Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program thereof, and a display device are provided, in which reproduction of a secret image from one dispersed image is difficult. A secret image and a reverse image included in at least two types of images are in a relationship of forming image data of an image not correlated with the secret image when luminance values of image data respectively are added pixel by pixel.

Abstract: There is provided a signal processing apparatus including a first image generating unit, a second image generating unit, a first selecting unit selects at least one of the first image generating unit and the second image generating unit and outputs an image, an image signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the image and outputs the processed image, a second selecting unit that selects one of the first selecting unit and the image signal processing unit and outputs an image, a storing unit that stores information on operations of the second image generating unit and the image signal processing unit, and a third selecting unit that selects at least one of the second image generating unit and the image signal processing unit and connects the selected one to the storing unit, whereby the storing unit is shared between the second image generating unit and the image signal processing unit.

Abstract: A motion-vector-setting section (31) sets a motion vector in units of pixel in a target image. Based on the motion vector, a target-pixel-setting section (35) sets a target pixel for each image in plural images to be processed. A motion-blur-amount-setting section (33) sets a motion blur amount in units of pixel based on the motion vector and the exposure-time ratio set in units of image in the exposure-time-ratio-setting section (32). A processing-region-setting section (36) sets processing regions corresponding to the target pixel for each of the plural images based on the motion blur amount. A processing-coefficient-setting section (37) sets processing coefficients based on the motion blur amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing access to information of potential interest to a user. Closed-caption information is analyzed to find related information on the Internet. User interactions with a TV which receives programming including closed-caption information are monitored to determine user interests. The related closed-caption information is analyzed to determine key information therein. The key information is used for searching for information in available resources such as the Internet, and the search results are used to make recommendations to the user about information of potential interest to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory which successively stores frame data of video data, an interpolating unit which generates interpolation frame data which is inserted between the frame data and stores the interpolation frame data in the memory, and a readout unit which successively reads out the frame data and the interpolation frame data from the memory at a frame rate higher than a frame rate of the video data. The apparatus further includes a generating unit which generates image data which is composited with the frame data and stores the image data in the memory, and a control unit which, based on display-related characteristics of the image data, controls the interpolating unit to halt the generation of the interpolation frame data, and also controls the readout unit to read out the frame data in duplicate instead of the interpolation frame data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit which processes an image signal, a display unit which displays the processed image, a user interface unit which receives a user command to capture an image, a screen capture unit which captures an image frame according to the user command, a storage unit which stores the image frame captured by the screen capture unit, and a control unit which controls the screen capture unit to capture a plurality of image frames including the image frame corresponding to a point of time when the user command is input.

Abstract: Described herein is an image processing apparatus for calculating a motion vector between two screen images including a target screen image and a reference screen image, including: a base face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section; a reduction face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section; first and second base face search range determination sections; and a selection section configured to select a calculation section to be used from among the base face motion vector calculation section, high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section, reduction face motion vector calculation section and high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section and select whether the first or second base face search range determination section should be used and then select, where use of any of the determination sections is determined, a determination section to be used from between the determinat

Abstract: An apparatus processing a video stream includes a CPU, a memory access controller reading stream data from an external memory, a buffer storing the stream data, and a hardware accelerator decoding the stream data. The hardware accelerator includes a plurality of decoders decoding the stream data in accordance with one of a plurality of different video coding standards.

Abstract: A video and graphics system processes video data including both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The video and graphics system includes a video decoder, which is capable of concurrently decoding multiple SLICEs of MPEG-2 video data. The video decoder includes multiple row decoding engines for decoding the MPEG-2 video data. Each row decoding engine concurrently decodes two or more rows of the MPEG-2 video data. The row decoding engines have a pipelined architecture for concurrently decoding multiple rows of MPEG-2 video data. The video decoder may be integrated on an integrated circuit chip with other video and graphics system components such as transport processors for receiving one or more compressed data streams and for extracting video data, and a video compositor for blending processed video data with graphics.

Abstract: An image device capable of reverse play with minimal time delay, and a method thereof. The image device includes a buffer to store a greater number of pictures than constitute a single group of pictures (GOP), and a controller to operate the buffer to store decoded pictures. Accordingly, problems such as cutoff of pictures or time delays are minimized when performing reverse play.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus able to encode and decode images by a low cost, small sized circuit configuration, having a temporary storage portion for temporarily storing data, an encoding/decoding processing portion for reading and writing data successively with respect to the temporary storage portion and encoding and decoding the image data in parallel, and a storage control portion for controlling the read and write operations of the data with respect to the temporary storage portion, wherein the storage control portion controls the read and write operations with respect to the temporary storage portion by the encoding/decoding processing portion in the encoding processing and at least read and write operations to the temporary storage portion by the encoding/decoding processing portion in the decoding processing so as to be performed within one frame's worth or one field's worth of processing period in a time division manner.

