Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference

Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference

Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference

Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for edge-based spatio-temporal filtering. An apparatus for filtering a sequence of pictures includes a spatial filter, a motion compensator, a deblocking filter, and a temporal filter. The spatial filter is for spatially filtering a picture in the sequence and at least one reference picture selected from among previous pictures and subsequent pictures in the sequence with respect to the picture. The motion compensator, in signal communication with the spatial filter, is for forming, subsequent to spatial filtering, multiple temporal predictions for the picture from the at least one reference picture. The deblocking filter, in signal communication with the motion compensator, is for deblock filtering the multiple temporal predictions. The temporal filter, in signal communication with the deblocking filter, is for temporally filtering the multiple temporal predictions and combining the multiple temporal predictions to generate a noise reduced version of the picture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a reduced cost HDTV/SDTV video decoder are disclosed. The described joint video decoder is capable of decoding HDTV pictures at approximately the resolution of standard definition television pictures and can be used to decode HDTV and/or SDTV pictures. The described video decoder may be used as part of a picture-in-picture decoder circuit for providing picture-in-picture capability without providing multiple full resolution video decoders. The reduction in decoder circuit complexity is achieved through the use of a plurality of data reduction techniques including the use of a preparser, downsampling, and truncating pixel values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for staggercasting to a mobile receiver, includes encoding a first signal representing content at a first quality and encoding a second signal representing the content at a second quality different than the first quality. A composite signal comprising the first and second encoded signals, wherein the first encoded signal is delayed with respect to the second encoded signal, is broadcast. The broadcast composite signal receiving at the mobile receiver where the received encoded signal having the lower quality is extracted from the received composite signal and the extracted encoded signal is decoded.

Abstract: A video decoder, a video decoding method, a video encoder and a video encoding method are disclosed. A video decoder for decoding a video bitstream for an image block includes a motion vector resolution reducer and a motion compensator. The motion vector resolution reducer is for receiving decoded high resolution motion vectors included in the video bitstream and for reducing an accuracy of the high resolution motion vectors to correspond to a low resolution. The motion compensator, in signal communication with the motion vector resolution reducer, is for forming a motion compensated high resolution prediction using the reduced accuracy motion vectors. The video encoder for encoding scalable video comprises a motion compensator for forming a motion compensated full resolution prediction and combining combining the motion compensated full resolution prediction from an image block to form a prediction residual.

Abstract: A video encoder and corresponding method are provided for encoding an input picture or image block using a prediction from a reference-only picture, where the encoder includes a picture buffer for storing a previously coded picture, and a reference processing unit in signal communication with the picture buffer for generating the reference-only picture from a previously coded picture; and the corresponding method includes receiving a substantially uncompressed image block, filtering (714) a previously coded picture to create an adaptive reference, motion compensating the adaptive reference, subtracting the motion compensated adaptive reference from the substantially uncompressed image block, and encoding the difference between the substantially uncompressed image block and the motion compensated adaptive reference. Video decoder and corresponding method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive (or multi-predictive) coding mode allows both intraframe (intra) and interframe (inter) predictions to be combined together for hybrid-encoding a current macroblock or a subblock. Bi-prediction may be used also in I-pictures, combining two intra predictions that use two different intra prediction directions. A video encoder processes data representing a two-dimensional video image which has been produced by a conventional commercially available video camera. The video encoder is adapted to select, for coding a current macroblock, between an intra encoding mode, an P-frame inter encoding mode, a B-frame bi-predictive inter mode, and a hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode. A video decoder receives and decodes a data stream that may contain a block/macroblock encoded in accordance with the hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode.

Abstract: A hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive (or multi-predictive) coding mode allows both intraframe (intra) and interframe (inter) predictions to be combined together for hybrid-encoding a current macroblock or a subblock. Bi-prediction may be used also in I-pictures, combining two intra predictions that use two different intra prediction directions. A video encoder processes data representing a two-dimensional video image which has been produced by a conventional commercially available video camera. The video encoder is adapted to select, for coding a current macroblock, between an intra encoding mode, an P-frame inter encoding mode, a B-frame bi-predictive inter mode, and a hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode. A video decoder receives and decodes a data stream that may contain a block/macroblock encoded in accordance with the hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode.

