Abstract: A method of processing, prior to encoding using an external encoder, image data using an artificial neural network is provided. The external encoder is operable in a plurality of encoding modes. At the neural network, image data representing one or more images is received. The image data is processed using the neural network to generate output data indicative of an encoding mode selected from the plurality of encoding modes of the external encoder. The neural network trained to select using image data an encoding mode of the plurality of encoding modes of the external encoder using one or more differentiable functions configured to emulate an encoding process. The generated output data is outputted from the neural network to the external encoder to enable the external encoder to encode the image data using the selected encoding mode.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of transmitting video data. A sequence of video frames is received. A warp operation for a first frame and a reference frame of the sequence of video frames is determined, wherein the warp operation defines a transformation of the reference frame to give an approximation of the first frame. One or more regions of interest of the first frame are identified. Encoded image data from the image data of the one of more regions of interest of the first frame is generated using an image encoder. The warp operation and the encoded image data are transmitted.

Abstract: Image data of a first image in a sequence of images is processed using an artificial neural network (ANN) to generate output image data indicative of an alignment of the first image with a second image in the sequence. The ANN is trained using outputs of an alignment pipeline configured to perform alignment of images. The alignment pipeline is configured to determine flow vectors representing optical flow between images, and perform an image transformation using the flow vectors to align the images. The ANN is trained to emulate a result derivable using the alignment pipeline.

Abstract: Image data representing one or more images at a first resolution is received at a first artificial neural network (ANN). The image data is processed using the first ANN to generate upscaled image data representing the one or more images at a second, higher resolution. The first ANN is trained to perform image upscaling and is trained using first training image data representing one or more training images at the first resolution, the first training image data being at a first level of quality. The first ANN is also trained using features of a second ANN, wherein the second ANN is trained to perform image upscaling and is trained using second training image data representing one or more training images at the first resolution, the second training image data being at a second level of quality, higher than the first level of quality.

Abstract: A method of processing a time-varying signal in a signal processing system. Data representative of one or more first time samples of the time-varying signal is received at an artificial neural network, ANN. The received data is processed using the ANN to generate predicted data representative of a second time sample of the time-varying signal, the second time sample being later than the one or more first time samples. The ANN is trained to predict data representative of time samples of time-varying signals based on data representative of earlier time samples of the time-varying signals. The signal processing system processes the predicted data representative of the second time sample in place of a third time sample of the time-varying signal, the third time sample being earlier than the second time sample.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing image data using a model of the human visual system. The model comprises a first artificial neural network system trained to generate the first output data using one or more differentiable functions configured to model the generation of signals from images by the human eye, and a second artificial neural network system trained to generate the second output data using one or more differentiable functions configured to model the processing of signals from the human eye by the human visual cortex. The method comprises receiving image data representing one or more images, processing the received image data using the first artificial neural network system to generate first output data, processing the first output data using a second artificial neural network system to generate second output data. Model output data is determined from the second output data, and output for use in an image processing process.

Abstract: A method of processing image data is provided. Pixel data for a first image is preprocessed to identify a subset of the pixel data corresponding to a region of interest depicting a scene element. The subset of the pixel data is processed at a first encoder to generate a first data structure representative of the region of interest, the first data structure identifying the scene element depicted in the region of interest. The subset of pixel data is also processed at a second encoder to generate a second data structure representative of the region of interest, the second data structure comprising values for visual characteristics associated with the scene element. The first and second data structures are outputted for use by a decoder to generate a second image approximating the region of interest of the first image.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for encoding image data for one or more images. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of downscaling the one or more images, and encoding the one or more downscaled images using an image codec. Another embodiment concerns a computer-implemented method of decoding encoded image data, and a computer-implemented method of encoding and decoding image data.

Abstract: A method of processing, prior to encoding using an external encoder, image data using an artificial neural network is provided. The external encoder is operable in a plurality of encoding modes. At the neural network, image data representing one or more images is received. The image data is processed using the neural network to generate output data indicative of an encoding mode selected from the plurality of encoding modes of the external encoder. The neural network trained to select using image data an encoding mode of the plurality of encoding modes of the external encoder using one or more differentiable functions configured to emulate an encoding process. The generated output data is outputted from the neural network to the external encoder to enable the external encoder to encode the image data using the selected encoding mode.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for preprocessing, prior to encoding with an external encoder, image data using a preprocessing network comprising a set of inter-connected weights is provided. At the preprocessing network, image data from one or more images is received. The image data is processed using the preprocessing network to generate an output pixel representation for encoding with the external encoder. The weights of the preprocessing network are trained to optimize a combination of at least one quality score indicative of the quality of the output pixel representation and a rate score indicative of the bits required by the external encoder to encode the output pixel representation.

Abstract: A method of preprocessing, prior to encoding with an external encoder, image data using a preprocessing network comprising a set of inter-connected learnable weights is provided. At the preprocessing network, image data from one or more images is received. The image data is processed using the preprocessing network to generate an output pixel representation for encoding with the external encoder. The preprocessing network is configured to take as an input display configuration data representing one or more display settings of a display device operable to receive encoded pixel representations from the external encoder. The weights of the preprocessing network are dependent upon the one or more display settings of the display device.

