Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence in a scalable video encoder to generate a scalable bitstream is provided that includes encoding the video sequence in a first layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a first sub-bitstream, encoding the video sequence in a second layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a second sub-bitstream, wherein portions of the video sequence being encoded in the second layer encoder are predicted using reference portions of the video sequence encoded in the first layer encoder, combining the first sub-bitstream and the second sub-bitstream to generate the scalable bitstream, and signaling in the scalable bitstream an indication of a maximum decoded picture buffer (DPB) size needed for decoding the second sub-bitstream and the first sub-bitstream when the second sub-bitstream is a target sub-bitstream for decoding.

Abstract: A method for encoding a multi-view frame in a video encoder is provided that includes computing a depth quality sensitivity measure for a multi-view coding block in the multi-view frame, computing a depth-based perceptual quantization scale for a 2D coding block of the multi-view coding block, wherein the depth-based perceptual quantization scale is based on the depth quality sensitive measure and a base quantization scale for the 2D frame including the 2D coding block, and encoding the 2D coding block using the depth-based perceptual quantization scale.

Abstract: Techniques for signaling of sample adaptive offset (SAO) information that may reduce the coding rate for signaling such information in the compressed bit stream are provided. More specifically, techniques are provided that allow SAO information common to two or more of the color components to be signaled using one or more syntax elements (flags or indicators) representative of the common information. These techniques reduce the need to signal SAO information separately for each color component.

Abstract: A CNN operates on the disparity or motion outputs of a block matching hardware module, such as a DMPAC module, to produce refined disparity or motion streams which improve operations in images having ambiguous regions. As the block matching hardware module provides most of the processing, the CNN can be small and thus able to operate in real time, in contrast to CNNs which are performing all of the processing. In one example, the CNN operation is performed only if the block hardware module output confidence level is below a predetermined amount. The CNN can have a number of different configurations and still be sufficiently small to operate in real time on conventional platforms.

Abstract: A method for encoding a multi-view frame in a video encoder is provided that includes computing a depth quality sensitivity measure for a multi-view coding block in the multi-view frame, computing a depth-based perceptual quantization scale for a 2D coding block of the multi-view coding block, wherein the depth-based perceptual quantization scale is based on the depth quality sensitive measure and a base quantization scale for the 2D frame including the 2D coding block, and encoding the 2D coding block using the depth-based perceptual quantization scale.

Abstract: A method for sample adaptive offset (SAO) filtering and SAO parameter signaling in a video encoder is provided that includes determining SAO parameters for largest coding units (LCUs) of a reconstructed picture, wherein the SAO parameters include an indicator of an SAO filter type and a plurality of SAO offsets, applying SAO filtering to the reconstructed picture according to the SAO parameters, and entropy encoding LCU specific SAO information for each LCU of the reconstructed picture in an encoded video bit stream, wherein the entropy encoded LCU specific SAO information for the LCUs is interleaved with entropy encoded data for the LCUs in the encoded video bit stream. Determining SAO parameters may include determining the LCU specific SAO information to be entropy encoded for each LCU according to an SAO prediction protocol.

Abstract: A method for decoding encoded blocks of pixels from an encoded video bit stream is provided that includes decoding a block vector corresponding to an encoded block of pixels from the encoded bit stream, verifying that the block vector indicates a block of reconstructed pixels in a search area including reconstructed pixels of a largest coding unit (LCU) including the encoded block of pixels and N left neighboring reconstructed LCUs of the LCU, and decoding the encoded block of pixels, wherein the block of reconstructed pixels is used as a predictor for the encoded block of pixels.

Abstract: A method for automatic generation of calibration parameters for a surround view (SV) camera system is provided that includes capturing a video stream from each camera comprised in the SV camera system, wherein each video stream captures two calibration charts in a field of view of the camera generating the video stream; displaying the video streams in a calibration screen on a display device coupled to the SV camera system, wherein a bounding box is overlaid on each calibration chart, detecting feature points of the calibration charts, displaying the video streams in the calibration screen with the bounding box overlaid on each calibration chart and detected features points overlaid on respective calibration charts, computing calibration parameters based on the feature points and platform dependent parameters comprising data regarding size and placement of the calibration charts, and storing the calibration parameters in the SV camera system.

Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence in a video encoder is provided that includes adapting a quantization parameter of a block of pixels in a picture of the video sequence based on a transform block size of the block of pixels to determine a final quantization parameter, and quantizing transform coefficients of the block of pixels using the final quantization parameter.

