Method of Coding and Decoding Images, Coding and Decoding Device and Computer Programs Corresponding Thereto

Abstract

A method for encoding an image having been cut up into partitions. The method includes: predicting data of a current partition based on an already encoded and then decoded reference partition, generating a predicted partition; determining residual data by comparing data relating to the current partition with the predicted partition, the residual data associated with various digital data items. Prior producing a signal containing the encoded information, performing the following steps: determining, from the predetermined residual data, a subset containing residual data capable of being modified; calculating the value of a function representative of the residual data; comparing the calculated value with a value of at least one of the digital data items; based on the comparison, modification or non-modification of at least one of the residual data items of the subset; and, in the event of a modification, entropy encoding the at least one modified residual data item.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing data representing a sign-data-hiding enabled block of an image, comprising: a bitstream stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the bitstream comprising: a set of context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) encoded coefficients representing a set of coefficients of a residual block of the sign-data-hiding enabled block, the set of coefficients including a particular non-zero coefficient that is without a sign designation; and an information item representing a prediction mode of the sign-data-hiding enabled block, wherein remainder data, which is based on an operation representing a division between a sum of non-zero coefficients in the set of coefficients and a specific number, is used to designate a sign for the particular non-zero coefficient, wherein the residual block of the sign-data-hiding enabled block corresponds to a difference between an original block and a prediction block generated by using the prediction mode, and wherein a count of coefficient between a first non-zero coefficient and a last non-zero coefficient in the set of CABAC encoded coefficients is greater than a threshold number.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Other features and advantages will become clear upon reading about two preferred embodiments described with reference to the drawings in which:

[0081] FIG. 1 represents the main steps of the encoding method according to the invention,

[0082] FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of an encoding device according to the invention,

[0083] FIG. 3 represents the main steps of the decoding method according to the invention,

[0084] FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of a decoding device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENCODING PART

[0085] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, in which the encoding method according to the invention is used to encode a sequence of images according to a binary stream close to that obtained by an encoding according to the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard. In this embodiment, the encoding method according to the invention is for example implemented in software or hardware form by modifications of an encoder initially compliant with the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard. The encoding method according to the invention is represented in the form of an algorithm including steps C1 to C40, represented in FIG. 1.

[0086] According to the embodiment of the invention, the encoding method according to the invention is implemented in an encoding device or encoder CO, an embodiment of which is represented in FIG. 2.

[0087] In accordance with the invention, prior to the actual encoding step, an image IE of a sequence of images to be encoded in a predetermined order is split into a plurality Z of partitions B.sub.1, B.sub.2, . . . , B.sub.i, . . . , B.sub.Z, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0088] It is appropriate to note that in the sense of the invention, the term “partition” means coding unit. This latter terminology is notably used in the HEVC/H.265 standard being drafted, for example in the document accessible at the following Internet address: http://phenix.int-evry.fr/jct/doc_end_user/current_document.php?id=3286

[0089] In particular, such a coding unit groups together sets of rectangular or square shape pixels, also called blocks, macroblocks, or sets of pixels exhibiting other geometric shapes.

[0090] In the example represented in FIG. 2, said partitions are blocks which have a square shape and are all the same size. Depending on the size of the image, which is not necessarily a multiple of the size of the blocks, the last blocks to the left and the last blocks at the bottom are able to not be square-shaped. In an alternative embodiment, the blocks can be for example of rectangular size and/or not aligned with one another.

[0091] Each block or macroblock can moreover be itself divided into subblocks which are themselves subdividable.

[0092] Such splitting is performed by a partitioning module PCO represented in FIG. 2 which uses for example a partitioning algorithm that is well known as such.

[0093] Following said splitting step, each of the current partitions B; (where i is an integer such that 1≤i≤Z) of said image IE is encoded.

[0094] In the example represented in FIG. 2, such an encoding is applied successively to each of the blocks B.sub.1 to B.sub.Z of the current image IE. The blocks are encoded for example according to a scan such as the raster scan, which is well known to the person skilled in the art.

