Abstract: A method and apparatus for staggercasting a plurality of content representative signals includes encoding a first and a corresponding second signal representing each of the plurality of content representative signals. A composite signal is generated comprising the plurality of first and second encoded signals. In the composite signal, each respective second encoded signal is delayed with respect to the corresponding first encoded signal. The first and second encoded signal representing a selected one of the content representative signals is extracted to reproduce the selected content representative signal. The extracted first encoded signal is decoded if an error is detected in the extracted second encoded signal, otherwise the extracted second encoded signal is decoded. When a different content representative signal is newly selected, the first extracted encoded signal is decoded until the delayed second extracted encoded signal is available.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for determining expected distortion in decoded video blocks. An apparatus includes a distortion calculator for calculating an expected distortion for an image block, included in a picture of a video sequence and sent over a lossy channel, using a motion vector for the image block when the motion vector has a non-integer value. The distortion calculator calculates the expected distortion based upon a propagated distortion of at least two neighboring integer pixel positions in a reference picture with respect to the motion vector having the non-integer value. The image block is coded in an inter mode or a SKIP mode.

Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block with two reference picture indices to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize implicit weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes an implicit reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to each reference picture index; an encoder includes an implicit reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to each reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving the reference picture indices with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining an implicit weighting factor responsive to the relative positioning of the image block and the reference pictures indicated by each reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference pictures, and multiplying the motion compensated reference

Abstract: There is provided a compression method for handling local brightness variation in video. The compression method estimates the weights from previously encoded and reconstructed neighboring pixels of the current block in the source picture and their corresponding motion predicted (or collocated) pixels in the reference pictures. Since the information is available in both the encoder and decoder for deriving these weights, no additional bits are required to be transmitted.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for edge-based spatio-temporal filtering. An apparatus for filtering a sequence of pictures includes a spatial filter, a motion compensator, a deblocking filter, and a temporal filter. The spatial filter is for spatially filtering a picture in the sequence and at least one reference picture selected from among previous pictures and subsequent pictures in the sequence with respect to the picture. The motion compensator, in signal communication with the spatial filter, is for forming, subsequent to spatial filtering, multiple temporal predictions for the picture from the at least one reference picture. The deblocking filter, in signal communication with the motion compensator, is for deblock filtering the multiple temporal predictions. The temporal filter, in signal communication with the deblocking filter, is for temporally filtering the multiple temporal predictions and combining the multiple temporal predictions to generate a noise reduced version of the picture.

Abstract: There are provided scalable video encoders, scalable video decoders, and corresponding methods for scalable video encoding and decoding. A scalable video encoder includes an encoder (100) for encoding a block in a picture by performing a motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTF) prediction step for the block using a first weighting factor applied to a first reference picture, while using a different default update weighting factor applied to a second reference picture for a corresponding MCTF update step for the block.

Abstract: There are provided a method and apparatus for block-based error concealment. The apparatus includes an error concealment module for concealing a current block in a lost picture of a video sequence by projecting positions of at least one block in a correctly received picture of the video sequence to a position of the current block in the lost picture using motion vectors of the at least one block in the correctly received picture so as to obtain a resultant projection, and selecting one of the at least one block in the correctly received picture based upon an amount of overlap in the resultant projection. The current block in the lost picture is then concealed using a motion vector of the selected one of the at least one block in the correctly received picture.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there are provided method and apparatus for using high-level syntax in scalable video encoding and decoding. In one embodiment, a scalable video encoder includes an encoder for encoding video signal data by adding fragment order information in a network abstraction layer unit header (440). In another embodiment, a scalable video encoder includes an encoder for encoding video signal data by adding (430) fragment order information in a scalable supplementary enhancement information message corresponding to the video signal data.

