Abstract: Compression parameter sets are stored in files separate from the main AV or transmitted separately and prior to any subsequent transmission of AV data. The scope of parameter set identifiers is limited to not more than a Program Chain. Either existing files are extended by including the compression parameter sets directly, or separate files containing the compression parameter sets are created. In order to support easy authoring of compound content, it is proposed to amend each compression parameter set or groups of such parameter sets with scope period information, which can be based on time stamps, on file names, or on sector numbers on the disc. It is additionally proposed to employ an indirect referencing mechanism, where parameter set identifiers are referring to secondary tables, and where the entries of secondary tables are defined to be themselves identifiers referring in turn to entries of a common parameter set table provided once.

Abstract: MPEG video uses motion compensated prediction for coding pictures. A GOP includes at least one intra-coded picture to start decoding with and a number of inter-coded pictures and normally also includes bi-directionally predicted pictures. However, the GOP structure is not constructed for playing GOPs in backward direction in a trickplay mode across GOP boarders. The invention facilitates, for different GOP structures, a smooth backward video mode thereby reducing the required number of frame buffers and achieving near real-time speed presentation. In some embodiments some I and/or P pictures are decoded more than once. The invention also allows backwards decoding of MPEG-4-AVC GOPs including B-stored pictures.

Abstract: A method for coding digitized frames of a stroboscope-like special effects film is proposed, in which alternately a first number of frames of a first film scene and a second number of frames of a second film scene is shown. Two frame buffers (30, 32) are available for coding the frames. The method is characterized by the fact that the two frame buffers (30, 32) are operated separately so that in each case one of the frame buffers (30) is permanently used for predicting frames of the first film scene and the other frame buffer (32) is permanently used for predicting frames of the second film scene. In addition, a corresponding method for decoding frames coded in this manner and devices for coding and decoding digitized frames of a stroboscope-like special effects film are also proposed.

Abstract: The bit rate control goals for applications using storage devices with the capability to process a variable bit rate data stream differ from the constant bit rate case. Therefore the encoder control strategy is adapted to this situation. For the first e.g. 80% of the total playing time an average bit rate is produced which is e.g. 95% only of the normal average bit rate. For the remaining 20% of the playing time the value for the desired average bit rate ascends to e.g. 150% of the normal value. During the first 80% the virtual buffer size is increased by a factor of e.g. 100 whereas during the last 20% the virtual buffer size descends to the normal value. Thereby an increased decoding quality can be achieved during e.g. 80% of the playing time. In the remaining playing time there is nearly no loss in the normal decoding quality.

Abstract: The coding or decoding of video data with the associated audio and/or other data can be performed, for example, on the basis of the standards ISO/IEC 11172 (MPEG1) or ISO/IEC 13818 (MPEG2). Such coding and decoding can include the conversion of a primary bit stream coded on the basis of such standards into a secondary bit stream with a different data rate. Since the information content of the motion vectors from the primary bit stream retain their validity in the secondary bit stream, it is not necessary to recalculate motion vectors for transcoding. Instead, encoding of the secondary bit stream is performed with the aid of the motion vectors from the primary bit stream which are reused. In such a case, the encoding of the secondary bit stream is carried out in a restricted prediction mode, i.e. only those prediction modes which are described by respective block type or the motion information of the primary bit stream are allowed in the secondary bit stream.

Abstract: A method for the remote control of at least one electronic device (10 to 25) is proposed in which the control data are transmitted from a remote control device (27) to the electronic device (10 to 25). In the method, information data at least regarding the remote control functions of the electronic device (10 to 25) to be controlled are transmitted to the remote control device (27). These information data are stored in the remote control device (27) and called on during a control operation in order to select and transmit the control data necessary for the respective control operation. At least the device identification number (GID) and the device type are transmitted to the remote control automatically, for example after the connection of the electronic device to the power supply system.Furthermore, an apparatus for the remote control of an electronic device is proposed, as well as an electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transmission of digital signals comprises the steps of forming at least two data channels carrying data packets, and eventually header data. The channels have different levels of error protection and include picture data, wherein the data packets within one of the channels have the same level of error protection, and wherein a super-ordinate channel has a higher error protection than a subordinate channel. Important information of a subordinate channel is then transmitted in a super-ordinate channel. The important information allows following erroneous reception of the digital signals an improved recovery of picture data decoding.

Abstract: A method of making a hierarchical estimate of image motion for a television signal. A television signal video image is divided into blocks of fixed size, and motion relative to a second video image is determined for each block. Mutually non-overlapping pixel blocks are produced at a lower, more finely resolved hierarchical level. The center points of these blocks are used as the points for an analysis at a level that is located higher in the hierarchy. Preferably, points which lie between image lines and which do not represent real picture elements in the line raster, are investigated in the mutually non-overlapping blocks.

Abstract: A process of image signal coding provides motion vectors for blocks of picture elements (pixels). An array of motion vectors for pixel blocks may be used to generate a zoom and pan vector for a full image. When the format of a vertically subsampled image is changed before coding, motion parameters for a full image are used to obtain maximum local resolution after subsampling. Remaining image areas which have not been fully motion compensated are detected by an alteration (change) detector and are vertically filtered in a field.

Abstract: A hybrid Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coder processes blocks of (e.g., 8.times.8) pixels from interlaced or progressive scanned image signals. Processing of image lines by the coder is modified in the presence of image motion to avoid switching between 8.times.8 and 2.times.(4.times.8) transformations. For motion, the lines of two vertically superimposed image blocks are rearranged to produce first and second modified blocks. The modified first block contains pixels from lines in a first field, and the modified second block contains pixels from lines in an associated adjacent second field.