Abstract: A method for effecting a machine-based determination of speech intelligibility in an aircraft during flight operations includes: (a) in no particular order: (1) providing a representation of a machine-based speech evaluating signal; and (2) providing a representation of in-flight noise; (b) combining the representation of a machine-based speech evaluation signal and the representation of in-flight noise to obtain a combined noise signal; and (c) employing the combined noise signal to present the machine-based determination of speech intelligibility in an aircraft during flight operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digital video encoding is disclosed. The disclosed system provides for a way of improving video quality for a given video coding system design.

Abstract: A teleconference terminal apparatus including: an input unit which receives a speech signal; an analyzing unit which calculates a target size on a predetermined segment basis of a speech signal; a coding unit which codes the speech signal to generate a data stream, so that the coded data size on a predetermined segment basis becomes the target size corresponding to each predetermined segment; a stream transmitting unit which transmits to a network the data stream; a receiving unit which receives the data stream transmitted from another terminal apparatus; a filtering unit which determines whether segment data is to be decoded based on data size for each predetermined segment in the received data stream, the segment data being included in the data stream; a decoding unit which decodes segment data determined to be decoded to generate a speech signal; and an output unit which outputs the generated speech signal.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a video camera configured to capture, compress, and store video image data in a memory of the video camera at a rate of at least about twenty three frames per second. The video image data can be mosaiced image data, and the compressed, mosaiced image data may remain substantially visually lossless upon decompression and demosaicing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image processing, comprising receiving a video frame, coding a first portion of the video frame at a different quality than a second portion of the video frame, based on an optical property, and displaying the video frame.

Abstract: A motion compensation module, that can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal, includes a motion search module that generates a motion search motion vector for each motion search macroblock of a plurality of motion search macroblocks in at least one of a horizontally compressed and vertically uncompressed field of the video input signal and a horizontally compressed and vertically uncompressed frame of the video input signal. A motion refinement module generates a refined motion vector for each motion refinement macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks of at least one of an uncompressed field of the video input signal and an uncompressed frame of the video input signal, based on the motion search motion vector.

Abstract: A decoding apparatus includes a random number generating section and a decoding section. The random number generating section generates random numbers according to distribution of original data corresponding to respective quantization indexes. The decoding section generates decoded data on a basis of the random numbers generated by the random number generating section.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method dynamically configures a BL bandwidth in a conference based on bandwidth capabilities in the video conferencing network. In one embodiment, the conference may include any combination of endpoints characterized as BL endpoints and SVCL endpoints. The method includes determining one or more bandwidth capabilities for a plurality of endpoints participating in a conference. The bandwidth capabilities for each respective endpoint may be based on its video decoding capability, the maximum bit-rate it can accept, the video encoding capability of the other endpoints, or a bandwidth constraint manifestation in a portion of the network, etc.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a multipoint conference are disclosed. The method includes: determining resolution-layered coding parameters of each terminal, and sending them to their corresponding terminals; receiving the code streams sent by each terminal, selecting code streams to be displayed by each terminal among the received code streams according to the display requirements of each terminal, and transcoding or mapping the selected code streams to the code streams decodable by the terminal; and sending the code streams decodable by each terminal to their corresponding terminals. The embodiments of the present invention use an MCU to control the resolution-layered coding, and therefore, the system can include both the terminal supporting the layering protocol and the terminal supporting no layering protocol. In addition, the calculation is reduced, and the system efficiency is improved.

Abstract: An image decoding method, apparatus and program for decoding coded picture data is disclosed. In the method, apparatus and program, the coded picture data is entropy-decoded to derive four transform coefficient strings each comprising entropy-decoded sixteen (16) transform coefficients. The four transform coefficient strings are combined into an 8×8 block of entropy-decoded sixty four (64) transform coefficients by de-interleaving the four strings in such a manner as to select a lower frequency transform coefficient alternately from the four strings and arrange it in the 8×8 block in an order of a low frequency to a high frequency. An inverse orthogonal transform is then performed on the 8×8 block of the entropy-decoded sixty four (64) transform coefficients.

Abstract: A method of sending video data over a network is disclosed. The method includes initiating a video data stream between a first site and a second site over the network, sending compressed video content from the first site to the second site, decompressing the video content at the first site, decompressing the video content at the second site and synchronizing the decompressed video content at the first and second site whereby the video data stream can be controlled by either the first or second site.

