Abstract: An orthogonal transform processor which can be implemented in simple hardware. A data reception unit accepts a pair of source data values at intervals of T. For each given pair of source data values, an adder/subtractor performs addition and subtraction at intervals of T/n, where n is an integer representing the order of the orthogonal transform algorithm being implemented. The resultant data values are stored in some predetermined storage locations defined in a storage unit. A feedback unit reads out such stored data values from the storage unit and feeds them back to the adder/subtractor. When the intended operation stages are finished, a data output unit reads out the data from the storage unit and sends them out as the final result values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maximizing the prediction utility of previously encoded macroblocks by adjusting the scanning order of the blocks within a macroblock to be encoded is disclosed. Where no previously encoded blocks are available above the macroblock being encoded, the alternative scanning orders allow for maximum utility of previously encoded blocks located to the left of the macroblock being encoded. Where no previously encoded blocks are available either above or to the left of the macroblock being encoded, the alternative scanning orders allow for maximum utility of information from blocks that are presently being encoded in the same macroblock. The particular scanning order used may be signaled implicitly based on the location of the macroblock being encoded, or it may be signaled explicitly by code words within the bitstream containing the encoded block information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for compressing an image data signal. The apparatus includes a compression control module arranged to eliminate frequency components produced from the image data signal which have a magnitude less than a threshold value. The apparatus compares the volume of the compressed image data signal with a target volume and selects to increase or decrease the applied compression level depending on the outcome of the comparison. The compression level is increased by increasing the threshold value and deacreased by decreasing the threshold value. The compression level, or ratio, is thus adaptable in real-time in order to meet a target volume for the compressed image. This is particularly advantageous in applications where, for example, the compressed image signal is to be transmitted over a fixed bandwidth link. The method and apparatus of the invention are particularly suitable for use in the implementation of the JPEG basline image compression standard.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a video codec designed for encoding video data suitable for radio transmission between a network and a mobile station. The invention is particularly applicable where the transmission errors are unpredictable, and entails monitoring one or more parameters of the received or transmitted signal and providing a feedback signal based on the monitored signal, the feedback signal controlling the encoding parameters in the algorithm of the video codec.

Abstract: An adaptive decision method of a motion vector search range is disclosed in which motion vector values of blocks adjacent to a block where a motion vector is to be decided are decided and then a motion vector search range of the specific block is decided on the basis of the decided motion vector values of the adjacent blocks. Therefore, the present invention provides that complexity of motion vector estimation can be considerably reduced for a moving picture service on a real time basis, and complexity of motion vector estimation can be also considerably reduced without affecting a compression efficiency.

Abstract: A method and system of regulating the computation load of an MPEG encoder in a video processing system are provided. A stream of data blocks is received and buffered temporarily for subsequent retrieval during an encoding mode. The buffered data block is then retrieved from the buffer for an encoding operation in accordance with a conventional encoding method. Meanwhile, the fullness level of the buffer is monitored to determine an appropriate encoding complexity for a subsequent encoding process. To this end, a predetermine threshold range is compared to the fullness level so that the subsequent encoding operation can be performed at an improved buffer efficiency.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for coding video frames in a video compression system. One aspect includes automatically scaling coding mode biases as a function of the number of bits of coding precision in the video compression system, or dynamic range and/or contrast range, or quantization parameter. Another aspect includes selecting coding mode biases as a function of the total number of bits required for macroblock coding, or setting all biases to zero. Another aspect includes selecting one of a plurality of coding modes (1) resulting in no more than a selected number of coded bits, or (2) having at least a selected image quality, or (3) having a combination of number of coded bits and image quality. Another aspect includes selecting, as a preferred coding mode, one of a plurality of coding modes having a selected combination of number of coded bits and image quality based on various AC and DC motion vectors.

Abstract: A data compression assembly has several data-compression channels (DCC). The data-compression channels may be, for example, encoders which encode different programs in accordance with an MPEG standard. A data-compression channel comprises a data compressor (CMP) and a buffer-memory space (BUF). The data compressor compresses input data (D) so as to obtain compressed data (Dc). The buffer-memory space temporarily stores the compressed data and provides the compressed data in the form of an output data stream (DS). Indications (IND) of compressed-data quality (Q[Dc]) versus extent of compression (E[CMP]) are established for respective data-compression channels. A total output bit rate (Rtot) is partitioned over respective output data streams in dependence on these indications. The extent of compression in respective data-compression channels is controlled individually on the basis of output data stream bit rate (R) and amount of compressed data (F) stored in the buffer memory space.

Abstract: A system and method for detection and analysis of video recording is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a video recording, calculating complexity values of video recording received, comparing the calculated complexity values with reference complexity values, and displaying analysis of video recording on a user interface is disclosed. The system comprises an input device for receiving video recording, a computing device for calculating complex values of received video recording, a comparator device for comparing complex values of video recording, and a storage device for storing internal data.

