Abstract: Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation.

Abstract: An image search method may include: determining a quadrant of a predicted motion vector; calculating a tilt value of a first reference frame and a tilt value of a second reference frame using the predicted motion vector; deciding a search area for uneven hexagon search in response to the quadrant of the predicted motion vector and the calculated tilt values; performing the uneven hexagon search with respect to the decided search area; and/or comparing a result of the performed uneven hexagon search with a threshold value to determine termination of the uneven hexagon search. The second reference frame is earlier-in-time relative to the first reference frame.

Abstract: An Encoder Assisted Frame Rate Up Conversion (EA-FRUC) system that utilizes video coding and pre-processing operations at the video encoder to exploit the FRUC processing that will occur in the decoder in order to improve compression efficiency and reconstructed video quality is disclosed. One operation of the EA-FRUC system involves determining whether to encode a frame in a sequence of frames of a video content by determining a spatial activity in a frame of the sequence of frames; determining a temporal activity in the frame; determining a spatio-temporal activity in the frame based on the determined spatial activity and the determined temporal activity; determining a level of a redundancy in the source frame based on at least one of the determined spatial activity, the determined temporal activity, and the determined spatio-temporal activity; and, encoding the non-redundant information in the frame if the determined redundancy is within predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes image processors and a margin storing buffer. The image processors read an input image data from a frame memory for each image data of a plurality of block lines each having a first number of pixels along the columns and a second number of pixels along the rows. The margin storing buffer stores the image data of the margin portion used also in the image processing of the image data of the next block line, among the image data of the present block line input to each of the image processors. Each of the image processors performs the image processing on an image data including the image data of the present block line and the image data of the margin portion, at the time of image processing on the image data of the next block line.

Abstract: Techniques pertaining to scalable video codec are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a video image is analyzed and a region of interest (ROI) and a region of non-interest (non-ROI) are identified. By comparing the non-ROI image with that of a previous image, a background ignored identifier is created indicating whether the non-ROI can be ignored during encoding and decoding processes. Based on the status of the background ignored identifier, the encoder encodes the images into a basic layer (BL) and an enhanced layer (EL), and transmits the coded bit streams along with the identifier to a decoder. The decoder reconstructs the image based on the identifier and the BL and the EL bit streams.

Abstract: Techniques to perform fast motion estimation are described. An apparatus may comprise a motion estimator operative to receive as input a current frame and a reference frame from a digital video sequence. The motion estimator may generate and output a motion vector. The motion vector may represent a change in position between a current block of the current frame and a matching reference block of the reference frame. The motion estimator may utilize an enhanced block matching technique to perform block matching based on stationary and spatially proximate blocks. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A motion vector detecting device includes: a motion predicting and compensating means for calculating cost values of a plurality of motion vectors, which is candidates of an optimal motion vector, with a first pixel precision every prediction mode and calculating the optimal motion vector with a second pixel precision and a cost value of the optimal motion vector with the second pixel precision on the basis of a gradient of the cost values.

Abstract: In order to set a quantization step according to a target amount of code with high precision, a coefficient set according to the resolution of a moving picture to be encoded and the encoding method of a frame to be encoded is selected from a plurality of coefficient sets corresponding to the resolutions of moving pictures and encoding methods of frames. A feature amount of the frame to be encoded is extracted, and when the frame to be encoded undergoes inter-frame coding, a function indicating the relationship between a quantization step and amount of generated data is generated based on the selected coefficient set and feature amount. When the function is generated, a quantization step according to a target amount of code is set based on that function in encoding of the frame to be encoded.

Abstract: In an image encoding process for encoding data of an inputted image and outputting encoded image data: an image-size condition including image size and target sharpness is stored in an image-size-condition storage; a reduced image of the inputted image having the above image size included in the image-size condition stored in the image-size-condition storage is produced; and the sharpness of the reduced image is calculated. When the calculated sharpness of the reduced image is higher than the target sharpness, the image size included in the image-size condition stored in the image-size-condition storage is reduced, and a further reduced image of the inputted image having the reduced image size is produced.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for attaching a motion search hardware assist unit to a processing element and its local memory. A current macro block storage unit is attached to a local memory interface unit for storage of a copy of a current macro block from the local memory. A search window reference storage unit having N rows is attached to a local memory interface unit for storage of a copy of N rows of pixels from a search window from the local memory. N independent arithmetic pipelines are attached to the current macro block storage unit and the search window reference storage. Each pipeline operates on one of the N rows of the search window reference storage unit and a corresponding row of the current macro block of the current macro block storage unit. An accumulator is attached to the N independent pipelines to accumulate results from the N arithmetic pipelines, to produce independent results for different organizations of macro blocks.

