Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a registration processor that divides a frame of a water marked image into a plurality of image blocks. For each of the image blocks, an observed probability of possible distortion vectors representing shifts of the image block with respect to positions of the block in the original version of the image is estimated. For each of the image blocks, forward and backward probability distribution estimates of possible distortion vectors within the image block are generated recursively from the respective observed probability of distortion vectors for the image block and forward and backward probability distribution estimates determined respectively from previous and subsequent image blocks for a predetermined path through the blocks. For each image block, the forward and backward probability distribution estimates and the observed probability of distortion vector are combined to form a most likely distortion vector estimate.

Abstract: A method of transferring information signals representing still images, video audio and/or other data comprises sending, the information signals to a recipient apparatus or “viewer” 10 from a server 2 via a network 12. Data indicative of whether or not further data is to be embedded in the information signals is also sent either with the signals or separately. The further data is embedded in the information signals at the viewer 10 in dependence upon the indicative data. The further data is perceptible in the information signals as to degrade them.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus registers an image encoded with a two-dimensional water mark pattern. The water mark includes for each image frame a water mark frame pattern of water mark blocks. The water mark pattern includes plural regions each including one water mark block selected from a predetermined set of possible water mark blocks based on a key sequence. The key sequence provides a predetermined sequence of selected water mark blocks to form the water mark pattern of each frame to provide a predetermined sequence of water marked frames. The data processing apparatus includes a block match processor generating block match probabilities including for each region of a current frame of the water marked image a probability surface of possible distortion vectors for each possible water mark block of the set of possible water marked blocks that may have been added to that region of the image frame.

Abstract: A data structure for representing metadata describes the content of at least one shot or sub-shot of information material. The data structure comprises a volume identification defining a data carrier on which the information material is contained, at least one shot identification defining the shot or sub-shot within the material, and at least one type of metadata associated with the content of the shot or sub-shot. The volume identification is arranged at a first hierarchical level and the shot identification is arranged at a lower hierarchical level and the metadata describing the shot is arranged with respect to the shot hierarchical level. The data structure provides an efficient facility for communicating metadata between metadata nodes including application programs which use the metadata. The metadata is identified on the basis of a shot and volume on which the information material which the metadata describes is contained.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an encoding data processing apparatus for generating a marked copy of an item of material by introducing code words into a copy of the material item. The code words are arranged to identify a data word from a set of data words having at least two fields. The apparatus comprises a code word generator operable to generate at least two code words having a plurality of code word coefficients, each of the code words being independently generated from a different code word seed, and an encoding processor operable to combine the code word coefficients with the material item. One of the code words is selected from a first set in dependence upon a value of a first of the data fields and one of the code words is selected from a second set in dependence upon a value of a second of the data fields.

Abstract: A compression and de-compression arrangement is provided for a display device having a display memory and a display. The arrangement includes a color processor which reduces the color samples by processing a pair of pixels to produce first and second luminance values and forming first and second output chrominance values from the pair of pixels. The first and second output chrominance values are formed by calculating for each pixel the corresponding U and V chrominance values and forming the first and second chrominance values (U, V) from the average of the values for each pixel. Forming the compressed representation of the color image provides an advantage when recovering the original image, particularly for example where the image contains detail and/or text. The image processing apparatus of the system receives the group of color component signal samples from the display memory and generates first and second output pixels, each comprising three color component values (R, G, B), from each group.

Abstract: An encoding data processor generates a video material item marked copy by representing a payload data word as a code word embedded into a copy of the video material item. A preprocessor forms plural initial values having the same predetermined length, by representing one or more parts of the payload data word in one or more of the initial values, each including a field index, and setting remaining parts of the initial value to a predetermined value. An encryption processor receives each initial value and generates an encrypted data stream therefrom using a payload encryption key to provide plural encrypted data streams. The parts of the encrypted data streams are combined with frames of the material item. Plural initial values include the same part of the payload data, and a field index value for the initial value including the same payload data is changed with respect to other initial values.

Abstract: A system for recovering an estimate of a finger print code word from an un-authorised copy of content material includes a content packaging apparatus. The content packaging apparatus includes a secure content production device and a proxy generator. The secure content production device is operable to convert the content material into a content data file for distribution to a reproduction apparatus, the content data file including frames of the content material which are to be reproduced by a reproduction apparatus and to encrypt the content data file using a content encryption key to form a secure content data file for secure distribution to the reproduction apparatus. The proxy generator is operable to generate a proxy version of the content material representing a reduced quality version of the content material, the quality being reduced to discourage unauthorised copying of the content material and including the frames of the content material which are to be reproduced by the reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: A data communication system for communicating an input streamed data signal having an associated clock signal including at least two data handling nodes each having a physical layer interface device and a balanced line interface device, a transmitting one of the data handling nodes being arranged to transmit the input data signal to a receiving one of the data handling nodes; and a twisted-pair wired connection linking the data handling nodes, the wired connection comprising a cable providing at least two parallel data transmission paths between the data handling nodes; in which: at the transmitting node, the input data signal is supplied to the physical layer interface device for packeted transmission via one data transmission path of the wired connection to the receiving node; and the clock signal associated with the input data signal is supplied to the balanced line interface device for substantially continuous transmission via another of the data transmission paths to the receiving node; and at the receiv

Abstract: A digital image processing apparatus for applying pixel-based color correction to an input image to generate an output image is described herein. The apparatus includes color correction logic arranged to provide two or more color correction processes. Each color correction process has a respective associated locus in a color space and a respective associated color mapping operation. The color correction processes are arranged as a succession of processes so that the results of a color correction process form the input to a next such process in the succession. Each color correction process is operable to detect whether each pixel lies within the respective locus in color space and, if so, to apply the color mapping operation to that pixel. Each color correction process after the first process in the succession is configured to inhibit color mapping in respect of the loci associated with previous processes in the succession.

