IMAGE CODING METHOD AND IMAGE DECODING METHOD

• US 20130251039A1
• Filed: 04/15/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sun Patent Trust
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: DRUGEON, Virginie, WEDI, Thomas, PALFNER, Torsten, SASAI, Hisao
• Granted Patent: US 8,971,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/240.14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/11 among a plurality of spatial predictive coding modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/14 Coding unit complexity, e.g. amount of activity or edge presence estimation H04N19/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/176 the region being a block, e.g. a macroblock
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/51 Motion estimation or motion compensation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/593 involving spatial prediction techniques

Abstract

Provided is an image coding method for performing intra prediction achieving higher coding efficiency. The method for coding image data on a block-by-block basis includes; generating a predicted block by predicting a current block; computing a difference between the current block and the predicted block; coding the difference computed in the computing; decoding the difference coded in the coding; and adding the difference decoded in the decoding to the predicted block to generate a decoded block, wherein the generating includes: detecting an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block; and extrapolating or interpolating previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block, along a direction of the edge detected in the detecting to generate the predicted block.

Claims

1. A method for coding image data on a block-by-block basis, said method comprising:

partitioning the image data into a plurality of blocks;

generating a predicted block by predicting a current block that is one of the plurality of blocks;

computing a difference between the current block and the predicted block;

coding the difference computed in said computing;

decoding the difference coded in said coding; and

adding the difference decoded in said decoding to the predicted block to generate a decoded block,

wherein said generating includes;

detecting a direction of an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block, the edge being perpendicular to a gradient of pixel values; and

extrapolating or interpolating previously decoded image data along the direction of the edge detected in said detecting to generate the predicted block, the previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block.

2. The method for coding image data according to claim 1,

wherein the previously decoded image data is linearly extrapolated or interpolated in said extrapolating or interpolating to generate the predicted block.

3. The method for coding image data according to claim 2,

wherein a weighted sum of at least 2 pixel values of a plurality of decoded pixels included in the previously decoded image data is computed for each predicted pixel included in the predicted block, and the computed weighted sum is extrapolated or interpolated to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating, and

wherein weights for computing the weighted sum are determined according to the direction of the edge detected in said detecting.

4. The method for coding image data according to claim 3,

wherein a larger value is assigned to each of the weights, as a distance from one of the plurality of decoded pixels to one of the predicted pixels is smaller, such that each of the plurality of decoded pixels respectively corresponds to one of the weights for computing the weighted sum.

5. The method for coding image data according to claim 2,

wherein directions of at least 2 edges that are different from each other are detected in said detecting, and

wherein the pixel values of the plurality of decoded pixels for extrapolation or interpolation along the directions of the at least 2 edges are combined for each of predicted pixels included in the predicted block, and the combined pixel values are extrapolated or interpolated to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating.

6. The method for coding image data according to claim 5,

wherein a weighted sum is computed for each of the predicted pixels by multiplying each of the weights by a corresponding one of the pixel values of the plurality of decoded pixels, and the computed weighted sum is extrapolated or interpolated to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating, and

wherein a larger value is assigned to each of the weights, as a distance from one of the plurality of decoded pixels to the previously decoded block in which one of the at least 2 edges is detected is smaller, such that each of the plurality of decoded pixels respectively corresponds to one of the weights.

7. The method for coding image data according to claim 6,

wherein a larger value is assigned to each of the weights, as a distance from one of the plurality of decoded pixels to an extension of one of the at least 2 edges is smaller, such that each of the plurality of decoded pixels respectively corresponds to one of the weights.

8. The method for coding image data according to claim 1,

wherein said generating further includes selecting one of a plurality of prediction modes including an edge prediction mode, and

wherein, when the edge prediction mode is selected, the previously decoded image data is extrapolated or interpolated along the direction of the edge detected in said detecting to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating.

9. The method for coding image data according to claim 8,

wherein the plurality of prediction modes further includes a DC prediction mode and a plurality of predefined directional prediction modes, and

wherein, in said extrapolating or interpolating, pixel values of the previously decoded image data are averaged to generate the predicted block when the DC prediction mode is selected, and the previously decoded image data is extrapolated along a direction corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of directional prediction modes to generate the predicted block, when the one of the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected.

10. The method for coding image data according to claim 9,

wherein, in said selecting:

(i) one of the edge prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when the direction of the edge is detected in said detecting; and

(ii) one of the DC prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when the direction of the edge is not detected in said detecting.

