Patent Description:
Intra prediction modes used in High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) and Versatile Video Coding (VVC) are illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively. In HEVC, mode <NUM> is a horizontal mode, mode <NUM> is a vertical mode, and mode <NUM>, mode <NUM> and mode <NUM> are diagonal modes. An intra prediction scheme based on <NUM> directional modes has also been proposed to capture arbitrary edge directions presented in natural video, and this intra prediction scheme based on <NUM> directional modes is being studied for the development of WC.

In <FIG>, in HEVC, mode <NUM> and <NUM> indicate the same prediction direction. In <FIG>, in VVC, mode <NUM> and <NUM> indicate the same prediction direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, all intra prediction modes are within <NUM> degrees in a top-right and a bottom-left direction, which are called conventional intra prediction modes in this document. Wide angles beyond the range of prediction directions covered by conventional intra prediction modes have been proposed, which are called wide angular intra prediction modes. Each wide-angular intra prediction direction is associated with one conventional intra prediction direction. Each wide-angular intra prediction direction and its associated intra prediction direction capture the same directionality, but use opposite sides of reference samples (left column or top row). The tool is signaled by sending a <NUM>-bit flag for those associated directions that have an available wide-angle "flip mode. " In the case of the <NUM>-direction angular intra prediction, the availability of new modes is limited to <NUM> directional modes closest to the <NUM>-degree diagonal top-right mode (i.e., mode <NUM> when <NUM> conventional intra modes are applied) and the bottom-left mode (i.e., mode <NUM> when <NUM> conventional intra modes are applied). The actual sample prediction process follows the one in HEVC or WC.

<FIG> illustrates the process for the hypothetical case of <NUM> HEVC directions and limiting the operation to two modes closest to the diagonal modes. In this example, if the block width is larger than the block height, mode <NUM> and mode <NUM> would have extra flags indicating whether to use the indicated mode or the flipped wide angular direction with mode <NUM> and mode <NUM>.

In HEVC, for the luma component, the neighboring samples used for intra prediction sample generations are filtered before the generation process. The filtering is controlled by the given intra prediction mode and transform block size. If the intra prediction mode is DC or the transform block size is equal to 4x4, neighboring samples are not filtered. If the distance between the given intra prediction mode and the vertical mode or horizontal mode is larger than a predefined threshold, the filtering process is enabled. In HEVC, the threshold depends on the width or height because intra prediction is always applied on square blocks. In VVC, the threshold depends on the area size, i.e., (log<NUM>(width) + log<NUM>(height)) >> <NUM>.

In WC, for the luma component, the neighboring samples used for intra prediction sample generations are filtered before the generation process, namely the intra smoothing process. The filtering is controlled by the given intra prediction mode and transform block size. If the intra prediction mode is DC or the transform block size is equal to 4x4, neighboring samples are not filtered. If the distance between the given intra prediction mode and the vertical mode or horizontal mode is larger than a predefined threshold, the filtering process is enabled. For neighboring sample filtering, a [<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>] filter and a bi-linear filter are used.

<NPL>, proposes to adaptively replace several conventional angular intra prediction modes with wide-angle intra prediction modes for non-square blocks.

<NPL>, describes Core Experiment <NUM> (CE3) on intra prediction and mode coding.

<CIT> discloses a method and apparatus for selecting an intra interpolation filter for multi-line intra prediction based on a reference line index for decoding a video sequence includes identifying a set of reference lines associated with a coding unit.

According to embodiments, a method of controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence, is performed by at least one processor and includes identifying whether an intra prediction mode of a current block has a wide angle direction, wherein the wide angle direction is wider than a <NUM>-degree diagonal toward a top-right direction or a bottom-left direction, in the case of the intra prediction mode being identified to have the wide angle direction, filtering reference samples of the current block, using always an edge-smoothing filter, and in the case of the intra prediction mode being identified to not have the wide angle direction, filtering the reference samples, using always an edge-preserve filter.

