Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for picture-in-picture (PIP) processing for video telephony (VT). According to the disclosed techniques, a local video communication device transmits PIP information to a remote video communication device. Using the PIP information, the remote video communication device applies preferential encoding to non-PIP regions of video transmitted to the local video communication device.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) processing for video telephony (VT) applications. According to the disclosed techniques, a recipient device defines ROI information for video information transmitted by a sender device, i.e., far-end video information. The recipient device transmits the ROI information to the sender device. Using the ROI information transmitted by the recipient device, the sender device applies preferential encoding to an ROI within a video scene. ROI extraction may be applied to process a user description of a region of interest (ROI) to generate information specifying the ROI based on the description. The user description may be textual, graphical, or speech-based. An extraction module applies appropriate processing to generated the ROI information from the user description. The extraction module may locally reside with a video communication device, or reside in a distinct intermediate server configured for ROI extraction.

Abstract: A decoder may apply a resource-focused interpolation mode to enable or disable interpolation or extrapolation of video units, such as frames, based on power and quality considerations. In one mode, interpolation may be disabled to conserve power when reference frames are not likely to produce satisfactory quality. In another mode, the threshold may be adjustable as a function of power saving requirements. This disclosure also describes selection of reference video frames to be used for interpolation or extrapolation of a video frame. A decoder may apply a quality-focused mode to select a reference frame based on quality criteria. The quality criteria may indicate a level of quality likely to be produced by a reference frame. If no reference frames satisfy the quality criteria, interpolation or extrapolation may be disabled. Display of an interpolated or extrapolated frame may be selectively enabled based on a quality analysis of the frame.

Abstract: An adaptive Intra-refresh (IR) technique for digital video encoding adjusts IR rate based on video content, or a combination of video content and channel condition. The IR rate may be applied at the frame level or macroblock (MB) level. At the frame level, the IR rate specifies the percentage of MBs to be Intra-coded within the frame. At the MB level, the IR rate defines a statistical probability that a particular MB is to be Intra-coded. The IR rate is adjusted in proportion to a combined metric that weighs estimated channel loss probability, frame-to-frame variation, and texture information. The IR rate can be determined using a close-form solution that requires relatively low implementation complexity. For example, such a close-form does not require iteration or an exhaustive search. In addition, the IR rate can be determined from parameters that are available before motion estimation and compensation are performed.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for picture-in-picture (PIP) processing for video telephony (VT). According to the disclosed techniques, a local video communication device transmits PIP information to a remote video communication device. Using the PIP information, the remote video communication device applies preferential encoding to non-PIP regions of video transmitted to the local video communication device.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for encoder-assisted adaptive interpolation of video frames. According to the disclosed techniques, an encoder generates information to assist a decoder in interpolation of a skipped video frame, i.e., an S frame. The information permits the decoder to reduce visual artifacts in the interpolated frame and thereby achieve improved visual quality. The information may include interpolation equation labels that identify selected interpolation equations to be used by the decoder for individual video blocks. As an option, to conserve bandwidth, the equation labels may be transmitted for only selected video blocks that meet a criterion for encoder-assisted interpolation. Other video blocks without equation labels may be interpolated according to a default interpolation technique.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for encoder-assisted adaptive interpolation of video frames. According to the disclosed techniques, an encoder generates information to assist a decoder in interpolation of a skipped video frame, i.e., an S frame. The information permits the decoder to reduce visual artifacts in the interpolated frame and thereby achieve improved visual quality. The information may include interpolation equation labels that identify selected interpolation equations to be used by the decoder for individual video blocks. As an option, to conserve bandwidth, the equation labels may be transmitted for only selected video blocks that meet a criterion for encoder-assisted interpolation. Other video blocks without equation labels may be interpolated according to a default interpolation technique.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power. A method may comprise receiving wireless power with a receiver and charging an accumulator with energy from the received wireless power. The method may further include conveying energy from the accumulator to an energy storage device upon a charging level of the accumulator reaching a threshold level.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) coding for video telephony (VT). The disclosed techniques also include techniques for allocation of bits to ROI and non-ROI areas using weighted bit allocation models at the macroblock (MB) level within the ? domain.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to decoder-side region-of-interest (ROI) video processing. A video decoder determines whether ROI assistance information is available. If not, the decoder defaults to decoder-side ROI processing. The decoder-side ROI processing may estimate the reliability of ROI extraction in the bitstream domain. If ROI reliability is favorable, the decoder applies bitstream domain ROI extraction. If ROI reliability is unfavorable, the decoder applies pixel domain ROI extraction. The decoder may apply different ROI extraction processes for intra-coded (I) and inter-coded (P or B) data. The decoder may use color-based ROI generation for intra-coded data, and coded block pattern (CBP)-based ROI generation for inter-coded data. ROI refinement may involve shape-based refinement for intra-coded data, and motion- and color-based refinement for inter-coded data.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for picture-in-picture (PIP) processing for video telephony (VT). According to the disclosed techniques, a local video communication device transmits PIP information to a remote video communication device. Using the PIP information, the remote video communication device applies preferential encoding to non-PIP regions of video transmitted to the local video communication device.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) coding for video telephony (VT). The disclosed techniques include adaptive skipping of non-ROI (i.e., background) areas to conserve encoding bits for allocation to the ROI.

