Abstract: A method for determining a best match between a first pixel array in a picture currently being encoded and a plurality of second pixel arrays in a search region of a reference picture, wherein each of the first and second pixel arrays includes a plurality of rows and columns of individual pixel values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for encoding areas of an image that have definable parameters as graphic objects and then encoding the remaining areas of the image, if any, as a raster scanned image. This method and apparatus is particularly well suited for the encoding of an image that has areas that can be described as having a particular texture characteristic. Each area of the image, and subsequent images, that have the particular texture characteristic is encoded with an identifier to the texture characteristic, rather than encoded with the details of the texture itself. Regular texture pattern types, such as bricks, marble, woodgrain, satin, velour, etc. are associated with areas of the image, and the encoding of these areas merely contain an identification of the pattern type. Areas of the image that do not contain regular texture pattern types are encoded as conventional raster scanned areas of the image.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video encoder and a video decoder. The video encoder comprises base layer circuitry for receiving an input stream of video frames and generating compressed base layer video data for transmission to a streaming video receiver. The base layer video data comprises original transform coefficients (O) associated with the input stream of video frames and reconstructed base layer transform coefficients (B) associated with the original transform coefficients. The video encoder also comprises enhancement layer circuitry for receiving the original transform coefficients (O) and the reconstructed base layer transform coefficients (B) and generating a residual signal (R) proportional to a difference between the original transform coefficients (O) and the reconstructed base layer transform coefficients (B). The enhancement layer circuitry encodes and sends to the streaming video receiver a sign of the residual signal (R) and the bit planes of the residual signal (R).

Abstract: A data stream (DS) comprises a time multiplex of coded data (D) and control data (C). The data stream (DS) may be, for example, of the MPEG type representing a sequence of pictures. The coded data (D) is transcoded (T) so as to obtain transcoded data (DT) which differs in size from the coded data (D). The control data (C) is adapted for the transcoded data (DT) so as to obtain adapted control data (CA) which does not substantially differ in size from the control data (C). The transcoded data (DT) and the adapted control data (CA) are written into a transcoder output buffer (TOB) and read from the transcoder output buffer (TOB) so as to obtain a transcoded data stream (DST). This allows an efficient use of a transmission channel via which the transcoded data stream (DST) is to be transmitted and, consequently, it allows a satisfactory transcoding quality.

Abstract: In order to characterize video content, key frames are identified in that content. The key frames are collapsed into histograms. The histograms are grouped into families. The families are each represented by a family histogram. The family histograms characterize the video content. The family histograms can be used to determine program boundaries or index the video content.

Abstract: A system for implementing an interactive broadcast program which includes a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed data stream which includes a main program and a plurality of different commercials, and a receiver (e.g., a digital television receiver) configured to receive the multiplexed data stream. The receiver includes a display device (e.g., a television monitor) and, facilities responsive to a user action for causing the display device to display a selected one of the plurality of different commercials during a commercial interruption in the main program. Also disclosed is a system for implementing an interactive broadcast program which includes a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed data stream which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of different second main program segments, and a receiver. The receiver (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a video coding method based on an adaptive frame/field encoding mode. In order to avoid an impairment of the image quality and of the compression efficiency when a video sequence comprises a lot of motion or on the contrary quasi-motionless images, an improved real time double pass encoding scheme is proposed: during the first pass, no video stream is generated, but statistical results are computed and then provided to the second pass in order to optimize during said second pass the bit rate allocation and the buffer management. This improved double pass encoding method leads to an increase of the compression efficiency of about 10%.

Abstract: A signal having blocks of values is coded by: producing respective bit-streams (DCT—1 . . . DCT_N) for respective individual blocks, and obtaining a scalable bit-stream by cyclically and sequentially scanning selected parts (P1,P2, . . . ) of the respective bit-streams (DCT—1 . . . DCT_N) of the respective individual blocks, wherein, in a given scanning cycle, the respective bit-streams (DCT—1 . . . DCT_N) are scanned in an order of decreasing significance. In a further embodiment, the blocks represent a coded image and the given scanning cycle starts at a block approximately at a center of the coded image. In another embodiment, the blocks represent a coded image and the given scanning cycle scans the respective bit-streams in an image-adaptive order being determined by a predetermined criterion, such as a contrast value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a frequency converter FCV comprising a frequency divider FRACN, and an input port REG intended to receive a control word N(1:L) which determines a division ratio between the input FLO and output FDIV frequencies of the frequency divider FRACN. The frequency converter in accordance with the invention FCV additionally comprises interface means INT, arranged between the input port REG and the frequency divider FRACN, and intended to carry out a conversion of a control word value N(1:L) to a first and a second parameter M(1:L-P) and k(1:P) which jointly define a non-integer value of the division ratio of the frequency divider FRACN. The invention enables the user to program the frequency divider FRACN by means of a unique control word N(1:L), while customarily two control words are necessary to program non-integer division ratios.

