Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver capable of adequately receiving a higher-level layer service along with a lower-level layer service even if the reception CNR degrades. A demodulation decoding section (2) of the receiver judges on the basis of transport and multiplexing configuration control information whether the TS packet allocated to each slot is adapted to a higher-level layer service or a lower-level layer service and informs a code writing section (3) of the result. The code writing section (3) writes, in each TS packet, a layer identification code for judging whether the TS packet is adapted to a higher-level layer service or a lower-layer service and synthesizes a resultant TS packet. A stream separating section (4) reads the layer identification code along with the PID in the packet header included in the TS packet and finds and extracts a desired TS packet.

Abstract: It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a structure and method of processing signals, which includes transforming a signal into subbands by applying a forward discrete wavelet transform (FDWT) to the signal, partitioning the subbands into overlapping subband subsets, inverse transforming the overlapping subband subsets into signal subsets by applying at least one inverse discrete wavelet transform (IDWT) to the overlapping subband subsets, and combining the signal subsets to reproduce the signal. The IDWT is applied to all of the subband subsets in parallel.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus for highly efficiently encoding an input digital signal includes a band dividing means, an encoding means, a normalization processing means for normalizing a signal component of each block encoded by the encoding means and generating a normalization signal, a quantization coefficient calculating means, a bit allocating means for deciding the number of allocated bits for each block corresponding to the quantization coefficients calculated by the quantization coefficient calculating means, a normalization information changing means for gradually changing the normalization information generated by the normalization processing means corresponding to a user's operation on a time base, and an encoded data generating means.

Abstract: When a background interpolation-judging section 107 judges that parts areas of a lower layer and an upper layer move significantly, and a visual effect can be obtained by the background interpolation, a controller 103 controls a switch 104 based on the area information of the parts area of the lower layer to perform the background interpolation. A weighted average section 106 takes an average by weighting to the upper layer and the lower layer by using the interpolated background to generate an interpolated image. By using this interpolated image, the prediction-encoding/decoding of the upper layer is performed. On the contrary, when the background interpolation-judging section 107 judges that parts areas do not move so significantly, and a visual effect cannot be obtained by the background interpolation, a background is synthesized by using the output of the interpolated image-forming section 105 to generate an interpolated image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using MPEG-7 in object segmentation to extract a desired moving or still image object. The method includes extracting the feature of an existing video object Plane (VOP) by MPEG-7 technique and storing it in an MPEG-7 database, segmenting an input image into a plurality of objects by using the watershed process, comparing each of the plurality of objects to the stored object descriptor feature, and extracting the shape and position of the most similar object in the input image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method wherein image data is input and separated into foreground object data and background object data, image data in a missing portion of the background object data formed by a separation of the foreground object data is interpolated by using image data around the missing portion.

Abstract: A video coding system that codes video objects as scalable video object layers. Data of each video object may be segregated into one or more layers. A base layer contains sufficient information to decode a basic representation of the video object. Enhancement layers contain supplementary data regarding the video object that, if decoded, enhance the basic representation obtained from the base layer. The present invention thus provides a coding scheme suitable for use with decoders of varying processing power. A simple decoder may decode only the base layer of video objects to obtain the basic representation. However, more powerful decoders may decode the base layer data of video objects and additional enhancement layer data to obtain improved decoded output. The coding scheme supports enhancement of both the spatial resolution and the temporal resolution of video objects.

