Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of media including subtitles utilizing HTTP in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes selecting a portion of the source media using the source encoder, transcoding the selected portion of the source media into a plurality of alternative portions of encoded video, where each alternative portion is encoded using a different set of encoding parameters and commences with an intra frame at the start of a closed group of pictures (GOP), writing each of the alternative portions of encoded video to a separate container file using the source encoder, writing a subtitle stream segment from each subtitle track corresponding to the selected portion of the source media to a separate container file using the source encoder, and associating a font file with at least one of the container files containing subtitle stream segments.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for encoding a picture. The method includes encoding the picture into a first encoded picture using a first universal quantizer. If a size of the first encoded picture is greater than a maximum picture size, the method includes encoding the picture into a second encoded picture using a second universal quantizer. Before a second-pass encoding, the target size and maximum size for each slice is determined. During the second pass encoding, if a size of the encoded slice is greater than the maximum slice size, the method includes encoding the slice using a third local quantizer. If a size of the encoded slice is still greater than a maximum slice size, the method includes dropping coefficients from the encoded slice to ensure that the encoded size never exceeds the maximum size.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for performing inverse quantization for multiple decoding standards, where the functional operations that comprise the inverse quantizer are modularly implemented and can be selectably performed. Each operation can be represented via a table entry in an associated memory area, with the functional operation being performed via reference to that table entry. Functional operations can be bypassed as needed if inverse quantization does not need to be performed on a set of data. Certain other processing operations can be performed between steps as needed to accommodate different coding standards. Macroblock data can be read from and written back to a common storage area, or a direct path is provided for writing the data directly to a subsequent inverse transform device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transceiving data in a wireless communication system. A method for receiving data in a wireless communication system according to one aspect of the present invention is configured such that a base station receives, from a mobile station, a signal including information and data on the transmission mode which the mobile station has selected in accordance with a channel status, and decodes the data in accordance with the transmission mode.

Abstract: A system and method are described below for encoding interactive low-latency video using interframe coding. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method for performing video compression comprises: detecting a maximum data rate of a communication channel between a server and a client; dynamically selecting a tile size for encoding a sequence of images based on the detected maximum data rate; logically subdividing each of the sequence of images into a plurality of tiles sized according to the selected tile size, each of the tiles having a defined position within each of the sequence of images; encoding each tile within each image of the sequence of images using a first compression format or a second compression format, wherein a tile at a particular position of a first image in the sequence of images is encoded using the first compression format and the same tile within one or more subsequent images is encoded using the second compression format.

Abstract: A method and interactive system for the on-line transmission of a high-resolution video sequence composed of a succession of T images includes a step of selecting relevant images comprising at least the following steps: split each image to be transmitted at the instant t into a number N of zones, for each zone n determined in the previous step, calculate a value representative of the content of said zone, for each image to be transmitted, generate a vector representative of the content of said image containing the values obtained in the previous step, calculate a normalized coefficient of correlation ? between the reference vector determined for a previously selected image and that calculated for the current image, make a decision on the selection (or not) of the current image as a function of the value of the normalized correlation coefficient ?.

Abstract: Simulated high resolution, multi-view video based on video input from low resolution, single-direction cameras is provided. Video received from traffic cameras, security cameras, monitoring cameras, and comparable ones is fused with patches from a database of pre-captured images and/or temporally shifted video to create higher quality video, as well as multiple viewpoints for the same camera.

Abstract: A method for decoding video includes receiving a frame of the video that includes at least one slice and at least one tile. Each of the at least one slice and the at least one tile are not all aligned with one another. Each of the at least one slice is characterized that it is decoded independently of the other the at least one slice. Each of the at least one tile is characterized that it is a rectangular region of the frame and having coding units for the decoding arranged in a raster scan order. The at least one tile of the frame are collectively arranged in a raster scan order of the frame.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (200) for efficient video adaptation of an input video (102) is provided. The method can include segmenting (210) the input video into a plurality of video shots (142) using a video trace (111) to exploit a temporal structure of the input video, selecting (220) a subset of frames (144) for the video shots that minimizes a distortion of adapted video (152) using the video trace, and selecting transcoding parameters (122) for the subset of frames to produce an optimal video quality of the adapted video under constraints of frame rate, bit rate, and viewing time constraint. The video trace is a compact representation for temporal and spatial distortions for frames in the input video. A spatio-temporal rate-distortion model (320) provides selection of the transcoding parameters during adaptation.