[0095] The encoding according to the invention is implemented in an encoding software module MC_CO of the encoder CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0096] During a step C1 represented in FIG. 1, the encoding module MC_CO of FIG. 2 selects as current block B.sub.i the first block B.sub.1 to be encoded of the current image IE. As represented in FIG. 2, this is the first lefthand block of the image IE.

[0097] During a step C2 represented in FIG. 1, the predictive encoding of the current block B.sub.1 by known intra and/or inter prediction techniques is carried out, during which predictive encoding the block B.sub.1 is predicted with respect to at least one previously encoded and decoded block. Such a prediction is carried out by a prediction software module PRED_CO as represented in FIG. 2.

[0098] Needless to say other intra prediction modes as proposed in the H.264 standard are possible.

[0099] The current block B.sub.1 can also be subjected to a predictive encoding in inter mode, during which the current block is predicted with respect to a block from a previously encoded and decoded image. Other types of prediction can of course be envisaged. Among the predictions possible for a current block, the optimal prediction is chosen according to a rate distortion criterion that is well known to the person skilled in the art.

[0100] Said abovementioned predictive encoding step provides for constructing a predicted block Bp.sub.1 which is an approximation of the current block B.sub.1. The information items relating to this predictive encoding are intended to be included in a signal to be transmitted to the decoder. Such information items comprise notably the type of prediction (inter or intra), and if necessary, the intra prediction mode, the type of partitioning of a block or macroblock if the latter has been subdivided, the reference image index and the motion vector which are used in the inter prediction mode. These information items are compressed by the encoder CO.

[0101] During a next step C3 represented in FIG. 1, the prediction module PRED_CO compares the data items relating to the current block B.sub.1 with the data items of the predicted block Bp.sub.1. More specifically, during this step, conventionally the predicted block Bp.sub.1 is subtracted from the current block B.sub.1 to produce a residual block Br.sub.1.

[0102] During a next step C4 represented in FIG. 1, the residual block Br.sub.1 is transformed according to a conventional direct transform operation such as for example a DCT type discrete cosine transform, to produce a transformed block Bt.sub.1. Such an operation is executed by a transform software module MT_CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0103] During a next step C5 represented in FIG. 1, the transformed block Bt.sub.1 is quantized according to a conventional quantization operation, such as for example a scalar quantization. A block Bq.sub.1 of quantized coefficients is then obtained. Such a step is executed by means of a quantization software module MQ_CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0104] During a next step C6 represented in FIG. 1, the quantized coefficients of the block Bq.sub.1 are scanned in a predefined order. In the example represented, this is a conventional zigzag scan. Such a step is executed by a read software module ML_CO, as represented in FIG. 2. At the end of step C6, a one-dimensional list E.sub.1=(ε1, ε2, . . . , εL) of coefficients is obtained, more commonly known as “quantized residue”, where L is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 is associated with different digital information items which are intended to undergo an entropy encoding. Such digital information items are described below by way of example.

[0105] Assume that in the example represented, L=16 and that the list E.sub.1 contains the following sixteen coefficients: E.sub.1=(0, +9, −7, 0, 0, +1, 0, −1, +2, 0, 0, +1, 0, 0, 0, 0).

[0106] In this particular case: [0107] for each coefficient located before the last non-zero coefficient in the list E.sub.1, a digital information item, such as a bit, is intended to be entropically encoded to indicate whether or not the coefficient is zero: if the coefficient is zero, it is for example the bit of value 0 which will be encoded, while if the coefficient is not zero, it is the bit of value 1 which will be encoded; [0108] for each non-zero coefficient +9, −7, +1, −1, +2, +1, a digital information item, such as a bit, is intended to be entropically encoded to indicate whether or not the absolute value of the coefficient is equal to one: if it is equal to 1, it is for example the bit of value 1 which will be encoded, while if it is not equal to 1, it is the bit of value 0 which will be encoded; [0109] for each non-zero coefficient and for which the absolute value is not equal to one and which is located before the last non-zero coefficient, such as the coefficients of value +9, −7, +2, an amplitude information item (absolute value of the coefficient at which the value two is subtracted) is entropically encoded; [0110] for each non-zero coefficient, the sign assigned to it is encoded by a digital information item, such as a bit for example set to ‘0’ (for the + sign) or set to ‘1’ (for the − sign).

