Abstract: The present invention uses special fastening brackets to assemble a canopy. The fastening brackets are uniquely shaped so it could bind the metal bars together without the need to drill holes through them, thereby causing the need to match the holes. Therefore, as the canopy changes its shapes as it is being used, the assembling would not be a problem.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that can advantageously be used in a video encoder to improve picture quality, to improve the speed of encoding, and the like. One embodiment of the invention advantageously computes activity measures using an efficient L1-norm, which can advantageously be relatively quickly computed by selected microprocessors. Another embodiment of the invention advantageously allocates bits to macroblocks of a picture based at least in part on the motion activities of the macroblocks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to advantageously improve bit rate control in a video encoder, such as an MPEG video encoder. The targeted bit allocation for a picture to be encoded is advantageously varied based on an occupancy level of a buffer model, such as a video buffer verifier (VBV) buffer model.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that advantageously improve bit rate control in a video encoder, such as an MPEG video encoder. One embodiment of the invention advantageously varies the targeted bit allocation for a picture to be encoded based on an occupancy level of a buffer model, such as a video buffer verifier (VBV) buffer model.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a bit budget is calculated for a first scene. In addition, bit budgets for corresponding frames, including at least a first frame, within the first scene are determined. Optionally, bit budgets corresponding to macroblocks within the first frame are also determined.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a first root mean squared (RMS) value is calculated for a first frame relative to a second frame, and a second frame relative to a third frame. A second temporal derivative RMS value is calculated. Based at least in part on the second derivative value, the second frame is designated as a scene change frame.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a first root mean squared (RMS) value is calculated for a first frame relative to a second frame, and a second frame relative to a third frame. A second temporal derivative RMS value is calculated. Based at least in part on the second derivative value, the second frame is designated as a scene change frame.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a sequence of frames is received. For each frame in at least a portion of the sequence of frames, a corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter between frames bracketing said each frame is calculated. At least partly based on the corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter, a first frame in the sequence of frames is skipped.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that provide improved video encoding. Conventional video encoding techniques inadequately determine the encoding mode for a macroblock. One embodiment according to the invention advantageously includes the coding cost for motion vectors into the mode decision, thereby enhancing the quality of the selection of the mode. One embodiment further uses an L1 norm in the decision, thereby advantageously reducing the computational complexity of taking the coding cost for motion vectors into the mode decision.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a bit budget is calculated for a first scene. In addition, bit budgets for corresponding frames, including at least a first frame, within the first scene are determined. Optionally, bit budgets corresponding to macroblocks within the first frame are also determined.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a first root mean squared (RMS) value is calculated for a first frame relative to a second frame, and a second frame relative to a third frame. A second temporal derivative RMS value is calculated. Based at least in part on the second derivative value, the second frame is designated as a scene change frame.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a sequence of frames is received. For each frame in at least a portion of the sequence of frames, a corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter between frames bracketing said each frame is calculated. At least partly based on the corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter, a first frame in the sequence of frames is skipped.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a bit budget is calculated for a first scene. In addition, bit budgets for corresponding frames, including at least a first frame, within the first scene are determined. Optionally, bit budgets corresponding to macroblocks within the first frame are also determined.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that provide improved video encoding. Conventional video encoding techniques inadequately determine the encoding mode for a macroblock. One embodiment according to the invention advantageously includes the coding cost for motion vectors into the mode decision, thereby enhancing the quality of the selection of the mode. One embodiment further uses an L1 norm in the decision, thereby advantageously reducing the computational complexity of taking the coding cost for motion vectors into the mode decision.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that provide selective filtering of discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients. Advantageously, filtering of the DCT coefficients is efficiently performed in the frequency domain, rather than the processing intensive pixel domain (time domain). The DCT filtering is performed “in-loop ” to the DCT encoding and not in a preprocessing approach that is independent to encoding loop. The DCT filtering advantageously reduces the number of bits used to encode a picture, which can preserve compliance with occupancy levels for buffer models while improving picture quality over a conventional technique to preserve bits, such as an increase in the value of the quantization parameter QP.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a bit budget is calculated for a first scene. In addition, bit budgets for corresponding frames, including at least a first frame, within the first scene are determined. Optionally, bit budgets corresponding to macroblocks within the first frame are also determined.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a first root mean squared (RMS) value is calculated for a first frame relative to a second frame, and a second frame relative to a third frame. A second temporal derivative RMS value is calculated. Based at least in part on the second derivative value, the second frame is designated as a scene change frame.

Abstract: The present invention is related to video encoding. In an embodiment, a sequence of frames is received. For each frame in at least a portion of the sequence of frames, a corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter between frames bracketing said each frame is calculated. At least partly based on the corresponding mean of absolute differences value weighted by a temporal parameter, a first frame in the sequence of frames is skipped.