Abstract: Aspects of a system for transforming uncompressed video traffic to network-aware Ethernet traffic with A/V bridging capabilities and A/V bridging extensions may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) that may enable encapsulation of uncompressed video data and/or auxiliary channel data within a Display Port protocol data unit (PDU). A LAN subsystem may enable encapsulation of the Display Port PDU within an encapsulating PDU. The LAN subsystem may enable determination of a traffic class designation associated with the encapsulating PDU. The LAN subsystem may enable transmission of the encapsulating PDU via a network based on the traffic class designation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for improving compressed image chroma information. In one aspect of the invention, a resolution for a red color component of a color video image is used that is higher than the resolution for a blue color component of the color video image. Another aspect includes utilizing a lower or higher value of a quantization parameter (QP) for one or more chroma channels as compared to the luminance channel. Another aspect is use of a logarithmic representation of a video image to benefit image coding. Another aspect uses more than two chroma channels to represent a video image.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus encodes image data and includes an image encoding unit that receives an input of the image data and image parameters and generates encoded image data by performing image encoding on the image data with reference to the image parameters and furthermore binarizing and arithmetically encoding the image data. A parameter processing unit outputs, as parameter information, parameters that are included in the image parameters and that are referred to when the encoded image data is arithmetically decoded, and encodes the image parameters to generate and output encoded image parameters. A stream generation unit generates a stream including the encoded image data obtained from the image encoding unit and the parameter information and the encoded image parameters that are outputted from the parameter processing unit.

Abstract: A video processor is described, which is useful for implementing a quantization process, in compliance with the H.264 standard. The video processor includes an input, for receiving a block of image data. The image data is loaded into an internal register. In response to receiving a SIMD instruction, a quantizer, which incorporates the quantization lookup tables associated with the H.264 standard in its associated hardware, makes necessary high-level quantization decisions. In response to receiving another SIMD instruction, the quantizer uses those high-level quantization decisions to retrieve specific values from the quantization lookup tables.

Abstract: An apparatus performs efficient coding techniques to more efficiently locate motion vector data within neighboring video data units. The apparatus comprises a motion vector (MV) location unit that includes a look-up table (LUT), where the MV location unit obtains video data defining a plurality of video data units and processes the plurality of video data units. The apparatus further includes a geometric resolution unit that determines, while processing a current one of the plurality of video data units, which of the plurality of video data units neighbor the current video data unit. The MV location unit then accesses, for each of the neighboring video data units, the LUT to determine a location of a motion vector within a section of the video data to which the neighboring video data unit is associated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for staggercasting includes encoding a first signal representing content having a time duration and a second signal also representing that content. A time delay period is specified for the time duration of the content. A composite signal, comprising the first and second encoded signals, is generated. In the composite signal the first encoded signal is delayed with respect to the second encoded signal by the time delay period for the time duration of the content. If an error is detected in the composite signal, then the received second encoded signal is decoded to produce the content, otherwise the delayed received first encoded signal is decoded to produce the content.

Abstract: A video transmission method is provided, which includes receiving state information from at least one mobile terminal that intends to perform a video stream service through a wireless network, determining a size of an image by selecting a specified spatial layer bit stream on the basis of the state information of the mobile terminal from a plurality of spatial layer bit streams generated at different bit rates during encoding of the bit stream, selecting a specified time and an SNR layer bit stream by increasing or decreasing time of the image and a layer position of the SNR layer bit stream on the basis of network parameters included in the state information of the mobile terminal, and transmitting the bit stream generated by extracting the specified layer bit stream of the selected layer to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for optimizing rate-distortion of syntax elements are disclosed herein. An optimization block may be used in a video encoder and may include a candidate generation block and a best cost block. The optimization block may be configured to generate a plurality of candidates corresponding to respective differential levels. Each of the plurality of candidates may be based, at least in part, on a DC coefficient and provide a respective rate-distortion cost. The best cost block may be coupled to the candidate generation block and may be configured to select a candidate of the plurality of candidates according to a criteria.

