US 2006/0133492 A1 · Implicit weighting of reference pictures in a video encoder

Abstract

A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block with two reference picture indices to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize implicit weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes an implicit reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to each reference picture index; an encoder includes an implicit reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to each reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving the reference picture indices with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining an implicit weighting factor responsive to the relative positioning of the image block and the reference pictures indicated by each reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference pictures, and multiplying the motion compensated reference pictures by the corresponding weighting factor to form weighted motion compensated reference pictures.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A video encoder for encoding video signal data for an image block and a plurality of reference picture indices, the encoder comprising a reference picture weighting factor assignor responsive to the relative positioning between the image block and first and second reference pictures indicated by the plurality of reference picture indices, the reference picture weighting factor assignor for calculating an implicit weighting factor for the reference picture corresponding to the particular reference picture index.

A method for encoding video signal data for an image block, the method comprising:

receiving a substantially uncompressed image block;
calculating implicit weighting factors for the image block responsive to the relative positioning between the image block and first and second reference pictures indicated by first and second reference picture indices;
computing motion vectors for the image block and each of the first and second reference pictures;
motion compensating each of the first and second reference pictures in correspondence with the respective motion vectors;
multiplying each of the motion compensated reference pictures by its calculated implicit weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture;
combining each of the weighted motion compensated reference pictures into a combined weighted motion compensated reference picture;
subtracting the combined weighted motion compensated reference picture from the substantially uncompressed image block;
and
encoding a signal indicative of the difference between the substantially uncompressed image block and the combined weighted motion compensated reference picture along with the corresponding indices of the first and second reference pictures.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Implicit weighting of reference pictures in a video encoder

Life of this patent

Implicit weighting of reference pictures in a video encoder

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14