Patents by Inventor Philipp Merkle

Philipp Merkle 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).

  • Patent number: 11032555
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Merkle, Christian Bartnik, Haricharan Lakshman, Detlev Marpe, Karsten Mueller, Thomas Wiegand, Gerhard Tech
  • Publication number: 20210168380
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Philipp MERKLE, Christian BARTNIK, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Detlev MARPE, Karsten MUELLER, Thomas WIEGAND, Gerhard TECH
  • Publication number: 20210160524
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Philipp MERKLE, Christian BARTNIK, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Detlev MARPE, Karsten MUELLER, Thomas WIEGAND, Gerhard TECH
  • Publication number: 20210136373
    Abstract: Block-based coding of a picture is done by providing an intra-prediction coding concept according to which a certain block of the picture is intra-prediction coded using a certain intra-coding mode by partitioning the predetermined block into partitions which are, for reconstruction purposes, sequentially subject to spatial prediction using the intra-prediction coding mode signaled for the certain block followed by correcting the thus obtained predictor using a prediction residual so that for preceding partitions a reconstruction of the samples is available to the decoder at the time of processing the next, then current, partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Santiago DE LUXÁN HERNÁNDEZ, Philipp MERKLE, Heiko SCHWARZ, Detlev MARPE, Thomas WIEGAND
  • Publication number: 20210120240
    Abstract: A video encoder is configured to encode, by block based predictive encoding, pictures of a video into coding data, wherein the block based predictive encoding includes an intra-picture prediction. The video encoder is configured to use, for the intra-picture prediction, for encoding a prediction block of a picture, a plurality of nearest reference samples of the picture directly neighboring the prediction block and a plurality of extended reference samples, each extended reference sample of the plurality of extended reference samples separated from the prediction block at least by one nearest reference sample of the plurality of reference samples. The video encoder is further configured to sequentially determine an availability or unavailability of each of the plurality of nearest reference samples and to substitute a nearest reference sample being determined as unavailable by a substitution sample. The video encoder is configured to use the substitution sample for the intra-picture prediction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin BROSS, Philipp MERKLE, Simone WALTER, Heiko SCHWARZ, Detlev MARPE, Thomas WIEGAND, Paul KEYDEL
  • Patent number: 10986352
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Merkle, Christian Bartnik, Haricharan Lakshman, Detlev Marpe, Karsten Mueller, Thomas Wiegand, Gerhard Tech
  • Publication number: 20210112244
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Philipp MERKLE, Christian BARTNIK, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Detlev MARPE, Karsten MUELLER, Thomas WIEGAND, Gerhard TECH
  • Publication number: 20210112272
    Abstract: A video decoder and method for supporting a prediction mode for predicting blocks of a video is configured to predict each of the blocks by extrapolating a neighborhood of the respective block into the block along a direction which varies across the respective block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Philipp MERKLE, Heiko SCHWARZ, Detlev MARPE, Thomas WIEGAND
  • Patent number: 10924748
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Merkle, Christian Bartnik, Haricharan Lakshman, Detlev Marpe, Karsten Mueller, Thomas Wiegand, Gerhard Tech
  • Patent number: 10911753
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Merkle, Christian Bartnik, Haricharan Lakshman, Detlev Marpe, Karsten Mueller, Thomas Wiegand, Gerhard Tech
  • Publication number: 20210014531
    Abstract: An apparatus for block-wise decoding a picture from a data stream and/or encoding a picture into a data stream, the apparatus supporting at least one intra-prediction mode according to which the intra-prediction signal for a block of a predetermined size of the picture is determined by applying a first template of samples which neighbours the current block onto a neural network. The apparatus may be configured, for a current block differing from the predetermined size, to: resample a second template of samples neighboring the current block, so as to conform with the first template so as to obtain a resampled template; apply the resampled template of samples onto the neural network so as to obtain a preliminary intra-prediction signal; and resample the preliminary intra-prediction signal so as to conform with the current block so as to obtain the intra-prediction signal for the current block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan PFAFF, Philipp HELLE, Philipp MERKLE, Björn STALLENBERGER, Mischa SIEKMANN, Martin WINKEN, Adam WIECKOWSKI, Wojciech SAMEK, Stephan KALTENSTADLER, Heiko SCHWARZ, Detlev MARPE, Thomas WIEGAND
  • Publication number: 20200404315
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Philipp MERKLE, Christian BARTNIK, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Detlev MARPE, Karsten MUELLER, Thomas WIEGAND, Gerhard TECH
  • Publication number: 20200404293
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Philipp MERKLE, Christian BARTNIK, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Detlev MARPE, Karsten MUELLER, Thomas WIEGAND, Gerhard TECH
  • Publication number: 20200404294
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Philipp MERKLE, Christian BARTNIK, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Detlev MARPE, Karsten MUELLER, Thomas WIEGAND, Gerhard TECH
  • Patent number: 10785497
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: GE VIDEO COMPRESSION, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Merkle, Christian Bartnik, Haricharan Lakshman, Detlev Marpe, Karsten Mueller, Thomas Wiegand, Gerhard Tech
  • Patent number: 10771814
    Abstract: Hybrid video decoder supporting intermediate view synthesis of an intermediate view video from a first- and a second-view video which are predictively coded into a multi-view data signal with frames of the second-view video being spatially subdivided into sub-regions and the multi-view data signal having a prediction mode is provided, having: an extractor configured to respectively extract, from the multi-view data signal, for sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, a disparity vector and a prediction residual; a predictive reconstructor configured to reconstruct the sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, by generating a prediction from a reconstructed version of a portion of frames of the first-view video using the disparity vectors and a prediction residual for the respective sub-regions; and an intermediate view synthesizer configured to reconstruct first portions of the intermediate view video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GE VIDEO COMPRESSION, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Wiegand, Karsten Mueller, Philipp Merkle
  • Patent number: 10771794
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GE VIDEO COMPRESSION, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Merkle, Christian Bartnik, Haricharan Lakshman, Detlev Marpe, Karsten Mueller, Thomas Wiegand, Gerhard Tech
  • Patent number: 10771793
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GE VIDEO COMPRESSION, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Merkle, Christian Bartnik, Haricharan Lakshman, Detlev Marpe, Karsten Mueller, Thomas Wiegand, Gerhard Tech
  • Publication number: 20200252649
    Abstract: Hybrid video decoder supporting intermediate view synthesis of an intermediate view video from a first- and a second- view video which are predictively coded into a multi-view data signal with frames of the second-view video being spatially subdivided into sub-regions and the multi-view data signal having a prediction mode is provided, having: an extractor configured to respectively extract, from the multi-view data signal, for sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, a disparity vector and a prediction residual; a predictive reconstructor configured to reconstruct the sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, by generating a prediction from a reconstructed version of a portion of frames of the first-view video using the disparity vectors and a prediction residual for the respective sub-regions; and an intermediate view synthesizer configured to reconstruct first portions of the intermediate view video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas WIEGAND, Karsten MUELLER, Philipp MERKLE
  • Publication number: 20200252595
    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 parallely encoding these views show similarities which may be exploited in order to further improve the coding rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas WIEGAND, Detlev MARPE, Karsten MUELLER, Philipp MERKLE, Gerhard TECH, Hunn RHEE, Heiko SCHWARZ