Abstract: An optical network includes a transmitting portion configured to (i) encode an input digitized sequence of data samples into a quantized sequence of data samples having a first number of digits per sample, (ii) map the quantized sequence of data samples into a compressed sequence of data samples having a second number of digits per sample, the second number being lower than the first number, and (iii) modulate the compressed sequence of data samples and transmit the modulated sequence over a digital optical link. The optical network further includes a receiving portion configured to (i) receive and demodulate the modulated sequence from the digital optical link, (ii) map the demodulated sequence from the second number of digits per sample into a decompressed sequence having the first number of digits per sample, and (iii) decode the decompressed sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video encoding method, to a video decoding method, and to an apparatus using same. The video encoding method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: setting a tile and a slice for the inputted current picture; performing encoding based on the tile and the slice; and a step of transmitting the encoded video information. The current picture may include one or more tiles and one or more slices. The largest coding units (hereinafter, referred to as LCUs) in the slice may be arranged based on a tile scan.

Abstract: An optical network includes a transmitting portion configured to (i) encode an input digitized sequence of data samples into a quantized sequence of data samples having a first number of digits per sample, (ii) map the quantized sequence of data samples into a compressed sequence of data samples having a second number of digits per sample, the second number being lower than the first number, and (iii) modulate the compressed sequence of data samples and transmit the modulated sequence over a digital optical link. The optical network further includes a receiving portion configured to (i) receive and demodulate the modulated sequence from the digital optical link, (ii) map the demodulated sequence from the second number of digits per sample into a decompressed sequence having the first number of digits per sample, and (iii) decode the decompressed sequence.

Abstract: An example apparatus for processing images includes a hybrid infinite impulse response-finite impulse response (IIR-FIR) convolution block to receive an image and generate processed image information. The hybrid IIR-FIR convolution block includes a vertical infinite impulse response (IIR) component to approximate a vertical convolution when processing the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video encoding method, to a video decoding method, and to an apparatus using same. The video encoding method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: setting a tile and a slice for the inputted current picture; performing encoding based on the tile and the slice; and a step of transmitting the encoded video information. The current picture may include one or more tiles and one or more slices. The largest coding units (hereinafter, referred to as LCUs) in the slice may be arranged based on a tile scan.

Abstract: In various examples, images rendered by a processor—such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)—may be scanned out of memory in a middle-out scan order. Various architectures for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be implemented to support middle-out scanning, such as dual-panel architectures, ping-pong architectures, and architectures that support both top-down scan order and middle-out scan order. As a result, display latency within the system may be reduced, thereby increasing performance of the system—especially for high-performance applications such as gaming.

Abstract: A frame buffer having a size of one video frame of a video stream is provided. The video stream has a source frame rate. Image data units of the video stream are written consecutively to the frame buffer in accordance with a circular buffering scheme and in real-time response to the video stream. Image data units are read from the frame buffer in accordance with the circular buffering scheme with a frame rate that is twice the source frame rate so as to generate a target video stream having a frame rate which is twice the source frame rate. The frame buffer can be used in a real-time video system, for example in a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video encoding method, to a video decoding method, and to an apparatus using same. The video encoding method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: setting a tile and a slice for the inputted current picture; performing encoding based on the tile and the slice; and a step of transmitting the encoded video information. The current picture may include one or more tiles and one or more slices. The largest coding units (hereinafter, referred to as LCUs) in the slice may be arranged based on a tile scan.

Abstract: An optical network includes a transmitting portion configured to (i) encode an input digitized sequence of data samples into a quantized sequence of data samples having a first number of digits per sample, (ii) map the quantized sequence of data samples into a compressed sequence of data samples having a second number of digits per sample, the second number being lower than the first number, and (iii) modulate the compressed sequence of data samples and transmit the modulated sequence over a digital optical link. The optical network further includes a receiving portion configured to (i) receive and demodulate the modulated sequence from the digital optical link, (ii) map the demodulated sequence from the second number of digits per sample into a decompressed sequence having the first number of digits per sample, and (iii) decode the decompressed sequence.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for processing display data are described. A device may receive a bitstream sequence including a quantity of intra-coded frames, inter-coded frames, or bi-directional frames, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the device may be a decoding device or an encoding device. Upon receiving the bitstream sequence, the device may determine a refresh pixel region for a frame based on an order of the quantity of intra-coded frames, inter-coded frames, or bi-directional frames, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the order may be an encoding order of the intra-coded frames, inter-coded frames, or bi-directional frames, or a combination thereof. The device may then send the refresh pixel region for the frame to a display device based on determining the refresh pixel region for the frame.

