Abstract: An interleaved multi-layered video data stream with interleaved decoding units of different layers is provided with further timing control information in addition to the timing control information reflecting the interleaved decoding unit arrangement. The additional timing control information pertains to either a fallback position according to which all decoding units of an access unit are treated at the decoded buffer access unit-wise, or a fallback position according to which an intermediate procedure is used: the interleaving of the DUs of different layers is reversed according to the additionally sent timing control information, thereby enabling a DU-wise treatment at the decoder's buffer, however, with no interleaving of decoding units relating to different layers. Both fallback positions may be present concurrently. Various advantageous embodiments and alternatives are the subject of the various claims attached herewith.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: Embodiments are described which exploit a finding, according to which a higher compression rate or better rate/distortion ratio may be achieved by adopting or predicting second coding parameters used for encoding a second view of the multi-view signal from first coding parameters used in encoding a first view of the multi-view signal. In other words, the inventors found out that the redundancies between views of a multi-view signal are not restricted to the views themselves, such as the video information thereof, but that the coding parameters in parallelly encoding these views show similarities which may be exploited in order to further improve the coding rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a decoder for decoding parameters of a neural network, configured to obtain a plurality of neural network parameters of the neural network on the basis of an encoded bitstream, to obtain, e.g. to receive; e.g. to extract from an encoded bitstream, a node information describing a node of a parameter update tree, wherein the node information has a parent node identifier, which is, for example, a unique parent node identifier, for example an integer number, a string, and/or a cryptographic hash, and wherein the node information has a parameter update information, e.g. one or more update instructions, for example a difference signal between initial neural network parameters and a newer version thereof, e.g. corresponding to a child node of the update tree, and to derive one or more neural network parameters using parameter information of a parent node identified by the parent node identifier and using the parameter update information.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the invention comprise an apparatus for decoding neural network parameters, which define a neural network. The apparatus may, optionally, be configured to obtain, e.g. to decode, parameters of a base model, e.g. NB, of the neural network which define one or more layers, e.g. base layers, of the neural network. Furthermore, the apparatus is configured to decode an update model, e.g. NU1 to NUK, which defines a modification of one or more layers, e.g. base layers, of the neural network, and the apparatus is configured modify parameters of a base model of the neural network using the update model, in order to obtain an updated model, e.g. designated as “new model” comprising new model layers LNkj. Moreover, the apparatus is configured to evaluate a skip information, e.g. a skip_row_flag and/or a skip_column_flag, indicating whether a sequence, e.g. a row, or a column or a block, of parameters of the update model is zero or not.

Abstract: A signaling of at least one characteristic for layers of a multi-layered video signal such as, for example, for each layer the indication of dependent layers to which the respective layer directly relates via inter-layer prediction, or the signaling of the afore-mentioned second inter-dependency syntax structure, is described. A maximum syntax element is signaled within the multi-layered video signal to indicate a maximally used value of an extension layer-ID field of the packets of the multi-layered video signal, the scope of the maximum syntax element being, for example, a predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal extending, for example, across several portions of the multi-layered video signal. Accordingly, it is feasible for devices such as decoders or network elements receiving the multi-layered video signal to gain, for a relatively large predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal, knowledge about the actually consumed portion of the possible domain of possible values.

Abstract: Although wedgelet-based partitioning seems to represent a better tradeoff between side information rate on the one hand and achievable variety in partitioning possibilities on the other hand, compared to contour partitioning, the ability to alleviate the constraints of the partitioning to the extent that the partitions have to be wedgelet partitions, enables applying relatively uncomplex statistical analysis onto overlaid spatially sampled texture information in order to derive a good predictor for the bi-segmentation in a depth/disparity map. Thus, in accordance with a first aspect it is exactly the increase of the freedom which alleviates the signaling overhead provided that co-located texture information in form of a picture is present. Another aspect pertains the possibility to save side information rate involved with signaling a respective coding mode supporting irregular partitioning.

Abstract: The way of predicting a current block by assigning constant partition values to the partitions of a bi-partitioning of a block is quite effective, especially in case of coding sample arrays such as depth/disparity maps where the content of these sample arrays is mostly composed of plateaus or simple connected regions of similar value separated from each other by steep edges. The transmission of such constant partition values would, however, still need a considerable amount of side information which should be avoided. This side information rate may be further reduced if mean values of values of neighboring samples associated or adjoining the respective partitions are used as predictors for the constant partition values.

