Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing random noise in digital video streams are described. In one innovative aspect, the device includes a noise estimator. The device also includes a motion detector configured to determine a motion value indicative of motion between two frames of the video stream, the motion value based at least in part on the noise value. The device further includes a spatial noise reducer configured to filter the image data based at least in part on a blending factor and the noise value. The device also includes a temporal noise reducer configured to filter the video data based on the motion value and the noise value. The device also includes a blender configured to blend the spatial and temporal filtered values to provide a weighted composite filtered output image.

Abstract: A motion compensated picture rate converter for determining a dominant motion vector for a block appearing in two images includes a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter, transform calculators responsive to the filters for performing transforms on at least two images to produce a frequency-domain representation of the images, estimating calculators for estimating a plurality of motion vectors based on the frequency-domain representations, and a periodic structure detection and elimination module responsive to the transform calculators and the estimating calculators for identifying a period based on the frequency-domain representation of the images and for selecting a dominant motion vector based on the estimated motion vectors and the identified period. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the contrast of image frames are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for improving the contrast of image frames includes a control module configured to create an intensity histogram for an image frame, define a set of markers on an intensity range of the histogram, assign a blend factor to each marker, calculate a blend factor for each original pixel of the image, obtain a first equalized pixel output value, calculate a final equalized pixel output value using the blend factor, the first equalized pixel output value, and an original pixel value, and output new pixel values that constitute the output image.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for enhancing an image are described herein. In some aspects, a device comprises a memory unit configured to store a left image and a right image. The left image and right image each depict a same scene from a different viewpoint. The device further comprises a coder configured to retrieve the left image and the right image from the memory unit. The coder is configured to determine a depth map based on a difference in spatial orientation between the left and right image. The device further comprises a processor coupled to the coder. The processor is configured to identify a portion of the left or right image selected by a user. The processor is further configured to determine an enhancement region surrounding the portion selected by the user based on the depth map. The processor is further configured to enhance the enhancement region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting a picture frame rate from a source video at a first rate to a target video at a second rate via interpolation of an intermediate frame. In one implementation, the system includes a phase plane correlation calculator including a low pass filter and a high pass filter for receiving previous frame data and current frame data where the phase plane correlation calculator is configured to generate a first motion vector based upon low pass representations and high pass representations. The system may also include a motion compensated interpolator that receives the first motion vector and an additional input motion vector and determines a final motion vector for use in interpolation. The system may further include an intermediate frame generator configured to generate the intermediate frame utilizing the final motion vector.

Abstract: A video processing system includes a network processing module configured to receive video content. A decoder module is configured to decode the video content received from the content transmitting system, and separately provide each of the decoded video content and data describing transmission features of the video content. A video quality estimation module is configured to estimate a quality factor based on the data describing the transmission features of the video content, wherein the quality factor corresponds to an estimation of a visual quality of the video content. A database control module configured to select, based on the quality factor, one of a plurality of predetermined settings for video post-processing. A video post-processing module is configured to receive the decoded video content separately provided from the decoder module, and process the decoded video content based on the selected one of the predetermined settings.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining pixels in an interpolated frame. A motion vector field is determined based on movement of pixels between first and second frames. A region of the motion vector field is clustered based on similarity of motion vectors of the motion vector field within the region. A region of discontinuity is identified comprising a portion of the motion vector field not belonging to a cluster. A determination is made as to whether the region of discontinuity is an occlusion region or a reveal region. A portion of the region of discontinuity in the interpolated frame is filled using pixel data from the first frame when the region of discontinuity is an occlusion region, and a portion of the region of discontinuity in the interpolated frame is filled using pixel data from the second frame when the region of discontinuity is a reveal region.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with image frame management are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes classifier logic to categorize frames that represent an image as either reference frames or non-reference frames, where the categorization is based, at least in part, on motion vectors between the frames. The apparatus further includes management logic to store the reference frames and to delete the non-reference frames. Image generation logic may then reproduce the image by using the stored reference frames.

Abstract: To improve contrast ratio of the image on a backlit display plane such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), each area of the image that has separately controllable backlight may be given full backlight until an average or composite brightness of the image in that area is less than a threshold value at which light leakage through the image from full-strength backlight begins to be noticeable by a viewer. For image areas with composite brightness less than that threshold, backlight brightness may be reduced in proportion to how much below the threshold the area's composite image brightness is. Backlight brightness may also be adjusted for other image aspects such as (1) the presence of bright pixels in an otherwise relatively dark area, (2) whether the area is adjacent to one or more other areas in which the image information is in motion, and/or (3) time-averaging of image information over several successive frames of such information.