Abstract: A prediction set determining section selects a prediction set from a prediction set group including a plurality of prediction sets having different combinations of prediction modes corresponding to different prediction directions. Further, a prediction mode determining section selects a prediction mode from the prediction set thus selected. An entropy encoding section encodes the prediction set thus selected, the prediction mode thus selected, and residual data between an input image and a predicted image formed on the basis of the prediction set and the prediction mode. This allows an image encoding device to carry out predictions from more various angles, thereby improving prediction efficiency.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting video and image files processes from original files to detect skin tones of persons appearing in the media. Pixels determined to contain skin tones are blurred or blacked out, and the pixel locations and their original color values are stored in a metadata file. The metadata file is encrypted and stored with the redacted video file. Thereafter, when an authorized person wants to see an unredacted version of the video, the system decrypts the metadata and reconstituted the video, replacing the redacted pixels with their original color values, and inserting a unique watermark into the video that identifies the requesting person. The watermarked video is then provided to the requesting person.

Abstract: A network device may receive a signal from a headend, wherein a bandwidth of the received signal spans from a low frequency to a high frequency and encompasses a plurality of sub-bands. The network device may determine, based on communication with the headend, whether one of more of the sub-bands residing above a threshold frequency are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the circuitry. The network device may digitize the signal using an ADC operating at a sampling frequency. The sampling frequency may be configured based on a result of the determining. When the sub-band(s) are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively high frequency. When the sub-band(s) are not available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively low frequency.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described including determining an inter-view coding mode for at least a portion of an image frame, specifying a corresponding value of an inter-view coding mode indicator, and providing the mode indicator in a bitstream that includes an encoded motion vector associated with the image frame portion. A first value of the mode indicator corresponds to a first inter-view coding mode where the encoded motion vector includes components in multiple dimensions. A second value of the mode indicator corresponds to a second inter-view coding mode where the encoded motion vector components include components in only one dimension.

Abstract: A better compromise between encoding complexity and achievable rate distortion ratio, and/or to achieve a better rate distortion ratio is achieved by using multitree sub-divisioning not only in order to subdivide a continuous area, namely the sample array, into leaf regions, but using the intermediate regions also to share coding parameters among the corresponding collocated leaf blocks. By this measure, coding procedures performed in tiles—leaf regions—locally, may be associated with coding parameters individually without having to, however, explicitly transmit the whole coding parameters for each leaf region separately. Rather, similarities may effectively exploited by using the multitree subdivision.

Abstract: A digital medium environment includes an asset processing application that performs editing of a watermarked asset. An improved asset editing method implemented by the asset processing application comprises receiving a watermarked asset, receiving edits to the watermarked asset, storing metadata corresponding to the edits together with an asset identification (ID), communicating the metadata and asset ID, applying edits using the metadata to an unwatermarked version of the asset retrieved using the asset ID, adding a watermark back to the edited asset, and providing the edited, watermarked asset.

Abstract: A system for coding/decoding a multi-view image. The system according to an example embodiment may comprise an apparatus for coding the multi-view image and an apparatus for decoding the multi-view image. The apparatus for coding the multi-view image may determine a predictive motion vector most appropriate for a current block from a plurality of candidate motion vectors, and transmit an index of the predictive motion vector that is determined to the apparatus for decoding the multi-view image.

Abstract: A network device may receive a signal from a headend, wherein a bandwidth of the received signal spans from a low frequency to a high frequency and encompasses a plurality of sub-bands. The network device may determine, based on communication with the headend, whether one of more of the sub-bands residing above a threshold frequency are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the circuitry. The network device may digitize the signal using an ADC operating at a sampling frequency. The sampling frequency may be configured based on a result of the determining. When the sub-band(s) are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively high frequency. When the sub-band(s) are not available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively low frequency.

