Abstract: A video coding system that uses local illumination compensation to code pixel blocks is provided. A video encoder receives samples for an original block of pixels to be encoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The video encoder applies a linear model to a reference block to generate a prediction block for the current block. The linear model includes a scale parameter and an offset parameter. The video encoder may use the samples of the original block and samples from a reconstructed reference frame to derive the scale parameter and the offset parameter. The video encoder signals the scale parameter and the offset parameter in a bitstream. The video encoder encodes the current block by using the prediction block to reconstruct the current block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of prediction for video coding are disclosed. According to one method, a luma Intra prediction mode is determined for a corresponding luma block collocated with the current chroma block, where a predefined mode is assigned to the luma Intra prediction mode when the corresponding luma block collocated with the current chroma block satisfies one or more conditions. A chroma Intra prediction mode is determined for the current chroma block according to the luma Intra prediction mode. The current chroma block is then encoded or decoded according to the chroma Intra prediction mode. According to another method, a predefined mode is assigned to Intra prediction mode for the current block when the current block satisfies one or more conditions. The current block is then encoded or decoded according to the Intra prediction mode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) stack on a substrate, in which the MTJ stack includes a pinned layer on the substrate, a barrier layer on the pinned layer, and a free layer on the barrier layer. Next, a top electrode is formed on the MTJ stack, the top electrode, the free layer, and the barrier layer are removed, a first cap layer is formed on the top electrode, the free layer, and the barrier layer, and the first cap layer and the pinned layer are removed to form a MTJ and a spacer adjacent to the MTJ.

Abstract: A method for specifying layout of subpictures in video pictures is provided. A video decoder receives data from a bitstream to be decoded as a current picture of a video. For a current subpicture of a set of subpictures of the current picture, the video decoder determines a position of the current subpicture based on a width and a height of the current picture and a previously determined width and height of a particular subpicture in the set of subpictures. The video decoder reconstructs the current picture and the current subpicture based on the determined position.

Abstract: A methods and apparatus for adaptive data dependency between corresponding blocks partitioned from separate partition trees according to an embodiment of the present invention are disclosed. The data dependency between different tree structures is allowed when the tree structures are mutually inclusive. When the splitting is not used in one tree or when splitting is used in one tree and the same splitting or no split is used in the other tree, the data dependency between different tree structures is allowed. When the splitting in different tree structures are different, then the data dependency between different tree structures is disallowed. For each leaf CU in chroma tree, it should include one or more complete luma leaf CUs or it is completely included in one luma leaf CU, when the data dependency between different tree structures is allowed. Otherwise, then the data dependency between different tree structures is disallowed.

Abstract: Video processing methods and apparatuses in a video encoding or decoding system for processing a video picture partitioned into blocks with one or more partition constraints. The video encoding or decoding system receives input data of a current block and checks whether a predefined splitting type is allowed to partition the current block according to first and second constraints. The first constraint restricts each sub-block partitioned from the current block to be completely contained in one pipeline unit, and the second constraint restricts each sub-block partitioned from the current block to contain one or more complete pipeline units. The pipeline units are non-overlapping units in the video picture designed for pipeline processing. The current block is not partitioned by the predefined splitting type if any sub-block partitioned by the predefined splitting type violates both the first and second constraints. The system encodes or decodes the current block.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for template matching with a determined area are disclosed. According to this method, a current template comprising current neighbouring pixels on an above side of the current block, on a left side of the current block, or a combination thereof for a current block is received. An area in a reference picture is then determined, where the reference picture corresponds to a previously coded picture. A matching result between a restricted reference template of a reference block and the current template is then determined, wherein the restricted reference template is generating by using only neighbouring reference pixels of a reference template inside the determined area, the reference template has a same shape as the current template, and a location of the reference template is determined according to a target motion vector (MV) from the current template.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding system that utilizes low-latency template-matching motion-vector refinement are disclosed. According to this method, input data associated with a current block of a video unit in a current picture are received. Motion compensation is then applied to the current block according to an initial motion vector (MV) to obtain initial motion-compensated predictors of the current. After applying the motion compensation to the current block, template-matching MV refinement is applied to the current block to obtain a refined MV for the current block. The current block is then encoded or decoded using information including the refined MV. The method may further comprise determining gradient values of the initial motion-compensated predictors. The initial motion-compensated predictors can be adjusted by taking into consideration of the gradient values and/or MV difference between the refined and initial MVs.

