Abstract: For a flexible consumer multimedia device that remains as robust and cost-effective as the current ones, media algorithms should become more flexible with respect to their resource requirements with the exchange in output quality. We call such algorithms scalable. The state of a cluster of scalable video algorithms (Job) in a consumer multimedia terminal can be described by three parameters. The first one is the job mode, that is the actual cluster of functions and their connections. The second one is the set of valid quality levels of the job mode, which is called operational set. The last one is the assigned quality level. The first two parameters supply the correct processing and the valid search space for the system optimization, and are selected by the job itself. The latter one reflects the actual resource allocation according to the available system resources and is selected by the QoS Resource Manager.

Abstract: A video-apparatus includes a peaking filter (3-5), which, in response to applied video signals, supplies peaking signals (Vp) that are combined with the applied video signals. The peaking filter (3-5) includes a first (3) and a second (4) 1st-first order high-pass or band-pass filter in cascade configuration, while a unit (5, 6) for determining the peaking strength is arranged between the first (3) and second (4) filters.

Abstract: A method of filtering a video signal comprised of a luminance component (Y) and two multiplexed chrominance components (U, V), a same filter architecture being used for forming a luminance signal and a chrominance signal, wherein for both the luminance component and two multiplexed chrominance components it holds that for horizontally filtering at least two non-zero filtering coefficients are used. Preferably, the filter architecture is a low-pass filter arranged to average neighboring pixel data with a weighting coefficient chosen such that the ratio between the sum of the even coefficients and the sum of the odd coefficients is 1:1. Thus the overall weighting of the two chrominance components will be equal. Alternatively, the filter architecture is a low-pass filter with horizontal chrominance weighting coefficients of 1,0,1. This allows processing for the luminance at the same time as allowing low-pass chrominance filtering in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A system and method for processing overlapping video and/or graphics images. The system comprises a first image processing system for processing a first image in a first window; a second image processing system for processing a second image in a second window, wherein the second window overlaps a portion of the first window; a window controller that calculates a set of coordinates for the second window; and a process control system that determines a set of pixels not to process in the overlapped portion of the first window based on the area defined by the calculated set of coordinates less any identified required hidden pixels.

Abstract: For an open and flexible system that is robust and cost-effective, it is proposed to use scalable video algorithms (106, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 306, 308, 406, 408). Scalable video algorithms (106, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 306, 308, 406, 408) can dynamically trade resource usage with visual output quality. In such a system both the visual output quality and the resource usage may change at run-time leading to unpredictable behaviour of the system. A novel approach that assists in the predictability of an open and flexible system is proposed. The idea is that by knowing the parameters that influence the output quality and load of some video algorithms (106, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 306, 308, 406, 408), by appropriately measuring them and by providing the necessary information (316, 320, 416, 420, 426, 427) to the system control (321, 421), the system control (321, 421) can react sooner and do the appropriate changes (317, 322, 323, 417, 422, 423), leading to a predictable system.

Abstract: Nowadays, programmable components (1304), rather than dedicated single-function components can perform continuous media processing in consumer devices, like digital television sets (1310), set-top boxes, PCs, or VCRs. The media processing algorithms that are written for those programmable components (1304), must be designed to provide a plurality of output quality levels in exchange for required processing resources. Since resources are finite, the media processing algorithms must be controlled in their resource usage and the output quality level they provide. Users of consumer devices do not like to see major changes in the quality of, for example, a video they are watching. Therefore, typical algorithm characteristics like the functions an algorithm comprises, the resource usage per function and the quality level per function are used to provide smoother quality transitions.

Abstract: In consumer devices, like digital television sets (610) or set-top boxes, there can be a problem with a sudden load increase caused by for example a scene change and user focus. During such a load increase, the quality of service of the application having the user focus will decrease until the device detects the load increase. The device can reallocate resources to the application (608) having the user focus after which the quality of service will increase again towards its previous level. However, the user may have noticed the quality decrease. In order to prevent this noticeable decrease of quality in overload situations, a method an a system (606) is provided that guarantees a worst-case budget to the application having user focus and conditionally guarantees a budget surplus to an application not having the user focus (610). The latter application can then use that budget surplus to operate at a higher quality of service level.

Abstract: The invention provides coding (20) a set of input values (S1) into a set of coefficients by use of a given algorithm, by selecting (201) coefficients to be calculated, out of a total set of possible coefficients that can be calculated by the given algorithm given the set of input values, in which selecting higher priority is given to coefficients which require a lower calculation cost compared to other coefficients, and by calculating (201) the selected coefficients to obtain the set of coefficients. Preferably, for a given coefficient the calculation cost is at least partly based on an amount of calculation steps that is required to calculate the given coefficient reduced with an amount of calculations that can be shared with the calculation of other selected coefficients, and wherein in the step of calculating results of shared calculation steps are re-used in calculating (201) other coefficients which share the shared calculation steps.

