Abstract: A method and system of lossless compression of integer data using a novel backward-adaptive technique. The adaptive Run-Length and Golomb/Rice (RLGR) encoder and decoder (codec) and method switches between a Golomb/Rice (G/R) encoder mode only and using the G/R encoder combined with a Run-Length encoder. The backward-adaptive technique includes novel adaptation rules that adjust the encoder parameters after each encoded symbol. An encoder mode parameter and a G/R parameter are adapted. The encoding mode parameter controls whether the adaptive RLGR encoder and method uses Run-Length encoding and, if so, it is used. The G/R parameter is used in both modes to encode every input value (in the G/R only mode) or to encode the number or value after an incomplete run of zeros (in the RLGR mode). The adaptive RLGR codec and method also includes a decoder that can be precisely implemented based on the inverse of the encoder rules.

Abstract: A new color space that maps image pixel values in a mosaiced sampling pattern (such as that generated by a Bayer color filter array) into four color channels that correspond to rectangular sampling patterns. Because these new channels correspond to a rectangular sampling grid, they are much more amenable to processing steps such as compression. In one embodiment, the transformation from the original mosaic-patterned pixels into the new four-channel color space can be made reversible in integer arithmetic. That allows for the implementation of efficient lossless image compression systems for mosaiced (e.g., raw, or raw Charged Couple Device (CCD)) images.

Abstract: A system and process for encoding and later decoding of bi-level images that does not use arithmetic coding, but whose performance is close to that of state-of-the-art coders such as JBIG, JBIG-2, and JB2. In general, the present bi-level coder (BLC) uses two context-based adaptive modules: 1) an adaptive predictor controlled by low-resolution probability estimates that is used to map the original pixels explicitly into prediction error pixels, and 2) a backward-adaptive Run-Length-Rice (RLR) coder that encodes the prediction error pixels. That's contrary to the usual approach where the context-dependent probability estimate controls both pixel prediction and adaptive entropy coding. Due to its simplicity, in many applications BLC may be a better choice other current coders.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating image smoothing is provided. The invention includes an image processor having an image receptor and an image smoother. The invention provides for the image smoother to alter the value of a don't care pixel based, at least in part, upon a weighted average of care pixels.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for compressing image data using a lapped biorthogonal transform (LBT). The present invention encodes data by generating coefficients using a hierarchical LBT, reorders the coefficients in a data-independent manner into groups of similar data, and encodes the reordered coefficients using adaptive run-length encoding. The hierarchical LBT computes multiresolution representations. The use of the LBT allows the present invention to encode image data in a single pass at any desired compression ratio and to make use of existing discrete cosine transform (DCT) software and hardware modules for fast processing and easy implementation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing adaptive filtering are disclosed. The present invention generates probabilities that can be used in an encoder, such as an arithmetic encoder and generates those probabilities in a computationally efficient manner. Probabilities of previously encoded coefficients are employed, effectively, in generating probabilities of the coefficients without regard to directional information. Thus, a large amount of information is adaptively and efficiently used in generating the probabilities. For the coefficients, the probability is computed based at least partly on at least one probability of a previously computed probability of a neighboring coefficient. Then, the coefficients are encoded using those computed probabilities.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for inserting and detecting watermarks in signals, such as a music clip. In one described implementation, a watermarking system employs chess spread-spectrum sequences (i.e., “chess watermarks”) to improve the balance of positive and negative chips in the watermarking sequences. In another described implementation, a watermarking system employs an energy-level trigger to determine whether to skip encoding of a portion of a watermark within a given time span of a clip. If a large discrepancy in energy levels exists over a given time frame, then the frame is not watermarked, to avoid audible time-dispersion of artifacts due to spectral modifications. In another described implementation, a watermarking system begins encoding of a watermark at a variable position after the beginning of a clip.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating progressively transforming and coding digital pictures is provided. The present invention via employment of a multi-resolution lapped transform provides for progressive rendering as well as mitigation of blocking artifacts and ringing artifacts as compared to many conventional compression systems. The invention includes a color space mapper, a multi-resolution lapped transform, a quantizer, a scanner and an entropy encoder. The multi-resolution lapped transform outputs transform coefficients, for example, first transform coefficients and second transform coefficients. A multi-resolution representation can be obtained utilizing second transform coefficients of the multi-resolution lapped transform. The color space mapper maps an input image to a color space representation of the input image. The color space representation of the input image is then provided to the multi-resolution lapped transform.

