Abstract: Systems and methods configured to create contour maps of geospatial variables based on hydrometeorological data associated with the variable are described herein. The systems and methods advantageously use simultaneous multi-event universal kriging for spatio-temporal data exploration, analysis and interpolation with the objective of creating a series of related maps, where each map corresponds to a specific sampling event, but wherein some features exhibit spatial relationships persisting over time. In one particular example, water level maps are prepared using the methods, which has the flexibility to allow the conditioning of trend coefficients based on any arbitrary subsets of sample data, and thereby provides a physically based and deterministic rather than wholly-stochastic basis for depicting hydrometeorological data correlations in space and time.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to create contour maps of geospatial variables based on hydrometeorological data associated with the variable are described herein. The systems and methods advantageously use simultaneous multi-event universal kriging for spatio-temporal data exploration, analysis and interpolation with the objective of creating a series of related maps, where each map corresponds to a specific sampling event, but wherein some features exhibit spatial relationships persisting over time. In one particular example, water level maps are prepared using the methods, which has the flexibility to allow the conditioning of trend coefficients based on any arbitrary subsets of sample data, and thereby provides a physically based and deterministic rather than wholly-stochastic basis for depicting hydrometeorological data correlations in space and time.

Abstract: An image processing engine, comprising: a frame rate conversion entity configured to: (a) generate output pictures from input pictures, the output pictures comprising a set of first output pictures and a plurality of sets of second output pictures, each set of second output pictures being associated with one of the first output pictures, each of the first output pictures being derived from a respective one of the input pictures; and (b) control generation of the set of second output pictures associated with a particular first output picture based upon repetitive pattern presence detection within a related picture that is either (i) the particular first output picture or (ii) the input picture from which the particular first output picture was derived.

Abstract: An image processing engine, comprising: a frame rate conversion entity configured to: (a) generate output pictures from input pictures, the output pictures comprising a set of first output pictures and a plurality of sets of second output pictures, each set of second output pictures being associated with one of the first output pictures, each of the first output pictures being derived from a respective one of the input pictures; and (b) control generation of the set of second output pictures associated with a particular first output picture based upon repetitive pattern presence detection within a related picture that is either (i) the particular first output picture or (ii) the input picture from which the particular first output picture was derived.

Abstract: An image processing engine, comprising: a frame rate conversion entity configured to: (a) generate output pictures from input pictures, the output pictures comprising a set of first output pictures and a plurality of sets of second output pictures, each set of second output pictures being associated with one of the first output pictures, each of the first output pictures being derived from a respective one of the input pictures; and (b) control generation of the set of second output pictures associated with a particular first output picture based upon repetitive pattern presence detection within a related picture that is either (i) the particular first output picture or (ii) the input picture from which the particular first output picture was derived.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interpolating image information obtains pixel information for a plurality of pixels surrounding a location of a pixel to be interpolated, whether the pixel is a missing pixel or an existing pixel whose color or intensity information is to be changed, and applies a gradient square tensor operation on a plurality of surrounding pixels to determine if the pixel to be interpolated is part of a geometric feature. If it is determined that the interpolated pixel is part of a geometric feature, such as a diagonal line or other suitable geometric feature, the method and apparatus uses pixel information from at least some of the surrounding pixels that are also determined to be the in geometric feature. This may be performed on a group of pixel basis and may include, for example, utilizing a block or kernel of pixels and a moving window of blocks of pixels to utilize the plurality of surrounding pixels.

Abstract: An image processing engine, comprising: a frame rate conversion entity configured to: (a) generate output pictures from input pictures, the output pictures comprising a set of first output pictures and a plurality of sets of second output pictures, each set of second output pictures being associated with one of the first output pictures, each of the first output pictures being derived from a respective one of the input pictures; and (b) control generation of the set of second output pictures associated with a particular first output picture based upon repetitive pattern presence detection within a related picture that is either (i) the particular first output picture or (ii) the input picture from which the particular first output picture was derived.

Abstract: A system for performing frame rate conversion of a video signal including a plurality of video frames. The system includes a projection generator adapted and configured to generate a forward projection pixel map from a first video frame and generate a backwards projection pixel map from a second video frame. A pixel kernel selector is adapted and configured to select a first kernel of pixels from the forward projection pixel map and to select a second kernel of pixels from the backwards projection pixel map that is co-sited with the first kernel. A median filter engine is adapted and configured to perform median filtering on the first and second pixel kernels and to generate a filter value. A processor adapted and configured to determine the minimum error value of a group of a forward error value, a backward error value, and a average error value, and select an output pixel value that corresponds to a minimum error value.

