Patents by Inventor Thomas Wiegand

Thomas Wiegand 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: 11785246
    Abstract: A coding efficiency increase is achieved by using a common signalization within the bitstream with regard to activation of merging and activation of the skip mode. One possible state of one or more syntax elements within the bitstream may signalize for a current sample set of a picture that the sample set is to be merged and has no prediction residual encoded and inserted into the bitstream. A common flag may signalize whether the coding parameters associated with a current sample set are to be set according to a merge candidate or to be retrieved from the bitstream, and whether the current sample set of the picture is to be reconstructed based on a prediction signal depending on the coding parameters associated with the current sample set, without any residual data, or to be reconstructed by refining the prediction signal depending on the coding parameters associated with the current sample set by means of residual data within the bitstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Heiko Schwarz, Heiner Kirchhoffer, Philipp Helle, Simon Oudin, Jan Stegemann, Benjamin Bross, Detlev Marpe, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11785229
    Abstract: A further coding efficiency increase may be achieved if for a current block of a picture, for which the bit stream signals one of supported partitioning patterns, a reversal of the partitioning by block merging is avoided. In particular, if the signaled one of the supported partitioning patterns specifies a subdivision of the block into two or more further blocks, a removal of certain coding parameter candidates for all further blocks, except a first further block of the further blocks in a coding order, is performed. Particularly, those coding parameter candidates are removed from the set of coding parameter candidates for the respective further block, the coding parameters of which are the same as coding parameters associated with any of the further blocks which, when being merged with the respective further block, would result in one of the supported partitioning pattern. This avoids redundancy between partitioning coding and merging coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Helle, Heiko Schwarz, Detlev Marpe, Thomas Wiegand, Simon Oudin, Benjamin Bross
  • Patent number: 11785264
    Abstract: A better compromise between encoding complexity and achievable rate distortion ratio, and/or to achieve a better rate distortion ratio is achieved by using multitree sub-divisioning not only in order to subdivide a continuous area, namely the sample array, into leaf regions, but using the intermediate regions also to share coding parameters among the corresponding collocated leaf blocks. By this measure, coding procedures performed in tiles—leaf regions—locally, may be associated with coding parameters individually without having to, however, explicitly transmit the whole coding parameters for each leaf region separately. Rather, similarities may effectively exploited by using the multitree subdivision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Helle, Detlev Marpe, Simon Oudin, Thomas Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20230319324
    Abstract: A concept for transmitting information from a client to a server is described, the client being for streaming visual content from the server and for integrating the visual content into a 3D scene of a user application, and the client being for obtaining a rendered view of the 3D scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Sebastian BOSSE, Yago SÁNCHEZ DE LA FUENTE, Cornelius HELLGE, Thomas SCHIERL, Robert SKUPIN, Thomas WIEGAND
  • Publication number: 20230316752
    Abstract: A concept for a video data stream extraction is presented which is more efficient namely which is, for example, able to more efficiently deal with video content of a type unknown to the recipient with videos of different type differing, for instance, in view-port-to-picture-plane projection, etc., or which lessens the extraction process complexity. Further, a concept is described using which a juxtaposition of different versions of a video scene, the versions differing in scene resolution, may be provided more efficiently to a recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Robert SKUPIN, Cornelius HELLGE, Benjamin BROSS, Thomas SCHIERL, Yago SÁNCHEZ DE LA FUENTE, Karsten SUEHRING, Thomas WIEGAND
  • Patent number: 11778241
    Abstract: Coding schemes for coding a spatially sampled information signal using sub-division and coding schemes for coding a sub-division or a multitree structure are described, wherein representative embodiments relate to picture and/or video coding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Heiner Kirchhoffer, Martin Winken, Philipp Helle, Detlev Marpe, Heiko Schwarz, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11770546
    Abstract: A video data stream is rendered reducible in a manner so that the reduction leads to a restriction of pictures of the reduced video data stream to merely a predetermined subarea of the pictures of the original video data stream and in a manner so that transcoding, such as re-quantization, may be avoided and a conformance of the reduced video data stream relative to the codec underlying the original video data stream be maintained. This is achieved by providing the video data stream with information including an indication of the predetermined subarea and replacement indices for redirecting the indices included by the payload portion so as to refer to, and/or replacement parameters for adjusting the first set of coding parameter settings so as to result in, a second set of coding parameter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Robert Skupin, Yago Sánchez De La Fuente, Thomas Schierl, Cornelius Hellge, Karsten Grüneberg, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11770527