Abstract: By inserting a downsampling filter between the decoding and re-encoding parts of a transcoder, a reduced resolution transcoding is performed. Before transferring the decoded motion vectors to the encoding part, the motion vectors are processed by additional operations provided in order to take into account the fact that macroblocks before and after the resizing step no longer match.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of decoding audio-visual data allowing to process, on the basis of an improved syntactic language, distinct elements of a scene as objects for which individual animations, particular interactions user/elements, and specific relations between the elements and the defined animations and/or interactions can be provided, the description being organized in a hierarchical tree also including transversal connections provided both for embedding bidimensional and/or tridimensional objects in each other and optionally controlling the rendering of scenes from various view points, while maintaining a control of all related actions both in the embedded objects and/or scenes and in the original ones.

Abstract: In the Improved PB-frames mode, one of the options of the H.263+ Recommendation, a macroblock of a B-frame may be encoded according to a forward, a backward or a bidirectional prediction mode. The invention relates to a method of encoding a sequence of pictures defining a strategy for the choice of a prediction mode among the three possible ones in the encoding of B-macroblock. This strategy is based upon SAD(Sum of Absolute Difference) calculations and motion vectors coherence and allows to use backward prediction when scene cuts occur. The calculations are here performed on original pictures allowing less calculation and reduction in CPU burden. The invention also relates to an encoding system for carrying out said method and including a computer-readable medium storing instructions that allow the implementation of this method.

Abstract: For raising a frame rate, first a sequence of source frames is received at a source frame rate. For a pair of immediately adjacent source frames of this sequence, one or more intermediate frames are synthesized through a geometrical transform. In particular, each intermediate frame is based exclusively on an immediately preceding source frame. Display frames are selected from the sequence of the intermediate frames, and as the case may be, also from the source frames.

Abstract: A description is given of a circuit arrangement for converting an input AC voltage into a rectified output voltage with a rectifier circuit (G) and a charging capacitor (CHV) downstream in the circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement additionally includes a stabilizing capacitor (C1, C2) which is connected in parallel to the charging capacitor (CHV) so that the stabilizing capacitor (C1, C2) is charged to its maximum when the charging capacitor (CHV) is charged, until the value of the voltage present on the stabilizing capacitor (C1, C2) corresponds to a fraction of a maximum peak voltage present on the charging capacitor (CHV). This stabilizing capacitor is discharged, in essence, only when the voltage present on the charging capacitor (CHV) drops below the value of the voltage present on the stabilizing capacitor (C1, C2).

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in a video editing system, a video processing device capable of receiving a first video clip containing at least one shot (or scene) consisting of a sequence of uninterrupted related frames and performing fast forward or slow motion special effects that vary according to the activity level in the shot. The video processing device comprises an image processor capable of identifying the shot and determining a first activity level within at least a portion of the shot. The image processor then performs the selected speed change special effect by adding frames or deleting frames in the first portion in response to the activity level determination, thereby producing a modified shot.

Abstract: A system which controls data output to a network determines a maximum amount of data that could be output to the network based on an amount of data that can be read from the network during a predetermined time period, and then obtains a difference between an amount of data that has actually been output to the network and the maximum amount. Thereafter, the system outputs, to the network and within the predetermined time period, an amount of data packets that is based on the difference. For a last data packet to be output to the network in the predetermined time period, the system determines a first number of bits by which an amount of data will exceed the difference in the event that the data packet is output to the network, determines a second number of bits by which an amount of data will fall short of the difference in the event that the data packet is not output to the network, and outputs the data packet in a case that the first number is less than the second number.

Abstract: The variable bitrate coding method according to the invention comprises an iterative process including a first coding pass and a second prediction pass. The coding pass allows for a picture coding of a sequence with a constant quantization stepsize (and quality) and the prediction pass allows for a matching of the stepsize to the wanted target bitrate. After some iterations, a last step allows for a finer adjustment of said stepsize with respect to said target bitrate.

Abstract: In computer graphics the image of a surface patch is computed, including specular reflections (mirror-like reflections) from the surface patch. A bump map is used to perturb the normal to a surface, so as to simulate bumps on the surface, which cause specular reflection highlights. The bump map assigns a perturbation vector to each point on several different surface patches and the same perturbation is applied to corresponding points on different surface patches, irrespective of orientation and shape differences between the surface patches. Preferably, the perturbation vector is always parallel to the viewscreen direction, irrespective of the direction of the normal that is being perturbed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transcoding device comprising partial decoding means (PD) for receiving a primary coded signal (S1) and providing a dequantized signal (IQS) including DCT coefficients ; quantization means (Q) for receiving the dequantized signal and providing a quantized signal (QS) using correction matrices (COR); and partial encoding means (PE) for receiving the quantized signal and providing a secondary coded signal (S2). Such a transcoding device allows the primary signal encoded at a first bit rate to be converted into the secondary signal encoded at a second bit rate lower than the first one while an optimum signal quality is maintained.