First, information indicating the block size of inter-frame prediction is read (step S201), and motion vector information is read (step S202). Next, it is determined whether or not an interpolation filter is used for pixel generation (step S203). If the interpolation filter is not used, the reference signal at the position indicated by the motion vector is read and stored as a prediction signal (step S207). ).

  On the other hand, when using the interpolation filter, it is determined whether or not the block size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold (step S204). If the block size is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold, a filter with a short tap length is selected. Then, an interpolation image is generated (step S205), the reference signal at the position indicated by the motion vector is read and stored as a prediction signal (step S207).

  On the other hand, if the block size is not equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold, an interpolation image is generated using a long tap length filter (step S206), the reference signal at the position indicated by the motion vector is read, and stored as a prediction signal (step S206). S207).

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the video decoder according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, the moving picture decoder includes an entropy decoding processing unit 201, an intra prediction processing unit 202, an inter prediction processing unit 203, an inverse transform / inverse quantization processing unit 204, an adder B1, an in-loop filter processing unit 205, a decoding It comprises a signal storage unit 206, an inter prediction information storage unit 207, and an intra prediction information storage unit 208.

  The entropy decoding processing unit 201 receives the encoded stream of the encoding unit as input and performs entropy decoding processing. The inverse transform / inverse quantization processing unit 204 receives the quantized coefficient signal as input, performs an inverse quantization process, generates a decoded value of the transform coefficient, performs an inverse transform process on the decoded value of the transform coefficient, An intra (or inter prediction) prediction residual signal is generated.

  The inter prediction information storage unit 207 stores the inter prediction information (inter coding mode) decoded by the entropy decoding processing unit 201. The intra prediction information storage unit 208 stores the intra prediction information (intra coding mode) decoded by the entropy decoding processing unit 201. The intra prediction processing unit 202 reads an intra coding method (intra coding mode) from the decoded encoded data, and generates an intra prediction signal based on the intra prediction mode. The inter prediction processing unit 203 reads an inter coding scheme (inter coding mode) from the decoded encoded data, and generates an inter prediction signal based on the inter prediction mode. Outputs of the intra prediction processing unit 202 and the inter prediction processing unit 203 can be selectively switched via the switching unit SW2.

  The adder B1 receives the prediction residual signal and the intra prediction signal or the inter prediction signal, adds them together, and generates a decoded signal. The in-loop filter processing unit 205 performs filter processing on the decoded signal. The decoded signal storage unit 206 holds the decoded signal after the filter processing.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inter prediction processing unit 203 according to the related art. In the figure, a motion vector storage unit 401 stores the motion vector information from the entropy decoding processing unit 201. The block size storage unit 402 stores the block size information from the entropy decoding processing unit 201. The motion vector accuracy determination unit 403 receives the motion vector information, determines the accuracy of the motion vector, and, based on the determination result, the reference signal generation processing unit 405 or the reference signal designation processing unit 404 of the prediction signal generation processing unit. Choose one. A reference signal designation processing unit 404 receives motion vector information, block size information, and a decoded signal, designates a reference signal, and finally outputs a prediction signal. The reference signal generation processing unit 405 receives the motion vector information, the block size information, and the decoded signal, generates a reference signal, and finally outputs a prediction signal.
Note that the operation of the inter prediction processing unit 203 according to the prior art shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inter prediction processing unit 203 according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that portions corresponding to those in FIG. In the figure, the difference between the prior art and the present invention is that an interpolation filter selection processing unit 506 is added within the dotted line (predicted signal generation processing unit) shown in FIG. The interpolation filter selection processing unit 506 selects an interpolation filter according to the block size information.

At this time, the interpolation filter selection processing unit 506 may set the tap length or the filter coefficient of the reference signal generation filter for generating the reference signal according to the block size or the side length of the block. Further, the tap length or filter coefficient of the interpolation filter for generating the interpolation pixel value may be set according to the block size or the side length of the block.
Note that the operation of the inter prediction processing unit 203 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is the same as that of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to perform filter switching according to the local properties of an image that cannot be handled by a conventional interpolation filter, and it is possible to reduce the amount of decoding processing (speeding up decoding processing), Encoding efficiency can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 301 Motion vector setting process part 302 Block size setting process part 303,403 Motion vector precision determination part 304,404 Reference signal designation | designated process part 305,405 Reference signal generation process part 406,506 Interpolation filter selection process part 401 Motion vector storage part 402 Block size storage

Claims (12)

A video encoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel precision,
Obtaining a block size and a motion vector as a unit of prediction;
Determining whether to generate a reference signal by a filtering process using a pixel value of a reference frame as an input; and
Selecting a reference signal generation filter for generating the reference signal based on the block size when it is determined to generate the reference signal;
Generating a reference signal using the selected reference signal generation filter, and generating a predicted image.   The video encoding method according to claim 1, wherein a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as a selection candidate for the reference signal generation filter.   The video encoding method according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined filter group is used as a selection candidate of the reference signal generation filter. A video encoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel precision,
Obtaining a block size and a motion vector as a unit of prediction;
Determining whether to generate a pixel value at a decimal pixel position based on the motion vector;
Selecting an interpolation filter for generating an interpolated pixel value at the decimal pixel position based on the block size when it is determined to generate an interpolated pixel value at the decimal pixel position;
And interpolating decimal precision pixels using the selected interpolation filter to generate a predicted image.   The video encoding method according to claim 4, wherein a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as the selection candidate of the interpolation filter.   The video encoding method according to claim 4, wherein a predetermined filter group is used as the selection candidate of the interpolation filter. A video decoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel precision,
Decoding a block size and a motion vector as a unit of prediction;
Determining whether to generate a reference signal by a filtering process using a pixel value of a reference frame as an input; and
Selecting a reference signal generation filter for generating the reference signal based on the block size when it is determined to generate the reference signal;
Generating a reference signal using the selected reference signal generation filter, and generating a predicted image.   The video decoding method according to claim 7, wherein a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as a selection candidate of the reference signal generation filter.   The video decoding method according to claim 7, wherein a predetermined filter group is used as a selection candidate of the reference signal generation filter. A video decoding method using motion compensated inter-frame prediction with decimal pixel precision,
Decoding a block size and a motion vector as a unit of prediction;
Determining whether to generate a pixel value at a decimal pixel position based on the motion vector;
Selecting an interpolation filter for generating an interpolated pixel value at the decimal pixel position based on the block size when it is determined to generate an interpolated pixel value at the decimal pixel position;
And a step of interpolating decimal precision pixels using the selected interpolation filter to generate a predicted image.   The video decoding method according to claim 10, wherein a filter group generated in an encoding process is used as a selection candidate of the interpolation filter.   The video decoding method according to claim 10, wherein a predetermined filter group is used as a selection candidate of the interpolation filter.

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