Abstract: A system and method of a forward and/or inverse discrete cosine transform in a video system. In one embodiment, an array of DCT transform coefficients are converted to a two dimensional array of spatial data. The array of DCT transform coefficients are first operated upon by a pre-scale computation unit (implemented in either hardware or software) which multiplies a set of predetermined pre-scale constants with the input coefficients. The pre-scale constants multiplied by the input DCT coefficient matrix form a symmetric pre-scale array. Upon pre-scaling using the symmetric pre-scale factor array, an intermediary array is composed by performing intermediary calculations upon each column vector of the pre-scaled array. The output of this intermediary calculation is composed to form an intermediary array. Subsequently, a set of calculations are performed row-wise upon each row vector of the intermediary array to thereby form the output array of spatial data.

Abstract: An automated identification system comprises a first classification station which uses two laser sources and video imaging techniques to identify and distinguish between similar items such as, for example wooden cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Each laser produces a fan-shaped plane of light, perpendicular to the other, on front face of the door. The fan shaped planes of light produce a first profile stripe in the horizontal direction across the width of the door face and a second profile stripe in the vertical or length direction. A first video camera captures the image of the profile stripe across the width of the door. A second camera is used to capture the profile stripe in the vertical direction to determine whether the panel shape is square or cathedral shaped. A feature-based approach is used to process the captured profile stripes and compare them to a library of known profiles. A third camera, placed substantially parallel to the first camera captures the width measurement of the door.

Abstract: A data input/output apparatus of a transport decoder. The apparatus has a memory and a transport packet decoder for storing input image bit stream in the memory, after performing a decoding with the input image bit stream, storing and outputting only needed data, and outputting the rest data to outside.

Abstract: A process for determining at least one dynamic of a vehicle, particularly slip angle, during travel. The process involves optically monitoring, in real time and from the vehicle itself, the movement in one or more camera images of surface features as the vehicle passes over the surface. The direction in which the surface features are moving at any given time indicates the actual direction of vehicle movement with respect to the orientation of the optical monitoring equipment. From this actual direction of movement, in combination with the known orientation of the optical monitoring equipment and the direction in which the vehicle is being steered, it is possible to calculate the slip angle in real time.

Abstract: A motion detection system compares the differences between regions in a reference frame and regions in a subsequent frame to a threshold value. A difference frame is defined containing regions indicating which of the corresponding regions in the subsequent frame exceed the threshold difference when compared to the reference frame. Target and global parameters are defined so that a cluster of regions in the difference frame which indicate above threshold differences, must be greater than the target parameter but less than the global parameter for motion to be deemed to have occurred.

Abstract: In an apparatus for performing motion estimation (ME) on a block of N.times.M pixels in a current frame based on a predetermined reference frame (RF), a block divider divides the block into subblocks (SB's) of K.times.L pixels and then classifies the SB's into A-group SB's and B-group SB's in accordance with the rule that all of the SB's in a same group be diagonally adjacent to each other. A first and a second decision circuits decide pixels satisfying a first and a second predetermined conditions among the pixels in the ASB's as A-group representative pixels (ARP's) and in the BSB's as B-group representative pixels (BRP's), respectively, wherein the first predetermined condition is different from the second predetermined condition. A sample block generator combines the ARP's with the BRP's to generate a sample block. And then, RF subsampling circuit generates a sample RF (SRF) by subsampling the predetermined RF in accordance with the same subsampling method described above.

Abstract: A method and structure for producing a noise reduced video signal. The data corresponding to a pixel in a first frame is differenced with signal corresponding to that pixel in a second frame. The difference signal is then recursively noise filtered, clipped and a non-linear function is applied. The filtered and clipped difference signal is then multiplied by the difference signal and added back into the original data. The resulting data is motion adapted and noise reduced, and is used in converting from interlace to progressive scan. The method can be integrated with scaling processes as well.

Abstract: A motion detection system for detecting motion in input images. One of the input images is stored for use as a reference image for motion detection processing. The reference image is updated according to any one of a multiple of possible updating modes. Images input after establishment of the reference image are compared to the reference image and the detection of motion in the input images is based on the comparison. The interval in which motion in the input images is detected is extended according to a predetermined extension time.

Abstract: A motion vector detecting device re-arranges the pixel values which make up an initial block for color-difference signals, allowing for their superimposition, to produce a new color-difference signal block having the same number of pixels as that of a luminance signal block. The new color-difference signal block and a luminance signal block are respectively compared with a block for a reference image signal to perform block matching.

Abstract: A system and method for decoding an MPEG video bitstream comprises, comprising a macroblock core (MBCORE) which processes video bitstream data and computes discrete cosine transform data and a parser which parses the video bitstream macroblocks into multiple data blocks used in subsequent stages of decoding. fixed length data words comprising variable length objects using a novel rotating register arrangement. A multistage transformation/motion compensation core (TMCCORE) uses intermediate memory. The IDCT first stage has the ability to operate on a first data block while the second stage simultaneously operates on a second data block. The TMCCORE receives the discrete cosine transform data from the MBCORE and calculates and reconstructs a frame therefrom using motion compensation. The MBCORE can operate on data from a first macroblock while the TMCCORE simultaneously operates on data from a second macroblock.

Abstract: An evaluation value operation part computes evaluation values of a template block and a search window block in accordance with respective ones of a plurality of predictive modes in parallel with each other, and a candidate vector determination part decides candidate vectors indicating optimum vectors in accordance with the computed evaluation values and on the basis of priority levels from a priority generation part. In accordance with these candidate vectors, an optimum vector decision part decides the optimum vectors for the respective predictive modes. Thus provided is an image coding system which can reduce the amount of codes of motion vectors with excellent picture quality.

