US 8050321

US patent 8050321, titled "Grouping of image frames in video coding," was issued to Nokia Inc.. The sole inventor listed is Miska Hannuksela. The patent was filed on January 25, 2006, and issued on November 1, 2011.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for encoding a video sequence that includes an independent sequence of image frames. Within this independent sequence, at least one reference image frame can be predicted from a previous image frame that appears earlier in decoding order than the immediately preceding reference image frame. An indication of a specific image frame, which is the first picture in decoding order of this independent sequence, is encoded into the video. This indicated image frame also contains at least one reference image frame. During decoding, this indication is read, and the video sequence decoding begins from that first indicated image frame of the independent sequence, ensuring that no prediction is made from any image frame decoded prior to it.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims (based on the "Brief Description of the Invention" and Abstract, as the full claims text is not provided in the source document):

While the explicit text of the independent claims is not available in the provided document, the "Brief Description of the Invention" outlines the core inventive concepts that typically form the basis of such claims. These generally encompass:

1. A Method for Encoding a Video Sequence: This claim would cover a process for generating a video stream. The method involves encoding an "independent sequence of image frames" where a reference image frame can be predicted from an earlier, non-immediately preceding, previous image frame in the decoding order. Crucially, it includes encoding an "indication" of the first image frame of this independent sequence, allowing a decoder to start decoding from this point without needing prior frames for prediction.
2. A Method for Decoding a Video Sequence: This claim would describe the complementary process performed by a video decoder. It involves receiving a video sequence with the aforementioned indications. The method decodes this "indication" to identify the first image frame of an independent sequence and then initiates the decoding of the video sequence from that identified first image frame, ensuring that no prediction is performed using any image frames decoded before this starting point.
3. A Video Encoder: This claim would cover a device or system (e.g., hardware and/or software) configured to perform the encoding method described above. It would be structured to encode video sequences according to the principles of independent frame sequences, flexible reference picture prediction, and the inclusion of starting point indications.
4. A Video Decoder: This claim would cover a device or system configured to perform the decoding method described above. It would be arranged to identify and utilize the encoded indications to enable independent decoding of image sequences starting from a specified first frame, without reliance on prior frames.
5. A Computer Program Product (or computer-readable medium): This claim would cover software instructions that, when executed by a computer or processing device, cause the device to perform either the encoding method or the decoding method of the invention.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of the CAFC 2026 dockets did not return any specific cases directly listing US patent 8050321. The available docket information for April, May, and June 2026 does not mention this patent number.