Patent Publication Number: US-11641484-B2

Title: Bit depth variable for high precision data in weighted prediction syntax and semantics

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/352,100 filed Jun. 18, 2021, which claims priory to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/548,836 filed Aug. 22, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,070,840, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/533,369 filed Nov. 5, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,432,963, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/900,332, entitled “Modification of Weighted Prediction Syntax and Semantics for HEVC Range Extension”, filed Nov. 5, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The High Efficiency Video Coding (“HEVC”) coding standard (also called H.265) is a coding standard promulgated by the ISO/IEC MPEG standardization organizations. HEVC supports resolutions higher than “high definition,” which means pixels may be represented by a larger number of bits than the high definition pictures. For example, 4K resolutions may include images that are 4,000 pixels wide compared to high definition images that are 1920 pixels wide. 
     Temporal motion prediction is an effective method to increase the coding efficiency and provides high compression. HEVC uses a translational model for temporal motion prediction. According to the translational model, a prediction signal for a given current unit in a current picture is generated from a corresponding reference unit in a reference picture. The coordinates of the reference unit are given by a motion vector that describes the translational motion along horizontal (x) and vertical (y) directions that would be added/subtracted to/from the coordinates of the current unit. A decoder needs the motion vector to decode the compressed video. 
     HEVC may use single prediction using one reference pictures or bi-prediction using two reference pictures. The pixels in reference units of the reference pictures are used as the prediction. In some conditions, such as when fading occurs, pixels of one of the reference units in bi-prediction may not yield the most accurate prediction. To compensate for this, HEVC may use weighted prediction when performing the motion estimation process. Weighted prediction may weight the pixels in one or both of the reference units used as the prediction differently. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a variable, BitDepth, that may be set at a value based on a number of bits used to represent pixels in pictures of a video. The variable may be used in syntax elements in HEVC, such as the HEVC range extension, but other coding standards may be used. By using the variable, different resolutions for the video may be accommodated during the encoding and decoding process. For example, the number of pixels in the pictures may be represented by 8 bits, 10 bits, 12 bits, or another number of bits depending on the resolution. Using the BitDepth variable in the syntax provides flexibility in the motion estimation and motion compensation process. For example, syntax elements used in the weighted prediction process may take into account different numbers of bits used to represent the pictures. 
     More particularly, a method of an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: (1) setting a first value for a variable associated with a bit depth based on a number of bits associated with pixels of pictures in a video; (2) determining a first weighting factor for performing weighted prediction for a current unit of a current picture; (3) using the first weighting factor to weight pixels of a first reference unit of a first reference picture when performing motion compensation for the current unit; and (4) setting a second value for a weighted prediction syntax element associated with the weighting factor, wherein the second value for the weighted prediction syntax element is based on the first value. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    depicts a simplified system for encoding and decoding video according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    depicts an example of the motion estimation and compensation process according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a table of syntax elements that are used for weighted prediction according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    depicts a simplified flowchart of a method for using the variable BitDepth in the encoding process according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a simplified flowchart for decoding an encoded bitstream using the variable BitDepth according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein are techniques for performing weighted prediction. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of particular embodiments. Particular embodiments as defined by the claims may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein. 
     Particular embodiments provide a variable, BitDepth, that may be set at a value based on a number of bits used to represent pixels in pictures of a video. The variable may be used in syntax elements in HEVC, such as the HEVC range extension, but other coding standards may be used. By using the variable, different resolutions for the video may be accommodated during the encoding and decoding process. For example, the number of pixels in the pictures may be represented by 8 bits, 10 bits, 12 bits, or another number of bits depending on the resolution. Using the BitDepth variable in the syntax provides flexibility in the motion estimation and motion compensation process. For example, syntax elements used in the weighted prediction process may take into account different numbers of bits used to represent the pictures. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a simplified system  100  for encoding and decoding video according to one embodiment. System  100  includes an encoder  102  and a decoder  104 . Encoder  102  and decoder  104  may use a video coding standard to encode and decode video, such as HEVC. Specifically, encoder  102  and decoder  104  may use syntax elements from the HEVC range extension. Also, other elements of encoder  102  and decoder  104  may be appreciated. 