[0111] With reference to FIG. 1, the specific encoding steps according to the invention will now be described.

[0112] In accordance with the invention, it is decided to avoid entropically encoding at least one of the abovementioned information items. For the reasons explained earlier in the description, in a preferred embodiment, it is decided to not entropically encode at least one sign of one of said coefficients in the list E.sub.1.

[0113] By way of alternative example, it could notably be decided to entropically encode the least significant bit of the binary representation of the amplitude of the first non-zero coefficient in said list E.sub.1.

[0114] To this end, during a step C7 represented in FIG. 1, the number of signs to hide during the later entropy encoding step is chosen. Such a step is executed by a processing software module MTR_CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0115] In the preferred embodiment, the number of signs to be hidden is one or zero. Additionally, in accordance with said preferred embodiment, it is the sign of the first non-zero coefficient which is intended to be hidden. In the example represented, it is therefore the sign of the coefficient ε2=+9 that is hidden.

[0116] In an alternative embodiment, the number of signs to be hidden is either zero, one, two, three or more.

[0117] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of step C7, during a first substep C71 represented in FIG. 1, a sublist SE.sub.1 containing coefficients suitable for being modified, ε′1, ε′2, . . . , ε′M where M<L, is determined from said list E.sub.1. Such coefficients will be called modifiable coefficients hereafter in the description.

[0118] According to the invention, a coefficient is modifiable if the modification of its quantized value does not cause desynchronization at the decoder, once this modified coefficient is processed by the decoder. Thus, the processing module MTR_CO is configured initially to not modify: [0119] the zero coefficient or coefficients located before the first non-zero coefficient such that the decoder does not affect the value of the sign hidden at this or these zero coefficients, [0120] and for reasons of computation complexity, the zero coefficient or coefficients located after the last non-zero coefficient.

[0121] In the example represented, at the end of substep C71, the sublist SE.sub.1 obtained is such that SE.sub.1=(9, −7.0, 0, 1, 0, −1, 2, 0, 0, 1). Consequently, eleven modifiable coefficients are obtained.

[0122] During a next substep C72 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO proceeds with the comparison of the number of modifiable coefficients with a predetermined threshold TSIG. In the preferred embodiment, TSIG has the value 4.

[0123] If the number of modifiable coefficients is less than the threshold TSIG, then during a step C20 represented in FIG. 1, a conventional entropy encoding of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 is carried out, such as that performed for example in a CABAC encoder, denoted by the reference CE_CO in FIG. 2. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E.sub.1 is entropically encoded.

[0124] If the number of modifiable coefficients is greater than the threshold TSIG, then during a step C8 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO calculates the value of a function f which is representative of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1.

[0125] In the preferred embodiment in which only one sign is intended to be hidden in the signal to be transmitted to the decoder, the function f is the parity of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1.

[0126] During a step C9 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO checks whether the parity of the value of the sign to be hidden corresponds to the parity of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1, according to a convention defined beforehand at the encoder CO.

[0127] In the example proposed, said convention is such that a positive sign is associated with a bit of value equal to zero, while a negative sign is associated with a bit of value equal to one.

[0128] If, in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is positive, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of zero, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1 is even, then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list E.sub.1 is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2.

[0129] It, still in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is negative, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of one, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1 is odd, then also step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list E.sub.1 is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2.

[0130] If, in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is positive, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of zero, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1 is odd, then during a step C10 represented in FIG. 1, at least one modifiable coefficient in the sublist SE.sub.1 is modified.

[0131] If, still in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is negative, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of one, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1 is even, then also at step C10, at least one modifiable coefficient in the sublist SE.sub.1 is modified.

[0132] Such a modification operation is carried out by the processing module MTR_CO in FIG. 2.

[0133] In the example embodiment in which SE.sub.1=(+9, −7, 0, 0, +1, 0, −1, +2, 0, 0, +1), the total sum f of the coefficients is equal to 5, and is therefore odd. In order that the decoder can reconstruct the positive sign assigned to the first non-zero coefficient ε2=+9, without the encoder CO having to transmit this coefficient to the decoder, the parity of the sum must become even. Consequently, the processing module MTR_CO tests, during said step C10, various modifications of coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1, all aiming to change the parity of the sum of the coefficients. In the preferred embodiment, +1 or −1 is added to each modifiable coefficient and a modification is selected from among those which are carried out.