Abstract: An image processor includes a frequency transform unit performing frequency transform independently on a luminance signal and plural chrominance signals and outputting an item of frequency data of the luminance signal and plural items of frequency data of the chrominance signals, and a quantization unit performing quantization independently on plural items of frequency data inputted from the frequency transform unit. The quantization unit performs quantization on one or plural specific items of frequency data corresponding to a signal with noise among the frequency data of the luminance signal and the chrominance signals, employing a quantization coefficient having a value greater than “1”, and performs quantization on frequency data apart from the specific items of frequency data, employing a quantization coefficient having a value “1”.

Abstract: A method for adjusting latency in a video conference signal originating from a video conference camera and encoder is described herein. Latency in a video conference connection between more than two video conference sites is measured. The latency between each of the more than two video conference sites is compared with a latency threshold. Parameters of the video conference camera and encoder associated with each video conference site are adjusted by a video controller to modify the image quality of the video signal if the measured latency of a respective video conference connection is below the threshold.

Abstract: A method for scaling video content based on bandwidth rate is disclosed. Wherein, a plurality of target shots and non-target shots are recognized from shots of a video. A background and at least one foreground object are separated from the video frame of the target shot. The present invention method provides a plurality of bandwidth levels, and one among them is selected in advance. At least one foreground object is selected and pasted on the background based on the selected bandwidth level, so as to obtain at least one recombined target shot. The recombined target shot, the non-target shot or other recombined target shot can be merged to form a recombined video unit based on the selected bandwidth level. Therefore, the present invention proposes video content of scalability based on bandwidth rate to provide the different video bit-stream size, so that viewer can get the high quality video under the lower bandwidth rate.

Abstract: In one method embodiment, receiving from the network device a multiplex of a compressed video stream and a compressed audio stream, the multiplex comprising a succession of intervals corresponding to a video program corresponding to a first playout rate; and at the start of each interval, replacing the compressed audio stream with a compressed, pitch-preserving audio stream corresponding to a second playout rate different than the first.

Abstract: A system and method bringing video to commercial FM and video to Sub-Carrier Authorization programming, the system would make use of a Double Sideband Suppress Carrier SCA frequency at 67 kHz, modulated by a Slow San Video Converter for providing minute by minute snap shots of video related to the audio program on the main FM channel such as if the main FM channel being listened to is 87.5 MHz then the related video channel would be 87.567 MHz, also, an additional audio/slow scan video FM station would be available as well and will be known as fm2, the audio portion of fm2 is an Independent Sideband Suppressed Carrier for providing audio in stereo at the SCA frequency at 114 kHz the slow scan video portion of the station is again another Double Sideband Suppress Carrier SCA at the frequency of 92 kHz.

Abstract: A method equalizing video signals transmitted across a network is provided. The method can include introducing one or more captured video signals across a network via a plurality of conferencing devices. The conferencing devices can include a video display device adapted to display a received video signal, and a video capture device adapted to provide a captured video signal. One or more modules can be disposed in, on, or about the network, the video display device, the video capture device, or any combination thereof. One or more parameters of the video signals transmitted across the network can be modified via the one or more modules such that the one or more modified display parameters of all or a portion of the video signals transmitted across the network fall within a predetermined parameter range.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an architecture for establishing multi-participant video conferences. This architecture has a central distributor that receives video images from two or more participants. From the received images, the central distributor generates composite images that the central distributor transmits back to the participants. Each composite image includes a set of sub images, where each sub image belongs to one participant. In some embodiments, the central distributor saves network bandwidth by removing each particular participant's image from the composite image that the central distributor sends to the particular participant. In some embodiments, images received from each participant are arranged in the composite in a non-interleaved manner. For instance, in some embodiments, the composite image includes at most one sub-image for each participant, and no two sub-images are interleaved.

Abstract: A method filters a depth image, wherein each depth image includes an array of pixels at locations (x, y), and wherein each pixel has a depth. A moving window is applied to the pixels in the depth image, wherein a size of the window covers a set of pixels centered at each pixel. A single representative depth from the set of pixel in the window is assigned to the pixel to produce a processed depth image. Then, each pixel in the processed depth image is filtered to correct outlier depths without blurring depth discontinuities to produce a filtered depth image.

Abstract: A method for converting an encoded digital video signal from a decoded relatively lower frame rate to a decoded relatively higher frame rate, including the following steps: deriving, from the encoded video signal, at the relatively lower frame rate, a decoded high resolution component and a decoded low resolution component; increasing the frame rate of the decoded low resolution component by interpolating successive frames of the decoded low resolution component; increasing the frame rate of the decoded high resolution component by duplicating frames of the decoded high resolution component; and obtaining an output relatively higher frame rate video signal by combining the increased frame rate low resolution component and the increased frame rate high resolution component.

