Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for an efficient and flexible representation of metadata instances that may be applied during media coding, decoding, and presentation. According to these embodiments, for a plurality of instances of metadata unit payloads to be signaled, a metadata group header section may be formed comprising a corresponding number of metadata unit headers and a metadata group payload section may be formed comprising the respective instances of the metadata unit payloads. The metadata unit headers may provide information that determines how the metadata unit payloads are to be processed. For example, metadata unit headers may define an order of priority among the metadata unit payloads, a persistence of the metadata unit payloads, and application(s) to which the metadata unit payloads relate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a HEIF-based encapsulation technique that is optimized for delivery of small images over communication networks, such as the Internet. In such applications, the coded image content may have a small content payload, the spatial area of the image is small as compared to the range of image sizes that HEIF otherwise supports, and the image may contain only a limited number of representations. According to these embodiments, overhead signaling for these images may be condensed into a distinct box that is distinguishable from other types of HEIF boxes by its character code. The box may be a self-contained unit that contains both the overhead signaling and the coded content of the image itself.

Abstract: Improved still image encoding techniques may include generating first items of a log and second items of coded tile-layer image data, where the log enumerates coding quality levels contained in the second items. The second items may include independent-type items, derived-type items of identity variant, and derived-type items with other variant(s). Such encoding techniques may provide for progressive decoding of images, and may provide for spatially variable encoding quality levels.

Abstract: Improved image coding techniques for high-bit depth images includes deriving two or more separate lower-bit-depth main and extension images from one high-bit-depth source image, and then encoding them separately as lower-bit-depth images. At a decoder, the separate main and extension images are decoded, and then combined to create a single reconstructed source image. The improved techniques may use lossless or lossy codecs, and may provide some backward compatibility with legacy decoders.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for representing video and images with full resolution color component information and yet remain compatible with legacy processing systems that process images with reduced resolution information. The new image representation may include a scalable format that consists of a base layer, coded to match expectations of a legacy coder. The new image representation also may include additional enhancement layer(s) that enable upconversions of reduced-resolution color components to higher resolutions. The image representation not only provides power savings in decoding full-resolution representations but it also provides other benefits, such as scalable and power aware decoding.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a HEIF-based encapsulation technique that is optimized for delivery of small images over communication networks, such as the Internet. In such applications, the coded image content may have a small content payload, the spatial area of the image is small as compared to the range of image sizes that HEIF otherwise supports, and the image may contain only a limited number of representations. According to these embodiments, overhead signaling for these images may be condensed into a distinct box that is distinguishable from other types of HEIF boxes by its character code. The box may be a self-contained unit that contains both the overhead signaling and the coded content of the image itself.

Abstract: Improved image coding techniques for high-bit depth images includes deriving two or more separate lower-bit-depth main and extension images from one high-bit-depth source image, and then encoding them separately as lower-bit-depth images. At a decoder, the separate main and extension images are decoded, and then combined to create a single reconstructed source image. The improved techniques may use lossless or lossy codecs, and may provide some backward compatibility with legacy decoders.

Abstract: Improved still image encoding techniques may include generating first items of a log and second items of coded tile-layer image data, where the log enumerates coding quality levels contained in the second items. The second items may include independent-type items, derived-type items of identity variant, and derived-type items with other variant(s). Such encoding techniques may provide for progressive decoding of images, and may provide for spatially variable encoding quality levels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to image processing and analysis and, in particular, automatic detection of text in an image through an application or an application program interface. In some embodiments, text is detected, but not recognized, through a process including: binarization or trinarization of an image; blob detection of the binarized or trinarized image; grouping blobs into horizontal boundaries; and using statistics to determine that some of horizontal bounded blobs are not text.