Abstract: In some implementations, a device may encode a series of images of video data into an encoded video stream including key frames and delta frames. The delta frames may be arranged according to a hierarchical prediction pattern with multiple temporal layers and a predetermined structure. The device may obtain an instruction to encode a delta frame as a skip frame. The device may determine that the skip frame is to be encoded in a first temporal layer, of the multiple temporal layers, according to the predetermined structure. The device may evaluate whether an immediately preceding frame to the skip frame is encoded, or to be encoded, in a second temporal layer, of the multiple temporal layers, that is finer than the first temporal layer. The device may perform an action based on the evaluation.

Abstract: In some implementations, a device may encode a series of images of video data into an encoded video stream including key frames and delta frames. The delta frames may be arranged according to a hierarchical prediction pattern with multiple temporal layers and a predetermined structure. The device may obtain an instruction to encode a delta frame as a skip frame. The device may determine that the skip frame is to be encoded in a first temporal layer, of the multiple temporal layers, according to the predetermined structure. The device may evaluate whether an immediately preceding frame to the skip frame is encoded, or to be encoded, in a second temporal layer, of the multiple temporal layers, that is finer than the first temporal layer. The device may perform an action based on the evaluation.

Abstract: An improved method of managing encoded image frames in a data buffer is presented. Encoded image frames are buffered, for example in a pre-event buffer, in such a way that all stored, e.g., buffered, encoded image frames can be retrieved from the data buffer as a decodable video sequence and such that only those encoded image frames needed for obtaining a decodable video sequence having a pre-defined recording time may be stored in the data buffer. This may be referred to as pruning the data buffer in such a way that all stored encoded image frames can be retrieved from the data buffer as a decodable video sequence having a pre-defined recording time. Thereby, only the encoded image frames needed for generating the video sequence may be stored in the data buffer. Consequently, no extra space for storage of an extra GOP is needed in the data buffer.

Abstract: An encoding device and a method for encoding an image frame comprising a plurality of pixel blocks are provided. A respective offset compression value is set for each of the plurality of pixel blocks based on an interest level associated with the pixel block, wherein each offset compression value defines an offset in relation to a reference compression value set for the image frame. In the image frame, one or more low contrast regions having a contrast which is below a predefined contrast threshold are identified. For pixel blocks within the one or more low contrast regions having set offset compression values based on the associated interest levels higher than a predefined offset compression threshold, the set offset compression values are selectively restricted to be at most equal to the predefined offset compression threshold. The image frame is then encoded using the set offset compression values.

Abstract: A and method encode a view area within a current image frame of a video into an encoded video area frame. The view area is a respective subarea of each image frame, each image frame comprising first and second image portions, and between previous and current image frames, the view area moves across a boundary between the first and second image portions. First and second encoders are encode image data of the first and second image portions, respectively. First, second and third portions of the view area are identified based on their respective location in the previous and current image frames. Image data of the first and third portions are inter-coded as first and third encoded slices/tiles. Image data of the second portion of the view area in the current image frame are intra-coded as a second encoded slice/tile. The encoded slices/tiles are merged into the encoded video area frame.

Abstract: An improved method of managing encoded image frames in a data buffer is presented. Encoded image frames are buffered, for example in a pre-event buffer, in such a way that all stored, e.g., buffered, encoded image frames can be retrieved from the data buffer as a decodable video sequence and such that only those encoded image frames needed for obtaining a decodable video sequence having a pre-defined recording time may be stored in the data buffer. This may be referred to as pruning the data buffer in such a way that all stored encoded image frames can be retrieved from the data buffer as a decodable video sequence having a pre-defined recording time. Thereby, only the encoded image frames needed for generating the video sequence may be stored in the data buffer. Consequently, no extra space for storage of an extra GOP is needed in the data buffer.

Abstract: A method for forming a combined image frame of a combined video stream comprises: capturing image frames of first and second video streams; encoding image data of the image frames of the first and second video streams, wherein each image frame of the first and second video streams are respectively encoded into first and second encoded data comprising a plurality of rows wherein each row has a height of a single coding unit and a width equal to a width of the image frame and is encoded as one or more slices; and combining the first and second encoded data into combined encoded data by interleaving rows of the first and second encoded data. The combined encoded data representing the combined image frame of the combined video stream.

Abstract: An encoding device and a method for encoding an image frame comprising a plurality of pixel blocks are provided. A respective offset compression value is set for each of the plurality of pixel blocks based on an interest level associated with the pixel block, wherein each offset compression value defines an offset in relation to a reference compression value set for the image frame. In the image frame, one or more low contrast regions having a contrast which is below a predefined contrast threshold are identified. For pixel blocks within the one or more low contrast regions having set offset compression values based on the associated interest levels higher than a predefined offset compression threshold, the set offset compression values are selectively restricted to be at most equal to the predefined offset compression threshold. The image frame is then encoded using the set offset compression values.

Abstract: A and method encode a view area within a current image frame of a video into an encoded video area frame. The view area is a respective subarea of each image frame, each image frame comprising first and second image portions, and between previous and current image frames, the view area moves across a boundary between the first and second image portions. First and second encoders are encode image data of the first and second image portions, respectively. First, second and third portions of the view area are identified based on their respective location in the previous and current image frames. Image data of the first and third portions are inter-coded as first and third encoded slices/tiles. Image data of the second portion of the view area in the current image frame are intra-coded as a second encoded slice/tile. The encoded slices/tiles are merged into the encoded video area frame.

Abstract: A method for forming a combined image frame of a combined video stream comprises: capturing image frames of first and second video streams; encoding image data of the image frames of the first and second video streams, wherein each image frame of the first and second video streams are respectively encoded into first and second encoded data comprising a plurality of rows wherein each row has a height of a single coding unit and a width equal to a width of the image frame and is encoded as one or more slices; and combining the first and second encoded data into combined encoded data by interleaving rows of the first and second encoded data. The combined encoded data representing the combined image frame of the combined video stream.