Abstract: A system and method that reduces computational complexity of a decoder by identifying a skippable region in an overlaid area. The invention provides a system for processing encoded video data, comprising: an analysis system that determines if a current video frame having an overlaid area acts as a reference for future video frames; and a system for identifying a skippable region in the overlaid area. The invention may also include a system for identifying a portion of the overlaid area as the skippable based on analysis of motion vectors or motion vector ranges.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling an MPEG-2 video decoder subject to a resource constraint. A decoder system is provided for decoding compressed video data arranged in a group of pictures, wherein the group of pictures include I pictures, P pictures and B pictures. The system comprises a processing path for decoding an error residual associated with the group of pictures, and a filtering system for preventing the error residual associated with B pictures from being decoded by the processing path. The decoder system may further comprise a system for selectively enabling the filtering system for B pictures having a DC coefficient that is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a frequency weighted (FW) matrix for use in a Fine-Granularity-Scalability (FGS) video coding system. The system comprises: a system for plotting the average discrete cosine transform (DCT) residuals versus the zigzag DCT scan line locations for a sample video frame encoded both at a predetermined base layer bit-rate and at approximately three times the predetermined base layer bit-rate; a system for generating the difference plot of DCT residuals versus the zigzag DCT scan line locations for the video frame encoded at both the predetermined base layer bit-rate and at approximately three times the predetermined base layer bit-rate; and a system for matching and normalizing a staircase curve to the average difference plot, wherein the staircase curve values can be further mapped into the weights for the FW matrix.

Abstract: A method of scaling image and video processing computational complexity according to the maximum available quantities of computational includes performing a plurality of data multiplications which processes digital image and video data, the performance of each data multiplication requiring a predetermined quantity of computational resource units; selecting one of the data multiplications; selecting a shift/add-, a shift/subtract or a shift-operation using a data independent value associated with the selected multiplication that requires a quantity of computational resource units which is less than the predetermined quantity of computational resource units required for performing the selected multiplication; and performing the selected multiplication with the selected operation. Also, a decoder which scales video and still image decoding computational complexity with available computational resources according to the above method.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to determine the frequency weighting matrix that will provide the best image quality during MPEG4 FGS enhancement layer encoding, and to change this determination on a scene characteristics change basis, thereby optimizing the resulting output picture quality, especially in bandwidth-deprived applications.

Abstract: A video decoder system having a scalable IDCT system. Included is a system for determining a complexity level based on a complexity budget inputted from a local resource controller; and an IDCT system that selects a scaling algorithm from a plurality of scaling algorithms, wherein the selected scaling algorithm corresponds to the determined complexity level. Each of the plurality of scaling algorithms provides a unique data-pruning pattern for processing DCT data.

Abstract: A complexity scalable decoder system and method. The system comprises: a decoder having a plurality of functional blocks for decoding compressed video data, the decoder further includes a plurality of scalable functions for selectively reducing a complexity of at least one of the functional blocks; and a local resource controller for generating a scaling strategy for the decoder, wherein the scaling strategy is selected in response to a complexity requirement received from a system resource manager, and wherein the scaling strategy is selected from a plurality of predetermined scaling strategies available to the local resource controller. Each of the predetermined scaling strategies may be selected from a look-up table designed off-line.

Abstract: A data organization and access scheme for permitting easier location of a reference macroblock during motion compensation and for providing a video output system with output data. The frames are segmented into coding blocks comprising a small number of horizontally adjunct blocks compressed to a fixed length. Within each coding block, only two quantization strategies are employed so that the start and end position of any coding block is easily ascertained as well as the location of any individual block within the coding block.

