Abstract: An object-oriented filter for filtering video images prior to video encoding is disclosed. The object-oriented filter is configured to include an image parameter extractor, a filter selector, and a filter. The image parameter extractor analyzes the input video sequences to map the location of pixels associated with one or more image parameters. Once the pixels associated with the image parameters are mapped, the filter selector ranks the identified image parameters based on their overall importance to the video sequence, and then selects a filtering factor for adjusting the strength of the filter used to filter the pixels associated with such identified image parameters. Thereafter, the pixels associated with each of the image parameters are filtered using the filter strength selected by the filter selector.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a quantizer scale for each macroblock to maintain the overall quality of the video image while optimizing the coding rate. A quantizer scale is selected for each macroblock such that target bit rate for the picture is achieved while an optimal quantization scale ratio is maintained for successive macroblocks to produce a uniform visual quality over the entire picture. One embodiment applies the method to the frame level while another embodiment applies the method in conjunction with a wavelet transform.

Abstract: An implementation efficient video decoder suitable for use as a picture in picture decoder is described. In one embodiment, the video decoder receives primary and secondary bitstreams with the secondary bitstream including the video data intended to be displayed as inset pictures. The decoder uses many of the same circuit components on a time shared basis to decode both the main and inset pictures reducing the amount of circuitry required to implement the decoder. In one embodiment a preparser discards the majority of DCT coefficients in the secondary bitstream and the remaining data is variable length decoded and then variable length encoded using a non-MPEG compliant coding scheme prior to storing the inset picture data in a coded data buffer. Re-encoding of the selected inset picture data in this manner greatly reduces data storage requirements and simplifies the circuitry required to subsequently decode the inset picture data.

Abstract: A non-contact gaging method and apparatus using a directional light beam develops a silhouette image on a CCD camera detector array; the image spanning opposite edges of an object to be gauged. The three dimensional object is imaged on the two dimensional camera array and, by means of computer analysis of pixels output from the camera, precise measurements to MIL Standards of physical dimensions are made at high rates for high volume production.Errors inherent in Prior Art devices are eliminated by only using a point source of light and eliminating the need for any additional optics. The system overcomes dimensional error by continuously gauging the high precision etched mark on the camera faceplate.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A remote surveillance system including an imaging device and an IR light source for surveying a relatively dark area, a remote surveillance system including an imaging device and an insertion tube guide, and an insertion tube guide for receiving an insertion tube of an imaging device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a reduced cost HDTV/SDTV video decoder are disclosed. The described joint video decoder is capable of decoding HDTV pictures at approximately the resolution of standard definition television pictures and can be used to decode HDTV and/or SDTV pictures. The described video decoder may be used as part of a picture-in-picture decoder circuit for providing picture-in-picture capability without providing multiple full resolution video decoders. The reduction in decoder circuit complexity is achieved through the use of a plurality of data reduction techniques including the use of a preparser, downsampling, and truncating pixel values.

Abstract: In a method for optimizing the transmission of signals, especially video signals, over a channel with a predetermined channel data rate after source encoding for data reduction and channel encoding, in which redundancy is added to the source-encoded signals for error control protection, at least one quality parameter of the transmitted and decoded signals is measured. As a function of the measured quality parameter, the relationship between the source accuracy of the source encoding and the added redundancy is changed in opposite directions to optimize the transmission.

Abstract: An image transmission apparatus of this invention generates an image signal for one field at a first rate, forms a first transmission image signal on the basis of the generated image signal, outputs the formed first transmission image signal for one field at a second rate lower than the first rate, forms a second transmission image signal having a smaller information volume than that of the first transmission image signal on the basis of the generated image signal, outputs the formed second transmission image signal for one field at a rate higher than the second rate, and selectively outputs one of the output first and second transmission image signals onto a transmission path, thereby providing, by a simple arrangement, an image transmission apparatus, which can selectively transmit an image signal onto a transmission path at one of different arbitrary rates in correspondence with an application purpose or display mode independently of the transmission rate of the transmission path, can display an image repr

Abstract: A camera tracking system determines the three dimensional (3D) location and orientation of the film plane of a camera providing live recording of a subject, thereby defining a 3D coordinate system of the live action scene into which animated objects or characters may be automatically mapped with proper scale and 3D visual object by a computer animation system.

