Abstract: A method for displaying a video sequence depicting motion of at least one video object by sequential presentation of a plurality of frames includes storing a low resolution representation of the video object, generating and displaying a first frame of the sequence based on the low resolution representation, updating the low resolution representation, and generating and displaying a subsequent frame of the sequence based on the updated representation. The method may include calculating a quality metric to determine when updating is necessary.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting a video object used in generating a plurality of frames of a video sequence over a limited bandwidth channel to reduce latency associated therewith includes separating the video object into a plurality of segments each having a size based in part on the limited bandwidth of the channel, identifying and transmitting at least one of the segments necessary for generation of an initial frame of the video sequence, and generating and displaying one or more of the initial frames based on the segment. The system and method may also intentionally reduce resolution of one or more segments to meet timing requirements association with generation and display of the at least one frame of a video sequence. In this situation, a residual representation of the segment is transmitted when bandwidth is available to improve resolution and quality of the originally transmitted segment and object resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A method for compressing the bit data of an alpha mask image frame composed of an array of pixels having bit data indicative of a level of brightness includes selecting a modifying function identifier which represents a mathematical transformation, applying a threshold function to the alpha mask image frame to generate a binary image frame, and encoding the binary image frame and the modifying function identifier for transmission. The method may include receiving an encoded signal containing the binary image frame and the modifying function identifier, decoding the encoded signal to extract the binary image frame and the modifying function identifier, selecting the mathematical transformation represented by the modifying function identifier, and then transforming the bit data of at least one pixel in accordance with the mathematical transformation.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the number of data bits required for storage or transmission of the data representing the alpha masks of objects in a single image or frame of a video sequence by jointly encoding overlapping boundaries between two adjacent objects within the image and by avoiding redundant encoding and transmission of an alpha mask which can be reconstructed from other encoded alpha mask data.

Abstract: A method for displaying a video sequence depicting motion of at least one video object by sequential presentation of a plurality of frames includes storing a low resolution representation of the video object, generating and displaying a first frame of the sequence based on the low resolution representation, updating the low resolution representation, and generating and displaying a subsequent frame of the sequence based on the updated representation. The method may include calculating a quality metric to determine when updating is necessary.