Abstract: 2D/3D video conversion using a method for providing an estimation of visual depth for a video sequence, the method comprises an audio scene classification (34) in which a visual depth categorization index of visual depth (37) of a scene is made on basis of an analysis of audio information (32) for the scene, wherein the visual depth categorization index (37) is used in a 5 following visual depth estimation (38) based on video information (33) for the same scene, thereby reducing the calculation load and speeding up the processing.

Abstract: There is provided an image encoding system (300, 400) including an encoder (300) for receiving input image data and generating corresponding encoded image output data. The encoder includes image processing features (310, 320, 330, 360) for processing said input image data to generate for each input image therein a plurality of corresponding image layers including at least one basic layer BLOP and at least one enhancement layer ELOP. Moreover, the encoder (300) further includes encoding features (350) for receiving said image layers and generating therefrom the encoded image output data. The encoding features further comprising block selecting features (340) for selecting one or more sub-regions of said at least one enhancement layer and modelling said one or more sub-regions for representation thereof in the image output data by way of descriptive model parameters.

Abstract: A content augmentation process for personal recordings involves a service center (SC). The service center (SC) collects personal recordings from various different users via a network so as to constitute a database (DB) of personal recordings. The service center (SC) identifies personal recordings within the database (DB) that concern a particular scene and that are mutually complementary so as to form a selection of personal recordings (FSRR) for content augmentation purposes. The service center (SC) applies a content augmentation process (AUGP) to the selection of personal recordings (FSRR) so as to obtain an enhanced representation (CA).

Abstract: 2D/3D video conversion using a method for providing an estimation of visual depth for a video sequence, the method comprises an audio scene classification (34) in which a visual depth categorization index of visual depth (37) of a scene is made on basis of an analysis of audio information (32) for the scene, wherein the visual depth categorization index (37) is used in a 5 following visual depth estimation (38) based on video information (33) for the same scene, thereby reducing the calculation load and speeding up the processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing digital coded video data available in the form of a video stream consisting of consecutive frames divided into slices. The frames include at least I-frames, coded without any reference to other frames, P-frames, temporally disposed between said I-frames and predicted from at least a previous I- or P-frame, and B-frames, temporally disposed between an I-frame and a P-frame, or between two P-frames, and bidirectionally predicted from at least these two frames between which they are disposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coding method applied to digital video data available in the form of a video stream consisting of consecutive frames. These frames, divided into macroblocks, include at least I-frames, independently coded, or P-frames, temporally disposed between said I-frames and predicted from at least a previous I- or P-frame, or B-frames, temporally disposed between an I-frame and a P-frame, or between two P-frames, and bidirectionally predicted from at least these two frames between which they are disposed, said predictions of P- and B-frames being performed by means of a weighted prediction with unequal amount of prediction from the past and the future.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coding method applied to digital video data available in the form of a video stream consisting of consecutive frames divided into macroblocks. These frames are coded in the form of at least I-frames, coded independently, P-frames, predicted from at least a previous I- or P-frame, and B-frames, bidirectionally predicted from at least two frames between which they are disposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying a boundary (211, 212) of a content item in a content stream (201), the method comprising the steps of: (110) receiving predetermined additional data related to the content item, the additional data comprising attribute data describing substantially the whole content item, (130) using a content-analysis processor (310) for analyzing the content stream so as to detect whether the content stream corresponds to the attribute data, and (140) identifying the boundary of the content item in the content stream when the correspondence changes from valid to invalid, or vice versa. The attribute data may indicate a genre of a movie, a music style of a song, etc. or a sequence of genres/music styles. The content-analysis processor (310) utilizes the attribute data to detect whether the content stream belongs to the content item by analyzing the content stream so as to detect the correspondence of the content stream to the attribute data.

Abstract: A device (DVR) handles data items that can be rendered to a user. Such a device may be, for example, a digital video recorder. The device (DVR) comprises a network interface (NWIC, NWIM) that couples the device (DVR) to a network, which comprises other devices. A content analysis initiator (ECF) within the device (DVR) detects that another device, which forms part of the network, comprises a content analyzer. The content analysis initiator (ECF) causes the content analyzer (AVCA) of the other device to be applied to a data item (AVF).