According to embodiments, an apparatus for controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence, includes at least one memory configured to store computer program code, and at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and operate according to the computer program code. The computer program code includes first identifying code configured to cause the at least one processor to identify whether an intra prediction mode of a current block has a wide angle direction, wherein the wide angle direction is wider than a <NUM>-degree diagonal toward a top-right direction or a bottom-left direction, and filtering code configured to cause the at least one processor to, in the case of the intra prediction mode being identified to have the wide angle direction, filter reference samples of the current block, using always an edge-smoothing filter, and in the case of the intra prediction mode being identified to not have the wide angle direction, filter the reference samples, using always an edge-preserve filter.

According to embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that cause at least one processor to perform the method of controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram of a communication system (<NUM>) according to embodiments. The communication system (<NUM>) may include at least two terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>) interconnected via a network (<NUM>). For unidirectional transmission of data, a first terminal (<NUM>) may code video data at a local location for transmission to the other terminal (<NUM>) via the network (<NUM>). The second terminal (<NUM>) may receive the coded video data of the other terminal from the network (<NUM>), decode the coded data and display the recovered video data.

<FIG> illustrates a second pair of terminals (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided to support bidirectional transmission of coded video that may occur, for example, during videoconferencing. For bidirectional transmission of data, each terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) may code video data captured at a local location for transmission to the other terminal via the network (<NUM>). Each terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) also may receive the coded video data transmitted by the other terminal, may decode the coded data and may display the recovered video data at a local display device.

In <FIG>, the terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>) may be illustrated as servers, personal computers and smart phones but the principles of embodiments are not so limited. Embodiments find application with laptop computers, tablet computers, media players and/or dedicated video conferencing equipment. The network (<NUM>) represents any number of networks that convey coded video data among the terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>), including for example wireline and/or wireless communication networks. For the purposes of the present discussion, the architecture and topology of the network (<NUM>) may be immaterial to the operation of embodiments unless explained herein below.

<FIG> is a diagram of a placement of a video encoder and a video decoder in a streaming environment, according to embodiments.

A streaming system may include a capture subsystem (<NUM>) that can include a video source (<NUM>), for example a digital camera, creating, for example, an uncompressed video sample stream (<NUM>). That sample stream (<NUM>), depicted as a bold line to emphasize a high data volume when compared to encoded video bitstreams, can be processed by an encoder (<NUM>) coupled to the camera (<NUM>). The encoder (<NUM>) can include hardware, software, or a combination thereof to enable or implement aspects of the disclosed subject matter as described in more detail below. The encoded video bitstream (<NUM>), depicted as a thin line to emphasize the lower data volume when compared to the sample stream, can be stored on a streaming server (<NUM>) for future use. One or more streaming clients (<NUM>, <NUM>) can access the streaming server (<NUM>) to retrieve copies (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the encoded video bitstream (<NUM>). A client (<NUM>) can include a video decoder (<NUM>), which decodes the incoming copy of the encoded video bitstream (<NUM>) and creates an outgoing video sample stream (<NUM>) that can be rendered on a display (<NUM>) or other rendering device (not depicted). In some streaming systems, the video bitstreams (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can be encoded according to certain video coding/compression standards. Examples of those standards include ITU-T Recommendation H. Under development is a video coding standard informally known as VVC. The disclosed subject matter may be used in the context of VVC.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram of a video decoder (<NUM>) according to embodiments.

A receiver (<NUM>) may receive one or more codec video sequences to be decoded by the decoder (<NUM>); in the same or embodiments, one coded video sequence at a time, where the decoding of each coded video sequence is independent from other coded video sequences. The coded video sequence may be received from a channel (<NUM>), which may be a hardware/software link to a storage device, which stores the encoded video data. To combat network jitter, a buffer memory (<NUM>) may be coupled in between receiver (<NUM>) and entropy decoder / parser (<NUM>) ("parser" henceforth). When receiver (<NUM>) is receiving data from a store/forward device of sufficient bandwidth and controllability, or from an isosychronous network, the buffer (<NUM>) may not be needed, or can be small. For use on best effort packet networks such as the Internet, the buffer (<NUM>) may be required, can be comparatively large and can advantageously of adaptive size.