     Encoder  102  and decoder  104  perform temporal prediction through motion estimation and motion compensation. Motion estimation is a process of determining a motion vector (MV) for a current unit of video. For example, the motion estimation process searches for a best match prediction for a current unit of video (e.g., a prediction unit (PU)) over reference pictures. The best match prediction is described by the motion vector and associated reference picture ID. Also, a reference unit in a B picture may have up to two motion vectors that point to a previous reference unit in a previous picture and a subsequent reference unit in a subsequent reference picture in the picture order. Motion compensation is then performed by subtracting a reference unit pointed to by the motion vector from the current unit of video to determine a residual error that can be encoded. In the case of bi-prediction, the two motion vectors point to two reference units, which can be combined to form a combined bi-directional reference unit. The combined bi-directional reference unit can be subtracted from the current unit to determine the residual error. 
     To perform motion estimation and compensation, encoder  102  and decoder  104  include motion estimation and compensation blocks  104 - 1  and  104 - 2 , respectively. In motion compensation, B and P pictures may exploit the temporal redundancy by using weighted prediction. Weighted prediction applies weighting factors to one or both of the reference pictures. In P pictures, the reference unit may be weighted before being used as a prediction for the current unit. In B pictures, the reference units are weighted before combining the reference pictures into the combined bi-directional reference unit. Conventionally, an average of the reference units from which the B picture is predicted may be used. However, using weighted prediction, a weighted average (or other weighted calculation) of the reference units may be used to predict the current unit. That is, the pixels of reference units may be weighted by weighting factors before combining. The following may be discussed with respect to B pictures, but the discussion will also apply to P pictures except that the combined bi-directional reference unit is replaced by one weighted reference unit. The use of weighted prediction may be useful when certain conditions happen in the video, such as when one scene fades into another or where there is a gradual variation in luminance, such as when fading to or from black or in cross-fades. For example, when fading occurs, the picture associated with the fading may not be as accurate to use as a prediction than a picture that does not include the fading. Weighting the picture that does not include the fading higher may create a better prediction for the current unit. That is, the pixels of the reference unit that does not include the fading effect may have a higher correlation to the current unit. The weighting may reduce the residual error and also reduce the bitrate. 
     The weighting factors may be provided for the luma and/or chroma components of reference units  202 . Also, the weighting factors may be different based on the reference list used. That is, the bi-prediction may select a reference picture from a list0 and a list1. Reference pictures in list0 may be weighted with a weighting factor w 0  and reference pictures in list1 may be weighted with a weighting factor w 1 . Also, only one of the reference pictures may be weighted. The weighting factors may be information that adjusts the pixel values differently in the reference units. In one embodiment, the weighting factors may be percentages. 
     The weighted prediction process may use syntax elements that define parameters that encoder  102  and decoder  104  use to perform the weighted prediction. By setting the values of these parameters, a weighted prediction manager  106 - 1  in encoder  102  and a weighted prediction manager  106 - 2  in decoder  104  can perform the weighted prediction process. In a simple example, the weighting factors may weight pixels in different reference pictures differently. Then, weighted prediction managers  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  take the weighted average of the reference units to use as a combined bi-directional reference unit. Motion estimation and compensation blocks  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  then use this combined bi-directional reference unit in the motion compensation process for the current unit. The syntax elements will be described in more detail below after describing the weighted prediction process in more detail. 
       FIG.  2    depicts an example of the motion estimation and compensation process according to one embodiment. The video includes a number of pictures  200 - 1 - 200 - 5 . A current picture is shown at  200 - 3  and includes a current unit of video  202 - 1 . Current unit  202 - 1  may be bi-predicted using reference units from reference pictures in other pictures  200 , such as a previous picture  200 - 1  in the picture order and a subsequent picture  200 - 5  in the picture order. Picture  200 - 1  includes a reference unit  202 - 2  and picture  200 - 5  includes a reference unit  202 - 3 , both of which can be used to predict current unit  202 - 1 . 
