Abstract: A reconfigurable license plate recognition (LPR) processing apparatus and method for facilitating rapid development of LPR applications of various kinds and forms are disclosed. The LPR apparatus consists of processing hardware and software that can be configured manually or automatically into a plurality of operating modes that are designed to match the needs of various LPR applications. One or a plurality of appropriately configured LPR processing apparatuses along with LPR cameras and other required equipment can be assembled and operated in desired modes to build a variety of small-scale and large-scale LPR products. In addition, the LPR processing apparatus can be reconfigured when needed to match the changing requirements of an evolving LPR application, thereby eliminating the need to develop application-specific LPR hardware and software.

Abstract: This disclosure describes unique video encoding and decoding processes compliant to one or more specific coding standards, such as the H.264/AVC standard, without sacrificing coding efficiency. A higher resolution input image is divided into a corresponding set of lower resolution sub-sampled images. The first image of each set is coded as an independent I picture, or coded with respect to the first image of one or more other sets as a P or B picture. Each subsequent image of a set, other than the first image in each set, is encoded with respect to the first image of the same set or an image of another set as a regular P or B picture. A decoding process may employ a decoder conforming to the specific coding standard to decode the encoded data, by rearranging the decoded lower resolution sub-sampled images of each set into corresponding higher resolution output images.

Abstract: This disclosure describes unique video encoding and decoding processes compliant to one or more specific coding standards, such as the H.264/AVC standard, without sacrificing coding efficiency. A higher resolution input image is divided into a corresponding set of lower resolution sub-sampled images. The first image of each set is coded as an independent I picture, or coded with respect to the first image of one or more other sets as a P or B picture. Each subsequent image of a set, other than the first image in each set, is encoded with respect to the first image of the same set or an image of another set as a regular P or B picture. A decoding process may employ a decoder conforming to the specific coding standard to decode the encoded data, by rearranging the decoded lower resolution sub-sampled images of each set into corresponding higher resolution output images.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording audio-visual (A/V) contents directly from an A/V input source to a portable media player (PMP) is disclosed. The recorded A/V contents can be played back by the portable media player immediately upon stopping the recording. The recording apparatus does not involve the use of any intermediate computing or storage device other than the portable media player and the recording apparatus itself. The A/V contents for recording may come in the form of analog/digital signals or as digital data in compressed or uncompressed form from transmission and/or storage devices. Depending upon the nature of the input, the recording apparatus digitizes, encodes and/or transcodes the A/V contents and stores the processed A/V contents directly into the portable media player in playback ready format. The recording apparatus includes a one-button control interface for starting and stopping the recording of A/V contents to the portable media player.

Abstract: A segment of a B picture is encoded using motion estimation based prediction according to a determination as to whether motion vectors corresponding to a number of already constructed reference pictures of the B picture are acceptable for use in a direct prediction mode without further refinement or whether refined motion vectors are needed. In response to a determination that refined motion vectors are needed, refined motion vectors are computed through a motion estimation process and are used to encode a temporal direct mode. The coded segment of the B picture does not include refined motion vectors in an encoded bit stream. Decoding the encoded bit stream involves identifying the mode selected for coding the segment of the B picture. Where the temporal direct mode using refined motion vectors was selected for encoding, local motion estimation refinement is used to generate local motion vectors, which are used to reconstruct the segment of the B picture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a simple low cost framework for robust operational control of video encoders. The framework comprises a two-layer architecture that effectively decouples the processes of video bit rate control and video quality/distortion control. The upper layer includes a video bit rate controller that operates on a single picture/picture-slice, or a set of pictures/picture-slices, and is based on feedback control techniques used in automatic control systems. The lower layer includes a video quality/distortion controller that operates at the level of blocks of pixels, and reduces distortion artifacts. The decoupled nature of the encoder control architecture of the present invention provides the flexibility of combining various feedback control algorithms and various distortion reduction schemes.

Abstract: This disclosure describes unique video encoding and decoding processes compliant to one or more specific coding standards, such as the H.264/AVC standard, without sacrificing coding efficiency. A higher resolution input image is divided into a corresponding set of lower resolution sub-sampled images. The first image of each set is coded as an independent I picture, or coded with respect to the first image of one or more other sets as a P or B picture. Each subsequent image of a set, other than the first image in each set, is encoded with respect to the first image of the same set or an image of another set as a regular P or B picture. A decoding process may employ a decoder conforming to the specific coding standard to decode the encoded data, by rearranging the decoded lower resolution sub-sampled images of each set into corresponding higher resolution output images.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording audio-visual (A/V) contents directly from an A/V input source to a portable media player (PMP) is disclosed. The recorded A/V contents can be played back by the portable media player immediately upon stopping the recording. The recording apparatus does not involve the use of any intermediate computing or storage device other than the portable media player and the recording apparatus itself. The A/V contents for recording may come in the form of analog/digital signals or as digital data in compressed or uncompressed form from transmission and/or storage devices. Depending upon the nature of the input, the recording apparatus digitizes, encodes and/or transcodes the A/V contents and stores the processed A/V contents directly into the portable media player in playback ready format. The recording apparatus includes a one-button control interface for starting and stopping the recording of A/V contents to the portable media player.

Abstract: A system and method of recording audio-visual (A/V) contents directly to a variety of portable media players (PMPs). The recorded contents can be played back by the portable media players immediately without further format conversions. To facilitate immediate playback of the recorded contents, the recording apparatus contains an identification device configured to automatically identify types of portable media players connected to an exemplary recording device that stores the A/V contents. Once the type of portable media player is identified, the recording device automatically generates compressed bit stream in a format that is compatible with the portable media player. Depending upon the nature of the input, the recording apparatus digitizes, encodes and/or transcodes the A/V contents and stores directly into the portable media player's local storage in playback ready format.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention discloses a simple low cost framework for robust operational control of video encoders. The framework comprises a two-layer architecture that effectively decouples the processes of video bit rate control and video quality/distortion control. The upper layer includes a video bit rate controller that operates on a single picture/picture-slice, or a set of pictures/picture-slices, and is based on feedback control techniques used in automatic control systems. The lower layer includes a video quality/distortion controller that operates at the level of blocks of pixels, and reduces distortion artifacts. The decoupled nature of the encoder control architecture of the present invention provides the flexibility of combining various feedback control algorithms and various distortion reduction schemes.

Abstract: A method and processor for providing context-based adaptive binary arithmetic CABAC coding. Binarization is performed on one or more syntax elements to obtain a binary sequence. Data bits of the said binary sequence are provided to an arithmetic encoding unit in bulk. Binarization is performed on one or more syntax elements to generate exp Golomb code by converting mapped syntax-element values to corresponding floating point type values. Re-normalization of CABAC encoding is performed by restructuring the re-normalization into two processing units including an arithmetic encoding unit and a bit writing unit. The bit writing unit is configured to format signal bits into a multiple-bit sequence, and write multiple bits simultaneously during an execution of a bit writing loop.

Abstract: A method for efficient and fast implementation of context-based adaptive binary arithmetic encoding in H.264/AVC video encoders is disclosed. The H.264/AVC video standard supports two entropy coding mechanisms. These include Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) and Context Adaptive Variable Length Coding (CAVLC). The entropy coding efficiency of CABAC exceeds that of CAVLC by a clear margin. The method further provides techniques that make the implementation of CABAC on digital signal processors (DSPs) and other processing devices significantly faster. In one aspect, the method increases decoupling between the binarization process and the arithmetic encoding process from bit level to single or multiple syntax element(s) level. The binarized data is provided to the arithmetic encoding engine in bulk, thereby significantly reducing the overhead due to procedure calls.