Abstract: Variable length coding (VLC) techniques are described for coded block patterns (CBPs) used in block-based video coding. In VLC of CBPs, patterns of transform coefficients that are more likely to occur are coded with shorter codes, while patterns of coefficients that are less likely to occur are coded with longer codes. According to the techniques of this disclosure, several different VLC tables are stored in the coding devices. During the encoding and decoding processes, one of the VLC tables is selected and used to perform the coding of CBPs for a given video block. The table may be selected based on a number of neighboring video blocks to the current video block that include non-zero transform coefficients. The techniques may be particularly useful in the coding of video blocks of enhancement layers in scalable video coding (SVC).

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques useful in the encoding and/or decoding of video data of a video sequence. In general, this disclosure sets forth scanning techniques useful in the context of sub-band coding, which may improve the level of compression that can be achieved by entropy coding following sub-band coding. In one example, a method of encoding video data of a video sequence comprises sub-band encoding the video data to generate a plurality of sub-bands, scanning each of the sub-bands from two-dimensional blocks into one-dimensional vectors based on scan orders defined for each of the sub-bands, and entropy encoding each of the scanned sub-bands.

Abstract: Techniques for complexity-adaptive and automatic two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) image and video conversion which classifies a frame of a 2D input into one of a flat image class and a non-flat image class are described. The flat image class frame is directly converted into 3D stereo for display. The frame that is classified as a non-flat image class is further processed automatically and adaptively, based on complexity, to create a depth map estimate. Thereafter, the non-flat image class frame is converted into a 3D stereo image using the depth map estimate or an adjusted depth map. The adjusted depth map is processed based on the complexity.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for coding an enhancement layer in a scalable video coding (SVC) scheme. The techniques may be used in coding transform coefficients, and are particularly useful in variable length coding of refinement coefficients of an enhancement layer of a SVC scheme. According to the techniques of this disclosure, information is transmitted from an encoder device to a decoder device that identifies which variable length coding tables should be used for the decoding two or more different types of video blocks. The information may be transmitted once per frame (or other coded unit), and may identify a first table to be used for intra-coded blocks and a second table to be used for inter-coded blocks of a respective frame. The decoder performs table selection based on this information, and decodes different types of video blocks using the selected table for each block type.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for decoding a bi-directional picture predicted from two reference frames with a motion compensation codec that is capable of locating reference frame portions from only one reference frame at a time. Including locating a first reference frame portion from a first frame in a first pass, storing the first reference frame portion in memory; locating a second reference frame portion from a second frame in a second pass, and combining the first reference frame portion and the second reference frame portion to form a bi-directionally predicted portion. Also, a method and apparatus for restricting the encoding of a bi-directional picture predicted from two reference frames to be decoded by a motion compensation codec that is capable of locating reference frame portions from only one reference frame at a time and is capable of decoding a limited number of partitions for each macroblock.

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: Adaptive variable length coding techniques may be used for entropy coding of residual block coefficients produced by predictive video coding. The techniques may be applied to schemes that code positions of nonzero transform coefficients using zero runs. Coding parameters such as end of block (EOB) shift and VLC codebook selection tables may be maintained as internal states, instead of sending them with coded video slice data. Table entries may be periodically updated based on statistics collected during a coding pass. A special EOB shift table may adapt the position of a special EOB symbol in a symbol set to probability of significant coefficients with magnitude greater than one for a coding condition, such as a coding cycle. Chroma blocks may be coded independently of luma blocks using separate EOB shift, special EOB shift, and VLC codebook selection tables.

Abstract: Diffusion dithering can be performed efficiently by applying a set of diffusion filter weights with one or more shift, add, and/or subtract operations. An existing diffusion filter can be approximated with dyadic rationals, thereby allowing division operations in applying the filter weights to be performed with bit-shifting operations. An algorithm is identified to calculate the product of a set of filter weights and a pixel error, where the algorithm performs the calculations using one or more shift, add, or subtract operations. An exhaustive search of the combinations of operations can be made to find an efficient algorithm to calculate the products.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for correcting artifacts that occur along a boundary of a substitute video unit generated using video unit substitution, e.g., motion-compensated video unit interpolation or extrapolation. In accordance with the techniques described in this disclosure, a frame substitution unit identifies first locations within a substitute video unit that correspond with a boundary that exists within a reference video unit and should exist within the substitute video unit, and corrects boundary artifacts in the first locations using a first boundary artifact correction technique. The frame substitution unit also identifies second locations within the substitute video unit that correspond with a boundary that exists within the substitute video unit and does not exist within the reference video unit and corrects boundary artifacts in the second locations using a second boundary artifact correction technique.

Abstract: In a process, a power mode indicator is transmitted from a content server and is received by a Portable Communication Device (PCD). The indicator is indicative of a power mode potentially available to a circuit block in the PCD. The circuit block exhibits different levels of power consumption when operated in different power modes and is operated in the indicated power mode in response to the received power mode indicator. The content server may be a stream server. The circuit block may be operated in the power mode to receive/process a data stream.

Abstract: A system for processing user interface actions generated from a user interface device, including generating a freshness status for the user interface action. The freshness status indicates a freshness state associated with the user interface action. The freshness status is associated wit the user interface action.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure communications between remote computing devices and servers. A network, device sends characteristics of a client computing device over the network. A network device receives characteristics of a client computing device over the network. A plurality of credentials are generated where at least one of the plurality of credentials based on both the received characteristics of the client computing device and a unique client key, and at least one of the plurality of credentials based on both the received characteristics of the client computing device and a generic key. A network device sends the plurality of credentials over the network. A network device receives the plurality of credentials via the network.

Abstract: System for application priority based on device operating mode. A method is provided for allocating a top visible resource on a device. The method includes receiving a request requesting allocation of the top visible resource to a requesting application, and determining that the top visible resource is allocated to an owning application. The method also includes associating owner information with requester information to form an arbitration request. The method also includes arbitrating the arbitration request to produce an arbitration decision that indicates that the top visible resource is to be allocated to the requesting application if the owner information indicates that the owning application is privileged and an identifier that identifies the requesting application is contained in a relinquish list associated with the owner information.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for collecting end-user opinions of applications and data in a wireless communications network. The system identifies the end-user who has downloaded software applications and/or data to a wireless device and collects end-user opinion preferably through the transmission of a targeted questionnaire to the wireless device.