Abstract: Computer processor hardware receives settings information for a first image. The first image includes a set of multiple display elements. The computer processor hardware receives motion compensation information for a given display element in a second image to be created based at least in part on the first image. The motion compensation information indicates a coordinate location within a particular display element in the first image to which the given display element pertains. The computer processor hardware utilizes the coordinate location as a basis from which to select a grouping of multiple display elements in the first image. The computer processor hardware then generates a setting for the given display element in the second image based on settings of the multiple display elements in the grouping.

Abstract: Decoder processor hardware reproduces a support plane including a set of support values. The set of support values is derived from combining a sequence of multiple original sets of values. The decoder processor hardware receives compensation information. The decoder processor hardware utilizes the compensation information to produce preliminary renditions of the multiple original sets of values based on the set of support values. Encoder processor hardware processes a sequence of original sets of values. The encoder processor hardware utilizes the values of the original sets in the sequence to produce a set of support values, the set of support values representing a baseline to reproduce a rendition of each of the original sets of values. The encoder processor hardware generates reconstruction data to include data corresponding to the set of support values, the reconstruction data indicates how to reconstruct the original sets of values using the set of support values.

Abstract: Computer processor hardware receives a first set of adjustment values. The first set of adjustment values specify adjustments to be made to a predicted rendition of a signal generated at a first level of quality to reconstruct a rendition of the signal at the first level of quality. The computer processor hardware processes the first set of adjustment values and derives a second set of adjustment values based on the first set of adjustment values and a rendition of the signal at a second level of quality. The second level of quality is lower than the first level of quality.

Abstract: Computer processor hardware receives image data specifying element settings for each image of multiple original images in a sequence. The computer processor hardware analyzes the element settings across the multiple original images. The computer processor hardware then utilizes the element settings of the multiple original images in the sequence to produce first encoded image data specifying a set of common image element settings, the set of common image element settings being a baseline to substantially reproduce each of the original images in the sequence.

Abstract: A first set of reconstruction data includes a symbol specifying an attribute setting of a parent element in a rendition of the signal at a first level of quality. The attribute setting can be one of multiple attribute settings of the parent element indicating how to configure the parent element for the rendition of the signal at a first level of quality. A signal processor divides the parent element into multiple sub-elements to reconstruct the signal at a second, higher level of quality. The signal processor utilizes the rendition of the signal at the first level of quality and the attribute setting of the parent element as specified by the symbol (at the first level of quality) to produce a default attribute setting for one or more respective sub-elements (into which the parent element is divided) unless reconstruction data to reconstruct the signal at a higher level of quality specifies a different attribute setting for the respective sub-elements.

Abstract: Certain configurations herein include changing the resolution of an auxiliary map (e.g., a motion map, a z-map, etc.) at a first level of quality to obtain an auxiliary map at a second level of quality. For example, changing the resolution can include receiving a respective auxiliary map of one or more vectors at one or more lower levels of quality and progressively refining, via novel operations, the auxiliary map to higher or lower levels of quality in a hierarchy.

Abstract: A decoder decodes a first set of data and utilizes the first set of decoded data to reconstruct the signal according to a first level of quality. The decoder further decodes a second set of data and identifies an upsample operation specified by the second set of decoded data. The decoder applies the upsample operation identified in the second set of decoded data to the reconstructed signal at the first level of quality to reconstruct the signal at a second, higher level of quality. To enhance the reconstructed signal, the decoder retrieves residual data from the second set of decoded data. The residual data indicates how to modify the reconstructed signal at the second level of quality subsequent to application of the upsampling operation as discussed above. The decoder then modifies the reconstructed signal at the second level of quality as specified by the residual data.

Abstract: One configuration as discussed herein includes a data processor acting as streaming server for providing streaming media from a repository to a decoder. The data processor retrieves reconstruction data and corresponding stream metadata from a repository, the reconstruction data encoded in accordance with a tiered hierarchy including multiple levels of quality. The data processor transmits selected portions of the reconstruction data to one or more decoder resources. The decoder resources reconstruct renditions of portions of a signal such as images/frames based on the transmitted portions of reconstruction data. During the transmission step, the data processor may vary a level of quality of the reconstruction data retrieved and transmitted to the decoder resource.

Abstract: An encoder receives a signal. The encoder utilizes one or more downsample operations to produce downsampled renditions of the signal at successively lower levels of quality in the hierarchy. In a reverse direction, the encoder applies the one or more upsample operations to a downsampled rendition of the signal at a first level of quality to produce an upsampled rendition of the signal at a second level of quality in the hierarchy. The second level of quality is higher than the first level of quality. The one or more upsample operations and one or more downsample operations can be asymmetrical with respect to each other. That is, the function applied during downsampling can differ from the function applied when upsampling. The encoder produces residual data indicating a difference between the downsampled rendition of the signal at the second level of quality and the upsampled rendition of the signal at the second level of quality.

Abstract: A signal processor selects an element from a rendition of a signal at a first level of quality to upsample into multiple elements of a rendition of the signal at a second (higher) level of quality. The signal processor produces a metric based on settings of elements in a vicinity of the selected element in the rendition of the signal at the first level of quality. The metric defines a boundary between a first set of elements in a vicinity of the selected element and a second set of elements in a vicinity of the selected element. The signal processor utilizes the metric to calculate settings for the multiple elements in the signal at the second level of quality. A location and orientation of the boundary with respect to the selected element depends on the settings of elements in the vicinity of the selected element.

