Abstract: A method of adding comfort noise to a video sequence comprising setting parameters of a deblocking filter of a video encoder to change values during the video sequence, encoding frames of the video sequence using the parameters of the deblocking filter that are set to change values during the video sequence, thereby introducing comfort noise in the video sequence, and including the encoded frames in a bitstream together with an indication of which parameters of the deblocking filter were used when encoding the frames of the video sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for encoding a video stream. The encoding includes determining a level of relevance for areas in an image frame to be included in the video stream, determining a block size value for coding blocks in the image frame, the block size value is depending on the level of relevance determined for the area including each coding block, respectively, encoding the image frame using coding block sizes based on the determined block size values for each of the coding blocks.

Abstract: A method decodes video data based on gaze sensing. The method may decode an encoded video stream received from an encoder associated with a camera, and present the decoded video stream on a display of a device. The method may further detect a gaze point of an operator viewing the display, designate locations associated with the decoded video stream, based upon the gaze point, as skip block insertion points. The method may send the locations to the encoder, wherein the encoder reduces an update rate of inter-frame coded blocks corresponding to the skip block insertion points when encoding video data produced by the camera. An apparatus can implement the method to decode video data based on gaze sensing.

Abstract: A method and a video management system is disclosed. The method may include receiving a video stream from a camera and displaying the video stream on a display. The method may include obtaining, via an eye tracking sensor, gaze information for an operator watching the display. The method may include generating a historical gaze heat map for the video stream for a time period based on the obtained gaze information and determining a low interest area for the video stream based on the generated historical gaze heat map. The method may include instructing the camera to decrease a bit rate of the video stream in the low interest area.

Abstract: A method of pre-processing digital images captured by an image sensor for encoding is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a first digital image, receiving information representative of a movement of the image sensor at a time of capture of said first digital image), and pre-processing said first digital image. At least one parameter of said pre-processing is dependent on said information representative of movement. A digital image pre-processing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of encoding a video stream comprising receiving a frame of a video stream to be encoded, performing motion detection in the frame to identify steady regions, and temporally filtering the frame so as to provide temporally filtered pixel values. For a pixel in the steady regions of the frame, the temporally filtered pixel value is used when encoding the pixel, on a condition that the pixel belongs to a block of pixels of the frame that will be intra-coded. On a condition that the pixel instead belongs to a block of pixels of the frame that will be inter-coded, a value that was used when encoding a corresponding pixel of the immediately preceding frame is used when encoding the pixel.

Abstract: A method for controlling a video camera which is configured to capture and process image frames prior to encoding. The method comprises determining whether the video camera is going to encode an image frame as an intra-frame or an inter-frame. If the image frame is going to be encoded as an inter-frame, the video camera is controlled to capture and process the image frame using first settings prior to encoding. If the image frame is going to be encoded as an intra-frame, the video camera is controlled to capture and process the image frame using second settings prior to encoding, wherein the second settings are modified in relation to the first settings to further reduce a level of noise in the image frame.

Abstract: A method decodes video data based on gaze sensing. The method may decode an encoded video stream received from an encoder associated with a camera, and present the decoded video stream on a display of a device. The method may further detect a gaze point of an operator viewing the display, designate locations associated with the decoded video stream, based upon the gaze point, as skip block insertion points. The method may send the locations to the encoder, wherein the encoder reduces an update rate of inter-frame coded blocks corresponding to the skip block insertion points when encoding video data produced by the camera. An apparatus can implement the method to decode video data based on gaze sensing.

Abstract: A method and a video management system is disclosed. The method may include receiving a video stream from a camera and displaying the video stream on a display. The method may include obtaining, via an eye tracking sensor, gaze information for an operator watching the display. The method may include generating a historical gaze heat map for the video stream for a time period based on the obtained gaze information and determining a low interest area for the video stream based on the generated historical gaze heat map. The method may include instructing the camera to decrease a bit rate of the video stream in the low interest area.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring video data based on gaze is disclosed. The method may include receiving a video stream generated by a camera and presenting the received video stream on a display. The method may further include receiving a notification signal triggered by an event and determining that the video stream is associated with the notification signal. The method may further include detecting a gaze point of an operator viewing the display and determining at least one parameter associated with the gaze point. The method may include controlling a state of an alarm associated with the notification signal based upon the at least one parameter associated with the gaze point.

Abstract: A method for encoding video is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving information representative of pixels in a current digital image frame of a video to be encoded, calculating a group value for each group of neighboring pixels based on the received information, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a first sequence of frames to form a first accumulation of accumulated group values, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a second sequence of frames to form a second accumulation of accumulated group values, wherein the second sequence includes frames captured over a longer period of time than the first sequence, comparing accumulated group values of the first accumulation with accumulated group values of the second accumulation, calculating a global change value based on the comparison, setting a GOP length based on the global change value; and encoding the current image frame as an intra-frame or inter-frame based on the GOP length.

Abstract: A method of identifying relevant areas in digital images is provided. The method comprises receiving information representative of pixels in a first digital image, and calculating a spatial statistical measure of said information for groups of neighboring pixels in said first image to form a group value for each group of pixels. Further, the method comprises calculating differences between group values, and comparing said differences to a predetermined threshold value. If said difference is equal to or above said threshold value, said group is identified as relevant, and if said difference is below said threshold value, said group is identified as not relevant. A method of encoding digital images based on the identification of relevant and non-relevant areas is also provided, as well as a digital encoder system.

Abstract: A method of encoding digital video data corresponding to a sequence of input video frames is disclosed. The input video frames are encoded into a sequence of output video frames. The method comprises encoding a first input video frame in a first encoder instance using intra-frame encoding to produce a first intra-frame, decoding the first intra-frame to produce a first decoded frame, encoding the first decoded frame in a second encoder instance to produce a first output video frame. A digital video encoding system is also disclosed, as well as a camera comprising such a system, and a computer program product for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of pre-processing digital images captured by an image sensor for encoding is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a first digital image, receiving information representative of a movement of the image sensor at a time of capture of said first digital image), and pre-processing said first digital image. At least one parameter of said pre-processing is dependent on said information representative of movement. A digital image pre-processing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of identifying relevant areas in digital images is provided. The method comprises receiving information representative of pixels in a first digital image, and calculating a spatial statistical measure of said information for groups of neighboring pixels in said first image to form a group value for each group of pixels. Further, the method comprises calculating differences between group values, and comparing said differences to a predetermined threshold value. If said difference is equal to or above said threshold value, said group is identified as relevant, and if said difference is below said threshold value, said group is identified as not relevant. A method of encoding digital images based on the identification of relevant and non-relevant areas is also provided, as well as a digital encoder system.

Abstract: A method for encoding video is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving information representative of pixels in a current digital image frame of a video to be encoded, calculating a group value for each group of neighboring pixels based on the received information, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a first sequence of frames to form a first accumulation of accumulated group values, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a second sequence of frames to form a second accumulation of accumulated group values, wherein the second sequence includes frames captured over a longer period of time than the first sequence, comparing accumulated group values of the first accumulation with accumulated group values of the second accumulation, calculating a global change value based on the comparison, setting a GOP length based on the global change value; and encoding the current image frame as an intra-frame or inter-frame based on the GOP length.