Abstract: A robust fine granularity scalability video encoding includes a base layer encoder and an enhancement layer encoder in which motion compensated difference images are generated by comparing an original image to predicted images at base layer and enhancement layer with motion compensation. Based on leaky and partial predictions, a high quality reference image is constructed at the enhancement layer to improve temporal prediction. In the construction of the high quality reference image, one parameter &bgr; controls the number of bitplanes of the enhancement layer difference coefficients used and another parameter &agr; controls the amount of predictive leak. A spatial scalability module allows the processed pictures at the base layer and the enhancement layer to have identical or different spatial resolutions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rearranging the transmission order of the enhancement-layer frames. By making the display and transmission order of the enhancement layer frames identical, a frame memory is not required on the decoder-side to hold the enhancement-layer frame until being displayed since the display can take place immediately after the decoding. Reducing the amount of memory is desirable for mobile applications or other low-power consumption devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a new device and method to realize an improved video frame memory reduction for a video decoder. In one embodiment, this improvement is achieved by a removal of the rate controller and the utilization of both a block compression technique and a fixed storage allocation technique, in order to lower the overall system cost, and to lower the frame memory requirements. In a preferred embodiment, this improvement is achieved by performing a hierarchical transform, for example, a Haar transform, that operates on the previously decoded frames. Then, the coefficients obtained from this transformation are quantized and then run-length coded, utilizing variable-length codes. The hierarchical transform preferably operates on an N×N block size with L levels of hierarchical decomposition, where N and L can be selected in advance. For example, in one preferred embodiment, N may equal 8, and L may equal 3.

Abstract: A method of extracting regions of homogeneous texture in a digital picture divides the digital picture into blocks, and for each block generates a feature vector as a function of the data moments. From the feature vectors a gradient for each block is extracted in one of two ways, either using a weighted Euclidean distance between the feature vectors or a probability mass function-based distance metric. The gradients are submitted to morphological preprocessing to remove small bumps in the gradient field. A watershed algorithm is then applied to the preprocessed gradient field to segment the gradient field into a set of spatially connected regions of homogeneous texture.

Abstract: A subband encoding and a decoding system are provided. The subband encoding system measures signal levels of subband signals to determine scale factors to obtain scale factor information and produces bit allocation information based on the scale factor information, scale factor flag information indicating the fact that the scale factor information has changed from that one frame earlier, and updated scale factor information indicating the scale factor information which has changed from that one frame earlier. The subband encoding system re-quantizes the subband signals using the scale factor information and the bit allocation information to provide re-quantized output signals and constructs as an encoded output signal a frame made up of the re-quantized signals, the updated scale factor information, and the scale factor flag information. The number of subbands of the subband signals to be re-quantized is determined by an upper limit frequency of an audible band.

Abstract: When a background interpolation-judging section 107 judges that parts areas of a lower layer and an upper layer move significantly, and a visual effect can be obtained by the background interpolation, a controller 103 controls a switch 104 based on the area information of the parts area of the lower layer to perform the background interpolation. A weighted average section 106 takes an average by weighting to the upper layer and the lower layer by using the interpolated background to generate an interpolated image. By using this interpolated image, the prediction-encoding/decoding of the upper layer is performed. On the contrary, when the background interpolation-judging section 107 judges that parts areas do not move so significantly, and a visual effect cannot be obtained by the background interpolation, a background is synthesized by using the output of the interpolated image-forming section 105 to generate an interpolated image.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide a simple and efficient layered video coding technique using a backward adaptive rate-distortion optimized data partitioning (RD-DP) of DCT coefficients. The video coding system may include an rate-distortion optimized data partitioning encoder and decoder. The RD-DP encoder adapts the partition point block-by-block which greatly improves the coding efficiency of the base layer bit stream without explicit transmission thereby saving the bandwidth significantly. The RD-DP decoder can also find the partition location in backward-fashion from the decoded data.

Abstract: Reproduction accuracy of a digital signal, representing for example stereo audio signals, is improved by transmitting sample data which have been encoded to form transmission signals. The transmission signals are arranged in consecutive frames, each frame including a plurality of information packets, and each information packet including N bits. The number of information packets in a frame is determined by the ratio of the product of the transmission bit-rate and the number of samples represented in the frame, to the product of the number of bits in a packet and the sampling frequency. The transmission signals are recorded in a record carrier, or are transmitted in real time. In a digital stereo audio signal embodiment, the samples may be sub-band encoded or transform encoded. The transmission signal may include an indicator signal indicating a combination of certain samples, or scale factor signals for specific components of the sampled signal.