Abstract: A system for communicating audio data signals comprises a source computer that performs an action, generates an event message corresponding to the action, converts the event message into an audio data signal, and communicates the audio data signal through its speaker. A source telephone receives a voice signal from a participant and the audio data signal through its microphone and communicates the audio data signal and voice as coherent sound via an audio communications medium. A recipient telephone receives the audio data signal from the coherent sound communicated via the audio communications medium and communicates the audio data signal via its speaker. A recipient computer receives the audio data signal through its microphone, extracts the event message from the audio data signal, and performs an action based on the event message from the audio data signal. The audio communications medium can comprise a telephone communications system or air.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating progressively transforming and coding digital pictures is provided. The present invention via employment of a multi-resolution lapped transform provides for progressive rendering as well as mitigation of blocking artifacts and ringing artifacts as compared to many conventional compression systems. The invention includes a color space mapper, a multi-resolution lapped transform, a quantizer, a scanner and an entropy encoder. The multi-resolution lapped transform outputs transform coefficients, for example, first transform coefficients and second transform coefficients. A multi-resolution representation can be obtained utilizing second transform coefficients of the multi-resolution lapped transform. The color space mapper maps an input image to a color space representation of the input image. The color space representation of the input image is then provided to the multi-resolution lapped transform.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating progressively transforming and coding digital pictures is provided. The present invention via employment of a multi-resolution lapped transform provides for progressive rendering as well as mitigation of blocking artifacts and ringing artifacts as compared to many conventional compression systems. The invention includes a color space mapper, a multi-resolution lapped transform, a quantizer, a scanner and an entropy encoder. The multi-resolution lapped transform outputs transform coefficients, for example, first transform coefficients and second transform coefficients. A multi-resolution representation can be obtained utilizing second transform coefficients of the multi-resolution lapped transform. The color space mapper maps an input image to a color space representation of the input image. The color space representation of the input image is then provided to the multi-resolution lapped transform.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating progressively transforming and coding digital pictures is provided. The present invention via employment of a multi-resolution lapped transform provides for progressive rendering as well as mitigation of blocking artifacts and ringing artifacts as compared to many conventional compression systems. The invention includes a color space mapper, a multi-resolution lapped transform, a quantizer, a scanner and an entropy encoder. The multi-resolution lapped transform outputs transform coefficients, for example, first transform coefficients and second transform coefficients. A multi-resolution representation can be obtained utilizing second transform coefficients of the multi-resolution lapped transform. The color space mapper maps an input image to a color space representation of the input image. The color space representation of the input image is then provided to the multi-resolution lapped transform.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating progressively transforming and coding digital pictures is provided. The present invention via employment of a multi-resolution lapped transform provides for progressive rendering as well as mitigation of blocking artifacts and ringing artifacts as compared to many conventional compression systems. The invention includes a color space mapper, a multi-resolution lapped transform, a quantizer, a scanner and an entropy encoder. The multi-resolution lapped transform outputs transform coefficients, for example, first transform coefficients and second transform coefficients. A multi-resolution representation can be obtained utilizing second transform coefficients of the multi-resolution lapped transform. The color space mapper maps an input image to a color space representation of the input image. The color space representation of the input image is then provided to the multi-resolution lapped transform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing clustering of a document image are disclosed. A property of an extracted mark from a document is compared to the properties of the existing clusters. If the property of the mark fails to match any of the properties of the existing clusters, the mark is added as a new cluster to the existing cluster. One property that can be utilized is x size and y size, which is the width and height, of the existing clusters. Another property that can be employed is ink size, which refers to the ratio of black pixels to total pixels in a cluster. Yet another property that can be utilized is a reduced mark or image, which is a pixel size reduced version the bitmap of the mark and/or cluster. The above properties can be employed to identify mismatches and reduce the number of bit by bit comparisons performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate real-time information exchange in a multimedia conferencing environment. Data Client(s) facilitate data collaboration between users and are maintained separately from audio/video (AV) Clients that provide real-time communication functionality. Data Clients can be remotely located with respect to one another and with respect to a server. A remote user Stand-in Device can be provided that comprises a display to present a remote user to local users, a digital automatic pan/tilt/zoom camera to capture imagery in, for example, a conference room and provide real-time information to an AV Client in a remote office, and a microphone array that can similarly provide real-time audio information from the conference room to an AV Client in the remote office. The invention further facilitates file transfer and presentation broadcast between Data Clients in a single location or in a plurality of disparate locations.