Abstract: A method for encoding an image having been cut up into partitions. The method includes: predicting data of a current partition based on an already encoded and then decoded reference partition, generating a predicted partition; determining residual data by comparing data relating to the current partition with the predicted partition, the residual data associated with various digital data items. Prior producing a signal containing the encoded information, performing the following steps: determining, from the predetermined residual data, a subset containing residual data capable of being modified; calculating the value of a function representative of the residual data; comparing the calculated value with a value of at least one of the digital data items; based on the comparison, modification or non-modification of at least one of the residual data items of the subset; and, in the event of a modification, entropy encoding the at least one modified residual data item.

Abstract: A network device may receive a signal from a headend, wherein a bandwidth of the received signal spans from a low frequency to a high frequency and encompasses a plurality of sub-bands. The network device may determine, based on communication with the headend, whether one of more of the sub-bands residing above a threshold frequency are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the circuitry. The network device may digitize the signal using an ADC operating at a sampling frequency. The sampling frequency may be configured based on a result of the determining. When the sub-band(s) are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively high frequency. When the sub-band(s) are not available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively low frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an encoding or decoding method and apparatus. The method includes: extracting first information in a bitstream; determining a chroma component intra prediction mode according to the first information; when the chroma component intra prediction mode cannot be determined according to the first information, extracting second information in the bitstream; and determining the chroma component intra prediction mode according to the second information, where the first information includes information for indicating whether the chroma component intra prediction mode is a DM mode or an LM mode, the second information is used to indicate a remaining mode as the chroma component intra prediction mode, and the remaining mode is one of available chroma component intra prediction modes other than a mode that may be determined according to the first information.

Abstract: A moving picture coding apparatus includes an intra-inter prediction unit which calculates a second motion vector by performing a scaling process on a first motion vector of a temporally neighboring corresponding block, when selectively adding, to a list, a motion vector of each of one or more corresponding blocks each of which is either a block included in a current picture to be coded and spatially neighboring a current block to be coded or a block included in a picture other than the current picture and temporally neighboring the current block, determines whether the second motion vector has a magnitude that is within a predetermined magnitude or not within the predetermined magnitude, and adds the second motion vector to the list when the intra-inter prediction unit determines that the second motion vector has a magnitude that is within the predetermined magnitude range.

Abstract: A moving picture coding apparatus includes an intra-inter prediction unit which calculates a second motion vector by performing a scaling process on a first motion vector of a temporally neighboring corresponding block, when selectively adding, to a list, a motion vector of each of one or more corresponding blocks each of which is either a block included in a current picture to be coded and spatially neighboring a current block to be coded or a block included in a picture other than the current picture and temporally neighboring the current block, determines whether the second motion vector has a magnitude that is within a predetermined magnitude or not within the predetermined magnitude, and adds the second motion vector to the list when the intra-inter prediction unit determines that the second motion vector has a magnitude that is within the predetermined magnitude range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to encode multimedia data enabling, among others, for example, improved decoded video quality, improved error recovery capabilities and/or improved decoding efficiency are described. A method according to the application includes one or more of the following: initializing a pixel-level reference counter for a current frame, performing a prediction of a next frame referring to the current frame, incrementing the pixel-level reference counter for each pixel of the current frame that is referenced during the prediction of the next frame, readjusting a macroblock bandwidth map of the current frame, repeating the steps of initializing, performing and readjusting for each next frame in a plurality of next frames referring to the current frame, and encoding the current frame based at least in part on the readjusted macroblock bandwidth map of the current frame.

Abstract: An image encoding device has: a first acquisition unit and a second acquisition unit that acquire a moving image; an encoding unit that encodes the acquired moving image in accordance with a predetermined encoding order and a predetermined encoding method; and a reception unit that receives an instruction to stop performing a process. When the reception unit receives the instruction, the encoding unit uses a last acquired image as an image that was to be acquired after the last acquired image and encodes all acquired images.

Abstract: Encoders and methods of encoding that incorporate deblocking into the encoding process. An encoder performs a two-cycle encoding process. First, an original block is processed and then reconstructed and deblocked. The reconstruction and the deblocked reconstruction are compared to the original and an intermediate block is created that contains the portions of the reconstruction or the deblocked reconstruction that are more similar to the original. In the second cycle, the intermediate block serves to generate a modified original block, which is then used in a prediction process to create a new prediction block. The new prediction block as compared to the original gives new residuals. The new prediction and new residuals are entropy coded to generate the encoded video data. The new prediction block and new residuals incorporate the deblocking elements selectively identified during the first cycle, thereby eliminating the need for deblocking at the decoder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an encoding or decoding method and apparatus. The method includes: extracting first information in a bitstream; determining a chroma component intra prediction mode according to the first information; when the chroma component intra prediction mode cannot be determined according to the first information, extracting second information in the bitstream; and determining the chroma component intra prediction mode according to the second information, where the first information includes information for indicating whether the chroma component intra prediction mode is a DM mode or an LM mode, the second information is used to indicate a remaining mode as the chroma component intra prediction mode, and the remaining mode is one of available chroma component intra prediction modes other than a mode that may be determined according to the first information.