Abstract: An audio/video recording apparatus and a method of multiplexing audio/video data of a first input memory with supplementary data of a second input memory wherein a DMA processor is provided with a link list for the audio/video data and the supplementary data, an output memory is provided with instructions to receive a data amount equal to the combination of audio/video data and supplementary data and the DMA processor is instructed to carry out a DMA process to the output memory on the basis of the link list.

Abstract: A processor (403) is provided for processing identifiers of video and/or audio material. The processor is for use with a video and/or audio material processing device. The device has a plurality of inputs (IN) for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output (OUT) at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, and a state output at which data defining the state of the device is output. The processor is arranged to: detect (405) the identifiers of the input material; determine (406) from the state data the combination of the input material forming the output material; generate (407) an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material. Identifiers preferably indicate whether the material emanates from a recorder or from a live source.

Abstract: A system generates automatically a highlight summary of a performance, from signals representing a captured version of the performance. The system includes a user operated event logging processor and an ingestion processor. The user operated event logging processor is operable to log event codes, each of which is selected by the user from a set of event codes. Each of the event codes in the set of event codes represents a predetermined event which may occur in the performance, the event codes being selected by the user when an event corresponding to the event code occurs during an observed performance. The ingestion processor is operable to receive the event codes and to receive signals produced by capturing a representation of the performance.

Abstract: Image object detection apparatus in which test regions of a test image are compared with an image property model, a mask defining a subset of pixel positions within a test region, comprises means for comparing pixel properties in the test image defined by the test regions with the image property model to detect a property difference between the image property model and a test region; so that pixel property differences within the mask and pixel property differences outside the mask are combined with opposite respective polarities to form a difference value in respect of that test region, an object being detected in the test image at a test region corresponding to a lowest difference value between the image property model and pixels defined by the test region.

Abstract: A face detection apparatus associated methodology is provided to generate an output indicating a likelihood of a region of an image containing a face. The apparatus includes a comparing device for comparing the region with face data that indicates a presence of the face and for detecting respective likelihood values indicating the likelihood of the region containing the face in a group of respective different face size. A control device is provided for modifying at least one of the group and the likelihood values based on a face size or a range of face sizes appropriate to at least one classification of the image. The control device is responsive to metadata associated with the image that define the at least one classification of the image. The image is a part of a video sequence, and at least one classification includes a video program type.

Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus for searching a set of information items. The apparatus comprises a mapping processor, a graphical user interface, a user control and a search processor. The mapping processor is operable to generate data representative of a map of information items from a set of information items. The map provides the information items with respect to positions in an array in accordance with a mutual similarity of the information items, similar information items mapping to similar positions in the array. The graphical user interface displays a representation of at least some of the information items, and the user control is provided for selecting an information item. The search processor is operable to perform a related search with respect to the user selected information item by identifying information items which correspond to neighboring position in the array with respect to the array position corresponding to the user selected information item.

Abstract: A data communications system for communicating a data signal formed of successive data elements, said system comprising a transmission node; a reception node; and a link providing a data connection from said transmission node to said reception node; in which: said transmission node comprises a clock signal transmitter for transmitting a synchronisation clocking signal to said reception node via said link, said synchronisation clocking signal having synchronising features occurring at a frequency lower than a data element rate; an assembler for assembling elements of said data signal into data frames, each data frame having a plurality of successive data elements of said data signal, for transmission to said reception node via said link, said assembler being responsive to said synchronisation clocking signal so as to set a synchronisation flag associated with a data element having a first predetermined temporal relationship with a synchronising feature of said synchronisation clocking signal; and said receptio

Abstract: A video replay apparatus including a content storage device, a replay controller configured to control a replay of video material from the content storage device, the replay controller being configured to control the replay in accordance with metadata associated with the video material, the metadata defining an information content of the video material and defining an information event within the video material as a threshold change in the information content, and the replay controller is further configured to replay the video material with a pre-defined number of information events in a unit of time in a replayed sequence.

Abstract: Object detection apparatus for detecting objects in a test image comprises means for comparing blocks of a test window of the image with reference data indicative of the presence of an object to generate index figures indicative of a degree of similarity between a region and the reference data; means for storing probability data corresponding to possible values of the index figure and the block position; means operable, in respect of a current block, for accessing a probability value from the storing means in dependence on that block's position within the test window and the index figure generated in respect of that block; and means for combining the probability values corresponding to blocks in a test window to generate a result indicative of the probability of that test window containing an object; in which the probability values in the storing means are ordered by block position then by index figure.

Abstract: A data compression apparatus for performing data compression on input data comprises a quantisation parameter estimation arrangement for deriving an estimated value of a quantisation parameter used in a previous compression/decompression cycle applied to the input data, by detecting rounding effects in data values of at least a subset of the input data; and a parameter selection arrangement, responsive to the quantisation parameter estimation arrangement for selecting a quantisation parameter for use in compression of the input data.