Abstract: A quantizer and dequantizer for use in a video coding system that applies non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to video information signals based on a value of a variable quantization parameter. The quantizer and dequantizer apply different non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to a DC luminance signal, a DC chrominance signal and an AC chrominance signal. A code for reporting updates of the value of the quantization parameter is interpreted to require larger changes when the quantization parameter initially is large and smaller changes when the quantization parameter initially is small.

Abstract: Method for coding a video signal using hybrid coding, comprising: reducing temporal redundancy by block based motion compensated prediction in order to establish a prediction error signal; performing quantization on samples of the prediction error signal or on coefficients resulting from a transformation of the prediction error signal into the frequency domain to obtain quantized values, representing quantized samples or quantized coefficients respectively; calculating a quantization efficiency for the quantized values; calculating a zero efficiency for a quantization, when the quantized values are set to zero; selecting the higher efficiency; and maintaining the quantized values or setting quantized values to zero, for further proceeding, depending on the selected efficiency.

Abstract: There are provided a method and apparatus for reusing available motion information as a motion estimation predictor for video encoding. The apparatus includes an encoder for encoding an image block by determining a motion estimation predictor for the image block using motion information previously generated from an element other than the encoder, and using the motion estimation predictor in a motion estimation process to generate a motion vector for the image block. The motion estimation predictor is used in place of at least one predictor otherwise used in the motion estimation process. The at least one predictor is any of a search window predictor, a temporal predictor, and a block type predictor.

Abstract: The quantization parameter QP is well-known in digital video compression as an indication of picture quality. Digital symbols representing a moving image are quantized with a quantizing step that is a function QSN of the quantization parameter QP, which function QSN has been normalized to the most significant bit of the bit depth of the digital symbols. As a result, the effect of a given QP is essentially independent of bit depth a particular QP value has a standard effect on image quality, regardless of bit depth. The invention is useful, for example, in encoding and decoding at different bit depths, to generate compatible, bitstreams having different bit depths, and to allow different bit depths for different components of a video signal by compressing each with the same fidelity (i.e., the same QP).

Abstract: A technique for suppressing a significant variation of a quantization step value and enabling a stable rate control to be performed. A function is used for calculating a quantization step conversion factor from a bit rate ratio is a straight line with an inclination of ?1, intersecting a function at a reference point. The function is a monotone decreasing exponential function. A reference bit rate ratio (R0) is expressed as R0=T/S by using a total bit rate (S) of a first stream and a total target bit rate (T) of a second stream. The function appropriately represents a relation between the bit rate ratio and the quantization step conversion factor in coding conversion but has a large rate of variation in an area where the bit rate ratio is about 0.5. The function has a small rate of variation and can suppress a significant variation of the quantization step conversion value.

Abstract: Once an active video conference is set up and a user is viewing the active video conference at a video terminal, the video terminal looks for different events that indicate a change in focus of the user to or from the active video conference. For example, the user brings up another application and starts using the application or the user has minimized a window that is displaying the active video conference. The video terminal sends a change of focus message based on the event to a video conference bridge or another video terminal that is streaming the active video conference to the user. The video conference bridge/video terminal processes the message and changes video portion of the stream of the active video conference based on the message. The result is that there is improved use of bandwidth between the video terminal and the video conference bridge/video terminal.

Abstract: A digital media encoder/decoder performs quantization/dequantization based on quantization parameters taken from a harmonic quantizer scale. The harmonic quantizer scale can include a normal portion consisting of quantization parameter values harmonically-related as simple fractions of each other, and a denormal portion of quantizers having a linear or other relation. The encoder/decoder further supports a scaled quantizer mode where quantization is performed based on the quantization parameter as scaled by a fractional value. A compressed domain contrast adjustment is effected by adjusting the quantization parameters in the compressed bitstream, without having to adjust and recode the digital media data in the compressed bitstream.

