Patents by Inventor Minhua Zhou

Minhua Zhou 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).

  • 360 degree video system with coordinate compression
    Patent number: 10681326
    Abstract: In a system for 360 degree video capture and playback, 360 degree video may be captured, stitched, encoded, decoded, rendered, and played-back. In one or more implementations, a video capture device captures 360 degree video in a first projection format, and an encoding device encodes the captured 360 degree video into a 360 degree video bitstream. In some aspects, the 360 degree video bitstream is encoded with an indication of the first projection format. In one or more implementations, a rendering device converts the decoded 360 degree video bitstream from the first projection format to a second projection format based on the indication. In one or more implementations, a processing device generates projection maps where each is respectively associated with a different projection format, and a rendering device renders the decoded 360 degree video bitstream using one of the projections maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGlES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED
    Inventors: Minhua Zhou, Xuemin Chen, Yi Hu
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONSRAINING SLICE HEADER PROCESSING OVERHEAD IN VIDEO CODING
    Publication number: 20200177918
    Abstract: A method for encoding a picture of a video sequence in a bit stream that constrains slice header processing overhead is provided. The method includes computing a maximum slice rate for the video sequence, computing a maximum number of slices for the picture based on the maximum slice rate, and encoding the picture wherein a number of slices used to encode the picture is enforced to be no more than the maximum number of slices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Parsing friendly and error resilient merge flag coding in video coding
    Patent number: 10674157
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for parsing friendly and error resilient merge flag coding in video coding are provided. In some methods, in contrast to merging candidate list size dependent coding of the merge flag in the prior art, a merge flag is always encoded in the encoded bit stream for each inter-predicted prediction unit (PU) that is not encoded using skip mode. In some methods, in contrast to the prior art that allowed the merging candidate list to be empty, one or more zero motion vector merging candidates formatted according to the prediction type of the slice containing a PU are added to the merging candidate list if needed to ensure that the list is not empty and/or to ensure that the list contains a maximum number of merging candidates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • SAMPLE ADAPTIVE OFFSET (SAO) PARAMETER SIGNALING
    Publication number: 20200154146
    Abstract: A method for sample adaptive offset (SAO) filtering and SAO parameter signaling in a video encoder is provided that includes determining SAO parameters for largest coding units (LCUs) of a reconstructed picture, wherein the SAO parameters include an indicator of an SAO filter type and a plurality of SAO offsets, applying SAO filtering to the reconstructed picture according to the SAO parameters, and entropy encoding LCU specific SAO information for each LCU of the reconstructed picture in an encoded video bit stream, wherein the entropy encoded LCU specific SAO information for the LCUs is interleaved with entropy encoded data for the LCUs in the encoded video bit stream. Determining SAO parameters may include determining the LCU specific SAO information to be entropy encoded for each LCU according to an SAO prediction protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Vivienne Sze, Madhukar Budagavi, Woo-Shik Kim, Do-Kyoung Kwon, Minhua Zhou
  • CONTROL OF MEMORY BANDWIDTH CONSUMPTION OF AFFINE MODE IN VERSATILE VIDEO CODING
    Publication number: 20200145650
    Abstract: Video encoding or decoding includes performing affine motion compensation in an affine mode in which a prediction unit (“PU”) of the digital video coded in the affine mode uses inter prediction and a reference block bounding box size and determining whether the reference block bounding size exceeds a predefined threshold. In response to a determination that the reference block bounding size exceeds the predefined threshold, the affine motion compensation is performed using a first motion compensation operation. In response to a determination that the reference block bounding size does not exceed the predefined threshold, the affine motion compensation is performed using a second motion compensation operation that is different from the first motion compensation operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventor: Minhua ZHOU
  • Sample-based angular intra-prediction in video coding
    Patent number: 10645398