Abstract: This invention concerns the interpolation of new intermediate images within an existing set of related images, for example views of a scene captured at different times, such as a sequence of film frames or video fields, or views of a scene captured from different camera positions, either simultaneously or in a time sequence. Motion vectors established for pixels or regions in at least one existing image are used to shift those pixels or regions to the output position of the new image. The shifted pixels or regions are combined in dependence on a probability of accuracy measure for the respective motion vector. The probability of accuracy measure may be formed from displaced-field difference measurements. The occlusion of objects is determined and used in forming the probability of accuracy measure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compressing video data for wireless transmission. The invention continually monitors the output of a video data encoder and maintains a running average for the data output rate over multiple lines of video data. The encoder compresses video data on a line-by-line basis. The invention also monitors the occupancy of the data buffer and as well as the performance of the wireless subsystem to determine real time available channel capacity. If the average data rate exceeds the available channel capacity, the invention increases data compression on subsequent lines of video data until the average data rate falls within the channel capacity. If the average data output rate is less than the channel capacity, the invention reduces data compression on subsequent lines of video data until the average data rate increases to match the channel capacity.

Abstract: A field picture coding/decoding apparatus and method is provided. The field picture coding method includes selecting a reference field with respect to an input image, generating a predictive image by deinterlacing with respect to the selected reference field, and performing predictive coding with respect to the input image using the predictive image.

Abstract: According to a picture coding method, a coded picture is stored, as a reference picture, into a storage unit; commands indicating correspondence between reference pictures and reference indices for designating reference pictures and coefficients used for generation of predictive images are generated; a reference picture being used when motion compensation is performed on a current block in a current picture to be coded is designated by a reference index; a predictive image is generated by performing linear prediction on a block being obtained by motion estimation within the designated reference picture, by use of a coefficient corresponding to the reference index; a coded image signal including a coded signal obtained by coding a prediction error being a difference between the current block in the current picture to be coded and the predictive image, the commands, the reference index and the coefficient is outputted.

Abstract: In one embodiment the method includes selecting a list 0 motion vector of the co-located block in a first reference picture as the motion vector if the co-located block has the list 0 motion vector and a list 1 motion vector. The first reference picture is a type of reference picture permitted to be located temporally before or after the current picture. The method further includes selecting the list 1 motion vector of the co-located block in the first reference picture if the co-located block only has the list 1 motion vector, scaling the selected motion vector based on temporal distance between the current picture and the first reference picture, and deriving at least one motion vector of the bi-predictive block by applying a bit operation to the scaled motion vector.

Abstract: Digital video content is processed for delivery over a communications channel by segmenting the digital video content into one or more regions of interest (ROI) in accordance with content signature of the video content and encoding the digital video content in accordance with the ROI segmentation and the communications channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a list0 motion vector of a co-located image block in a reference picture for the bi-predictive image block as a motion vector for deriving motion vectors of the bi-predictive image block regardless of whether the co-located block includes a list1 motion vector. At least one motion vector of the bi-predictive block is derived by applying a bit operation to the selected motion vector.

Abstract: A method and system for test monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation. The test operation may involve determining if a video freeze event and/or an audio freeze event has occurred with respect to the baseband video signal. In one example, detection of both an audio and a video freeze event may determine a freeze event for an MHD. After a freeze event is detected, the MHD may be restarted. The freeze event may be logged as a result of the test operation. A predetermined network address may be sent a notification of the freeze alert.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating predictors performs motion estimation of a target macroblock in a target field against data segments in reference fields. The same motion estimation engine is used to perform various image processing operations to efficiently use resources of the apparatus. Different reference fields are used depending on modes of operation. In a deinterlacing mode, deinterlacing is performed using directional interpolation, recursive motion compensated deinterlacing, and motion adaptive deinterlacing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a list 0 motion vector of the co-located block in a first reference picture if the co-located block has the list 0 motion vector and a list 1 motion vector. The first reference picture is a type of reference picture permitted to be located temporally before or after the current picture. The method further includes deriving at least one motion vector of the bi-predictive block by applying a bit operation to the selected list 0 motion vector. The bit operation includes 8 bits right shift.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes selecting one motion vector of the co-located block in a first reference picture as the motion vector for deriving the motion vector of the bi-predictive block. A first temporal distance is derived from a difference between a current picture and a first reference picture. The current picture includes the bi-predictive block. A second temporal distance is derived from a difference between the first reference picture and a second reference picture. The selected motion vector is scaled based on the first and second temporal distances, and the motion vector of the bi-predictive block is derived based on the scaled motion vector.