The video decoder (<NUM>) may include a parser (<NUM>) to reconstruct symbols (<NUM>) from the entropy coded video sequence. Categories of those symbols include information used to manage operation of the decoder (<NUM>), and potentially information to control a rendering device such as a display (<NUM>) that is not an integral part of the decoder but can be coupled to it, as was shown in <FIG>. The control information for the rendering device(s) may be in the form of Supplementary Enhancement Information (SEI messages) or Video Usability Information (VUI) parameter set fragments (not depicted). The parser (<NUM>) may parse / entropy-decode the coded video sequence received. The coding of the coded video sequence can be in accordance with a video coding technology or standard, and can follow principles well known to a person skilled in the art, including variable length coding, Huffman coding, arithmetic coding with or without context sensitivity, and so forth. The parser (<NUM>) may extract from the coded video sequence, a set of subgroup parameters for at least one of the subgroups of pixels in the video decoder, based upon at least one parameters corresponding to the group. The entropy decoder / parser may also extract from the coded video sequence information such as transform coefficients, quantizer parameter (QP) values, motion vectors, and so forth.

The parser (<NUM>) may perform entropy decoding / parsing operation on the video sequence received from the buffer (<NUM>), so to create symbols (<NUM>). The parser (<NUM>) may receive encoded data, and selectively decode particular symbols (<NUM>). Further, the parser (<NUM>) may determine whether the particular symbols (<NUM>) are to be provided to a Motion Compensation Prediction unit (<NUM>), a scaler / inverse transform unit (<NUM>), an Intra Prediction unit (<NUM>), or a loop filter unit (<NUM>).

Beyond the functional blocks already mentioned, decoder (<NUM>) can be conceptually subdivided into a number of functional units as described below.

The scaler / inverse transform unit (<NUM>) receives quantized transform coefficient as well as control information, including which transform to use, block size, quantization factor, quantization scaling matrices, etc. as symbol(s) (<NUM>) from the parser (<NUM>). It can output blocks comprising sample values that can be input into aggregator (<NUM>).

In some cases, the intra picture prediction unit (<NUM>) generates a block of the same size and shape of the block under reconstruction, using surrounding already reconstructed information fetched from the current (partly reconstructed) picture (<NUM>).

In such a case, a Motion Compensation Prediction unit (<NUM>) can access reference picture memory (<NUM>) to fetch samples used for prediction. After motion compensating the fetched samples in accordance with the symbols (<NUM>) pertaining to the block, these samples can be added by the aggregator (<NUM>) to the output of the scaler / inverse transform unit (in this case called the residual samples or residual signal) so to generate output sample information. The addresses within the reference picture memory form where the motion compensation unit fetches prediction samples can be controlled by motion vectors, available to the motion compensation unit in the form of symbols (<NUM>) that can have, for example X, Y, and reference picture components. Motion compensation also can include interpolation of sample values as fetched from the reference picture memory when sub-sample exact motion vectors are in use, motion vector prediction mechanisms, and so forth.

Video compression technologies can include in-loop filter technologies that are controlled by parameters included in the coded video bitstream and made available to the loop filter unit (<NUM>) as symbols (<NUM>) from the parser (<NUM>), but can also be responsive to meta-information obtained during the decoding of previous (in decoding order) parts of the coded picture or coded video sequence, as well as responsive to previously reconstructed and loop-filtered sample values.

Once a coded picture is fully reconstructed and the coded picture has been identified as a reference picture (by, for example, parser (<NUM>)), the current reference picture (<NUM>) can become part of the reference picture buffer (<NUM>), and a fresh current picture memory can be reallocated before commencing the reconstruction of the following coded picture.

The video decoder (<NUM>) may perform decoding operations according to a predetermined video compression technology that may be documented in a standard, such as ITU-T Rec. The coded video sequence may conform to a syntax specified by the video compression technology or standard being used, in the sense that it adheres to the syntax of the video compression technology or standard, as specified in the video compression technology document or standard and specifically in the profiles document therein.