Abstract: Techniques utilising Time Scale Modification (TSM) of signals are described. The signal is analysed and divided into frames of similar signal types. Techniques specific to the signal type are then applied to the frames thereby optimising the modification process. The method of the present invention enables TSM of different audio signal parts to be realized using different methods, and a system for effecting said method is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (300) and a method for analyzing a content stream (201) comprising a content item, and to a computer program product enabling a programmable device. The apparatus comprises a content analysis processor (310) for identifying an exact indicator of a boundary (221, 222) of the content item in the content stream, wherein identifying comprises determining a remote indicator (231) being remote from the boundary and analyzing the content stream starting from the remote indicator towards the boundary to identify the exact indicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of informing a user about a category (152) of a media content item. The method comprises the steps of: identifying the category of the media content item, and enabling a user to obtain an audible signal (156) having an audio parameter (153) in accordance with the category of the media content item. The invention further relates to a device, which is capable of functioning in accordance with the method. The invention also relates to audio data comprising an audible signal informing a user about a category of a media content item, a database comprising a plurality of the audio data, and a computer program product. In a recommender system, the audible signal may be reproduced by the recommender system when a user interaction with the recommender system relates to the media content item of a particular genre. The invention may be used in the EPG user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection method applied to digital coded video data available in the form of a video stream comprising consecutive frames divided into macroblocks themselves subdivided into contiguous blocks. These frames comprise I-frames, coded independently, P-frames, predicted from a previous I- or P-frame, and B-frames, bidirectionally predicted from at least two frames between which they are disposed.

Abstract: A video encoder generates a plurality of reference blocks (111) and an image block of an image. An image selector (105) selects one reference block and an encoder (103, 107) codes the image block using the selected reference block. A first transform processor (113) generates transformed reference blocks by applying an associative image transform to each of the reference blocks and a second transform processor (115) generates a transformed image block by applying the associative image transform to the first image block. The video encoder (100) comprises an analysis processor (117) analyzing the image in response to data of the transformed image block. A residual processor (119) generates a plurality of residual image blocks as the difference between the transformed image block and each of the transformed reference blocks, and the appropriate reference block is selected in response.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (101) for content analysis. The system (101) comprises an interface receiving a video signal in accordance with a first encoding standard, such as H.264. The interface is coupled to an extraction processor (107) which extracts video coding data from the video signal. The video coding data is fed to a conversion processor (109) which converts the video coding data to video coding data according to a second video encoding standard, such as MPEG-2. The conversion converts the extracted video data to video coding data related to a common encoding block size, for example, by grouping smaller blocks and averaging the video parameters to provide video coding parameters related to larger block sizes. The converted data is fed to a content analysis processor (111) which performs content analysis based on the converted data. A content analysis algorithm for one video encoding standard may thus be used for a different video encoding standard.

Abstract: The invention relates to video transcoding between a first and second video standard, such as H.264 and MPEG-2. A video transcoder (201) comprises an interface (203) that receives a video signal in accordance with a first video encoding standard. The video signal is decoded in a decoder (207). An extraction processor (209) extracts motion estimation data from the first video signal, preferably as part of the decoding process. A motion estimation data processor (211) generates second motion estimation data, compatible with a second video encoding standard having a different set of motion estimation options, from the first motion estimation data. The second motion estimation data is generated by projecting motion estimation block positions between reference pictures, aligning prediction blocks with a block position framework and adjusting the prediction block sizes.

Abstract: There is provided an image encoding system (300, 400) including an encoder (300) for receiving input image data and generating corresponding encoded image output data. The encoder includes image processing features (310, 320, 330, 360) for processing said input image data to generate for each input image therein a plurality of corresponding image layers including at least one basic layer BLOP and at least one enhancement layer ELOP. Moreover, the encoder (300) further includes encoding features (350) for receiving said image layers and generating therefrom the encoded image output data. The encoding features further comprising block selecting features (340) for selecting one or more sub-regions of said at least one enhancement layer and modelling said one or more sub-regions for representation thereof in the image output data by way of descriptive model parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a video encoding apparatus (100) comprising a video analysis processor (101) and a video encoder (103). The video analysis processor (101) comprises a segmentation processor (109) which divides a picture into a plurality of picture regions. A picture characteristic processor (111) determines picture characteristic, such as a texture level, for one of the regions, and in response a video encoding selector (113) selects a video encoding parameter for that region. The video encoding parameter is fed to the video encoder (103) wherein a video encode processor (I 19) encodes the picture using the video encoding parameter determined by the external analysis by the video analysis processor (101). The encoded picture is fed back to the video analysis processor (101) and the process is iterated until a desired encoding performance is achieved. The apparatus is particularly suitable for H.

Abstract: A method and system for encrypting a video data stream, the video data stream partitioned into units based upon a type of data contained within the units. The method comprising: determining for each unit the type of data contained within the unit; and encrypting a particular unit or a portion of the particular unit based upon the type of data contained within the unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a video encoder (201) for encoding a video signal. The video encoder comprises a segmentation processor (207) which divides the picture into picture regions. Preferably, picture regions having a high degree of flatness or uniformity are determined in this way. A characteristics processor (209) determine a spatial frequency characteristic for each picture region, and a coding controller (211) selects an encoding block size, such as a prediction block size for motion estimation, in response to the spatial frequency characteristic. An encode processor (213) encodes the picture using the selected encoding block size. Specifically, increasing block sizes are selected for increasing degrees of uniformity or flatness indicated by the spatial frequency characteristic. Thereby, an increasing proportion of high frequency components and a consistent choice of encoding block sizes are maintained, and thus the coding artefacts from many encoders having variable prediction block sizes is reduced.