Abstract: A method of adjustable spatial and/or temporal compression of an image including a face includes identifying a group of pixels that correspond to a face within a digitally-acquired image. A first compression portion of the image including the group of pixels is determined. A second compression portion of the image other than the group of pixels is also determined. The first compression portion may be automatically compressed with higher-grade compression than the second compression portion to generate a compressed image including the face, or an option to provided the compressed image including the different grade compressions may be provided.

Abstract: Provided is an error correcting encoder and, more particularly, to an error correcting encoder used for an improved transmission method of the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC), and a method thereof. The error correcting encoder for digital television broadcasting, which is suggested in the present research, includes a robust encoder for encoding a one-bit input into robust encoded data; a pre-coding block for receiving the robust encoded data and performing pre-coding to thereby produce a pre-coded signal; and a trellis encoding block for performing trellis encoding on the robust encoded data and the pre-coded signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to visual degrading of images. Systems and methods for fast visual degrading of an entire image or localized region(s) within the image are provided. In an embodiment, a system for fast localized visual degrading of images includes a map creator and a coefficient list modifier. The map creator generates a map. The map may identify one or more degradation regions within an image. The coefficient list modifier reduces coefficient data in at least one block associated with a degradation region identified in the map. In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method for fast localized visual degrading of images is provided. The method includes generating a map that identifies one or more degradation regions within an image, and reducing coefficient data in at least one block associated with a degradation region identified in the map.

Abstract: A frame type determination unit (15B) counts, as the frame data amount of each frame, the number of TS packets included in the frame based on a frame start position included in an input TS packet of video communication, and determines a frame type based on the large/small relationships between the frame data amounts of the frames. A video quality estimation unit (15C) estimates the video quality of the video communication based on the frame type of each frame obtained by the frame type determination unit (15B), the frame structure (14A) of an elementary stream read out from a storage unit (14), and a TS packet loss state detected from the TS packets of the video communication.

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 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 method is provided for processing an image to optimize print time of the image by a print apparatus based on the size of the image to be printed and the print pass thresholds of the print apparatus. A dimension of the image corresponding to the dimension along the sub-scanning axis of the image as it will be printed by the print apparatus is obtained, along with the corresponding number of print passes required to print the image. An analysis is performed to determine whether the size of the image could be reduced to require one less print pass by the print apparatus in printing the reduced image based on the proximity of the determined dimension to the range of dimensions that will result in one less print pass by the print apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method uses the capabilities of a geometry shader unit within the multi-threaded graphics processor to offload data compression computations from a central processing unit (CPU), reduce the memory needed to store image data, and reduce the bandwidth needed to transfer image data between graphics processors and between a graphics processor and a system memory. The multi-threaded graphics processor is also configured to perform decompression of the variable length compressed data using the geometry shader unit.

Abstract: Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.

Abstract: Methods, medium, and handheld, wireless devices which compress, enhance, encode, transmit, decompress and display digital video images in real time. Real time wireless videoconferences connect multiple handheld video devices. Real time compression is achieved by sub-sampling each frame of a video signal, filtering the pixel values, and encoding. Real time transmission is achieved due to high levels of effective compression. Real time decompression is achieved by decoding and decompressing the encoded data to display high quality images. A receiver can alter various setting including but not limited to the format for the compression, image size, frame rate, brightness and contrast. A zoom control can be used select a portion of interest of video being transmitted or being played back.

Abstract: An array of texture data elements (texels) is subdivided into a plurality of 8×4 texture element blocks, each of which 8×4 texture element blocks encodes two 4×4 texture element sub-blocks 3, 4. Each encoded texture data block includes data indicating a method to be used to generate a set of color values to be used for the texture elements that the encoded data block represents, and data indicating a method to be used for generating the colors of the individual texture elements using that generated set of colors. As well as the individual texture data blocks, a header data block encoding a base set of colors is generated. This base color set defines a set of colors that is used to generate the colors to be used when reproducing each individual encoded texture data block.