In embodiments, the receiver (<NUM>) may receive additional (redundant) data with the encoded video. Additional data can be in the form of, for example, temporal, spatial, or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement layers, redundant slices, redundant pictures, forward error correction codes, and so on.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram of a video encoder (<NUM>) according to embodiments.

The encoder (<NUM>) may receive video samples from a video source (<NUM>) (that is not part of the encoder) that may capture video image(s) to be coded by the encoder (<NUM>).

The video source (<NUM>) may provide the source video sequence to be coded by the encoder (<NUM>) in the form of a digital video sample stream that can be of any suitable bit depth (for example: <NUM> bit, <NUM> bit, <NUM> bit,. <NUM> Y CrCB, RGB,. ) and any suitable sampling structure (for example Y CrCb <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>, Y CrCb <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>).

According to embodiments, the encoder (<NUM>) may code and compress the pictures of the source video sequence into a coded video sequence (<NUM>) in real time or under any other time constraints as required by the application. Enforcing appropriate coding speed is one function of Controller (<NUM>). Controller controls other functional units as described below and is functionally coupled to these units. Parameters set by controller can include rate control related parameters (picture skip, quantizer, lambda value of rate-distortion optimization techniques,. A person skilled in the art can readily identify other functions of controller (<NUM>) as they may pertain to video encoder (<NUM>) optimized for a certain system design.

Some video encoders operate in what a person skilled in the art readily recognizes as a "coding loop. " As an oversimplified description, a coding loop can consist of the encoding part of an encoder (<NUM>) ("source coder" henceforth) (responsible for creating symbols based on an input picture to be coded, and a reference picture(s)), and a (local) decoder (<NUM>) embedded in the encoder (<NUM>) that reconstructs the symbols to create the sample data that a (remote) decoder also would create (as any compression between symbols and coded video bitstream is lossless in the video compression technologies considered in the disclosed subject matter). That reconstructed sample stream is input to the reference picture memory (<NUM>). As the decoding of a symbol stream leads to bit-exact results independent of decoder location (local or remote), the reference picture buffer content is also bit exact between local encoder and remote encoder. This fundamental principle of reference picture synchronicity (and resulting drift, if synchronicity cannot be maintained, for example because of channel errors) is well known to a person skilled in the art.

The operation of the "local" decoder (<NUM>) can be the same as of a "remote" decoder (<NUM>), which has already been described in detail above in conjunction with <FIG>. Briefly referring also to <FIG>, however, as symbols are available and en/decoding of symbols to a coded video sequence by entropy coder (<NUM>) and parser (<NUM>) can be lossless, the entropy decoding parts of decoder (<NUM>), including channel (<NUM>), receiver (<NUM>), buffer (<NUM>), and parser (<NUM>) may not be fully implemented in local decoder (<NUM>).

As part of its operation, the source coder (<NUM>) may perform motion compensated predictive coding, which codes an input frame predictively with reference to one or more previously-coded frames from the video sequence that were designated as "reference frames. " In this manner, the coding engine (<NUM>) codes differences between pixel blocks of an input frame and pixel blocks of reference frame(s) that may be selected as prediction reference(s) to the input frame.

The local video decoder (<NUM>) may decode coded video data of frames that may be designated as reference frames, based on symbols created by the source coder (<NUM>). When the coded video data may be decoded at a video decoder (not shown in <FIG>), the reconstructed video sequence typically may be a replica of the source video sequence with some errors. The local video decoder (<NUM>) replicates decoding processes that may be performed by the video decoder on reference frames and may cause reconstructed reference frames to be stored in the reference picture cache (<NUM>). In this manner, the encoder (<NUM>) may store copies of reconstructed reference frames locally that have common content as the reconstructed reference frames that will be obtained by a far-end video decoder (absent transmission errors).