Abstract: One or more methods and systems to efficiently process MPEG video in order to perform a reverse play or slow rewind function are presented. The method reduces system bandwidth required to implement the reverse play function when SD MPEG video is received by the MPEG decoder. Furthermore, the method maximizes the use of memory resources when one or more video frame buffers are implemented. The system comprises a first subsystem feeding one or more sequences of frames (e.g., feeding sessions) to a second subsystem. The first subsystem defines a set of parameters that is used to determine the one or more feeding sessions provided to the second subsystem. The second subsystem subsequently decodes the one or more feeding sessions using the set of parameters such that the video may be displayed.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting faults in a digital video stream include frame freeze detection that can alert an operator of frame freeze in a digital video stream. According to various embodiments, a counter or other code generator is used to place a code into each frame of a video stream. The code counts sequentially, or otherwise changes in a predetermined manner, from one frame to the next and is embedded into one or more pixels of each frame. Verification at the destination, or display, of the changing code within the frames of the video stream can confirm that the video stream is not in a frame freeze fault condition prior to display. If a fault condition is detected by the code verification process, an operator can be made aware of the fault.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment a video system comprises a first tuner, a first memory buffer coupled to the first tuner to receive a first video signal from the first tuner, a second tuner, a second memory buffer coupled to the second tuner to receive a second video signal from the second tuner, and a controller comprising logic to direct the first video signal from the first memory buffer to an output port, receive a signal to switch the output port from the first memory buffer to the second memory buffer, and in response to the signal, couple the output port to the second memory buffer without disrupting the operations of the first memory buffer.

Abstract: A method for video decoding in a video decoding/de-interlacing display apparatus that utilizes a storage device is provided. The method includes: (a) decoding video data of a next picture; (b) if the next picture is a B picture, buffering the decoded video data of the next picture into a frame buffer of the storage device not stored with a reference picture nor a present display picture nor a previous display picture; and (c) if the decoded next picture is a reference picture, buffering the decoded video data of the next picture into a frame buffer of the storage device not stored with a last decoded reference picture nor the present display picture nor the previous display picture.

Abstract: A method for identifying motion video/audio content, by means of comparing a video A to a registered video B so as to determine if they are originally the same as each other, wherein said method at least comprises the steps of extracting a fingerprint A from the video A; and searching from a fingerprint database for a pre-extracted and registered fingerprint B of the video B by means of comparison of fingerprint A with a sliding window of a possible fingerprint B, so as to determine that the video A is visually identical to the video B if a match is found. According to the present invention, the method for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals facilitates the automatic identification, archiving and search of video content, and can be of without the need for human visual inspections.

Abstract: A picture processing apparatus includes a decoder configured to decode encoded data to generate a decoded picture. A picture memory has a plurality of banks each containing a plurality of pages to which row addresses are assigned, and is configured to store the decoded picture. A bank selector is configured to divide the decoded picture into a plurality of blocks, and to select a page of a different bank as a write location for a block adjacent in at least one of either a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. A write controller is configured to write pixel data of pixels occupying even lines of each of the blocks, and pixel data of pixels occupying odd lines of each of the blocks in a column address direction of each of the page in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A receiver that provides continuous scrolling when a program guide is displayed and scrolled in a channel direction, even if displayed content extends across transponders. Front-end circuits, and a memory circuit that accumulates received data are provided. An OSD circuit that forms an image signal in accordance with the data accumulated in the memory circuit and a system control circuit are provided. The control circuit performs control such that, in a period in which an image is displayed using the data received by the front-end circuit and accumulated in the memory circuit, the front-end circuit receives another transponder and accumulates data to be required next in the memory circuit, and in a period in which an image is displayed using the data received by the front-end circuit and accumulated in the memory circuit, the front-end circuit receives another transponder and accumulates data to be required next in the memory circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for supplying video data supplied in frames divided into timeslots to an array of pixels comprises a plurality of one-bit temporary storage elements (M), at least some of which are arranged to store data for different pixels of the array during different timeslots within a frame. The circuit can be used in an electroluminescent display in which each pixel (P) comprises an organic light-emitting diode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a line address computer for calculating the starting line addresses for lines of a decoded frame. The starting addresses for a display frame are provided to the line address computer by a host processor. The line address computer determines the starting line addresses for subsequent lines by appropriately incrementing the line addresses of previous lines.