[0134] In the preferred embodiment, such a selection forms the optimal prediction according to a performance criterion which is for example the rate distortion criterion that is well known to the person skilled in the art. Such a criterion is expressed by equation (1) below:

J=D+λR  (1)

where D represents the distortion between the original macroblock and the reconstructed macroblock, R represents the encoding cost in bits of the encoding information items and λ represents a Lagrange multiplier, the value of which can be fixed prior to the encoding.

[0135] In the example proposed, the modification which brings about an optimal prediction according to the abovementioned rate distortion criterion is the addition of the value 1 to the second coefficient −7 in the sublist SE.sub.1.

[0136] At the end of step C10, a modified sublist is hence obtained, SEm.sub.1=(+9, −6, 0, 0, +1, 0, −1, +2, 0, 0, +1).

[0137] It is appropriate to note that during this step, certain modifications are prohibited. Thus, in the case in which the first non-zero coefficient ε2 would have the value +1, it would not have been possible to add −1 to it, since it would have become zero, and it would then have lost its characteristic of first non-zero coefficient in the list E.sub.1. The decoder would then have later attributed the decoded sign (by calculation of the parity of the sum of the coefficients) to another coefficient, and there would then have been a decoding error.

[0138] During a step C11 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO carries out a corresponding modification of the list E.sub.1. The next modified list Em.sub.1=(0, +9, −6, 0, 0, +1, 0, −1, +2, 0, 0, +1, 0, 0, 0, 0) is then obtained.

[0139] Then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list Em.sub.1 is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2, which is the + sign of the coefficient 9 in the proposed example, which sign is hidden in the parity of the sum of the coefficients.

[0140] It is appropriate to note that the set of amplitudes of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 or in the modified list Em.sub.1 is encoded before the set of signs, with the exclusion of the sign of the first non-zero coefficient ε2 which is not encoded, as has been explained above.

[0141] During a next step C30 represented in FIG. 1, the encoding module MC_CO in FIG. 2 tests whether the current encoded block is the last block of the image IE.

[0142] If the current block is the last block of the image IE, then during a step C40 represented in FIG. 1, the encoding method is ended.

[0143] If this is not the case, the next block B.sub.i is selected, which is then encoded in accordance with the order of the previously mentioned raster scan, by repeating steps C1 to C20, for 1≤i≤Z.

[0144] Once the entropy encoding of all the blocks B.sub.1 to B.sub.Z is carried out, a signal F is constructed, representing, in binary form, said encoded blocks.

[0145] The construction of the binary signal F is implemented in a stream construction software module CF, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0146] The stream F is then transmitted via a communication network (not represented) to a remote terminal. The latter includes a decoder which will be described further in detail later in the description.

[0147] There will now be described, mainly with reference to FIG. 1, another embodiment of the invention.

[0148] This other embodiment is distinguished from the previous one only by the number of coefficients to be hidden which is either 0, or N, where N is an integer such that N≥2.

[0149] To this end, previously mentioned comparison substep C72 is replaced by substep C72a represented in dotted-line in FIG. 1, during which the number of modifiable coefficients is compared with several predetermined thresholds 0<TSIG_1<TSIG_2<TSIG_3 . . . , in such a way that if the number of modifiable coefficients is between TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, N signs are intended to be hidden.

[0150] If the number of modifiable coefficients is less than the first threshold TSIG_1, then during abovementioned step C20, conventional entropy encoding of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 is carried out. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E.sub.1 is entropically encoded.

[0151] If the number of modifiable coefficients is between the threshold TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, then during a step C8 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO calculates the value of a function f which is representative of the coefficients in the sublist E.sub.1.

[0152] In this other embodiment, since the decision at the encoder is to hide N signs, the function f is the modulo 2.sup.N remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1. It is assumed in the proposed example that N=2, the two signs to be hidden being the two first signs of the two first non-zero coefficients respectively, i.e. ε2 and ε3.

