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: 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.

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: 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: 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 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: In a video encoder, pixel values of a macro-block are processed to determine an activity measure indicative of the type of content in the macro-block. Several techniques are employed for determining the activity measure of a macro-block. In an embodiment, a default quantization scale for quantizing a macro-block is modified based on the activity measure of the macro-block. In another embodiment, the macro-block is classified into one of multiple classes based on its activity measure. The default quantization scale for quantizing the macro-block is modified based on the classification of the macro-block. In yet another embodiment, an encoding mode to be used for encoding a macro-block is also determined on the basis of the class of the macro-block. Several of the techniques exploit the fact that the human visual system (HVS) has different sensitivities in perceiving a (rendered) macro-block or video frame, depending on the type of macro-block content.

Abstract: A technique is provided for use in a handheld multimedia device that uses the historical load profile statistics of a particular multimedia stream to dynamically scale the computational power of a computing engine, depending upon the complexity of the multimedia content and thereby reduce the power consumption for computationally less intensive content and consequently reduce the power consumption by a significant amount over a duration of time.

Abstract: A technique is provided for use in a handheld multimedia device that uses the historical load profile statistics of a particular multimedia stream to dynamically scale the computational power of a computing engine, depending upon the complexity of the multimedia content and thereby reduce the power consumption for computationally less intensive content and consequently reduce the power consumption by a significant amount over a duration of time.

Abstract: A technique is provided for use in a handheld multimedia device that uses the historical load profile statistics of a particular multimedia stream to dynamically scale the computational power of a computing engine, depending upon the complexity of the multimedia content and thereby reduce the power consumption for computationally less intensive content and consequently reduce the power consumption by a significant amount over a duration of time.

Abstract: A video encoding method determines the best video encoding mode for a macroblock in the SKIP mode and comparing this cost with other modes. This avoids sub-pixel interpolations for fractional pixels. This models the cost function in a quadratic model and computes the cost for a nearest integer pel and plural adjacent integer pels. This permits determination of the coefficients of the quadratic model. An estimated cost is obtained using the actual fractional pel position in the quadratic model. This can be used for obtaining the cost of a P Skip mode. This can be used for the decision of B direct or B skip modes in B frames.

Abstract: A method of encoding an image frame in a video encoding system. The image frame has a region of interest (ROI) and a non region of interest (non-ROI). In the method, quantization scale for the image frame based on rate control information is determined. ROI statistics based on residual energy of the ROI and non-ROI is then calculated. Quantization scale for the image frame based on ROI priorities and ROI statistics is calculated. Further, quantization scales for ROI and non-ROI based on ROI priorities are determined.

Abstract: In a video encoder, pixel values of a macro-block are processed to determine an activity measure indicative of the type of content in the macro-block. Several techniques are employed for determining the activity measure of a macro-block. In an embodiment, a default quantization scale for quantizing a macro-block is modified based on the activity measure of the macro-block. In another embodiment, the macro-block is classified into one of multiple classes based on its activity measure. The default quantization scale for quantizing the macro-block is modified based on the classification of the macro-block. In yet another embodiment, an encoding mode to be used for encoding a macro-block is also determined on the basis of the class of the macro-block. Several of the techniques exploit the fact that the human visual system (HVS) has different sensitivities in perceiving a (rendered) macro-block or video frame, depending on the type of macro-block content.

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: A technique is provided for use in a handheld multimedia device that uses the historical load profile statistics of a particular multimedia stream to dynamically scale the computational power of a computing engine, depending upon the complexity of the multimedia content and thereby reduce the power consumption for computationally less intensive content and consequently reduce the power consumption by a significant amount over a duration of time.

Abstract: This invention enables determination of the best video encoding mode for a macroblock in the SKIP mode and comparing this cost with other modes. This invention avoids sub-pixel interpolations for fractional pixels. This invention models the cost function in a quadratic model and computes the cost for a nearest integer pel and plural adjacent integer pels. This permits determination of the coefficients of the quadratic model. An estimated cost is obtained using the actual fractional pel position in the quadratic model. This method can be used for obtaining the cost of a P Skip mode. This method can be used for the decision of B direct or B skip modes in B frames.