Abstract: A moving image encoding device measures a band of a target image to be encoded and a band of a reference image by a band analyzer, and generates band-related information representing these bands. A prediction signal generator generates a prediction signal such that the signal matches the band of the target image, from the reference image, based on the band-related information. A difference unit obtains a difference between the target image and the prediction signal to generate a differential signal. A converter and a quantizer each encode the differential signal to generate an encoded differential signal. An inverse quantizer and an inverter each decode the encoded differential signal to generate a decoded differential signal. An adder adds the prediction signal to the decoded differential signal to generate a reproduced image. An output terminal outputs at least the encoded differential signal and the band-related information.

Abstract: An elastic expert system for allocating bits according to application domain requirements and network resources. The elastic expert system observes the network resources and determines a state for allocating bits, the state relating to the application domain requirements. The elastic expert system can then allocate bits to a region-of-interest based on the determined state. The elastic expert system also can allocate bits to a background region and an extended region of interest.

Abstract: An image encoding method for encoding an image in an image encoding apparatus. The encoding process includes performing, in a quantization unit in the image encoding apparatus, quantization on a chroma component of transform coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation that adds a weight parameter; and encoding, in an encoding unit in the image encoding apparatus, a chroma component of quantized coefficients.

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: Techniques are described to signal a maximum dynamic range of inverse discrete cosine transform (“IDCT”) output values that may be produced when a set of encoded media data is decoded. In accordance with these techniques, an encoding device may generate a media file that includes encoded media data associated with a set of one or more video frames. The media file may also include a range indication element that indicates the maximum dynamic range of IDCT output values produced when the encoded media data is decoded. A decoding device that receives the media file may, prior to decoding the encoded media data, use the range indication element to determine whether to decode the encoded media data. For instance, the decoding device may not decode the encoded media data when the decoding device is not capable of producing IDCT output values in the indicated range of IDCT output values.

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: Some embodiments of the invention provide a multi-pass encoding method that encodes several images (e.g., several frames of a video sequence). The method iteratively performs an encoding operation that encodes these images. The encoding operation is based on a nominal quantization parameter, which the method uses to compute quantization parameters for the images. During several different iterations of the encoding operation, the method uses several different nominal quantization parameters. The method stops its iterations when it reaches a terminating criterion (e.g., it identifies an acceptable encoding of the images).

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: A video encoding system encodes video streams for multiple bit rate video streaming using an approach that permits the encoded resolution to vary based, at least in part, on motion complexity. The video encoding system dynamically decides an encoding resolution for segments of the multiple bit rate video streams that varies with video complexity so as to achieve a better visual experience for multiple bit rate streaming. Motion complexity may be considered separately, or along with spatial complexity, in making the resolution decision.

Abstract: An image encoding method for encoding an image in an image encoding apparatus. The encoding method includes: performing, in a quantization unit in the image encoding apparatus, quantization on a chroma component of transform coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation that adds a weight parameter; encoding, in an encoding unit in the image encoding apparatus, a chroma component of quantized coefficients and generating a bit stream; and transferring the bit stream and the weight parameter.

Abstract: An image information decoding method for decoding a bit stream in an image decoding apparatus. The decoding process includes decoding, in a decoding unit in the image decoding apparatus, the bit stream and generating a chroma component of quantized coefficients; and performing, in a dequantization unit in the image decoding apparatus, dequantization on the chroma component of quantized coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for real-time high definition television encoding. In one embodiment, there is a method for encoding video data. The method comprises downscaling at least one original reference picture; classifying the content of the macroblocks of the picture; and selecting a spatial prediction mode for each of the macroblocks of the picture based on the content classification. If it is determined that a macroblock is to be coded using spatial encoding, the macroblock is coded using the associated prediction mode.

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: Quality settings established by an encoder are adjusted based on information associated with regions of interest (“ROIs”). For example, quantization step sizes can be reduced (to improve quality) or increased (to reduce bit rate). ROIs can be identified and quality settings can be adjusted based on input received from a user interface. An overlap setting can be determined for a portion of a picture that corresponds to an ROI overlap area. For example, an overlap setting is chosen from step sizes corresponding to a first overlapping ROI and a second overlapping ROI, or from relative reductions in step size corresponding to the first ROI and the second ROI. ROIs can be parameterized by information (e.g., using data structures) that indicates spatial dimensions of the ROIs and quality adjustment information (e.g., dead zone information, step size information, and quantization mode information).

Abstract: The invention proposes a method and a device for arithmetic encoding of a current spectral coefficient using preceding spectral coefficients. Said preceding spectral coefficients are already encoded and both, said preceding and current spectral coefficients, are comprised in one or more quantized spectra resulting from quantizing time-frequency—transform of video, audio or speech signal sample values.