Abstract: The circuit for motion estimation in digitised video sequence encoders comprises at least an integrated circuit component (IM, IM1 . . . IMn) which is arranged to perform either the function of determining motion vectors and associated costs for different prediction modes, or the function of vector refinement, possibly in addition to prediction mode selection. The circuit (IM) is based on the use of two operating units (M1, M2) which are arranged to concurrently process in different ways different pixel groups according to a MIMD technique. Preferably, when the circuit performs motion vector determination, the operating units (M1, M2) are programmed to execute a genetic algorithm exploiting an initial vector population taking into account the temporal and spatial correlations in the picture.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for sensing an image of a scene from a substantially single viewpoint, which includes a truncated, substantially paraboloid-shaped reflector positioned to orthographically reflect principal rays of electromagnetic radiation radiating from the scene, the paraboloid-shaped reflector having a focus coincident with the single viewpoint of the imaging apparatus, including the paraboloid-shaped reflector. The imaging apparatus also includes telecentric means, optically coupled to the paraboloid-shaped reflector, for substantially filtering out principal rays of electromagnetic radiation which are not orthographically reflected by the paraboloid-shaped reflector. The imaging apparatus also includes one or more image sensors positioned to receive the orthographically reflected principal rays of electromagnetic radiation from the paraboloid-shaped reflector, thereby sensing the image of the scene.

Abstract: An MPEG-2 transport stream packet detection device includes a controller for generating a detection start control signal and a series/parallel output control signal, and a sync detector for detecting an MPEG-2 transport stream packet sync from MPEG-2 transport stream data transmitted from the network according to the detection start signal from the controller, and a packet counter for counting a predetermined number of bytes according to a sync detection signal from the sync detector and sending a packet reception completion signal to the sync detector when finishing counting the predetermined number of bytes during a declaration of the detection signal, and a bit counter for counting a predetermined number of bits according to the sync detection signal from the sync detector and generating a signal for converting series data to parallel data when finishing counting the bits during the declaration of the detection signal, and a buffer for converting the series data and clock from the sync detector into parall

Abstract: A compressed code decoding device of the present invention includes: a decoding section for receiving a plurality of groups of blocks of compressed codes and decoding each of the blocks of compressed codes; a buffer section for storing decoded signals decoded by the decoding section; a reproduction time acquisition section for acquiring a reproduction time at which to reproduce a predetermined one of the blocks; an output section for externally outputting the decoded signals stored in the buffer section; a detection section for detecting that the predetermined block of compressed codes has been decoded and output via the output section; an addition section for, at a time when the detection section detects that the predetermined block has been output, adding a time required for reproducing the predetermined block to the reproduction time acquired by the reproduction time acquisition section so as to produce a synchronization time; a synchronization section for comparing the synchronization time produced by the

Abstract: A method for decoding MPEG standard I (Intra-coded) and P (Predictive-coded) picture bit streams using a memory smaller than one video frame of data.

Abstract: A microscope imaging system comprises a tube including a bore and a sidewall having an aperture; an optically transparent window positioned in the aperture; a light source for generating first light signals which are directed at diffuse angles through the window; an imaging system mounted in the bore for detecting second light signals which enter the bore through the window; and a first lens system for focusing the second light signals onto the imaging system. The system may also include a focusing system for changing the distance between the imaging system and the first lens system, and a fluid delivery system for ejecting a chemical indicator reagent from the probe as it is being deployed through the ground. The reagent is dispersed from the tube in the vicinity of the optical window so that it comes into direct contact with the soil outside the tube near the window.

Abstract: A method of implementing a time base change to a time-division multiplexec bitstream, for example an MPEG-2-compatible bitstream. The time base change is in response to a Time Base Change Flag. The bitstreams have video and audio packetized elementary streams, and each of these streams has a common time base. Each of the packetized elementary streams has a packet header, and packet data. The packet headers of the packetized elementary streams each contain a Presentation Time Stamp/Decoding Time Stamp flag field, a Presentation Time Stamp field, and a Decoding Time Stamp field. A time base change is indicated by a change in the PCR. The first step in changing the Time Base is receiving a discontinuity in the bitstream. This is used to disable synchronization of the video and audio bitstreams, and to mark a data byte in the bitstream associated with the Time Base Change Flag. The time base change is carried out and an interrupt is issued when the marked data byte arrives for decoding.

Abstract: A multiview three-dimensional imaging system includes a large-aperture objective for focusing multiview image rays of an object incident from multiple viewing directions into a convergent zone; a scanner for scanning the focused multiview image rays at the convergent zone; and a sensor and a display for the scanned image rays. The scanner segments the focused multiview image rays into two-dimensional images from each of the multiple viewing directions. The multiview three-dimensional imaging system enables image formation with minimal light loss and image enlargement, so that a screen of arbitrary size can be employed to display the images.

Abstract: A method of transferring a scene recorded on photographic negative film to video using a telecine is disclosed comprising the steps of:a) setting up the telecine so that predetermined waveform readings are obtained for a reference element comprising at least one gray scale portion comprising density patches corresponding to three known density values;b) storing the telecine set-up settings;c) loading a scene on photographic negative film into the telecine wherein the scene includes a gray card;d) using the stored telecine settings to effect transfer of the scene to video;e) determining red, green and blue video voltages for the gray card; andf) converting the red, green and blue video voltages to Transfer Points between 0 and 50 to provide exposure information for the scene.