Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the stitch zone calculation of a generated projection of a spherical image. In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable apparatus comprising a storage apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising instructions configured to, when executed by a processor apparatus, cause a computerized apparatus to identify a stitch line associated with an equatorial area of a plurality of spherical images; re-orient the plurality of spherical images in accordance with the stitch line; and project the re-oriented plurality of spherical images to a selected image projection type.

Abstract: Visual content that includes spatial portions is obtained. A determination is made that one of the spatial portions includes a face. Based on the determination, encoding quality parameters for the one of the spatial portions is identified. The encoding quality parameters are obtained by combining a first distortion model related to the obtaining the visual content with a second model that emphasizes the one of the spatial portions The visual content is encoded. The encoding quality parameters are stored, in association with but separate from, the one of the spatial portions. After decoding, the one of the spatial portions are rendered based on the encoding quality parameters. The encoding quality parameters are obtained by combining a first distortion model related to the obtaining the visual content with a second model that emphasizes the one of the spatial portions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for signaling intra prediction for large blocks for video encoders and decoders. The intra prediction is signaled by selecting a basic coding unit size and assigning a single spatial intra partition type for the basic coding unit size. The single spatial intra partition type is selectable from among a plurality of spatial intra partition types. The at least one large block has a large block size greater than a block size of the basic coding unit. The intra prediction is hierarchical layer intra prediction and is performed for the at least one large block by at least one of splitting from the large block size to the basic coding unit size and merging from the basic coding unit size to the large block size.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for signaling intra prediction for large blocks for video encoders and decoders. An apparatus includes a video encoder (400) for encoding picture data for at least one large block in a picture by signaling intra prediction for the at least one large block. The intra prediction is signaled by selecting a basic coding until size and assigning a single spatial intra partition type for the basic coding until size. The single spatial intra partition type is selectable from among a plurality of spatial intra partition types. The at least one large block has a large block size greater than a block size of the basic coding unit. The intra prediction is hierarchical layer intra prediction and is performed for the at least one large block by at least one of splitting from the large block size to the basic coding until size and merging from the basic coding unit size to the large block size.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the stitch zone calculation of a generated projection of a spherical image. In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable apparatus comprising a storage apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising instructions configured to, when executed by a processor apparatus, cause a computerized apparatus to identify a stitch line associated with an equatorial area of a plurality of spherical images; re-orient the plurality of spherical images in accordance with the stitch line; and project the re-oriented plurality of spherical images to a selected image projection type.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for multi-encoder processing of high resolution content. In one embodiment, the method includes capturing high resolution imaging content; splitting up the captured high resolution imaging content into respective portions; feeding the split up portions to respective imaging encoders; packing encoded content from the respective imaging encoders into an A/V container; and storing and/or transmitting the A/V container. In another embodiment, the method includes retrieving and/or receiving an A/V container; splitting up the retrieved and/or received A/V container into respective portions; feeding the split up portions to respective imaging decoders; stitching the decoded imaging portions into a common imaging portion; and storing and/or displaying at least a portion of the common imaging portion.

Abstract: Reducing artifacts in decoded images includes decoding a first facet of an image, where the first facet includes first edge pixels. A second facet of the image that includes second edge pixels is decoded. The first edge pixels are not adjacent to the second edge pixels and the second facet is decoded independently of the first facet. The first edge pixels are copied to an area adjacent to the second edge pixels. The second edge pixels are filtered using the copied first edge pixels. The second edge pixels are copied to an area adjacent to the first edge pixels. The first edge pixels are filtered using the copied second edge pixels.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the stitch zone calculation of a generated projection of a spherical image. In one embodiment, a computing device is disclosed which includes logic configured to: obtain a plurality of images; map the plurality of images onto a spherical image; re-orient the spherical image in accordance with a desired stitch line and a desired projection for the desired stitch line; and map the spherical image to the desired projection having the desired stitch line. In a variant, the desired stitch line is mapped onto an optimal stitch zone, the optimal stitch zone characterized as a set of points that defines a single line on the desired projection in which the set of points along the desired projection lie closest to the spherical image in a mean square sense.

