BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to video coding, and particularly to video encoding and decoding systems, components, and methods in video coding and decoding, such as for performing encoding of a block using the predicted chroma samples.

Description of the Related Art

With advancements in video coding technology, from H.261 and MPEG-1 to H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding), MPEG-LA, H.265/HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) and H.266/VVC (Versatile Video Codec), there remains a constant need to provide improvements and optimizations to the video coding technology to process an ever-increasing amount of digital video data in various applications. This disclosure relates to further advancements, improvements and optimizations in video coding, particularly in performing encoding of a block using predicted chroma samples.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, an encoder includes circuitry and memory coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry determines whether to split a current luma virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) into smaller blocks. When it is determined not to split the current luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the circuitry predicts a block of chroma samples without using luma samples. When it is determined to split the luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the circuitry predicts the block of chroma samples using luma samples. The circuitry encodes the block using the predicted chroma samples.

In one aspect, an encoder includes a block spliter, which, in operation, splits a first image into a plurality of blocks, an intra predictor, which, in operation, predicts blocks included in the first image, using reference blocks included in the first image, an inter predictor, which, in operation, predicts blocks included in the first image, using reference blocks included in a second image different from the first image, a loop filter, which, in operation, filters blocks included in the first image, a transformer, which, in operation, transforms a prediction error between an original signal and a prediction signal generated by the intra predictor or the inter predictor, to generate transform coefficients, a quantizer, which, in operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to generate quantized coefficients, and an entropy encoder, which, in operation, variable encodes the quantized coefficients to generate an encoded bitstream including the encoded quantized coefficients and control information. Predicting a block includes determining whether to split a current luma virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) into smaller blocks. In response to a determination not to split the current luma VPDU into smaller blocks, a block of chroma samples is predicted without using luma samples. In response to a determination to split the luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the block of chroma samples is predicted using luma samples.

In one aspect, a decoder includes circuitry and memory coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry determines whether to split a current luma virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) into smaller blocks. When it is determined not to split the current luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the circuitry predicts a block of chroma samples without using luma samples. When it is determined to split the luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the circuitry predicts the block of chroma samples using luma samples. The circuitry decodes the block using the predicted chroma samples.

In one aspect, a decoding device includes a decoder, which, in operation, decodes an encoded bitstream to output quantized coefficients, an inverse quantizer, which, in operation, inverse quantizes the quantized coefficients to output transform coefficients, an inverse transformer, which, in operation, inverse transforms the transform coefficients to output a prediction error, an intra predictor, which, in operation, predicts blocks included in a first image, using a reference blocks included in the first image, an inter predictor, which, in operation, predicts blocks included in the first image, using reference blocks included in a second image different from the first image, a loop filter which, in operation, filters blocks included in the first image, and an output, which, in operation, outputs a picture including the first image. Predicting a block includes determining whether to split a current luma virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) into smaller blocks. In response to a determination not to split the current luma VPDU into smaller blocks, a block of chroma samples is predicted without using luma samples. In response to a determination to split the luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the block of chroma samples is predicted using luma samples.

In one aspect, an encoding method includes determining whether to split a current luma virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) into smaller blocks. In response to a determination not to split the current luma VPDU into smaller blocks, a block of chroma samples is predicted without using luma samples. In response to a determination to split the luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the block of chroma samples is predicted using luma samples. The block is encoded using the predicted chroma samples.

In one aspect, a decoding method includes determining whether to split a current luma virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) into smaller blocks. In response to a determination not to split the current luma VPDU into smaller blocks, a block of chroma samples is predicted without using luma samples. In response to a determination to split the luma VPDU into smaller blocks, the block of chroma samples is predicted using luma samples. The block is decoded using the predicted chroma samples.

In video coding technology, it is desirable to propose new methods in order to improve coding efficiency, enhance image quality, and reduce circuit scale. Some implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure, including constituent elements of embodiments of the present disclosure considered alone or in various combinations, may facilitate one or more of the following: improvement in coding efficiency, enhancement in image quality, reduction in utilization of processing resources associated with encoding/decoding, reduction in circuit scale, improvement in processing speed of encoding/decoding, etc.

In addition, some implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure, including constituent elements of embodiments of the present disclosure considered alone or in various combinations, may facilitate, in encoding and decoding, appropriate selection of one or more elements, such as a filter, a block, a size, a motion vector, a reference picture, a reference block or an operation. It is to be noted that the present disclosure includes disclosure regarding configurations and methods which may provide advantages other than the above-described advantages. Examples of such configurations and methods include a configuration or method for improving coding efficiency while reducing an increase in the use of processing resources.

Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and/or advantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, not all of which need to be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and/or advantages.

It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any selective combination thereof.