Abstract: Provided are a filtering method and apparatus for removing blocking artifacts and ringing noise. The filtering method includes transforming video data on a block-by-block basis, and detecting the presence of an edge region in the video data by checking the distribution of values obtained by the transformation. Accordingly, it is possible to completely remove blocking artifacts and/or ringing noise by more effectively detecting the presence of an edge region in video data.

Abstract: A method for splicing a first data stream that conveys a first single program transport stream (SPTS) and a second data stream that conveys a second SPTS, the method includes: receiving first data stream metadata units representative of first data stream packets, second data stream metadata units representative of second data stream packets and a request to perform a splicing operation at a n?th splicing point; performing, in response to the splicing request, transport stream layer processing of the first data stream metadata units and of the second data stream metadata units such as to provide a control output stream; and transmitting an output stream in response to the control output stream.

Abstract: An encoding control apparatus is disclosed that includes a variance calculation unit configured to calculate a variance of an encoding target macroblock; a sum-of-absolute-difference calculation unit configured to calculate a sum of absolute differences between the encoding target macroblock and a reference macroblock; a setting unit configured to set, based on the variance and the sum of absolute differences, a standard for determining whether to skip encoding of the encoding target macroblock; a prediction unit configured to perform motion compensation prediction on the encoding target macroblock to obtain a motion-compensated prediction value; and a determination unit configured to determine whether to skip encoding of the encoding target macroblock by comparing the motion-compensated prediction value with the standard. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scaleable macro block rate control method particularly well-suited for MPEG video. There is provided a method to easily derive a quantization parameter (QP) value using information such as bit usage, previous QP values and SAD values from the past encoded and future frames. The method utilizes quantization estimation techniques based on statistical relationships between different intensity measures, such as distortion intensity, absolute difference intensity and mean of absolute difference intensity. The method is well-suited to applications utilizing MPEG video such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, JVT/H.264 standards and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image display apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration in picture quality resulting from precision of detection of a motion vector at the time of performing a predetermined video signal process to improve picture quality. In consideration of reliability in detection of a motion vector mv by a motion vector detector 44, a video signal process in an interpolation section 45, an imaging blur suppression processor 13, and an overdrive processor 10 is performed. Concretely, the video signal process is performed so that a degree of the video signal process rises as reliability increases and, on the other hand, a degree of the video signal process falls off as the reliability decreases. In the case of performing the video signal process using a motion vector, even when a motion vector lies out of a motion vector search range (block matching range), the video signal process according to the motion vector detection precision can be performed.

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 method for context-modeling coding information of a video signal for compressing or decompressing the coding information is provided. An initial value of a function for probability coding of coding information of a video signal of an enhanced layer is determined based on coding information of a video signal of a base layer.

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: A cross-layer optimization method for controlling a bit rate of a video coder/decoder (codec) in video data transmission for wireless devices such as a wireless broadband (WiBro) system terminal that adapts to changing transmission/reception characteristics and usage. The method typically includes checking, by a sender, radio channel state information of a sender side and a receiver side; determining, by the sender, a transmission bit rate of a video codec by using the radio channel state information of the sender side; and adjusting, by the sender, the transmission bit rate of the video codec by using the radio channel state information of the receiver side when a communication network used by a receiver typically based on the type of a communication network being used by the sender.

Abstract: A parallel processor for motion estimation including: a matrix of elementary processors configured in rows and columns, local connections between the elementary processors for transmitting partial results, and row outputs for outputting a set of best match values (for example, SAD values), one value for each pixel row of a current block of image pixels; and search area delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the search area as input and forming a reference block row. The processor further includes current block delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the current block as input; a sum module coupled to the row outputs for computing a final match value from the row outputs; and a sorting module for sequentially selecting a best match value from the final match values outputted from the sum module, and generating a corresponding motion vector.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling a bit-rates in which an amount of generated bits is adjusted according to the complexity of each frame, and a bit-rate within a frame can be further effectively adjusted by applying different quantization parameter (QP) values to respective macro blocks. In the apparatus for controlling a bit-rate, a motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTP) operation is performed for each group of pictures (GOP) in an input scalable layer, and thereafter bits are allocated to respective frames in consideration of frame type and frame complexity. Furthermore, a QP is adaptively determined in the unit of a macro block on the basis of the allocated bits.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of delivering a video stream. The method operates by determining a group of video streams to be provided to a particular destination over a particular communication link. Next, the band width of the link is allocated to the video streams based upon the particular properties of the various video streams to be transmitted. The video streams are processed so that they fit into the band width allocations. Next, the video streams are transmitted in separate channels, synchronized with respect to each other, to reach the subject destination.