Abstract: A video coding system that uses template matching (TM) to improve signaling of coding modes is provided. The system receives data to be encoded or decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The system identifies a set of pixels neighboring the current block as a current template. The system identifies a reference template of each candidate coding mode in a plurality of candidate coding modes. The system computes a template matching (TM) cost for each candidate coding mode based on matching the current template with the reference template of the candidate coding mode. The system selects a candidate coding mode from the plurality of candidate coding modes based on the computed TM costs. The system reconstructs the current block or encoding the current block into a bitstream by using selected candidate coding mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding system that utilizes low-latency template-matching motion-vector refinement are disclosed. According to this method, a current template for a current block is determined, where the current template includes an inside current template including inside prediction samples or inside partially reconstructed samples inside the current block. The inside partially reconstructed samples are derived by adding a DC value of the current block to the inside prediction samples. Corresponding candidate reference templates associated with the current block are determined at a set of candidate locations. A location of a target reference template among the candidate reference templates that achieves a best match between the current template and the candidate reference templates is determined. An initial motion vector (MV) is then refined according to the location of the target reference template.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding system that utilizes low-latency template-matching motion-vector refinement are disclosed. According to this method, a current template for the current block is determined, where at least one of current above template and current left template is removed or is located away from a respective above edge or a respective left edge of the current block and the current template is generated using reconstructed samples. Candidate reference templates, corresponding to the current template at respective candidate locations, associated with the current block at a set of candidate locations in a reference picture are determined. A location of a target reference template among the candidate reference templates is determined, where the target reference template achieves a best match with the current template. A refined motion vector (MV) is determined by refining an initial MV according to the location of the target reference template.

Abstract: A video coding system generating candidates for Merge Mode with Motion Vector Difference (MMVD) with reduced resource usage is provided. The system receives data to be encoded or decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The system identifies multiple MMVD candidates for different offset positions based on a merge candidate of the current block. The system generates reference samples for the identified MMVD candidates. The system reconstructs the current block or encodes the current block into a bitstream by using the generated reference samples. The system processes the MMVD candidates in separate groups: a first group of vertical MMVD candidates and a second group of horizontal MMVD candidates. The system generates the reference samples for the identified MMVD candidates by applying a vertical filter to source reference samples of horizontal MMVD candidates and then applying a horizontal filter to outputs of the vertical filter.

Abstract: A reflective mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer disposed on the substrate, a capping layer disposed on the reflective multilayer, and an absorber layer disposed on the capping layer. The absorber layer includes one or more alternating pairs of a first Cr based layer and a second Cr based layer different from the first Cr based layer.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for video coding using Low-Frequency Non-Separable Transform (LFNST) mode, a coding unit (CU) is partitioned into one or more transform blocks (TBs). A syntax is determined at an encoder side or at a decoder side, where the determining step is performed by signaling the syntax at the encoder side or by parsing the syntax at the decoder side if one or more conditions are satisfied. The syntax indicates whether the LFNST mode is applied to the current CU and/or which LFNST kernel is applied when the LFNSF is applied, and the conditions comprise a target condition corresponding to that all target TBs in a target TB set have a TS mode indication as false, and the target TB set is selected from the TBs in the current CU. The current CU is encoded or decoded according to the LFNST mode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of providing a substrate comprising a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) region and a logic region, forming a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on the MRAM region, forming a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer around the first MTJ, and then forming a first metal interconnection extending from the MRAM region to the logic region on the first MTJ. Preferably, the first metal interconnection on the MRAM region and the first metal interconnection on the logic region have different heights.

Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism is provided and includes a fixed assembly, a movable assembly, a driving assembly and a circuit assembly. The movable assembly is configured to connect an optical element, the movable assembly is movable relative to the fixed assembly, and the optical element has an optical axis. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable assembly to move relative to the fixed assembly. The circuit assembly includes a plurality of circuits and is affixed to the fixed assembly.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on a substrate, forming a first trench in the IMD layer, forming a metal layer in the first trench, planarizing the metal layer to form a first metal interconnection in the IMD layer and a first recess atop the first metal interconnection, and then forming a first bottom electrode (BE) in the first recess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding using a coding mode belonging to a mode group comprising an Intra Block Copy (IBC) mode and an Intra mode are disclosed. According to the present invention, for both IBC and Intra mode, a same default scaling matrix is used to derive the scaling matrix for a current block. In another embodiment, for the current block with block size of M×N or N×M, and M greater than N, a target scaling matrix is derived from an M×M scaling matrix by down-sampling the M×M scaling matrix to an M×N or N×M scaling matrix.

Abstract: A magnetic random access memory structure includes a first dielectric layer; a bottom electrode layer disposed on the first dielectric layer; a spin orbit coupling layer disposed on the bottom electrode layer; a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) element disposed on the spin orbit coupling layer; a top electrode layer disposed on the MTJ element; a protective layer surrounding the MTJ element and the top electrode layer, and the protective layer masking the spin orbit coupling layer; and a spacer layer surrounding the protective layer.

Abstract: A method of video decoding at a decoder can include receiving a bitstream including encoded data of a picture, decoding a plurality of coding units (CUs) in the picture based on motion information stored in a history-based motion vector prediction (HMVP) table, resetting the HMVP table for every N CTU rows. The method also provides updating the HMVP table with the motion information of the last Q of the plurality of CUs.