Abstract: A method for decreasing end-to-end delay in a video conferencing context is disclosed. At video conferencing system startup, a processor is initialized to receive either a top field or a bottom field of video frame data. If the first line of a new field arriving after initialization does not match a field state that the processor is initialized to, the present invention senses the state mismatch and adjusts a display buffer by one display line, and the field is stored in the display buffer. The display buffer is adjusted in order to preserve a vertical spatial relationship between the top and bottom fields.

Abstract: A video and graphics system processes video data including both analog video, e.g., NTSC/PAL/SECAM/S-video, and digital video, e.g., MPEG-2 video in SDTV or HDTV format. The video and graphics system includes a video decoder, which is capable of concurrently decoding multiple SLICEs of MPEG-2 video data. The video decoder includes multiple row decoding engines for decoding the MPEG-2 video data. Each row decoding engine concurrently decodes two or more rows of the MPEG-2 video data. The row decoding engines have a pipelined architecture for concurrently decoding multiple rows of MPEG-2 video data. The video decoder may be integrated on an integrated circuit chip with other video and graphics system components such as transport processors for receiving one or more compressed data streams and for extracting video data, and a video compositor for blending processed video data with graphics.

Abstract: We describe and claim television channel change picture-in-picture circuit and method. The circuit includes means for displaying a first channel on a primary portion of a screen, means for changing from the first channel to a second channel, and means for displaying the second channel on a secondary portion of the screen responsive to the means for changing from the first to the second channel while continuing to display the first channel on the primary portion of the screen.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method for vector video frame retargeting comprises identifying one or more objects within a vector video frame, determining one or more importance values for the one or more identified objects and retargeting the video frame based at least in part on at least one of the one or more importance values corresponding to at least one identified object.

Abstract: When various content is broadcasted via the Internet, a user is free from restriction of time and space and user's desired content is provided. The content is controllably recorded and read to a random-access recording medium via a network, and at least the content read from the recording medium is transmitted to the network.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for decoding compression-coded video data, including: at least one decoder that decodes the compression-coded video data; and a controller than controls processing executed by the decoder, wherein the controller, when a picture at a head of a decoding processing unit is an I-picture or a P-picture among decoded pictures output from the decoder, controls the decoder so that a decode start timing at which the decoder starts decoding and a display output timing at which the decoder starts outputting the decoded pictures are displaced from each other by a first predetermined number of pictures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying characters on a TV screen in an electronic appliance such as a DVD player is disclosed. Vertically compressed character fonts are stored. When it is requested to display a character, the stored character font is read and displayed in a video field and then the character font is displayed again in the next video field, whereby flickering can be effectively eliminated with a reduced-size memory for storing fonts data.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and displaying images in an ordered manner. An image progression description (IPD) is generated using an imaging software application (ISA). The IPD defines an ordered sequence of image acquisition instruction sets (IAIS) and an image display layout (IDL). The ordered sequence of IAIS is transferred to a portable image acquisition device (PIAD) which reads and sequentially displays the ordered sequence of IAIS. A plurality of images is acquired using the PIAD in accordance with the ordered sequence of IAIS. The plurality of images are transferred back to the ISA and are displayed according to the IDL.

Abstract: A video and graphics system provides square graphics pixels to blend images having 640×480 pixels, such as graphics images provided by some set top boxes and intended to be displayed at a 12.27 MHz display sample rate, with images having 704×480 pixels, such as ITU-R 601 compliant images such as NTSC SDTV images, having oblong pixels and displayed at a 13.5 MHz display sample rate. A sample rate converter including a multi-phase-multi-tap filter is used to generate square pixels. The multi-phase-multi-tap filter provides a good balance of sharpness, smoothness, anti-aliasing and reduced ringing. The multi-phase-multi-tap filter can also be used to convert images having 320×480 pixels to images having 704×480 pixels. The multi-tap filter can be used for scan rate conversion of graphics or video images for HDTV or SDTV applications.

Abstract: An information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus has a main information reproducing system for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management system for managing the main information reproducing system for reproducing the main information. A receiver is provided with a unit for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing system provided with a reproduction disabling function for limiting the reproduction of main information.

