Abstract: Devices and methods for determining image quality using full-reference and non-reference techniques. Full reference image quality may be determined prior to output of an image or video frame from an image sensor processor by temporarily retaining image data from the image sensor and comparing processed image data of the image to the retained, non-processed image data of the same image. Full reference image quality determination may be assisted by a heuristic-based fault indicator. Image quality may also be determined by a non-reference technique of matching the image to one of various scenarios that are associated with sets of heuristics and applying the heuristics of the particular scenario to the image. Instead of relying on a nominal frame rate, video timing quality may be determined by comparing the capture time interval between successive video frames to the presentation time interval of the same video frames.

Abstract: Methods for the deployment of an image servicing platform over a mobile wireless network ate described. A mobile multimedia service controller (MMSC) includes a video gateway that is capable of transcoding among different video formats supported by an imaging service platform. The MMSC can be connected over a network to a download server that provides updates to a transcoder application and a video image application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compressing and decompressing still image and video image data in mobile devices and monitoring applications. Corresponding mobile device and camera architectures, and service platform architectures for transmitting, storing, editing and transcoding still images and video images over wireless and wired networks and viewing them on display-enabled devices are also provided.

Abstract: Evaluating coded video by identifying spatial and temporal errors in the reconstructed video. Spatial errors may be identified by evaluating the severity of each individual error and pooling closely located errors to determine whether the collection of errors is noticeable. Temporal errors may be identified by evaluating the quality of each frame and then pooling consecutive frames to determine whether the collection of frames has errors that may be noticeable if the errors persist within the sequence of consecutive frames. The quality of the frames may be analyzed with any conventional analysis metric. In an embodiment, the quality of the frames may be analyzed using a row-column metric. The calculated analysis metrics may be normalized to accurately compare different metric calculations.

Abstract: A video quality comparison tool provides for direct visual perceptual comparison of video sequences. Two inputs are presented at the same position and size, with no-look user choice of which to see and easy back-and-forth comparison while the videos are playing, single-stepping, or paused.

Abstract: Evaluating coded video by identifying spatial and temporal errors in the reconstructed video. Spatial errors may be identified by evaluating the severity of each individual error and pooling closely located errors to determine whether the collection of errors is noticeable. Temporal errors may be identified by evaluating the quality of each frame and then pooling consecutive frames to determine whether the collection of frames has errors that may be noticeable if the errors persist within the sequence of consecutive frames. The quality of the frames may be analyzed with any conventional analysis metric. In an embodiment, the quality of the frames may be analyzed using a row-column metric. The calculated analysis metrics may be normalized to accurately compare different metric calculations.

Abstract: Methods for the deployment of an image servicing platform over a mobile wireless network ate described. A mobile multimedia service controller (MMSC) includes a video gateway that is capable of transcoding among different video formats supported by an imaging service platform. The MMSC can be connected over a network to a download server that provides updates to a transcoder application and a video image application.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provide finer rate control in data compression by processing a data stream through a plurality of parallel subbands, wherein a first subband processes the data differently than a second subband. Separate shift quantization parameters for each separate run-of-zeros compressed storage area or pile can be provided, instead of a single common shift parameter for every coefficient as in the prior art. The parameter value for each such area or pile can be recorded in the compressed output file. The separate shift quantization parameters can also be adjusted dynamically as data is being compressed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing data. In use, luminescence data of a frame is updated at a first predetermined rate, while chrominance data of the frame is updated at a second predetermined rate that is less than the first predetermined rate. Moreover, pause information may be inserted with the compressed data, where the pause information may be used when the video data is paused during the playback thereof to increase the quality of a still frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compressing and decompressing still image and video image data in mobile devices and monitoring applications. Corresponding mobile device and camera architectures, and service platform architectures for transmitting, storing, editing and transcoding still images and video images over wireless and wired networks and viewing them on display-enabled devices are also provided.