Abstract: To improve contrast ratio of the image on a backlit display plane such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), each area of the image that has separately controllable backlight may be given full backlight until an average or composite brightness of the image in that area is less than a threshold value at which light leakage through the image from full-strength backlight begins to be noticable by a viewer. For image areas with composite brightness less than that threshold, backlight brightness may be reduced in proportion to how much below the threshold the area's composite image brightness is. Backlight brightness may also be adjusted for other image aspects such as (1) the presence of bright pixels in an otherwise relatively dark area, (2) whether the area is adjacent to one or more other areas in which the image information is in motion, and/or (3) time-averaging of image information over several successive frames of such information.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a digital image processing method for concealing errors. The method includes determining error pixel locations based on motion vectors and determining if the error pixel locations in a current frame are on an edge of an object in the current frame. If an error pixel location is on an edge, then a search of pixel values is performed in the current frame along the edge for a replacement pixel value. If the error pixel location is not on an edge, then a search of pixel values is performed in a region adjacent to the edge for the replacement pixel value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing random noise in digital video streams are described. In one innovative aspect, the device includes a noise estimator. The device also includes a motion detector configured to determine a motion value indicative of motion between two frames of the video stream, the motion value based at least in part on the noise value. The device further includes a spatial noise reducer configured to filter the image data based at least in part on a blending factor and the noise value. The device also includes a temporal noise reducer configured to filter the video data based on the motion value and the noise value. The device also includes a blender configured to blend the spatial and temporal filtered values to provide a weighted composite filtered output image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing random noise in digital video streams are described. In one innovative aspect, a device for reducing noise of a video stream is provided. The device includes a ringing noise detector configured to identify ringing noise in an image included in the video stream. The device further includes a block detector configured to identify a block pattern in the image included in the video stream, the block detector configured to identify block patterns of a predetermined size and block patterns of an arbitrary size. The device also includes a noise reducer configured to filter the image based on the identified ringing noise and the block pattern.

Abstract: To improve contrast ratio of the image on a backlit display plane such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), each area of the image that has separately controllable backlight may be given full backlight until an average or composite brightness of the image in that area is less than a threshold value at which light leakage through the image from full-strength backlight begins to be noticable by a viewer. For image areas with composite brightness less than that threshold, backlight brightness may be reduced in proportion to how much below the threshold the area's composite image brightness is. Backlight brightness may also be adjusted for other image aspects such as (1) the presence of bright pixels in an otherwise relatively dark area, (2) whether the area is adjacent to one or more other areas in which the image information is in motion, and/or (3) time-averaging of image information over several successive frames of such information.

Abstract: A video processing system includes a network processing module configured to receive video content. A decoder module is configured to decode the video content received from the content transmitting system, and separately provide each of the decoded video content and data describing transmission features of the video content. A video quality estimation module is configured to estimate a quality factor based on the data describing the transmission features of the video content, wherein the quality factor corresponds to an estimation of a visual quality of the video content. A database control module configured to select, based on the quality factor, one of a plurality of predetermined settings for video post-processing. A video post-processing module is configured to receive the decoded video content separately provided from the decoder module, and process the decoded video content based on the selected one of the predetermined settings.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and other embodiments associated with cadence detection are discussed. In one embodiment, an apparatus analyzes a progressive video stream and determines a cadence pattern from the progressive video stream.

Abstract: A system including a quality estimation module configured to estimate a visual quality of video content based on data from a decoder module. The system further including a settings database configured to store a plurality of predetermined settings. The settings database outputs at least one of the predetermined settings in response to the visual quality. The system further including a video post-processor module configured to automatically adjust settings of the video post-processor module based on the at least one of the predetermined settings. The video content is processed based on the settings of the video post-processor module that were automatically adjusted.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a digital image processing method for concealing errors. The method includes determining error pixel locations based on motion vectors and determining if the error pixel locations in a current frame are on an edge of an object in the current frame. If an error pixel location is on an edge, then a search of pixel values is performed in the current frame along the edge for a replacement pixel value. If the error pixel location is not on an edge, then a search of pixel values is performed in a region adjacent to the edge for the replacement pixel value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting a picture frame rate from a source video at a first rate to a target video at a second rate via interpolation of an intermediate frame. In one implementation, the system includes a phase plane correlation calculator including a low pass filter and a high pass filter for receiving previous frame data and current frame data where the phase plane correlation calculator is configured to generate a first motion vector based upon low pass representations and high pass representations. The system may also include a motion compensated interpolator that receives the first motion vector and an additional input motion vector and determines a final motion vector for use in interpolation. The system may further include an intermediate frame generator configured to generate the intermediate frame utilizing the final motion vector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with image frame management are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes classifier logic to categorize frames that represent an image as either reference frames or non-reference frames, where the categorization is based, at least in part, on motion vectors between the frames. The apparatus further includes management logic to store the reference frames and to delete the non-reference frames. Image generation logic may then reproduce the image by using the stored reference frames.