US 11936876

US Patent 11936876, titled "Methods and apparatus for signaling intra prediction for large blocks for video encoders and decoders," was issued to InterDigital VC Holdings Inc. on March 19, 2024. The application for this patent was filed on June 18, 2021, under application number US17/351,649. The inventors listed are Yunfei Zheng, Qian Xu, Xiaoan Lu, Peng Yin, Joel Sole Rojals, and Adeel Abbas.

Abstract:
The patent describes methods and apparatus for signaling intra prediction for large blocks in video encoders and decoders. This signaling involves selecting a basic coding unit size and assigning a single spatial intra partition type for that unit, chosen from multiple available types. The "large block" itself is defined as having a size greater than that of the basic coding unit. The intra prediction employed is hierarchical layer intra prediction, which can involve either splitting the large block into smaller basic coding units or merging basic coding units to form the large block.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method of Decoding): This claim describes a method for a video decoder to process large video blocks (32x32 pixels or larger) within a picture. The method involves:

  1. Determining that intra prediction should be used for the large block.
  2. Receiving and interpreting a special "binary split signaling syntax element" that indicates the large block should be divided into four equal sub-blocks.
  3. Receiving and interpreting an intra prediction mode for large blocks that are not split.
  4. If the split signal indicates division, the large block is then physically partitioned into its four equally sized sub-blocks.
  5. Receiving and interpreting a second signal (syntax element) for at least one of these basic coding unit-sized sub-blocks, which specifies its spatial intra partition type from a set of options.

• Independent Claim 5 (Apparatus for Decoding): This claim describes a video decoding apparatus, equipped with at least a memory and one or more processors, configured to perform the method steps outlined in Independent Claim 1 for decoding picture data.

• Independent Claim 11 (Method of Encoding): This claim describes a method for a video encoder to process large video blocks (32x32 pixels or larger) within a picture. The method involves:

  1. Determining that intra prediction should be used for the large block.
  2. Encoding and sending a "binary split signaling syntax element" that indicates the large block should be divided into four equal sub-blocks.
  3. Encoding and sending an intra prediction mode for large blocks that are not split.
  4. If the large block is to be split, it is then physically partitioned into its four equally sized sub-blocks.
  5. Encoding and sending a second signal (syntax element) for at least one of these basic coding unit-sized sub-blocks, which specifies its spatial intra partition type from a set of options.

• Independent Claim 15 (Apparatus for Encoding): This claim describes a video encoding apparatus, equipped with at least a memory and one or more processors, configured to perform the method steps outlined in Independent Claim 11 for encoding picture data.

Litigation Status:
As of April 26, 2026, there is a pending PTAB case, IPR2026-00193, filed against US11936876. There is no indication that this case has proceeded to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) yet.