    Abstract: A method for processing a prediction unit (PU) to generate predicted samples is provided that includes computing predicted samples for samples of the PU using sample-based angular intra-prediction (SAP) when lossless coding is enabled for the PU, and computing predicted samples for the samples of the PU using block-based angular intra-prediction when lossless coding is not enabled for the PU. Computation of the predicted using SAP includes determining an intra-prediction angle for the PU, and computing a predicted sample for each sample of the samples in the PU based on linear interpolation of two reference samples adjacent to the sample, wherein the two reference samples are selected according to the intra-prediction angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • VIDEO CODING WITH TRADE-OFF BETWEEN FRAME RATE AND CHROMA FIDELITY
    Publication number: 20200137406
    Abstract: A video decoder or encoder can be used to convert and process different video streams having different combinations of frame rate and Chroma fidelity. Rather than setting the maximum sample rate of the encoder based on a Luma sample rate, the encoder's throughput is set based on a maximum color sample rate. Additionally, the picture buffer size can be set based on a maximum number of color pictures. An input of the video decoder receives an input video stream having a given display resolution and encoded in a first format employing a first combination of frame rate and Chroma fidelity. Processing circuitry in the decoder converts the input video stream from the first format to an output video stream having a second format, the second format having the given display resolution and employing a second combination of frame rate and Chroma fidelity different from the first combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Method and apparatus for a low complexity transform unit partitioning structure for HEVC
    Patent number: 10638160
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a low complexity transform unit partitioning structure for High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). The method includes determining prediction unit size of a coding unit, and setting the size of transform unit size of Y, U and V according to the prediction unit size of the coding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Inter-prediction candidate index coding independent of inter-prediction candidate list construction in video coding
    Patent number: 10638149
    Abstract: Methods are provided for inter-prediction candidate index coding independent of the construction of the corresponding inter-prediction candidate list, i.e., a merging candidate list or an advanced motion vector predictor list. A maximum allowed number of inter-prediction candidates for an inter-prediction candidate list is used for encoding the inter-prediction candidate index in an encoded bit stream. The maximum allowed number may be pre-determined or may be selected by the encoder and encoded in the bit stream. A decoder may then decode the index using the maximum allowed number of inter-prediction candidates independent of the construction of the corresponding inter-prediction candidate list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Method and apparatus for sub-picture based raster scanning coding order
    Patent number: 10623741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sub-picture based raster scanning coding order. The method includes dividing an image into even sub-pictures, and encoding parallel sub-pictures on multi-cores in raster scanning order within sub-pictures, wherein from core to core, coding of the sub-picture is independent around sub-picture boundaries, and wherein within a core, coding of a sub-picture is at least one of dependent or independent around sub-picture boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Virtual memory access bandwidth verification (VMBV) in video coding
    Patent number: 10609366
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes determining a target picture virtual memory access (VMA) bandwidth rate, wherein the target picture VMA bandwidth rate indicates a maximum VMA bandwidth rate for motion compensation of a picture, and verifying the target picture VMA bandwidth rate for a compressed video bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Method and system for constraining slice header processing overhead in video coding
    Patent number: 10609415
    Abstract: A method for encoding a picture of a video sequence in a bit stream that constrains slice header processing overhead is provided. The method includes computing a maximum slice rate for the video sequence, computing a maximum number of slices for the picture based on the maximum slice rate, and encoding the picture wherein a number of slices used to encode the picture is enforced to be no more than the maximum number of slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Method and apparatus for sub-picture based raster scanning coding order
    Patent number: 10574992
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sub-picture based raster scanning coding order. The method includes dividing an image into even sub-pictures, and encoding parallel sub-pictures on multi-cores in raster scanning order within sub-pictures, wherein from core to core, coding of the sub-picture is independent around sub-picture boundaries, and wherein within a core, coding of a sub-picture is at least one of dependent or independent around sub-picture boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Video coding with trade-off between frame rate and chroma fidelity
    Patent number: 10547860
