US 11805267

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 11805267, "Motion prediction in video coding," along with a plain-language overview of its independent claims:

US Patent 11805267: Motion prediction in video coding

• Title: Motion prediction in video coding
• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy.
• Inventors: Kemal Ugur, Jani Lainema, Antti Hallapuro.
• Filing Date: May 24, 2021.
• Issue Date: October 31, 2023.
• Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer programs are provided for utilizing motion prediction in video coding. A block of pixels of a video representation encoded in a bitstream is read, and a type of the block is determined. If the determining indicates that the block is a block predicted by using two or more reference blocks, a first reference pixel location in a first reference block is determined and a second reference pixel location in a second reference block is determined. The first reference pixel location is used to obtain a first prediction. The first prediction has a second precision, which is higher than the first precision. The second reference pixel location is used to obtain a second prediction, which also has the second precision. The first prediction and the second prediction are combined to obtain a combined prediction; and the precision of the combined prediction is reduced to the first precision.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent features several independent claims across different categories (method, apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and a system with processor/memory). The core innovation across these claims centers on improving video coding efficiency by reducing rounding errors in multi-directional prediction, specifically by performing intermediate prediction calculations at a higher precision.

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method for video coding. It involves:

  1. Determining a block of pixels in a video, where these pixels have an initial (first) level of precision.
  2. Identifying the type of this block.
  3. If the block is predicted using two or more reference blocks (e.g., bi-predicted or multi-predicted), then:
     • Finding specific pixel locations in a first and second reference block.
     • Generating a first prediction from the first reference location at a higher (second) precision.
     • Generating a second prediction from the second reference location also at the higher (second) precision.
     • Combining these two higher-precision predictions.
     • Finally, reducing the precision of the combined prediction back to the initial (first) precision.

• Independent Claim 13 (Apparatus with Processor and Memory): This claim describes an apparatus (like a video codec) comprising a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer code that, when executed by the processor, causes the apparatus to perform the exact same steps as outlined in Independent Claim 1.

• Independent Claim 25 (Computer Readable Storage Medium): This claim covers a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a flash drive, hard drive) with code stored on it. When this code is executed by a processor, it causes an apparatus to perform the identical method steps described in Independent Claim 1.

• Independent Claim 26 (Apparatus with Processor and Memory - Alternative Wording): Similar to Claim 13, this claim also covers an apparatus with a processor and memory. The memory contains code that, when executed, causes the apparatus to perform the same method steps as in Independent Claim 1. This appears to be a slightly reworded or alternative way to claim the apparatus aspect based on the method.

• Independent Claim 27 (Apparatus with Specific Components): This claim describes an apparatus using a component-based structure rather than purely functional steps:

  1. An input that determines a block of pixels with a first precision.
  2. A "determinator" that determines the block's type and, if it's predicted by two or more reference blocks, identifies first and second reference pixel locations.
  3. A first "predictor" that uses the first reference pixel location to generate a first prediction at a higher (second) precision.
  4. A second "predictor" that uses the second reference pixel location to generate a second prediction, also at the higher (second) precision.
  5. A "combiner" that combines these two higher-precision predictions.
  6. A "shifter" that decreases the precision of the combined prediction back to the first precision.

• Independent Claim 35 (Apparatus with Means-Plus-Function Language): This claim defines an apparatus using "means for" clauses, which are interpreted as covering the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. It includes:

  1. Means for determining a block of pixels with a first precision.
  2. Means for determining the block's type.
  3. Means for determining first and second reference pixel locations if the block is multi-predicted.
  4. Means for using the first reference pixel location to obtain a first prediction at a higher (second) precision.
  5. Means for using the second reference pixel location to obtain a second prediction at the higher (second) precision.
  6. Means for combining the first and second predictions to get a combined prediction.
  7. Means for decreasing the precision of the combined prediction to the first precision.

Note on Litigation:
As of the current date, US Patent 11805267 has been involved in litigation. An initial determination by an Administrative Law Judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) found a violation of Section 337 concerning the importation of certain video-capable electronic devices by Amazon, based on the infringement of several Nokia patents, including US11805267. Specifically, Nokia has proven infringement of claims 7-9 and 25-27 of US11805267, while Amazon has proven the invalidity of claims 7, 25, and 26, but not claims 8, 9, or 27. This indicates that while some claims have been challenged, others remain valid and infringed. The Commission later determined to ratify prior actions and review the final initial determination in its entirety as of March 4, 2025, and subsequently granted a joint motion to terminate the investigation based on settlement as of April 23, 2025.

There is no authoritative information from the performed search indicating active dockets for patent 11805267 specifically at the CAFC in 2026. The search for CAFC 2026 dockets provided general information about accessing case information but no specific results for this patent number.