Abstract: In accordance with a specific aspect of the present invention, a compressed video stream, such as an MPEG-2 video stream, is received by a transport demultiplexor, synchronized, parsed into separate packet types, and written to buffer locations external the demultiplexor. Adaptation field is handled by a separate parser. In addition, primary elementary stream data can be handled by separate primary elementary stream parsers based upon the packet identifier of the primary elementary stream. Video packets can be parsed based upon stream identifier values. Specific packets of data are stored in one or more system memory or video memory buffers by an output controller based upon allocation table information. Private data associated with specific elementary streams or packet adaptation fields are repacketized, and written to an output buffer location. In specific implementations, the hardware associated with the system is used to acquire the data stream without any knowledge of the specific protocol of the stream.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a synthesis filter unit configured to execute synthesis filtering for coefficient data of each subband, obtained by decoding a code stream of a reversibly-encoded image and performing band division, in each predetermined number of lines or in each predetermined block to obtain baseband image data on a line basis; a storage unit configured to store the baseband image data obtained by the synthesis filter unit; an analysis filter unit configured to read the baseband image data stored in the storage unit and execute analysis filtering for the image data to divide the image data up to a predetermined division level; and a control unit configured to control the analysis filter unit to execute analysis filtering as soon as the amount of the baseband image data stored in the storage unit reaches a data amount allowing analysis filtering.

Abstract: Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for correcting a dislocation of image, pixels being arranged in a first and second directions perpendicular to each other, including: a section which breaks down a correction amount of the image of each pixel in the second direction into a first shift amount with a unit of a prescribed block, a second shift amount with a unit of the pixel, and a third shift amount less than the pixel size; a minimal shift section which shifts the image data by the third shift amount; a pixel unit shift section which shifts the image data by the second shift amount; and a block unit shift section which shifts the image data by the first shift amount, during compression and storage processing of the image data in the block unit, and executing arrangement of the image data after reading-out and expanding the compressed image data.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques, systems and apparatus are described for complementing a bitstream error so that a hardware decoder can stably decrypt a bitstream. A method of complementing a bitstream error includes: receiving a bitstream; detecting an error in the received bitstream; and complementing the detected error, before decrypting the bitstream.

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: A method of entropy encoding image or video data may include entropy encoding a number of blocks independently and in parallel to generate a number of bit streams. At least one of the number of bit streams may include an assumed value in place of a value that would be determined by another bit stream. The method may also include selectively correcting the assumed value based on a value in another one of the number of bit streams. The number of bit streams may be combined into an output, entropy encoded bit stream corresponding to the number of blocks.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the quality of one or more compressed images. The technique allows, for example, the selection of a target quality metric(s) and the compression of the image(s) such the compressed image(s) meets the metric(s). Alternatively, a target quality metric can be specified, and the image(s) compressed using parameters estimated to achieve the target quality. Optionally, the quality metric can also be made available to, for example, a user on an image processing system. The quality metrics can be, for example, for one or more layers, one or more images and/or one or more image sequences.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a system and method for displaying an image are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a data stream representing a frame of an image. The data stream may indicate a first color pixel cluster corresponding to a first color and a second color pixel cluster corresponding to a second color. The first color pixel cluster and the second color pixel cluster may be displayed. The first color pixel cluster may be different from the second color pixel cluster.

Abstract: A method and system for arbitrary resizing of a compressed image in the discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain. First and second scaling parameters P and Q are determined in accordance with the block numbers L and M and the scaling ratio L/M or M/L. A non-uniform, or uneven, sampling in the DCT domain is then applied to coefficients of successive blocks in the compressed image in accordance with the scaling parameters. In an embodiment, P blocks are sampled and transformed from a given block length to |P| according to a |P|-point IDCT, while Q blocks are sampled and transformed from a given block length to |Q| according to a |Q|-point IDCT. The non-uniformly sampled and transformed pixel domain samples are then regrouped into a predetermined block size and transformed back to generate the DCT coefficient of the compressed image. The proposed method significantly reduces the computational complexity compared with other DCT domain arbitrary ratio image resizing approach.