Abstract: An encoder, a decoder, corresponding encoding and decoding methods, video signal structure, and storage media are provided for scalable video encoding and decoding. A scalable video encoder includes an encoder (100) for encoding a picture to form a base layer bitstream and an enhancement layer bitstream. The base layer bitstream and the enhancement layer bitstream are formed by partitioning the picture into a plurality of image blocks, grouping the plurality of image blocks into one or more slice groups in the base layer bitstream and into two or more slice groups in the enhancement layer bitstream, encoding all of the one or more slice groups in the base layer bitstream and less than all of the two or more slice groups in the enhancement layer such that at least one slice group from among the two or more slice groups is intentionally un-encoded in the enhancement layer bitstream, encoding a syntax element in a header to indicate the at least one intentionally un-encoded slice group in the enhancement layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for encoding video signal data for transmission in a network. The method includes the step of encoding the video signal data at a variable bit rate using at least one of a prioritized structure or a scalable coding structure to obtain a bitstream having a base layer and an enhancement layer. The encoding step encodes the video signal data such that a base layer bitrate is constrained (420) to be less than or equal to a first value over a first time interval, and all of the bitstream, including the base layer and the enhancement layer, is constrained (425) to a bitrate less than or equal to a second value over a second time interval.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for weighted prediction in scalable video encoding and decoding. A scalable video encoder includes an encoder (100) for encoding a block in an enhancement layer of a picture by applying a weighting parameter to an enhancement layer reference picture. The weighting parameter used to encode the block in the enhancement layer is adaptively selected from between a weighting parameter applied to a lower layer reference picture to encode a block in the lower layer of the picture and a different weighting parameter applicable in the enhancement layer. The block in the enhancement layer corresponds to the block in the lower layer. The enhancement layer reference picture corresponds to the lower layer reference picture.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for the use of slice groups in encoding and decoding multi-view video coding (MVC) information. An apparatus (100) and method (500) are described which encodes at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups (510, 515, 520). Furthermore, an apparatus (200) and method (600) are described for decoding at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups (620).

Abstract: A scheduler schedules multimedia content files for transmission over a broadcast network. Multimedia content files can be any sort of audio/video clips like, sports video, music video, news clip, movie sound track etc. In particular, the scheduler determines a transmission order for content files as a function of a dynamic priority value, which is determined in accordance with at least a dissimilarity measure between the content files; wherein the dissimilarity measure of the media content files is further determined as a function of the clip meta data associated with each clip. Schedule timing information and meta data information is transmitted over a broadcast network along with the clips so that receivers can do selective reception of their preferred clips, saving battery power and storage.

Abstract: A Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H) system comprises a head-end and at least one receiver. The head-end uses the File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) protocol for transmitting an electronic service guide (ESG) and content to the receiver. The receiver determines a time delay for receiving content as a function of a value of a PublishedStartTime parameter from the ESG and the actual time the receiver receives the content. Using this time delay, the receiver forms a time estimate for receiving selected content as a function of a value of a PublishedStartTime parameter from the ESG for the selected content and the determined time delay. The receiver then performs power, management such that during those intervals of time that the receiver is not expected to receive the selected content the receiver can reduce power.

Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block with two reference picture indices to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize implicit weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes an implicit reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding each reference picture index; and encoder includes an implicit reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to each reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving the reference picture indices with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining an implicit weighting factor responsive to the relative positioning of the image block and the reference pictures indicated by each reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference pictures, and multiplying the motion compensated reference pi

Abstract: A method is claimed for encoding a group of pictures at a target bit rate. A pre-analysis procedure (105) is performed for each frame in the group of pictures as to develop a series of parameters. A pre-processing procedure is then performed for a frame selected from said group of pictures (115), so that the parameters associated with the selected frame are updated while the parameters associated unencoded frames from the group of pictures remain the same. These two sets of parameters are then used to determine an allocated bit rate (125) for the frame such that when the frame is actually encoded, the allocated bit rate is reserved for the encoding operation. The allocated bit rate and the target bit rate for the group of pictures may be different, and the quantization level associated with the allocated bit rate may be different than the quantization level associated with the actual bit rate used to encode the frame.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for the use of slice groups in encoding and decoding multi-view video coding (MVC) information. An apparatus and method are described which encodes at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups. Furthermore, an apparatus and method are described for decoding at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups.

Abstract: Various disclosed implementations allow a flexible amount of redundancy to be used in coding. In one general implementation, information is accessed for determining which of multiple encodings of at least a portion of a data object to send over a channel. A set of multiple encodings is determined for sending over the channel, with the set including at least one and possibly more of the multiple encodings, and the number of encodings in the set being based on the accessed information. In a more particular implementation, the redundant slice feature of the H.264/AVC coding standard is used, and a variable number of redundant slices is transmitted for any given picture based on current channel conditions.

Abstract: The addition of comfort noise to an image serves to hide compression artifacts. To facilitate comfort noise addition, supplemental information accompanying a video image contains at least one parameter that specifies an attribute regarding comfort noise. Typically, the supplemental information includes parameters that function to turn the comfort noise on and off, as well as to indicate the level of noise to add, based on the expected level of compression artifacts.

Abstract: According to a general aspect, a decoded picture is removed from memory based on dependency information that describes one or more inter-view dependency relationships for the picture. Implementations may also include accessing a picture from a first view and the dependency information. The dependency information may describe one or more inter-view dependency relationships for the picture from the first view. The picture from the first view may be decoded to produce the decoded picture. The decoded picture may be stored in memory. One application area involves removing pictures from a decoded picture buffer when such pictures are no longer needed as a reference picture.