Abstract: A parametric loop filter uses a set of fixed filters to remove or reduce noise and artifacts introduced during video coding. The filters are pre-trained offline and hardwired into encoder and decoder, instead of online trained Wiener filters. The filters are able to be specified using one or more parameters including: direction, bandwidth along the direction (bw//) and bandwidth perpendicular to the direction (bw?). The filter to be used is able to be derived from local image characteristics or predicted from neighboring blocks. The parametric loop filter utilizes much less computation, delay and memory access at the encoder. Fixed coefficients allow fast implementation of filtering at the decoder. A parametric loop filter is able to be combined with online training to further improve performance, by allowing one or more fixed filters to be replaced with online trained Wiener filters.

Abstract: 4-tap interpolation filters are able to improve intra prediction when used instead of linear interpolation.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing an intra prediction procedure with an electronic device includes an encoder that utilizes a delta value comparison procedure to identify optimal delta values for creating optimal predicted blocks of image data corresponding to original blocks of image data. The encoder then utilizes the original blocks and the optimal predicted blocks to generate residual blocks that represent the original blocks in an encoded format. The encoder then generates a bitstream containing the delta value information and the residual block for storage or transmission purposes. A decoder may decode the delta values and the residual block to reconstruct the image block.

Abstract: Intra prediction is used in state-of-the-art video coding standards such as AVC. The intra prediction modes are coded into the bitstream. Luma and chroma components could potentially have different prediction modes. For chroma components, there are 7 different modes defined in AVC: vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal directions, and “same as luma”. Statistics show that the “same as luma” mode is frequently used, but in AVC, this mode is encoded using more bits than other modes during entropy coding, therefore the coding efficiency is decreased. Accordingly, a modified binarization/codeword assignment for chroma intra mode signaling is able to be utilized for high efficiency video coding (HEVC), the next generation video coding standard.

Abstract: An enhanced prediction direction method and encoding syntax for B-pictures in state-of-the-art video compression. In bi-directional prediction, instead of using one motion vector (MV) from list 0 and one from list 1, both may be alternatively drawn from list 0 or list 1, and this information communicated to a decoder similarly configured for recognizing the generalized syntax.

Abstract: Spatial domain directional intra prediction has been shown to be very effective to remove the correlation between the pixels in the current block and reconstructed neighbors. In AVC, 8 directional prediction modes (plus the DC prediction mode) are defined. The prediction mode number is signaled to the decoder using a simple predictive coding method. The previous intra prediction methods have two major disadvantages: lack of precision for arbitrary directional patterns and accuracy lack of accuracy to exploit geometric dependency between blocks. To address these issues, a new method accurately predicts the intra directions from reconstructed neighboring pixels and differentially encode the intra directions. This allows a more precise directional prediction without the significant increase in the cost for transmitting the side information.

Abstract: Motion Compensated Prediction (MCP) has been a key factor in most advanced video compression schemes. For further reduction in the residual signal energy in B-frames, bidirectional prediction where two motion-compensated signals are superimposed has also been utilized in most prior video coding standards such as MPEG-2 or MPEG-4/AVC. Syntax changes and appropriate motion vector prediction that allows efficient use of multi-parameter MCP is described. The prediction signal is constructed by linearly combining the motion-compensated signals from each parameter (or motion vector).

Abstract: Enhanced directional prediction apparatus and methods are taught which are based on edge-based adaptive directional estimation, for providing an improved prediction direction for intra prediction within a coding device. Image gradient vectors are obtained for pixels in the neighborhood of the current block, and edge directions determined. Candidate edge directions are processed to derive a dominant edge direction in response to defining an objective function as a summation of projections to a candidate direction and computing suggested direction of each neighboring pixel. The dominant edge direction may be utilized for the prediction direction, such as in response to a detection mode flag signaled to the decoder, or modified by an angular adjustment, which can be communicated to a decoder.

Abstract: Adaptive interpolation filters which are recursively updated based on previously reconstructed images, and which can differ within a single frame as they adapt to spatial changes. An initial set of filters is known within a coding system, including both encoder and decoder. Fractional-pel motion estimation of macroblock is generalized by communicating integer-pel motion vectors and an index to a selected prediction interpolation filter. Prediction filters are updated based on local correlation data comprising auto-correlation data, and/or cross-correlation data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image encoder that divides a digital image into a set of “macroblocks.” If appropriate, a macroblock is “downsampled” to a lower resolution. The lower-resolution macroblock is then encoded by applying spatial (and possibly temporal) prediction. The “residual” of the macroblock is calculated as the difference between the predicted and actual contents of the macroblock. The low-resolution residual is then either transmitted to an image decoder or stored for later use. In some embodiments, the encoder calculates the rate-distortion costs of encoding the original-resolution macroblock and the lower-resolution macroblock and then only encodes the lower-resolution macroblock if its cost is lower. When a decoder receives a lower-resolution residual, it recovers the lower-resolution macroblock using standard prediction techniques. Then, the macroblock is “upsampled” to its original resolution by interpolating the values left out by the encoder.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image encoder that divides a digital image into a set of “macroblocks.” Each macroblock is encoded by applying spatial (and possibly temporal) prediction. The “residual” of the macroblock is calculated as the difference between the predicted content of the macroblock and the actual content of the macroblock. The residual is then “decimated” by taking an orderly subset of its values. The decimated residual is then either transmitted to an image decoder or is stored for later use. To recreate the original image, the macroblocks are first recreated from their received residuals. When a decimated residual is received, the values of the residual left out during decimation are interpolated from the values actually received. Using the prediction techniques along with the residual, the original content of the macroblock is recovered. The macroblocks are then joined to form the original digital image.

Abstract: A device for use with a frame generating portion that is arranged to receive picture data corresponding to a plurality of pictures and to generate encoded video data for transmission across a transmission channel having an available bandwidth. The frame generating portion can generate a frame for each of the plurality of pictures to create a plurality of frames. The encoded video data is based on the received picture data. The device includes a distortion estimating portion and inclusion determining portion and an extracting portion. The distortion estimating portion can estimate a distortion. The inclusion determining portion can establish an inclusion boundary based on the estimated distortion. The extracting portion can extract a frame from the plurality of frames based on the inclusion boundary.