Abstract: A network display apparatus, which is connected to a network and has a thin client function, is used as a monitor of a host device. If audio and video data is received through the network while the network display apparatus is used as a monitor of the host device, the network display apparatus may transmit the audio and video data to the host device. The host device performs signal processing for the audio and video data received through the network from the network display apparatus, and outputs the processed data. Accordingly, the audio and video data received from an external apparatus through the network by the network display apparatus is output by the host device, and thus it is possible to perform operations using the host device and simultaneously to provide a user of the audio and video data received from the external apparatus without source change.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for a multipoint video conferencing system that can offer a wide variety of layouts and the ability to support a large number of conferees. A received stream of NALs from a plurality of endpoints can be processed by an exemplary NAL Processor Module (NPM) and be arranged into a stream of NALs that are referred to in this disclosure as organized NALs (ONALs). Two or more streams of compressed video organized into ONALs can be received by an exemplary NAL Editor Module (NEM), wherein each stream was created from a video image that was generated at an endpoint participating in the conference. An exemplary NEM can comprise a compressed composed frame memory (CCFM) module. Each CCFM can be divided into segments according to the layout of the continuous presence (CP) image that is to be displayed by one or more receiving endpoints.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digital video encoding is disclosed. The disclosed system provides for a way of improving video quality for a given video coding system design.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for controlling multimedia communication quality in a handheld device. The handheld device receives and transmits multimedia data via a wireless network. First, the predetermined video coding parameters are used to code a video stream and transmit the coded video stream via the wireless network, and receive a multimedia data via the wireless network. Next, the quality of the wireless network is detected. When the quality is poor, the video coding parameters are changed. Finally, the quality of received multimedia data is detected. When the quality of received multimedia data is poor, the video coding parameters are changed.

Abstract: When a start recording instruction or an end recording instruction is transmitted from a terminal device, a DTMF detector (106) detects a DTMF signal and supplies the detection results to a control module (107). The control module (107) supplies the received start recording instruction or end recording instruction to an image data converter (105) and a switch (108). When a start recording instruction is received as input, the image data converter (105) converts the reception image data (103) to image data that have undergone intramode coding and supplies the result to the switch (108). The switch (108) supplies a storage device (110) with the image data that were supplied from image data converter (105) at the time that a start recording instruction is received as input, and supplies the storage device (110) with reception image data (103) from the time that recording has started until the input of an end recording instruction.

Abstract: The present invention employs scalable video coding (SVC) in a multi-view camera system, which is particularly suited for video conferencing. Multiple cameras are oriented to capture video content of different image areas and generate corresponding original video streams that provide video content of the image areas. An active one of the image areas may be identified at any time by analyzing the audio content originating from the different image areas and selecting the image area that is associated with the most dominant speech activity.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for reducing delay in video communication, including, for example, video transcoding and continuous presence in a multipoint multimedia conference. The video communication control unit reduces such delay by processing a video stream in a small number of macroblocks referred to as “chunks,” without waiting to get a full frame of video data. Instead, the incoming video stream is converted into decoded chunks. These decoded chunks are transferred to an output module without waiting to decode an entire frame. An encoder in the output module encodes the decoded chunks (also referred to as encoder chunks), and transfers them to an end user without waiting for the entire frame to be processed. Thus, reducing the delay in waiting for the entire frame of video data provides improved real-time video communication.

Abstract: Video send and receive capabilities of participants are determined by the respective machines determining available combinations, as well as preferences for the receivers. Receiver capabilities are forwarded to the source for computation of negotiated video capabilities through a logic intersection of the determined capabilities based on desired number of streams and resolutions. If a resolution of a send capability exists within the receive capability, the highest frame and/or bit rate may be selected for transmission.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting video images generated by multiple endpoints in a videoconference such that the displayed images have consistent appearance, for example consistent brightness levels are disclosed. Sampling methods and algorithms are used to calculate an appropriate amount of correction for each video image and the images are adjusted accordingly. Brightness correction may implement one or more brightness sampling and analyzing logical modules (BSAM) and one or more transforming logical module (TLM). The brightness matching methods may be implemented in centralized architecture, for example, as part of a multipoint control unit (MCU). Alternatively, the methods may be implemented using a distributed architecture.