     In weighted prediction, the pixels of reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3  may be weighted differently. For example, the pixels of reference units may be weighted by the weighting factors. In a simple example, the weighting factors may be percentages, such as the pixels of reference unit  202 - 2  may be weighted with a weighting factor w 0  of 0.25 and the pixels of reference unit  202 - 3  may be weighted with a weighting factor w 1  of 0.75. These weighting factors may then be used to calculate the pixel values used as the combined bi-directional reference unit for current unit  202 - 1 . 
     Once the reference units are determined, motion estimation and compensation block  104 - 1  can determine motion vectors that represent the location of reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3  with respect to current unit  202 - 1 . Then, motion estimation and compensation block  104 - 1  calculates a difference between the combined bi-directional reference unit and the current unit  202 - 1  as a residual error. 
     Once determining the residual error, encoder  102  encodes the residual error, the motion vectors, and also the weighting factors used to determine the combined bi-directional reference unit. Encoder  102  includes the encoded residual error, the motion vectors, and the weighting factors in an encoded bitstream that is sent to decoder  104 . The term weighting factors is used for discussion purposes to represent information that is encoded that allows the weighted prediction process to be performed and the weighting factors to be determined. The syntax elements used to determine which information for the weighting factors that are encoded in the encoded bitstream are described in more detail below. 
     Decoder  104  receives the encoded bitstream and can reconstruct the pictures of the video. Decoder  104  may reconstruct reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3  from the encoded bitstream prior to decoding current unit  202 - 1 . Also, decoder  104  decodes the residual error for current unit  202 - 1 , the motion vectors for current unit  202 - 1 , and the weighting factors. Then, in decoder  104 , motion estimation and compensation block  104 - 2  may then use the residual error to reconstruct the current unit  202 - 1 . For example, motion estimation and compensation block  104 - 2  may use the motion vectors to locate reconstructed reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3 . Then, weighted prediction manager  106 - 2  applies the weighting factors to the reconstructed units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3  to form the reconstructed combined bi-directional reference unit. The reconstructed residual error is then added to the reconstructed combined bi-directional predicted unit to form a reconstructed current unit. 
     As mentioned above, syntax elements for weighted prediction may use a variable BitDepth in the weighted prediction process. The variable BitDepth may represent a number of bits used to represent a pixel in a picture. The following will describe syntax elements that use the bit depth variable. 
       FIG.  3    depicts a table  300  of syntax elements that are used for weighted prediction according to one embodiment. There are syntax elements for the luma and chroma components of the video, and also for list0 and list1. The combined bi-directional reference unit may be determined by applying the weighting factors in an averaging operation. In an example to illustrate the calculation, the weighting factor w 0  is multiplied by the previous reference unit  202 - 2  (e.g., the luma and chroma components of the pixels) and the weighting factor w 1  is multiplied by the subsequent reference unit  202 - 3  (e.g., the luma and chroma components of the pixels). Then, the two values are added together and divided by the added weighting factors (e.g., normalization). The above example may not be exactly how encoder  102  and decoder  104  perform the calculation to determine the combined bi-directional reference unit. Various methods may be used, but performing a division operation may be an expensive computational operation. One method of deriving the weighting factors is to use bit shifting. The weighting factors can be derived with a common denominator and the division is represented by a right shift of the combined weighted prediction of a number of bits based on a base 2 logarithm of the denominator. That is, the weighting factor, such as the luma weighting factor, may be bit shifted by the base 2 logarithm of the denominator. 
