Abstract: The present invention provides fast block motion estimation. In one embodiment, a process for fast block motion estimation decimates search locations in a hierarchical manner to reduce the computational complexity of block motion estimation. Different search window sizes and decimation patterns are used at different stages of the search. The use of a large window size in the first stage and different decimation patterns in the following stages reduces the risk of being trapped in local minima. In one embodiment, the process for fast motion estimation uses fast stopping criteria for search locations near the center of the search window, which makes the process center-biased. The average number of search locations examined for each block motion estimation is computationally efficient, and the block motion estimation accuracy is of high quality.

Abstract: The apparatus for and method of estimating the illumination closely approximates an illumination of a corresponding image. This apparatus for and method of estimating the illumination utilizes appropriate linear models to represent the illumination spectral power distribution of the illumination and the spectral surface reflectance.

Abstract: A variable length code decoder includes modified VLC decode tables as compared to table b.14 and b.15 of Annex B of the ISO/IEC 31818-2 standard, and improved program code for inverse quantising block DCT coefficients. The modified VLC decoding tables include level values corresponding to VLC coded words that have been pre-multiplied by the value 2, or by 2 then plus 1. As a result, the modified tables of the present invention reduces the computational complexity of the inverse quantization calculation of the method of the present invention as compared to the algorithm provided in ISO/IEC 31818-2, section 7. Advantageously, the bandwidth requirement of the inverse quantiser processor is reduced as compared to the bandwidth requirement of an inverse processor executing the inverse quantization calculation as defined in the Standard. Conveniently, lower cost, and more widely available processors may be used in the decoder of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved wireless telephone including a main body having a generally rectangular shape, the main body further including a first surface and a first width. The first surface having disposed thereon a plurality of input data entry keys, a visual display, a plurality of function entry keys, and a microphone. A speaker is mechanically coupled to the main body. A means for grasping the wireless telephone or a grasping device is coupled to the main body. The means for grasping or the grasping device also includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having an undulating surface including a plurality of alternately disposed flat and concave portions, and the second surface being generally convex or curved. The means for grasping or the grasping device is rotatably connected to the main body, is aligned along or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the wireless telephone, and further includes a second width which is narrower than the first width.