Encoding device and encoding method with setting and encoding of reference information

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10623765-B2
Application number	US-201314402544-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 21, 2013
Priority date	Jun 29, 2012
Publication date	Apr 14, 2020
Grant date	Apr 14, 2020

Abstract

An encoding unit generates a predicted image using a reference image. A transmission unit transmits inter_ref_pic_set_prediction_flag representing whether reference image specifying information specifying the reference image of a prior image that is an image prior to a current coding image in coding order is used as the reference image specifying information of the current coding image in a case where the current coding image is an image other than a first image of a GOP (Group of Picture). The present technology, for example, can be applied to an encoding device of an HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) system.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An encoding device comprising:
circuitry configured to
for a current picture of a plurality of pictures to be encoded using inter-prediction, set an index of reference image information equal to the number of reference picture specification information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the current picture;
determine whether or not the index of reference image information is equal to zero;
in the case when the index of reference image information is not equal to zero;
set a value of a reference picture prediction flag indicating whether or not reference picture specification information encoded preceding the current picture is used to predict the reference picture specification information for the current picture, the reference picture specification information being information specifying a reference picture used to generate a prediction picture, and
encode the value of the reference picture prediction flag;

in the case when the index of reference image information is equal to zero;
preclude encoding the value of the reference picture prediction flag.

2. The encoding device according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured, in the case when the index of reference image information is not equal to zero:
to set the value of the reference picture prediction flag to a first value indicating that reference picture specification information for a preceding picture that precedes the current picture is used to predict the reference picture specification information for the current picture, and
based on the value of the reference picture prediction flag being set to the first value indicating that the reference picture specification information of the preceding picture is used to predict the reference picture specification information of the current picture, to encode a delta index value indicating the reference picture specification information of the preceding picture.

3. The encoding device according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured, in the case when the index of reference image information is not equal to zero:
to set the value of the reference picture prediction flag to a second value indicating that reference picture specification information for a preceding picture that precedes the current picture is not to be used as the reference picture specification information for the current picture, and
based on the value of the reference picture prediction flag being set to the second value indicating that the reference picture specification information of the preceding picture is not used as the reference picture specification information of the current picture, to encode the reference picture specification information of the current picture.

4. An encoding method, the encoding method comprising:
for a current picture of a plurality of pictures to be encoded using inter-prediction, setting an index of reference image information equal to the number of reference picture specification information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the current picture;
determining whether or not the index of reference image information is equal to zero;
in the case when the index of reference image information is not equal to zero;
setting a value of a reference picture prediction flag indicating whether or not reference picture specification information encoded preceding the current picture is used to predict the reference picture specification information for the current picture, the reference picture specification information being information specifying a reference picture used to generate a prediction picture, and
encoding the value of the reference picture prediction flag;

in the case when the index of reference image information is equal to zero:
precluding encoding the value of the reference picture prediction flag.

5. The encoding method according to claim 4 , further comprising, in the case when the index of reference image information is not equal to zero:
setting the value of the reference picture prediction flag to a first value indicating that reference picture specification information for a preceding picture that precedes the current picture is used to predict the reference picture specification information for the current picture; and
based on the value of the reference picture prediction flag being set to the first value indicating that the reference picture specification information of the preceding picture is used to predict the picture specification information of the current picture, encoding a delta index value indicating the reference picture specification information of the preceding picture.

6. The encoding method according to claim 4 , further comprising:
in the case when the index of reference image information is not equal to zero:
setting the value of the reference picture prediction flag to a second value indicating that reference picture specification information for a preceding picture that precedes the current picture is not to be used as the reference picture specification information for the current picture; and
based on the value of the reference picture prediction flag being set to the second value indicating that the reference picture specification information of the preceding picture is not used as the reference picture specification information of the current picture, encoding the reference picture specification information of the current picture.

7. An encoding device comprising:
circuitry configured to:
for a current picture of a plurality of pictures to be encoded using inter-prediction, set an index of reference image information equal to the number of reference picture specification information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the current picture;
make a determination whether or not the index of reference image information is not equal to zero;
in accordance with the determination, when the index of reference image information is not equal to zero;
set a value of a reference picture prediction flag indicating whether or not reference picture specification information encoded preceding the current picture is used to predict the reference picture specification information for the current picture, the reference picture specification information being information specifying a reference picture used to generate a prediction picture, and
encode the value of the reference picture prediction flag; and

in accordance with the determination, when the index of reference image information is equal to zero:
preclude encoding the value of the reference picture prediction flag.

8. An encoding device comprising:
circuitry configured to
for a current picture of a plurality of pictures to be encoded using inter-prediction, set an index of reference image information equal to the number of reference picture specification information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the current picture;
determine whether or not the index of reference image information is not equal to zero;
if the index of reference image information is not equal to zero:
set a value of a reference picture prediction flag indicating whether or not reference picture specification information encoded preceding the current picture is used to predict the reference picture specification information for the current picture, the reference picture specification information being information specifying a reference picture used to generate a prediction picture, and
encode the value of the reference picture prediction flag;

if the index of reference image information is equal to zero:
preclude encoding the value of the reference picture prediction flag.

Assignees

• Velos Media Llc

Inventors

• Lu Shuo
• Sato Kazushi

Classifications

• H04N19/70

  characterised by syntax aspects related to video coding, e.g. related to compression standards · CPC title

• H04N19/577

  Motion compensation with bidirectional frame interpolation, i.e. using B-pictures · CPC title

• H04N19/52 Primary

  by predictive encoding · CPC title

• H04N19/109

  among a plurality of temporal predictive coding modes · CPC title

• H04N19/50

  using predictive coding (H04N19/61 takes precedence) · CPC title