Abstract: Regions of a video frame are classified into different classes of regions (e.g., inter encoded blocks, intra encoded blocks, and skip blocks). The classes of regions are then run-length encoded using an encoding sequence that is a function of the content of the video frame. The run-length encoded signals are used to generate an encoded bit stream for the video frame. In preferred embodiments, the run-length encoding sequence either is selected from a set of possible sequences or is generated based on a selected location within the video frame. The selected sequence or location is identified explicitly in the encoded bit stream and used by a decoder to select/generate the run-length decoding sequence used to decode the run-length encoded signals in the encoded bit stream that correspond to the classes of regions in the video frame.

Abstract: A subset of signals corresponding to a two-dimensional set of signals is stored into an area of computer memory smaller than the two-dimensional set for processing. Additional signals are sequentially stored in the computer memory area and processed until the entire set of signals has been processed. In a preferred embodiment, motion estimation processing is performed by sequentially transmitting video signals corresponding to portions of a search region of a previous frame from off-chip memory and storing the video signals to on-chip memory for comparison with a reference block of a current frame. The invention provides reduced computer memory usage, reduced signal transfer, and more uniform signal transfer in computer-implemented processing, such as motion estimation processing, that involves two-dimensional caching.

Abstract: In a digital video motion estimation compression and decompression system pixel block comparisons are accomplished by eliminating or substantially reducing the DC component of the spatial frequency spectrum of the pixel block data prior to doing comparisons. This allows for accurate and efficient block matching even in situations where the video image temporally fades or brightens, as often occurs in real-world video imaging situations.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a video database index for indexing a video database comprising a plurality of video frames, the video database index comprising a plurality of index frames, wherein each video frame within the video database has a unique location within the video database. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the video frames of the video database are transmitted to a processor. A processor generates the index frames of the video database index in accordance with the amount of change occurring in images depicted by the video frames of the video database. Each of the index frames represents a unique video sequence of a plurality of video sequences that constitute the video database. Each video sequence comprises a sequence of video frames of the video database. Also, each video sequence has a unique location within the video database.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for encoding video images using motion estimation and decoding encoded video images using motion compensation, where the motion estimation and/or the motion compensation is limited to subimages of the video images as defined by boundaries. Although motion compensation may not be used to estimate pels using data from the previous image frame that lies across the subimage boundaries, motion compensation may be used to estimate a portion of a block of the image frame being decoded using a region from the previous image frame that abuts a subimage boundary and is smaller than the block. The rest of the block may be estimated either by retaining the corresponding pels from the previous image frame or by replicating the pels from the previous image frame that lie along the subimage boundary.

Abstract: The inventive method for indicating the level of buffer fullness of a data receiving device may be applied to editing processes and to general synchronization problems including problems involving clocks running at different speeds. The method of the present invention includes embedding into a transmitted bit stream a signal representing the fullness of the buffer of the receiving device, as calculated by the transmitting device. Thus, the bit stream received by the receiving device periodically includes a signal that indicates how full the transmitter model predicts the receiving buffer is. The receiving device applies a model decoder algorithm to the received bit stream and determines how full the buffer should be at different points for comparison with the periodic indicators.

Abstract: A full motion color digital video signal is compressed, formatted for transmission, recorded on compact disc media and decoded at conventional video frame rates. During compression, regions of a frame are individually analyzed to select optimum fill coding methods specific to each region. Region decoding time estimates are made to optimize compression thresholds. Region descriptive codes conveying the size and locations of the regions are grouped together in a first segment of a data stream. Region fill codes conveying pixel amplitude indications for the regions are grouped together according to fill code type and placed in other segments of the data stream. The data stream segments are individually variable length coded according to their respective statistical distributions and formatted to form data frames.

Abstract: A full motion color digital video signal is compressed, formatted for transmission, recorded on compact disc media and decoded at conventional video frame rates. During compression, regions of a frame are individually analyzed to select optimum fill coding methods specific to each region. Region decoding time estimates are made to optimize compression thresholds. Region descriptive codes conveying the size and locations of the regions are grouped together in a first segment of a data stream. Region fill codes conveying pixel amplitude indications for the regions are grouped together according to fill code type and placed in other segments of the data stream. The data stream segments are individually variable length coded according to their respective statistical distributions and formatted to form data frames.

Abstract: A method of encoding digital data using a variable-length code is disclosed. Using this method, the data are first transformed so that the values generally correspond to a family of statistical distributions, in this case, negative exponential distributions. The transformed data values are then analyzed to develop parameters describing a particular variable length code. The transformed data values are encoded using this code and the parameter values are concatenated onto the code to aid in the decoding operation.

Abstract: A full motion color digital video signal is compressed, formatted for transmission, recorded on compact disc media and decoded at conventional video frame rates. During compression, regions of a frame are individually analyzed to select optimum fill coding methods specific to each region. Region decoding time estimates are made to optimize compression thresholds. Region descriptive codes conveying the size and locations of the regions are grouped together in a first segment of a data stream. Region fill codes conveying pixel amplitude indications for the regions are grouped together according to fill code type and placed in other segments of the data stream. The data stream segments are individually variable length coded according to their respective statistical distributions and formatted to form data frames.

