Patents Assigned to British Broadcasting Corporation
  • Patent number: 11778201
    Abstract: Decoding of a merge-predicted block is carried out, for triangular partitions of the block, using a combination of inter-prediction and intra-prediction. The combination of inter-prediction and intra-prediction to be used is signalled on a received bitstream. Combination may be algorithmic, for example arithmetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saverio Blasi, Andre Seixas Dias, Gosala Kulupana
  • Patent number: 11616950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to: a method of decoding, in a decoder, a bitstream representing an image, wherein the bitstream comprises a plurality of blocks of residual samples, and one or more reconstructed image frames of the image are obtained by adding a respective block of residual samples to a combined hypotheses block of intra-predictions, the combined hypotheses block of intra-predictions being formed by applying a method comprising: receiving the bitstream; for each block of residual samples: determining if a combined intra-prediction hypothesis is indicated and/or inferred from the bitstream and, if so: for each block of residual samples of a block for which a combined intra-prediction hypothesis is indicated and/or inferred: determining a first intra-prediction mode from information extracted from the bitstream; determining or inferring at least a second, different, intra-prediction mode; applying the first intra-prediction mode to at least one reference sample to form a first hypothesis predict
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Gosala Kulupana, Andre Seixas Dias, Saverio Blasi
  • Patent number: 11589038
    Abstract: Efficient prediction of samples within a block in a video encoder and decoder by means of computing both an inter-predicted prediction hypothesis as well as an intra-predicted prediction-hypothesis. The two prediction hypotheses are then combined together by means of parametric transformation to form a new prediction hypothesis which may be more accurate in predicting the content of the original block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saverio Blasi, Andre Seixas Dias, Gosala Kulupana
  • Patent number: 11317102
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of decoding a video bitstream, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a bitstream representing: residual samples produced by subtracting encoder filtered motion compensated prediction samples from image samples; and motion vectors used in forming the motion compensated prediction samples; the encoder filtering process conducted on the motion compensated prediction samples at an encoder having at least one parameter; using said motion vectors to provide motion compensated prediction samples from a previously reconstructed image; decoder filtering said motion compensated prediction samples in accordance with said at least one parameter; and adding said filtered motion compensated prediction samples to said residual samples to reconstruct images. A system and apparatus corresponding to this method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Matteo Naccari, Marta Mrak, Saverio Blasi, Andre Seixas Dias
  • Patent number: 11134242
    Abstract: An efficient high quality video coding and decoding technique is described. A prediction block is generated that contains modified coefficients. The modified coefficients improve the efficiency of the compression process once the prediction block is subtracted from the original block to generate a residual signal for quantisation and encoding. A similar process operates at the decoder side. The processes may operate in both the frequency and the spatial domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marta Mrak, Ebroul Izquierdo, Saverio Giovanni Blasi
  • Patent number: 11032344
    Abstract: A system for delivering content at varying qualities from a server to multiple client across a network has a server side converter and a client side converter. The server side converter makes unicast requests to a server for representations of content and converts these to multiple representations to be delivered as multicast streams. The client side converter receives a request for content from clients, determines a representation of content to obtain and subscribes to an appropriate multicast stream. The client side then converts the multicast stream back into segments available to a client by unicast request. In this way, data is delivered efficiently across a network from a server side to a client side whilst maintaining compatibility that client devices can issue traditional unicast requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Bradbury, Andrew Lipscombe
  • Publication number: 20210168378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of decoding a video bitstream, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a bitstream representing: residual samples produced by subtracting encoder filtered motion compensated prediction samples from image samples; and motion vectors used in forming the motion compensated prediction samples; the encoder filtering process conducted on the motion compensated prediction samples at an encoder having at least one parameter; using said motion vectors to provide motion compensated prediction samples from a previously reconstructed image; decoder filtering said motion compensated prediction samples in accordance with said at least one parameter; and adding said filtered motion compensated prediction samples to said residual samples to reconstruct images. A system and apparatus corresponding to this method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Matteo NACCARI, Marta MRAK, Saverio BLASI, Andre Seixas DIAS
  • Patent number: 10972747
    Abstract: A method of encoding image or video content within a set of targets such as a time, a complexity, quality, and bitrate, using an encoder having a plurality of coding configurations, comprises setting an initial coding configuration in the encoder, where coding configurations differ one from the other in the number of options tested for each of one or more tools. A first part of the content is encoded in the initial configuration and measures are made of the number of times a specified tool is used and a representative time taken to test an option for that specified tool. From those measures a prediction is made of the time difference between the time taken to encode content using the initial coding configuration and the time taken to encode content using another coding configuration in which a different number of options are tested for that specified tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Marta Mrak, Saverio Blasi, Ebroul Izquierdo, shenglan Huang
  • Patent number: 10893265
    Abstract: In video coding or decoding, coding blocks in a current frame are predicted from blocks in previously encoded frames with prediction samples and associated information organised in a prediction unit. A decision on which prediction unit type to consider for coding is made upon analysis of the distribution of a sum of absolute difference or other function of the residual signal over the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Matteo Naccari, Andrea Gabrieliini, Marta Mrak
  • Patent number: 10848729
    Abstract: Described are concepts, systems and techniques related to processing an input video signal intended for a first display to produce an output signal appropriate for a second display. The concepts, systems and techniques include converting using one or more transfer functions arranged to provide relative scene light values and remove or apply rendering intent of the input or output video signal, wherein the removing or applying rendering intent alters luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy John Borer, Andrew David Raine Cotton
