Picture coding supporting block merging and skip mode

An apparatus for decoding a bitstream comprising a picture encoded therein, comprising

• a subdivider configured to subdivide the picture into sample sets of samples;
• a merger configured to merge the sample sets into groups of one or more sample sets each;
• a decoder configured to decode the picture using coding parameters varying across the picture in units of the groups of sample sets, wherein the decoder is configured to decode the picture by predicting the picture, decoding a prediction residual for predetermined sample sets and combining the prediction residual and a prediction resulting from predicting the picture, for the predetermined sample sets;
• an extractor configured to extract the prediction residual and the coding parameters from the bitstream, along with one or more syntax elements for each of at least a subset of the sample sets, signaling as to whether the respective sample set is to be merged into one of the groups along with another sample set or not, wherein the merger is configured to perform the merging responsive to the one or more syntax elements,
• wherein one of the possible states of the one or more syntax elements signalizes that the respective sample set is to be merged into one of the groups along with another sample set and has no prediction residual encoded and inserted into the bitstream.

An apparatus for encoding a picture comprising a subdivider configured to subdivide the picture into sample sets of samples;

• a merger configured to merge the sample sets into groups of one or more sample sets each;
• an encoder configured to encode the picture using coding parameters varying across the picture in units of the groups of sample sets, wherein the encoder is configured to encode the picture by predicting the picture and encoding a prediction residual for predetermined sample sets;
• a stream generator configured to insert the prediction residual and the coding parameters into a bitstream, along with one or more syntax elements for each of at least a subset of the sample sets, signaling as to whether the respective sample set is merged into one of the groups along with another sample set or not,
• wherein one of the possible states of the one or more syntax elements signalizes that the respective sample set is to be merged into one of the groups along with another sample set and has no prediction residual encoded and inserted into the bitstream.

A method for decoding a bitstream comprising a picture encoded therein, the method comprising

• subdividing the picture into sample sets of samples;
• merging the sample sets into groups of one or more sample sets each;
• decoding the picture using coding parameters varying across the picture in units of the groups of sample sets, wherein the decoder is configured to decode the picture by predicting the picture, decoding a prediction residual for predetermined sample sets and combining the prediction residual and a prediction resulting from predicting the picture, for the predetermined sample sets;
• extracting the prediction residual and the coding parameters from the bitstream, along with one or more syntax elements for each of at least a subset of the sample sets, signaling as to whether the respective sample set is to be merged into one of the groups along with another sample set or not, wherein the merger is configured to perform the merging responsive to the one or more yntax elements,
• wherein one of the possible states of the one or more syntax elements signalizes that the respective sample set is to be merged into one of the groups along with another sample set and has no prediction residual encoded and inserted into the bitstream.

A method for encoding a picture comprising

• subdividing the picture into sample sets of samples;
• merging the sample sets into groups of one or more sample sets each;
• encoding the picture using coding parameters varying across the picture in units of the groups of sample sets, wherein the encoder is configured to encode the picture by predicting the picture and encoding a prediction residual for predetermined sample sets;
• inserting the prediction residual and the coding parameters into a bitstream, along with one or more syntax elements for each of at least a subset of the sample sets, signaling as to whether the respective sample set is merged into one of the groups along with another sample set or not,
• wherein one of the possible states of the one or more syntax elements signalizes that the respective sample set is to be merged into one of the groups along with another sample set and has no prediction residual encoded and inserted into the bitstream.

A computer program comprising a program code for performing, when running on a computer, a method for decoding a bitstream into which a picture is coded, the sample array of the picture being partitioned into sample sets each of which is associated with respective coding parameters, the method comprising, for a current sample set, commonly reacting to a flag within the bitstream as to a first decision as to whether the coding parameters associated with the current sample set are to be set according to a merge candidate or to be retrieved from the bitstream, and a second decision as to whether the current sample set of the picture is to be reconstructed merely based on a prediction signal depending on the coding parameters associated with the current sample set, without any residual data, or to be reconstructed by refining the prediction signal depending on the coding parameters associated with the current sample set by means of residual data within the bitstream, such that if the flag within the bitstream signals that the coding parameters associated with the current sample set are to be set according to a merge candidate, the coding parameters associated with the current sample set are acquired by setting same according to a merge candidate, and the current sample set of the picture are reconstructed merely based on a prediction signal depending on the coding parameters without any residual data.

A computer program comprising a program code for performing, when running on a computer, a method for encoding a picture comprising:

• subdividing the picture into sample sets of samples;
• merging the sample sets into groups of one or more sample sets each;
• encoding the picture using coding parameters varying across the picture in units of the groups of sample sets, wherein the encoder is configured to encode the picture by predicting the picture and encoding a prediction residual for predetermined sample sets;
• inserting the prediction residual and the coding parameters into a bitstream, along with one or more syntax elements for each of at least a subset of the sample sets, signaling as to whether the respective sample set is merged into one of the groups along with another sample set or not, wherein one of the possible states of the one or more syntax elements signalizes that the respective sample set is to be merged into one of the groups along with another sample set and has no prediction residual encoded and inserted into the bitstream.