Abstract: A full motion color digital video signal is compressed, formatted for transmission, recorded on compact disc media and decoded at conventional video frame rates. During compression, regions of a frame are individually analyzed to select optimum fill coding methods specific to each region. Region decoding time estimates are made to optimize compression thresholds. Region descriptive codes conveying the size and locations of the regions are grouped together in a first segment of a data stream. Region fill codes conveying pixel amplitude indications for the regions are grouped together according to fill code type and placed in other segments of the data stream. The data stream segments are individually variable length coded according to their respective statistical distributions and formatted to form data frames.

Abstract: Computer generated video objects may be superimposed over a background video image so as to create the illusion of a single composite scene. The leading edge of an object is detected and for a period of time the object and background video signals are mixed. After that period, only the object video is tranmsitted. Upon detection of the object's trailing edge, the two video signals are again mixed for a period of time. After this latter period, only the background video signal is transmitted until another object's edge is detected.

Abstract: A parallel-pipeline video signal processing system is disclosed which includes a statistical decoder, an arithmetic and logic unit and a pixel interpolator which operate in parallel under the control of sequencing circuitry to expand a compressed video signal. The video signal may have been developed using a variety of compression techniques including Huffman-type statistical encoding.

Abstract: A processor for expanding a compressed video signal includes a pixel interpolator which interpolates between input pixel values in two dimensions. This interpolator calculates and stores intermediate pixel values which are interpolated in the vertical direction. A pair of these intermediate pixel values are then fed back into the interpolator which performs a horizontal interpolation to produce pixel values that are interpolated in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. In steady state operation, the horizontal and vertical interpolation operations are alternated to produce a stream of two-dimensionally interpolated values.

Abstract: A full motion color digital video signal is compressed, formatted for transmission, recorded on compact disc media and decoded at conventional video frame rates. During compression, regions of a frame are individually analyzed to select optimum fill coding methods specific to each region. Region decoding time estimates are made to optimize compression thresholds. Region descriptive codes conveying the size and locations of the regions are grouped together in a first segment of a data stream. Region fill codes conveying pixel amplitude indications for the regions are grouped together according to fill code type and placed in other segments of the data stream. The data stream segments are individually variable length coded according to their respective statistical distributions and formatted to form data frames.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a computerized graphics system to create the illusion of motion from a sequence of still images. A memory and circuitry are provided to generate video signals representing successive still images in the motion sequence. The transition from still image to still image in the sequence is provided by dissolving from the presently displayed image to the next image. This dissolve eliminates the jerkiness that is usually present in creating motion from two images having rather large pixel size by smoothing over the transition from one still image to the next.

Abstract: A teletext system in which viewer function selection is accomplished by superposing a cursor on one of the displayed function words. The teletext/videotext receiver includes a ROM for storing page selection control symbols and a RAM for storing symbols and related addresses corresponding to all displayed page selection symbols. The RAM contents are compared with a cursor address signal to identify displayed page selection symbols that are at or near the cursor location. A page selection symbol, thus identified, is transferred from the RAM to the teletext/videotext system decoder as an information selection command in response to depression of a selection key whereby a minimum number of keys provide selection of a virtually unlimited number of system commands and a user may continuously monitor the displayed text while making selections thus reducing selection entry errors.

Abstract: A board game method involving community development skills between parcels of land and diverse structural improvements thereon with respect to income, expense, and financing thereof during successive time periods of indefinite duration wherein selective positional association of markers of varying sizes and characters upon uniform land areas has a direct bearing on relative success or failure in boom or bust periods. The periods during which action is taken vary randomly throughout utilization of the game device, thus enabling continuous application of strategy and skill in acquiring and arranging land parcels and markers thereon to cope successfully with the unexpected end of a time period.

Abstract: A limiter includes an amplifying stage with its operating point determined by a bias voltage developed across a capacitance associated with a charging path and a discharging path. With alternate disabling and enabling of one of the paths controlled by a switching device with a duty cycle reflective of the limiter output duty cycle, the average potential across the capacitance varies in accordance with changes in the duty cycle of the limiter output. The variation sense is selected such that the resultant alterations of the operating point oppose deviations of the duty cycle from a chosen norm (e.g., 50%).

Abstract: In a VCO, the switching of capacitor charge control circuits between capacitor charging and discharging states is rendered responsive to the current demand of a first FET monitoring the potential across the capacitor. The source-drain path of a second FET, variable in conductivity in response to an external frequency control signal, is connected in the source circuit of the first FET, in parallel with the source-drain path of a third FET. The third FET is non-conductive during operation in the capacitor charging state, but is strongly conductive during operation in the capacitor discharging state. As a consequence, the threshold potential at which switching to the capacitor discharging state occurs varies in accordance with the control signal, while the threshold potential at which switching to the capacitor charging state occurs does not so vary.