[0153] During next step C9 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO verifies whether the configuration of the N signs, i.e. 2.sup.N possible configurations, corresponds to the value of the modulo 2.sup.N remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1.

[0154] In the example proposed where N=2, there are 2.sup.2=4 different configurations of signs.

[0155] These four configurations comply with a convention at the encoder CO, which convention is for example determined as follows: [0156] a remainder equal to zero corresponds to two consecutive positive signs: +, +; [0157] a remainder equal to one corresponds to, consecutively, a positive sign and a negative sign: +, −; [0158] a remainder equal to two corresponds to, consecutively, a negative sign and a positive sign: −, +; [0159] a remainder equal to three corresponds to two consecutive negative signs: −, −.

[0160] If the configuration of N signs corresponds to the value of the modulo 2.sup.N remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1, then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the abovementioned list E.sub.1 is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2 and of the coefficient ε3, which signs are hidden in the parity of the modulo 2.sup.N sum of the coefficients.

[0161] If this is not the case, then step C10 for modifying at least one modifiable coefficient in the sublist SE.sub.1 is carried out. Such a modification is executed by the processing module MTR_CO in FIG. 2 in such a way that the modulo 2.sup.N remainder of the sum of the modifiable coefficients in the sublist SE.sub.1 attains the value of each of the two signs to be hidden.

[0162] During previously mentioned step C11, the processing module MTR_CO carries out a corresponding modification of the list E.sub.1. A modified list Em.sub.1 is hence obtained.

[0163] Then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list Em.sub.1 is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2 and the sign of the coefficient ε3, which signs are hidden in the parity of the modulo 2.sup.N sum of the coefficients.

Detailed Description of the Decoding Part

[0164] An embodiment of the decoding method according to the invention will now be described, in which the decoding method is implemented in software or hardware form by modifications of a decoder initially compliant with the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard.

[0165] The decoding method according to the invention is represented in the form of an algorithm including steps D1 to D12, represented in FIG. 3.

[0166] According to the embodiment of the invention, the decoding method according to the invention is implemented in a decoding device or decoder DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

[0167] During a preliminary step not represented in FIG. 3, in the received data signal F, the partitions B.sub.1 to B.sub.Z which have been encoded previously by the encoder CO, are identified. In the preferred embodiment, said partitions are blocks which have a square shape and are all the same size. Depending on the size of the image, which is not necessarily a multiple of the size of the blocks, the last blocks to the left and the last blocks at the bottom are able to not be square-shaped. In an alternative embodiment, the blocks can be for example of rectangular size and/or not aligned with one another.

[0168] Each block or macroblock can moreover be itself divided into subblocks which are themselves subdividable.

[0169] Such an identification is executed by a stream analysis software module EX_DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

[0170] During a step D1 represented in FIG. 3, the module EX_DO in FIG. 4 selects as current block B.sub.i the first block B.sub.1 to be decoded. Such a selection consists for example in placing a read pointer in the signal F at the start of the data items of the first block B.sub.1.

[0171] Then the decoding of each of the selected encoded blocks is carried out.

[0172] In the example represented in FIG. 3, such a decoding is applied successively to each of the encoded blocks B.sub.1 to B.sub.Z. The blocks are decoded for example according to a raster scan, which is well known to the person skilled in the art.

[0173] The decoding according to the invention is implemented in a decoding software module MD_DO of the decoder DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

[0174] During a step D2 represented in FIG. 3, first the entropy decoding of the first current block B.sub.1 which has been selected is carried out. Such an operation is carried out by an entropy decoding module DE_DO represented in FIG. 4, for example of the CABAC type. During this step, the module DE_DO carries out an entropy decoding of the digital information items corresponding to the amplitude of each of the encoded coefficients in the list E.sub.1 or in the modified list Em.sub.1. At this stage, only the signs of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 or in the modified list Em.sub.1 are not decoded.

[0175] During a step D3 represented in FIG. 3, the number of signs capable of having been hidden during previous entropy encoding step C20 is determined. Such a step D3 is executed by a processing software module MTR_DO, as represented in FIG. 4. Step D3 is similar to previously mentioned step C7 for determining the number of signs to be hidden.

