Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that recover usable video data from partially corrupted data. Embodiments inspect corrupted data packets and identify the location or locations of an error, whether the corrupted data packet contains data expected to be error-free, and whether the error-free data should be used. Decoding of a packet in both the forward direction and the backward direction can be used to locate a position of an error. Intra-coded macroblocks can also be recovered. A decoder can elect to use or to drop an intra-coded macroblock recovered from a corrupted data packet according to further criteria that is applied to the recovered intra-coded macroblock. One embodiment inspects video bitstream data that has been encoded with an optional data partitioning feature enabled, and retrieves specified data in areas of a corrupted packet that are expected to be free from error.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that encode redundant motion vectors for predictive-coded visual object planes (P-VOPs) to increase the robustness of transmitted video signals. One embodiment provides the redundant motion vectors in a user data video packet of an MPEG-4 compliant bitstream, which thereby allows the enhanced bitstream to remain compliant with MPEG-4 syntax and backwards compatible with MPEG-4 decoders. The enhanced bitstreams allow a video decoder to display a video with a better picture and relatively less error and error propagation when portions of the bitstream are disturbed or corrupted by interference, delays, and the like.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that encode redundant motion vectors for predictive-coded visual object planes (P-VOPs) to increase the robustness of transmitted video signals. One embodiment provides the redundant motion vectors in a user data video packet of an MPEG-4 compliant bitstream, which thereby allows the enhanced bitstream to remain compliant with MPEG-4 syntax and backwards compatible with MPEG-4 decoders. The enhanced bitstreams allow a video decoder to display a video with a better picture and relatively less error and error propagation when portions of the bitstream are disturbed or corrupted by interference, delays, and the like.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that decode robustly encoded video bitstreams. One embodiment of a decoder can advantageously reconstruct a predictive-coded video object plane (P-VOP) from a standard motion vector and the previous frame; from a redundant motion vector and a frame prior to the previous frame; or from both. Advantageously, this permits the decoder to display a frame based on a reconstructed VOP in the presence of unfavorable environmental conditions, such as interference, delays, and the like, which could otherwise corrupt a previous frame that is used as a reference by a standard decoder, such as a standard MPEG-4 decoder. One embodiment is advantageously backwards compatible with standard MPEG-4 compliant bitstreams and retrieves redundant motion vector information from user data video packets. One embodiment includes at least one extra frame buffer or memory, which stores a reference frame corresponding to a redundant motion vector.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that decode robustly encoded video bitstreams. One embodiment of a decoder can advantageously reconstruct a predictive-coded video object plane (P-VOP) from a standard motion vector and the previous frame; from a redundant motion vector and a frame prior to the previous frame; or from both. Advantageously, this permits the decoder to display a frame based on a reconstructed VOP in the presence of unfavorable environmental conditions, such as interference, delays, and the like, which could otherwise corrupt a previous frame that is used as a reference by a standard decoder, such as a standard MPEG-4 decoder. One embodiment is advantageously backwards compatible with standard MPEG-4 compliant bitstreams and retrieves redundant motion vector information from user data video packets. One embodiment includes at least one extra frame buffer or memory, which stores a reference frame corresponding to a redundant motion vector.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a bit budget is calculated for a first scene. In addition, bit budgets for corresponding frames, including at least a first frame, within the first scene are determined. Optionally, bit budgets corresponding to macroblocks within the first frame are also determined.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that recover usable video data from partially corrupted data. Embodiments inspect corrupted data packets and identify the location or locations of an error, whether the corrupted data packet contains data expected to be error-free, and whether the error-free data should be used. Decoding of a packet in both the forward direction and the backward direction can be used to locate a position of an error. Intra-coded macroblocks can also be recovered. A decoder can elect to use or to drop an intra-coded macroblock recovered from a corrupted data packet according to further criteria that is applied to the recovered intra-coded macroblock. One embodiment inspects video bitstream data that has been encoded with an optional data partitioning feature enabled, and retrieves specified data in areas of a corrupted packet that are expected to be free from error.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that advantageously improve picture quality in a video encoder, such as an MPEG video encoder. Scene changes typically occur relatively frequently in picture sequences, such as movies. One embodiment of the invention detects a scene change within a group of pictures and allocates bits within the group of pictures in response to the detected scene change without changing a predetermined structure for the group of pictures.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a first root mean squared (RMS) value is calculated for a first frame relative to a second frame, and a second frame relative to a third frame. A second temporal derivative RMS value is calculated. Based at least in part on the second derivative value, the second frame is designated as a scene change frame.