Patent ID: 8873627

Claim:
A method of encoding a video sequence having a plurality of pictures, the method comprising: dividing the plurality of pictures into a set of group of pictures; dividing each group of pictures into at least two temporal layers with hierarchical structure; and encoding each picture in the group of pictures as an Intra coded picture (I-picture) or a low-delay Bi-predictive picture (B-picture), wherein the low-delay B-picture uses reference pictures from reference picture list 0 and reference picture list 1 , and the reference pictures from the reference picture list 0 and the reference picture list 1 contain only pictures prior to the low-delay B-picture in a display order; wherein the I-picture is only allowed in a lowest temporal layer; wherein at least one low-delay B-picture is used in a non-lowest temporal layer; and wherein a first picture in a first temporal layer does not reference to any picture in any temporal layer higher than the first temporal layer.