Abstract: A decoder system having a motion compensation system that scales the processing of B pictures in order to save computational resources. The motion compensation system has a first scaling system that includes comparing a motion vector magnitude of each macroblock in a B picture with a predetermined threshold. A system for performing a routine decoding operation for each macroblock in which the motion vector magnitude is greater than the predetermined threshold and a system for copying a corresponding macroblock from a previous picture for each macroblock in which the motion vector magnitude is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold. A second scaling system that includes calculating an average motion vector magnitude for a first B picture and replacing a next contiguous B picture with the first B picture if the average motion vector magnitude is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a programmable processing device to reduce distortion in an outputted signal. The method includes: providing data being indicative of a plurality of operational states, each of the states being with at least one of a plurality of operational modes of the device, a complexity of operations and a distortion level; selecting one of the states for each of the complexities using the data and based upon the distortion levels; determining an operating status of the device; and, selecting which of the operational modes to operate the device in for each of the complexities responsively to the determined (minimal distortion) status using the selected states.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling an MPEG-2 video decoder subject to a resource constraint. A decoder system is provided for decoding compressed video data arranged in a group of pictures, wherein the group of pictures include I pictures, P pictures and B pictures. The system comprises a processing path for decoding an error residual associated with the group of pictures, and a filtering system for preventing the error residual associated with B pictures from being decoded by the processing path. The decoder system may further comprise a system for selectively enabling the filtering system for B pictures having a DC coefficient that is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically setting a complexity level for a scalable module in a video decoder. The method comprises the steps of: decoding a first GOP using an initial threshold value; determining an adjusted threshold value for the first GOP; and decoding a second GOP using the adjusted threshold value calculated for the first GOP. A calculation system is similarly disclosed that determines a threshold value for a current GOP based on a previously decoded GOP by iteratively selecting different threshold values until a scaled complexity of the decoder system for a previous GOP substantially meets a required complexity of the video decoder system for the current GOP.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling an MPEG-2 video decoder subject to a resource constraint. A decoder system is provided for decoding compressed video data arranged in a group of pictures, wherein the group of pictures include I pictures, P pictures and B pictures. The system comprises a processing path for decoding an error residual associated with the group of pictures, and a filtering system for preventing the error residual associated with B pictures from being decoded by the processing path. The decoder system may further comprise a system for selectively enabling the filtering system for B pictures having a DC coefficient that is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling a video system, such as an MPEG-2 video decoder, utilizing an improved data pruning implementation. A scalable data processing system is provided, comprising: a sequential data path for processing multimedia data, including a first processing module and a second processing module; a scalable application for scaling the second processing module; and a data pruning system positioned prior to the first processing module that causes a portion of the multimedia data associated with the scaling application to be truncated.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a frequency weighted (FW) matrix for use in a Fine-Granularity-Scalability (FGS) video coding system. The system comprises: a system for plotting the average discrete cosine transform (DCT) residuals versus the zigzag DCT scan line locations for a sample video frame encoded both at a predetermined base layer bit-rate and at approximately three times the predetermined base layer bit-rate; a system for generating the difference plot of DCT residuals versus the zigzag DCT scan line locations for the video frame encoded at both the predetermined base layer bit-rate and at approximately three times the predetermined base layer bit-rate; and a system for matching and normalizing a staircase curve to the average difference plot, wherein the staircase curve values can be further mapped into the weights for the FW matrix.

Abstract: A system and method that reduces computational complexity of a decoder by identifying a skippable region in an overlaid area. The invention provides a system for processing encoded video data, comprising: an analysis system that determines if a current video frame having an overlaid area acts as a reference for future video frames; and a system for identifying a skippable region in the overlaid area. The invention may also include a system for identifying a portion of the overlaid area as the skippable based on analysis of motion vectors or motion vector ranges.

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: A complexity scalable decoder system and method. The system comprises: a decoder having a plurality of functional blocks for decoding compressed video data, the decoder further includes a plurality of scalable functions for selectively reducing a complexity of at least one of the functional blocks; and a local resource controller for generating a scaling strategy for the decoder, wherein the scaling strategy is selected in response to a complexity requirement received from a system resource manager, and wherein the scaling strategy is selected from a plurality of predetermined scaling strategies available to the local resource controller. Each of the predetermined scaling strategies may be selected from a look-up table designed off-line.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to determine the frequency weighting matrix that will provide the best image quality during MPEG4 FGS enhancement layer encoding, and to change this determination on a scene characteristics change basis, thereby optimizing the resulting output picture quality, especially in bandwidth-deprived applications.

Abstract: A decoder system having a motion compensation system that scales the processing of B pictures in order to save computational resources. The motion compensation system has a first scaling system that comprises: a system for comparing a motion vector magnitude of each macroblock in a B picture with a predetermined threshold; a system for performing a routine decoding operation for each macroblock in which the motion vector magnitude is greater than the predetermined threshold; and a system for copying a corresponding macroblock from a previous picture for each macroblock in which the motion vector magnitude is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.