11. The method for coding image data according to claim 10,

wherein, in said coding:

(i) when one of the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected in said selecting, a mode indicator indicating the selected one of plurality of directional prediction modes is coded; and

(ii) when one of the DC prediction mode and the edge prediction mode is selected, a mode indicator indicating that the selected prediction mode is one of the DC prediction mode and the edge prediction mode is coded.

12. The method for coding image data according to claim 9,

wherein, in said selecting:

one of the edge prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when the direction of the edge is detected in said detecting and the direction of the edge detected in said detecting points to the current block; and

one of the DC prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when (i) the direction of the edge is not detected in said detecting, or (ii) the direction of the edge is detected in said detecting and the direction of the edge detected in said detecting does not point to the current block.

13. The method for coding image data according to claim 1,

wherein said detecting includes:

computing a gradient vector for each of a plurality of pixels included in the previously decoded block corresponding to the block adjacent to the current block;

determining whether at least one of the gradient vectors computed in said computing satisfies conditions that (i) a norm of the at least one of the gradient vectors exceeds a predetermined threshold and (ii) a vector having a direction perpendicular to a direction of the at least one of the gradient vectors points to the current block; and

detecting, as the direction of the edge, the direction perpendicular to the direction of at least one of the gradient vectors when the at least one of the gradient vectors computed in said computing satisfies the conditions in said determining.

14. The method for coding image data according to claim 13,

wherein, in said detecting of the edge having the direction, the direction of the edge is detected based on a direction of a gradient vector having a largest norm, the gradient vector corresponding to one of the at least one of the gradient vectors satisfying the conditions.

15. The method for coding image data according to claim 13,

wherein, in said detecting of the edge having the direction, the direction of the edge is detected based on a direction obtained by averaging directions of the at least one of the gradient vectors satisfying the conditions.

16. A method for decoding image data including a coded prediction residual on a block-by-block basis, said method comprising:

decoding the prediction residual of a current block;

generating a predicted block by predicting the current block; and

adding the predicted block generated in said generating to the prediction residual decoded in said decoding to generate a decoded block,

wherein said generating includes;

detecting a direction of an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block, the edge being perpendicular to a gradient of pixel values; and

extrapolating or interpolating previously decoded image data along the direction of the edge detected in said detecting to generate the predicted block, the previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block.

17. The method for decoding image data according to claim 16,

wherein the previously decoded image data is linearly extrapolated or interpolated in said extrapolating or interpolating to generate the predicted block.

18. The method for decoding image data according to claim 17,

wherein a weighted sum of at least 2 pixel values of a plurality of decoded pixels included in the previously decoded image data is computed for each predicted pixel included in the predicted block, and the computed weighted sum is extrapolated or interpolated to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating, and

wherein weights for computing the weighted sum are determined according to the direction of the edge detected in said detecting.

19. The method for decoding image data according to claim 18,

wherein a larger value is assigned to each of the weights, as a distance from one of the plurality of decoded pixels to one of the predicted pixels is smaller, such that each of the plurality of decoded pixels respectively corresponds to one of the weights.

20. The method for decoding image data according to claim 17,

wherein directions of at least 2 edges that are different from each other are detected in said detecting, and

wherein the pixel values of the plurality of decoded pixels for extrapolation or interpolation along the directions of the at least 2 edges are combined for each of predicted pixels included in the predicted block, and the combined pixel values are extrapolated or interpolated to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating.

21. The method for decoding image data according to claim 20,

wherein a weighted sum is computed for each of the predicted pixels by multiplying each of the weights by a corresponding one of the pixel values of the plurality of decoded pixels, and the computed weighted sum is extrapolated or interpolated to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating, and

wherein a larger value is assigned to each of the weights, as a distance from one of the plurality of decoded pixels to the previously decoded block in which one of the at least 2 edges is detected is smaller, such that each of the plurality of decoded pixels respectively corresponds to one of the weights.

22. The method for decoding image data according to claim 21,

wherein a larger value is assigned to each of the weights, as a distance from one of the plurality of decoded pixels to an extension of one of the at least 2 edges is smaller, such that each of the plurality of decoded pixels respectively corresponds to one of the weights.

23. The method for decoding image data according to claim 16,

wherein said generating further includes selecting one of a plurality of prediction modes including an edge prediction mode, and

wherein, when the edge prediction mode is selected, the previously decoded image data is extrapolated or interpolated along the direction of the edge detected in said detecting to generate the predicted block in said extrapolating or interpolating.

24. The method for decoding image data according to claim 23,

wherein the plurality of prediction modes further includes a DC prediction mode and a plurality of predefined directional prediction modes, and

wherein, in said extrapolating or interpolating, pixel values of the previously decoded image data are averaged to generate the predicted block when the DC prediction mode is selected, and the previously decoded image data is extrapolated along a direction corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of directional prediction modes to generate the predicted block, when the one of the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected.