[0176] In the preferred embodiment, the number of hidden signs is one or zero. Additionally, in accordance with said preferred embodiment, it is the sign of the first non-zero coefficient which is hidden. In the example represented, it is therefore the positive sign of the coefficient ε2=+9.

[0177] In an alternative embodiment, the number of hidden signs is either zero, one, two, three or more.

[0178] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of step D3, during a first substep D31 represented in FIG. 3, a sublist containing coefficients ε′1, ε′2, . . . , ε′M where M<L which are capable of having been modified at the encoding is determined from said list E.sub.1 or from the modified list Em.sub.1.

[0179] Such a determination is performed the same way as in previously mentioned encoding step C7.

[0180] Like the previously mentioned processing module MTR_CO, the processing module MTR_DO is initially configured to not modify: [0181] the zero coefficient or coefficients located before the first non-zero coefficient, [0182] and for reasons of computation complexity, the zero coefficient or coefficients located after the last non-zero coefficient.

[0183] In the example represented, at the end of substep D31, there is the sublist SEm.sub.1 such that SEm.sub.1=(9, −6, 0, 0, 1, 0, −1, 2, 0, 0, 1). Consequently, eleven coefficients capable of having been modified are obtained.

[0184] During a next substep D32 represented in FIG. 3, the processing module MTR_DO proceeds with the comparison of the number of coefficients capable of having been modified with a predetermined threshold TSIG. In the preferred embodiment, TSIG has the value 4.

[0185] If the number of coefficients capable of having been modified is less than the threshold TSIG, then during a step D4 represented in FIG. 3, a conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 is carried out. Such a decoding is executed by the CABAC decoder, denoted by the reference DE_DO in FIG. 4. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E.sub.1 is entropically decoded.

[0186] If the number of coefficients capable of having been modified is greater than the threshold TSIG, then during said step D4, a conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list Em.sub.1 is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the first non-zero coefficient ε2.

[0187] During a step D5 represented in FIG. 3, the processing module MTR_DO calculates the value of a function f which is representative of the coefficients in the sublist SEm.sub.1 so as to determine whether the calculated value is even or odd.

[0188] In the preferred embodiment where only one sign is hidden in the signal F, the function f is the parity of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm.sub.1.

[0189] In accordance with the convention used at the encoder CO, which is the same at the decoder DO, an even value of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm.sub.1 means that the sign of the first non-zero coefficient in the modified list Em.sub.1 is positive, while an odd value of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm.sub.1 means that the sign of the first non-zero coefficient in the modified list Em.sub.1 is negative.

[0190] In the example embodiment in which SEm.sub.1=(+9, −6, 0, 0, +1, 0, −1, +2, 0, 0, +1), the total sum of the coefficients is equal to 6, and is therefore even. Consequently, at the end of step D5, the processing module MTR_DO deduces therefrom that the hidden sign of the first non-zero coefficient ε2 is positive.

[0191] During a step D6 represented in FIG. 3, and with the aid of all the reconstructed digital information items during steps D2, D4 and D5, the quantized coefficients of the block Bq.sub.1 are reconstructed in a predefined order. In the example represented, this is an inverse zigzag scan with respect to the zigzag scan carried out during previously mentioned encoding step C6. Such a step is executed by a read software module ML_DO, as represented in FIG. 4. More specifically, the module ML_DO proceeds to include the coefficients of the list E.sub.1 (one-dimensional) in the block Bq.sub.1 (two-dimensional), using said inverse zigzag scan order.

[0192] During a step D7 represented in FIG. 3, the quantized residual block Bq.sub.1 is dequantized according to a conventional dequantization operation which is the inverse operation of the quantization performed at previously mentioned encoding step C5, in order to produce a decoded dequantized block BDq.sub.1. Such a step is executed by means of a dequantization software module MDQ_DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

[0193] During a step D8 represented in FIG. 3, the inverse transformation of the dequantized block BDq.sub.1 is carried out, which is the inverse operation of the direct transformation performed at the encoding at previously mentioned step C4. A decoded residual block BDr.sub.1 is hence obtained. Such an operation is executed by an inverse-transform software module MTI_DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

[0194] During a step D9 represented in FIG. 3, the predictive decoding of the current block B.sub.1 is carried out. Such a predictive decoding is conventionally carried out by known intra and/or inter prediction techniques, during which the block B.sub.1 is predicted with respect to the at least one previously decoded block. Such an operation is carried out by a predictive decoding module PRED_DO as represented in FIG. 4.

