Using a most probable scanning order to efficiently code scanning order information for a video block in video coding

Abstract

In one example, an apparatus is disclosed for coding coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, the apparatus comprising a video coder configured to code information that identifies a scanning order associated with the block, wherein to code the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block, the video coder is configured to determine a most probable scanning order for the block, and code an indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order. In another example, to code the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block, the video coder is further configured to, in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, code an indication of the scanning order associated with the block.

1 . A method of coding coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, the method comprising:
 coding information that identifies a scanning order associated with the block, including determining a most probable scanning order for the block, and coding an indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the most probable scanning order for the block comprises determining a most probable scanning order for the block based on a prediction mode and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coding the indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order comprises performing a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, using a zig-zag scanning order to code the coefficients associated with the block.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coding the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block further includes:
 in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, coding an indication of the scanning order associated with the block.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein coding the indication of the scanning order associated with the block comprises performing a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the most probable scanning order for the block comprises designating a zig-zag scanning order as the most probable scanning order for the block. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the scanning order associated with the block and the most probable scanning order comprises one of a zig-zag scanning order, a horizontal scanning order, a vertical scanning order, and a diagonal scanning order. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coding information that identifies a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to the scanning order associated with the block. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coding information that identifies positions of non-zero coefficients within the block. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for coding coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, the apparatus comprising a video coder configured to:
 code information that identifies a scanning order associated with the block, wherein to code the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block, the video coder is configured to determine a most probable scanning order for the block, and code an indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein to determine the most probable scanning order for the block, the video coder is configured to determine a most probable scanning order for the block based on a prediction mode and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein to code the indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order, the video coder is configured to perform a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes the video coder applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the video coder is further configured to:
 in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, use a zig-zag scanning order to code the coefficients associated with the block.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein to code the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block, the video coder is further configured to:
 in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, code an indication of the scanning order associated with the block.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein to code the indication of the scanning order associated with the block, the video coder is configured to perform a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes the video coder applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein to determine the most probable scanning order for the block, the video coder is configured to designate a zig-zag scanning order as the most probable scanning order for the block. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each of the scanning order associated with the block and the most probable scanning order comprises one of a zig-zag scanning order, a horizontal scanning order, a vertical scanning order, and a diagonal scanning order. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the video coder is further configured to code information that identifies a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to the scanning order associated with the block. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the video coder is further configured to code information that identifies positions of non-zero coefficients within the block. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of:
 an integrated circuit;   a microprocessor; and   a wireless communication device that includes the video coder.   
     
     
         22 . A device for coding coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, the device comprising:
 means for coding information that identifies a scanning order associated with the block, including means for determining a most probable scanning order for the block, and means for coding an indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the means for determining the most probable scanning order for the block comprises means for determining a most probable scanning order for the block based on a prediction mode and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the means for coding the indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order comprises means for performing a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 means for, in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, using a zig-zag scanning order to code the coefficients associated with the block.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the means for coding the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block further includes:
 means for, in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, coding an indication of the scanning order associated with the block.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the means for coding the indication of the scanning order associated with the block comprises means for performing a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the means for determining the most probable scanning order for the block comprises means for designating a zig-zag scanning order as the most probable scanning order for the block. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein each of the scanning order associated with the block and the most probable scanning order comprises one of a zig-zag scanning order, a horizontal scanning order, a vertical scanning order, and a diagonal scanning order. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising means for coding information that identifies a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to the scanning order associated with the block. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising means for coding information that identifies positions of non-zero coefficients within the block. 
     
     
         32 . A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to code coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, wherein the instructions cause the processor to:
 code information that identifies a scanning order associated with the block, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to code the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block comprise instructions that cause the processor to determine a most probable scanning order for the block, and code an indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order.   
     
     
         33 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to determine the most probable scanning order for the block comprise instructions that cause the processor to determine a most probable scanning order for the block based on a prediction mode and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         34 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to code the indication of whether the scanning order associated with the block is the most probable scanning order comprise instructions that cause the processor to perform a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         35 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to code the coefficients associated with the block during the video coding process further cause the processor to:
 in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, use a zig-zag scanning order to code the coefficients associated with the block.   
     
     
         36 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to code the information that identifies the scanning order associated with the block further comprise instructions that cause the processor to:
 in the event the scanning order associated with the block is not the most probable scanning order, code an indication of the scanning order associated with the block.   
     
     
         37 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 36 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to code the indication of the scanning order associated with the block comprise instructions that cause the processor to perform a context adaptive entropy coding process that includes applying a context model based on at least one context, wherein the at least one context includes one of the most probable scanning order, a prediction mode associated with the block, and a size associated with the block. 
     
     
         38 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to determine the most probable scanning order for the block comprise instructions that cause the processor to designate a zig-zag scanning order as the most probable scanning order for the block. 
     
     
         39 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein each of the scanning order associated with the block and the most probable scanning order comprises one of a zig-zag scanning order, a horizontal scanning order, a vertical scanning order, and a diagonal scanning order. 
     
     
         40 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to code the coefficients associated with the block during the video coding process further cause the processor to:
 code information that identifies a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to the scanning order associated with the block.   
     
     
         41 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions that cause the processor to code the coefficients associated with the block during the video coding process further cause the processor to:
 code information that identifies positions of non-zero coefficients within the block.