Abstract: A method for video decoding in a video decoding/de-interlacing display apparatus that utilizes a storage device having four frame buffers is provided. The method includes following steps: (a) decoding video data of a next picture; (b) if the next picture is a B picture, buffering the decoded video data of the next picture into a frame buffer of the storage device not stored with a reference picture nor a present display picture nor a previous display picture; and (c) if step (b) is not applicable, buffering the decoded video data of the next picture into a frame buffer of the storage device stored with the previous display picture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing signals are disclosed. The method may include, in a communication device that includes a chip operating to processing video signals, receiving video data from a camera. The received video data may include alternating YUV formatted video data and RGB formatted video data. The received video data may be separated into separate YUV images and separate RGB images. The separate YUV images may be transferred to a first device, and the separate RGB images may be transferred to a second device. The camera may be configured to generate the video data that includes alternating YUV formatted video data and RGB formatted video data. The separate YUV images may be DMA transferred to the first device. A DMA controller may be configured to alternately transfer the separate YUV images and separate RGB images. The alternate transfer via the DMA controller may occur without assistance from on-chip processor.

Abstract: An image processing system and method. The image processing system acquires a first set of scan lines in at first field of image data and a second set of scan lines in a second field of image data; the second set of scan lines are interlaced relative to the first set of scan lines and performs a line by line correlation therebetween to provide an error signal or value. The first and second fields are buffered and coupled to a line-to-line correlator. The error signal is used to adjust either the first or the second set of scan lines to correct for skew or blur in the second field of image data.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and device that allows efficient mixing of multiple video images with a graphics screen while utilizing only one video buffer. The present invention partitions the sole video buffer, pre-scales the plurality of video images and inserts them into the partitioned video buffer in a predetermined range of buffer addresses. The present invention mixes the partitioned video including the pre-scaled video images with the graphics screen to produce a video display including both a video screen and a graphics screen.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method that facilitates compression of video data in a computer system by performing the time-consuming task of computing the difference between successive frames of video data independently from the central processing unit. This frees the often-overburdened central processing unit from performing this time-consuming compression operation and can thereby improve the handling of video data. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention can be characterized as a method thr compressing video data in a computer system. This method includes receiving a stream of data from a current video frame in the computer system. It also includes computing a difference frame from the current video frame and a previous video frame “on-the-fly” as the current video frame streams into the computer system. The method additionally includes storing the difference frame in a memory in the computer system.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for decoding compression-coded video data includes at least one decoder decoding the compression-coded video data, a supply controller controlling the supply of the compression-coded video data to the decoder, and a controller controlling processing executed by the supply controller and the decoder. The controller determines the order of decoding processing performed by the decoder so that, among pictures contained in a decoding processing unit for the decoding processing performed by the decoder, I-pictures and P-pictures are decoded before B-pictures. The controller selects pictures to be output from the decoder from among the pictures contained in the decoding processing unit on the basis of a playback speed instruction provided by a playback speed instruction unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing full-screen frames, which are displayed by a display unit having a first display buffer and a second display buffer, in real time. The display unit selects one of the first and second display buffers as a front buffer for displaying the full-screen frames. The apparatus includes a capture unit, and a display driver unit for driving the display unit. When data in the front buffer is updated, the display driver unit generates image data and saves the image data in a temporary buffer. Then, the display driver unit copies the image data to a share buffer. The capture unit reads the image data from the share buffer and generates a video bitstream accordingly.

Abstract: An image processor is connectable with a storing medium storing still image data corresponding to a still image and moving image data corresponding to a moving image, the moving image data including a plurality of sets of frame image data corresponding to a plurality of frame images respectively. The image processor includes an outputting unit, an extracting unit, and index image producing unit, and a layout unit. The outputting unit outputs an image list having a first layout area having a first layout size and a second layout area having a second layout size. The extracting unit extracts at least two sets of frame image data from the plurality of sets of frame image data. The index image producing unit produces a first index image from the still image data and a plurality of second index images from the extracted frame image data. The layout unit lays out the first index image in the first layout area and the plurality of second index images in the second layout area.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method that facilitates compression of video data in a computer system by performing the time-consuming task of computing the difference between successive frames of video data independently from the central processing unit. This frees the often-overburdened central processing unit from performing this time-consuming compression operation and can thereby improve the handling of video data. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention can be characterized as a method thr compressing video data in a computer system. This method includes receiving a stream of data from a current video frame in the computer system. It also includes computing a difference frame from the current video frame and a previous video frame “on-the-fly” as the current video frame streams into the computer system. The method additionally includes storing the difference frame in a memory in the computer system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image data processing method capable of reducing visual discomfort perceived by users in the recovery from a receive error in a receiver. According to the image data processing method, in recovery processing of a video motion damper system in an image data processing circuit, a frequency of occurrence of the receive error before and after the time of recovery from the receive error is judged. According to the judgment result, the time period for switching of the output tap in recovery processing is adjusted. When the frequency of occurrence of the receive error is high, the recovery processing is halted until the selected tap position during the recovery is returned to the output tape position of the first FIFO of a frame memory.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing pixels within a decoded video stream are disclosed. Processed pixels may be received within the decoded video stream and may be buffered in a buffer at a first rate. The buffered received processed pixels may be transferred out of the buffer at a second rate, where the first rate is greater than said second rate. The buffering of the received processed pixels and the transferring of the buffered received processed pixels out of the buffer may be monitored to prevent an overrun of the buffer. The first rate of the buffering of the received processed pixels may be reduced to prevent the overrun of the buffer. The second rate of the transferring of the buffered received processed pixels out of the buffer may be monitored to prevent the overrun of the buffer. Amount of the buffered received processed pixels within the buffer may be determined.