Abstract: A method of configuring an image encoder emulator. Input image data is encoded at an encoding stage comprising a network of inter-connected weights, and decoded at a decoding stage to generate a first distorted version of the input image data. The first distorted version is compared with a second distorted version of the input image data generated using an external encoder to determine a distortion difference score. A rate prediction model is used to predict an encoding bitrate associated with encoding the input image data to a quality corresponding to the first distorted version. A rate difference score is determined by comparing the predicted encoding bitrate with an encoding bitrate used by the external encoder to encode the input image data to a quality corresponding to the second distorted version. The weights of the encoding stage are trained based on the distortion difference score and the rate difference score.

Abstract: A method of preprocessing, prior to encoding with an external encoder, image data using a preprocessing network comprising a set of inter-connected learnable weights is provided. At the preprocessing network, image data from one or more images is received. The image data is processed using the preprocessing network to generate an output pixel representation for encoding with the external encoder. The preprocessing network is configured to take as an input encoder configuration data representing one or more configuration settings of the external encoder. The weights of the preprocessing network are dependent upon the one or more configuration settings of the external encoder.

Abstract: A method of processing image data at a server is provided. Image data from one or more images is received at a preprocessing network comprising a set of inter-connected learnable weights, the weights being dependent upon one or more display settings of a display device. The image data is processed using the preprocessing network to generate a plurality of output pixel representations corresponding to different display settings of the display device. The plurality of output pixel representations are encoded to generate a plurality of encoded bitstreams. At least one selected bitstream is transmitted from the server to the display device, wherein the at least one encoded bitstream is selected on the basis of the one or more display settings of the display device.

Abstract: A method of configuring an image encoder emulator. Input image data is encoded at an encoding stage comprising a network of inter-connected weights, and decoded at a decoding stage to generate a first distorted version of the input image data. The first distorted version is compared with a second distorted version of the input image data generated using an external encoder to determine a distortion difference score. A rate prediction model is used to predict an encoding bitrate associated with encoding the input image data to a quality corresponding to the first distorted version. A rate difference score is determined by comparing the predicted encoding bitrate with an encoding bitrate used by the external encoder to encode the input image data to a quality corresponding to the second distorted version. The weights of the encoding stage are trained based on the distortion difference score and the rate difference score.

Abstract: A method of preprocessing, prior to encoding with an external encoder, image data using a preprocessing network comprising a set of inter-connected learnable weights is provided. At the preprocessing network, image data from one or more images is received. The image data is processed using the preprocessing network to generate an output pixel representation for encoding with the external encoder. The preprocessing network is configured to take as an input encoder configuration data representing one or more configuration settings of the external encoder. The weights of the preprocessing network are dependent upon the one or more configuration settings of the external encoder.

Abstract: A method of preprocessing, prior to encoding with an external encoder, image data using a preprocessing network comprising a set of inter-connected learnable weights is provided. At the preprocessing network, image data from one or more images is received. The image data is processed using the preprocessing network to generate an output pixel representation for encoding with the external encoder. The preprocessing network is configured to take as an input display configuration data representing one or more display settings of a display device operable to receive encoded pixel representations from the external encoder. The weights of the preprocessing network are dependent upon the one or more display settings of the display device.

Abstract: A method of processing image data at a server is provided. Image data from one or more images is received at a preprocessing network comprising a set of inter-connected learnable weights, the weights being dependent upon one or more display settings of a display device. The image data is processed using the preprocessing network to generate a plurality of output pixel representations corresponding to different display settings of the display device. The plurality of output pixel representations are encoded to generate a plurality of encoded bitstreams. At least one selected bitstream is transmitted from the server to the display device, wherein the at least one encoded bitstream is selected on the basis of the one or more display settings of the display device.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for encoding image data for one or more images. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of downscaling the one or more images, and encoding the one or more downscaled images using an image codec. Another embodiment concerns a computer-implemented method of decoding encoded image data, and a computer-implemented method of encoding and decoding image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and mitigating faults in numerical computations of M input data streams is claimed (embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 14). Such faults may occur due to circuit or processor malfunctions stemming from (but not limited to): supply voltage or current fluctuation, timing signal errors, hardware device noise, or other signalling, hardware, or software non-idealities. The invented method and apparatus for numerical entanglement linearly superimposes M input data streams to form M numerically-entangled data streams that can optionally be stored in-place of the original inputs (as in the example embodiments of: Step 2 of FIG. 1 and item 1054 of FIG. 14). A series of operations, such as (but not limited to): scaling, additions/subtractions, inner or outer vector or matrix products and permutations, can then be performed directly using these entangled data streams (as in the example embodiment of Step 3 of FIG. 1, operator g of FIG. 2, FIGS. 6-11, item 1053 of FIG. 14).