    Abstract: A video decoder or encoder can be used to convert and process different video streams having different combinations of frame rate and Chroma fidelity. Rather than setting the maximum sample rate of the encoder based on a Luma sample rate, the encoder's throughput is set based on a maximum color sample rate. Additionally, the picture buffer size can be set based on a maximum number of color pictures. An input of the video decoder receives an input video stream having a given display resolution and encoded in a first format employing a first combination of frame rate and Chroma fidelity. Processing circuitry in the decoder converts the input video stream from the first format to an output video stream having a second format, the second format having the given display resolution and employing a second combination of frame rate and Chroma fidelity different from the first combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • Sample adaptive offset (SAO) parameter signaling
    Patent number: 10536722
    Abstract: A method for sample adaptive offset (SAO) filtering and SAO parameter signaling in a video encoder is provided that includes determining SAO parameters for largest coding units (LCUs) of a reconstructed picture, wherein the SAO parameters include an indicator of an SAO filter type and a plurality of SAO offsets, applying SAO filtering to the reconstructed picture according to the SAO parameters, and entropy encoding LCU specific SAO information for each LCU of the reconstructed picture in an encoded video bit stream, wherein the entropy encoded LCU specific SAO information for the LCUs is interleaved with entropy encoded data for the LCUs in the encoded video bit stream. Determining SAO parameters may include determining the LCU specific SAO information to be entropy encoded for each LCU according to an SAO prediction protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vivienne Sze, Madhukar Budagavi, Woo-Shik Kim, Do-Kyoung Kwon, Minhua Zhou
  • LOW COMPLEXITY AFFINE MERGE MODE FOR VERSATILE VIDEO CODING
    Publication number: 20200007877
    Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for reducing memory utilization and increasing efficiency during affine merge mode for versatile video coding by utilizing motion vectors stored in a motion data line buffer for a prediction unit of a second coding tree unit neighboring a first coding tree unit to derive control point motion vectors for the first coding tree unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Minhua Zhou
  • MEMORY LATENCY MANAGEMENT FOR DECODER-SIDE MOTION REFINEMENT
    Publication number: 20190394483
    Abstract: A pipeline video decoder with memory latency management includes memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor converts a received bitstream into symbol data including pixel data and intra-prediction and inter-prediction control parameters. The processor generates decoder-pipeline region (DPR)-based coarse motion data based on the inter-prediction control parameters. The processor further fetches one or more reference blocks associated with a current prediction unit (PU) of a DPR based on the coarse motion data, and generates decoded motion data based on the inter-prediction control parameters and refined motion data. The refined motion data is generated based on the decoded motion data and the one or more reference blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Minhua ZHOU
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CODING UNIT PARTITIONING
    Publication number: 20190394474
    Abstract: A method for coding unit partitioning in a video encoder is provided that includes performing intra-prediction on each permitted coding unit (CU) in a CU hierarchy of a largest coding unit (LCU) to determine an intra-prediction coding cost for each permitted CU, storing the intra-prediction coding cost for each intra-predicted CU in memory, and performing inter-prediction, prediction mode selection, and CU partition selection on each permitted CU in the CU hierarchy to determine a CU partitioning for encoding the LCU, wherein the stored intra-prediction coding costs for the CUs are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hyung Joon Kim, Minhua Zhou, Akira Osamoto, Hideo Tamama
  • Method, system and computer program product for encoding disparities between views of a stereoscopic image
    Patent number: 10491915
    Abstract: In response to a stereoscopic image of first and second views, a maximum positive disparity is computed between the first and second views, and a minimum negative disparity is computed between the first and second views. Within a bit stream, at least the stereoscopic image, the maximum positive disparity, and the minimum negative disparity are encoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Veeramanikandan Raju, Wei Hong, Minhua Zhou
  • CODING UNIT QUANTIZATION PARAMETERS IN VIDEO CODING
    Publication number: 20190349586
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes receiving a coded largest coding unit in a video decoder, wherein the coded largest coding unit includes a coded coding unit structure and a plurality of coded quantization parameters, and decoding the coded largest coding unit based on the coded coding unit structure and the plurality of coded quantization parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Minhua Zhou, Mehmet Umut Demircin, Madhukar Budagavi