Abstract: A system and method for interdigitating multiple perspective views in a stereoscopic image viewing system. A lenticular sheet is affixed in intimate juxtaposition with a display area having a defined aspect ratio. The display area includes a plurality of scan lines each having a plurality of pixels, each pixel including subpixels. A map having the same resolution as the display is created to store values corresponding to each subpixel in the display area. Preferably, the map is generated beforehand and stored for later use through a lookup operation. A buffer stores a frame having n views, wherein each of the n views has the same aspect ratio as the display area. A plurality of masks is also created and stored. Each mask corresponds to a unique one of the n views and includes opaque areas and a plurality of transparent windows, each of which corresponds to a selected subpixel location.

Abstract: The invention is related to video compression systems, and in particular to compression/decompression in digital video systems. The present invention discloses an alternative method to calculate values of interpolated pixel positions in a video picture.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for coding/decoding of video images, and in particular, B-frames, are described. In one aspect, a video encoder/decoder determines a fraction for a current image in a sequence. The fraction represents an estimated temporal distance position for the current image relative to an interval between a reference images for the current image. The video encoder/decoder processes the fraction along with a motion vector for a first reference image, resulting in a representation of motion (e.g., constant or variable velocity motion) in the current image. Other aspects are also described, including intra B-frames, forward and backward buffers for motion vector prediction, bitplane encoding of direct mode prediction information, multiple motion vector resolutions/interpolation filters for B-frames, proactive dropping of B-frames, and signaling of dropped predicted frames.

Abstract: A multi-scanner scans a signal according to several different patterns. A scanning pattern selector determines which scanning pattern produced the most efficient coding result, for example, for runlength coding, and outputs a coded signal, coded most efficiently, and a selection signal which identifies the scanning pattern found to be most efficient.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for code table selection and joint coding/decoding of macroblock mode information for macroblocks of interlaced forward-predicted frames are described. For example, a video decoder decodes a variable length code that jointly signals macroblock mode information for a motion-compensated macroblock. The jointly signaled information includes a macroblock type, whether a coded block pattern is present or absent, and whether motion vector data is present or absent for the motion-compensated macroblock. A video encoder performs corresponding encoding.

Abstract: A device including a two-dimensional convolution unit to perform spatial image filtering. A reference frame mirroring unit is connected to the two-dimensional convolution unit. A mean square error (MSE) decision unit is connected to the two-dimensional convolution unit to perform motion estimation by selecting the displacement that minimizes MSE.

Abstract: A video processing device and method for a video system is provided. The device creates downscaled compressed video stream data from an original compressed video stream. The device accomplishes this and achieves a large saving in processor and memory bandwidth by reusing motion vectors derived during the decompression process.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device measures ambient temperature in which a multi-camera photographic device is operated. A remapping function that maps individual images into a panoramic space is varied according to the measured temperature. The cameras and remapping tables are calibrated at various temperatures. When the ambient temperature is measured, values from a nearest matching remapping table are used, or new values are interpolated/extrapolated from one or more nearest matching tables. The remapping function is thus calibrated to properly remap the individual images into the panoramic image.

Abstract: The present invention offers a method of determining a search region in a motion vector detection apparatus. According to this method, a search unit with a size and a ratio of height to width such that a search region made of an aggregation of the search units suitable for the configuration of the search region can be configured. In addition, a statistics amount of motion vectors that are already obtained in a vector information readout region of an original image with the position of an MB being processed as a center or in a vector information readout region in a region of a reference image with the position of an MB being processed as a center, is obtained. The appearance tendency of a motion vector is predicted by analyzing the statistics amount. The combination of search units is determined such that the search region is expanded in such a direction as to increase the occurrence probability of a motion vector for MB being processed on the basis of the obtained analysis.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for using motion vector block patterns in video encoding and decoding are described. In general, a motion vector block pattern signals the presence or absence of motion vector data for a macroblock with multiple motion vectors. For example, a video decoder decodes variable length codes that represent motion vector block patterns. Each motion vector block pattern has one bit per corresponding luminance motion vector of a macroblock with multiple luminance motion vectors, where the one bit indicates whether or not motion vector data for the corresponding luminance motion vector is signaled. A video encoder performs corresponding encoding.

Abstract: A surveillance apparatus continuously records imaged data from a camera into a circular buffer in a local memory. When a record signal is received, the system records the video stream that was recorded before the record signal was received, and the video stream that is recorded after the record signal was received. The recorded segment is then write-protected, so that the surveillance apparatus does not overwrite the recorded segment. The recorded segment could then be sent to a remote memory via a wireless connection to free up local memory for future recording sessions.