     The following syntax elements encode parameter values that can be used to perform the weighted prediction process. The syntax elements in Table  300  of luma_log 2_weight_denom at  302 , delta_chroma_log 2_weight_denom at  304 , delta_luma_weight_l0[i] at  306 , delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j] at  308 , delta_luma_weight_l1[i] at  310 , and delta_chroma_weight_l1[i][j] at  312  may use a BitDepth variable for the number of bits that represent a pixel. This allows these syntax elements to be used for video that may represent pixels with a different number of bits, such as 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, etc., bits. The syntax elements can thus handle high precision data, which may represent pixels with more than 8 bits. 
     The syntax element luma_log 2_weight_denom is the base 2 logarithm of the denominator for all luma weighting factors. The value of luma_log 2_weight_denom shall be in the range of 0 to BitDepth Y , inclusive, where BitDepth Y  is the bit depth of the luma component of the reference picture. By including the range to be dependent on the variable BitDepth Y , the value can represent different numbers of bits for the pixels. The syntax element luma_log 2_weight_denom is used to calculate the luma weighting factor (e.g., the delta luma weighting factor of the syntax element delta_luma_weight_l0[i] and delta_luma_weight_l1[i] described below). 
     The syntax element delta_chroma_log 2_weight_denom is the difference of the base 2 logarithm of the denominator for all chroma weighting factors. The variable ChromaLog2WeightDenom, which is the log 2 denominator of the chroma weighting factor, is derived to be equal to luma_log 2_weight_denom+delta_chroma_log 2_weight_denom, and the value shall be in the range of 0 to BitDepth C , inclusive, where the variable BitDepth C  is the bit depth of the chroma component of the reference picture. By including the range to be dependent on the variable BitDepth C , the chroma weighting factor value can represent different numbers of bits for the pixels. 
     The syntax element luma_weight_l0_flag[i], when equal to 1, specifies that weighting factors for the luma component of list 0 prediction using RefPicList0[i] are present. The syntax element luma_weight_l0_flag[i], when equal to 0, specifies that these weighting factors are not present. 
     The syntax element chroma_weight_l0_flag[i], when equal to 1, specifies that weighting factors for the chroma prediction values of list 0 prediction using RefPicList0[i] are present. The syntax element chroma_weight_l0_flag[i], when equal to 0, specifies that the chroma weighting factors are not present. When chroma_weight_l0_flag[i] is not present, it is inferred to be equal to 0. 
     The syntax element delta_luma_weight_l0[i] is the difference of the weighting factor applied to the luma prediction value for list 0 prediction using RefPicList0[i]. The variable LumaWeightL0[i] may be the luma weighting factor for list0 and is derived to be equal to (1&lt;&lt;luma_log 2_weight_denom)+delta_luma_weight_l0[i]. That is, the luma weighting factor is a right shift of the variable luma_log 2_weight_denom plus the value of delta_luma_weight_l0[i]. When luma_weight_l0_flag[i] is equal to 1, the value of delta_luma_weight_l0[i] shall be in the range of −(1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth Y −1)), (1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth Y −1))−1, inclusive, where BitDepth Y  is the bit depth for the luma component of the reference picture. This sets the range of the weighting factor to be based on the variable BitDepth Y . When luma_weight_l0_flag[i] is equal to 0, LumaWeightL0[i] is inferred to be equal to 2 luma_log 2_weight_denom . 
     The syntax element luma_offset_l0[i] is the additive offset applied to the luma prediction value for list 0 prediction using RefPicList0[i]. The value of luma_offset_l0[i] shall be in the range of −128 to 127, inclusive, or −(1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth Y −1) to (1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth Y −1)−1, inclusive. When luma_weight_l0_flag[i] is equal to 0, luma_offset_l0[i] is inferred as equal to 0. 
