Abstract: A coding method for an ordered series of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data, including a context adaptive position coding process to encode the position of clusters of non-zero-valued coefficients, e.g., a multidimensional position coder that uses one of a plurality of code mappings selected according to at least one criterion including at least one context-based criterion, and an amplitude encoding process to encode any amplitudes remaining to be coded, the amplitude coding using one or a plurality of amplitude code mappings selected according to at least one criterion, including a context-based criterion. A context-based selection criterion means a criterion that during encoding is known or derivable from one or more previously encoded items of information. Also a coding apparatus, a decoding apparatus, a computer readable medium configured with instructions that when executed implement a coding method, and another medium for a decoding method.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon that when executed cause a method to be carried out. The method includes dividing at least a portion of a picture of a video stream into parts of blocks, and processing the parts in parallel by a plurality of interconnected processors. The processing of a respective part by its respective processor includes edge detection and color segmentation to determine block-level edge features including block-level color-segmented edge features. Each processor also performs coding functions on its respective part of the picture. The method also includes block-level processing using the block-level edge features to determine which blocks in the picture are likely to be that of a face, the block-level processing being at the granularity of at least a block.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes receiving a plurality of depth values corresponding to pixels of an image; and filtering the image as a function of a plurality of variations in the depth values between adjacent pixels of a window associated with the image. In more detailed embodiments, the method may include encoding the image into a bit stream for transmission over a network. The filtering can account for a bit rate associated with the encoding of the image.

Abstract: A system and method for alerting participants in a videoconference that one or more participants are improperly framed by the videoconference camera is provided. An embodiment comprises a temporary self-view picture-in-picture image appearing when the number of faces detected by the videoconference camera changes. A face detection algorithm is used to determine when the number of faces being detected by the videoconference camera has changed. The self-view picture-in-picture image displays, for a duration of time, a representation of the image being captured by the videoconference camera, allowing participants who are not properly framed by the videoconference camera to adjust their position to that their faces are captured by the videoconference camera.

Abstract: A video coder includes a forward coder and a reconstruction module determining a motion compensated predicted picture from one or more previously decoded pictures in a multi-picture store. The reconstruction module includes a reference picture predictor that uses only previously decoded pictures to determine one or more predicted reference pictures. The predicted reference picture(s) are used for motion compensated prediction. The reference picture predictor may include optical flow analysis that uses a current decoded picture and that may use one or more previously decoded pictures together with affine motion analysis and image warping to determine at least a portion of at least one of the reference pictures.

Abstract: A coding method, apparatus, and medium with software encoded thereon to implement a coding method. The coding method includes encoding the position of non-zero-valued coefficients in an ordered series of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data, including encoding events using variable length coding using a plurality of variable length code mappings that each maps events to codewords, the position encoding including switching between the code mappings based on the context. The coding method further includes encoding amplitudes of the non-zero-valued coefficients using variable dimensional amplitude coding in the reverse order of the original ordering of the series.

Abstract: A controller controls a camera that produces a sequence of images and that has output coupled to a video encoder. The camera has an operating condition including a field of view and lighting, and one or more imaging parameters. The video encoder encodes images from the camera into codewords. The controller receives one or more encoding properties from the video encoder, and causes adjusting one or more of the imaging parameters based on at least one of the received encoding properties, such that the camera produces additional images of the sequence of images for the video encoder using the adjusted one or more imaging parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first image of a party that is stored in a first structure in response to an instruction to enroll the user in a system, and using information associated with the first image to identify a second image stored in a second structure. The second image has a relatively high likelihood of depicting the party. Finally, the method includes enrolling the party in the system, wherein enrolling the party in the system includes associating the second image with the party.

Abstract: A coding method, apparatus, and storage media with instructions to carry out a method. The method operates on an ordered series of transform coefficients of a block of image data, and for a fixed quantization method, and includes quantizing and encoding the ordered series to form a coded bitstream. The quantizing and encoding uses one or more variable length code (VLC) mappings. The quantizing includes quantizing to have amplitude-1 at least one coefficient that would be quantized by the fixed quantization method to have zero amplitude, quantizing to have zero amplitude at least one coefficient that would be quantized by the fixed quantization method to have amplitude-1, and using the fixed quantization method to quantize any coefficient that is quantized by the fixed quantization method not to have zero amplitude, amplitude-1, or amplitude-2.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a camera dynamic parameter; determining a reference transform parameter based on the camera dynamic parameter; applying the reference transform parameter to generate a video image; and encoding the reference transform parameter in a bitstream for transmission with the video image. In other more specific instances, the method may include decoding a particular video image; decoding a particular reference transform parameter; and applying a particular reference transform parameter to the particular video image. The entropy-decoded data can undergo inverse quantization and transformation such that reference transformed data is combined with the entropy-decoded data. Additionally, the entropy-decoded data can be subjected to filtering before decoded video images are rendered on a display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may receive at least one image in which multiple targets are represented. The apparatus may assign possible identities to the targets based on probabilities associated with the identities. The apparatus may base a probability of a target being one of the identities, at least in part, on an identity-specific context and on a conditional probability that the target is the identity given that each one of at least two other of the targets is another respective one of the identities. The identity-specific context may be information that relates to a determined identity. The apparatus may identify the targets based on the identities and on the probabilities associated with the identities.