Abstract: An optical imaging system and associated methods for capturing images from an aircraft, such as a UAV. A camera unit on-board the aircraft is remotely controlled from an image control station. The image control station receives image data from the camera unit, and also delivers control signals for determining a viewing mode of the image.

Abstract: A mechanism for facilitating cost-efficient and low-latency video stream encoding for limited channel bandwidth is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a source device having an encoding logic. The encoding logic may include a first logic to receive a video stream having a plurality of video frames. The video stream is received frame-by-frame. The encoding logic may further include a second logic to determine an input data rate relating to a first current video frame of the plurality of video frames received at the encoding mechanism, and a third logic to generate one or more zero-delta frames based on the input data rate, and allocate the one or more zero-delta frames to one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames subsequent to the first current video frame.

Abstract: An encoder, a decoder, and corresponding methods are provided for encoding and decoding video signal data for an image block. The encoder includes a quantizer for receiving transform coefficients for the image block, and for adaptively performing dead-zone quantization based on coefficient positions and coefficient distributions of the transform coefficients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a signal processing device. The signal processing device includes a first feed forward equalizing unit, a first data slicing unit, a second feed forward equalizing unit, and a second data slicing unit. The first feed forward equalizing unit is utilized for performing a compensation operation according to a digital input signal so as to generate a first equalized signal. The first data slicing unit is coupled to the first feed forward equalizing unit, and utilized for generating a first output signal according to the first equalized signal. The second feed forward equalizing unit is coupled to the first data slicing unit, and utilized for generating a second equalized signal according to the first equalized signal. The second data slicing unit is coupled to the second feed forward equalizing unit, and utilized for generating a second output signal according to the second equalized signal.

Abstract: A two-pass encoder determines a quantization parameter (QP) value to control an actual number of bits consumed in a second encoding pass. The two-pass encoder includes a first encoding module, a rate control module and a second encoding module. The first encoding module includes a circuit configured to perform a first encoding pass to encode input video sequences. The rate control module is configured to determine R, a target bit rate for a picture in the second encoding pass, and ?, a variable dependent on a QP value range, a picture type, and complexity. Q, a QP value for the picture or an MB of the picture in the second encoding pass, is also determined based on R and ?. The second encoding module is configured to use Q to encode the picture or the MB of the picture in the input video sequence in the second encoding pass to form an output bitstream. The rate control module is further configured to update ? to encode a next picture or a next MB of the picture in the second encoding pass.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus includes an encoding unit which encodes an input image of a block, a calculating unit which calculates a plurality of evaluation values for the block, an identifying unit which generates identification information by comparing a plurality of evaluation values calculated by the calculating unit with a plurality of threshold values, and a controller which controls a quantization parameter on the basis of the identification information identified by the identifying unit.

Abstract: An improvement to a predictive video encoding method or apparatus that includes selecting a mode class within which to choose an encoding algorithm to encode individual blocks of video information. Rather than implementing each algorithm in each mode class to ascertain an acceptable compression, the improvement eliminates searching through a class of encoding modes based simply on heuristics. The method comprises obtaining statistical information related to previous blocks of encoded video information, determining a mode class within which to chose a particular encoding algorithm based on the statistical information (e.g., heuristics) gathered, choosing an algorithm within the selected mode class using conventional techniques, and encoding the video information according to the chosen algorithm. Statistical information may include quantization parameters, prior encoding decisions, intensity or frequency values, or Hadamard transform coefficients of previously encoded macroblocks.

Abstract: Motion estimation in video compressions systems. A programmable motion estimator may be used to estimate a motion vector for a macroblock in a current frame by searching for a matching macroblock in a previous frame. A controller may be used to program the motion estimator to perform a particular search.

Abstract: A method including receiving a set of input data in a first matrix format. The method further includes compressing the set of input data to obtain a first set of compressed data in a second matrix format, where compressing the set of input data includes using a quantization equation, the quantization equation including Yq(i,j)=[(Y(i,j)+offset)<<n]/qs, where Yq(i,j) represents a coefficient in a matrix of the first set of compressed data having a coordinate (i,j), Y(i,j) represents a coefficient in a matrix of the set of input data having the coordinate (i,j), offset is an integer, << is a first bit-wise shift operator, n is an integer, qs is a real number. The method also includes sending the first set of compressed data to a first destination.