     The syntax element delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j] is the difference of the weighting factor applied to the chroma prediction values for list 0 prediction using RefPicList0[i] with j equal to 0 for Cb and j equal to 1 for Cr. The variable ChromaWeightL0[i][j] may be the chroma weighting factor for list0 and is derived to be equal to (1&lt;&lt;ChromaLog2WeightDenom)+delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j]. That is, the chroma weighting factor is a right shift of the variable ChromaLog2WeightDenom plus the value of delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j]. When chroma_weight_l0_flag[i] is equal to 1, the value of delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j] shall be in the range of −(1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C −1)), (1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C −1))−1, inclusive, where BitDepth C  is the bit depth for the chroma component of the reference picture. This sets the range of the weighting factor to be based on the variable BitDepth C . When chroma_weight_l0_flag[i] is equal to 0, ChromaWeightL0[i][j] is inferred to be equal to 2 ChromaLog 2WeightDenom . 
     The syntax element delta_chroma_offset_l0[i][j] is the difference of the additive offset applied to the chroma prediction values for list 0 prediction using RefPicList0[i] with j equal to 0 for Cb and j equal to 1 for Cr. 
     The variable ChromaOffsetL0[i][j] is derived as follows:
 
ChromaOffset L 0[ i ][ j ]=Clip3(−128,127,(delta_chroma_offset_ l 0[ i ][ j ]−((128*ChromaWeight  L 0[ i ][ j ])&gt;&gt;ChromaLog2WeightDenom)+128))
 
     The value of delta_chroma_offset_l0[i][j] shall be in the range of −512 to 511, inclusive. Also, variable ChromaOffsetL0[i][j] is derived as follows:
 
ChromaOffset L 0[ i ][ j ]=Clip3(−(1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C −1),(1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C 1)−1,(delta_chroma_offset_ l 0[ i ][ j ]−(((1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C −1))*ChromaWeight L 0[ i ][ j ])&gt;&gt;ChromaLog2WeightDenom)+(1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C −1))).
 
     The value of delta_chroma_offset_l0[i][j] shall be in the range of −(1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C +1) to (1&lt;&lt;(BitDepth C +1)−1, inclusive. When chroma_weight_l0_flag[i] is equal to 0, ChromaOffsetL0[i][j] is inferred to be equal to 0. 
     The syntax elements luma_weight_l1_flag[i], chroma_weight_l1 flag[i], delta_luma_weight_l1[i], luma_offset_l1[i], delta_chroma_weight_l1[i][j], and delta_chroma_offset_l1[i][j] have the same semantics as luma_weight_l0_flag[i], chroma_weight_l0_flag[i], delta_luma_weight_l0[i], luma_offset_l0[i], delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j], and delta_chroma_offset_l0[i][j], respectively, with l0, L0, list 0, and List0 replaced by l1, L1, list 1, and List1, respectively. That is, these are the same syntax elements for list1 instead of list0. 
     The variable sumWeightL0Flags is derived to be equal to the sum of luma_weight_l0_flag[i]+2*chroma_weight_l0 flag[i], for i=0 . . . num_ref_idx_l0_active_minus1. When slice_type is equal to B, the variable sumWeightL1Flags is derived to be equal to the sum of luma_weight_l1_flag[i]+2*chroma_weight_l1 flag[i], for i=0 . . . num_ref_idx_l1_active_minus1. It is a requirement of bitstream conformance that, when slice_type is equal to P, sumWeightL0Flags shall be less than or equal to 24, and when slice_type is equal to B, the sum of sumWeightL0Flags and sumWeightL1Flags shall be less than or equal to 24. 
     The above syntax elements luma_offset_l0, luma_offset_l1, ChromaOffsetL0, ChromaOffsetL1 are modified when the pixels of reference pictures may include higher precision, such as when the syntax element extended_precision_processing_flag is equal to 1. 
     Accordingly, by using the variable BitDepth for the luma and chroma components, encoder  102  may change the number of bits that is used for weighted prediction based on the number of bits that represent pixels in the pictures of the video. In one embodiment, encoder  102  knows the BitDepth for the pictures of a video and can set the variable BitDepth to the value of the number of bits that represent the pixels of pictures. 