Abstract: A plurality of input image signals are synthesized to generate a synthesis signal on the basis of synthesis information indicating an area where input image signals which are image signals of an image composed of at least one of input moving images and still images are respectively synthesized, a motion vector of the synthesis signal is detected, a synthesis interpolation exclusion area is decided where the interpolation in the synthesis signal is not performed on the basis of the synthesis information and interpolation control information indicating an input interpolation exclusion area where the interpolation in the respective input image signals is not performed, and a synthesis signal in-between signal is interpolated and output which is an image signal at an arbitrary time between the synthesis signal and a previous synthesis signal on the basis of the motion vector in an area other than the synthesis interpolation exclusion area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an initial series of bytes are scanned to determine a frequency of occurrence within the initial series of bytes for a plurality of byte strings. A data structure is generated containing the plurality of byte strings and count values representing a frequency of occurrence for the plurality of byte strings in the initial series of bytes. A most common byte string of the plurality of byte strings in the initial series of bytes is determined from the count values. Each instance of the most common byte string in the initial series of bytes is replaced with a first substitute byte string to form a revised series of bytes. A most common byte string in the revised series of bytes is determined from the data structure without resetting the count values associated with at least some of the plurality of byte strings.

Abstract: A data accessing and reproducing apparatus and method that permits a user to selected desired video clips and perform editing on the clips such that the time needed to display a thumbnail representation is minimized. In an edit mode, thumbnail pictures are arranged and displayed in the order of which edit results are reproduced. These thumbnails may be, for example, a lower resolution, proxy representation of the audio or video data. When data of thumbnail pictures are read from a disc, the data are read in the order of which they have been recorded. The order of which thumbnail pictures are displayed on the screen is different from the order of which they are arranged on the screen, and thus, the seek time for the disc becomes the shortest. Thus, the thumbnail pictures can be displayed at high speed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods for adaptive video decoding. An example method includes: receiving a video stream comprising a first plurality of pictures having a first type and a second plurality of pictures having a second type; determining whether a resource in the system is constrained; responsive to the determination that a resource in the system is constrained, determining whether a picture repetition mode is to be initiated; and responsive to the determination that a picture mode is to be initiated, initiating the picture repetition mode. The initiating includes: foregoing decoding the first plurality of pictures; decoding the second plurality of pictures; and presenting a picture in the second plurality of pictures a plurality of times.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a file size of an image subject to transformation by scaling and a change about at least one quality-controlling parameter, in which an input receives (a) the file size of the image before transformation, (b) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter of the image before transformation, (c) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter for application to the image during transformation, and (d) a scaling factor for application to the image during transformation. A relative size prediction is calculated on the basis of the received quality-controlling parameters information and scaling factor. The file size of the image after transformation is finally calculated as a function of the file size of the image before transformation and the calculated relative size prediction.

Abstract: A method includes selecting a target pixel and comparing a value of the target pixel with a respective value of each of a plurality of pixels located in an area that includes the target pixel. Further, for each pixel of the plurality of pixels that has a value different by at least a threshold amount from the value of the target pixel, the value of such pixel is replaced by the value of the target pixel. A filter function is applied to a set of pixels which includes the value of the target pixel and current values, after the selective replacement step, of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a plurality of time intervals Tp and Tn within a variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence. The time intervals Tp are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is greater than a baseline value. The time intervals Tn are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is less than the baseline value. A second representation of the image sequence is created in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from the time intervals Tp and interlaced with blocks of information Bn in the time intervals Tn to reduce a variation in a number of blocks of information per unit time between the time intervals Tp and Tn.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for image noise characterization, parameterization, removal, reconstruction and/or re-combination with a denoised image.

Abstract: An image capturing and transmission device includes an image capturing module, an image processor, an image encoder, and a network transmission module. The image capturing module is used for capturing a scene of an area to be displayed and outputting image data. The image processor converts the image data according to a first and a second cutting areas and a first and a second shrink ratio values, and outputs a first and a second sub-images. The first cutting area includes the second cutting area, and the first shrink ratio value is greater than the second shrink ratio value. The image encoder encodes the first and the second sub-images according to first and second encoding information, and outputs a first and a second streaming images. The network transmission module is used for transmitting the first and the second streaming images.