Abstract: A memory accessing apparatus and a method thereof are provided, which are suitable for methods and apparatuses that access memory data in blocks, such as a video decoder. An advanced memory mapping method is adopted to generate the column address and row address of a data word in a memory based on the logic address of the data word in a video frame. Macroblocks are organized into clusters, macroblocks of the same cluster are stored in the same row of the memory, and the orders in which the video decoder reads and writes macroblocks are rearranged so as to reduce the number of row changes in memory access and improve the throughput of memory access. Furthermore, memory accesses between the video decoder and the display controller can be coordinated.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting reception apparatus and robust stream decoding method thereof. The digital broadcasting reception apparatus includes a robust decoder that decodes a robust stream of a dual transport stream where a normal stream and the robust stream are combined. The robust decoder includes a first decoder that trellis-decodes the robust stream; a robust deinterleaver that interleaves the trellis-decoded robust stream; a second decoder that convolution decodes the deinterleaved robust stream; a robust interleaver that interleaves the convolution-decoded robust stream; and a frame formatter that adds decoded data of the second decoder to a part that corresponds to a position of the robust stream of a frame where the normal stream and the robust stream are mixed. Accordingly, a receiver of a simple structure can be provided.

Abstract: Multiple video picture frames are combined into a spatial multiplex video picture frame that may be fully decoded and displayed. The video display of the spatial multiplex video picture frame is a composite combination of all of the video picture frames that have been combined, and may have an appearance such as a mosaic. Multiplexing the video picture frames involves removing picture headers, creating a picture header for the spatial multiplex video picture frame, and altering the headers of individual components of each video picture frame. The new header for the spatial multiplex video picture frame indicates a slice format frame, and headers of the individual components are altered to provide a slice format based picture position for each video picture frame. The headers of the individual components are altered to become slice based, such as in accordance with the ITU-T H.263 video standard, prior to establishing the slice based picture position if the frames are not already of the slice format.

Abstract: A video camera can be configured to highly compress video data in a visually lossless manner. The camera can be configured to transform blue and red image data in a manner that enhances the compressibility of the data. The data can then be compressed and stored in this form. This allows a user to reconstruct the red and blue data to obtain the original raw data for a modified version of the original raw data that is visually lossless when demosaiced. Additionally, the data can be processed in a manner in which the green image elements are demosaiced first and then the red and blue elements are reconstructed based on values of the demosaiced green image elements.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system which encodes different streams of information. The information may include video, audio, speech recognized versions of the audio, and language translated versions of the audio. Text may be sent as part of the videoconference.

Abstract: A method for generating a video output signal. The method may include receiving a plurality of input video signals from each of the participants. Each of the input video signals may have a plurality of input frames. Each of the input frames may have a source slice carrying an image. Each of the input frames may be encoded using the respective reference frame at an encoding time. The method may include a step for generating the video output signal for transmission to the participants. The video output signal may comprise a plurality of output frames. A first of the output frames generally has at least a first slice having (a) a first coded portion carrying the image from a first of the participants and (b) a first unencoded portion for the image from a second of the participants. A second of the output frames generally has at least a second slice having (a) a second coded portion carrying the image from the second participant and (b) a second unencoded portion for the image from the first participant.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for controlling the rate a data encoder generates compressed data. The system and method are preferably implemented as program code stored and executed by a processor or computer that is interfaced to standard variable or constant bit rate encoders known in the art. The system preferably encodes and compresses video signals received from a camera, and controls the rate at which the compressed data is generated by the encoder so that storage capacity reserved for the compressed data will not be exceeded. The device preferably takes advantage of periods when the data generation rate is low to increase the quality of video data generated during periods of high activity.

Abstract: A camera operably coupled to a configurable camera interface within a wireless terminal operable to process images in accordance with multiple data formats. This camera interface has an ARM and an image process accelerator operably coupled to the ARM. The combination receives a captured digital image having a first data format from an image sensor operably coupled to the camera interface. The accelerator is configured based on information contained within the captured digital image. The captured digital image will be processed to produce additional digital images having a differing data formats. The captured digital image and/or additional digital images will be supplied to multiple devices or clients. This configuration allows the compute intensive operations to be offloaded from the processing module onto the image process accelerator within the camera interface in order to improve the overall system efficiency.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product example embodiments of the invention are disclosed to manage multiple network zones interconnected over a wide area network for video conferencing. In one example embodiment of the invention, an interface of a zone controller is configured to receive a first user request to schedule local resources for a video conferencing session within a local network zone. The zone controller is configured to access local services in the zone to schedule the local resources for the video conferencing session. The interface of the zone controller is further configured to receive a second user request to schedule remote resources in a remote network zone for the video conferencing session. A local Network Zone Manager in the zone controller is configured to determine a remote Network Zone Manager responsible for the remote resources in the remote network zone in response to the second user request.