Abstract: Embodiments are described which exploit a finding, according to which a higher compression rate or better rate/distortion ratio may be achieved by adopting or predicting second coding parameters used for encoding a second view of the multi-view signal from first coding parameters used in encoding a first view of the multi-view signal. In other words, the inventors found out that the redundancies between views of a multi-view signal are not restricted to the views themselves, such as the video information thereof, but that the coding parameters in parallelly encoding these views show similarities which may be exploited in order to further improve the coding rate.

Abstract: Wedgelet separation lines of neighboring blocks are predicted from each other by aligning the wedgelet separation lines of such neighboring blocks to each other, thereby reducing the side information coding rate that may be used.

Abstract: An interleaved multi-layered video data stream with interleaved decoding units of different layers is provided with further timing control information in addition to the timing control information reflecting the interleaved decoding unit arrangement. The additional timing control information pertains to either a fallback position according to which all decoding units of an access unit are treated at the decoded buffer access unit-wise, or a fallback position according to which an intermediate procedure is used: the interleaving of the DUs of different layers is reversed according to the additionally sent timing control information, thereby enabling a DU-wise treatment at the decoder's buffer, however, with no interleaving of decoding units relating to different layers. Both fallback positions may be present concurrently. Various advantageous embodiments and alternatives are the subject of the various claims attached herewith.

Abstract: A signaling of the layer ID is described which each of the packets of a multi-layered video signal is associated with. In particular, an efficient way of signaling this layer association is achieved, with nevertheless maintaining the backward compatibility with codecs according to which a certain value of the base layer-ID field is restricted to be non-extendable such as base layer-ID value 0 in the base layer-ID field. Instead of circumventing this restriction specifically with respect to this non-extendable base layer-ID value, the layer-ID of portions of the multi-layer data stream is signaled in an extendable manner by sub-dividing the base layer-ID field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field: whenever the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field fulfills a predetermined criterion, an extension layer-ID field is provided, and if the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field does not fulfill the predetermined criterion, the extension layer-ID field is omitted.

Abstract: Wedgelet separation lines of neighboring blocks are predicted from each other by aligning the wedgelet separation lines of such neighboring blocks to each other, thereby reducing the side information coding rate that may be used.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: A signaling of at least one characteristic for layers of a multi-layered video signal such as, for example, for each layer the indication of dependent layers to which the respective layer directly relates via inter-layer prediction, or the signaling of the afore-mentioned second inter-dependency syntax structure, is described. A maximum syntax element is signaled within the multi-layered video signal to indicate a maximally used value of an extension layer-ID field of the packets of the multi-layered video signal, the scope of the maximum syntax element being, for example, a predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal extending, for example, across several portions of the multi-layered video signal. Accordingly, it is feasible for devices such as decoders or network elements receiving the multi-layered video signal to gain, for a relatively large predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal, knowledge about the actually consumed portion of the possible domain of possible values.

Abstract: Various concepts which further improve multi-viewilayer coding concepts, are described.

Abstract: A signaling of the layer ID is described which each of the packets of a multi-layered video signal is associated with. In particular, an efficient way of signaling this layer association is achieved, with nevertheless maintaining the backward compatibility with codecs according to which a certain value of the base layer-ID field is restricted to be non-extendable such as base layer-ID value 0 in the base layer-ID field. Instead of circumventing this restriction specifically with respect to this non-extendable base layer-ID value, the layer-ID of portions of the multi-layer data stream is signaled in an extendable manner by sub-dividing the base layer-ID field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field: whenever the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field fulfills a predetermined criterion, an extension layer-ID field is provided, and if the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field does not fulfill the predetermined criterion, the extension layer-ID field is omitted.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, the intra prediction direction of a neighboring, intra-predicted block is used in order to predict the extension direction of the wedgelet separation line of a current block, thereby reducing the side information rate necessitated in order to convey the partitioning information. In accordance with a second aspect, the idea is that previously reconstructed samples, i.e. reconstructed values of blocks preceding the current block in accordance with the coding/decoding order allow for at least a prediction of a correct placement of a starting point of the wedgelet separation line, namely by placing the starting point of the wedgelet separation line at a position of a maximum change between consecutive ones of a sequence of reconstructed values of samples of a line of samples extending adjacent to the current block along a circumference thereof. Both aspects may be used individually or in combination.

Abstract: Various concepts which further improve multi-view/layer coding concepts, are described.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.