Abstract: A method for creating three dimensional images which are seen to project vertically upwards from the image display surface and which give the impression of a three dimensional image in a vertical and up-right orientation relative to the placement of the image display surface and the viewing position of the viewer whereby the image is placed in a horizontal orientation and perpendicular to the viewer's seated or standing position, and which then requires that the image is viewed from above and in a placement forward of and relative to the viewer which creates an approximate look-down viewing angle of 45 degrees.

Abstract: Optical block assemblies having single or multi-stage folded light path lens assemblies that may be implemented to allow an optical block assembly to occupy significantly less space and/or present reduced rotational inertia to an electrical articulating mechanism. An optical assembly may be so configured for closed circuit television applications or in any other suitable video imaging application including, but not limited to, applications involving non-articulated or articulated cameras such as normal filming (e.g., motion picture film cameras or studio television cameras), camcorders, military targeting or imaging devices, etc.

Abstract: An appearance inspection device for a rod-like article comprises a rotatable main drum (20) interposed as a feeding drum in a drum train that defines a feeding path in a filter cigarette manufacturing machine, upstream and downstream bypass drum trains (24, 40) located in the outside of the main drum (20) and receiving a filter cigarette (FC) from the main drum (20) to bypass the cigarette, and an inspection camera (42) situated between the bypass drum trains (24, 40) in a circumferential direction of the main drum (20). The inspection camera (42) directly or indirectly images exposed circumferential surfaces of filter cigarettes (FC), that are different from one another, when the filter cigarettes (FC) are conveyed on the main drum (20) and each of the bypass drum trains (24, 40).

Abstract: Techniques and tools for extended range variable length coding and decoding of differential motion vector information are described. For example, a video decoder determines whether or not to use an extended range variable length decoding mode. When the extended range variable length decoding mode is used, the decoder decodes a differential motion vector in the extended range variable length decoding mode. Otherwise, the decoder decodes the differential motion vector in a default range variable length decoding mode. A video encoder performs corresponding processing.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for signaling the number of reference fields for an interlaced forward-predicted field are described. For example, a video decoder processes a first signal indicating whether an interlaced forward-predicted field has one or two reference fields for motion compensation. If the first signal indicates the interlaced forward-predicted field has one reference field, the decoder processes a second signal identifying the one reference field from among the two reference fields. On the other hand, if the first signal indicates the interlaced forward-predicted field has two reference fields, for each of multiple motion vectors of the interlaced forward-predicted field, the decoder processes a third signal for selecting between the two reference fields. A video encoder performs corresponding signaling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring an area of coverage around a working tool with the aid of at least one camera. In a first method step, an object-free security zone within the area of coverage is recorded with the camera as reference background. Subsequently, the reference background is checked with respect to its non-homogeneity. In the process, the reference background is rejected as non-valid only if within a predetermined variance distance, the detected non-homogeneity falls below a predetermined level. Otherwise, the reference background is classified as valid. If the reference background is classified as valid, the detection of safety-critical objects entering the security zone is released. The detection occurs through a comparison of the actual images of the security zone recorded with the camera and the valid reference background. A safety-critical object is considered recognized if the respective actual image deviates significantly from the reference background.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus for reverse play, the forward predictive encoded pictures in a compressed video stream are decoded, and selected ones of the decoded, forward predictive encoded pictures are re-encoded as anchor pictures. These anchor pictures are then used to decode portions of the compressed video stream for display in a reverse display order.

Abstract: An image coding apparatus which improves the picture quality of an image. A quantization index arithmetic operation section calculates, based on motion vector residuals of macro block and the sum total of the motion vector residual outputted from a motion vector residual buffer section, a weighted average of the motion vector residual. The quantization index arithmetic operation section calculates, based on the value of activity of the macro block and the sum total of the activity outputted from an activity buffer section, a weighted average of the activity. The quantization index arithmetic operation section calculates a quantization index based on the weighted average of the vector residual or the weighted average of the activity.

Abstract: A method and system for providing automated video surveillance, recordation and storage of security events is disclosed. One or more computer-controlled cameras are used to view and record security-related events in response to a determination that a security-related event has occurred or is occurring at a particular location. This is accomplished by providing a network comprising at least one computer-controllable camera, one or more security servers, one or more security-related event input alarms or triggers, and at least one storage medium for storing video clips and other associated security-related event data. Video clips of security-related events can then be captured, recorded, and automatically associated with one or more data identifiers characterizing the security-related events. Video clips are stored on a digital database in an organized fashion, such that a particular clip may be readily recalled by way of one or more data identifiers that have been associated with that clip.