Abstract: A video conferencing device that includes a camera and display system captures video of local participants and displays incoming video feeds from remote locations. For example, incoming video feeds of the remote participants may be displayed on an outward-facing circular screen mounted on a central pedestal. One or more cameras are also mounted on the pedestal in order to capture video of the local participants. The incoming video feed can be arranged or organized in various ways on the display based in part on the quantity of incoming feeds and/or the needs of the conference-room participants.

Abstract: A method including: obtaining, with the video processing apparatus, video frames, the video frames including macroblocks; comparing, with a video processing apparatus, a current macroblock in a current frame stored in a current frame buffer with a corresponding reference macroblock in a reference frame stored in a reference frame buffer; and setting, with the video processing apparatus, a flag value for said current macroblock if the comparing indicates that the current macroblock and the corresponding reference macroblock are substantially different.

Abstract: A multi-codec camera system includes a multi-codec camera that acquires video in the form of multiple compression-rate image data and a determination module that selects image data from the multiple compression-rate image data acquired by the multi-codec camera according to a predetermined reference, wherein when a predetermined object is detected from the video acquired by the multi-codec camera, the determination module selects image data at a compression rate according to the size of the detected object.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product example embodiments of the invention are disclosed to provide a secure room control isolator for a multi-network secure video teleconferencing room that meets the DISA and other standard security requirements. An example embodiment of the invention is a secure room control isolator coupled between a video teleconferencing room controller and a codec, to enable control commands to be sent from the room controller to the codec, but which permits only status information to be returned from the codec to the room controller. In this manner, classified information in the codec cannot be accessed by the room controller.

Abstract: A communication terminal or system is provided with a processor that calculates a transmission data size that is suitable to a detected state of a network, and analyzes contents of image data for transmission to determine an image parameter that should be prioritized. The communication terminal or system encodes the image data for transmission into encoded image data, based on the calculated transmission data size and the image parameter that should be prioritized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method for processing an image. The method includes: detecting at least an edge in the image; selecting at least a first pixel and at least a second pixel according to the edge; deciding whether the edge is a block effect by determining whether a pixel difference between the first pixel and the second pixel locates in a predetermined range; and filtering out the detected block effect.

Abstract: One or more horizontal stripes are defined in a continuous presence video conferencing image, comprising one or more segments of the video image. The horizontal stripes may have different heights. A horizontal stripe builder associated with a continuous presence videoconferencing port composes and compresses the horizontal stripe from two or more video images received from a plurality of endpoints of the video conferencing system. A continuous presence image stream generator organizes compressed horizontal strips into a plurality of compressed continuous presence video streams for sending toward sites of the video conferencing system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-channel video communication system which includes a scalable video codec, a bit-stream truncating module, a network module and a multi-channel bit-stream truncating control module. The scalable video codec encodes a video source to generate a scalable original video bit-stream. The bit-stream truncating module is set between the scalable video codec and the network module, truncates the original video bit-stream to obtain a final video bit-stream and sends the final video bit-stream to the remote client device through the network module. The multi-channel bit-stream truncating control module is connected with the bit-stream truncating module, calculates a filter parameter for each bit-stream truncating unit in the bit-stream truncating module based on received device capabilities and network conditions of the remote client device. The present invention also provides a multi-channel video communication method in the above multi-channel video communication system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for video conferencing. The method and apparatus continuously receive frames from a plurality of video channels and alternately continuously transmit to each of a plurality of participants in a video conference individual frames containing information concerning each of the video channels. The method and apparatus only transmits at any given instant new picture data for one of the participants in the video conference.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for accelerated image rendering. In one implementation, the systems and methods receive digital image data and derive intermediate data associated with the digital image data to accelerate image rendering.

Abstract: An exemplary method for encoding an image includes receiving image data, detecting edges in the image data, selecting at least some of the detected edges, encoding the selected edges as selected edge information, down-sampling the image data, encoding the down-sampled image as down-sampled image information and multiplexing the selected edges information and the down-sampled image information. In such a method, the selected edges information and the down-sampled image information can be stored as an encoded image file. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example server apparatus includes a video stream receiver configured to receive a first video stream encoded by a first coding scheme from a video providing apparatus via a network and a video stream generator configured to generate a second video stream obtained by converting a coding scheme of the first video stream from the first coding scheme to a second coding scheme. A client capability information acquirer is configured to acquire decoding capability information representing whether a client apparatus can decode a video image encoded by the first coding scheme and a video stream processing determiner is configured to transmit the first video stream to the client apparatus when the client apparatus can decode the video image encoded by the first coding scheme, and to transmit the second video stream to the client apparatus when the client apparatus cannot decode the video image encoded by the first coding scheme.