Abstract: A method and apparatus Inter prediction for video coding including IBC (Intra Block Copy) coding tool are disclosed. According to one method, a current permitted band inside the current picture for the current block is identified. A target IBC candidate is selected, where a target block vector of the target IBC candidate points from the current block to a target reference block in the current picture. An adjusted candidate list is generated by taking into account of the target IBC candidate and the current permitted band. The current motion information associated with the current block is encoded using the adjusted candidate list at the video encoder side or decoded using the adjusted candidate list at the video decoder side using the adjusted candidate list. In another method, a syntax for a target MVD (Motion Vector Difference) is decoded without sign information or with reduced sign information of the target MVD.

Abstract: A methods and apparatus for block partition in video encoding and decoding are disclosed. According to one method, a current data unit is partitioned into initial blocks using inferred splitting without split-syntax signalling. The initial blocks comprises multiple initial luma blocks and multiple initial chroma blocks, and size of the initial luma block is M×N, M and N are positive integers and the current data unit is larger than M×N for the luma component. A partition structure is determined for partitioning each initial luma block and each initial chroma block into one or more luma CUs (coding units) and one or more chroma CUs respectively. The luma syntaxes and the chroma syntaxes associated with one initial block in the current data unit are signalled or parsed, and then the luma syntaxes and the chroma syntaxes associated with one next initial block in the current data unit are signalled or parsed.

Abstract: Video processing methods and apparatuses include receiving input video data, determining a Merge number for a regular Merge mode, comparing the Merge number for the regular Merge mode with a predefined value, and only signaling or parsing a difference between the Merge number for the regular Merge mode and a Merge number for a Geometric Partition Mode (GPM) Merge mode when the Merge number for the regular Merge mode is larger than or equal to the predefined value. The difference between the Merge numbers is inferred to 0 when the difference is not signaled. The Merge number for the GPM Merge mode defines a size of a GPM Merge candidate list constructed for each block coded or to be coded by the GPM Merge mode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of using an Inter coding tool and OBMC (Overlapped Block Motion Compensation) are disclosed. According to one method, when the neighboring block is bi-prediction coded, the neighboring block is treated as a uni-prediction block by deriving an associated OBMC predictor based on uni-prediction motion information derived from the neighboring block. According to another method, when OBMC is applied depending on one or more constraints, an OBMC syntax is signaled conditionally at the encoder side or the OBMC syntax is parsed conditionally at the decoder side for the current block, where the OBMC syntax indicates whether the OBMC is applied to the current block.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of coding a video sequence, are disclosed. According to the method, a bitstream corresponding to encoded data of the video sequence is generated at an encoder side or received at a decoder side, where the bitstream complies with a bitstream conformance that one or more constraints are satisfied. The constraints are related to a set of RPR (Reference Picture Resampling) parameters including scaling window width or height of a current picture, scaling window width or height of a reference picture, current picture width or height, and maximum picture width or height specified for the video sequence. Scaling information for the RPR mode is derived using the set of RPR parameters. A target picture of the video sequence is then encoded at the encoder side or decoded at the decoder side by utilizing the scaling information when the RPR mode is enabled for the target picture.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for video coding in merge mode or skip mode. The method can include receiving a prediction block (PB) of a picture, determining number and positions of merge candidates of the PB according to a size and/or a shape of the PB, and constructing a candidate list including motion data of a subset of the merge candidate positions.

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: Video processing methods and apparatuses for processing a current block in a current picture include receiving input data of the current block, determining a reference picture, determining whether picture sizes of the current and reference pictures are different, determining whether horizontal wraparound motion compensation is enabled for predicting the current block, performing motion compensation for the current block to obtain a reference block from the reference picture, and encoding or decoding the current block according to the reference block. Horizontal wraparound motion compensation is disabled when the picture sizes of the current and reference pictures are different.

Abstract: A video decoder determines whether the current block is coded by using intra block copy mode. The video decoder identifies a list of one or more prediction candidates for the current block. When the current block is not coded by using intra block copy mode, one or more spatial neighbors of the current block that are positioned in a same MER as the current block are excluded from the list of prediction candidates. When the current block is coded by using intra block copy mode and the list of prediction candidates belongs to a predefined subset of multiple different candidate lists, at least one of the identified prediction candidates is a spatial neighbor of the current block that is positioned in the MER. The video decoder reconstructs the current block by using a prediction candidate selected from the list of prediction candidates to generate a prediction of the current block.