Abstract: A video transcoder is disclosed. The video transcoder generally comprises a processor and a video digital signal processor. The processor may be formed on a first die. The video digital signal processor may be formed on a second die and coupled to the processor. The video digital signal processor may have (i) a first module configured to perform a first operation in decoding an input video stream in a first format and (ii) a second module configured to perform a second operation in coding an output video stream in a second format, wherein the first operation and the second operation are performed in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enables effectively executing decoding processing in units of blocks based on encoded image data that has been variable-length encoded in units of blocks and furthermore has marker code inserted therein. An identification unit generates information indicating the position of an emulation prevention byte and deletes the emulation prevention byte. A code length calculation unit outputs a code length of the encoded image data from which the identification data has been deleted. A code length accumulation unit determines, based on the identification data position information, whether identification data was included in the encoded image data that has been decoded, and accumulates the code lengths of encoded data and outputs the accumulated code length in units of blocks. Based on this, storage address information for encoded data in blocks in the encoded image data is registered in a decoding table which is used for performing in units of blocks.

Abstract: In a device and a method for detecting a letter box for an MPEG decoder, the method includes performing processing area filtering for selecting a processing area of an image used to detect the letter box; performing intra-macroblock filtering for determining the letter box area based on a change level of pixels in macroblocks in one line of the image from the processing area; performing impulse data filtering for excluding the line being detected a high frequency component from the determined letter box area; performing inter-macroblock filtering for determining the letter box area based on a change level of lines between macroblocks of the image; performing inter-line filtering for determining a boundary of the letter box based on an average of the pixel values of the lines; and performing inter-picture filtering for outputting a boundary value of the letter box that has the highest frequency number as the boundary of the letter box in successive images.

Abstract: A data processing device connected with a data supply device for performing predetermined data processing includes: a communication control unit for controlling communication with the data supply device; a data processing unit for performing the data processing based on input data received from the data supply device; and a device control unit for performing predetermined processing in correspondence with command data received from the data supply device based on the command data. The communication control unit receives the input data and the command data each of which is contained in a packet having a common fixed length from the data supply device. When an identification part at a predetermined position in the reception packet received from the data supply device is set at a predetermined command identification value indicating the command data, the communication control unit supplies data contained in the reception packet to the device control unit.

Abstract: An intraprediction encoding and decoding apparatus and method to improve compression efficiency are provided. A video encoding method includes dividing an input video of a predetermined size into at least two sub-planes, performing intraprediction encoding on at least one of the divided at least two sub-planes, and performing interprediction encoding on at least one of the remaining sub-planes by using the intraprediction encoded sub-plane as a reference sub-plane.

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 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: A method and apparatus is described for segmenting an image, for adaptively scaling an image, and for automatically scaling and cropping an image based on codestream headers data. In one embodiment, a file that can provide a header that contains multi-scale entropy distribution information on blocks of an image is received. For each block, the block is assigned to a scale from a set of scales that maximizes a cost function. The cost function is a product of a total likelihood and a prior. The total likelihood is a product of likelihoods of the blocks. The image is segmented by grouping together blocks that have been assigned equivalent scales. In one embodiment, the file represents an image in JPEG 2000 format.

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 method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for basis selection is described. A plurality of sub-bands of digital data is generated and a basis function for the digital data in one of the plurality of sub-bands is determined at a rate that provides a substantially peak signal-to-noise ratio for the digital data. The basis function is added to a codebook and the digital data is compressed using the codebook.

