Abstract: An image resizing method includes at least the following steps: receiving at least one input image; performing an image content analysis upon at least one image selected from the at least one input image to obtain an image content analysis result; and creating a target image with a target image resolution by scaling the at least one input image according to the image content analysis result, wherein the target image resolution is different from an image resolution of the at least one input image.

Abstract: An image capture device has an image capture module and a controller. The image capture module is used for capturing a plurality of consecutive preview images under an automatic shot mode. In addition, the image capture module can be a multi-view image capture module, which is used to capture a plurality of multiple-angle preview images. The controller is used for analyzing the preview images to identify an image capture quality metric index, and determining if a target image capture condition is met by referring to at least the image capture quality metric index. A captured image for the automatic shot mode is stored when the controller determines that the target image capture condition is met.

Abstract: An image capture device has an image capture module, a sensor and a controller. The sensor senses an object to generate a sensing result. The controller checks the sensing result to determine if a specific action associated with the image capture module is about to be triggered, and controls the image capture module to start the specific action in advance when determining that the specific action is about to be triggered.

Abstract: An exemplary video recording method of recording an output video sequence for an image capture module includes at least the following steps: deriving a first video sequence from an input video sequence generated by the image capture module, wherein the first video sequence is composed of a plurality of video frames; calculating an image quality metric value for each of the video frames of the first video sequence; referring to the image quality metric value to select or drop each of the video frames of the first video sequence, and accordingly obtaining a second video sequence composed of selected video frames; and generating the recorded output video sequence according to the second video sequence.

Abstract: A preview system of an image capture apparatus has a processing circuit and a display apparatus. The processing circuit reads an input image, scales at least a portion of the input image to generate a first preview image, and derives a second preview image from a selected portion of the input image. The display apparatus displays the first preview image and the second preview image, concurrently. Besides, a preview method for an image capture apparatus includes at least the following steps: reading an input image; scaling at least a portion of the input image to generate a first preview image; deriving a second preview image from a selected portion of the input image; and displaying the first preview image and the second preview image on a display apparatus, concurrently.

Abstract: An image-based motion sensor includes a camera system and a processing system. The camera system is arranged for generating an image output including a plurality of captured images. The processing system is arranged for obtaining a motion sensor output by processing the image output, wherein the motion sensor output includes information indicative of at least one of a motion status and an orientation status of the image-based motion sensor. For example, information indicative of the orientation status of the image-based motion sensor may includes roll, pitch, and yaw related motion information, and information indicative of the motion status of the image-based motion sensor may includes speed, acceleration and displacement information.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of video frames includes: obtaining image registration information of the video frames, wherein the image registration information is used to transform different video frames into one coordinate system; and searching for a plurality of target video frames corresponding to a selected scene among the video frames by using the image registration information. A playback method of a video stream includes: receiving a playback request for a selected scene; searching the video stream for target video frames corresponding to image registration information of the selected scene, wherein the image registration information is used to transform different video frames into one coordinate system; and performing a playback operation according to the target video frames found in the video stream.

Abstract: A video encoding method includes: receiving a plurality of video data inputs corresponding to a plurality of video display formats, respectively, wherein the video display formats include a first three-dimensional (3D) anaglyph video; generating a combined video data by combining video contents derived from the video data inputs; and generating an encoded video data by encoding the combined video data. A video decoding method includes: receiving an encoded video data having encoded video contents of a plurality of video data inputs combined therein, wherein the video data inputs correspond to a plurality of video display formats, respectively, and the video display formats include a first three-dimensional (3D) anaglyph video; and generating a decoded video data by decoding the encoded video data.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium storing a corresponding computer program for decoding a video bitstream based on processors using dynamic load balancing are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method configures multiple processors to perform the multiple processing modules including a prediction module by mapping the multiple processing modules to the multiple processors. One or more buffer queues are used among said multiple processing modules and the mapping the prediction module to the multiple processors is based on the level of the buffer queue. The multiple processors may correspond to a multi-core Central Processing Unit (CPU) comprising of multiple CPUs or a multi-core Digital Signal Processor (DSP) comprising of multiple DSPs to practice the present invention.

