Extended inter-layer coding for spatial scability

An apparatus that codes information according to a scalable video coding (SVC) scheme, the apparatus comprising:

• a coding unit that codes first video blocks defined in a base layer of the SVC scheme, and codes second video blocks defined in an enhancement layer of the SVC scheme, wherein the second video blocks provide spatial scalability enhancement relative to the first video blocks, and wherein with respect to the second video blocks the coding unit:
• performs inter-layer prediction for the enhancement layer relative to the base layer for a first subset of the second video blocks that fully overlap the first video blocks;
• and
• performs inter-layer prediction for the enhancement layer relative to the base layer for a second subset of the second video blocks that partially overlap the first video blocks.

A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that upon execution in a video coding device cause the device to code information in a scalable video coding (SVC) scheme, wherein the instructions cause the device to:

• code first video blocks defined in a base layer of the SVC scheme;
• and
• code second video blocks defined in an enhancement layer of the SVC scheme, wherein the second video blocks provide spatial scalability enhancement relative to the first video blocks, and wherein with respect to the second video blocks the instructions cause the device to:
• perform inter-layer prediction for the enhancement layer relative to the base layer for a first subset of the second video blocks that fully overlap the first video blocks;
• and
• perform inter-layer prediction for the enhancement layer relative to the base layer for a second subset of the second video blocks that partially overlap the first video blocks.

A device that codes information in a scalable video coding (SVC) scheme, the device comprising:

• means for coding first video blocks defined in a base layer of the SVC scheme;
• and
• means for coding second video blocks defined in an enhancement layer of the SVC scheme, wherein the second video blocks provide spatial scalability enhancement relative to the first video blocks, and wherein means for coding the second video blocks includes:
• means for performing inter-layer prediction for the enhancement layer relative to the base layer for a first subset of the second video blocks that fully overlap the first video blocks;
• and
• means for performing inter-layer prediction for the enhancement layer relative to the base layer for a second subset of the second video blocks that partially overlap the first video blocks.