Abstract: The quantization factor for each block of pixels in an image or video encoding or transcoding method is determined. The blocks of pixels are classified according to predefined criteria and the blocks are processed according to the resulting classification. The predefined criteria include, for example, anticipated characteristics of the blocks after quantization, such as the transform coefficients after quantization and/or the total number of non-zero transform coefficients.

Abstract: A video encoder includes a region detector module that classifies blocks of video frames. An adaptive filter module applies a median filter to a block based upon a block classification assigned by the region detector module. An adaptive quantization module quantizes a block according to a quantization method adaptively determined based upon a block classification assigned by the region detection module. In one example, a video encoder adaptively determines a median filter selected using a block classification. In another example, a video encoder adaptively determines whether to drop an isolated last transform coefficient based on the block classification, and/or applies a dead-zone selected using the block classification.

Abstract: A coding device having a judgment unit configured to judge whether or not a GOP is a GOP where GOP unit flicker is readily visible in an image decoded after encoded the GOP, for each of GOPs forming image data to be coded, and a coding unit configured to apply processing for suppressing the GOP unit flicker when the judgment unit judges that the GOP is a GOP where flicker is readily visible.

Abstract: An encoding manager facilitates robust single-pass variable bit rate video encoding of a video sequence. Before encoding the video sequence, the encoding manager determines the size of a buffer to use for keeping track of over/under used bits generated during encoding. The encoding manager uses the target bit rate for the video sequence and the length of the video sequence to determine the size of the buffer. After allocating bits to a frame of the sequence, the encoding manager determines the quant to use to encode that frame. The determination of a quant to use to encode a frame is informed by the fullness of the buffer. The encoding manager adjusts the quant to use (and thus the aggressiveness of its encoding) in response to the amount of overflow generated thus far by the encoding of the video sequence.

Abstract: A streaming appliance having an internal quantizer is disclosed so that the bit rate of a streamed video can be adjusted based on the current conditions of a link between the streaming appliance and one or more target devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving multiple simultaneous stream bursts comprising determining if a frame size is smaller than a size of an available memory; determining if a priority of a first packet is lower than a priority of a second packet, wherein the frame size is of a frame for the second packet; requesting to abort processing the first packet and to de-assign the available memory from the first packet if the priority of the first packet is lower than the priority of the second packet; waiting for the size of the available memory to become equal or greater than the frame size if the priority of the first packet is not lower than the priority of the second packet; and assigning the available memory to the frame for the second packet.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and computer program products for optimally allocating a fixed number of bits among a plurality of multi-media data channels. The optimal number of bits is determined by preprocessing each channel to calculate complexity data, and then the complexity data is used to determine the optimal number of bits to assign to each channel. The optimal number of bits may be determined by a closed loop controller in communication with one or more channel encoders, and the multi-media channels may contain video data conforming to the MPEG2 video format.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus has: a decoding interval detecting unit detecting a second interval according to coding order of frames necessary to decode a first interval which is designated by display order of the frames in video data which has been compression-encoded by using an inter-frame compression according to a predictive coding; and a file forming unit forming a file to store the video data in the second interval detected by the decoding interval detecting unit. The file forming unit adds information showing the first interval by the frame display order to the file.

Abstract: An adaptive transversal filter having tap weights Wj which are products of corresponding tap coefficients Cj and tap gains Mj is provided. A filter control loop controls all of the tap coefficients Cj such that an error signal derived from the filter output is minimized. One or more tap control loops controls a tap gain Mk such that the corresponding tap coefficient Ck satisfies a predetermined control condition. For example, |Ck| can be maximized subject to a constraint |Ck| Cmax, where Cmax is a predetermined maximum coefficient value. In this manner, the effect of quantization noise on the coefficients Cj can be reduced. Multiple tap control loops can be employed, one for each tap. Alternatively, a single tap control loop can be used to control multiple taps by time interleaving.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a video bit rate control method for encoding a video sequence based on a decoder buffer condition and a group of picture (GOP) size limitation of the encoded video sequence. The method includes iteratively adjusting a quantization parameter and/or a masking strength parameter and encoding the video sequence at the adjusted parameters until the buffer condition and GOP size limitation are satisfied. The method makes the above adjustments to avoid buffer underflow and GOP oversizing.