Abstract: With respect to change of a bit rate at the time of transmitting encoded data TS, a system delay is fixed and the output size of data frame_bit [j] every predetermined data unit is successively calculated, thereby making it possible to continuously obtain data from the buffer 103 of a decoding side without breaks irrespective of change of the bit rate.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus is constructed by an orthogonal converting unit for orthogonal converting image data that is inputted every block consisting of a plurality of pixels, thereby obtaining conversion coefficients, a quantizing unit for quantizing the conversion coefficients, a detecting unit for detecting specific color information from the image data, a control unit for controlling quantizing characteristics of the quantizing unit on the basis of a detection result of the detecting unit, and an encoding unit for encoding quantization data that is obtained from the quantizing unit.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of switching from a first to a second coded video sequence when the bitrate of the second one is higher than the bitrate of the first one, and to a corresponding device. If the addition of the bits respectively associated to the last transmitted picture (02) of the first sequence and to the first transmitted picture (N1) of the second sequence gives at the decoding time of (02) a number greater than the size of the decoder's buffer, then the bitrate of the second sequence is increased with respect to the higher bitrate.

Abstract: A rate control apparatus for real-time video communication includes: an initialization unit for setting an initial value required for rate control according to a transmission speed and the number of input frames; a target bit calculation unit for obtaining the target number of encoding bits, maximum allowable number of bits, and minimum allowable number of bits in consideration of a buffer state and a transmission speed; a rate control and encoder unit for executing rate control and encoding using the maximum allowable number of bits and the minimum allowable number of bits; a stuffing control unit for comparing the size of a bit stream from the rate control and encoding unit with the target number of encoding bits from the target bit calculation unit for thereby outputting stuffing bits; a buffering unit for storing a combination of the bit stream from the rate control encoding unit and the stuffing bits from the stuffing control unit for thereby outputting them to the target bit calculation unit; a frame sk

Abstract: The input image controller reduces the frame rate of a motion image signal as a preprocessing, provides process information indicating the skipped frames and/or skipped fields to the image coder, wherein the image coder codes, by use of the MPEG 2 method, the motion image signal whose frame rate has been reduced, and outputs the data which is in conformity with the MPEG 2 method and includes overhead information on the basis of the process information.

Abstract: The DVD standard, with which a very good quality is required all along the recording step, allows for variable bit rate transmission of data, according to which more bits are spent when the pictures are more complex. As the encoded sequence must fit into a fixed bit budget, the invention relates to an encoding method in which, thanks a first analysis step, corrective modifications of the quantization step of the encoding process are carried out at regular intervals during a second control step. These changes are made regarding the state of a reserve of bits, periodically computed and updated, but preferably only when said reserve reaches critical values, and in order to maintain said reserve at a value as close to 0 as possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding input video data representative of a number of group of pictures (GOPs) each having a plurality of fields or frames. The apparatus includes a first encoder for processing received input video data so as to determine difficulty data of a field or frame which is indicative of the difficulty of the video data, a computing device for determining a target code amount representative of an amount of data to be utilized in accordance with the difficulty data of a number (N) of the fields or frames, and a second encoder for encoding the received video data in accordance with the target code amount.

Abstract: An upper limit of a usable range of a VBV buffer is determined from a preset delay time of the VBV buffer and a designated bit rate. A target bit quantity of a picture (i) and a data occupancy quantity of the VBV at the time when a picture (j+1) is coded are calculated, and the target bit quantity T(j) for coding the picture (j) is corrected so that the data occupancy quantity of the VBV of the picture (j+1) constantly falls within the limited range. By this, even when a low coding bit rate is set, the delay due to the VBV buffer of a predetermined delay time or longer does not reach a prescribed delay time or longer. Thus, an MPEG encoder suitable for a live broadcast in which the problem of delay time is not desired can be realized.

Abstract: A video encoder for changing the bit rate at a halfway point in a GOP by using a TM5 (Test Model 5) bit rate control algorithm is provided. Using a bit quantity Rj(+1) allocated to non-coded pictures at and after a coding target picture (j+1), a target bit quantity T(j+1) allocated to the coding target picture (j+1) is calculated. In the case where pictures up to a picture (j) at a halfway point in a GOP are coded at a first bit rate and the picture (j+1) is coded at a second bit rate, the bit quantity R(j+1) allocated to non-coded pictures for calculating the target bit quantity R(j+1) is corrected to a bit quantity R(j+1) for non-coded pictures at the time when the pictures from a leading picture of the GOP are coded at the second bit rate. Thus, seamless bit rate change can be carried out at a halfway point in the GOP by using the fixed rate algorithm such as TM5.