Abstract: An improved loss recovery method for coding streaming media classifies each data unit in the media stream as an independent data unit (I unit), a remotely predicted unit (R unit) or a predicted data unit (P unit). Each of these units is organized into independent segments having an I unit, multiple P units and R units interspersed among the P units. The beginning of each segment is the start of a random access point, while each R unit provides a loss recovery point that can be placed independently of the I unit. This approach separates the random access point from the loss recovery points provided by the R units, and makes the stream more impervious to data losses without substantially impacting coding efficiency. The most important data units are transmitted with the most reliability to ensure that the majority of the data received by the client is usable. The I units are the least sensitive to transmission losses because they are coded using only their own data.

Abstract: A method for high quality, fast intra coding usable for creating digital video content. The video image is defined by data points representing original colors. Data points are selected based on a color characteristic, and are arranged into groups. At an initial stage (and at subsequent stages): selecting a subset of data points, using a number of algorithms to generate predicted values of the colors represented by the data points, calculating error values and evaluating mathematical functions to produce cost values, identifying a minimum cost value, establishing a threshold based on the minimum cost and a selection factor, comparing each cost value to the threshold value, and identifying a number of probable best algorithms. One of the probable best algorithms is usable for block size selection and to generate final predicted values of the original color represented by the data points.

Abstract: Predictive lossless coding provides effective lossless image compression of both photographic and graphics content in image and video media. Predictive lossless coding can operate on a macroblock basis for compatibility with existing image and video codecs. Predictive lossless coding chooses and applies one of multiple available differential pulse-code modulation (DPCM) modes to individual macro-blocks to produce DPCM residuals having a closer to optimal distribution for run-length, Golomb Rice RLGR entropy encoding. This permits effective lossless entropy encoding despite the differing characteristics of photographic and graphics image content.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a buffer, a selector, and an analyzer. The buffer stores at least a default stream coded by a multiple description (MD) coding and a restart stream coded by a predictive coding. The default and restart streams correspond to a media content. The selector selects a transmit frame from the default and restart streams according to a transmission status. The transmit frame is transmitted to a receiver. The analyzer provides the transmission status based on feedback information provided by the receiver.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of receiving the multi-view video data stream including a random access picture including a random access slice, the random access slice referencing only slice corresponding to a same time and a different view of the random access picture; obtaining random access flag for inter-view prediction, the random access flag indicating whether a type of picture is the random access picture; obtaining initialization information of a reference picture list for the random access slice based on the random access flag, the initialization information representing a reference relation between a plurality of views with view number information and view identification information; initializing the reference picture list of the random access slice using the view number information and the view identification information; determining a prediction value of a macroblock in the random access picture based on the initialized reference picture list; and decoding the macroblock using the prediction value,

Abstract: An intra prediction method for a luma block of a video is provided. The present invention provides a solution for unifying the intra prediction of the luma block of the video, which simplifies a plurality of prediction equations defined by video standard. The predication values of common terms in the prediction equations are calculated in advance and directly selected for predicting the luma block of the video. Accordingly, only a few function parameters or register settings are needed to be modified, and then a plurality of prediction modes may use the same software function or hardware circuit to obtain the prediction values.

Abstract: An image compression method for compressing groups of pixel data, including the following steps: MSB portions and LSB portions of the pixel data are compressed separately. Further, the LSB portions are grouped according to their associated MSB portions so that similar pixels are compressed together to gain higher a compression ratio. Some LSB portions are truncated to ensure a compression ratio. When performing compression, enhanced variable-length coding is adopted that predicts more accurate dividers by considering weighted combination of adjacent pixels. The quotient of each groups of compression portion is predicted and coded accordingly.

Abstract: A method including modifying at least a first pixel value in a first portion of a first image frame to create a first difference between the first pixel value in the first image and a first pixel value in a first portion of a second image frame that, at least in part, represents a first code and providing the first image frame and the second image frame to a display device for display at different times is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing visual artefacts in a digital image, which is coded by blocks (B1, B2, B3, B4) and then decoded. In the method filtering is performed to reduce visual artefacts due to a boundary (R12, R13, R24, R34) between a current block and an adjacent block (B1, B2, B3, B4). The filtering is performed after the current block (B1, B2, B3, B4) is decoded and there is a boundary available for filtering between the current block and a previously decoded block.

Abstract: In a sensor arrangement, a number of sensor elements make measurements and a read-out unit reads measurements from the sensor elements. Images should be recorded in such a way that easily compressible representation of the image content is obtained back at the recording stage and an additional processor unit is not required. The read-out unit reads partial measurements from the sensor elements in succession by at least one of adding and subtracting measurements of different sensor elements. By adding or subtracting the measurements of the different sensor elements to obtain the partial measurements, values of basis vectors are obtained for a basis in which the overall measurement can be represented.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for data processing an audio signal includes an input terminal (1) for receiving the audio signal, a 1-bit A/D converter (4) for A/D converting the audio signal to for a bitstream signal, a prediction unit (10) for carrying out a prediction step on the bitstream signal to form a predicted bitstream signal, a signal combination unit (42) for combining the bitstream signal and the predicted bitstream signal to form a residue bitstream signal, and an output terminal (14) for supplying the residual bitstream signal.