Abstract: An exemplary image processing method includes obtaining disparity information, and generating output image data by performing an image processing operation upon input image data according to the disparity information. An exemplary image processing apparatus includes a disparity information acquisition circuit and an image processing circuit. The disparity information acquisition circuit is arranged for obtaining disparity information. The image processing circuit is coupled to the disparity information acquisition circuit, and arranged for generating output image data by processing input image data according to the disparity information.

Abstract: A method for reducing complexity of a computer vision system and applying related computer vision applications includes: obtaining instruction information, wherein the instruction information is used for a computer vision application; obtaining image data from a camera module and defining at least one region of recognition corresponding to the image data by user gesture input on a touch-sensitive display; outputting a recognition result of the aforementioned at least one region of recognition; and searching at least one database according to the recognition result. Associated apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes a video decoder and a video encoder to process video frames. The video decoder generates decompressed frames from first compressed video frames and write the decompressed frames to a memory, at least one of the decompressed frames being generated using information from a previously generated decompressed frame. The video encoder generates second compressed video frames from the decompressed frames without duplicating the decompressed frames.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motion estimation method for selecting a target motion vector from a plurality of candidate motion vectors in a search range of a target picture for an encoding block having a lot of pixels in a picture is disclosed. The method comprises: utilizing a distortion function to calculate difference between the pixels of the encoding block and the pixels in the search range of a target picture to generate at least one distortion value; utilizing an entropy function to determine the distribution of the difference between the pixels of the encoding block and the pixels in the search range of blocks corresponding to candidate motion vectors to generate at least one distribution values; summing up the distortion values and the distribution values to generate at least one sum value; and selecting the target motion vector according to the sum value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motion estimation method for selecting a target motion vector from a plurality of candidate motion vectors in a search range of a target picture for an encoding block having a lot of pixels in a picture is disclosed. The method comprises: utilizing a distortion function to calculate difference between the pixels of the encoding block and the pixels in the search range of a target picture to generate at least one distortion value; utilizing an entropy function to calculate the distribution of the difference between the pixels of the encoding block and the pixels in the search range of blocks corresponding to candidate motion vectors to generate at least one distribution values; performing an mathematics operation to the distortion values and the distribution values to generate at least one operation value; and selecting the target motion vector according to the operation value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for video data processing. A current picture and a reference picture in a sequence of pictures are provided. A portion of the current picture is acquired as a prediction region. A portion of the reference picture is repeatedly acquired as a search window until all potential portions of the reference picture are completely processed. It is determined that at least one matching score denoting the extent of matching between the prediction region and the search window is calculated by a frame block matching procedure or a field block matching procedure contingent upon the content of the search window.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes a video decoder and a video encoder to process video frames. The video decoder generates decompressed frames from first compressed video frames and write the decompressed frames to a memory, at least one of the decompressed frames being generated using information from a previously generated decompressed frame. The video encoder generates second compressed video frames from the decompressed frames without duplicating the decompressed frames.

Abstract: A method of protecting a video encoder while encoding video data corresponding to a first video signal includes receiving the first video signal; detecting a start of a first field in the first video signal; outputting information corresponding to the first field in the first video signal as a first field in a second video signal; and waiting at least a minimum field duration from a start of the first field in the second video signal before outputting information of a second field in the second video signal. The method increases the stability of the video encoder and also prevents erroneous data from being encoded by the video encoder during channel switches that cause sync signal timing differences in the first video signal.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for motion estimation in a video compression system uses a cost function different from that of the prior art to determine an optimal motion vector for a current encoding block. The cost function takes into account, not only the conventional sum of absolute differences, but also the quantization step and the variation of pixel differences between the current encoding block and a block in a search range in a target picture. Using the disclosed cost function, the result residual corresponding to the optimal motion vector can be better compressed than that of other candidate motion vectors.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for motion estimation in a video compression system uses a cost function different from that of the prior art to determine an optimal motion vector for a current encoding block. The cost function takes into account, not only the conventional sum of absolute differences, but also the quantization step and the variation of pixel differences between the current encoding block and a block in a search range in a target picture. Using the disclosed cost function, the result residual corresponding to the optimal motion vector can be better compressed than that of other candidate motion vectors.