Abstract: Display of an interpolated or extrapolated video unit, such as a video frame, may be selectively enabled based on a quality analysis. This disclosure also describes selection of reference video frames to be used for interpolation or extrapolation. A decoder may apply a quality-focused mode to select a reference frame based on quality criteria. The quality criteria may indicate a level of quality likely to be produced by a reference frame. If no reference frames satisfy the quality criteria, interpolation or extrapolation may be disabled. A decoder may apply a resource-focused frame interpolation mode to enable or disable frame interpolation or extrapolation for some frames based on power and quality considerations. In one mode, frame interpolation may be disabled to conserve power when reference frames are not likely to produce satisfactory quality. In another mode, the threshold may be adjustable as a function of power saving requirements of the decoder.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for automatic segmentation of a region-of-interest (ROI) video object from a video sequence. ROI object segmentation enables selected ROI or “foreground” objects of a video sequence that may be of interest to a viewer to be extracted from non-ROI or “background” areas of the video sequence. Examples of a ROI object are a human face or a head and shoulder area of a human body. The disclosed techniques include a hybrid technique that combines ROI feature detection, region segmentation, and background subtraction. In this way, the disclosed techniques may provide accurate foreground object generation and low-complexity extraction of the foreground object from the video sequence. A ROI object segmentation system may implement the techniques described herein. In addition, ROI object segmentation may be useful in a wide range of multimedia applications that utilize video sequences, such as video telephony applications and video surveillance applications.

Abstract: A stereo 3D video frame includes left and right components that are combined to produce a stereo image. For a given amount of distortion, the left and right components may have different impacts on perceptual visual quality of the stereo image due to asymmetry in the distortion response of the human eye. A 3D video encoder adjusts an allocation of coding bits between left and right components of the 3D video based on a frame-level bit budget and a weighting between the left and right components. The video encoder may generate the bit allocation in the rho (?) domain. The weighted bit allocation may be derived based on a quality metric that indicates overall quality produced by the left and right components. The weighted bit allocation compensates for the asymmetric distortion response to reduce overall perceptual distortion in the stereo image and thereby enhance or maintain visual quality.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for selective video frame rate upconversion (FRUC) in a video decoder. A video decoder selectively enables or disables FRUC based on one or more adaptive criteria. The adaptive criteria may be selected to indicate whether FRUC is likely to introduce spatial artifacts. Adaptive criteria may include a motion activity threshold, a mode decision threshold, or both. The criteria are adaptive, rather than fixed. When the criteria indicate that a frame includes excessive motion or new content, the decoder disables FRUC.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for video source rate control for video telephony (VT) applications. The source video encoding rate may controlled using a dual-buffer based estimation of a frame budget that defines a number of encoding bits available for a frame of the video. The dual-buffer based estimation technique may track the fullness of a physical video buffer and the fullness of the virtual video buffer. The source video encoding rate is then controlled based on the resulting frame budget. The contents of the virtual buffer depend on constraints imposed by a target encoding rate, while the contents of the physical buffer depend on constraints imposed by varying channel conditions. Consideration of physical video buffer fullness permits the video source rate control technique to be channel-adaptive. Consideration of virtual video buffer fullness permits the video source rate control technique to avoid encoding excessive video that could overwhelm the channel.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to selective wireless power transfer. A method may include transferring wireless power to at least one electronic device while varying at least one parameter of the wireless power transfer according to a wireless power transfer scenario.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to adaptive frame skipping techniques for rate controlled video encoding of a video sequence. According to the disclosed techniques, an encoder performs frame skipping in an intelligent manner that can improve video quality of the encoded sequence relative to encoding using conventional frame skipping. In particular, the disclosed frame skipping scheme is adaptive and considers motion activity of the video frames in order to identify certain frames that can be skipped without sacrificing significant video quality. The described frame skipping techniques may take into account the tradeoff between spatial and temporal quality of different video frames. In this manner, the techniques can allocate limited resources between the spatial and temporal quality in a way that can improve the visual appearance of a video sequence.

Abstract: In an image/video encoding and decoding system employing an artifact evaluator a method and/or apparatus to process video blocks comprising a decoder operable to synthesize an un-filtered reconstructed video block or frame and an artifact filter operable to receive the un-filtered reconstructed video block or frame, which generates a filtered reconstructed video block or frame. A memory buffer operable to store either the filtered reconstructed video block or frame or the un-filtered reconstructed video block or frame, and an artifact evaluator operable to update the memory buffer after evaluating and determining which of the filtered video block or frame, or the un-filtered video block or frame yields better image/video quality.