Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blocking artefacts in a decompressed image signal includes inputting the decompressed video signal and detecting locations of block and image content edges therein. Image content and block edges are discriminated between to remove or conceal the image content edges and the remaining block edges transformed to produce an error correcting signal to smooth the block edges at the detected locations in a delayed version of the decompressed video signal.

Abstract: A method of recursive filtering of a video image includes storing an image 20 comprising picture elements. Luminance and chrominance weightings are assigned for weighting neighbouring picture elements to a picture element in a current image 10 and for the stored image 20. A sum of differences is calculated between weighted luminance and chrominance values of a picture element and neighbouring picture elements of a current image and of corresponding picture elements of the stored image. The sum of differences is normalized to control sensitivity to motion in the image to obtain a value of a proportional parameter K(x,y) for each picture element. The current image is recursively filtered using the proportional parameter K(x,y) corresponding to each picture element by adding together a proportion K(x,y) of each picture element of the image to a complementary proportion of each corresponding picture element of the previously stored image.

Abstract: A method of recursive filtering a video image includes determining a local variance ?2 in luminosity in the vicinity of a picture element on the image; making an estimate of a value of noise variance ?r2; obtaining a surface for value of a proportional parameter K from the equation K = ? ? [ ? · ? · ? 2 ? · ? · ? 2 + ? · ? r 2 ] + ? where 1???128, 1 ??r?64 and ?, ?, ?, and ? are empirical constants, and selecting a value of ? to scale a relative contribution to the value of K by the luminosity variance and the noise variance. The image is recursively filtered using the proportional parameter K to sum proportions of the current image and an immediately preceding image.

Abstract: A recursive filter system and method is provided. A weighted value of luminance and chrominance of a stored picture element is generated by summing weighted values of luminance and chrominance of a picture element and neighboring picture elements. A first proportional parameter for the stored picture element is generated with a sum of differences between the luminance and chrominance of the stored picture element and surrounding picture elements. A weighted picture element is generated from a proportion of the stored picture element and a complimentary proportion of the weighted value. Picture elements of the next image and a second proportional parameter are inputted. A filtered image is generated by combining a proportion of each input picture element of the next image with a complementary proportion of the weighted stored picture element of the first image. The filtered image is stored for corresponding combination with a succeeding image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blocking artefacts in a decompressed image signal includes inputting the decompressed video signal and detecting locations of block and image content edges therein. Image content and block edges are discriminated between to remove or conceal the image content edges and the remaining block edges transformed to produce an error correcting signal to smooth the block edges at the detected locations in a delayed version of the decompressed video signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a previously encoding resolution to provide an estimated resolution; and using the estimated resolution to down-sample the compressed video signal to the estimated previously encoded resolution for processing the video signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a previously encoded resolution of blocking of a decompressed video signal. Edges are detected in a sample of the decompressed signal and it is determined whether an edge exists at each horizontal position along each video line in turn to output a signal when an edge is detected. Picture elements are counted along a video scan line of the sample of the decompressed signal and accumulators are enabling at intervals along the video scan line corresponding to anticipated previously encoded resolutions respectively. Thus an accumulator is incremented by the signal output when an edge is detected at the at least one anticipated resolution. The contents of the accumulators is analysed to determine a likelihood that the decompressed video signal was encoded with any of the anticipated previously encoded resolutions.

Abstract: A programmable spatial filter system 30 for a video signal includes a position extraction block 33 arranged to extract a position in an image of a picture element to be spatially filtered. A programmable mask generator 34 receives output from the position extraction block and generates a selectable filter mask dependent on the extracted position. A programmable spatial filter 31 filters the image using the selected filter mask from the programmable mask generator 34.

Abstract: A recursive filter system 10 for a video image includes a memory 14 to store a first image of stored picture elements S(x,y). Weighted values W(x,y) of luminance and chrominance of a stored picture element S(x,y) are obtained by summing weighted values B(x,y).S(x,y) of luminance and chrominance of the picture element and neighbouring picture elements. A first proportional parameter A(x,y) is generated for the stored picture element based on a modular sum of differences between luminance and chrominance of the stored picture element and of surrounding picture elements. The first proportional parameter A(x,y) is used to generate a weighted picture element M(x,y) from a proportion of the stored picture element S(x,y) and a complementary proportion of the weighted value W(x,y).

Abstract: A method of determining noise characteristics of a video signal includes forming an array 33 of luminance and/or chrominance differences between picture elements of successive frames and determining an absolute difference value 34 between a luminance and/or chrominance difference of a picture element and an average of the luminance and/or chrominance differences of a plurality of neighbouring picture elements. Occurrences of predetermined ranges of the difference value are counted and a histogram may be formed of a number of occurrences in each range.

Abstract: A method of recursive filtering a video image includes determining a local variance ?2 in luminosity in the vicinity of a picture element on the image; making an estimate of a value of noise variance ?r2; obtaining a surface for value of a proportional parameter K from the equation K = ? ? [ ? · ? · ? 2 ? · ? · ? 2 + ? · ? r 2 ] + ? where 1???128, 1 ??r ?64 and ?, ?, ?, and ? are empirical constants, and selecting a value of ? to scale a relative contribution to the value of K by the luminosity variance and the noise variance. The image is recursively filtered using the proportional parameter K to sum proportions of the current image and an immediately preceding image.

Abstract: A method of recursive filtering of a video image includes storing an image 20 comprising picture elements. Luminance and chrominance weightings are assigned for weighting neighbouring picture elements to a picture element in a current image 10 and for the stored image 20. A sum of differences is calculated between weighted luminance and chrominance values of a picture element and neighbouring picture elements of a current image and of corresponding picture elements of the stored image. The sum of differences is normalised to control sensitivity to motion in the image to obtain a value of a proportional parameter K(x,y) for each picture element. The current image is recursively filtered using the proportional parameter K(x,y) corresponding to each picture element by adding together a proportion K(x,y) of each picture element of the image to a complementary proportion of each corresponding picture element of the previously stored image.

Abstract: A network router having an internal automated backup is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a network router having at least one primary port facility, a switched fabric, and a backup card array. When a router card connected to a primary port facility fails, a failure message is automatically sent to the switched fabric. The switched fabric then disconnects the failed card from the primary port facility and places it in an extended bay. Thereafter, the switched fabric connects a backup router card from the backup card array to the primary port facility. In addition, the primary port facilities under the present invention can include a primary and a secondary processor for more reliable communication.

Abstract: System, method, signal, operating model, and computer program for conducting a meeting over an electronic network. The method comprises steps of providing the eligible participants with a notice of the upcoming meeting at an address to which they have consented to receiving such notices. The method further comprises secure communications during the meeting between the several eligible participants attending such meeting. Moreover, the method of the meeting over an electronic network of the present invention provides for secure voting by the several eligible participants attending the meeting in accordance with their respective voting rights.