Abstract: A multi-stage method of scaling an input image to form a scaled output image and an apparatus for doing the same, are disclosed. The method includes forming pixels of an intermediate image from the input image using edge-directed interpolation in the first stage. The intermediate image contains pixels of the input image, and interpolated pixels that are formed by interpolating pixels of the input image, using edge-directed interpolation. Output image pixels are computed in a second stage by determining an associated intermediate pixel coordinate of a corresponding pixel in the intermediate pixel coordinates for each output pixel. Output pixels are then computed by interpolating pixels of the intermediate image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interpolating image information obtains pixel information for a plurality of pixels surrounding a location of a pixel to be interpolated, whether the pixel is a missing pixel or an existing pixel whose color or intensity information is to be changed, and applies a gradient square tensor operation on a plurality of surrounding pixels to determine if the pixel to be interpolated is part of a geometric feature. If it is determined that the interpolated pixel is part of a geometric feature, such as a diagonal line or other suitable geometric feature, the method and apparatus uses pixel information from at least some of the surrounding pixels that are also determined to be the in geometric feature. This may be performed on a group of pixel basis and may include, for example, utilizing a block or kernel of pixels and a moving window of blocks of pixels to utilize the plurality of surrounding pixels.

Abstract: A specific embodiment of the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for processing a digitized signal. Specifically, a digitized signal is received at a Lifting Scheme filter at a first data rate. The Lifting Scheme filter provides a representation of the digitized signal at a second rate. The Lifting Scheme filter can be implemented as a fully pipelined filter, or a recursively called filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting access to audio and/or video data is accomplished when data is received, where the data may be audio data and/or video data. Having received the data, it is interpreted to determine whether an embedded data access parameter is active. If so, an indication of the particular type of data access is generated. The data access parameter may control access to the data as at least one of: copy restrictions, viewing restrictions, and/or use restrictions. The indication is subsequently provided to a computer system such that unauthorized accessing, including unauthorized copying, of the video and/or audio data is prohibited.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing scaling functions on a video signal is presented, where the scaling functions include a change in data rate of the signal. This is accomplished by performing the data rate conversion within a horizontal scaler of a video decoder. Filtering operations in the horizontal scaler are adjusted in order to take advantage of the data rate differential. Qualifier signals accompany portions of the video signal to indicate whether or not a particular portion of the signal is valid. These qualifiers are interpreted within the circuit to identify the portions that should be dropped, and the portions to be included in the output signal. In addition, registers within the horizontal scaler are used to store data corresponding to blanking regions within the input video signal, where data included in these blanking regions must be passed to the output signal in its entirety.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing filtering operations on video data using a limited amount of memory is accomplished by multiplying a first coefficient value and a first input value to produce a product. A random number is generated and added to the product to produce a dithered product. The dithered product is added to an accumulated value to produce a partial sum. A truncated version of the partial sum is stored in a buffer as the new accumulated value. The multiply and add operations are repeated for a number of coefficient values and input values such that the accumulated value includes contributions from a number of different input values. The resulting accumulated value is provided as an output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptive noise filtering within a video graphics circuit includes determining an average intensity for a kernel of a display area. The kernel includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a particular manner, for example a square, a rectangle, etc. Next, a variance for a pixel within the kernel is determined. Based on a relationship between the average intensity and the variance, a signal-to-noise factor is determined. The signal-to-noise factor includes a noise region, a signal region, and an edge region. The pixel within the kernel is then adaptively filtered based on the signal-to-noise factor, the average intensity, and intensity of the pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that combines video streams to reduce interconnection between video processors and rendering devices is presented. Multiple video streams are multiplexed at particular phases of a clock signal so that, at the rendering device, the desired video stream is selected by selecting the appropriate phased clock signal. In a preferred embodiment, the combined signal is compatible with conventional single-port rendering devices, such as displays, video recorders, and video encoders. Also presented is a means for selecting among multiple video streams that minimizes the number of interconnections that are switched.

Abstract: A variable length fractional bandwidth low-pass filter is implemented as a plurality of filter stages. Each filter stage performs fractional filtering of a plurality of input samples to form an output sample. The number of filter stages is determined based on the characteristic of the filter stage, and the load is suitably balanced to allow for a minimal number of filter stages. Load balancing is applied so as to utilize each of the filter stages only when required. The load balancing is applied so as to provide a substantially equal load to each filter stage, and the number of filter stages is determined so as to allow the filter to operate substantially at the input sample rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting access to audio and/or video data is accomplished when data is received, where the data may be audio data and/or video data. Having received the data, it is interpreted to determine whether an embedded data access parameter is active. If so, an indication of the particular type of data access is generated. The data access parameter may control access to the data as at least one of: copy restrictions, viewing restrictions, and/or use restrictions. The indication is subsequently provided to a computer system such that unauthorized accessing, including unauthorized copying, of the video and/or audio data is prohibited.