Abstract: There is provided a method and devices for encoding and streaming a video sequence over a plurality of network connections. A video sequence is encoded (S04) in parallel into a number of encoded video sequences having different video properties. The encoded video sequences are then streamed (S06) in parallel over the plurality of network connections. Each encoded video sequence is streamed over at least one of the plurality of network connections, and, for each network connection, an encoded video sequence having video properties that match desired video properties of the network connection. In response to detecting (S08) that the desired video properties of one of the network connections have changed, the number of encoded video sequences is increased or decreased (S10).

Abstract: A method and a video encoding system for encoding a video stream include video data representing sequentially related image frames, wherein the image frames include a predefined first subarea and a predefined second subarea. The method comprises defining a first bitrate budget, defining a second bitrate budget, encoding the video stream including applying the first bitrate budget to video data of the first subarea and applying the second bitrate budget to video data of the second subarea. The video encoding system comprises an image processor for processing the image stream, a memory including values defining a first bitrate budget and a second bitrate budget, respectively, and a first subarea and a second subarea of the image frames of the image stream and an encoder arranged to encode the image stream, the encoding including applying the first bitrate budget to video data of the first subarea and applying the second bitrate budget to video data of the second subarea.

Abstract: A method for encoding, using a block-based video encoding algorithm, a distorted image frame produced via at least one image sensor, comprising: determining a map of maximum pixel block sizes corresponding to the distorted image frame, wherein the map of maximum pixel block sizes is determined based on a spatial resolution distribution corresponding to a distribution of extents of the corresponding FOV, such that for a first portion of the distorted image frame having a first spatial resolution, the maximum pixel block size corresponding to the first portion is set to a first value, and for a second portion of the distorted image frame having a second spatial resolution being lower than the first spatial resolution, the maximum pixel block size corresponding to the second portion is set to a second value being lower than the first value; and encoding, using the block-based video encoding algorithm, the distorted image frame.

Abstract: A controller and method therein for controlling encoding of a set of images to enable blending of an overlapping area, where a first image and a second image overlap each other are disclosed. The controller encodes macroblocks of the non-overlapping area in the first image using a set of base quantization parameter values, QP-values, and adds the same set of base QP-values to a header of each macroblock. The controller encodes macroblocks of the overlapping area in the first image using a set of first QP values, and adds a modified set of the first QP-values to a header of each macroblock. The controller encodes macroblocks of the overlapping area in the second image using a set of second QP values, and adds a modified set of the second OP-values to a header of each macroblock.

Abstract: A method of adding comfort noise to a video sequence comprising setting parameters of a deblocking filter of a video encoder to change values during the video sequence, encoding frames of the video sequence using the parameters of the deblocking filter that are set to change values during the video sequence, thereby introducing comfort noise in the video sequence, and including the encoded frames in a bitstream together with an indication of which parameters of the deblocking filter were used when encoding the frames of the video sequence.

Abstract: A method for identifying events in a scene captured by a motion video camera comprises two identification processes, a temporary identification process and a long-term identification process. The temporary process includes: analyzing pixel data from captured image frames and identifying events; registering camera processing data relating to each image frame subjected to the identification of events; and adjusting weights belonging to an event identifying operation, wherein the weights are adjusted for achieving high correlation between the result from the event identifying operation and the result from the identification based on analysis of pixels from captured image frames of the captured scene. The long-term identification process includes: identifying events in the captured scene by inputting registered camera processing data to the event identifying operation.

Abstract: A method and an encoder for encoding a video stream in a video coding format supporting auxiliary frames which includes receiving first image data captured by a video capturing device, using the first image data as image data of a first auxiliary frame, encoding the first auxiliary frame as an intra frame, and encoding a first frame as an inter frame referencing the first auxiliary frame, wherein motion vectors of the first frame are representing a first image transformation to be applied to the first image data.

Abstract: A method, system, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions for generating an event video sequence. The method comprises receiving input image frames encoded into a sequence of image frames arranged in groups of pictures, each group of pictures having a GOP structure. The method further comprises storing a pre-event sequence of image frames in a first-in-first-out buffer, said pre-event sequence having a first predetermined GOP structure, upon receiving an event notification, retrieving the pre-event sequence from the buffer, and generating the event video sequence by combining the pre-event sequence and a post-event sequence of image frames, said post-event sequence having a second GOP structure, which is different from said first GOP structure. The system may be included in a camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adding a graphical object to image data of one or more image frames comprising a first image frame, the graphical object being added during encoding of the one or more image frames using an encoder, wherein the image data generator is converting the graphical object into a first set of discrete frequency transform, DFT, blocks each DFT block being associated with a position in the one or more image frames to which the DFT block corresponds. The encoder is performing DFT on a plurality of block of pixels of the first image frame, to output a second set of DFT blocks and then replacing a subset of DFT blocks of the second set of DFT blocks with the first set of DFT blocks according to the positions associated with the first set of DFT blocks.

Abstract: A method of encoding a video sequence by an encoder supporting context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding, CABAC is disclosed. The method comprises determining, by a rate controller, a compression parameter of the encoder based on a load parameter value, indicating a current actual load of the coding block, received from the coding block.