Abstract: A method for specifying layout of subpictures is provided. A video decoder receives data from a bitstream to be decoded as a current picture of a video. The video decoder parses the bitstream for positions and sizes of multiple subpictures of the current picture. A position of a first subpicture and a size of a last subpicture are skipped during the parsing. The video decoder reconstructs the current picture and the subpictures of the current picture according to the positions and the sizes of the subpictures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of video coding using Merge mode or Skip mode in a video coding system are disclosed. According to this method, a Merge or Skip candidate list is generated from multiple-type candidates comprising one or more sub-block TMVP-type (temporal motion vector prediction-type) candidates. The step of generating a Merge or Skip candidate list comprises a pruning process dependent on whether a current sub-block TMVP-type candidate being inserted, a previous sub-block TMVP-type candidate in the Merge or Skip candidate list, or both are “single block”. According to another method, a Merge or Skip candidate list is generated from multiple-type candidates including sub-block TMVP-type (temporal motion vector prediction-type) candidates, where the sub-block TMVP-type candidates comprise two or more first sub-block temporal MV predictors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a coding system with selectively refining an initial MV based on candidate characteristics of the initial MV are disclosed. The candidate characteristics of the initial MV may correspond to candidate position within the candidate list, association within interleaved candidate groups formed by candidates in the candidate list or restricted candidates belonging to a candidate group formed by excluding one or more spatial candidates, or one or more selected-type candidates from an original candidate group. According to another method, the search for candidate refinement is restricted to 8-connected locations around the target initial MV. In yet another method, the candidate refinement uses a reduced template of the current block and a reduced corresponding template of the reference block. In yet another method, the search for candidate refinement uses an adaptive search window.

Abstract: Exemplary video processing methods and apparatuses for coding a current block by overlapped sub-block motion compensation split the current block into overlapped sub-blocks, determine a sub-block MV for each overlapped sub-block, derive an initial predictor for each sub-block by motion compensation using the sub-block MV, derive a final predictor for each overlapped region by blending the initial predictors of the overlapped region, and encode or decode the current block based on the final predictors. Exemplary video processing methods and apparatuses for coding blocks with OBMC generate a converted MV by changing a MV to an integer MV or changing a MV component to an integer component, derive an OBMC region by motion compensation using the converted MVs, and encode or decode the blocks by blending an OBMC predictor with an original predictor.

Abstract: A video coder that implements illumination compensation is provided. The video coder receives a first block of pixels in a first video picture to be coded as a current block, wherein the current block is associated with a motion vector that references a second block of pixels in a second video picture as a reference block. The video coder performs inter-prediction for the current block by using the motion vector to generate a set of motion-compensated pixels for the current block. The video coder modifies the set of motion-compensated pixels of the current block by applying a linear model that is computed based on neighboring samples of the reference block and of the current block. The neighboring samples are identified based on a position of the current block within a larger block.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of using Bilateral Template MV Refinement are disclosed to improve coding efficiency or reducing complexity. According to one method, if a size associated with the current block is greater than a threshold, then Bilateral Template MV Refinement is applied to the current block. Otherwise, the Bilateral Template MV Refinement is not applied to the current block. In another method, the Bilateral Template MV Refinement is turned on or off implicitly based on the two reference blocks. According to yet another method, the Bilateral Template MV Refinement is performed on the sub-block level. According to yet another method, the Bilateral Template MV Refinement is performed motion vectors selected from candidates of AMVP (advance MV prediction) candidate list. According to yet another method, the Bilateral Template MV Refinement used a modified template to refine motion vector.

Abstract: In one method, the current block is partitioned into multiple final sub-blocks using one or more stages of sub-tree partition comprising ternary tree partition and at least one other-type partition, where ternary partition tree is excluded from the sub-tree partition if a current sub-tree depth associated with a current sub-block is greater than a first threshold and the first threshold is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In another method, if a test condition is satisfied, the current block is encoded or decoded using a current Inter mode selected from a modified group of Inter tools, where the modified group of Inter tools is derived from an initial group of Inter tools by removing one or more first Inter tools from the initial group of Inter tools, replacing one or more second Inter tools with one or more complexity-reduced Inter tools, or both.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a spacer around the gate structure; forming a first contact etch stop layer (CESL) around the spacer; forming a mask layer on the first CESL; removing part of the mask layer; removing part of the first CESL; forming a second CESL on the mask layer and the gate structure; and removing part of the second CESL.

Abstract: A method for signaling adaptive loop filter (ALF) settings is provided. A video decoder receives data from a bitstream for a block of pixels to be decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The video decoder parses whether to use adaptive parameter set (APS) for filtering the current block without determining whether to select a particular APS from a plurality of APSs. When the APS is used to filter the current block, the video decoder parses a first filter selection index for selecting a filter from a set of filters in the APS. When the APS is not used to filter the current block, the video decoder signals a second filter selection index for selecting a filter from a set of default fixed filters. The video decoder filters the current block based on the selected filter. The video decoder outputs the filtered current block.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a spacer around the gate structure; forming a first contact etch stop layer (CESL) around the spacer; forming a mask layer on the first CESL; removing part of the mask layer; removing part of the first CESL; forming a second CESL on the mask layer and the gate structure; and removing part of the second CESL.

Abstract: A video decoder that implements a mutually exclusive grouping of coding modes is provided. The video decoder receives data for a block of pixels to be decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. When a first coding mode for the current block is enabled, a second coding mode is disabled for the current block, wherein the first and second coding modes specify different methods for computing an inter-prediction for the current block. The current block is decoded by using an inter-prediction that is computed according to an enabled coding mode.