That is, for a new frame to be coded, the predictor (<NUM>) may search the reference picture memory (<NUM>) for sample data (as candidate reference pixel blocks) or certain metadata such as reference picture motion vectors, block shapes, and so on, that may serve as an appropriate prediction reference for the new pictures.

The controller (<NUM>) may manage coding operations of the video coder (<NUM>), including, for example, setting of parameters and subgroup parameters used for encoding the video data.

The entropy coder translates the symbols as generated by the various functional units into a coded video sequence, by loss-less compressing the symbols according to technologies known to a person skilled in the art as, for example Huffman coding, variable length coding, arithmetic coding, and so forth.

The transmitter (<NUM>) may buffer the coded video sequence(s) as created by the entropy coder (<NUM>) to prepare it for transmission via a communication channel (<NUM>), which may be a hardware/software link to a storage device that may store the encoded video data.

The controller (<NUM>) may manage operation of the encoder (<NUM>). For example, pictures often may be assigned as one of the following frame types:.

Source pictures commonly may be subdivided spatially into a plurality of sample blocks (for example, blocks of <NUM> x <NUM>, <NUM> x <NUM>, <NUM> x <NUM>, or <NUM> x <NUM> samples each) and coded on a block-by-block basis. Pixel blocks of P pictures may be coded non-predictively, via spatial prediction or via temporal prediction with reference to one previously coded reference pictures. Blocks of B pictures may be coded non-predictively, via spatial prediction or via temporal prediction with reference to one or two previously coded reference pictures.

The video coder (<NUM>) may perform coding operations according to a predetermined video coding technology or standard, such as ITU-T Rec. In its operation, the video coder (<NUM>) may perform various compression operations, including predictive coding operations that exploit temporal and spatial redundancies in the input video sequence.

In embodiments, the transmitter (<NUM>) may transmit additional data with the encoded video. The video coder (<NUM>) may include such data as part of the coded video sequence. Additional data may comprise temporal/spatial/SNR enhancement layers, other forms of redundant data such as redundant pictures and slices, Supplementary Enhancement Information (SEI) messages, Visual Usability Information (VUI) parameter set fragments, and so on.

Reference sample filter selection in intra prediction will now be described in detail. Embodiments including using both an edge-preserve filter and an edge-smoothing filter adaptively for generating reference samples for intra prediction. One or more candidate filters for the edge-preserve filter is referred as Set1, and one or more candidate filters for the edge-smoothing filter is referred as Set2.

In embodiments, each of the Set1 and Set2 filters use <NUM>-tap filter coefficients.

In embodiments, each of the Set1 and Set2 filters allows a precision to be <NUM>/<NUM>-pel. That means for an arbitrary intra prediction direction, a reference sample position will be mapped to an integer reference sample or one of other <NUM> fractional sample locations.

In embodiments, a chroma interpolation filter and a filtering process for motion compensation can be considered as candidates for the Set1 filter. Coefficients of this filter for different positions can be (assuming <NUM>/<NUM>-pel accuracy, two integer reference samples on the left and two others on the right):.

In embodiments, a Gaussian filter or a linear interpolation filter can be considered as candidates for the Set2 filter. A corresponding function for generating this filter table may be: (<NUM> - deltaFract) * p[<NUM>] + (<NUM> - deltaFract) * p[<NUM>] + (<NUM> + deltaFract) * p[<NUM>] + deltaFract * p[<NUM>] + <NUM>) >> <NUM>), where deltaFract is a fractional position between two integer samples. Coefficients of this filter for different positions can be (assuming <NUM>/<NUM>-pel accuracy, two integer reference samples on the left and two others on the right):.

In embodiments, when a current intra prediction mode indicates a corresponding prediction direction is a wide angle direction (e.g., wider than a <NUM>-degree diagonal toward a top-right direction or a bottom left direction), a reference sample filter from Set2 is used and applied to reference samples, to generate filtered reference samples. Otherwise, a reference sample filter from Set1 is used and applied to reference samples, to generate filtered reference samples.