    Abstract: An apparatus for decoding a picture is configured to partition the picture into coding blocks, using recursive multi-tree splitting. Splitting schemes for the multi-tree splitting are described. According to an embodiment, the decoder decodes a split direction flag from a data stream by context adaptive entropy decoding using a context which depends on whether, and discriminates be-tween, a first number of criteria which would be fulfilled in case of a split direction indicated by the split direction flag being horizontal equals a second number of criteria which would be fulfilled in case of the split direction indicated by the split direction flag being vertical, the first number being greater than the second number, and the first number being smaller than the second number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Adam Wieckowski, Phan Hoang Tung Nguyen, Detlev Marpe, Heiko Schwarz, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11770528
    Abstract: A video decoder for decoding an encoded video signal including encoded picture data and indication data of a picture of a video to reconstruct the picture of the video is provided. The video decoder includes an interface configured for receiving the encoded video signal, and a data decoder configured for reconstructing the picture of the video by decoding the encoded picture data using the indication data. The picture is partitioned into a plurality of coding areas. One or more coding areas of the plurality of coding areas include two or more coding tree units of the plurality of coding tree units, wherein each coding area of the one or more coding areas which includes two or more coding tree units exhibits a coding order for the two or more coding tree units of the coding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Valeri George, Tobias Hinz, Jackie Ma, Yago Sánchez De La Fuente, Robert Skupin, Thomas Schierl, Jens Brandenburg, Christian Lehmann, Adam Wieckowski, Heiko Schwarz, Detlev Marpe, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11765362
    Abstract: A better rate distortion ratio is achieved by making interrelationships between coding parameters of different planes available for exploitation for the aim of redundancy reduction despite the additional overhead resulting from the need to signal the inter-plane prediction information to the decoder. In particular, the decision to use inter plane prediction or not may be performed for a plurality of planes individually. Additionally or alternatively, the decision may be done on a block basis considering one secondary plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Winken, Heiner Kirchhoffer, Heiko Schwarz, Detlev Marpe, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11765363
    Abstract: A better rate distortion ratio is achieved by making interrelationships between coding parameters of different planes available for exploitation for the aim of redundancy reduction despite the additional overhead resulting from the need to signal the inter-plane prediction information to the decoder. In particular, the decision to use inter plane prediction or not may be performed for a plurality of planes individually. Additionally or alternatively, the decision may be done on a block basis considering one secondary plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Winken, Heiner Kirchhoffer, Heiko Schwarz, Detlev Marpe, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11758132
    Abstract: A video encoder according to embodiments is provided. The video encoder is configured for encoding a plurality of pictures of a video by generating an encoded video signal, wherein each of the plurality of pictures has original picture data. The video encoder has a data encoder configured for generating the encoded video signal having encoded picture data, wherein the data encoder is configured to encode the plurality of pictures of the video into the encoded picture data. Moreover, the video encoder has an output interface configured for outputting the encoded picture data of each of the plurality of pictures. Furthermore, a video decoders, systems, methods for encoding and decoding, computer programs and encoded video signals according to embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Robert Philipp Skupin, Yago Sánchez De La Fuente, Cornelius Hellge, Thomas Schierl, Karsten Sühring, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11751106
    Abstract: A concept for handovers in cellular networks, a concept for improved handling of tracking/paging areas for, for instance, user entities in inactive modes and a concept for enabling intelligent route selection in cellular networks are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Robin Rajan Thomas, Thomas Wirth, Cornelius Hellge, Thomas Fehrenbach, Thomas Schierl, Eiko Seidel, Lars Thiele, Thomas Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20230276048