Abstract: A signal processor receives settings information. The settings information specifies a setting of a given element for each image in a sequence of multiple images in which the given element resides. The signal processor also receives precision metadata specifying an estimated precision of each of the settings of the given element for each image in the sequence. Based on the settings information and the precision metadata, the signal processor generates a setting value for the given element. If the setting value produced for the given element is relatively stable, and thus likely a better representation of a setting for the given element than a current setting of the given element, the signal processor utilizes the generated setting value instead of the current setting for encoding purposes.

Abstract: A method of image processing, includes: receiving at least one video frame of a video sequence, the at least one video frame including at least one foreground subject and a background; and processing the at least one video frame so as to separate the at least one foreground subject from the background. The processing includes: obtaining a reference image including the background; comparing the at least one video frame to the reference image; and generating a pixel mask as a result of the comparison, the pixel mask indicating whether a pixel of the at least one video frame belongs to the foreground subject or to the background. The method further comprises at least partially determining edges of the at least one foreground subject in the at least one video frame, and modifying the pixel mask based on the determined foreground subject edges.

Abstract: A signal processor is configured to encode a signal in a hierarchy including multiple levels of quality. The signal processor produces a rendition of the signal for at least a first level of quality. The signal processor generates sets of reconstruction data specifying how to convert the rendition of the signal at the first level of quality into a rendition of the signal at a second (higher) level of quality in the hierarchy, potentially leveraging on available reference signals. According to one arrangement, the signal processor utilizes an entropy encoder to encode the reconstruction data. Based on probability distribution information for one or more symbols in each set of reconstruction data and based on probability distribution information and/or other encoding parameters inherited from previous levels of quality, the entropy encoder encodes the reconstruction data into an encoded value or bit string.

Abstract: A method and a signal processor for receiving a data stream comprising at least two distinct sets of encoded data, at least one set of which is relative to transient/stochastic components of a signal. Based at least in part on the distinct sets of encoded data, the signal processor decodes and reconstructs a corresponding rendition of signal for each set of the encoded data. The distinct sets of renditions of signal are then combined into a single rendition of reconstructed signal.

Abstract: A method of coding a digital image includes subdividing the image into image blocks formed by a plurality of pixels, and processing each image block of the image, by determining a skip-mode prediction block in respect of the current image block being processed, calculating a difference between the image block being processed and the skip-mode prediction block, and comparing the calculated difference to a predetermined threshold. The calculation of the difference between the current image block being processed and the skip-mode prediction block includes: calculating a plurality of pixel-by-pixel differences between a pixel of the current image block and a corresponding pixel of the skip-mode prediction image block; associating a respective quantized value with each pixel-by-pixel difference; and cumulating the quantized values.

Abstract: A method of image processing, includes receiving at least one video frame of a video sequence, the at least one video frame including at least one foreground subject and a background, and processing the at least one video frame so as to separate the at least one foreground subject from the background. The processing includes: generating a pixel mask indicating whether a pixel of the at least one video frame belongs to the foreground subject or to the background, applying morphological closing to the pixel mask, wherein the applying morphological closing includes, for each pixel of the pixel mask, conditioning a pixel value in the mask to values of neighboring pixels. The conditioning includes: determining at least edges of the at least one foreground subject in the at least one video frame; and, for the generic pixel under processing, determining the neighboring pixels based on the determined edges.

Abstract: A method of image processing includes: receiving at least one video frame of a video sequence, the at least one video frame including at least one foreground subject and a background; and processing the at least one video frame so as to separate the at least one foreground subject from the background. The processing includes: generating a pixel mask containing information indicating, for each pixel of the at least one video frame, whether the pixel belongs to the foreground subject or to the background, and determining contours of the at least one foreground subject on the pixel mask. The determining of the contours includes for each pixel in the at least one video frame; based on the information included in the pixel mask, determining whether at least one pixel border belongs to a contour of the at least one foreground subject, the at least one pixel border separating the pixel from a respective at least one adjacent pixel.

Abstract: A method of image processing includes: providing a plurality of image frames and processing at least one image frame. A description of a plurality of pixels of the plurality of image frames is provided in a color space, including at least an angular coordinate. A method is disclosed for reliably calculating the average of the angular coordinate.

Abstract: A method of coding a digital image includes subdividing the image into image blocks formed by a plurality of pixels, and processing each image block of the image, by determining a skip-mode prediction block in respect of the current image block being processed, calculating a difference between the image block being processed and the skip-mode prediction block, and comparing the calculated difference to a predetermined threshold. The calculation of the difference between the current image block being processed and the skip-mode prediction block includes: calculating a plurality of pixel-by-pixel differences between a pixel of the current image block and a corresponding pixel of the skip-mode prediction image block; associating a respective quantized value with each pixel-by-pixel difference; and cumulating the quantized values.

Abstract: A method of image processing, includes: receiving at least one video frame of a video sequence, the at least one video frame including at least one foreground subject and a background; and processing the at least one video frame so as to separate the at least one foreground subject from the background. The processing includes: obtaining a reference image including the background; comparing the at least one video frame to the reference image; and generating a pixel mask as a result of the comparison, the pixel mask indicating whether a pixel of the at least one video frame belongs to the foreground subject or to the background. The method further comprises at least partially determining edges of the at least one foreground subject in the at least one video frame, and modifying the pixel mask based on the determined foreground subject edges.