In embodiments, when a current block length is greater than or equal to N samples or pixels, a reference sample filter from Set2 is used and applied to reference samples, to generate filtered reference samples. Otherwise, a reference sample filter from Set1 is used and applied to reference samples, to generate filtered reference samples. The current block length can be measured by the larger of a width and a height of a current block. Alternatively, the current block length can be measured by the smaller of the width and height of the current block. In another alternative, the current block length can be measured by either the width or height of the current block, separately. In an example, N is equal to <NUM> samples.

In embodiments, when a current block length is greater than or equal to N samples or pixels, or when a current intra prediction mode indicates a corresponding prediction direction is a wide angle direction, a reference sample filter from Set2 is used and applied to reference samples, to generate filtered reference samples. Otherwise, a reference sample filter from Set1 is used and applied to reference samples, to generate filtered reference samples.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method (<NUM>) of controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence, according to embodiments. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of <FIG> may be performed by the decoder (<NUM>). In some implementations, one or more process blocks of <FIG> may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including the decoder (<NUM>), such as the encoder (<NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, in a first block (<NUM>), the method (<NUM>) includes identifying whether an intra prediction mode of a current block has a wide angle direction.

In a second block (<NUM>), the method (<NUM>) includes, based on the intra prediction mode being identified to have the wide angle direction, filtering reference samples of the current block, using an edge-smoothing filter; and.

In a third block (<NUM>), the method (<NUM>) includes, based on the intra prediction mode being identified to not have the wide angle direction, filtering the reference samples, using an edge-preserve filter.

Each of the edge-preserve filter and the edge-smoothing filter may use <NUM>-tap filter coefficients.

Each of the edge-preserve filter and the edge-smoothing filter may allow a precision to be <NUM>/<NUM>-pel.

The edge-preserve filter may include a chroma interpolation filter and/or a filtering process for motion compensation.

The edge-smoothing filter may include a Gaussian filter and/or a linear interpolation filter.

The wide angle direction may be wider than a <NUM>-degree diagonal toward a top-right direction or a bottom-left direction.

Although <FIG> shows example blocks of the method (<NUM>), in some implementations, the method (<NUM>) may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in <FIG>. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of the method (<NUM>) may be performed in parallel.

Referring to <FIG>, in a first block (<NUM>), the method (<NUM>) includes identifying whether a length of the current block is greater than or equal to a number of samples.

In a second block (<NUM>), the method (<NUM>) includes, based on the length being identified to be greater than or equal to the number of samples, filtering the reference samples, using the edge-smoothing filter.

In a third block (<NUM>), the method (<NUM>) includes, based on the length being identified to be less than the number of samples, filtering the reference samples, using the edge-preserve filter.

Further, the proposed methods may be implemented by processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors or one or more integrated circuits). In an example, the one or more processors execute a program that is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium to perform one or more of the proposed methods.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus (<NUM>) for controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence, according to embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus (<NUM>) includes first identifying code (<NUM>), filtering code (<NUM>) and second identifying code (<NUM>).

The first identifying code (<NUM>) is configured to cause at least one processor to identify whether an intra prediction mode of a current block has a wide angle direction.

The filtering code (<NUM>) is configured to cause the at least one processor to, based on the intra prediction mode being identified to have the wide angle direction, filter reference samples of the current block, using an edge-smoothing filter, and based on the intra prediction mode being identified to not have the wide angle direction, filter the reference samples, using an edge-preserve filter.

The second identifying code (<NUM>) is configured to cause the at least one processor to identify whether a length of the current block is greater than or equal to a number of samples. The filtering code (<NUM>) is further configured to cause the at least one processor to, based on the length being identified to be greater than or equal to the number of samples, filter the reference samples, using the edge-smoothing filter, and based on the length being identified to be less than the number of samples, filter the reference samples, using the edge-preserve filter.

<FIG> is a diagram of a computer system (<NUM>) suitable for implementing embodiments.

The components shown in <FIG> for computer system (<NUM>) are examples in nature and are not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the computer software implementing embodiments. Neither should the configuration of components be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in embodiments of a computer system (<NUM>).