Abstract: A signal having blocks of values is coded by: producing respective bit-streams (DCT—1 . . . DCT_N) for respective individual blocks, and obtaining a scalable bit-stream by cyclically and sequentially scanning selected parts (P1,P2, . . . ) of the respective bit-streams (DCT—1 . . . DCT_N) of the respective individual blocks, wherein, in a given scanning cycle, the respective bit-streams (DCT—1 . . . DCT_N) are scanned in an order of decreasing significance. In a further embodiment, the blocks represent a coded image and the given scanning cycle starts at a block approximately at a center of the coded image. In another embodiment, the blocks represent a coded image and the given scanning cycle scans the respective bit-streams in an image-adaptive order being determined by a predetermined criterion, such as a contrast value.

Abstract: Nowadays, programmable components (604), rather than dedicated single-function components can perform continuous media processing in consumer devices, like digital television sets (610), set-top boxes, PCs, or VCRs. The media processing algorithms that are written for those programmable components (604), must be designed to provide a plurality of output quality levels in exchange for required processing resources. Since resources are finite, the media processing algorithms must be controlled in their resource usage and the output quality level they provide. Users of consumer devices do not like to see major changes in the quality of, for example, a video they are watching. Therefore, typical algorithm characteristics like the functions an algorithm comprises, the resource usage per function and the quality level per function are used to provide smoother quality transitions.

Abstract: A control signal (k_lum) derived from the luminance component (Y) of a video signal is used to adaptively control a temporal noise reduction filter (10) according to the level of motion in a video image. To compress the control signal for storage in a memory (30), the control signal is averaged over each 2×2 pixel area, and then a non-linear compression function is applied. The non-linear compression function preferably selects quantization values of the control signal which correspond to a perceptually substantially linear response in the noise reduction factor (NRF) of the noise filter (10).

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying the four coordinates of a window on a visual display monitor, the apparatus comprising means for obtaining digital data corresponding to pixels of an image to be displayed on the monitor, a memory arranged to receive the digital data, a comparator arranged to compare the values of data for horizontally and vertically adjacent pixels, means for generating a gradient value indicative of the difference in luminance of adjacent pixels in the horizontal and in the vertical directions, a memory for storing the gradient values, means for detecting a unique configuration in the gradient values to identify the three coordinates of one edge of the window, and means for checking in the direction perpendicular to the identified edge for a corresponding unique configuration, to determine the fourth coordinate of the window.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for measuring and filtering noise signals in an active video signal to create an enhanced video signal that produces a video image that is subjectively perceived to be superior to prior art video images. The apparatus of the invention comprises (1) a filter for filtering frequency components of a video signal, and (2) an absolute value unit for calculating the absolute value of pixels in the filtered video signal, and (3) a clipping unit for clipping the absolute values of the pixels to a threshold value related to subjective human perception abilities, and (4) a summer circuit for summing the values of the clipped signals for pixels that are located within a sliding window, where the sliding window is sequentially located in different areas of a frame of the video image, and (5) a detector for detecting at least one minimum sum of the clipped absolute values of the pixels that is indicative of the noise in the video signal of the video image.

Abstract: A video-apparatus comprises a peaking filter (3-5), which, in response to applied video signals, supplies peaking signals (Vp) that are combined with applied video signals. The peaking filter (3-5) includes a first (3) and a second (4) 1st first order high-pass or band-pass filter in cascade configuration, while a unit (5, 6) for determining the peaking strength is put between the first (3) and second (4) filters.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing moiré by preventing the production of the second harmonic of the video signal Nyquist frequency. A nonlinear function is applied to one of a) a digital video signal having a nonlinearity between an electrical video signal and luminance, and b) an analog video signal to create an output signal having a linearity between the electrical signal and luminance. The output signal is displayed on a display having a linearity between the electrical signal and luminance.

Abstract: A video format adaptive electron beam control for causing the spot size of the electron beam to increase for a low resolution signal and for low resolution portions of a high resolution signal, and for causing the spot size of the electron beam to decrease for high resolution portions of the high resolution signal.

Abstract: Described is a noise figure measurement for optical amplifiers by disabling a signal of a channel before the measurement of the amplified spontaneous emission for that channel and by distributing a power equivalent which is substantially equal to the power of the signal of the disabled channel, at at least one other wavelength. The noise figure measurement can be used as well in multi-channel applications such as WDM, as in a single channel operation.

Abstract: A circuit for moiré suppression detects the Nyquist frequency in an input video signal. Based on detected alternating structures indicative of the Nyquist frequency, the circuit fades between outputting the input video signal and a low-pass filtered version of the input video signal. When the output signal is applied to a video display, moiré is suppressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the noise level in an optical amplifier in the presence of a signal at a signal wavelength. The signal is detuned to a second wavelength different from the signal wavelength. A difference function corresponding to the difference in noise levels before and after detuning of the signal as a function of wavelength is determined. The noise level at the signal wavelength is measured. The value of the difference function at the signal wavelength is added to the noise level measured in the previous step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the measurement of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier in the presence of an optical signal. The known technique to perform ASE measurement at the actual signal wave length is called pulse-recovery technique. The disclosed technique requires two highly blocking optical switches for the incident and the outgoing laser beams of the amplifier having a short switching time and switching both beams synchronously with high accuracy.