Abstract: An image coding method includes: (i) determining, for each of one or more associated blocks, whether to add a motion vector of the associated block to a list, and (ii) adding the motion vector of the associated block to the list when determining that the motion vector of the associated block is to be added to the list; selecting, from the list, a motion vector which is to be merged to a current block; and (i) merging the selected motion vector to the current block, and (ii) coding the current block using the merged motion vector as a motion vector of the current block, and in the determining, it is determined that the motion vector of the associated block is not to be added to the list when an associated picture and an associated reference picture match temporally or when a current picture and a current reference picture match temporally.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes selecting the list0 motion vector of the co-located image block for the bi-predictive image block as a motion vector for deriving motion vectors of the bi-predictive image block regardless of whether the co-located block includes a list1 motion vector. The selected motion vector of the co-located block in the reference picture is scaled based on a temporal distance between a current picture and the reference picture. The current picture includes the bi-predictive block. The motion vector of the bi-predictive block is derived based on the scaled motion vector of the co-located block.

Abstract: A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented for processing and coding of video images. According to one such implementation, a method is implemented for encoding a sequence of images. A plurality of orthogonal transforms is implemented on a set of N images, where N is greater than one. The images are linked by motion fields that include sets of respective portions of the images. In particular, the construction of a motion-compensated orthogonal transform is accomplished for the important case where at least one portion of any of the N images—or any part of this portion—is used more than once to motion-compensate other portions of the N images—or parts thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a list 0 motion vector of the co-located block in a first reference picture if the co-located block has the list 0 motion vector and a list 1 motion vector. The first reference picture is a type of reference picture permitted to be located temporally before or after the current picture, and the selected list 0 motion vector points to a second reference picture which is a reference picture of the first reference picture. The method further includes deriving the list 0 and list 1 motion vectors of the bi-predictive block based on the selected list 0 motion vector of the co-located block. The deriving includes deriving a first temporal distance from a difference between the current picture and the first reference picture, deriving a second temporal distance from a difference between the first reference picture and the second reference picture, and scaling the selected list 0 motion vector of the co-located block based on the first and second temporal distances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coding a chrominance component of an intra-image using spatial predictive coding and a method and apparatus for decoding the coded chrominance component are provided.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a characteristic region detecting section that detects a characteristic region in an image, an image dividing section that divides the image into the characteristic region and a background region other than the characteristic region, and a compressing section that compresses a characteristic region image which is an image of the characteristic region and a background region image which is an image of the background region at different strengths from each other.

Abstract: Several methods and a system to perform determination of a field referencing pattern are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is disclosed. A motion vector of a previously coded frame is analyzed using a processor and a memory. A statistic is updated based on whether the motion vector includes one or more of a fractional pel vertical component, a half pel vertical component, and an integer pel vertical component. A field referencing pattern of a target field is determined based on the statistic and an exception protocol.

Abstract: An image and video enhancement technique is described that allows a core enhancement algorithm to be applied to images captured in various challenging lighting conditions. The technique detects a lighting impairment and inverts the image if it is a low-light impairment. The inverted low-light image is similar to haze impairment images, allowing both haze images and low-light images to be enhanced using the same enhancement algorithm.

Abstract: A 2-pixel averaging unit (101) halves an input image in the subscanning direction, and a multi-level error diffusion unit (102) performs multi-level error diffusion processing. A 2-pixel reconstruction unit (103) replaces each pixel with two pixels adjacent in the subscanning direction. A density value exchange unit (104) exchanges pixel values adjacent in the subscanning direction in each of 2×2 pixel blocks arranged in a checkered pattern in the image after replacement. High-density blocks each serving as a set of high-density dots and low-density blocks each serving as a set of low-density dots can be generated as 2×2 pixel blocks. The exposure region can be concentrated in PWM conversion.

