RealNetworks, Inc.
INTRA-PICTURE PREDICTION IN VIDEO CODING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract:

Systems and methods for providing intra prediction for video encoders and decoders that utilize adaptive numbers of prediction modes dependent on the size of a coding block. Coding blocks that are smaller than N.times.N pixels (e.g., 16.times.16 pixels) may have a first number (e.g., 35) of possible intra prediction modes, and coding blocks that are equal to or larger than N.times.N pixels have a second larger number (e.g., 67) of possible modes. Systems and methods also provide for encoding and decoding the adaptive number of intra prediction modes in a manner that minimizes the data required to store and/or transmit the encoded information. A candidate mode list may be generated for each block that ignores candidate intra prediction modes of neighboring blocks that are not possible modes for the current block being processed, such that the video encoder and decoder can handle adaptive numbers of modes between various sizes of blocks.