Patents by Inventor Joel Sole

Joel Sole has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20260149463
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for unified significance map coding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (400) for encoding transform coefficients for at least a portion of a picture. The transform coefficients are obtained using a plurality of transforms. One or more context sharing maps are generated for the transform coefficients based on a unified rule. The one or more context sharing maps are for providing at least one context that is shared among at least some of the transform coefficients obtained from at least two different ones of the plurality of transforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2025
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: Xiaoan LU, Joel SOLE, Peng YIN, Qian XU, Yunfei ZHENG
  • Patent number: 12621468
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for encoding and decoding binary sets using adaptive tree selection. In one exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture; in which one of a plurality of trees structures is selected to code a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block. In another exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture, in which one or more trees are used to encode a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block, the one or more trees each having a plurality of nodes, at least one of the nodes of the one or more trees being modified responsive to at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Sole, Peng Yin, Yunfei Zheng, Xiaoan Lu, Qian Xu
  • Publication number: 20260067489
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptive motion vector candidate ordering for video encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (100) for encoding a block in a picture by selecting an order of motion vector predictor candidates for the block responsive to a characteristic available at both the video encoder and a corresponding decoder. The characteristic excludes a mode in which the block is partitioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Liwei GUO, Peng YIN, Yunfei ZHENG, Joel SOLE, Qian XU, Xiaoan LU
  • Patent number: 12526417
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining quantization parameter predictors from a plurality of neighboring quantization parameters. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding image data for at least a portion of a picture using a quantization parameter predictor for a current quantization parameter to be applied to the image data. The quantization parameter predictor is determined using multiple quantization parameters from previously coded neighboring portions. A difference between the current quantization parameter and the quantization parameter predictor is encoded for signaling to a corresponding decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaoan Lu, Joel Sole, Peng Yin, Qian Xu, Yunfei Zheng
  • Patent number: 12512854
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for unified significance map coding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (400) for encoding transform coefficients for at least a portion of a picture. The transform coefficients are obtained using a plurality of transforms. One or more context sharing maps are generated for the transform coefficients based on a unified rule. The one or more context sharing maps are for providing at least one context that is shared among at least some of the transform coefficients obtained from at least two different ones of the plurality of transforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HOLDINGS, SAS
    Inventors: Xiaoan Lu, Joel Sole, Peng Yin, Qian Xu, Yunfei Zheng
  • Publication number: 20250386017
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for collaborative partition coding for region based filters. An apparatus includes a video encoder (100) for encoding image data for a plurality of regions in a picture. The video encoder (100) includes multiple filters for filtering the image data based on region partition information for the plurality of regions. The region partition information for the plurality of regions is shared between the multiple filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2025
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Joel SOLE, Yunfei ZHENG, Qian XU, Peng YIN, Xiaoan LU
  • Publication number: 20250373841
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptive coding of motion information. An apparatus includes an encoder (100) for encoding at least a block in a picture using a motion vector. An adaptive motion vector accuracy scheme is used to select an accuracy of the motion vector used to encode the block. Selection criteria for selecting the accuracy for the motion vector include non-rate-distortion-based criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventors: Liwei GUO, Yunfei ZHENG, Peng YIN, Joel SOLE, Xiaoan LU, Qian XU
  • Publication number: 20250350743
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for intra coding a block having pixels assigned to groups. An apparatus includes a video encoder for encoding a block in a picture using intra prediction by dividing pixels within the block into at least a first group and a second group and encoding the pixels in the first group prior to encoding the pixels in the second group. A prediction for at least one of the pixels within the second group is obtained by evaluating the pixels within the first group and the second group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Inventors: Qian XU, Joel SOLE, Peng YIN, Yunfei ZHENG, Xiaoan LU
  • Patent number: 12425637
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptive motion vector candidate ordering for video encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (100) for encoding a block in a picture by selecting an order of motion vector predictor candidates for the block responsive to a characteristic available at both the video encoder and a corresponding decoder. The characteristic excludes a mode in which the block is partitioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Liwei Guo, Peng Yin, Yunfei Zheng, Joel Sole, Qian Xu, Xiaoan Lu
  • Patent number: 12413742
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for intra coding a block having pixels assigned to groups. An apparatus includes a video encoder for encoding a block in a picture using intra prediction by dividing pixels within the block into at least a first group and a second group and encoding the pixels in the first group prior to encoding the pixels in the second group. A prediction for at least one of the pixels within the second group is obtained by evaluating the pixels within the first group and the second group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Qian Xu, Joel Sole, Peng Yin, Yunfei Zheng, Xiaoan Lu
  • Patent number: 12375654