Abstract: A method encodes a sequence of image frames depicting an object whose privacy is to be protected. A first and a second version of the sequence of image frames is generated. Image frames of the first version, but not the second version, of the sequence are provided with a privacy mask to protect the privacy of the object depicted therein. The first version of the sequence is encoded as a first encoded sequence of intra-coded image frames and inter-coded image frames. A second version of the sequence is encoded as a second encoded sequence of inter-coded image frames. The inter-coded image frames of the second encoded sequence are encoded by using the intra-coded image frames of the first encoded sequence. The inter-coded image frames of the second encoded sequence are encrypted, and thereafter the first and the second encoded sequence are merged into a single output sequence.

Abstract: Video encoding uses periodic intra refresh, which can adapt padding of an intra encoding region between image frames based on motion in the image frame.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product of encoding a digital image comprising a privacy mask. Information representative of pixels in the digital image is received. The pixels are grouped into encoding units. Information representative of a privacy mask area in which a privacy mask is to be applied on the image is also received. All encoding units that at least partially are located within the privacy mask area are identified, and the privacy mask area is extended to be aligned with the identified encoding units. For each encoding unit, a respective quantization parameter to be used for encoding the image is determined. The privacy mask is applied in the extended privacy mask area of the image, and the image with the applied privacy mask is encoded using the determined quantization parameters. The digital image encoding system may be included in a camera.

Abstract: A method and an encoder for encoding a video stream in a video coding format supporting auxiliary frames, where such auxiliary frames, in conjunction with the frames that reference the auxiliary frames, can be used to for rate control, in that the image data of the auxiliary frames comprises a down scaled version of an image data captured by a video capturing device, and that motion vectors of the frame referring to the auxiliary frame are calculated/determined to scale up the down scaled version of the image data to again have the intended resolution.

Abstract: A method for setting a motion trigger level is used in detection of motion in a video stream depicting a scene which includes receiving data pertaining to a video stream depicting the scene; dividing the scene into a plurality of specific portions; wherein each image frame of the video stream comprises multiple blocks of pixels, wherein each specific portion of the scene is associated with one or more block of pixels; and for each specific portion of the scene: evaluating, over time, statistical features of bitrate associated with an encoding of block of pixels pertaining to the specific portion of the scene; determining a motion base level based on the evaluated statistical features of bitrate associated with the encoding of block of pixels pertaining to the specific portion of the scene; and setting a motion trigger level based on the motion base level.

Abstract: A method of controlling output bitrate of a video encoder encoding a video sequence. The method comprises setting a long-term bit budget for a time period of at least one day for output of the video encoder, and determining a first allowable bitrate based on the long-term bit budget. The method further comprises determining an instantaneous bit restriction for output of the video encoder, and determining a second allowable bitrate based on the instantaneous bit restriction. Output bitrate is controlled based on the first allowable bitrate and the second allowable bitrate, such that the long-term bit budget, the first allowable bitrate and the second allowable bitrate are complied with. The method may be performed in a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instruction stored thereon. The method may also be performed by a bitrate controller. The bitrate controller may be found in a camera and a network video recorder.

Abstract: A method for controlling a video camera which is configured to capture and process image frames prior to encoding. The method comprises determining whether the video camera is going to encode an image frame as an intra-frame or an inter-frame. If the image frame is going to be encoded as an inter-frame, the video camera is controlled to capture and process the image frame using first settings prior to encoding. If the image frame is going to be encoded as an intra-frame, the video camera is controlled to capture and process the image frame using second settings prior to encoding, wherein the second settings are modified in relation to the first settings to further reduce a level of noise in the image frame.

Abstract: A method of determining a maximum permissible key frame distance for use in encoding image frames in a video sequence comprising encoding a plurality of video test sequences, each video test sequence having a respective noise level, where each video test sequence is encoded using a respective quantization parameter and a plurality of key frame distances is disclosed. For each video test sequence, an output bitrate is determined for each key frame distance. For each combination of noise level, quantization parameter, and key frame distance, the determined output bitrate is stored and a maximum key frame distance at which output bitrate decreases in response to an increase in key frame distance is identified as maximum permissible key frame distance. A method of encoding image frames in a video sequence is also disclosed, as well as a system, a camera and a computer program product for performing the methods.

Abstract: A system comprising a video camera and a client device and a method performed therein. The video camera captures a plurality of images concurrently using a plurality of image sensors having partly overlapping fields of views. Overlapping portions of the images are identified, and the images are joined to generate a panorama image. When joining the images, image data is included from only one of the images in overlapping portions, and image data from the other images in the overlapping portions is ignored. The panorama image and the ignored image data is encoded and transmitted to the client device in an encoded video stream. The client device decodes the video stream and, if the client device is customized, it updates the panorama image in portions corresponding to overlapping portions of the plurality of images using the image data that was ignored by the video camera when generating the panorama image.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to the field of video encoding. In particular, the present teachings relate to a method, device, and system for encoding a sequence of frames wherein a motion level of image data of an initial frame in the sequence of frames is determined to be below a motion level threshold. The encoding method described herein may reduce the bit rate for the encoded sequence of frames, while avoiding that the encoded video stream looks unnatural or frozen when decoded and displayed.