Abstract: Activities of a video signal are obtained for subblocks of each macroblock of each picture. The smallest activity is detected as an input-picture activity per macroblock. Obtained are activities of a motion-compensated predictive signal per first picture and activites of the video signal per second picture, for the subblocks of each macroblock. A mean value of the activities is obtained per macroblock for each picture, as an error activity per macroblock. A mean error activity is obtained for error activities per picture. A quantization step size for quantization of the video signal is adjusted per macroblock, according to the input-picture activity, to obtain a smaller step size when the error activity is equal to or larger than the mean error activity than when the former is smaller than the latter.

Abstract: An image information decoding method for decoding compressed image information which has been coded via a process including dividing an input image signal into blocks, performing an orthogonal transform on the blocks on a block-by-block basis, and quantizing resultant orthogonal transform coefficients. The decoding process includes performing dequantization such that a quantization parameter is weighted by an addition operation, and the dequantization is performed on each chroma components of the quantized coefficients using said weighted quantization parameter, and performing an inverse orthogonal transform.

Abstract: An image information decoding method for decoding compressed image information in an image decoding apparatus, which has been coded via a process including dividing an input image signal into blocks, performing an orthogonal transform on the blocks on a block-by-block basis, and quantizing resultant orthogonal transform coefficients. The decoding process includes performing, in a dequantization unit in the image decoding apparatus, dequantization such that a quantization parameter is weighted by an addition operation that adds the weight by addition, and the dequantization is performed on each chroma and luma component of the quantized coefficients using quantization step sizes, said luma component being weighted by the quantization parameter; and performing, in a transform unit in the image decoding apparatus, an inverse orthogonal transform.

Abstract: A video encoder controlling rate of each frame in a current frame set (Group of Picture, GOP), and method thereof. The video encoder comprises a frame grouping device, a GOP initialization device, and a GOP encoding device. The frame grouping device allocates a target bit budget RGOP to the current frame set. The GOP initialization device is coupled to the frame grouping device, and estimates a first quantization parameter QP1 based on the target bit budget RGOP and complexity of the current frame set. The GOP encoding device is coupled to the GOP initialization device, and encoding a frame in the current frame set with the second quantization parameter QP2 to generate output data.

Abstract: Provided is a method and of controlling a voltage of power supplied to a 3-dimensional (3D) graphics data processor and the 3D graphics data processor using the method. The method includes controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on the amount of data representing an object included in graphics data and re-controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on a time difference between scheduled processing time according to the controlled voltage for the object and actual processing time consumed by the graphics data processor, thereby reducing power consumption.

Abstract: Video encoding methods and video encoders that provide improved performance while reducing power consumption. In one aspect, a video encoding method comprises the steps of outputting a parameter for a slice of a current frame, wherein the slice comprises a plurality of macroblocks, and the parameter comprises an address of a first macroblock of the slice, an address of a search area on a previous frame, a search area corresponding to a current macroblock, and a number of macroblocks comprising the slice; processing the slice by consecutively encoding and decoding each macroblock of the slice in response to the parameter; and outputting an interrupt signal for the current frame, when encoding and decoding for each macroblock of the all slices is consecutively performed so that encoding for the current frame is completed.

Abstract: A method to determine real time image complexity in video streaming, IPTV and broadcast applications using a statistical model representing channel bandwidth variation and image complexity that considers scene content changes. Available channel bandwidth is distributed unevenly among multiple video streams in proportion to bandwidth variation and image complexity of the broadcast video stream. The distribution of available channel bandwidth is determined based upon an image complexity factor of each video stream as determined from probability matrices considering bandwidth variations and image complexity.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a quantizing unit configured to quantize an input moving image signal using a set quantization scale; a coding unit configured to perform variable length coding on an output of the quantizing unit; an activity detecting unit configured to detect an activity of the input moving image signal; a quantization-scale determining unit configured to determine the quantization scale; a changing unit configured to change a value determined by the quantization-scale determining unit, and to set the changed value, as the quantization scale; and a filling level detecting unit configured to detect the filling level of a virtual buffer in a decoder which decodes the coded moving image signal, and to control the changing unit such that the degree of change in the quantization scale caused by use of the activity is reduced as the detected filling level decreases.

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: A system that compresses a digital image. During operation, the system obtains a digital image in which the image components are de-correlated into separate channels containing luminance information and chrominance information. Next, the system receives a quality number for the luminance channel and a quality number for the chrominance channels, and uses the quality numbers to determine a target bitrate for the luminance channel and for the chrominance channels, respectively. Given the target bitrate for the luminance channel and the target bit rate for the chrominance channels, the system performs rate distortion optimizations separately on the luminance and chrominance channels to determine which portions of the luminance bitstream and which portions of the chrominance bitstream are to be included in the final bitstream. The system then uses the stored rate-distortion information to generate a preview of the digital image without performing entropy coding each time the quality settings are changed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video rate control for a video encoding system for encoding a video signal includes determining 12 a variance of pixel values over a time t of the video signal and calculating 13 a quantization parameter for the time t using the pixel variance and a number of output bits for the time t and a quantization parameter, pixel variance and a number of output bits used for an immediately previous time t?1.

