Region merging and coding parameter reuse via merging

An encoder for encoding an array of information samples into a data stream, the encoder comprising:

• a subdivider configured for dividing the array of information samples into a plurality of regions;
• and
• a data stream generator configured for:
• encoding, into the data stream for a current region of the plurality of regions, a merge indicator,
• determining a plurality of candidate regions for the current region, wherein at least one of the plurality of candidate regions has a spatial relationship with the current region within the array of information samples,
• based on a determination that a number of regions in the plurality of candidate regions is greater than one and coding parameters associated with the plurality of candidate regions are not identical to each other, encoding into the data stream a candidate identifier, which identifies a candidate region from the plurality of candidate regions for the current region,
• processing the merge indicator to determine copying or computing a first coding parameter associated with the current region based on a second coding parameter associated with the candidate region, and
• encoding, into the data stream, the second coding parameter.

A non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store a data stream, the data stream comprising encoded information including an array of information samples which is divided into a plurality of regions, the data stream comprising:

• a merge indicator related to a current region of a plurality of regions, which are obtained by dividing the array of information samples;
• a candidate identifier, which identifies a candidate region from a plurality of candidate regions, wherein the candidate region is to be used in reconstructing the current region, at least one of the plurality of candidate regions has a spatial relationship with the current region within the array of information samples, the current region has a first coding parameter associated therewith, wherein the candidate identifier is encoded based on a determination that a number of regions in the plurality of candidate regions is greater than one and coding parameters associated with the plurality of candidate regions are not identical to each other;
• and
• a second coding parameter associated with the candidate region, wherein the first coding parameter is copied or computed from the second coding parameter based on the merge indicator and is used to reconstruct the current region.