Abstract: A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is described. The method comprising steps of receiving base images of pictures having a first definition from a base layer decoder; coding the differences between the base images of pictures and pictures having a second definition using vector quantization; creating a database of codebooks based upon the differences; and generating enhanced images based upon the base images and enhancement stream data. A circuit for enhancing picture quality of a video signal is also described. The circuit comprises a base layer decoder generating a base image of a standard definition picture; an interpolator coupled to the base layer decoder and generating an interpolated block; a classifier coupled to the base layer decoder and generating a class number; and a summing circuit coupled to the interpolator and the classifier. The summing circuit preferably adds the interpolated block and a difference block.

Abstract: Digital image coding/decoding apparatus using watermarking, and methods thereof are provided.

Abstract: A motion estimation apparatus and method capable of reducing the amount of computation required for motion estimation in the compression of moving images are provided, including a first part for decimating a reference macroblock at a decimation ratio of 4:1, decimating a search window of a predetermined size at a decimation ratio of 4:1, and estimating a first motion vector responsive to the 4:1 decimated macroblock and window, a second part responsive to the first part for decimating the reference macroblock and decimating the search window each at a decimation ratio of 2:1, and estimating at least one second motion vector responsive to the 2:1 decimated macroblock and window, and a third part responsive to the second part for performing a full search motion estimation on a block within horizontal and vertical ranges of −N11 to +N12 of the estimated first motion vector, estimating a third motion vector if one second motion vector was estimated, or performing full search motion estimation on a bloc

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for encoding an input frame of a video sequence for transmission over a channel. The method and apparatus decompose the input frame into multiple subbands and divide the multiple subbands into multiple blocks corresponding to a region of the input frame. The blocks in the highest frequency subbands of the multiple blocks are selected based upon a luminance component of the input frame and the multiple blocks in the highest frequency subbands are classified into a multiple classes to provide a multiple class labels. The multiple class labels are collected to form a subband class map for each of the multiple blocks in the highest frequency subbands and a global class map is constructed from a majority evaluation of the subband map for each of the multiple blocks. The multiple blocks within the multiple subbands are grouped which have one of the class labels to form multiple subband class sequences.

Abstract: An encoder (300) selects (702, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308) one or more subsets of spatially or temporally correlated transformed data coefficients, on the basis of the significance of each subset in representing the data. The encoder (300) and a complementary decoder (400) may be applied to wavelet transform encoded images (500). The encoder (300) may be implemented on a wireless to Internet gateway server (108), in order to reduce byte size of encoded images (500) sent through a wireless network (112), and reduce the amount of processing that must be performed by a wireless device (118) to decode an image or other data. The decoder (400) and/or encoder (300) may be implemented on the wireless device (118).

Abstract: A method of compressing image data from a set of individual images wherein the images have a correlation between images of approximately greater than 0.5. A wavelet transform is applied to a reference image of the set in order to determine a series of reference coefficients wi(1). The same wavelet transform is applied to an adjacent image of said set in order to determine another series of coefficients wi(2). The series of coefficients wi(k−1) and wi(k) (for all k≧2) are then compared in order to determine a coefficient b(k) and a series of coefficients ci(k), such that wi(k) may be determined from the relationship wi(k)=└b(k)wi(k−1)┘+ci(k). Alternatively, b(k) may be set equal to one rather than be determined. The coefficients for the reference image wi(1), b(k) (if b(k) is not equal to one), and ci(k) are then entropy encoded in order to form a compressed set of image data.