Abstract: A coding method for an ordered series of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data, including a context adaptive position coding process to encode the position of clusters of non-zero-valued coefficients, e.g., a multidimensional position coder that uses one of a plurality of code mappings selected according to at least one criterion including at least one context-based criterion, and an amplitude encoding process to encode any amplitudes remaining to be coded, the amplitude coding using one or a plurality of amplitude code mappings selected according to at least one criterion, including a context-based criterion. A context-based selection criterion means a criterion that during encoding is known or derivable from one or more previously encoded items of information. Also a coding apparatus, a decoding apparatus, a computer readable medium configured with instructions that when executed implement a coding method, and another medium for a decoding method.

Abstract: A network-adaptive error recovery method for real-time video transmission based on sending repair frames preemptively with a frequency that is based on observed run-length of good frames and round trip time.

Abstract: A coding method, apparatus, and medium with software encoded thereon to implement a coding method. The coding method includes encoding the position of non-zero-valued coefficients in an ordered series of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data, including encoding events using variable length coding using a plurality of variable length code mappings that each maps events to codewords, the position encoding including switching between the code mappings based on the context. The coding method further includes encoding amplitudes of the non-zero-valued coefficients using variable dimensional amplitude coding in the reverse order of the original ordering of the series.

Abstract: In an image generation and rendering system, a quality stamp indicative of image fidelity is embedded in image data units resulting from image data compression/encoding. At decoding, the image quality stamp is captured and when the decoded image is rendered, a fidelity indicator is displayed along with the image.

Abstract: Particular embodiments include a method, an apparatus, and logic embodied in tangible computer-readable medium that when executed carries out a method of encoding an ordered sequence of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data. One embodiment is a context adaptive variable length coding method that includes position coding the positions of zero-valued and non-zero valued coefficients by either a mixed method that encodes either the run length of zeroes preceding a non-zero coefficient or the run length of nonzero-valued coefficients preceding a zero-valued coefficients. Another includes position coding that uses a variable length code for two parameters respectively indicating the number of zero-valued coefficient positions and nonzero-valued coefficient positions still to be coded.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to analyze video frames of a video signal in order to distinguish regions containing a face (and body torso) from regions that contain a relatively static background. The region containing the face is referred to as a foreground region. A current video frame is divided into a plurality of elements and the foreground regions and background regions are detected. The background regions of a subsequent video frame are detected/registered using the foreground regions of the current video frame. The foreground regions of the subsequent video frame are determined using the background regions of the current video frame as a temporal reference.

Abstract: A coding method for an ordered series of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data, including a context adaptive position coding process to encode the position of clusters of non-zero-valued coefficients, e.g., a multidimensional position coder that uses one of a plurality of code mappings selected according to at least one criterion including at least one context-based criterion, and an amplitude encoding process to encode any amplitudes remaining to be coded, the amplitude coding using one or a plurality of amplitude code mappings selected according to at least one criterion, including a context-based criterion. A context-based selection criterion is meant a criterion that during encoding is known or derivable from one or more previously encoded items of information. Also a coding apparatus, a decoding apparatus, a computer readable medium configured with instructions that when executed implement a coding method, and another medium for a decoding method.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a camera element; using change detection statistics to identify background image data; using the background image data as a temporal reference to determine foreground image data of a particular video frame within the video input; using a selected foreground image for a background registration of a subsequent video frame; and providing at least a portion of the subsequent video frame to a next destination.

Abstract: Particular embodiments include a method, an apparatus, and logic embodied in tangible computer-readable medium that when executed carries out a method of encoding an ordered sequence of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data. One embodiment is a context adaptive variable length coding method that includes position coding the positions of zero-valued and non-zero valued coefficients by either a mixed method that encodes either the run length of zeroes preceding a non-zero coefficient or the run length of nonzero-valued coefficients preceding a zero-valued coefficients. Another includes position coding that uses a variable length code for two parameters respectively indicating the number of zero-valued coefficient positions and nonzero-valued coefficient positions still to be coded.