Abstract: A method of updating parameters for pixels associated with a background estimation portion of a video frame is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a group of pixels of an incoming data stream associated with the video frame, each pixel of the group of pixels being characterized by a plurality of parameters; comparing, for each pixel of the group of pixels, the plurality of parameters for a pixel with the plurality of parameters for adjacent pixels; determining, for each pixel of the group of pixels, whether the parameters are similar to the parameters of an adjacent pixel; identifying a region of the group of pixels having similar parameters; and updating parameters for all pixels associated with the region with a single set of parameters.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for coding a motion vector by a multimedia image codec. The method including: calculating and storing difference vectors which represent differences between adjacent motion vectors of image data; selecting a central axis of the stored difference vectors based on trend information of the difference vectors; transforming the difference vectors based on the central axis of the difference vectors; and performing bit coding using the axis-transformed difference vectors.

Abstract: A video signal is coded using predictive coding. The degree of quantization that is applied is varied as a function of measures of predictive power, the idea being that a picture that is useful as a predictor for other pictures is worth coding well. These measures are formed in a pre-analysis of the pictures to obtain, for each macroblock analysed, a measure that depends on its similarity to a region for which it is a potential predictor. Preferably these measures are cumulative.

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 coding apparatus includes a particular region detecting unit configured to detect from an input picture a particular region including a particular picture, the particular region detected as a region within the input picture which has a hue within a predetermined range corresponding to an average hue of the particular picture and which has an amount of movement between different frames which is equal to or larger than a threshold. A coding unit generates a coded stream by performing coding processing that is intra-frame coding or interframe coding on the input picture, and performs with respect to the particular region a processing of embedding initial conditions into the coded stream, instead of performing the interframe coding.

Abstract: A print record management device includes a comparison unit that compares print image data produced on the basis of stored document data with the stored document data, and a determination unit that determines, from a result of the comparison, which of the print image data and association data showing association with the stored document data is to be stored as record data for enabling reproduction of printing processing in relation to the print image data.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for image decoding are described. A method performed by an image decoding apparatus includes generating motion compensation information and a quantized result of an error image that represents a difference between a current image to be decoded and a prediction image obtained by performing inter prediction on the current image from a bitstream of the current image. A reference image of the current image is received from an external memory unit based on the generated motion compensation information. The method includes restoring the current image based on the received reference image of the current image and the generated quantized result of the error image representing the difference between the current image and the prediction image. Receiving the reference image of the current image is performed while restoring a previous image, and restoring the current image is performed while receiving a reference image of a subsequent image.

Abstract: A motion vector detecting apparatus includes a correlation detecting unit, a repetitive object detecting unit and a motion vector detecting unit. The correlation detecting unit detects correlations among plural pieces of pixel data in plural directions. The repetitive object detecting unit detects whether or not concerned pixel data in which a motion vector is to be detected is located in a repetitive object. The motion vector detecting unit decreases a difference value in a direction coincident with a direction of motion vector having detected at a past time when the concerned pixel data is located in the repetitive object and detects a motion vector.

Abstract: In a lossless compression-encoding device, a differential coding part calculates a prediction value of data to be compressed, and calculates a prediction error that is a difference between the prediction value and an actual value of the data to be compressed. A prediction error conversion part performs reversal of a sign bit of the prediction error output by the differential coding part in case that the reversal of the sign bit of the prediction error decreases an absolute value of the prediction error. A variable-length coding part performs variable-length coding on the prediction error that has been processed by the prediction error conversion part to generate a variable-length code representing the prediction error, and outputs the variable-length code as compressed data in such a manner that a code length of the compressed data decreases as the absolute value of the prediction error decreases.

Abstract: A frame rate improving apparatus and method use a motion trajectory. The frame rate improving apparatus determines forward feature point trajectory information through a feature point, and generates a new intermediate frame by performing backward motion estimation through the feature point trajectory information, thereby generating an interpolated image with high quality.

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 of and apparatus to efficiently encode and/or decode an image are provided. The method of encoding an image includes: calculating a motion vector of a main reference image by estimating a motion of a current image with reference to the main reference image; deriving a motion vector of at least one auxiliary reference image from this motion vector; generating a prediction image of the current image by using a motion vector of the main reference image or the motion vector of the at least one auxiliary reference image; and encoding a residue image between the current image and the prediction image.