Abstract: In a digital signal processing system, a method for selecting a transform function to apply to an input signal based on characteristics of the signal, and for self-adjusting criteria which are used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal. Characteristics are obtained from the signal. The characteristics are compared to adjustable criteria which are used in selecting a transform function. Differing criteria are maintained for the different selectable transform functions. A record is maintained of transform functions selected and the particular characteristics that caused the selection. Based on the ability of a transform function to minimally define the coded signal, an inverse transform function is selected to decode the signal. The criteria used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal are adjusted based on a quality measure of the decoded signal and the record of selected transform functions.

Abstract: In an information transmission method, error robustness is provided for the bit stream itself so that decoding processing can be properly performed even in the event of an error in important information such as header information. A bit stream reconstruction circuit (107) in an encoding apparatus adds sync signals to the heads of encoded data streams, which are encoded by an encoder (103), in certain bit stream units, and then inserts designation information in each bit stream by using a designation information insertion circuit (106). Each designation information indicates the addition of information for reconstructing important header information. By inserting the designation information in the bit stream obtained, reconstruction information can be added to the bit stream.

Abstract: An improved loss recovery method for coding streaming media classifies each data unit in the media stream as an independent data unit (I unit), a remotely predicted unit (R unit) or a predicted data unit (P unit). Each of these units is organized into independent segments having an I unit, multiple P units and R units interspersed among the P units. The beginning of each segment is the start of a random access point, while each R unit provides a loss recovery point that can be placed independently of the I unit. This approach separates the random access point from the loss recovery points provided by the R units, and makes the stream more impervious to data losses without substantially impacting coding efficiency. The most important data units are transmitted with the most reliability to ensure that the majority of the data received by the client is usable. The I units are the least sensitive to transmission losses because they are coded using only their own data.

Abstract: In a method of video data compression a video frame in a sequence of frames is divided into a number of macroblocks, a particular macroblock being adjacent to a number of previously coded macroblocks including both intra-coded and inter-coded macroblocks. The method includes selecting either a full prediction or limited prediction type in encoding the particular macroblock to provide a corresponding data bit stream, full prediction using both adjacent inter-coded and intra-coded macroblocks, and limited prediction using intra-coded macroblocks only. A signal is provided along with the bit stream to indicate the selected prediction type to a decoder disposed to recover data from the bit stream. The prediction type may be either signaled explicitly, such as by providing a code word in the bit stream, or may be inferred implicitly by selected values or levels of a coding variable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptive pixel estimation under high error rate conditions are disclosed. Classes are created, feasible classes are determined, and an optimal filter is applied to perform the pixel estimation.

Abstract: A first sequence [SQ1] of data blocks [DB1-*] and a second sequence [SQ2] of data blocks [DB2-*] are encoded. The second sequence [SQ2] of data blocks [DB2-*] is correlated with the first sequence [SQ1] of data blocks [DB1-*]. This may concern, for example, an encoding of stereoscopic (3D) video. The first sequence [SQ1] of data blocks [DB1-*] is encoded in such a manner that certain data blocks serve as a reference [REF] for predictively encoding [PE] the other data blocks in the first sequence [SQ1]. The second sequence [SQ2] of data blocks [DB2-*] is encoded in such a manner that all data blocks [DB2-*] are predictively encoded [PE] with respect to those data blocks [DB1-*] in the first sequence [SQ1] which serve as a reference [REF].

Abstract: A method, system, and computer programs for improving the image quality of one or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames in a video image compression system, where each frame comprises a plurality of pixels. In one aspect, the invention includes determining the value of each pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame as a weighted proportion of corresponding pixel values in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. In one embodiment, the weighted proportion is a function of the distance between the bracketing non-bidirectionally predicted frames. In another embodiment, the weighted proportion is a blended function of the distance between the bracketing non-bidirectionally predicted frames and an equal average of the bracketing non-bidirectionally predicted frames.

Abstract: An image-transmitting-side device comprises: a one-phase to two-phase converter circuit for separating parallel image data, which are to be transmitted, into even and odd data; a first parallel-serial converting circuit; a second parallel-serial converting circuit; means for allowing a user to select, as the resolution mode for the image data to be transmitted, one of a first resolution mode and a second resolution mode that is higher in resolution than the first resolution mode; and switch means for applying the parallel image data, which are to be transmitted, to the first parallel-serial converting circuit when the first resolution mode is selected, and for applying the parallel image data, which are to be transmitted, to the one-phase to two-phase converter circuit when the second resolution mode is selected.