Abstract: A quantizer and dequantizer for use in a video coding system that applies non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to video information signals based on a value of a variable quantization parameter. The quantizer and dequantizer apply different non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to a DC luminance signal, a DC chrominance signal and an AC chrominance signal. A code for reporting updates of the value of the quantization parameter is interpreted to require larger changes when the quantization parameter initially is large and smaller changes when the quantization parameter initially is small.

Abstract: An image coding apparatus calculates an image change rate with respect to input image data, predicts an average activity appropriate for a coding target picture that is included in the input image data based on the image change rate, and normalizes an activity using the predicted value of the average activity. Based on the normalized activity, the image coding apparatus performs a quantization of the image data.

Abstract: The quantization parameter QP is well-known in digital video compression as an indication of picture quality. Digital symbols representing a moving image are quantized with a quantizing step that is a function QSN of the quantization parameter QP, which function QSN has been normalized to the most significant bit of the bit depth of the digital symbols. As a result, the effect of a given QP is essentially independent of bit depth a particular QP value has a standard effect on image quality, regardless of bit depth. The invention is useful, for example, in encoding and decoding at different bit depths, to generate compatible, bitstreams having different bit depths, and to allow different bit depths for different components of a video signal by compressing each with the same fidelity (i.e., the same QP).

Abstract: A bit rate transcoding method includes: (a) receiving a motion vector of a current macroblock (MB); (b) retrieving an error count of a referenced previous MB for setting it as the error count of the current MB; (c) calculating a weight value; (d) calculating a new quantization parameter, and multiplying the same by the weight value so as to obtain a weighted new quantization parameter falling into a continuous distribution; (e) selectively using a transformation technique to transform the weighted new quantization parameter into one falling into a discrete distribution; (f) if the weighted new quantization parameter exhibits the continuous distribution, and if the weighted new quantization parameter is within a predetermined range, incrementing the error count by a predetermined value; and (g) if the weighted new quantization parameter exhibits the discrete distribution, and if the weighted new quantization parameter does not belong to a smallest quantization parameter cluster, incrementing the error count by

Abstract: A digital watermark embedding apparatus includes: an extractor configured to extract a specific frequency component from each of N kinds of scaled images about an input image signal to generate N kinds of extracted signals; a generator configured to compress the amplitude of the respective extracted signals on the basis of N kinds of to-be-embedded information corresponding to the N kinds of extracted signals to generate watermark image signals by shifting the predetermined phases; and a superimposer configured to add the N kinds of watermark image signals to the input image signal to generate an output image signal.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for evaluating the reliability of a watermarking technique for a video sequence, said system and apparatus comprising: a) a calibrating means adapted to calibrate said system and apparatus using a test original video sequence and a test attacked video sequence in compliance with predetermined degrees of quality; b) an attacking means adapted to attack embedded watermark in said video sequence, said attack selected from a group of attacks; and c) an evaluating means including a comparator means for comparing the test original video sequence with test attacked video sequence and the watermark in the test original video sequence with the watermark in the test attacked video sequence to evaluate the reliability of a watermarking technique to give a reliability score.

Abstract: This invention employs a scheme to allow an input video signal to undergo encoding, e.g., predictive encoding, DCT processing quantization at fixed quantization step size and variable length encoding to generate first encoded data to determine (calculate) allocated code quantity every frame or every GOP on the basis of data quantity every predetermined time, e.g., every frame or every GOP of the first encoded data and total quantity of usable data to encode the input video signal every predetermined time on the basis of the allocated code quantity to generate second encoded data. Thus, variable rate encoding such that encoding rate changes every predetermined time is realized. As a result, even if pictures (frames) of complicated are successive, there is no possibility that quantization step size is caused to be large with respect to these pictures as in the conventional apparatus. Thus, uniform high picture quality can be obtained through the entirety.