Abstract: A method for estimating a bit rate and the distortion of at least one compressed image using at least one wavelet transform operation delivering at least one sub-band b containing coefficients, said sub-band being subdivided into at least one packet of coefficients associated with a compression quality layer, said packet also including a packet header and being transmitted through a propagation channel, said method including estimating a distortion Dbc linked to a compression of the coefficients of said packet, estimating a distortion D?bc linked to a corruption or loss of said packet, estimating a compression bit rate Lb, estimating a sensitivity {tilde over (D)}bc of said packet according to Dbc and D?bc and the bit rate Lb, and estimating a distortion of said image linked to a decompression of said packet based on {tilde over (D)}bc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scrambled compressed data distribution device that can perform a high-resistance scrambled compressed data distribution by selectively using a plurality of types of scramble information and a playback device thereof. A scrambling section scrambles compressed data by unique one of a plurality of scrambling methods. A hash value calculating section determines a hash value based on data b in a position where digital watermark data is not embedded, and an encrypting section encrypts the hash value with a secret key Sk(n) corresponding to the scrambling method and outputs an encrypted hash value c. A watermark data embedding section embeds the encrypted hash value in a watermark data embedding position of the data b and transmits the same as a compressed data stream d.

Abstract: Methods for reversible data hiding are disclosed herein. These methods may be applied to images for reversible image data hiding. In one embodiment, a method for reversible data hiding comprises identifying carrier data having a plurality of components and establishing prediction-errors for each of the components of the carrier data. A first threshold and a second threshold are established. The prediction-errors of the components are evaluated against the first threshold to identify components for possible hiding. The components identified for possible hiding are evaluated against the second threshold to identify components for hiding. To-be embedded data is embedded into the carrier data identified for hiding to create marked data. The marked data is evaluated for overflow or underflow. If overflow or underflow is detected, histogram modification is performed. Marked data is then established.

Abstract: A method of encoding video signals into a single video signal includes extracting background images from corresponding video signals, encoding the video signals into a single video signal, the single video signal containing information for reconstructing the video signals, and replacing frames of the single video signal with the background images.

Abstract: A method for estimating quality of images compressed with a transformation based compression method. The estimation method uses estimated errors generated by quantization to obtain an image quality indicator and does not require use of a reference image. The estimation method includes calculating a probability of at least one specific quantized transformation coefficient value for at least all coefficients representing one identical two-dimensional frequency, and estimating identifying parameters of at least one probability density function of non-quantized coefficient values from the quantized coefficient value probabilities, with a type of probability density function being preset. The estimation method further includes calculating an image quality indicator from errors introduced by quantization, which are derived from probability density function parameters and quantization parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing apparatus and control method thereof and a storage medium that stores its control program capable of generating a code image with the optimum device in accordance with the amount and/or contents of the information to be encoded, and/or considering the load of the equipment. The information processing apparatus is electrically connected to an image processing apparatus, and includes: a deciding section for deciding on whether to generate a code image by encoding information or to issue a command for causing to generate the code image by encoding the information; and a processing section for generating, when the deciding section decides to generate, the code image by encoding the information and transmitting it to the image processing apparatus, and for transmitting, when the deciding section decides to issue, the command to the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: Data of both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 is generated simultaneously with a small circuit scale and a small power consumption. A moving picture encoding apparatus for encoding a moving picture through motion-compensated inter-frame prediction has: a MPEG-2 encoding unit including a motion vector estimator, a frame memory, a forward prediction circuit, a bidirectional prediction circuit, a prediction selection circuit, an intra-frame encoding circuit and a local decoding circuit; a MPEG-4 encoding unit including a frame extraction circuit for extracting a predetermined MPEG-2 frame and a transcoder for encoding the extracted frame; a motion vector calculator calculating a motion vector to be used for MPEG-4 prediction from a motion vector to be used for MPEG-2 prediction; and a prediction mode controller controlling the prediction mode of the MPEG-2 encoding unit in such that the MPEG-2 prediction mode becomes coincident with the MPEG-4 prediction mode.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a display unit remotely located from a computing system are described. The method includes copying display information from a video buffer of a computing device executing an application to generate a display update, calculating a size of the display update, and determining an amount of available bandwidth of a network connecting the computing device and the display unit. The method also includes calculating a time period required to communicate the display update from the computing device to the display unit, transmitting the display update to the display; and repeating the method after the time period has elapsed.

Abstract: Adjacent blocks are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent blocks are identified. Deblock filtering between the identified adjacent blocks is skipped if the coding parameters for the identified adjacent blocks are similar and not skipped if the coding parameters for the identified adjacent blocks are substantially different.