Input human interface devices may include one or more of (only one of each depicted): keyboard (<NUM>), mouse (<NUM>), trackpad (<NUM>), touch screen (<NUM>), data-glove (<NUM>), joystick (<NUM>), microphone (<NUM>), scanner (<NUM>), camera (<NUM>).

Such human interface output devices may include tactile output devices (for example tactile feedback by the touch-screen (<NUM>), data-glove (<NUM>), or joystick (<NUM>), but there can also be tactile feedback devices that do not serve as input devices), audio output devices (such as: speakers (<NUM>), headphones (not depicted)), visual output devices (such as screens (<NUM>) to include cathode ray tube (CRT) screens, liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens, plasma screens, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens, each with or without touch-screen input capability, each with or without tactile feedback capability-some of which may be capable to output two dimensional visual output or more than three dimensional output through means such as stereographic output; virtual-reality glasses (not depicted), holographic displays and smoke tanks (not depicted)), and printers (not depicted). A graphics adapter (<NUM>) generates and outputs images to the touch-screen (<NUM>).

Computer system (<NUM>) can also include interface(s) to one or more communication networks (<NUM>). Networks (<NUM>) can for example be wireless, wireline, optical. Networks (<NUM>) can further be local, wide-area, metropolitan, vehicular and industrial, real-time, delay-tolerant, and so on. Examples of networks (<NUM>) include local area networks such as Ethernet, wireless LANs, cellular networks to include global systems for mobile communications (GSM), third generation (<NUM>), fourth generation (<NUM>), fifth generation (<NUM>), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and the like, TV wireline or wireless wide area digital networks to include cable TV, satellite TV, and terrestrial broadcast TV, vehicular and industrial to include CANBus, and so forth. Certain networks (<NUM>) commonly require external network interface adapters that attached to certain general purpose data ports or peripheral buses ((<NUM>)) (such as, for example universal serial bus (USB) ports of the computer system (<NUM>); others are commonly integrated into the core of the computer system (<NUM>) by attachment to a system bus as described below (for example Ethernet interface into a PC computer system or cellular network interface (<NUM>) into a smartphone computer system). Using any of these networks (<NUM>), computer system (<NUM>) can communicate with other entities. Such communication can be uni-directional, receive only (for example, broadcast TV), uni-directional send-only (for example CANbus to certain CANbus devices), or bi-directional, for example to other computer systems using local or wide area digital networks. Certain protocols and protocol stacks can be used on each of those networks (<NUM>) and network interfaces (<NUM>) as described above.

Aforementioned human interface devices, human-accessible storage devices, and network interfaces (<NUM>) can be attached to a core (<NUM>) of the computer system (<NUM>).

The core (<NUM>) can include one or more Central Processing Units (CPU) (<NUM>), Graphics Processing Units (GPU) (<NUM>), specialized programmable processing units in the form of Field Programmable Gate Areas (FPGA) (<NUM>), hardware accelerators (<NUM>) for certain tasks, and so forth. These devices, along with Read-only memory (ROM) (<NUM>), Random-access memory (RAM) (<NUM>), internal mass storage such as internal non-user accessible hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and the like (<NUM>), may be connected through a system bus (<NUM>). Architectures for a peripheral bus include peripheral component interconnect (PCI), USB, and the like.

Transitional data can also be stored in RAM (<NUM>), whereas permanent data can be stored for example, in the internal mass storage (<NUM>).

The media and computer code can be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of embodiments, or they can be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.

Claim 1:
A method of controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence, the method being performed by at least one processor, and the method comprising:
identifying (<NUM>) whether an intra prediction mode of a current block has a wide angle direction, wherein the wide angle direction is wider than a <NUM>-degree diagonal toward a top-right direction or a bottom-left direction; and
characterized in that:
in the case of the intra prediction mode being identified to have the wide angle direction, filtering (<NUM>) reference samples of the current block, using always an edge-smoothing filter; and
in the case of the intra prediction mode being identified to not have the wide angle direction, filtering (<NUM>) the reference samples, using always an edge-preserve filter.