Abstract: Encoded content is accessed. The encoded content includes an encoded first centrally located tile corresponding to a first centrally located tile of a first image, an encoded first peripherally located tile of the first image, and an encoded second peripherally located tile of a second image. The encoded first peripherally located tile is decoded to obtain a decoded first peripherally located tile. The encoded second peripherally located tile is decoded to obtain a decoded second peripherally located tile. The decoded first peripherally located tile and the decoded second peripherally located tile are stitched to obtain a stitched image portion. The stitched image portion is encoded to obtain an encoded stitched image portion. An encoded stitched image of the first image and the second image is obtained by combining the encoded first centrally located tile, and the encoded stitched image portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: A method includes obtaining visual content comprising spatial portions; determining respective spatial qualities of the spatial portions, wherein the respective spatial qualities are based on locations of the spatial portions within the visual content; and encoding the spatial portions of the visual content based on the respective spatial qualities. An apparatus includes a camera, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify, using facial recognition, a face of a user of the apparatus; identify a distance of the face of the user to the display; and render visual content on the display using a quality that is based on the distance.

Abstract: A method for encoding images includes decoding a first encoded image to obtain a first decoded image, where the first decoded image includes a first decoded portion corresponding to a first encoded portion of the first encoded image and a second decoded portion corresponding to a second encoded portion of the first encoded image; decoding a second encoded image to obtain a second decoded image; combining the first decoded image and the second decoded image to obtain a single decoded image; and encoding the single decoded image to obtain a single encoded image that includes a third and a fourth encoded portions. Encoding the single decoded image includes obtaining the third encoded portion of the single encoded image by copying the first encoded portion of the first encoded image; and obtaining the fourth encoded portion of the single encoded image by encoding the second decoded portion using an encoder.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the stitch zone calculation of a generated projection of a spherical image. In one embodiment, a computing device is disclosed which includes logic configured to: obtain a plurality of images; map the plurality of images onto a spherical image; re-orient the spherical image in accordance with a desired stitch line and a desired projection for the desired stitch line; and map the spherical image to the desired projection having the desired stitch line. In a variant, the desired stitch line is mapped onto an optimal stitch zone, the optimal stitch zone characterized as a set of points that defines a single line on the desired projection in which the set of points along the desired projection lie closest to the spherical image in a mean square sense.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the stitch zone calculation of a generated projection of a spherical image. In one embodiment, a computing device is disclosed which includes logic configured to: obtain a plurality of images; map the plurality of images onto a spherical image; re-orient the spherical image in accordance with a desired stitch line and a desired projection for the desired stitch line; and map the spherical image to the desired projection having the desired stitch line. In a variant, the desired stitch line is mapped onto an optimal stitch zone, the optimal stitch zone characterized as a set of points that defines a single line on the desired projection in which the set of points along the desired projection lie closest to the spherical image in a mean square sense.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing panoramic image and/or video content using multi-resolution stitching. Panoramic content may include stitched spherical (360-degree) images and/or VR video. In some implementations, multi-resolution stitching functionality may be embodied in a spherical image capture device that may include two lenses configured to capture pairs of hemispherical images. The capture device may obtain images (e.g., representing left and right hemispheres) that may be characterized by 180-degree (or greater) field of view. Source images may be combined using multi-resolution stitching methodology. Source images may be transformed to obtain multiple image components characterized by two or more image resolutions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a frame packing arrangement for the encoding/decoding of, for example, panoramic content. In one embodiment, the frame packing arrangement utilizes overlapping imaging data so as to enable, for example, a post-decode stitching operation to be performed. The frame packing arrangement may utilize a number of projection formats, such as a cubemap projection, and may utilize any number of differing aspect ratios such as, without limitation, 4×3, 3×2, 4×2, 2×4 aspect ratios. Additionally, the overlapping imaging data may be positioned within the frame packing arrangement chosen so as to improve upon coding efficiency. For example, the overlapping imaging data may be positioned within the frame packing arrangement so as to emphasize image continuity. An encoder apparatus and decoder apparatus for use with the aforementioned frame packing arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a processor that is configured to obtain first facets of a first wide field-of-view image. An object is identified in a facet of the first facets. A second wide field-of-view image is obtained. A location of the object is identified in the second wide field-of-view image. Using the location of the object, the second wide field-of-view image is partitioned into second facets such that no boundary of any of the second facets overlaps the object. The second facets are then encoded in a compressed bitstream.