Abstract: A method of reproducing at least two digital video sequences. The method includes multiplexing a first digital video sequence with a second digital video sequence, pictures of the second digital video sequence are included in advance in a video stream and are associated with timing information such that a receiver will not decode and reproduce the pictures of the second digital video sequence. The method includes composing the at least two digital video sequences into the video stream in correspondence with a result of the multiplexing and subsequently including a sequence of dummy timing pictures into the video stream. The dummy timing pictures are inter-predicted and are coded by omitting any prediction error data.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel transcoding technique called lossless inter frame transcoding (LIFT) for improving the error resilience of video streaming. According to various embodiments, conventional coded blocks are selectively transcoded into new transcoded blocks. At the decoder, the transcoded blocks can be transcoded back to the conventional coded blocks when prediction is available and can also be robustly decoded independently when prediction is unavailable. According to another embodiment, an offline transcoding and online composing technique is provided for generating a composite frame using the transcoded and conventional coded blocks and adjusting the ratio of the transcoded blocks, thereby achieving error robustness scalability.

Abstract: In a video coding apparatus, a plurality of coding units perform compression coding of a single source stream of video data. A control unit controls those coding units in such a way that all the coding units produce respective interframe coded pictures with identical playback times as a first-coded picture in a picture group (e.g., GOP) and produce identical local decoded pictures based on the respective intraframe coded pictures. A selection decision unit makes a selection, for each picture group, of one of the coded video data from the coding units on the basis of their coding results. According to this selection, a selection unit selectively outputs one of the coded video data. This output switching operation is performed at a point immediately before a forward interframe predictive coded picture that appears first of those in a picture group included in each of the coded video data outputs being switched.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling parallel decoder implementation for different views, even when there are existing dependencies between views. In various embodiments of the present invention, information is signaled to a decoder that slices are coded using certain constraints, so that parallel decoding of slices is possible. This signaling can be performed at a sequence parameter set level, or it could be performed at picture parameter set level, slice header level or macroblock header level. Additionally, the delay between various views is also signaled to the decoder, at the same location as the constraint information in various embodiments. Various algorithms can also be used to improve the coding efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a disparity vector and its encoding/decoding in the multi-view coding process is disclosed. The present invention includes essentially: determining a disparity vector between two views during the multi-view image coding, and computing a disparity vector between the other two views according to the disparity vector between the two views and the known relative location information between each of the views. Thereafter, the disparity vector is used for multi-view encoding/decoding. The present invention further makes use of the correlation between the disparity vector and depth information of the spatial vector on one hand, and on the other hand makes use of the direct relationship between the disparity vector and the location of each of the cameras. It is experimentally proved that the disparity vector between several views can be accurately computed during the multi-view coding, thereby improving the performance of multi-view coding.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and device of statistical interleaving of at least two digital video sequences each comprising a plurality of coded pictures to be reproduced by a decoder, wherein the two digital video sequences form a single video stream and are destined for being successively reproduced in time, comprising statistical multiplexing a first digital video sequence with a second digital video sequence, wherein the pictures of the second digital video sequence are associated with timing information, which prevents a decoder from reproducing the pictures; transmitting the digital video sequences in an interleaved manner in accordance with a result of the statistical multiplexing to the decoder; and once the second digital video sequence is to be reproduced by decoder receiving the stream: transmitting dummy pictures, which are coded to refer to one or more pictures of the second video sequence transmitted in advance to the decoder.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for decoded picture buffer (DPB) management in single loop decoding for multi-view video. An apparatus includes a decoder (200) for decoding a picture corresponding to at least one view of at least two views of multi-view video content. The picture is decoded in support of decoded picture buffer management for single loop decoding using inter-view prediction.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for video coding using prediction data refinement. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding an image region of a picture. The encoder has a prediction refinement filter for refining at least one of an intra prediction and an inter prediction for the image region. The prediction refinement filter refines the inter prediction for the image region using at least one of previously decoded data and previously encoded data, the previously decoded data and the previously encoded data corresponding to pixel values in neighboring regions with respect to the image region.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for reducing coding artifacts for illumination compensation and/or color compensation in multi-view coded video. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding at least one block in at least one picture for at least one view of multi-view video content. The encoder has a deblocking filter for performing adaptive deblocking filtering on the at least one block responsive to an indication of at least one of illumination compensation and color compensation being used for the at least one block.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for performing intra-prediction. A target pixel is selected from a plurality of pixels of a current block. A first intra-prediction mode of a left block and a second intra-prediction mode of an up block are then determined. A first prediction value of the target pixel is calculated according to the first intra-prediction mode. A second prediction value of the target pixel is calculated according to the second intra-prediction mode. The first prediction value and the second prediction value are then weighted-averaged to obtain a weighted-average prediction value as an intra-prediction value of the target pixel.