  • Patent number: 10701459
    Abstract: A controller for controlling the output of an audio-video feed has an input for receiving audio-video content and a vector engine arranged to produce a continuous metadata value of M dimensions at intervals from the audio-video content. The metadata value may indicate aspect of the video content such as rate, pace, tone or other such information. A low pass filter and hysteresis filter are then provided to filter the continuous metadata value to produce a binary output. The binary output is provided to a retrieval module arranged to control the audio-video content in dependence upon the binary output. In this way, automated segmentation of audio-video content may be reliably achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventor: Simon Rankine
  • Publication number: 20200153676
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a system for providing users access to audio/visual content, the system comprising means for storing content, means for broadcasting content on a scheduled basis, means for downloading the stored content from the storage means, means for enabling a user to access the downloaded content only within a specified time period, means for streaming content off the storage means, and means for receiving the content broadcast on a scheduled basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bradbury, Tony Ageh, Gemma Garmeson, Fraser Pearce, Matthew Browning, Ben Gammon, Julia Whitney, Julie Dodd, Juergen Hoehn
  • Patent number: 10594997
    Abstract: A method and device for converting a video signal from a lower dynamic range source to produce a signal usable by target devices of a higher dynamic range comprises converting with a convertor that implements a process in which a received signal is received as a luminance component and separate colour components, A modified luminance component is then produced by applying an expansion function to the luminance component for luminance values above a threshold, applying a gamma function and then applying a scaling function. The modified luminance and separate colour components are then provided as an output signal for display on a target device of a higher dynamic range. The expansion of luminance ensures that the luminance range appropriately matches the range for a target display. By applying the expansion luminance values above a threshold, values below a threshold can be maintained with appropriate values for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventor: Simon Thompson
  • Patent number: 10491448
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a system for providing users access to audio/visual content, the system comprising means for storing content, means for broadcasting content on a scheduled basis, means for downloading the stored content from the storage means, means for enabling a user to access the downloaded content only within a specified time period, means for streaming content off the storage means, and means for receiving the content broadcast on a scheduled basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bradbury, Tony Ageh, Gemma Garmeson, Fraser Pearce, Matthew Browning, Ben Gammon, Julia Whitney, Julie Dodd, Jurgen Hoehn
  • Patent number: 10455209
    Abstract: Described are concepts, systems and techniques related to processing an input video signal intended for a first display to produce an output signal appropriate for a second display. The concepts, systems and techniques include converting using one or more transfer functions arranged to provide relative scene light values and remove or apply rendering intent of the input or output video signal, wherein the removing or applying rendering intent alters luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy John Borer, Andrew David Raine Cotton
  • Patent number: 10396869
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing an OFDM MIMO signal in a system having at least two transmitters arranged to transmit an output signal pair that includes operating a series of transformations on a pair of input signals so that each stream of the output signal pair contains decodable information from both streams of the input signal pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Neil Moss, Adam Wiewiorka
  • Patent number: 10394888
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying one or more locations of a video clip within video content. In embodiments, a method comprises producing segments of the video clip, comparing the segments of the video clip to segments of the video content, and producing a first measure of similarity of the video clip to the video content at relatively displaced temporal positions. A method can further include filtering and comparing to identify, from a second measure of similarity, the one or more locations of the video clip within the video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Richard Clark, Jana Eggink
  • Patent number: 10320875
    Abstract: A system for delivering content at varying qualities from a server to multiple client across a network has a server side converter and a client side converter. The server side converter makes unicast requests to a server for representations of content and converts these to multiple representations to be delivered as multicast streams. The client side converter receives a request for content from clients, determines a representation of content to obtain and subscribes to an appropriate multicast stream. The client side then converts the multicast stream back into segments available to a client by unicast request. In this way, data is delivered efficiently across a network from a server side to a client side while maintaining compatibility that client devices can issue traditional unicast requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bradbury, Andrew Lipscombe
  • Patent number: 10305614
    Abstract: A method of operating a wireless network operating on a single frequency across a geographical area involves dividing the network into regions and arranging that the transmission of signals in subsets of adjacent regions on the same frequency is such that a receiver does not receive signals from more regions than can be separated using demapping techniques. The transmission method evolves a pattern of time slots such that the number of adjacent regions of a subset of regions transmitting simultaneously on a single frequency is less than the number of signals that each receiver is capable of demapping. The demapping arrangements may include MIMO techniques, constellation schemes, QAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: British Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Moss
  • Patent number: 10298943
    Abstract: In video coding, where differences between input picture values and picture prediction values are transformed in a block based transform, the differences are formed in a series of parallel steps. A first step conducted in parallel upon a first subset of pixels uses prediction values based wholly on previously processed blocks. This first subset can include anchor pixels which are not contiguous with any previously processed block. A second step conducted in parallel upon a second subset includes pixels which are predicted from pixels of the first subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marta Mrak, Thomas Davies, David John Flynn, Andrea Gabriellini