Abstract: A method for automatic generation of calibration parameters for a surround view (SV) camera system is provided that includes capturing a video stream from each camera comprised in the SV camera system, wherein each video stream captures two calibration charts in a field of view of the camera generating the video stream; displaying the video streams in a calibration screen on a display device coupled to the SV camera system, wherein a bounding box is overlaid on each calibration chart, detecting feature points of the calibration charts, displaying the video streams in the calibration screen with the bounding box overlaid on each calibration chart and detected features points overlaid on respective calibration charts, computing calibration parameters based on the feature points and platform dependent parameters comprising data regarding size and placement of the calibration charts, and storing the calibration parameters in the SV camera system.

Abstract: A method for decoding encoded blocks of pixels from an encoded video bit stream is provided that includes decoding a block vector corresponding to an encoded block of pixels from the encoded bit stream, verifying that the block vector indicates a block of reconstructed pixels in a search area including reconstructed pixels of a largest coding unit (LCU) including the encoded block of pixels and N left neighboring reconstructed LCUs of the LCU, and decoding the encoded block of pixels, wherein the block of reconstructed pixels is used as a predictor for the encoded block of pixels.

Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence in a video encoder is provided that includes adapting a quantization parameter of a block of pixels in a picture of the video sequence based on a transform block size of the block of pixels to determine a final quantization parameter, and quantizing transform coefficients of the block of pixels using the final quantization parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image coding using hierarchical sample adaptive band offset. The method includes decoding a signal of a portion of an image, determining a band offset type and offset of a portion of the image, utilizing the band offset type and offset to determine a sub-band, and reconstructing a pixel value according to the determined offset value.

Abstract: A method for encoding a multi-view frame in a video encoder is provided that includes computing a depth quality sensitivity measure for a multi-view coding block in the multi-view frame, computing a depth-based perceptual quantization scale for a 2D coding block of the multi-view coding block, wherein the depth-based perceptual quantization scale is based on the depth quality sensitive measure and a base quantization scale for the 2D frame including the 2D coding block, and encoding the 2D coding block using the depth-based perceptual quantization scale.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image coding using hierarchical sample adaptive band offset. The method includes decoding a signal of a portion of an image, determining a band offset type and offset of a portion of the image, utilizing the band offset type and offset to determine a sub-band, and reconstructing a pixel value according to the determined offset value.

Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence in a scalable video encoder to generate a scalable bitstream is provided that includes encoding the video sequence in a first layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a first sub-bitstream, encoding the video sequence in a second layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a second sub-bitstream, wherein portions of the video sequence being encoded in the second layer encoder are predicted using reference portions of the video sequence encoded in the first layer encoder, combining the first sub-bitstream and the second sub-bitstream in the scalable bitstream, and signaling an indication of a highest temporal level of the first sub-bitstream comprising at least one of the reference portions in the scalable bitstream.

Abstract: A method for encoding a multi-view frame in a video encoder is provided that includes computing a depth quality sensitivity measure for a multi-view coding block in the multi-view frame, computing a depth-based perceptual quantization scale for a 2D coding block of the multi-view coding block, wherein the depth-based perceptual quantization scale is based on the depth quality sensitive measure and a base quantization scale for the 2D frame including the 2D coding block, and encoding the 2D coding block using the depth-based perceptual quantization scale.

Abstract: A method for encoding video data is provided that includes determining whether or not a parent coding unit of a coding unit of the video data was predicted in intra-prediction block copy (IntraBC) mode and, when it is determined that the parent coding unit was not predicted in IntraBC mode: computing activity of the coding unit, determining an IntraBC coding cost of the coding unit by computing the IntraBC coding cost of the coding unit using a two dimensional (2D) search when the activity of the coding unit is not than an activity threshold, and computing the IntraBC coding cost of the coding unit using a one dimensional (1D) search when the activity of the coding unit is less than the activity threshold, using the IntraBC coding cost to select an encoding mode from one of a plurality of encoding modes, encoding the coding unit using the selected encoding mode.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a method and an encoder for SSIM-based bits allocation. The encoder includes a memory and a processor utilized for allocating bits based on SSIM, wherein the processor estimates the model parameter of SSIM-based distortion model for the current picture and determines allocates bits based on the SSIM estimation.

Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence in a scalable video encoder to generate a scalable bitstream is provided that includes encoding the video sequence in a first layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a first sub-bitstream, encoding the video sequence in a second layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a second sub-bitstream, wherein portions of the video sequence being encoded in the second layer encoder are predicted using reference portions of the video sequence encoded in the first layer encoder, combining the first sub-bitstream and the second sub-bitstream in the scalable bitstream, and signaling an indication of a highest temporal level of the first sub-bitstream comprising at least one of the reference portions in the scalable bitstream.