Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a frame packing arrangement for the encoding/decoding of, for example, panoramic content. In one embodiment, an encoder apparatus is disclosed. In a variant, the encoder apparatus is configured to encode Segmented Sphere Projections (SSP) imaging data and/or Rotated Sphere Projections (RSP) imaging data into an extant imaging format. In another variant, a decoder apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the decoder apparatus is configured to decode SSP imaging data and/or RSP imaging data from an extant imaging format. Computing devices, computer-readable storage apparatus, integrated circuits and methods for using the aforementioned encoder and decoder are also disclosed.

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 characterizing panoramic content, such as by a wide field of view and large image size. In one implementation, a panoramic image may be mapped to a cube or any other projection e.g icosahedron or octahedron. The disclosure exploits content continuity between facets, such as in the case of encoding/decoding cube-projected images. One facet may be encoded/decoded independently from other facets to obtain a seed facet. One or more transformed versions of the seed facet may be obtained; e.g., one corresponding to a 90° counterclockwise rotation, another to a 90° clockwise rotation, and one to an 180° rotation. Transformed versions may be used to form an augmented image. The remaining facets of the cube may be encoded using transformed versions within the augmented image.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for projection conversion decoding for applications eco-systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a decoder apparatus is utilized to read formatting information from an intermediate projection format; convert the intermediate projection format to a display projection format; apply a rotation operation to the display projection format in accordance with the reading of the formatting information; and transmit the display projection format for use by an application. In some implementations, the intermediate projection format has been stabilized prior to encoding in order to improve upon the encoding efficiency for the intermediate projection format. The application of the rotation operation may then be utilized to reverse the stabilized imaging data. Methods and computing systems are also disclosed.

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: 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: Panoramic content may be characterized by a wide field of view and large image size. Panoramic image may be mapped to cube projection. When encoding/decoding cube-projected images, the disclosure exploits content continuity between cube facets. One facet may be encoded/decoded independently from other facets to obtain a seed facet. One or more transformed versions of the seed facet may be obtained, for example, one corresponding to a 90° counterclockwise rotation, another to a 90° clockwise rotation, and one to an 180° rotation. Transformed versions may be used to form an augmented image. The remained facets of the cube may be encoded using transformed versions within the augmented image. Boundary filtering may be applied to one or more edges of one or more facets.

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: Systems and methods for providing panoramic image and/or video content using spatially selective encoding and/or decoding. Panoramic content may include stitched spherical (360-degree) images and/or VR video. In some implementations, selective encoding functionality may be embodied in a spherical image capture device that may include two lenses configured to capture pairs of hemispherical images. Encoded source images may be decoded and stitched in order to obtain a combined image characterized by a greater field of view as compared to source images. The stitched image may be encoded using a selective encoding methodology including: partitioning a stitched image into multiple portions, determining if a portion is to be re-encoded. If the image portion is to be re-encoded, re-encoding the image portion. If an image portion is not to be re-encoded, copying previously encoded image portion in lieu of encoding.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 encoding and decoding image data based on one or more parameters. In one embodiment, various spatial portions or regions of image data (e.g., a still or moving image) are weighted according to the perceived or measured quality. Processing for these weighted regions can be selectively altered or adjusted so as to optimize one or more operational parameters including for example processing and/or memory requirements, or speed.

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.