Method for image processing and apparatus for implementing the same

An apparatus, the apparatus comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform a method of processing an image divided into a plurality of pixel blocks which are processed according to a processing sequence, the method comprising, for a current pixel block:

• determining an application area comprising a set of pixels in blocks preceding the current block in the processing sequence;
• performing a gradient analysis on at least one pixel of the application area;
• selecting at least two intra prediction video coding modes among a plurality of intra prediction video coding modes usable for processing the current pixel block, wherein at least one of the selected intra prediction video coding modes is selected based on the gradient analysis;
• determining a plurality of predictors of the current pixel block based on the at least two selected intra prediction video coding modes;
• and
• generating a predictor of the current pixel block based on the determined plurality of predictors;
• wherein the performing the gradient analysis comprises:
• for at least one pixel of the application area, computing a gradient representing a directional change of an intensity at the pixel, and
• wherein the selecting the at least one intra prediction video coding mode based on the gradient analysis comprises:
• for the at least one pixel of the application area, mapping the computed gradient to an intra prediction mode among the plurality of intra prediction video coding modes.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with executable instructions which, when executed, causes an apparatus comprising a processor operatively coupled with a memory, to perform a method of processing an image divided into a plurality of pixel blocks which are processed according to a processing sequence, the method comprising, for a current pixel block:

• determining an application area comprising a set of pixels in blocks preceding the current block in the processing sequence;
• performing a gradient analysis on at least one pixel of the application area;
• selecting at least two intra prediction video coding modes among a plurality of intra prediction video coding modes usable for processing the current pixel block, wherein at least one of the selected intra prediction video coding modes is selected based on the gradient analysis;
• determining a plurality of predictors of the current pixel block based on the at least two selected intra prediction video coding modes;
• and
• generating a predictor of the current pixel block based on the determined plurality of predictors;
• wherein the performing the gradient analysis comprises:
• for at least one pixel of the application area, computing a gradient representing a directional change of an intensity at the pixel, and
• wherein the selecting the at least one intra prediction video coding mode based on the gradient analysis comprises:
• for the at least one pixel of the application area, mapping the computed gradient to an intra prediction mode among the plurality of intra prediction video coding modes.