Abstract: A method of processing low resolution input frames containing undersampled views of an optically imaged scene to produce a higher quality, higher resolution output frame. This method operates by obtaining a sequence of low resolution input frames containing different undersampled views of an optically imaged scene.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securely transmitting and processing digital image data for display. The invention provides for decomposing, compressing, and scrambling digital image data and forwarding the decomposed, compressed and scrambled image data to a destination where the image data is decompressed, re-composed, and descrambled prior to display. In particular, digital image data is scrambled before or after being compressed and is subsequently descrambled after being decompressed and prior to display such that unauthorized use of the image content is prevented. The invention can be used in conjunction with most standard block-based image compression algorithms such as JPEG as well as some types of wavelet transform based systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fine granular coding technique that includes both quality and temporal scalability. This is accomplished by utilizing a hybrid temporal/SNR scalability structure that is readily adaptable to fine granular coding techniques. In one example of this structure, temporal enhancement frames and FGS enhancement frames are included in a single enhancement layer. In another example, two distinct enhancement layers are used to achieve the hybrid temporal-SNR scalability. The two layers include a temporal scalability layer to achieve the temporal enhancement for the base-layer (i.e., better motion), while an FGS layer is used to improve the quality SNR of the base-layer and/or the temporal-scalability enhancement layer.

Abstract: To obtain real-time responses with interactive multimedia servers, the server provides at least two different audio/visual data streams. A first data stream has fewer bits per frame and provides a video image much more quickly than a second data stream with a higher number of bits and hence higher quality video image. The first data stream becomes available to a client much faster and may be more quickly displayed on demand while the second data stream is sent to improve the quality as soon as the playback buffer can handle it. In one embodiment, an entire video signal is layered, with a base layer providing the first signal and further enhancement layers comprising the second. The base layer may be actual image frames or just the audio portion of a video stream. The first and second streams are gradually combined in a manner such that the playback buffer does not overflow or underflow.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a program to cause the processor to decompose a first frame of a video into a first set of frequency subbands. The first frame includes a first subimage. The program causes the processor to decompose a second frame of the video into a second set of frequency subbands and selectively compare portions of the first and second frequency subbands to locate a second subimage of the second frame. The second subimage is substantially identical to the first subimage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus improving the coding efficiency by representing encoded data in a compact form by means of a pattern matching technique. A waveform vector similar to a partial signal waveform of an image signal in a predetermined group of waveform vectors is searched for. When a compression encoding is performed for information to identify the waveform vector searched for, similarity information, and a position in an image signal of the partial signal waveform in accordance with a predetermined encoding rule, the position in the image signal of the partial signal waveform is encoded through replacement with position information in a predetermined partial domain of the image signal. As a result, since the position in the image of the partial signal waveform that is the most similar to the waveform vector is encoded through replacement with the position information in the predetermined partial domain of the image signal, it is possible to represent the position more compactly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting digitized moving images (image data stream) from a transmitter to a receiver. The image data stream that is subdivided into priority classes is transmitted by means of a predetermined protocol to the receiver with the aid of an adaptation layer located at the transmitter. At an adaptation layer of the receiver, transmission errors are determined, subjected to an error processing and fed to an image decoder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a customer premises device and method for improving the channel selection of compressed digital video systems and multimedia systems. The customer premises device includes multiple decoders. Each of the decoders receives an individual stream that is part of a broadcast stream received by the customer premises device. The customer premises device determines the most likely channel that a user of the system will select next and decodes the stream associated with that channel.

Abstract: A method (100) is disclosed for producing, using a multi-slot presentation skeleton (400), an image presentation from a set of source images (702). The method comprises establishing a duration of the presentation, an average slot duration, and based upon slot template rules, locations and properties of key slots in the skeleton (400). The method then generates (104) candidate groups of sub-image sets from the set of source images, and selects (106) sub-image sets from the candidate groups for the key slots. The method then fills (108) the non-key slots with sub-image sets from the candidate groups, and processes (110) the sub-image sets in the skeleton slots using effect and transition rules, to thereby form the image presentation.

