Spatiotemporal prediction for bidirectionally predictive (B) pictures and motion vector prediction for multi-picture reference motion compensation

An apparatus for use in encoding video data within a sequence of video frames, the apparatus comprising:

• logic operatively configured to access video data for a sequence of video frames, identify at least a portion of at least one video frame to be a Bidirectionally Predictive (B) picture, and selectively encode said B picture using at least spatial prediction to encode at least one motion parameter associated with said B picture.

A method for encoding video data, the method comprising:

• identifying at least a portion of at least one video frame to be coded in an enhanced direct mode;
• and
• encoding said portion in said enhanced direct mode using at least spatial information associated with said portion within said at least one video frame.

The method as recited in Clam 48, wherein said motion vector prediction includes median prediction.

A computer-readable medium having computer implementable instructions for configuring at least one processing unit to perform acts comprising encoding video data by identifying at least a portion of at least one video frame to be coded in an enhanced direct mode, and encoding said portion in said enhanced direct mode using at least spatial information associated with said portion within said at least one video frame.

The computer-readable medium as recited in Clam 54, wherein said motion vector prediction includes median prediction.

An apparatus comprising:

• logic operatively configured to encode video data by identifying at least a portion of at least one video frame to be coded in an enhanced direct mode, and encode said portion in said enhanced direct mode using at least spatial information Is associated with said portion within said at least one video frame.

The apparatus as recited in Clam 60, wherein said motion vector prediction includes median prediction.

A method to predict a reference picture in direct mode video encoding, the method comprising:

• selecting a reference picture from a group comprising a minimum reference picture for a plurality of predictions related to at least a portion of a video frame to be encoded, a median reference picture for said plurality of predictions, and a current reference picture based on a single direction prediction;
• and
• encoding said at least one portion of said video frame based on selected reference picture.

A computer-readable medium having computer implementable instructions for configuring at least one processing unit to perform acts comprising:

• selecting a reference picture from a group comprising a minimum reference picture for a plurality of predictions related to at least a portion of a video frame to be encoded, a median reference picture for said plurality of predictions, and a current reference picture based on a single direction prediction;
• and
• encoding said at least one portion of said video frame based on selected reference picture.

An apparatus comprising:

• logic that is operatively configured to select a reference picture from a group comprising a minimum reference picture for a plurality of predictions related to at least a portion of a video frame to be encoded, a median reference picture for said plurality of predictions, and a current reference picture based on a single direction prediction, and encode said at least one portion of said video frame based on selected reference picture.

An apparatus comprising:

• logic operatively configured to select a reference portion of a future video frame to serve as a B picture to at least one portion of an earlier video frame, use motion vectors associated with said reference frame to calculate motion vectors associated with said at least one portion, and encode said at least one portion based on said calculated motion vectors associated with said at least one portion.

A method for use in determining motion vectors during video encoding, the method comprising:

• selecting at least three predictors A, B and C that each uses a different reference picture having an associated temporal distance TRA, TRB, and TRC respectively, and a motion vector MVA, MVB, and MVC;
• and
• predicting a median motion vector MVpred associated with a current reference picture that has a temporal distance equal to TR.

A computer-readable medium having computer implementable instructions for configuring at least one processing unit to perform acts comprising:

• selecting at least three predictors A, B and C that each uses a different reference picture having an associated temporal distance TRA, TRB, and TRC respectively, and a motion vector MVA, MVB, and MVC;
• and
• predicting a median motion vector MVpred associated with a current reference picture that has a temporal distance equal to TR.

An apparatus comprising logic operatively configured to select at least three predictors A, B and C that each uses a different reference picture having an associated temporal distance TRA, TRB, and TRC respectively, and a motion vector MVA, MVB, and MVC, and predict a median motion vector MVpred associated with a current reference picture that has a temporal distance equal to TR.