       FIG.  4    depicts a simplified flowchart  400  of a method for using the variable BitDepth in the encoding process according to one embodiment. At  402 , encoder  102  determines a value for the variable BitDepth for the luma and chroma components. The value may be based on the precision of the video, such as a number of bits that represent the pixels in pictures of a video. Encoder  102  may determine the value based on analyzing characteristics of the video. Also, the number of bits that represent the pixels may be input or included in metadata associated with the video. 
     At  404 , motion estimation and compensation block  104 - 1  determines when weighted prediction is enabled. For example, weighted prediction flags, luma_weight_l0_flag[i] and chroma_weight_l0_flag[i], may be set to indicate that weighted prediction is enabled for the luma and chroma components. 
     At  406 , weighted prediction manager  106 - 1  determines motion vectors for reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3  and weighting factors for the luma and chroma components for reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3  (e.g., list0 and list1). The weighting factors may be assigned to the pictures (e.g., list0 and list1) that are being used as reference pictures for a current picture. 
     At  408 , weighted prediction manager  106 - 1  then calculates the combined bi-directional reference unit to use in motion compensation based on the weighting factors and pixels of reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3 . As described above, the weighting factors weight pixels differently in reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3 . At  410 , motion estimation and compensation block  104 - 1  determines the residual error using current unit  202 - 1  and the combined bi-directional reference unit. 
     At  412 , encoder  102  calculates the values for the applicable syntax elements used in the weighted prediction process. For example, the values for the syntax elements luma_log 2_weight_denom, delta_chroma_log 2_weight_denom, delta_luma_weight_l0[i], delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j], delta_luma_weight_l1[i], and delta_chroma_weight_l1[i][j] using the variable BitDepth are calculated. 
     At  414 , encoder  102  encodes the parameters for the syntax elements for the weighted prediction process in an encoded bitstream along with the motion vectors and residual error for current unit  202 - 1 . For example, encoder  102  encodes the values calculated for the syntax elements shown in Table  300  in  FIG.  3   . At  416 , encoder  102  sends the encoded bitstream to decoder  104 . 
       FIG.  5    depicts a simplified flowchart  500  for decoding an encoded bitstream using the variable BitDepth according to one embodiment. At  502 , decoder  104  receives the encoded bitstream. At  504 , decoder  104  then determines a current unit  202 - 1  in a current picture to decode. At  506 , decoder  104  decodes the encoded motion vectors from the encoded bitstream for current unit  202 - 1  and uses these motion vectors to locate the reconstructed reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3 . Also, at  508 , decoder  104  determines the residual error for current unit  202 - 1  from the encoded bitstream. 
     At  510 , weighted prediction manager  106 - 2  may determine the values for the syntax elements in Table  300  for weighted prediction. This may allow weighted prediction manager  106 - 2  to determine the weighting factors. At  512 , weighted prediction manager  106 - 2  may then apply the weighting factors to reference units  202 - 2  and  202 - 3  to determine the combined bi-directional reference unit. At  514 , motion estimation and compensation block  104 - 2  can then add the residual error for current unit  202 - 1  to the combined weighted prediction unit to form a reconstructed current unit. 
     Accordingly, particular embodiments use a variable BitDepth for syntax elements in the weighted prediction process. For example, the syntax elements luma_log 2_weight_denom, delta_chroma_log 2_weight_denom, delta_luma_weight_l0[i], delta_chroma_weight_l0[i][j], delta_luma_weight_l1[i], and delta_chroma_weight_l1[i][j] use the variable BitDepth. 
     Particular embodiments may be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, system, or machine. The computer-readable storage medium contains instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method described by particular embodiments. The computer system may include one or more computing devices. The instructions, when executed by one or more computer processors, may be configured to perform that which is described in particular embodiments. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The above description illustrates various embodiments along with examples of how aspects of particular embodiments may be implemented. The above examples and embodiments should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of particular embodiments as defined by the following claims. Based on the above disclosure and the following claims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents may be employed without departing from the scope hereof as defined by the claims.