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: This disclosure describes deblock filtering techniques in which an in-loop deblock filter of a first codec is used as a post deblock filter of a second codec. A number of techniques are also described to facilitate input parameter adjustments and allow for the effective use of the filter with both codecs. The techniques can simplify the architecture of a device that includes multiple codecs operating according to different coding standards. Specifically, the different codecs can use the same deblocking filter regardless of whether the coding standard calls for in-loop filtering or whether post filtering is used. For example, a filter designed as an in-loop deblocking filter for a codec that complies with the ITU-T H.264 coding standard can be used as a post deblocking filter for MPEG-4 video.

Abstract: A scaleable macro block rate control method particularly well-suited for MPEG video. There is provided a method to easily derive a quantization parameter (QP) value using information such as bit usage, previous QP values and SAD values from the past encoded and future frames. The method utilizes quantization estimation techniques based on statistical relationships between different intensity measures, such as distortion intensity, absolute difference intensity and mean of absolute difference intensity. The method is well-suited to applications utilizing MPEG video such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, JVT/H.264 standards and so forth.

Abstract: A video encoding method and system are provided for encoding a video sequence. The video sequence includes N sub-sequences which each includes a plurality of frames. When the video encoding system encodes the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence of the video sequence, the frames previous to the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence have been encoded. Based on the encoded frames, an initial quantization scale is generated. According to the initial quantization scale, the jth frame of the ith sub-sequence is encoded in the inter-encoded mode. Whether the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence is a “scene change” relative to the (j?1)th frame in the ith subsequence is judged, and if YES, based on the initial quantization scale, an adjusted quantization scale is generated. Moreover, the jth frame in the ith sub-sequence is re-encoded in accordance with the adjusted quantization scale.

Abstract: A system for providing trickplay functionality—such as pause, instant replay, rewind, fast forward, etc—for very highly compressed video/audio data stream. Depending on the trickplay functionality, the system configures the duration of playback before a jump, the decoding speed required, the number of pictures to display per second, and the distance between jumps. The system may comprise a decoder, a picture rate controller and a display.

Abstract: Digital signals are transmitted on a bus at given instants selectively in a non-encoded format and an encoded format. The decision whether to transmit the signals in non-encoded format or in encoded format is taken in part, based on a comparison of the signal to be transmitted on the bus for an instant of the aforesaid given instants with the signal transmitter on the bus for the preceding instant, so as to minimize switching activity on the bus.

Abstract: The present invention can suppress the generated code quantity for each image increment so as not to exceeding the target code quantity without having a usage quantizing factor deviate greatly in a sure manner. An image encoding device (200) determines a basic quantization parameter (QPMB) serving as a basic quantizing factor to be predicted in the case that the main encoding generated code comes near the target code quantity at the time of encoding an input image (91). The image encoding device (200) encodes the input image (91) for each feedback control increment by executing quantization using an adapted quantization parameter (QPt) based on an average quantization parameter BaseQP serving as a usage quantizing factor determined based on at least the basic quantization parameter (QPMB).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a moving picture coding device which performs a motion-compensated prediction for moving picture data in macroblocks, applies discrete cosine transform and quantization to a prediction error obtained by the motion-compensation prediction to obtain a quantization coefficient, and applies variable-length-coding to the quantization coefficient together with a motion vector to be obtained by the motion-compensation prediction, when controlling each coding mode of target macroblocks for the variable-length-coding in response to a picture type, the coding device determines whether the quantization coefficient is not smaller than a threshold if the picture type is a B, performs motion detection processing only by frame prediction if the quantization coefficient is not smaller than the threshold, performs the motion detection processing after conventional frame/field prediction determination if the quantization coefficient is smaller than the threshold, and skips coding processing of the

Abstract: The present invention provides an image coding apparatus and an image coding program that execute quantization control so that a generating bit is made close to a target bit. The image coding apparatus according to the present invention includes a generated bit measurement unit, a target bit setting unit, a residual bit computing unit for computing a residual value between the generated bit and the target bit, a remaining video buffer capacity measurement unit, and a quantization parameter computing unit for computing a quantization parameter to set the same to the quantization unit. The quantization parameter computing unit computes a quantization parameter for next image data to be encoded on the basis of at least one of the residual value computed and the remaining video buffer capacity measured.

Abstract: Provided is an enhancement to the Video Encoder component of the MPEG standard to improve both the efficiency and quality of the video presentation at the display device.

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.