Abstract: Systems and articles of manufacture provide an efficient safety mechanism for signal processing hardware. An example system includes a hardware accelerators, including a first hardware accelerator, and a second hardware accelerator coupled to the first hardware accelerator. Each of the first and second hardware accelerators includes a protected memory and an unprotected memory, and at least one of the hardware accelerators has an outlier filter. The system also includes a memory coupled to the hardware accelerators; and interface protectors, including a first interface protector coupled between the first hardware accelerator and the memory; a second interface protector coupled between the first hardware accelerator, the memory, and the second hardware accelerator; and a third interface protector coupled between the second hardware accelerator and the memory.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture providing an efficient safety mechanism for signal processing hardware are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an input interface to receive an input signal; a hardware accelerator to process the input signal, the hardware accelerator including: unprotected memory to store non-critical data corresponding to the input signal; and protected memory to store critical data corresponding to the input signal; and an output interface to transmit the processed input signal.

Abstract: In described examples, an integrated circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth image processing blocks, a data selection circuitry, and a pipeline memory. An input of the first image processing block receives raw image data. An input of the second image processing block is coupled to an output of the first image processing block. An input of the third image processing block is coupled to an output of the second image processing block. A first input of the data selection circuitry is coupled to an output of the first image processing block, and a second input of the data selection circuitry is coupled to an output of the second image processing block. A data input of the pipeline memory is coupled to an output of the data selection circuitry, and an output of the pipeline memory is coupled to an input of the fourth image processing block.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a noise filter. The noise filter includes a motion estimation (ME) engine. The ME receives a current frame and a reference frame. The current frame comprising a current block and the reference frame includes a plurality of reference blocks. The ME engine generates final motion vectors. The current block comprises a plurality of current pixels. A motion compensation unit generates a motion compensated block based on the final motion vectors and the reference frame. The motion compensated block includes a plurality of motion compensated pixels. A weighted average filter multiplies each current pixel of the plurality of current pixels and a corresponding motion compensated pixel of the plurality of motion compensated pixels with a first weight and a second weight respectively. The weighted average filter generates a filtered block. A blockiness removal unit is coupled to the weighted average filter and removes artifacts in the filtered block.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically transferring graphical image processing operations from a graphical processing unit (GPU) to a digital signal processor (DSP). The method includes estimating the number of operations needed for the processing a set of image data; determining the operational limits of a GPU and compare with estimated number of operations and if the operational limits are exceeded; transfer the processing operations to the DSP from the GPU. The transfer can include transferring a portion of executable code for performing the processing operations, and generating a replacement code for the GPU. The DSP can then process a portion of the image data before sending it to the GPU for further processing.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture providing an efficient safety mechanism for signal processing hardware are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an input interface to receive an input signal; a hardware accelerator to process the input signal, the hardware accelerator including: unprotected memory to store non-critical data corresponding to the input signal; and protected memory to store critical data corresponding to the input signal; and an output interface to transmit the processed input signal.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture providing an efficient safety mechanism for signal processing hardware are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an input interface to receive an input signal; a hardware accelerator to process the input signal, the hardware accelerator including: unprotected memory to store non-critical data corresponding to the input signal; and protected memory to store critical data corresponding to the input signal; and an output interface to transmit the processed input signal.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a noise filter. The noise filter includes a motion estimation (ME) engine. The ME receives a current frame and a reference frame. The current frame comprising a current block and the reference frame includes a plurality of reference blocks. The ME engine generates final motion vectors. The current block comprises a plurality of current pixels. A motion compensation unit generates a motion compensated block based on the final motion vectors and the reference frame. The motion compensated block includes a plurality of motion compensated pixels. A weighted average filter multiplies each current pixel of the plurality of current pixels and a corresponding motion compensated pixel of the plurality of motion compensated pixels with a first weight and a second weight respectively. The weighted average filter generates a filtered block. A blockiness removal unit is coupled to the weighted average filter and removes artifacts in the filtered block.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a noise filter. The noise filter includes a motion estimation (ME) engine. The ME receives a current frame and a reference frame. The current frame comprising a current block and the reference frame includes a plurality of reference blocks. The ME engine generates final motion vectors. The current block comprises a plurality of current pixels. A motion compensation unit generates a motion compensated block based on the final motion vectors and the reference frame. The motion compensated block includes a plurality of motion compensated pixels. A weighted average filter multiplies each current pixel of the plurality of current pixels and a corresponding motion compensated pixel of the plurality of motion compensated pixels with a first weight and a second weight respectively. The weighted average filter generates a filtered block. A blockiness removal unit is coupled to the weighted average filter and removes artifacts in the filtered block.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically transferring graphical image processing operations from a graphical processing unit (GPU) to a digital signal processor (DSP). The method includes estimating the number of operations needed for the processing a set of image data; determining the operational limits of a GPU and compare with estimated number of operations and if the operational limits are exceeded; transfer the processing operations to the DSP from the GPU. The transfer can include transferring a portion of executable code for performing the processing operations, and generating a replacement code for the GPU. The DSP can then process a portion of the image data before sending it to the GPU for further processing.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a noise filter. The noise filter includes a motion estimation (ME) engine. The ME receives a current frame and a reference frame. The current frame comprising a current block and the reference frame includes a plurality of reference blocks. The ME engine generates final motion vectors. The current block comprises a plurality of current pixels. A motion compensation unit generates a motion compensated block based on the final motion vectors and the reference frame. The motion compensated block includes a plurality of motion compensated pixels. A weighted average filter multiplies each current pixel of the plurality of current pixels and a corresponding motion compensated pixel of the plurality of motion compensated pixels with a first weight and a second weight respectively. The weighted average filter generates a filtered block. A blockiness removal unit is coupled to the weighted average filter and removes artifacts in the filtered block.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically transferring graphical image processing operations from a graphical processing unit (GPU) to a digital signal processor (DSP). The method includes estimating the number of operations needed for the processing a set of image data; determining the operational limits of a GPU and compare with estimated number of operations and if the operational limits are exceeded; transfer the processing operations to the DSP from the GPU. The transfer can include transferring a portion of executable code for performing the processing operations, and generating a replacement code for the GPU. The DSP can then process a portion of the image data before sending it to the GPU for further processing.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.