Abstract: An entropy efficient video coder for wavelet pyramids approaches the entropy-limited coding rate of video wavelet pyramids, is fast in both hardware and software implementations, and has low complexity (no multiplies) for use in ASICs. It uses a modified Z-coder to code the zero/non-zero significance function and Huffman coding for the non-zero coefficients themselves. The encoding unit includes a significance function generator that receives coefficients and outputs a single significance bit. A zero coefficient eliminator receives coefficients in parallel with the significance function generator and outputs coefficients if non-zero. Output from the significance function generator is coded using the modified Z-coder. Output from the zero coefficient eliminator is coded using Huffman coding. Both outputs are combined to form the resulting compressed stream.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provide finer rate control in data compression by processing a data stream through a plurality of parallel subbands, wherein a first subband processes the data differently than a second subband. Separate shift quantization parameters for each separate run-of-zeros compressed storage area or pile can be provided, instead of a single common shift parameter for every coefficient as in the prior art. The parameter value for each such area or pile can be recorded in the compressed output file. The separate shift quantization parameters can also be adjusted dynamically as data is being compressed.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for temporal video compression. In use, portions of video are buffered in a first order. Further, the portions of video are at least partially temporally compressed in a second order. Another system, method, and computer program product are further provided for compressing video from a plurality of sources. In use, video is received from a plurality of sources. Such video from the sources is then compressed. Such compression is carried out using a plurality of rate controls. In various embodiments, the video may be received by way of a single video stream, and/or the compression may be carried by way of a single compression module.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product having optimal matching to a known or measured probability distribution encodes data without the use of an excessively large lookup table. An encoder constructed according to the present invention uses two or more different encoding methods in combination. In one embodiment, Huffman coding by table lookup is combined with computational generation, such as by using an exponential Golomb equation. The most commonly occurring elements are looked up in a small Huffman table, while the remaining elements are coded with the equation. In another embodiment, data is encoded using two or more equations. In yet another embodiment, data is encoded using multiple tables in conjunction with one or more equations.

Abstract: Methods for the deployment of an image servicing platform over a mobile wireless network ate described. A mobile multimedia service controller (MMSC) includes a video gateway that is capable of transcoding among different video formats supported by an imaging service platform. The MMSC can be connected over a network to a download server that provides updates to a transcoder application and a video image application.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing data. Initially, data is received in a single device. Such data is encoded utilizing the single device to generate first compressed data in a first format. Moreover, the first compressed data is transcoded utilizing the single device to generate second compressed data in a second format.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for processing exceptions. Initially, computational operations are processed in a loop. Moreover, exceptions are identified and stored while processing the computational operations. Such exceptions are then processed separate from the loop.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing data. In use, luminescence data of a frame is updated at a first predetermined rate, while chrominance data of the frame is updated at a second predetermined rate that is less than the first predetermined rate. Moreover, pause information may be inserted with the compressed data, where the pause information may be used when the video data is paused during the playback thereof to increase the quality of a still frame.

Abstract: An entropy efficient video coder for wavelet pyramids approaches the entropy-limited coding rate of video wavelet pyramids, is fast in both hardware and software implementations, and has low complexity (no multiplies) for use in ASICs. It uses a modified Z-coder to code the zero/non-zero significance function and Huffman coding for the non-zero coefficients themselves. The encoding unit includes a significance function generator that receives coefficients and outputs a single significance bit. A zero coefficient eliminator receives coefficients in parallel with the significance function generator and outputs coefficients if non-zero. Output from the significance function generator is coded using the modified Z-coder. Output from the zero coefficient eliminator is coded using Huffman coding. Both outputs are combined to form the resulting compressed stream.

Abstract: Methods for the deployment of an image servicing platform over a mobile wireless network are described. A mobile multimedia service controller (MMSC) includes a video gateway that is capable of transcoding among different video formats supported by an imaging service platform. The MMSC can be connected over a network to a download server that provides updates to a transcoder application and a video image application.