Abstract: A method includes storing a picture or video that includes a first person. The method also includes automatically identifying the first person using speaker recognition or image recognition and tagging the picture or video with information indicating that the first person is in the picture or video.

Abstract: We describe and claim television channel change picture-in-picture circuit and method. The circuit includes means for displaying a first channel on a primary portion of a screen, means for changing from the first channel to a second channel, and means for displaying the second channel on a secondary portion of the screen responsive to the means for changing from the first to the second channel while continuing to display the first channel on the primary portion of the screen.

Abstract: Presented herein is a system for storing macroblocks for concatenated frames. A decoder system comprises a frame buffer. The frame buffer comprises one or more rows. A particular one of the rows stores macroblocks from a plurality of frames.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus able to encode and decode images by a low cost, small sized circuit configuration, having a temporary storage portion for temporarily storing data, an encoding/decoding processing portion for reading and writing data successively with respect to the temporary storage portion and encoding and decoding the image data in parallel, and a storage control portion for controlling the read and write operations of the data with respect to the temporary storage portion, wherein the storage control portion controls the read and write operations with respect to the temporary storage portion by the encoding/decoding processing portion in the encoding processing and at least read and write operations to the temporary storage portion by the encoding/decoding processing portion in the decoding processing so as to be performed within one frame's worth or one field's worth of processing period in a time division manner.

Abstract: A video mixer may be employed to form a transition between two video compositions, for example a fade or a wipe. A video storage device may be associated with the video mixer and plays out a video signal, the timing of which is controlled in dependence upon the progress of the transition made by the said video mixer.

Abstract: A video signal processing circuit includes a frame memory to receive and store therein at a first rate each frame of a digital video signal in which additional information is assigned separately to each frame, a frame synchronization unit to read each frame of the digital video signal from the frame memory at a second rate, and a processing unit to assign the additional information to the digital video signal read by the frame synchronization unit, without repeating the additional information when the frame synchronization unit reads a same frame of the digital video signal repeatedly, and without skipping the additional information when the frame synchronization unit reads by skipping a frame of the digital video signal.

Abstract: A digital camera 10 includes a CCD imager 14. When an interval photographing or an animation photographing is selected, an object is photographed by the CCD imager 14 for a plurality of times, and compressed image data is generated each photographing by each photographing. The generated compressed image data is stored in a temporary area of an magnetooptical disk 42. Upon completion of photographing the desired number of frames, the generated respective compressed image data are converted into a moving image file, and moved to a proper recording area of the magnetooptical disk 42. Frame rate information is written in the moving image file. Upon reproducing, firstly, the frame rate information is detected, the compressed image data of each frame is reproduced in accordance with this information. The moving image that moves at a desired speed is displayed on a monitor 30.

Abstract: A method for replacing parts of a digitally coded picture (11) is proposed. The digitally coded picture (11) may correspond to a sub-picture which is displayed on the screen of a television set (10). In the method, each line of the picture (11) is run length-coded. The replaceable parts of a line of the picture are run length-coded separately. The part which replaces the replaceable, original part of a line of the picture (11) is run length-coded in such a way that it has the same number of data units (data bytes) as the original part of this line of the picture (11). The replacement of the data for the run length coding words is carried out in a memory device (51). The replacement is possible in a simple manner by virtue of the fact that the original part of a line of the picture and the new part of the line of the picture have the same number of data units. Moreover, a device for carrying out the method is also proposed.