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 method, computer program, computer and system for training a neural network that receives a plurality of input digital images and, for each specific input digital image, outputs data for determining a relevance level of groups of pixels in the specific input digital image.

Abstract: A method of encoding a video stream comprising receiving a frame of a video stream to be encoded, performing motion detection in the frame to identify steady regions, and temporally filtering the frame so as to provide temporally filtered pixel values. For a pixel in the steady regions of the frame, the temporally filtered pixel value is used when encoding the pixel, on a condition that the pixel belongs to a block of pixels of the frame that will be intra-coded. On a condition that the pixel instead belongs to a block of pixels of the frame that will be inter-coded, a value that was used when encoding a corresponding pixel of the immediately preceding frame is used when encoding the pixel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for encoding a video stream. The encoding includes determining a level of relevance for areas in an image frame to be included in the video stream, determining a block size value for coding blocks in the image frame, the block size value is depending on the level of relevance determined for the area including each coding block, respectively, encoding the image frame using coding block sizes based on the determined block size values for each of the coding blocks.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for controlling a degree of compression of a digital image, and more specifically to such method and apparatus which receives a stereoscopic digital image, and controls a degree of compression of the digital image based on block matching characteristics between the two images of the stereoscopic digital image.

Abstract: A method and a controller for controlling a video processing unit to facilitate detection of newcomers in a first environment. The method comprises: capturing a thermal image of a human object in the first environment, the first environment being associated with a first climate; calculating, based on the thermal image, a thermal signature of a portion of the human object; determining that the human object has entered the first environment from a second environment when the thermal signature of the portion of the human object deviates from a predetermined thermal signature associated with the first environment, wherein the second environment is associated with a second, different, climate; and controlling the video processing unit to prioritize the human object over other human objects when processing video frames depicting the human object together with the other human objects.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for encoding a video sequence having a plurality of image frames, wherein at least some of the image frames include a privacy mask. An original total amount of motion is estimated in a received image frame. A reduced amount of motion is determined in the image frame, based on the estimated total amount of motion for the image frame and the size and position of the privacy mask. The image frames are encoded into a sequence of output image frames, wherein a temporal frame distance is adjusted based on the determined reduced amount of motion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for encoding a video sequence having a plurality of image frames, wherein at least some of the image frames include a privacy mask. An original total amount of motion is estimated in a received image frame. A reduced amount of motion is determined in the image frame, based on the estimated total amount of motion for the image frame and the size and position of the privacy mask.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for playing back recorded video from a temporal position within a temporal range of the recorded video is disclosed. The recorded video including intra frames and inter frames and the recorded video including video sequences having different frame rates. The method comprises receiving a request for playing back the recorded video from a specific temporal position recorded in the recorded video, identifying an intra frame at an earlier temporal position in the recorded video than the specific temporal position received in the request, playing back the recorded video in a first mode from the identified intra frame, and playing back the recorded video in a second mode from the specific temporal position in the recorded video when the playing back of the recorded video in the first mode have arrived at the specific temporal position of in the recorded video.

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 encoding a video stream comprising receiving a frame of a video stream to be encoded, performing motion detection in the frame to identify steady regions, and temporally filtering the frame so as to provide temporally filtered pixel values. For a pixel in the steady regions of the frame, the temporally filtered pixel value is used when encoding the pixel, on a condition that the pixel belongs to a block of pixels of the frame that will be intra-coded. On a condition that the pixel instead belongs to a block of pixels of the frame that will be inter-coded, a value that was used when encoding a corresponding pixel of the immediately preceding frame is used when encoding the pixel.

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 method, video server, and system for playing back recorded video based on comparing the encoder frame rates at temporal positions of a received video sequence to a predetermined threshold and changing the playback frame rate to a playback frame rate greater than the encoder frame rate if the encoder frame rate is below the predetermined threshold and changing the playback frame rate to the encoder frame rate if the encoder frame rate is greater than the predetermined threshold. The recorded video is thereby played back in a time efficient manner, decreasing the total time period for video playback, and assisting a security operator in finding parts of the recorded video that may be of interest.

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, computer program, computer and system for training a neural network that receives a plurality of input digital images and, for each specific input digital image, outputs data for determining a relevance level of groups of pixels in the specific input digital image.

Abstract: A method for encoding video is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving information representative of pixels in a current digital image frame of a video to be encoded, calculating a group value for each group of neighboring pixels based on the received information, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a first sequence of frames to form a first accumulation of accumulated group values, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a second sequence of frames to form a second accumulation of accumulated group values, wherein the second sequence includes frames captured over a longer period of time than the first sequence, comparing accumulated group values of the first accumulation with accumulated group values of the second accumulation, calculating a global change value based on the comparison, setting a GOP length based on the global change value; and encoding the current image frame as an intra-frame or inter-frame based on the GOP length.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for playing back recorded video from a temporal position within a temporal range of the recorded video is disclosed. The recorded video including intra frames and inter frames and the recorded video including video sequences having different frame rates. The method comprises receiving a request for playing back the recorded video from a specific temporal position recorded in the recorded video, identifying an intra frame at an earlier temporal position in the recorded video than the specific temporal position received in the request, playing back the recorded video in a first mode from the identified intra frame, and playing back the recorded video in a second mode from the specific temporal position in the recorded video when the playing back of the recorded video in the first mode have arrived at the specific temporal position of in the recorded video.

Abstract: A method of identifying relevant areas in digital images is provided. The method comprises receiving information representative of pixels in a first digital image, and calculating a spatial statistical measure of said information for groups of neighboring pixels in said first image to form a group value for each group of pixels. Further, the method comprises calculating differences between group values, and comparing said differences to a predetermined threshold value. If said difference is equal to or above said threshold value, said group is identified as relevant, and if said difference is below said threshold value, said group is identified as not relevant. A method of encoding digital images based on the identification of relevant and non-relevant areas is also provided, as well as a digital encoder system.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for controlling a degree of compression of a digital image, and more specifically to such method and apparatus which receives a stereoscopic digital image, and controls a degree of compression of the digital image based on block matching characteristics between the two images of the stereoscopic digital image.

Abstract: A method for encoding video is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving information representative of pixels in a current digital image frame of a video to be encoded, calculating a group value for each group of neighboring pixels based on the received information, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a first sequence of frames to form a first accumulation of accumulated group values, accumulating group values of corresponding groups of pixels in a second sequence of frames to form a second accumulation of accumulated group values, wherein the second sequence includes frames captured over a longer period of time than the first sequence, comparing accumulated group values of the first accumulation with accumulated group values of the second accumulation, calculating a global change value based on the comparison, setting a GOP length based on the global change value; and encoding the current image frame as an intra-frame or inter-frame based on the GOP length.