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 moving-picture coding device that performs inter-field motion compensation prediction, includes a reference limit area determining unit that determines to select, for each reference picture, with respect to reference pictures used for coding, a luminance or chrominance reference limit area putting a limit to a reference picture used for generating a prediction picture of a luminance or chrominance of a coding target block belonging to the coding target picture limit area of the case upon each reference picture being previously coded; a selecting inhibit vector determining unit that determines, in a case of coding the coding block belonging to the coding target picture limit area, a selecting inhibit vector that inhibits selecting a luminance and the chrominance are comprised only of pixels of the luminance reference limit area and the chrominance reference limit area.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing a prediction method of samples in blocks of an image is provided. The image includes a first block, a second block, a third block, and a fourth block, each of the blocks include 8×8 blocks and form one Macro block. The method includes performing a prediction of the second block, the third block and the fourth block by performing at least one of prediction methods. A prediction error per block (Pe) is computed for each prediction method that is performed to predict the second block, the third block, and the fourth block. The prediction error per block (Pe) equals an original block value minus a predicted block value. An optimal prediction method is chosen from each of the prediction methods performed that results in minimum ?|Pe| pixels per block (summation on pixels per block). The optimal prediction method and the Pe for each block are stored.

Abstract: A displacement vector detection unit searches for a signal with high correlation with an encoding target block using a locally-decoded image in an already encoded block so as to calculate, using a signal with the highest correlation as a displacement prediction signal, a displacement vector. A reduced-image displacement vector detection unit searches for a signal with high correlation with the encoding target block using a signal resulting from performing reduction at least either horizontally or vertically for the locally-decoded image in an already encoded block so as to obtain, using the signal with the highest correlation as the displacement prediction signal, the displacement vector indicating the displacement in a screen between a reduced encoding target block and a reduction displacement prediction signal. Then a signal with high correlation with the encoding target block from the displacement prediction signal and the reduction displacement prediction signal is selected as a prediction signal.

Abstract: A method for decomposition and rendering of video content and user interface for operating the method thereof is disclosed. First, a plurality of target shots are recognized from a video, the video is decomposed into a plurality of video units based on the playtime of each target shot. Then, the video frame of target shot is decomposed into a background scene and at least one foreground object. The editing process is performed on the background to generate the plentiful visual effect. The video content of each video unit is known by analyzing the information of the foreground object, and therefore each video unit can be annotated. Furthermore, the user interface reintegrates the foreground object in the background scene and generates the customized video content according to users' request, so that viewers may get more enjoyment on game watching.

Abstract: System and method for preparing spatially related medical digital image data sets for image compression and storage prior to image reconstruction. The system and method exploit the similarities between spatially adjacent digital image data sets to reduce the amount of data to be compressed and stored. The spatially adjacent digital image data sets correspond to a plurality of spatially contiguous digital image data sets acquired over, for example, a current anatomical portion of a patient using a medical imaging modality or, for example, a current portion of a man-made structure or a current portion of a geological feature using an imaging modality.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for reducing the required throughput in an ultra-wideband system is provided. A temporal sub-sampling routine limits the number of frames, or portions thereof, to be transmitted to a sink over an RF link. The temporal sub-sampling routine may have a fixed, or static, sub-sampling rate that specifies the rate at which frames are discarded. In accordance with another embodiment, an automatic temporal sub-sampling mechanism is provided. Additionally, a tile copying mechanism may be implemented for reducing the throughput of the RF link. A WDV subsystem may include an interface to an external frame buffer that facilitates the temporal sub-sampling and tile copy routines disclosed herein.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus including: a low-bit criterion image generation unit that reduces a bit number assigned to a pixel in a criterion image and generates low-bit criterion image data; a low bit reference image generation unit that reduces a bit number of a reference mage and generates low-bit reference image data; and a motion vector information generation unit that detects a block-unit local motion vector from the low-bit criterion/reference images and calculates reliability of the detected local motion vector. By reducing the image bit number, it is possible to detect a local motion vector in a simple configuration. By calculating a global motion vector using a local motion vector according to reliability, even if a local motion vector is detected from an image of the reduced bit number, it is possible to calculate a global motion vector at higher accuracy.