Abstract: A predictive video coder performs gradient prediction based on previous blocks of image data. For a new block of image data, the prediction determines a horizontal gradient and a vertical gradient from a block diagonally above the new block (vertically above a previous horizontally adjacent block). Based on these gradients, the encoder predicts image information based on image information of either the horizontally adjacent block or a block vertically adjacent to the new block. The encoder determines a residual that is transmitted in an output bitstream. The decoder performs the identical gradient prediction and predicts image information without need for overhead information. The decoder computes the actual information based on the predicted information and the residual from the bitstream.

Abstract: Temporal compression of a digital video data stream with hierarchically searching in at least one search unit for pixels in a reference picture to find a best match for the current macroblock. This is followed by constructing a motion vector between the current macroblock and the best match macroblock in the reference picture.

Abstract: An exemplary video encoder is provided that quantizes pel blocks of a video signal based upon one or more of the following: (i) an actual bit distribution of a previously encoded video frame, (ii) a required decoding delay for a splice point, and (iii) an activity measure of a pel block being encoded. Moreover, an exemplary video encoder uses the above quantization techniques to obtain an encoded video stream having seamless in points and seamless out points. Video encoding methods that utilize the above quantization methods are also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary video encoder is provided that quantizes pel blocks of a video signal based upon one or more of the following: (i) an actual bit distribution of a previously encoded video frame, (ii) a required decoding delay for a splice point, and (iii) an activity measure of a pel block being encoded. Moreover, an exemplary video encoder uses the above quantization techniques to obtain an encoded video stream having seamless in points and seamless out points. Video encoding methods that utilize the above quantization methods are also provided.

Abstract: The MPEG video data stored in a video memory is successively written to a buffer 14 in accordance with an address held in an address register 2. When I picture is detected from the data read from the buffer, the information is fed to an I picture interval holder 18. The I picture interval holder 18 holds an address register value when the previous I picture is detected, subtracts the previous address register value from the present address register value when the present I picture is detected, and holds the value (interval between the previous I picture address and the present I picture address). A next I picture address calculator 17 adds the interval obtained in the I picture interval holder 18 to the present address value stored in the address register 12, subtracts a predetermined value from the calculated value, and predicts the next I picture address.

Abstract: A group of video plane (GOV) layers in which the encoding start time is absolute time with an accuracy of one second is provided as a coded bit stream. A GOV layer can be inserted not only at the head of the coded bit stream but at an arbitrary position in the coded bit stream. The display time of each video object plane (VOP) included in the GOV layer is represented by modulo_time_base which represents absolute time in one second units with the encoding start time set as the standard, and VOP_time_increment, which represents in millisecond units, the time that has elapsed since the time point represented by the modulo_time_base.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus includes an encoder for encoding an alpha-map signal for discriminating a background from an object of an input picture in motion compensation prediction (MV)+transform encoding which uses MV in a domain of each of N×N transform coefficients (n), a transform circuit for transforming Pf into n in accordance with the alpha-map signal, an inverse transform circuit for reconstructing Pf by inversely transforming n in accordance with the alpha-map signal, a selector for obtaining a motion compensation prediction value (p) in the mth layer (m=2 to M) by switching p in the mth layer and p in the (m−1)th layer for each n, the selector selecting p in the mth layer for n by which a quantized output (Q) in the (m−1)th layer is 0 and selecting p in the (m−1)th layer for n by which Q=1 or more, an adder for calculating a difference df between a prediction error signal in the mth layer and a dequantized output in the (m−1)th layer, and an encoder for en

Abstract: An inspection apparatus and method is provided for inspecting external lead connectors in a grid array of an electronic package. The inspection apparatus includes a plurality of reflecting devices for directing a plurality of different oblique images to a partially reflective beam splitter, wherein each of the plurality of images corresponds to a different perspective view of the grid array. The apparatus is further configured such that each of the plurality of images share a single, common X,Y coordinate system for describing point locations within each image. An image capturing device captures each oblique image from the beam splitter. By comparing the relative location of image points in at least two captured images, the spatial coordinates and physical parameters of each solder ball may be calculated. The calculated values are converted to absolute values and compared against predetermined values for determining whether the electronic package meets manufacturing standards.

Abstract: Element processors (PE00 to PE33) included in a processor array (7) store pixel values of a search window, shifting them forward. Further, only hatched element processors (PE00, PE02, PE11, PE13, PE20, PE22, PE31, PE33) store pixel values of a template block, and compare them with the pixel values in the search to evaluate a similarity of pixel values. In other words, the pixel values of the template block are skipped and the pixel values which are left after skipping are compared. Therefore, it is possible to cut a hardware volume.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which performs an orthogonal transformation on an image signal and which compresses the image signal, includes a control unit for controlling a range of the image signal based on a coefficient of a DC component of an output of the orthogonal transformation before the orthogonal transformation.

