Abstract: Advanced driver assistance systems can be designed to recognize and to classify traffic signs under real time constraints, and under a wide variety of visual conditions. This disclosure provides techniques that employ binary masks extracted by color space segmentation, with a different binary mask generated for each sign shape. Temporal tracking is employed to add robustness to the detection system. The system is generic, and is trainable to the traffic signs used in various countries.

Abstract: Advanced driver assistance systems need to be able to recognize and to classify traffic signs under real time constraints, and under a wide variety of visual conditions. The invention shown employs binary masks extracted by color space segmentation, with a different binary mask generated for each sign shape. Temporal tracking is employed to add robustness to the detection system. The system is generic, and is trainable to the signs used in various countries.

Abstract: Several methods, systems, and computer program products for quantization of video content are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes determining by a processing module, motion information associated with a block of video data of the video content. A degree of randomness associated with the block of video data is determined by the processing module based on the motion information. A value of a quantization parameter (QP) associated with the block of video data is modulated by a quantization module based on the determined degree of randomness.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable mediums are presented for encoding a stream of input video frames, in which the input video frames are down sampled and the down sampled frames are encoded in a first encoding pass to generate a set of first pass coded frames forming a single first pass I frame and a plurality of first pass P frames formed into first pass sub-groups of pictures (SUB-GOPs). First pass encoding statistics are generated for individual first pass SUB-GOPs, and the statistics are used to encode the input video frames in a second encoding pass to generate a set of second pass coded frames.

Abstract: Several methods, systems, and computer program products for quantization of video content are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes determining by a processing module, motion information associated with a block of video data of the video content. A degree of randomness associated with the block of video data is determined by the processing module based on the motion information. A value of a quantization parameter (QP) associated with the block of video data is modulated by a quantization module based on the determined degree of randomness.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable mediums are presented for encoding a stream of input video frames, in which the input video frames are down sampled and the down sampled frames are encoded in a first encoding pass to generate a set of first pass coded frames forming a single first pass I frame and a plurality of first pass P frames formed into first pass sub-groups of pictures (SUB-GOPs). First pass encoding statistics are generated for individual first pass SUB-GOPs, and the statistics are used to encode the input video frames in a second encoding pass to generate a set of second pass coded frames.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding of multimedia pictures are disclosed. In an embodiment, an occupancy level of a coded picture buffer (CPB) associated with a hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) is estimated at an instant of removal of an access unit corresponding to a multimedia picture from the CPB for decoding the access unit. A number of bits for encoding the multimedia picture is allocated based on the estimated occupancy level of the CPB. The multimedia picture is encoded based on the allocated number of bits.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding of multimedia pictures are disclosed. In an embodiment, an occupancy level of a coded picture buffer (CPB) associated with a hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) is estimated at an instant of removal of an access unit corresponding to a multimedia picture from the CPB for decoding the access unit. A number of bits for encoding the multimedia picture is allocated based on the estimated occupancy level of the CPB. The multimedia picture is encoded based on the allocated number of bits.

Abstract: Several techniques aimed at reducing computational complexity when encoding uses bi-predictively encoded frames (B-frames) are implemented in a video encoder. In an embodiment, B-frames are not used as reference frames for encoding P-frames and other B-frames. Non-use of B-frames allows a de-blocking filter used in the video encoder to be switched off when reconstructing encoded B-frames, and use of a lower complexity filter for fractional-resolution motion search for B-frames. In another embodiment, cost functions used in motion estimation for B-frames are simplified to reduce computational complexity. In one more embodiment, fractional pixel refinement in motion search for B-frames is simplified. In yet another embodiment, predictors used in motion estimation for a macro-block in a P-frame are selected from a B-frame that uses a same reference frame as the P-frame.

