Abstract: The system includes an arbiter, a combined engine, a frame buffer, and a display processing unit. The arbiter provides three input channels: a first channel for graphics, a second channel for video and a third channel for processor. The arbiter performs prioritization and arbitration between the video and graphics and processor requests sent to the system. The arbiter has three output ports coupled to the combined engine. The combined engine is a hardware engine capable of processing either video data or graphics data. The output of the combined engine is provided to the frame buffer for the storage of pixel data. The output of the frame buffer is coupled to a display processing unit that renders the pixel data for display.

Abstract: A system rights management system can process a multi-media data stream. In an embodiment, the system includes digital rights management (DRM) processing modules, shared first in first out (FIFO) buffers, and a cross-bar switch for channeling data between the DRM modules and the shared FIFO buffers. In another embodiment, the system includes an embedded processor, allowing DRM processing tasks to be performed using a dedicated processor rather than tying up the resources of a general CPU.

Abstract: A novel architecture for implementing video processing features a data bus and a control bus. In an embodiment, data transfers between processing modules can take place over the data bus as mediated by a programmable memory copy controller, or through local connections, freeing up the control bus for instructions provided by a processor. A video decoder may be implemented in a system on chip with instructions provided by an off-chip processor. A semaphore or semaphore array mechanism may be used to mediate traffic between the various modules.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for selectably enabling a plurality of data transfer modes along one or more channels are described. In one embodiment, data transfer between a first device and a second device is controlled based on selecting a combination of access and operation modes. In another embodiment, a video processing system capable of selectably enabling a plurality of data transfer modes along one or more channels is described.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for discrete cosine transform and inverse discrete cosine transform (DCT/IDCT) of image signals are described. A DCT/IDCT module includes a plurality of different cores. One embodiment of a core includes two sets of lookup tables to provide multiplication and add operations for the DCT and IDCT functions. Another embodiment of a core include one set of lookup tables, while another embodiment of a core includes no lookup table. The DCT/IDCT module provides forward DCT and IDCT functionality without the use of additional multipliers.

Abstract: A processing system includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) sub-system that allows data associated with a prior instruction to be preserved for use with a next instruction or subsequent instruction without having to reload the value using an intermediate register. The ALU sub-system includes a pair of ALUs communicatively cross-coupled with a pair of accumulators. The processing system also includes a data selector coupled to the ALU sub-system for use with memory contention prediction. The data selector includes a constant generator that controls storage of data associated with a previous instruction in a bypass element, and a selector to choose between data from a databus element and data stored in the bypass element.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for selectably enabling a plurality of data transfer modes along one or more channels are described. In one embodiment, data transfer between a first device and a second device is controlled based on selecting a combination of access and operation modes. In another embodiment, a video processing system capable of selectably enabling a plurality of data transfer modes along one or more channels is described.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for motion estimation and compensation processing of video and image signals are described. Within a sequence of frames, block-based differences are taken between frames to exploit redundancies between pictures by taking a matchblock from the current picture and by determining a spatial offset in a corresponding reference picture which signifies a good prediction of where the current macroblock can be found. Multi-level motion estimation is performed in three stages to refine the resolution of the motion vector with reduced computational bandwidth. First, a matchblock from a reference frame is decomposed equally into several sub-matchblocks, each of which is searched in parallel over a search area decomposed into sub-blocks by a similar factor so as to determine a preliminary motion vector in the reference picture.

Abstract: A processing system includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) sub-system that allows data associated with a prior instruction to be preserved for use with a next instruction or subsequent instruction without having to reload the value using an intermediate register. The ALU sub-system includes a pair of ALUs communicatively cross-coupled with a pair of accumulators. The processing system also includes a data selector coupled to the ALU sub-system for use with memory contention prediction. The data selector includes a constant generator that controls storage of data associated with a previous instruction in a bypass element, and a selector to choose between data from a databus element and data stored in the bypass element.

Abstract: A video compression scheme enables the user to select one of many video compression formats, including the widely-used standard video formats such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and H.263. In one embodiment, the scheme is implemented as a hardware-software combination, with the hardware portion, preferably implemented as an ASIC chip, performing the core compression and the software portion dealing with the detailed formatting. In another embodiment, a 32-bit aligned transitional data format is used.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for synchronizing control of one or more devices at predetermined times are described. A host scheduler loads a to-do list of predetermined events and corresponding time-tags into memory and broadcasts scheduled events to the devices to cause activation of the events on intended devices.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for motion estimation and compensation processing of video and image signals are described. Within a sequence of frames, block-based differences are taken between frames to exploit redundancies between pictures by taking a matchblock from the current picture and by determining a spatial offset in a corresponding reference picture which signifies a good prediction of where the current macroblock can be found. Multi-level motion estimation is performed in three stages to refine the resolution of the motion vector with reduced computational bandwidth. First, a matchblock from a reference frame is decomposed equally into several sub-matchblocks, each of which is searched in parallel over a search area decomposed into sub-blocks by a similar factor so as to determine a preliminary motion vector in the reference picture.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for selectably enabling a plurality of data transfer modes along one or more channels are described. In one embodiment, data transfer between a first device and a second device is controlled based on selecting a combination of access and operation modes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer medium, and other embodiments for discrete cosine transform and inverse discrete cosine transform (DCT/IDCT) of image signals are described. A DCT/IDCT module includes a plurality of different cores. One embodiment of a core includes two sets of lookup tables to provide multiplication and add operations for the DCT and IDCT functions. Another embodiment of a core include one set of lookup tables, while another embodiment of a core includes no lookup table. The DCT/IDCT module provides forward DCT and IDCT functionality without the use of additional multipliers.

Abstract: A video input processor is provided to process different input video format, including RGB, RGB Bayer, YUV 4:2:2 interlaced and progressive video data. The video input processor also uses an advanced algorithm to efficiently convert video data in RGB color space to YUV color space. The video input processor further enables multi-functions such as video image scaling, video image filtering before the video data are output for further video compression.

Abstract: A video processing system includes input and output address generators. The address generators are capable of generating linear addresses associated with data to be read from and written to a device. The linear address is converted to a random address so that data associated with a macroblock may be read from the device and written to the device.