Abstract: A method of decoding a video signal is disclosed. The present invention includes determining whether to store a first partial picture when the first partial picture and a first full picture are corresponding to a first temporal point and storing the first partial picture for decoding a second full picture referring to the first partial picture, the second full picture being corresponding to a second temporal point, the second temporal point being located after the first temporal point, wherein a level of the first partial picture on a scalable domain is lower than a level of the second full picture on the scalable domain.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for encoding an image and an apparatus for decoding an image. The apparatus for encoding the image includes a grouping unit to group transform coefficients according to layers and generate groups, a pattern encoding unit to generate and encode the pattern information of each group by using the quantized transform coefficients existing in the groups of each layer in an order from an upper layer to a lower layer, and a level encoding unit to encode levels of the quantized transform coefficients corresponding to the pattern information of the groups of each layer and generate bitstreams along with the pattern information of the groups of each layer.

Abstract: A decoding device is provided, which can minimize the number of coded data addition requests by the decoding device, reduce processing time to prevent delay, and minimize frame rate reduction. The decoding device performs data reproduction by performing error correction of data of a predicted image using coded data which is an error correction code generated based on original data. The decoding device includes a coded bit receiving part, a preset value generating/updating part, a decoding part that performs a decoding process based on a preset value or a predicted value, and coded bits, and a bit addition request determining part that determines whether or not there is a need to request additional coded bits from decoding process results from the decoder. When it is determined to perform a decoding process with additional coded data, the preset value generating/updating part updates the preset value based on previous decoding process results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reconstructing a picture that is part of a sequence of pictures, from coded digital data, representative of said current picture. It comprises the following steps: construct, for each picture block, first and second prediction blocks (from a first picture and a second picture previously reconstructed, and calculate, for each block, a confidence value representative of the proximity between the visual content of the first predictive block and the visual content of the second predictive block, and reconstruct each block from a part of said coded digital data representative of said block and initial auxiliary data calculated from the first and second predictive blocks when the block confidence value is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding based on intra prediction. The method of encoding an image based on intra prediction comprises dividing a current block into a plurality of sub blocks so that a plurality of unit blocks adjacent to each other are included in one of the sub blocks based on an intra prediction direction of each of the unit blocks included in the current block, and performing intra prediction encoding on each of the sub blocks so that only information about one intra prediction direction is encoded in each of the sub blocks.

Abstract: A decoding apparatus includes a standard predicted image generating unit which generates a standard decoded image and a standard predicted image of standard image quality; a non-standard decoded image generating unit which generates a non-standard decoded image different in image quality based on a prediction error information; a non-standard predicted image generating unit which generates a non-standard predicted image different in image quality based on the non-standard decoded image; and a correction value calculating unit which calculates correction values corresponding to differences between the standard and non-standard predicted images. The non-standard decoded image generating unit includes a predicted image reconstructing unit which corrects the non-standard predicted image, and a decoding unit which inverse-quantizes the prediction error information and adds the inverse-quantized prediction error information and the corrected non-standard predicted image to generate the non-standard decoded image.