Abstract: A method is provided for decoding a bit stream representing an image that has been encoded The method includes the steps of: performing an entropy decoding of the bit stream to form a plurality of transform coefficents and a plurality of motion vectors; performing an inverse transformation on the plurality of transform coefficients to form a plurality of error blocks; determining a plurality of predicted blocks based on bidirectional motion estimation that employs the motion vectors, wherein the bidirectional motion estimation includes a direct prediction mode and a second prediction mode; and, adding the plurality of error blocks to the plurality of predicted blocks to form the image. The second prediction mode may include forward, backward, and interpolated prediction modes.

Abstract: An image capture and transmission system includes first and second imaging devices. A timing signal generator produces a timing signal. A common drive circuit operates for driving the first and second imaging devices at equal timings determined by the timing signal. A first signal processor operates for converting an output signal of the first imaging device into first digital video data. A second signal processor operates for converting an output signal of the second imaging device into second digital video data. The first digital video data and the second digital video data are processed into a stream of packets. The packet stream is transmitted to, for example, a network.

Abstract: Original data is reconstructed from an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) bitstream including at least one elementary layer bitstream. The elementary layer bitstream is made of an upper layer bitstream and a plurality of lower layer bitstreams that follow the upper layer bitstream. A start code added to a header of the MPEG bitstream is detected to generate a start code detection signal. Control packets are generated when it is judged, in response to the detection signal, that the detected start code is added to the header of the upper layer bitstream. The control packets carry information on reconstruction of the original data that has been coded into the lower layer bitstreams. The lower layer bitstreams are processed according to the control packets to reconstruct the original data. The start code judgement and the control packet generation are achieved by software. On the other hand, the lower layer bitstream processing is achieved by wired-logic circuitry.

Abstract: In a digital signal processing system, a method for selecting a transform function to apply to an input signal based on characteristics of the signal, and for self-adjusting criteria which are used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal. Characteristics are obtained from the signal. The characteristics are compared to adjustable criteria which are used in selecting a transform function. Differing criteria are maintained for the different selectable transform functions. A record is maintained of transform functions selected and the particular characteristics that caused the selection. Based on the ability of a transform function to minimally define the coded signal, an inverse transform function is selected to decode the signal. The criteria used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal are adjusted based on a quality measure of the decoded signal and the record of selected transform functions.

Abstract: A source coder for video, compression Of H.261 and H.263 is disclosed, including a subtracter, a coding circuit, a predicting circuit, a picture memory with motion compensated variable delay and a filter. The subtracter subtracts an input video frame by a previous predicted frame to obtain a difference. The coding circuit transforms and quantizes the difference to output a coded bit stream. The predicting circuit predicts an error from the coded bit stream. The adder adds the previous predicted frame by the error to output a new predicted frame. The picture memory stores the new compressed frame. The filter is selectively arranged after the picture memory to serve as a loop filter in H.261 mode and arranged before the subtracter to serve as a video-in filter in H.263 mode.

Abstract: A picture reducing circuit 1 reduces a supplied original picture. An upper hierarchical level picture memory 2 stores an input upper hierarchical level picture. A predictive tap obtaining circuit 3 extracts a predictive tap from the upper hierarchical level picture stored in the upper hierarchical level picture memory 2 and outputs the extracted predictive tap to a predictive coefficient calculating circuit 4, a pixel value updating circuit 5, and a mapping circuit 6. The predictive coefficient calculating circuit 4 generates an observation equation using the predictive tap as student data and pixels of an original picture corresponding thereto as teacher data, solves the observation equation, and generates predictive coefficients.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method that facilitates compression of video data in a computer system by performing the time-consuming task of computing the difference between successive frames of video data independently from the central processing unit. This frees the often-overburdened central processing unit from performing this time-consuming compression operation and can thereby improve the handling of video data. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention can be characterized as a method for compressing video data in a computer system. This method includes receiving a stream of data from a current video frame in the computer system. It also includes computing a difference frame from the current video frame and a previous video frame “on-the-fly” as the current video frame streams into the computer system. The method additionally includes storing the difference frame in a memory in the computer system.

Abstract: A transmitter which allows to reproduce a high quality and smooth dynamic image on the receiving side even with a transmission medium having a low transmission rate is provided. Background plane data representing a still image of a background image of video and one or more motion plane data representing still images of each of moving objects moving on the background image are separated from input digital video signal. The separated background plane data and each motion plane data are stored individually in memories 23BG and 23A1 through 23An. Change data on the still images stored as the motion plane data is detected based on the input digital video signal and output of the memories 23BG and 23A1 through 23An to compress and code it by a coding means 26. Still image data of the plurality of plane data of the memory means 23BG and 23A1 through 23An and the change information from the coding means 26 are transmitted.

Abstract: A conventional MPEG video encoder searches forward motion vectors with respect to a previous image and backward motion vectors with respect to a subsequent image in order to provide a motion-compensated prediction image for encoding B-pictures. This requires 2N accesses to the memory in which said images are stored. Searching the motion vectors for P-pictures requires N memory accesses. The invention uses the spare capacity by running a two-pass motion vector search in the P-coding mode. In the second pass, the precision of the motion vectors found in the first pass is further refined. This provides more accurate motion vectors for P-pictures.