Abstract: A motion video signal encoder maximizes image quality without exceeding transmission bandwidth available to carry the encoded motion video signal by comparing encoded frames of the motion video signal to a desired size of frame. If the size of encoded frames differ from the desired size, quantization is adjusted to produce encoded frames closer in size to the desired size. In addition, a cumulative bandwidth balance records an accumulated amount of available bandwidth. The cumulative bandwidth balance is adjusted as time elapses to add to the available bandwidth and as each frame is encoded to thereby consume bandwidth. If the cumulative bandwidth balance deviates from a predetermined range, quantization is adjusted as needed to either improve image quality to more completely consume available bandwidth or to reduce image quality to thereby consume less bandwidth.

Abstract: A transformation filter estimates global transformation parameters between a current frame and a previous frame of a motion video image according to corresponding relative positions of pixels within the two frames. Such estimated global transformation parameters estimate global translation, rotation, and scaling resulting from camera pan, rotation, and zoom. The current frame is transformed according to the estimated transformation parameters. As a result, the transformed current frame more closely correlates with the previous frame and motion compensated compression provide better compression and reduced distortion simultaneously. The transformed current frame is encoded using entropy-constrained vector quantization (ECVQ) using quadtrees for variable block sizes within the representation of the current frame. Such quadtree ECVQ is improved significantly when the single frame is first globally transformed in accordance estimated transformation parameters between the single frame and the previous frame.

Abstract: A software-based encoder is provided for an end-to-end scalable video delivery system that operates over heterogeneous networks. The encoder utilizes a scalable video compression algorithm based on a Laplacian pyramid decomposition to generate an embedded information stream. The decoder decimates a highest resolution original image, e.g., 640.times.480 pixels, to produce an intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image that is decimated to produce an intermediate 160.times.120 pixel image that is compressed to form an encodable base layer 160.times.120 pixel image. This base layer image is decompressed to form an image that is up-sampled by interpolation to produce an up-sampled 320.times.240 pixel image. This up-sampled image is subtracted from the intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image to form an error image that is compressed and encoded as a first enhancement 640.times.480 pixel layer. The decompressed base layer image is also up-sampled at step to produce an up-sampled 640.times.

Abstract: A decoder is used in an end-to-end scalable video delivery system operable over heterogeneous networks. The decoder may software-based and computationally low complexity, or may be implemented inexpensively in ROM hardware. The system utilizes a scalable video compression algorithm based on a Laplacian pyramid decomposition to generate an embedded information stream. At the receiving end, the decoder extracts from the embedded stream different streams at different spatial and temporal resolutions. Decoding a 160.times.120 pixel image involves only decompressing a base layer 160.times.120 pixel image. Decoding a 320.times.240 pixel image involves decompressing and up-sampling (e.g., interpolating) the base layer to yield a 320.times.240 pixel image to which is added error data in a first enhancement layer following its decompression. To obtain a 640.times.480 pixel image, the decoder up-samples the up-sampled 320.times.

Abstract: A software-based encoder is provided for an end-to-end scalable video delivery system that operates over heterogeneous networks. The encoder utilizes a scalable video compression algorithm based on a Laplacian pyramid decomposition to generate an embedded information stream. The decoder decimates a highest resolution original image, e.g., 640.times.480 pixels, to produce an intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image that is decimated to produce an intermediate 160.times.120 pixel image that is compressed to form an encodable base layer 160.times.120 pixel image. A decompressed base layer image is also up-sampled at step to produce an up-sampled 640.times.480 pixel image that is subtracted from the original 640.times.480 pixel image 200 to yield an error image. At the receiving end, the decoder extracts from the embedded stream different streams at different spatial and temporal resolutions. Because decoding requires only additions and look-ups from a small stored table, decoding occurs in real-time.