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for collaborative partition coding for region based filters. An apparatus includes a video encoder (100) for encoding image data for a plurality of regions in a picture. The video encoder (100) includes multiple filters for filtering the image data based on region partition information for the plurality of regions. The region partition information for the plurality of regions is shared between the multiple filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Sole, Yunfei Zheng, Qian Xu, Peng Yin, Xiaoan Lu
  • Publication number: 20250184502
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for encoding and decoding binary sets using adaptive tree selection. In one exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture; in which one of a plurality of trees structures is selected to code a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block. In another exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture, in which one or more trees are used to encode a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block, the one or more trees each having a plurality of nodes, at least one of the nodes of the one or more trees being modified responsive to at least one parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2024
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Joel SOLE, Peng YIN, Yunfei ZHENG, Xiaoan LU, Qian XU
  • Patent number: 12206868
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for encoding and decoding binary sets using adaptive tree selection. In one exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture; in which one of a plurality of trees structures is selected to code a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block. In another exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture, in which one or more trees are used to encode a binary set of data for indicating significance for the block, the one or more trees each having a plurality of nodes, at least one of the nodes of the one or more trees being modified responsive to at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Sole, Peng Yin, Yunfei Zheng, Xiaoan Lu, Qian Xu
  • Publication number: 20250008127
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improved chroma encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes an encoder (400) for encoding picture data for at least a block in a picture. Multiple partition types are supported for intra chroma coding of the block. The multiple partition types include a set of chroma partition types and a set of luma partition types. The set of chroma partition types are different than the set of luma partition types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Qian XU, Yunfei ZHENG, Xiaoan LU, Peng YIN, Joel SOLE
  • Patent number: 12143606
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improved chroma encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding picture data for at least a block in a picture. Multiple partition types are supported for intra chroma coding of the block. The multiple partition types include a set of chroma partition types and a set of luma partition types. The set of chroma partition types are different than the set of luma partition types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Qian Xu, Yunfei Zheng, Xiaoan Lu, Peng Yin, Joel Sole
  • Publication number: 20240340453
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improved entropy encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (200) for encoding at least a block in a picture by transforming a residue of the block to obtain transform coefficients, quantizing the transform coefficients to obtain quantized transform coefficients, and entropy coding the quantized transform coefficients. The quantized transform coefficients are encoded using a flag to indicate that a current one of the quantized transform coefficients being processed is a last non-zero coefficient for the block having a value greater than or equal to a specified value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Yang HU, Joel SOLE, Xiaoan LU, Peng YIN, Yunfei ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20240314335
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for encoding and decoding binary sets using adaptive tree selection. In one exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture; in which one of a plurality of trees structures is selected to code a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block. In another exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture, in which one or more trees are used to encode a binary set of data for indicating significance for the block, the one or more trees each having a plurality of nodes, at least one of the nodes of the one or more trees being modified responsive to at least one parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Joel SOLE, Peng YIN, Yunfei ZHENG, Xiaoan LU, Qian XU
  • Publication number: 20240298023
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptive motion vector candidate ordering for video encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (100) for encoding a block in a picture by selecting an order of motion vector predictor candidates for the block responsive to a characteristic available at both the video encoder and a corresponding decoder. The characteristic excludes a mode in which the block is partitioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Liwei GUO, Peng YIN, Yunfei ZHENG, Joel SOLE, Qian XU, Xiaoan LU
  • Publication number: 20240275402
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for unified significance map coding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (400) for encoding transform coefficients for at least a portion of a picture. The transform coefficients are obtained using a plurality of transforms. One or more context sharing maps are generated for the transform coefficients based on a unified rule. The one or more context sharing maps are for providing at least one context that is shared among at least some of the transform coefficients obtained from at least two different ones of the plurality of transforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Xiaoan LU, Joel SOLE, Peng YIN, Qian XU, Yunfei ZHENG
  • Patent number: 12052439
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improved entropy encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (200) for encoding at least a block in a picture by transforming a residue of the block to obtain transform coefficients, quantizing the transform coefficients to obtain quantized transform coefficients, and entropy coding the quantized transform coefficients. The quantized transform coefficients are encoded using a flag to indicate that a current one of the quantized transform coefficients being processed is a last non-zero coefficient for the block having a value greater than or equal to a specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Yang Hu, Joel Sole, Xiaoan Lu, Peng Yin, Yunfei Zheng