Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-rate encoding of video sequences. The input data stream is received at a first bit rate. A domain transformation is performed on the input data and the transformed data is encoded into a series of output data streams each with a different bit rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-rate encoding of video sequences. The input data stream is received at a first bit rate. A domain transformation is performed on the input data and the transformed data is encoded into a series of output data streams each with a different bit rate.

Abstract: A power management system for digital circuitry uses data buffer monitoring to determine appropriate processor clock speed or voltage. This allows a processor to be switched from a low power state to a high power state when a monitored data buffer level feeding data to a power intensive application is greater than a second memory buffer level. The processor is switched from a high power state to a low power state when the monitored data buffer level is less than a first memory buffer level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-rate encoding of video sequences. The input data stream is received at a first bit rate. A domain transformation is performed on the input data and the transformed data is encoded into a series of output data streams each with a different bit rate.

Abstract: An input video sequence can be encoded at least twice. After the first encoding, the input video sequence is re-encoded as a function a previous encoding. Cycles of encoding and quality evaluation can be repeated, for example, until a predetermined constraint is satisfied. The method can be used to provide encoded video of a given quality or bit size.

Abstract: A method for determining how data will be encoded based upon decoding energy requirements. For one embodiment, a block of data may be encoded using various sets of encoding parameters to achieve a desired performance function. The energy required to decode the data block is evaluated for encoding with each set of encoding parameters. The set of encoding parameters that minimizes decoding energy consumption while satisfying the desired performance function is selected. In alternative embodiments, the performance function is comprised of one or more variables including decoding energy requirements and the set of encoding parameters is selected to maximize the performance function. For one embodiment the encoded data may be decoded to measure the energy required for decoding. In an embodiment, energy-consumption models may be created to evaluate decoding energy requirements for each encoding option.

Abstract: In recent years, it has become increasingly common to transmit sequences of digital images (video data) from one point to another, particularly over computer networks, such as the World-Wide-Web portion of the Internet. To reduce transmission times, computers and other devices that transmit and receive video data often include a video encoder that encodes or compress the data based on the redundancy or similarity between consecutive video frames. Many encoders use motion estimation as a key part of the compression. However, motion estimation itself can be time consuming to perform. Accordingly, the present inventor devised some unique techniques that allow for faster motion estimation. One exemplary technique subsamples a search area of a reference frame to find a set of blocks that have a line of pixels similar to a line of pixels in a target block of another frame.

Abstract: A power management system for digital circuityr uses data buffer monitoring to determine appropriate processor clock speed or voltage. This allows a processor to be switched from a low power state to a high power state when a monitored data buffer level feeding data to a power intensive application is greater than a second memory buffer level. The processor is switched from a high power state to a low power state when the monitored data buffer level is less than a first memory buffer level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-rate encoding of video sequences. The input data stream is received at a first bit rate. A domain transformation is performed on the input data and the transformed data is encoded into a series of output data streams each with a different bit rate.

Abstract: In an image coding system, block based motion estimation is used to determine motion vectors for blocks of pixels in a current frame or field. Only a portion of blocks from a predetermined pattern of blocks in a current frame or field are searched for a match with a block of pixels in a previous frame or field over a designated search area. Motion vectors for the blocks of the current frame or field not selected for searching are obtained by interpolation from motion vectors obtained for associated searched neighboring blocks, respectively, or by using the zero motion vector, or by performing a search over a limited range around the position defined by each of the motion vectors from neighboring blocks.

Abstract: In an imaging system, block based motion estimation is used to determine motion vectors for blocks of pixels in a current frame or field. Only a portion of blocks from a predetermined pattern of blocks in a current frame or field are searched for a match with a block of pixels in a previous frame or field over a designated search area. Motion vectors for the blocks of the current frame or field not selected for searching are obtained by interpolation from motion vectors obtained for associated searched neighboring blocks, respectively.