Abstract: In a hierarchical encoding apparatus, predictors each including a look-up table are used to form predicted signals for respective hierarchical levels. The difference between the predicted signal and the original signal forms the differential signal for the higher hierarchical levels. The look-up table contains either predictive coefficients which are used as weights for pixels of a signal in one hierarchical level to produce a signal at a higher hierarchical level, or representative values which are combined with a dynamic range and redundant component in a set of pixels of a signal in one hierarchical level to produce a signal at a higher hierarchical level. The values in the look-up table are obtained from representative images.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system which provide a plurality of compressed presentations for each frame of the original video signal, each presentation provided according to a different bit-rate, wherein the transmitting system selects from the compressed presentations a presentation, which is most suitable for the bit-rate, currently available over the transmission line and transmits it.

Abstract: An image encoding and transmitting system is an image transmission system for transmitting digital data such as TV telephones. The system for dividing input frame data into a plurality of blocks before transmitting them comprises on its sending side an intra-frame/inter-frame determiner for receiving intra-frame data and inter-frame data and selecting either of them for output, and a difference collator for having the intra-frame/inter-frame determiner compulsorily output intra-frame data at the time of data input for the next frame when one or more data in each block forming inter-frame data are larger than a predetermined threshold. The system also comprises on its receiving side an picture element domain frame data storage for storing received data in the picture element domain, and a motion vector detector for detecting according to the contents in the storage a motion vector using the data in the block surrounding the discarded block in order to guess the data in the discarded block.

Abstract: In a high-efficiency encoder which performs motion-compensation prediction, an intra-field is set every n fields. The presence of a scene change is detected. When a scene change occurs, a reference picture of motion-compensation prediction is switched, or the field immediately after the scene change is set as an intra-field.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing and decompressing a sequence of image frames is disclosed. According to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, the compression process includes an intraframe decomposition process (24, 24') performed upon each frame in both the row and column directions, including an m.sup.th order averaging and differencing operation (56, 62). Each frame is then combined with others in an adjacent pair or group of four by way of an interframe decomposition (28). Quantization (30) is then performed, preferably by division of each coefficient by a quantizer (.rho.) associated with the one of the frequency component subbands containing the coefficient. Reconstruction of the compressed frames is accomplished by performing the inverse of the compression process. According to the disclosed embodiments, either the compression or decompression processes and systems performs Cholesky filtering (60, 66; 170, 172), preferably in a recursive manner by way of forward and backward filtering.

Abstract: Video signals are coded at a first relatively low frame rate. One or more portions of the image area, for example, the mouth of a person speaker: recognised by feature extractor, are coded at a higher frame rate. Preferably the second coding operates by resolving the pixel values of the image portion--considered as a vector--relative to a set or orthogonal reference vectors to produce coefficients which are then transmitted. Preferably, the feature extractor normalises the image portion as regards scaling, position and rotation and sends data on these parameters as side information.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a motion vector between a current frame and its reference frame of video signals. A search block is motion-estimated with respect to its corresponding search region to thereby select a predetermined number of candidate blocks among the candidate blocks included in the corresponding search region, wherein the selected candidate blocks have error functions not larger than those of the unselected candidate blocks. Thereafter, error signals for each of the selected candidate blocks are obtained and transformed into a set of transform coefficients. Next, an optimum error signal is selected based on the sets of transform coefficients and, a displacement of pixels between the search block and a candidate block which corresponds to the optimum error signal is selected as a motion vector for the search block.

Abstract: A stereo-graphic system has an optical apparatus, an imaging apparatus and a recording and reproducing apparatus. The optical apparatus has a first optical device for providing right eye picture information which has a first direction. The optical apparatus also has a second optical device for providing left eye picture information which has a second direction which is coincident with the first direction. The right eye picture information and the left eye picture information are compressed along the first direction. The imaging apparatus has an imaging device which has an imaging area for providing an output image signal. The imaging area has a right region and a left region. A focusing device in the imaging apparatus focuses the right eye picture information and the left eye picture information on the right region and the left region respectively. The recording and reproducing apparatus has a recording medium, a recording device and a reproducing device.

Abstract: The gemstone recordal and retrieval system records optical images for gemstones in an effective manner. The optical image of a gemstone is captured using a two-dimensional charge coupled device whereby the time to capture the image is relatively short. The optical images can be improved in definition by varying the output of a laser LED. This fast feedback and adjustability provides accurate recordings.