Abstract: Image data are compressed such that they do not visually deteriorate. Nonlinear compression and DPCM compression are performed in series. A compressing unit 41 that uses nonlinear transform inputs image data (L bits per pixel) of each color component. Image data are compressed to M bits (M<L) according to a compression transform tale TB1 that has been set up according to image information extracted from original image data. The compressing unit 41 performs compression transform having a characteristic similar to a gamma curve characteristic used in a gamma correction disposed downstream of the compressing unit 41. Image data compressed and transformed to M bits by the nonlinear compressing unit 41 are input to a DPCM compressing unit 42. The DPCM compressing unit 42 finally compresses input data to N bits (for example, N=10) according to a quantization table TB2. The compressed image data are stored to an image memory through a packing section 43.

Abstract: A method for compressing and transmitting a sequence of video frames represented by arrays of digital pixel values includes the following steps: transmitting a representation of a first frame (I1) of the sequence; deriving a sorting permutation P1 of the first frame; using the sorting permutation of the first frame, P1, to approximately sort a second frame (I2) of the sequence, to obtain approximately sorted frame P1(I2); and compressing and transmitting the approximately sorted frame P1(I2).

Abstract: Provided are an image encoding method and apparatus and an image decoding method and apparatus that are capable of canceling a correlation remaining in a residual image by predicting the residual image by using residual pixel values of restored neighboring pixels of a current block and then encoding only the difference between the residual image and a predicted image of the residual image, where the residual image is obtained using an inter color compensation algorithm that predicts one of a plurality of color component images constituting an image by using one of the remnants of the color component images.

Abstract: A residual picture is produced and encoded that is a residual picture that is a residual signal between a picture to be coded that is an input moving-picture video signal to be subjected to coding and a predictive picture produced from a reference picture that is a local decoded video signal for each of a plurality of rectangular zones, each composed of a specific number of pixels, into which a video area of the moving-picture video signal is divided. A boundary condition of each of a plurality of borders is obtained between the rectangular zones and another plurality of rectangular zones adjacent to the rectangular zones, and a border, of the reference picture, having a boundary condition that matches the boundary condition, is found by motion-vector search in the reference picture, and border motion-vector data is generated that is data on a motion vector from a border of the rectangular zone in the picture to be coded to the border of the reference picture thus found.

Abstract: An image coding apparatus executes intra-frame prediction with a predetermined intra-frame prediction mode for a certain block. A block selection unit judges that the current block to be coded is a prediction error calculation block or a non-prediction error calculation block. In the case where the current block is a prediction error calculation block, a mode error value calculation unit calculates the prediction error by the sum of absolute differences and for all of the intra-frame prediction modes, an inter-mode comparison unit compares the prediction errors, and as a result of the comparison, an intra-frame prediction mode having the minimum prediction errors is determined as the intra-frame prediction mode. In the case where the current block is a non-prediction error calculation block, the prediction error is not calculated. As an alternative, a prediction mode estimation unit determines the intra-frame prediction mode based on the neighboring prediction mode information stored in a storage unit.

Abstract: The H.264 standard has introduced a new coding method for intra-coded pictures, which is named “intra prediction”. The basic idea of intra prediction is to predict a block using reconstructed neighbour pixels. Thus, only the residual information needs to be encoded. Scalable video coding adds some scalable extension to H.264, in terms of spatial, temporal and SNR scalability. An improved encoding method for scalable video comprises generating from a video picture a first and a second picture with higher resolution than the first picture, wherein each macroblock in the first picture has a plurality of corresponding macroblocks in the second picture, intra-coding the first picture on macroblock level, wherein for each macroblock a prediction direction is determined, generating a first residual picture, intra-coding the second picture on macroblock level, wherein for each macroblock the prediction direction of the corresponding macroblock of the first picture is reused, and generating a second residual picture.

Abstract: Described is fast motion estimation based upon epipolar geometry, which can be used in compressing multi-view video. An epipolar line is computed based on a point (e.g., a centroid point) in a macroblock to be predicted, and a temporary starting point in an image is determined, such as a median predicted search center. A search starting point is further determined based on the temporary starting point and the epipolar line, e.g., a point on the epipolar line corresponding to an intersecting line that is projected orthogonally from the temporary point to the epipolar line. A motion estimation mechanism searches the search space to produce a motion vector. The search may be conducted starting at the search starting point in a reduced search area located around the epipolar line, e.g., a local diamond search and/or rotated unsymmetrical rood-pattern search.