Abstract: An active catheter device is provided. At least one elongate catheter segment includes an elongate flexible tube member defining an axis, and a pair of ferrule members operably engaged with and spaced apart along the tube member. The ferrule members are not rotatable about the axis relative to each other. At least one articulation member is operably engaged with and extends at least between the ferrule members along the tube member. Each articulation member is configured to be actuatable to cause a change in a distance between the ferrule members so as to articulate the tube member. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Several techniques aimed at reducing computational complexity when encoding uses bi-predictively encoded frames (B-frames) are implemented in a video encoder. In an embodiment, B-frames are not used as reference frames for encoding P-frames and other B-frames. Non-use of B-frames allows a de-blocking filter used in the video encoder to be switched off when reconstructing encoded B-frames, and use of a lower complexity filter for fractional-resolution motion search for B-frames. In another embodiment, cost functions used in motion estimation for B-frames are simplified to reduce computational complexity. In one more embodiment, fractional pixel refinement in motion search for B-frames is simplified. In yet another embodiment, predictors used in motion estimation for a macro-block in a P-frame are selected from a B-frame that uses a same reference frame as the P-frame.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for estimating motion in a plurality of multimedia pictures are disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one temporal distance between a multimedia picture and one or more reference pictures corresponding to the multimedia picture in a capture order associated with the plurality of multimedia pictures is computed. The at least one temporal distance is computed subsequent to an encoding of the multimedia picture. At least one motion estimation parameter is determined based on the at least one temporal distance. Motion associated with a subsequent multimedia picture to be encoded is estimated based on the at least one motion estimation parameter.

Abstract: Advanced driver assistance systems need to be able to recognize and to classify traffic signs under real time constraints, and under a wide variety of visual conditions. The invention shown employs binary masks extracted by color space segmentation, with a different binary mask generated for each sign shape. Temporal tracking is employed to add robustness to the detection system. The system is generic, and is trainable to the signs used in various countries.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for estimating motion in a plurality of multimedia pictures are disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one temporal distance between a multimedia picture and one or more reference pictures corresponding to the multimedia picture in a capture order associated with the plurality of multimedia pictures is computed. The at least one temporal distance is computed subsequent to an encoding of the multimedia picture. At least one motion estimation parameter is determined based on the at least one temporal distance. Motion associated with a subsequent multimedia picture to be encoded is estimated based on the at least one motion estimation parameter.

Abstract: An active catheter device is provided. At least one elongate catheter segment includes an elongate flexible tube member defining an axis, and a pair of ferrule members operably engaged with and spaced apart along the tube member. The ferrule members are not rotatable about the axis relative to each other. At least one articulation member is operably engaged with and extends at least between the ferrule members along the tube member. Each articulation member is configured to be actuatable to cause a change in a distance between the ferrule members so as to articulate the tube member. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for facilitating multimedia data encoding are disclosed. In an embodiment, a plurality of picture buffers associated with multimedia data are received in an order of capture associated with the plurality of picture buffers. Buffer information is configured for each picture buffer from among the plurality of picture buffers comprising at least one of a metadata associated with the corresponding picture buffer and one or more encoding parameters for the corresponding picture buffer. A provision of picture buffers in an order of encoding is facilitated based on the configured buffer information.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable mediums are presented for encoding a stream of input video frames, in which the input video frames are down sampled and the down sampled frames are encoded in a first encoding pass to generate a set of first pass coded frames forming a single first pass I frame and a plurality of first pass P frames formed into first pass sub-groups of pictures (SUB-GOPs). First pass encoding statistics are generated for individual first pass SUB-GOPs, and the statistics are used to encode the input video frames in a second encoding pass to generate a set of second pass coded frames.

Abstract: An active catheter device is provided. At least one elongate catheter segment includes an elongate flexible tube member defining an axis, and a pair of ferrule members operably engaged with and spaced apart along the tube member. The ferrule members are not rotatable about the axis relative to each other. At least one articulation member is operably engaged with and extends at least between the ferrule members along the tube member. Each articulation member is configured to be actuatable to cause a change in a distance between the ferrule members so as to articulate the tube member. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for facilitating multimedia data encoding are disclosed. In an embodiment, a plurality of picture buffers associated with multimedia data are received in an order of capture associated with the plurality of picture buffers. Buffer information is configured for each picture buffer from among the plurality of picture buffers comprising at least one of a metadata associated with the corresponding picture buffer and one or more encoding parameters for the corresponding picture buffer. A provision of picture buffers in an order of encoding is facilitated based on the configured buffer information.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for obtaining and aggregating opinions generated by multiple sources with respect to one or more objects. The disclosed system uses observed variables associated with an opinion and a probabilistic model to estimate latent properties of that opinion. With those latent properties, the disclosed system may enable publishers to reliably and comprehensively present object information to interested users.