Abstract: A novel de-blocking and de-banding filter and a related method of operation reduce and/or remove blocking and banding artifacts that originate from a low bitrate video compression. For filtering a luminance channel, the de-blocking and de-banding filter determines filtering needs and also adjusts filtering strengths based on a compression level (Qp) and a gray level of the video signal. For filtering a chrominance channel, the de-blocking and de-banding filter determines the filtering needs and adjusts the filtering strengths based on Qp alone. Preferably, the de-blocking and de-banding filter utilizes a low pass filter of adjustable strength at a border of a block perpendicular to the border or a band border. The adjustable strength of the de-blocking and de-banding filter is a function of the compression level (Qp) and/or the gray level of the video signal, but does not depend on a duration of the blocking and/or banding artifacts.

Abstract: A video bit-rate reduction system utilizing a reference images matrix and a method of operating the video bit-rate reduction system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the video bit-rate reduction system includes an encoder-side bit-rate reduction system (e.g. a video signal transmitter) with a reference images matrix matchmaker and a decoder-side bit-rate reduction system (e.g. a video signal receiver) with a reference images matrix reconstructor. The video bit-rate reduction system is designed to accommodate a reference images matrix-based symbolization, matchmaking, and reconstruction of residual signals that are processed through a support layer pathway with a high bit-rate reduction and data transmission efficiency, while retaining the high-quality of the video data without any or substantial visible degradation of image and video quality.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bidimensional video processing comprise preprocessing the video signal in horizontal and vertical dimensions of the video signal to reduce an amount of information of the video signal by low pass filtering the video signal and removing pixels to obtain an information-reduced video signal; expanding the information-reduced video signal by an expander process to produce an upconverted video signal; and comparing the upconverted video signal to the original video input to generate a support signal based on a difference between the original video signal and the upconverted video signal. Further embodiments include at least one of storing and transmitting the information-reduced video signal and the support signal; and during post-processing, processing and combining the information-reduced video signal and the support signal to generate a full information duplicate of the video signal.

Abstract: A combiner processing system and a method of operating the combiner processing system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the combiner processing system is utilized for a support layer processing in a bit-rate reduction system that separates video data into a main layer and a support layer with separated encodings for the two layers for bit-rate reduction and data transmission efficiency. Preferably, the combiner processing system for the support layer processing is capable of processing repeat patterns, small high frequency details, and textual information contained in one or more images. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the combiner processing system for the support layer processing provides a motion vector detection on a full image reconstruction, a non-linear quantization which retains both textual information and small high frequency details, utilization of full combination motion vectors, and a separate processing path for textual information with an internal bit-rate reduction unit.

Abstract: A method and system for multidimensional video processing comprises preprocessing a video signal in at least two of horizontal, vertical and temporal dimensions of the video signal to reduce an amount of information of the video signal to obtain an information-reduced signal and filtered components that are separated from the video signal; and using the information-reduced signal to generate simulated filtered components, and generating support signals based on a difference between the filtered components and the simulated filtered components.

Abstract: One or more systems and methods for edge-adaptive and recursive non-linear filtering of ringing effect on image or video data are disclosed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for edge-adaptive and recursive non-linear filtering of ringing effect first involves detecting all edges within a process area of an image, including a direction of an edge slope and a value of an edge signal level. Then, if the process area is determined to be a “non-busy” area based on a “busyness” measure relative to empirically-defined threshold values, then an edge influence function subsequently determines whether to apply a de-ringing filter to a current pixel within the process area or not. Preferably, the de-ringing filter is edge-adaptive, non-linear, and recursive. The de-ringing filter can adjust the current pixel multiple times based on filter angles, adjacent pixels, and pixel transition levels.

Abstract: A method and system for separating even and odd lines in a progressive video signal comprises generating from the even lines simulated odd lines, comparing the simulated odd lines with the original odd lines to obtain a support signal, and transmitting the even lines and the support signal in order to reconstitute the full picture. Alternatively, separating odd and even lines may be replaced by separating high- and low-frequency vertical signal components, generating from the low-frequency vertical signal components simulated high-frequency vertical signal components, comparing the simulated high-frequency vertical signal components with the original high-frequency signal components to obtain a support signal.

Abstract: A method and system for separating even and odd lines in a progressive video signal comprises generating from the even lines simulated odd lines, comparing the simulated odd lines with the original odd lines to obtain a support signal, and transmitting the even lines and the support signal in order to reconstitute the full picture. Alternatively, separating odd and even lines may be replaced by separating high- and low-frequency vertical signal components, generating from the low-frequency vertical signal components simulated high-frequency vertical signal components, comparing the simulated high-frequency vertical signal components with the original high-frequency signal components to obtain a support signal.

Abstract: A method and system for multidimensional video processing comprises preprocessing a video signal in at least two of horizontal, vertical and temporal dimensions of the video signal to reduce an amount of information of the video signal to obtain an information-reduced signal and filtered components that are separated from the video signal; and using the information-reduced signal to generate simulated filtered components, and generating support signals based on a difference between the filtered components and the simulated filtered components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bidimensional video processing comprise preprocessing the video signal in horizontal and vertical dimensions of the video signal to reduce an amount of information of the video signal by low pass filtering the video signal and removing pixels to obtain an information-reduced video signal; expanding the information-reduced video signal by an expander process to produce an upconverted video signal; and comparing the upconverted video signal to the original video input to generate a support signal based on a difference between the original video signal and the upconverted video signal. Further embodiments include at least one of storing and transmitting the information-reduced video signal and the support signal; and during post-processing, processing and combining the information-reduced video signal and the support signal to generate a full information duplicate of the video signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pre-processing a progressive scan signal comprise: receiving by a processor thea progressive scan signal; detecting an amount of vertical motion present in the progressive scan signal; low pass filtering the progressive scan signal in a vertical domain as a function of the amount of vertical motion present to generate a pre-filtered progressive signal; and interlacing the pre-filtered progressive signal to generate an interlaced signal having a minimal amount of artifacts.