    Abstract: Techniques for block wise encoding and decoding may be applied to encoders, decoders, and methods for encoding or decoding. In one example, there is provided a technique to decode or encode a predetermined block of the picture by assigning, based on a first signalization in the data stream, the predetermined block to a first set or a second set; sorting the assigned set of intra-prediction modes according to intra-prediction modes used for neighboring blocks, neighboring the predetermined block, to obtain a list of intra prediction modes; deriving, for the predetermined block, from the data stream, an index into the list of intra prediction modes; and predicting the predetermined block using an intra prediction mode onto which the index points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan PFAFF, Heiko SCHWARZ, Philipp HELLE, Michael SCHÄFER, Roman RISCHKE, Tobias HINZ, Philipp MERKLE, Björn STALLENBERGER, Martin WINKEN, Mischa SIEKMANN, Detlev MARPE, Thomas WIEGAND
  • Publication number: 20230276047
    Abstract: Video codec for supporting temporal inter-prediction, configured to perform padding of an area of a referenced portion of a reference picture which extends beyond a border of the reference picture, which referenced portion is referenced by an inter predicted block of a current picture by selecting one of a plurality of intra-prediction modes, and padding the area using the selected intra-prediction mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jens BRADENBURG, Tobias HINZ, Adam WIECKOWSKI, Jackie MA, Valeri GEORGE, Christian LEHMANN, Heiko SCHWARZ, Detlev MARPE, Thomas WIEGAND, Robert SKUPIN, Yago SÁNCHEZ DE LA FUENTE, Thomas SCHIERL
  • Patent number: 11736705
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) for receiving an input video data stream according to an embodiment is provided. The input video data stream has a video encoded thereinto. The apparatus (200) is configured to generate an output video data stream from the input video data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Yago Sánchez De La Fuente, Karsten Sühring, Cornelius Hellge, Thomas Schierl, Robert Skupin, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11734714
    Abstract: A favorable merging or grouping of simply connected regions into which the array of information samples is sub-divided, is coded with a reduced amount of data. To this end, a predetermined relative locational relationship is defined enabling an identifying, for a predetermined simply connected region, of simply connected regions within the plurality of simply connected regions which have the predetermined relative locational relationship to the predetermined simply connected region. Namely, if the number is zero, a merge indicator for the predetermined simply connected region may be absent within the data stream. In other embodiments, spatial sub-division is performed depending on a first subset of syntax elements, followed by combining spatially neighboring simply connected regions depending on a second subset of syntax elements, to obtain an intermediate sub-division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Helle, Simon Oudin, Martin Winken, Detlev Marpe, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 11736738
    Abstract: Coding schemes for coding a spatially sampled information signal using sub-division and coding schemes for coding a sub-division or a multitree structure are described, wherein representative embodiments relate to picture and/or video coding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GE Video Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Heiner Kirchhoffer, Martin Winken, Philipp Helle, Detlev Marpe, Heiko Schwarz, Thomas Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20230262241
    Abstract: The coding efficiency of scalable video coding is increased by substituting missing spatial intra prediction parameter candidates in a spatial neighborhood of a current block of the enhancement layer by use of intra prediction parameters of a co-located block of the base layer signal. By this measure, the coding efficiency for coding the spatial intra prediction parameters is increased due to the improved prediction quality of the set of intra prediction parameters of the enhancement layer, or, more precisely stated, the increased likelihood, that appropriate predictors for the intra prediction parameters for an intra predicted block of the enhancement layer are available thereby increasing the likelihood that the signaling of the intra prediction parameter of the respective enhancement layer block may be performed, on average, with less bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Tobias HINZ, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Jan STEGEMANN, Philipp HELLE, Mischa SIEKMANN, Karsten SUEHRING, Detlev MARPE, Heiko SCHWARZ, Christian BARTNIK, Ali Atef Ibrahim KHAIRAT ABDELHAMID, Heiner KIRCHHOFFER, Thomas WIEGAND
  • Publication number: 20230262242
    Abstract: A subblock-based coding of transform coefficient blocks of the enhancement layer is rendered more efficient. To this end, the subblock subdivision of the respective transform coefficient block is controlled on the basis of the base layer residual signal or the base layer signal. In particular, by exploiting the respective base layer hint, the subblocks may be made longer along a spatial frequency axis transverse to edge extensions observable from the base layer residual signal or the base layer signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Tobias HINZ, Haricharan LAKSHMAN, Jan STEGEMANN, Philipp HELLE, Mischa SIEKMANN, Karsten SUEHRING, Detlev MARPE, Heiko SCHWARZ, Christian BARTNIK, Ali Atef Ibrahim KHAIRAT ABDELHAMID, Heiner KIRCHHOFFER, Thomas WIEGAND