25. The method for decoding image data according to claim 24,

wherein, in said selecting:

(i) one of the edge prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when the direction of the edge is detected in said detecting; and

(ii) one of the DC prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when the direction of the edge is not detected in said detecting.

26. The method for decoding image data according to claim 25,

wherein the image data further includes a prediction mode indicator indicating a prediction mode, and

wherein, in said selecting, (i) the edge prediction mode is selected when the prediction mode indicator indicates that the prediction mode to be selected is one of the DC prediction mode and the edge prediction mode and the direction of the edge is detected in said detecting, and (ii) the DC prediction mode is selected when the direction of the edge is not detected in said detecting.

27. The method for decoding image data according to claim 24,

wherein, in said selecting:

one of the edge prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when the direction of the edge is detected in said detecting and the direction of the edge detected in said detecting points to the current block; and

one of the DC prediction mode and the plurality of directional prediction modes is selected when (i) the direction of the edge is not detected in said detecting, or (ii) the direction of the edge is detected in said detecting and the direction of the edge detected in said detecting does not point to the current block.

28. The method for decoding image data according to claim 16,

wherein said detecting includes:

computing a gradient vector for each of a plurality of pixels included in the previously decoded block corresponding to the block adjacent to the current block;

determining whether at least one of the gradient vectors computed in said computing satisfies conditions that (i) a norm of the at least one of the gradient vectors exceeds a predetermined threshold and (ii) a vector having a direction perpendicular to a direction of the at least one of the gradient vectors points to the current block; and

detecting, as the direction of the edge, the direction perpendicular to the direction of at least one of the gradient vectors when the at least one of the gradient vectors computed in said computing satisfies the conditions in said determining.

29. The method for decoding image data according to claim 28,

wherein, in said detecting of the edge having the direction, the direction of the edge is detected based on a direction of a gradient vector having a largest norm, the gradient vector having the largest norm corresponding to one of the at least one of the gradient vectors satisfying the conditions.

30. The method for decoding image data according to claim 28,

wherein, in said detecting of the edge having the direction, the direction of the edge is detected based on a direction obtained by averaging directions of the at least one of the gradient vectors satisfying the conditions.

31. An image coding apparatus that codes image data on a block-by-block basis, said image coding apparatus comprising:

a partitioning unit configured to partition the image data into a plurality of blocks;

a generating unit configured to generate a predicted block by predicting a current block that is one of the plurality of blocks;

a computing unit configured to compute a difference between the current block and the predicted block;

a coding unit configured to code the difference computed by said computing unit;

a decoding unit configured to decode the difference coded by said coding unit; and

an adding unit configured to add the difference decoded by said decoding unit to the predicted block to generate a decoded block,

wherein said generating unit includes;

a detecting unit configured to detect a direction of an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block, the edge being perpendicular to a gradient of pixel values; and

an extrapolating or interpolating unit configured to extrapolate or interpolate previously decoded image data along the direction of the edge detected by said detecting unit to generate the predicted block, the previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block.

32. An image decoding apparatus that decodes image data including a coded prediction residual on a block-by-block basis, said image decoding apparatus comprising:

a decoding unit configured to decode the prediction residual of a current block;

a generating unit configured to generate a predicted block by predicting the current block; and

an adding unit configured to add the predicted block generated by said generating unit to the prediction residual decoded by said decoding unit to generate a decoded block,

wherein said generating unit includes;

a detecting unit configured to detect a direction of an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block, the edge being perpendicular to a gradient of pixel values; and

an extrapolating or interpolating unit configured to extrapolate or interpolate previously decoded image data along the direction of the edge detected in said detecting to generate the predicted block, the previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block.

33. A codec apparatus, comprising:

an image coding apparatus that codes image data on a block-by-block basis, and includes;

a partitioning unit configured to partition the image data into a plurality of blocks;

a generating unit configured to generate a predicted block by predicting a current block that is one of the plurality of blocks;

a computing unit configured to compute a difference between the current block and the predicted block;

a coding unit configured to code the difference computed by said computing unit;

a decoding unit configured to decode the difference coded by said coding unit; and

an adding unit configured to add the difference decoded by said decoding unit to the predicted block to generate a decoded block,

wherein said generating unit includes;

a detecting unit configured to detect a direction of an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block, the edge being perpendicular to a gradient of pixel values; and

an extrapolating or interpolating unit configured to extrapolate or interpolate previously decoded image data along the direction of the edge detected by said detecting unit to generate the predicted block, the previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block; and

the image decoding apparatus according to claim 32.

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)