System and method for encoding and decoding enhancement layer data using base layer quantization data

For use in a video decoder comprising 1) base layer circuitry capable of receiving compressed base layer video data, and 2) enhancement layer circuitry capable of receiving enhancement layer video data associated with the compressed base layer video data, a method of operating a controller to decode the enhancement layer video data, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a quantization parameter associated with the compressed base layer video data;
• predicting therefrom at least one all-zero bit plane associated with at least one block of the enhancement layer video data;
• inserting the at least one all-zero bit plane into the enhancement layer video data;
• determining a second all-zero bit plane associated with the at least one block of the enhancement layer video data, based on an upper bound of the at least one block and a value of at least one previously received bit plane associated with the at least one block;
• and
• inserting the second all-zero bit plane into the enhancement layer video data.

A television receiver comprising:

• a decoder buffer capable of receiving and storing compressed base layer video data and compressed enhancement layer video data;
• a video decoder coupled to said decoder buffer comprising:
• base layer circuitry capable of receiving said compressed base layer video data;
• enhancement layer circuitry capable of receiving said enhancement layer video data associated with said compressed base layer video data;
• and
• a controller associated with said enhancement layer circuitry capable of receiving a quantization parameter associated with said compressed base layer video data and predicting therefrom at least one all-zero bit plane associated with at least one block of said enhancement layer video data, wherein said controller is capable of inserting said at least one all-zero bit plane into said enhancement layer video data,
• wherein said controller is capable of determining a second all-zero bit plane associated with said at least one block of said enhancement layer video data, based on an upper bound of said at least one block and a value of at least one previously received bit plane associated with said at least one block, wherein said controller is capable of inserting said second all-zero bit plane into said enhancement layer video data.

For use in a video processing system capable of receiving compressed base layer video data and enhancement layer video data associated with the compressed base layer video data, computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable storage medium for decoding the enhancement layer video data, the computer executable process steps comprising the steps of:

• receiving a quantization parameter associated with the compressed base layer video data;
• predicting therefrom at least one all-zero bit plane associated with at least one block of the enhancement layer video data;
• inserting the at least one all-zero bit plane into the enhancement layer video data;
• determining a second all-zero bit plane associated with the at least one block of the enhancement layer video data, based on an upper bound of the at least one block and a value of at least one previously received bit plane associated with the at least one block;
• and
• inserting the second all-zero bit plane into the enhancement layer video data.

A video system comprising:

• a television receiver comprising:
• a decoder buffer capable of receiving and storing compressed base layer video data and compressed enhancement layer video data;
• and
• a video decoder coupled to said decoder buffer comprising:
• base layer circuitry capable of receiving said compressed base layer video data;
• enhancement layer circuitry capable of receiving said enhancement layer video data associated with said compressed base layer video data;
• and
• a controller associated with said enhancement layer circuitry capable of receiving a quantization parameter associated with said compressed base layer video data and predicting therefrom at least one all-zero bit plane associated with at least one block of said enhancement layer video data, wherein said controller is capable of inserting said at least one all-zero bit plane into said enhancement layer video data;
• and
• a video display coupled to said television receiver for displaying video images derived from said base layer video data and said enhancement layer video data containing said inserted all-zero bit plane,
• wherein said controller is capable of determining a second all-zero bit plane associated with said at least one block of said enhancement layer video data, based on an upper bound of said at least one block and a value of at least one previously received bit plane associated with said at least one block, wherein said controller is capable of inserting said second all-zero bit plane into said enhancement layer video data.