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that encode redundant motion vectors for predictive-coded visual object planes (P-VOPs) to increase the robustness of transmitted video signals. One embodiment provides the redundant motion vectors in a user data video packet of an MPEG-4 compliant bitstream, which thereby allows the enhanced bitstream to remain compliant with MPEG-4 syntax and backwards compatible with MPEG-4 decoders. The enhanced bitstreams allow a video decoder to display a video with a better picture and relatively less error and error propagation when portions of the bitstream are disturbed or corrupted by interference, delays, and the like.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an adaptive motion area process is performed to determine which macroblocks are to be intracoded. Adaptive motion change detection can efficiently reduce the large propagation error, including errors occurring in the motion area. An intercode distortion value and an intracode distortion value are calculated, as are an intercode bit rate and an intracode bit rate. Based on a comparison of the calculated intercode distortion value and the intracode distortion value, and on a comparison of the intercode bit rate and the intracode bit rate for each macroblock, a decision is made as to which predicted frame macroblocks are to be intracoded.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a first root mean squared (RMS) value is calculated for a first frame relative to a second frame, and a second frame relative to a third frame. A second temporal derivative RMS value is calculated. Based at least in part on the second derivative value, the second frame is designated as a scene change frame.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that manage data received in a video bitstream. Video data received from the video bitstream is placed in a ring buffer, which is also known as a circular buffer. Data logging information is also stored in the ring buffer. In one embodiment, the data logging information is stored synchronously or in alignment with the corresponding video data. The data logging information can include a status of whether the corresponding video data with or without error. The ring buffer provides fast and efficient access to video bitstream data that may be accessed multiple times in multiple directions by modules that extract data from the video bitstream in an error resilient manner.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that encode redundant motion vectors for predictive-coded visual object planes (P-VOPs) to increase the robustness of transmitted video signals. One embodiment provides the redundant motion vectors in a user data video packet of an MPEG-4 compliant bitstream, which thereby allows the enhanced bitstream to remain compliant with MPEG-4 syntax and backwards compatible with MPEG-4 decoders. The enhanced bitstreams allow a video decoder to display a video with a better picture and relatively less error and error propagation when portions of the bitstream are disturbed or corrupted by interference, delays, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is related to error resilient video encoding. A first instruction to intracode a first frame is received. In response to the first instruction, the first frame is intracoded. In addition, a second sequentially consecutive frame is intracoded as a result of the first instruction to intracode the first frame.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that conceal errors in images of a corrupted video bitstream. One embodiment conceals errors in a missing or corrupted intra-coded macroblock by linearly interpolating data from other macroblocks that correspond to portions of the image above and below the missing or corrupted macroblock. One embodiment can utilize substitute motion vectors for a missing or corrupted predictive-coded macroblock. Another embodiment doubles the received motion vectors and references the doubled motion vectors to a previous-previous frame. Another embodiment adaptively selects which concealment or reconstruction technique is applied according to projected error estimates. Another embodiment conceals errors by replacing corrupted or missing data by combining concealment data in a weighted sum to reduce an estimated error.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a sequence of frames is received. For each frame in at least a portion of the sequence of frames, a corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter between frames bracketing said each frame is calculated. At least partly based on the corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter, a first frame in the sequence of frames is skipped.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that conceal errors in images of a corrupted video bitstream. One embodiment conceals errors in a missing or corrupted intra-coded macroblock by linearly interpolating data from other macroblocks that correspond to portions of the image above and below the missing or corrupted macroblock. One embodiment can utilize substitute motion vectors for a missing or corrupted predictive-coded macroblock. Another embodiment doubles the received motion vectors and references the doubled motion vectors to a previous-previous frame. Another embodiment adaptively selects which concealment or reconstruction technique is applied according to projected error estimates. Another embodiment conceals errors by replacing corrupted or missing data by combining concealment data in a weighted sum to reduce an estimated error.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that encode redundant motion vectors for predictive-coded visual object planes (P-VOPs) to increase the robustness of transmitted video signals. One embodiment provides the redundant motion vectors in a user data video packet of an MPEG-4 compliant bitstream, which thereby allows the enhanced bitstream to remain compliant with MPEG-4 syntax and backwards compatible with MPEG-4 decoders. The enhanced bitstreams allow a video decoder to display a video with a better picture and relatively less error and error propagation when portions of the bitstream are disturbed or corrupted by interference, delays, and the like.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that encode redundant motion vectors for predictive-coded visual object planes (P-VOPs) to increase the robustness of transmitted video signals. One embodiment provides the redundant motion vectors in a user data video packet of an MPEG-4 compliant bitstream, which thereby allows the enhanced bitstream to remain compliant with MPEG-4 syntax and backwards compatible with MPEG-4 decoders. The enhanced bitstreams allow a video decoder to display a video with a better picture and relatively less error and error propagation when portions of the bitstream are disturbed or corrupted by interference, delays, and the like.