Abstract: A method for minimizing and optimizing a list of active reference pictures to be used for (forward or backward) inter coding of a current picture, or of a pixel region (e.g., video object) within the current picture. Setting the number of active reference pictures in a list equal to one based upon one or more decisions related to the pixel data and movement between the current picture and one or more reference pictures. Otherwise, minimizing the number of active reference pictures in the list based upon one or more other decisions related to the pixel data and movement between the current picture and one or more reference pictures. Minimizing the number of active reference pictures in a second reference picture list based upon the utilization of reference pictures in the first reference picture list. A video encoder processes data representing a two-dimensional video image which has been produced by a conventional commercially available video camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for staggercasting, encodes a first signal representing content and encodes a second signal representing the content using encoding relatively more robust than the encoding of the first encoded content representative signal. A composite signal including at least the first and second encoded signals is generated, in which one of the first and second encoded signals is delayed with respect to the other encoded signal. If an error is detected in the composite signal, then the undelayed encoded signal is decoded to reproduce the content. Otherwise, the delayed encoded signal is decoded to reproduce the content.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for enabling recovery of missing information in a digital communication system. The apparatus includes a Forward Erasure Correction (FXC) encoder for computing FXC parity superpackets across information superpackets for subsequent recovery of any entire ones of the information superpackets that have been at least partially comprised due to synchronization loss.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing staggercasted content includes encoding a set of signals representing content. The set of signals is capable of being decoded to produce a corresponding set of decoded signals, each decoded signal having a quality different from the qualities of the decoded signals corresponding to the other encoded signals. A composite signal comprising the set of encoded signals, staggered in time, is generated. The set of encoded signals is extracted from the composite signal. Errors in the set of extracted encoded signals are detected to produce a subset of available extracted encoded signals which are not erroneous. A content representative signal at a selectable desired quality is decoded. The decoded content representative signal is then stored in a storage device.

Abstract: A method for staggercasting, includes encoding a first signal representing content using encoding having successive independent decoding segments and encoding a second signal representing the content using encoding having successive independent decoding segments respectively corresponding to the independent decoding segments of the first encoded signal. A composite signal including the first and second encoded signals is generated in which the first encoded signal is delayed with respect to the second encoded signal. If an error is detected in the composite signal during a portion of an independent decoding segment of the delayed first encoded signal, then the corresponding independent decoding segment of the received second encoded signal is decoded to produce the content, otherwise, the received delayed first encoded signal is decoded to produce the content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for staggercasting includes encoding a set of signals representing content. The set of encoded signals is capable of being decoded to produce a corresponding set of decoded signals, each having a quality which is different from the qualities of the decoded signals corresponding to the other encoded signals. A composite signal is generated which includes the set of encoded signals, staggered in time. The set of encoded signals extracting from the composite signal. Errors in the set of extracted encoded signals are detected to produce a subset of available extracted encoded signals which are not erroneous. A content representative signal at a selectable desired quality is then decoded.

Abstract: A decoding arrangement for decoding pictures in an incoming video stream includes a noise generator for adding a dither signal containing random noise to the pictures after video decoding, to improve the subjective video quality. The noise generator adds noise to each pixel in an amount correlated to additive noise of pixels in a prior picture, either a previously displayed picture (i.e., a previously decoded picture to which noise has been added), or a previously decoded picture.

Abstract: Film grain is simulated in an output image using pre-established blocks of film grain from a pool of pre-established blocks. Successive film grain blocks are selected by matching the average intensity of a block from the pool to the average intensity of a successive one of a set of M×N pixels in an incoming image. Once all of the successive pixel blocks from the image are matched to selected film grain blocks, the selected film grain blocks are “mosaiced”, that is composited into a larger image mapped to the incoming image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for texture compression using patch-based sampling texture synthesis. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding texture for a picture by synthesizing the texture. The encoder performs texture synthesis using a patch-based sampling method, thus determining “displacement vectors” indicating positions of patches in an input sample texture which are to be synthesized. At the encoder, both the input sample texture and information representing the “displacement vectors” are coded. At the decoder, the new patches are generated by directly using the “displacement vectors”.