Abstract: A digital video processing system is disclosed in which processing modules use less data packets than in the regular situation in which there enough data is received. In case of a channel change, the digital video processing system can, during a time period in which there is a lack of data, produce more images than the prior art systems. These images have lower quality than the ones that result from regular processing, but a person will perceive the image quality to be higher than the one of the prior art.

Abstract: Provides evaluation and management of system resources in a data processing system, particularly in a SoC device and for optimizing the operation of the system wherein the system having a plurality of components each operable to process dedicated tasks in the data processing system, wherein each of the components has its associated current resource usages depending on the currently processed task and/or its future resource usage depending on the tasks to be processed next, wherein the resource usage indicates the type of resources and the amount of resources used, wherein the processing of the task of at least one of the components can be modified to adapt the resource usage of this or other component. A method including: determining operating states; estimating current and future resource usage; if necessary adapting task processing according to a predefined scheme to reduce the-resource usage.

Abstract: A method and a system of adaptive processing of a media signal on a media system. The media system can be VCR, TV, set-top box, storage or a display. The method includes the steps of requesting resources (1001) by an algorithm to provide a plurality of output quality levels, allocating a butlget (1002) to the algorithm, determining progress (1003) of the media signal, determining budget used (1004); and setting a quality level for media signal processing based on the progress, the allocated budget and the budget used (1005). The method further includes the steps of storing historical information (1006) about the processing; and further setting the quality level for media signal processing based on the stored historical information (1007). The historical information includes the budget allocated, the determined progress, the budget used, the set and or achieved quality levels. The progress quality levels are increased or decreased dependent on the ratio of the budget used to the allocated budget.

Abstract: For a flexible consumer multimedia device that remains as robust and cost-effective as the current ones, media algorithms should become more flexible with respect to their resource requirements with the exchange in output quality. We call such algorithms scalable. The state of a cluster of scalable video algorithms (Job) in a consumer multimedia terminal can be described by three parameters. The first one is the job mode, that is the actual cluster of functions and their connections. The second one is the set of valid quality levels of the job mode, which is called operational set. The last one is the assigned quality level. The first two parameters supply the correct processing and the valid search space for the system optimization, and are selected by the job itself. The latter one reflects the actual resource allocation according to the available system resources and is selected by the QoS Resource Manager.

Abstract: Nowadays, continuous media data processing is performed more and more by programmable components, rather than dedicated single-function components. To handle such data appropriately, a system must guarantee sufficient system resources for processing. The method according to the invention proposes scalable motion compensated up-conversion of the frame rate of video sequences. By computing suitable quality measures for the algorithms (404) that perform the up-conversion (402), the method according to the invention allows to predict the required resources given an input video (406). Furthermore, the visual quality of the output video sequence is predicted. Based upon these predictions, the method selects the best algorithm to perform the up-conversion thereby allowing an optimal resource utilization of the system, for example a programmable platform for media processing.

Abstract: The invention describes methods, systems and an apparatus for determining a priority value for a thread for execution on a multithreading processor system. The priority value is determined subject to a priority base rating and an application priority rating. The priority base rating represents a priority rating of the thread with regard to other threads. The application priority rating represents a priority rating of the thread from the thread's application point of view.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for altering the header having a layered structure of a frame in transit through a network node. Frame alteration commands issued by layer processing modules are assigned at relative positions with respect to the starting position of the layer. The relative positions with respect to each layer are further adjusted to adjusted relative positions in dependence on frame alteration commands previously assigned in the same layer. After translation of the adjusted relative positions to absolute positions, the frame alteration commands are executed sequentially by a frame alteration unit.

Abstract: For an open and flexible system that is robust and cost-effective, it is proposed to use scalable video algorithms (106, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 306, 308, 406, 408). Scalable video algorithms (106, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 306, 308, 406, 408) can dynamically trade resource usage with visual output quality. In such a system both the visual output quality and the resource usage may change at run-time leading to unpredictable behaviour of the system. A novel approach that assists in the predictability of an open and flexible system is proposed. The idea is that by knowing the parameters that influence the output quality and load of some video algorithms (106, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 306, 308, 406, 408), by appropriately measuring them and by providing the necessary information (316, 320, 416, 420, 426, 427) to the system control (321, 421), the system control (321, 421) can react sooner and do the appropriate changes (317, 322, 323, 417, 422, 423), leading to a predictable system.

Abstract: Nowadays, programmable components (1304), rather than dedicated single-function components can perform continuous media processing in consumer devices, like digital television sets (1310), set-top boxes, PCs, or VCRs. The media processing algorithms that are written for those programmable components (1304), must be designed to provide a plurality of output quality levels in exchange for required processing resources. Since resources are finite, the media processing algorithms must be controlled in their resource usage and the output quality level they provide. Users of consumer devices do not like to see major changes in the quality of, for example, a video they are watching. Therefore, typical algorithm characteristics like the functions an algorithm comprises, the resource usage per function and the quality level per function are used to provide smoother quality transitions.

Abstract: In consumer devices, like digital television sets (610) or set-top boxes, there can be a problem with a sudden load increase caused by for example a scene change and user focus. During such a load increase, the quality of service of the application having the user focus will decrease until the device detects the load increase. The device can reallocate resources to the application (608) having the user focus after which the quality of service will increase again towards its previous level. However, the user may have noticed the quality decrease. In order to prevent this noticeable decrease of quality in overload situations, a method an a system (606) is provided that guarantees a worst-case budget to the application having user focus and conditionally guarantees a budget surplus to an application not having the user focus (610). The latter application can then use that budget surplus to operate at a higher quality of service level.

Abstract: Nowadays, programmable components (604), rather than dedicated single-function components can perform continuous media processing in consumer devices, like digital television sets (610), set-top boxes, PCs, or VCRs. The media processing algorithms that are written for those programmable components (604), must be designed to provide a plurality of output quality levels in exchange for required processing resources. Since resources are finite, the media processing algorithms must be controlled in their resource usage and the output quality level they provide. Users of consumer devices do not like to see major changes in the quality of, for example, a video they are watching. Therefore, typical algorithm characteristics like the functions an algorithm comprises, the resource usage per function and the quality level per function are used to provide smoother quality transitions.