Abstract: A method of transferring sets of video line data and macroblock data, includes the steps of determining a macroblock period and a video line period longer than the macroblock period, dividing each set of video line data to be transferred within the video line period into two or more portions according to the difference between the determined macroblock period and video line period, aligning a burst transfer of each of the portions of the divided set of video line data and each set of macroblock data to the macroblock period, and initiating the burst transfer of the sets of video line data and macroblock data at macroblock period intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program encode video information. The apparatus, method, and computer program use a global deviation for previously encoded video information to encode additional video information. The global deviation represents a difference between (1) at least one expected characteristic of the previously encoded video information if encoded at a target bit-rate and (2) at least one actual characteristic of the previously encoded video information. The apparatus, method, and computer program use the global deviation to adjust at least one encoding parameter, which is then used to encode the additional video information.

Abstract: A macro-block (MB) quantization reactivity compensation method for a video encoder is provided. The method calculates a reference picture quantization value based on a calculated picture complexity. This predicted reference quantization is combined with the bits-used reactive MB reference quantization value to determine the final MB reference quantization value. This MB reference quantization value is also made adaptive to the VBV buffer fullness, as well as to the predicted change of the current picture complexity. A video encoder and an article of manufacture that comprises computer readable program code for execution of the method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of bit allocation in a scene change situation during encoding a video sequence. Following a scene change, the picture complexity of the current picture is adjusted so that the bit allocation for the next picture is more accurately estimated.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a pair of image data blocks separated by a boundary. The image data blocks include image information defining multiple pixels in at least one image. The method also includes identifying at least one filter length based on edge contents of at least some of the pixels in the at least one image. In addition, the method includes filtering at least some of the pixels in the pair of image data blocks along the boundary using the at least one identified filter length.

Abstract: A method includes receiving image information representing at least one image. The image information defines multiple pixels in the at least one image. The method also includes identifying filter weights associated with the pixels. The filter weights are based on edge contents of at least a portion of the at least one image. In addition, the method includes filtering the image information using the identified filter weights.

Abstract: A method of processing video frame data includes the steps of: receiving a video frame; partially decoding the video frame; fully decoding the video frame to produce macroblocks; determining video data parameters from the partially decoded video frame or both the partially and fully decoded video frame; and encoding the macroblocks based on the determined video data parameters to provide a compressed video frame for subsequent display.

Abstract: A method of color saturation compensation in a video signal is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: processing a luminance signal component of the video signal; determining whether the processing of the luminance signal results in a change in chrominance saturation; if the step of determining reveals that the chrominance saturation has changed, applying a chrominance compensation signal to the chrominance signals to counteract the effects of chrominance saturation, wherein the step of applying a compensation signal include the steps of: generating a compensation signal which is dependent on hue and luminance ratio (output luminance signal/input luminance signal). Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A processor for enhancing an input luminance signal including: a circuit for calculating a chroma edge value associated with the input luminance signal; a circuit for measuring a luminance gradient associated with the input luminance signal; a peaking filter for processing the input luminance signal; a gain adjustment circuit having a gain function that is adjustable relative to the calculated chroma edge value, the gain adjustment circuit being operable to adjust the magnitude of the output of the peaking filter wherein: in a first range of luminance gradients, the output is an attenuated version of the input; in a second range of luminance gradients the output is directly proportional to the input; in a third range of luminance gradients, the output is inversely proportional to the input; wherein the enhanced luminance signal is the sum of the input and output of the peaking filter.

Abstract: A method of transferring sets of video line data and macrob lock data, includes the steps of determining a macroblock period and a video line period longer than the macroblock period, dividing each set of video line data to be transferred within the video line period into two or more portions according to the difference between the determined macroblock period and video line period, aligning a burst transfer of each of the portions of the divided set of video line data and each set of macroblock data to the macroblock period, and initiating the burst transfer of the sets of video line data and macroblock data at macroblock period intervals.

Abstract: A cache memory system is used in a motion estimation system. The system includes: a first cache memory defined in terms of a first width and a first height, and a second cache memory defined in terms of a second width and a second height, wherein said second height is less than said first height, the cache memory system being operable in one of two modes: the first mode being characterized by banks of memory from the second cache memory being concatenated vertically such that their concatenated height is at least equal to the first height, and said concatenated banks being arranged to be appended to the width of the first cache memory to form a single contiguous address space; and the second mode being characterized by banks of memory from the first and second cache being stacked vertically, and being arranged to be addressed as two separate address spaces.

Abstract: A method of selecting a motion vector for use in a motion estimation system in which the motion vector defines movement of a block of pixels between a search window and a reference frame.

Abstract: A method of processing video frame data includes the steps of: receiving a video frame; partially decoding the video frame; fully decoding the video frame to produce macroblocks; determining video data parameters from the partially decoded video frame or both the partially and fully decoded video frame; and encoding the macroblocks based on the determined video data parameters to provide a compressed video frame for subsequent display.

Abstract: A method of selecting a motion vector for use in a motion estimation system in which the motion vector defines movement of a block of pixels between a search window and a reference frame.

Abstract: A cache memory system for use in a motion estimation system is disclosed. The system includes: a first cache memory defined in terms of a first width and a first height, and a second cache memory defined in terms of a second width and a second height, wherein said second height is less than said first height, the cache memory system being operable in one of two modes: the first mode being characterized by banks of memory from the second cache memory being concatenated vertically such that their concatenated height is at least equal to the first height, and said concatenated banks being arranged to be appended to the width of the first cache memory to form a single contiguous address space; and the second mode being characterized by banks of memory from the first and second cache being stacked vertically, and being arranged to be addressed as two separate address spaces.

Abstract: A method of transferring sets of video line data and macroblock data, comprising the steps of determining a macroblock period and a video line period longer than the macroblock period, dividing each set of video line data to be transferred within the video line period into two or more portions according to the difference between the determined macroblock period and video line period, aligning a burst transfer of each of the portions of the divided set of video line data and each set of macroblock data to the macroblock period, and initiating the burst transfer of the sets of video line data and macroblock data at macroblock period intervals.

Abstract: An input frame to be motion compensated is partitioned into smaller blocks of pixel data. First, motion estimation is performed on each block in full-pixel resolution. Then, full-pixel resolution motion vector is refined to half-pixel accuracy by searching the surrounding half-pixel resolution blocks in vertical and horizontal positions with respect to the full-pixel resolution motion vector. An absolute magnitude of a horizontal component of the full-pixel resolution motion vector is examined to see if it is greater or less than a predetermined threshold to detect any significant movement. If the horizontal component absolute magnitude is less than the threshold, a frame-based interpolation will be used for forming the sub-pixel resolution block. If the horizontal component absolute magnitude is greater than the threshold, a field-based interpolation will be used instead.