[0195] Needless to say other intra prediction modes as proposed in the H.264 standard are possible.

[0196] During this step, the predictive decoding is carried out using decoded syntax elements at the previous step and notably comprising the type of prediction (inter or intra), and if necessary, the intra prediction mode, the type of partitioning of a block or macroblock if the latter has been subdivided, the reference image index and the motion vector which are used in the inter prediction mode.

[0197] Said abovementioned predictive decoding step provides for constructing a predicted block Bp.sub.1.

[0198] During a step D10 represented in FIG. 3, the decoded block BD.sub.1 is constructed by adding the decoded residual block BDr.sub.1 to the predicted block Bp.sub.1. Such an operation is executed by a reconstruction software module MR_DO represented in FIG. 4.

[0199] During a step D11 represented in FIG. 3, the decoding module MD_DO tests whether the current decoded block is the last block identified in the signal F.

[0200] If the current block is the last block in the signal F, then during a step D12 represented in FIG. 3, the decoding method is ended.

[0201] If this is not the case, the next block B.sub.i is selected, to be decoded in accordance with the order of the previously mentioned raster scan, by repeating steps D1 to D10, for 1≤i≤Z.

[0202] There will now be described, mainly with reference to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention.

[0203] This other embodiment is distinguished from the previous one only by the number of hidden coefficients which is either 0, or N, where N is an integer such that N≥2.

[0204] To this end, previously mentioned comparison substep D32 is replaced by substep D32a represented in dotted-line in FIG. 3, during which the number of coefficients capable of having been modified is compared with several predetermined thresholds 0<TSIG_1<TSIG_2<TSIG_3 . . . , in such a way that if the number of said coefficients is between TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, N signs have been hidden.

[0205] If the number of said coefficients is less than the first threshold TSIG_1, then during previously mentioned step D4, the conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 is carried out. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E.sub.1 is entropically decoded.

[0206] If the number of said coefficients is between the threshold TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, then during previously mentioned step D4, the conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list E.sub.1 is carried out, with the exception of the N respective signs of the first non-zero coefficients in said modified list Em.sub.1, said N signs being hidden.

[0207] In this other embodiment, the processing module MTR_DO calculates, during step D5, the value of the function f which is the modulo 2.sup.N remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm.sub.1. It is assumed in the proposed example that N=2.

[0208] The processing module MTR_DO hence deduces therefrom the configuration of the two hidden signs which are assigned to each of the two first non-zero coefficients ε2 and ε3 respectively, according to the convention used at the encoding.

[0209] Once these two signs have been reconstructed, steps D6 to D12 described above are carried out.

[0210] It goes without saying that the embodiments which have been described above have been given purely by way of indication and are not at all limiting, and that a number of modifications can easily be brought about by the person skilled in the art without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

[0211] Thus for example, according to a simplified embodiment with respect to that represented in FIG. 1, the encoder CO could be configured to hide at least N′ predetermined signs, where N′≥1, instead of either zero, one or N predetermined signs. In that case, comparison step C72 or C72a would be removed. In a corresponding way, according to a simplified embodiment with respect to that represented in FIG. 3, the decoder DO would be configured to reconstruct N′ predetermined signs instead of either zero, one or N predetermined signs. In that case, comparison step D32 or D32a would be removed.

[0212] Additionally, the decision criterion applied at encoding step C72 and at decoding step D32 could be replaced by another type of criterion. To this end, instead of comparing the number of modifiable coefficients or the number of coefficients capable of having been modified with a threshold, the processing module MTR_CO or MTR_DO could apply a decision criterion which is a function of the sum of the amplitudes of the coefficients that are modifiable or capable of having been modified, respectively, or of the number of zeros present among the coefficients that are modifiable or capable of having been modified, respectively.