Abstract: A method of generating a quantization matrix that is used in an inverse quantization step is provided. An end code that indicates an ending of the coded truncated quantization matrix, in a bitstream is detected. The coded truncated quantization matrix is extracted until the end code is encountered. The extracted—coded truncated quantization matrix is decoded into a one dimensional array that comprises elements of a truncated quantization matrix. The one dimensional array is converted into a two dimensional array that comprises elements of the truncated quantization matrix in a zigzag scanning order. The quantization matrix is generated using the two dimensional array.

Abstract: A system for rate control and buffer management during coding of multiple variable bit rate digital video programs over a constant bit rate channel. The system is suitable for use in a hierarchical bit allocation scheme that includes a super group of pictures (GOP) level, a super frame level, and a frame level. For each super GOP with a length N frames, for each video program, the transmission rate for the current frame is set according to an average number of compressed bits for at least N previous frames, including a frame starting at N′+N−1 frames before the current frame, a frame ending at N′ frames before the current frame, and intermediate frames therebetween. N′ is a decoding delay of a modeled decoder that receives a respective video program.

Abstract: A moving picture coding/decoding method and apparatus having a spatially scalable architecture and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scalable architecture together is provided.

Abstract: This electronic endoscope apparatus is capable of forming a still image with high image quality by reading out all pixels obtained through an image-pickup device by one exposure and faithfully reproducing the movement concerning moving images. A switch between a pixel mix reading system, which mixes pixels accumulated on the image pickup device having a plurality of color filters arranged in units of pixels between upper and lower horizontal lines to read out from the image-pickup device, and an all-pixel reading system, which reads out signals of all pixels accumulated on the image-pickup device by one exposure uses a light shielding period set by a light shielded. This all-pixel reading system forms a still image, and the other pixel mix reading system forms a moving image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving and processing digitized video data in a discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain exploits the orthogonality of a convolution function along with the data sparseness present in the DCT domain. In a preferred method, the convolution function is applied to vectors associated with a plurality of input video data frames in consideration of an orthogonal characteristic of the convolution function. More specifically, cross-products of the input vectors which would yield non-zero output vectors are identified and weighting factors for the cross-products are determined in consideration of this orthogonality. An output video data frame is generated from the non-zero output vectors and the weighting factors. A convolution operation based upon the disclosed method and aparatus is suitable for chroma-keying as well as other video or audio blending applications.

Abstract: An exemplary video encoder is disclosed that quantizes pel blocks of a video signal based upon one or more of the following: (i) an actual bit distribution of a previously encoded video frame, (ii) a required decoding delay for a splice point, and (iii) an activity measure of a pel block being encoded. Moreover, an exemplary video encoder uses the above quantization techniques to obtain an encoded video stream having seamless in points and seamless out points. Video encoding methods that utilize the above quantization methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for encoding areas of an image that have definable parameters as graphic objects and then encoding the remaining areas of the image, if any, as a raster scanned image. This method and apparatus is particularly well suited for the encoding of an image that has areas that can be described as having a particular texture characteristic. Each area of the image, and subsequent images, that have the particular texture characteristic is encoded with an identifier to the texture characteristic, rather than encoded with the details of the texture itself. Regular texture pattern types, such as bricks, marble, woodgrain, satin, velour, etc. are associated with areas of the image, and the encoding of these areas merely contain an identification of the pattern type. Areas of the image that do not contain regular texture pattern types are encoded as conventional raster scanned areas of the image.

Abstract: A computer system having integrated remote console functionality. Cycles intended for a video graphics controller are snooped to acquire the video data or control information contained in the cycle. Analysis is performed on the video data to detect sequential or repetitive operations. The video data is encoded into higher level primitives, if possible. The video data and primitives are held in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory until the FIFO reaches a critical level, or a staleness timer times out. Special firmware executed in system management mode reads the FIFO and converts the video data and primitives into conventional ASCII text or the required format. The firmware also maintains a copy of the video frame buffer to further encode the video data, if possible. The firmware then transmits the conventional ASCII text via a modem to a user stationed at a remote computer system.

Abstract: Electronic endoscope includes a video-scope, video-processor, a light source, a luminance value calculator, a stop, a motor, a drive-amount setter, a stop-controller, and a drive-amount determiner. The luminance value calculator successively calculates a luminance value indicating brightness of the object image, on the basis of image-pixel signals. The drive-amount setter sets a target drive-amount of the stop, to make the brightness of the object image constant, on the basis of the luminance value. The stop-controller adjusts the quantity of light radiating from the distal end of the video-scope by controlling the stop in accordance with the target drive-amount at regular time-intervals, whereby the stop opens and closes such that the brightness of the object image at constant level. The drive-amount determiner determines whether the target drive-amount exceeds a tolerable drive-amount.

Abstract: A method for handling missing or untimely synchronization signals in digital communications systems. Upon detecting the absence of a synchronization signal, an estimation of the absent synchronization signal is made based on a plurality of previously received synchronization signals, and the estimated synchronization signal is used in place of the absent synchronization signal. The estimated synchronization signal is corrected upon the receipt of a subsequent synchronization signal.