Abstract: The invention facilitates adaptive compression of multi-level images, such as captured digital images of a whiteboard, etc., encoding a bitstream comprising a color image component and a black-and-white image component. Either or both of a color and a black-and-white image can be output to a user based on user desires, receiving device capabilities, etc.

Abstract: A quality level determining the extent to which each image file is compressed is automatically computed for each image file in a set to ensure that the total size of the compressed image files does not exceed a predefined limit. The compressed size of each image file is initially determined when compressed at a predefined minimum acceptable level and at a nominal level. The relative complexity of the image files is determined based upon their high frequency energy content. As a function of the image file complexity, and starting with the compressed sizes initially determined, the appropriate quality level is determined for compressing each of the image files in an iterative process that ensures the total size of the compressed image files does not exceed the predefined limit, while retaining acceptable quality. Thus, a set of image files can be compressed optimally to fit within a limited storage.

Abstract: A watermark encoding system encodes an audio signal with both a strong and a weak watermark. The strong watermark identifies the content producer and is designed to survive all typical kinds of processing and malicious attacks. The weak watermark identifies the content as an original and is designed to be significantly removed as a result of most normal signal processing (other than A/D and D/A). The watermark encoding system has a converter to convert an audio signal into frequency and phase components and a mask processor to determine a hearing threshold for corresponding frequency components. The watermark encoding system also has a pattern generator to generate both the strong and weak watermarks and a watermark insertion unit to selectively insert either the strong or weak watermark into the audio signal. The watermark insertion unit adds the strong watermark to the audio signal when the signal exceeds the hearing threshold by a buffer value (e.g.

Abstract: An improved method and block transform for image or video encoding and decoding, wherein transformation and inverse transformation matrixes are defined such that computational complexity is significantly reduced when encoding and decoding. For example, in the two-dimensional inverse transformation of de-quantized transform coefficients into output pixel information during decoding, only four additions plus one shift operation are needed, per co-efficient transformation, all in sixteen-bit arithmetic. Transformations provide correct results because quantization during encoding and de-quantization (sixteen bit) during decoding, via the use of one of three tables selected based on each coefficient's position, have parameter values that already compensate for factors of other transformation multiplications, except for those of a power of two, (e.g., two or one-half), which are performed by a shift operation during the transformation and inverse transformation processes.

Abstract: A gradient-corrected linear interpolation method and system for the demosaicing of color images. The method and system compute an interpolation using some a current technique (preferably a bilinear interpolation technique to reduce computational complexity), compute a correction term (such as a gradient of a desired color at a given pixel), and linearly combine the interpolation and the correction term to produce a corrected, high-quality interpolation of a missing color value at a pixel. The correction term may be a gradient correction term computed from the current color of the current pixel. This gradient is directly used to affect and correct the estimated color value produced by the prior art interpolation technique. The gradient-corrected linear interpolation method and system may also apply a gradient-correction gain to the gradient correction term. This gradient-correction gain affects the amount of gradient correction that is applied to the interpolation.