Abstract: Data elements, preferably representative of video data, are logically divided into blocks. In a bit-wise fashion, each block is inspected to determine whether the data elements for that block may be represented in a highly compact format. If a given block may not be represented in this manner, it is sub-divided into blocks having smaller dimensions. This process of identifying suitable blocks and sub-dividing is recursively repeated until minimum block dimensions are reached. The same result may be achieved through the use of a plurality of ascending tables that are constructed by repetitively forming tables of reduced data elements. The plurality of ascending tables is traversed and, based on the reduced data elements, blocks of data are identified that are susceptible to the highly compact format. Wavelet transforms are preferably used to provide video data to be compressed.

Abstract: An encoding device (200) is comprised of a band dividing unit (201) that divides an input signal (207) into a low frequency signal (208) representing a signal in the lower frequency band and a high frequency signal (209) representing a signal in the higher frequency band, a lower frequency band encoding unit (202) that encodes the low frequency signal (208) and generates a low frequency code (213), a similarity judging unit (203) that judges similarity between the high frequency signal (209) and the low frequency signal (208) and generates switching information (210), “n” higher frequency band encoding units 205 that encode the high frequency signal (209) through respective encoding methods and generate a high frequency code (212), a switching unit (204) that selects one of the higher frequency band encoding units (205) and has the selected higher frequency band encoding unit (205) perform encoding, and a code multiplexing unit (206) that multiplexes the low frequency code (213), the high frequenc

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a bit stream comprising a representation of a sequence of n-dimensional data structures or matrices, in which n is typically 2. A part of the data of one data structure of the sequence can be mappable within predefined similarity criteria to a part of the data of a another data structure of the sequence. The similarity criteria may include, for instance, a spatial or temporal shift of the data within an image of a video signal such as is used in motion estimation and/or compensation of moving pictures, e.g., video images as well as coders and encoders for coding such a bitstream, e.g., a video signal for use in motion compensation and/or estimation. The data structures are typically video frames and a part of the data structure may be a block of data within a frame.

Abstract: A progressive image display decoder and method of operation for wavelet encoded images achieves reduced memory storage requirements for wavelet transform coefficients and reduced execution time in displaying the image thereby overcoming the limitations of the prior art. Conveniently, a wavelet image format, typically DjVu IW44 facilitates progressive rendering and smooth scrolling of large color or gray level images with limited memory requirements. The progressive wavelet decoder is composed of two components. The first component decodes the incoming image data and updates an array of wavelet coefficients. The second component applies an inverse wavelet transform to the array of wavelet coefficients for the purpose of reconstructing the image. The operation of the first component (the decoder) is triggered by the incoming compressed image data. The received data is decoded and is used to apply updates to an array of wavelet coefficients.

Abstract: A system allows data transfer in which the most appropriate packet processing is executed according to the performance of a terminal. A data transmission side stores scalable-encoded data in a packet as a payload, assigns priority-level information corresponding to a layer level of the encoded data stored in the packet to a packet header, and transmits the packet. A data receiving side performs processing by referring to the priority-level information. A level of priority dependent on an application is specified in an RTP payload header according to the degree of importance of scalable-encoded data, and a level of priority is further specified in an IP header. The most appropriate packet processing based on the performance of a terminal is allowed. Re-transmission control based on the layer level of encoded data is also allowed.

Abstract: A digital signal coding method includes a step of analysing the digital signal into a plurality of frequency sub-bands distributed according to at least two different resolutions, at least one first sub-band having a lower resolution and at least one second sub-band having a higher resolution. The method includes, for each second sub-band, the steps of dividing the second sub-bands into target blocks, selecting, for each of the target blocks, a predetermined number of source blocks in the at least one first sub-band, and determining, for each of the target blocks, a multilinear approximation between the source blocks selected at the preceding step and the target block.

Abstract: An image data recording and transmission system is described in which a data compressor 76 decorrelates input image data into sub band component data, a data recorder 78 stores the sub band data, a data decompressor 80 decompresses data read from the data recorder and a transmission signal generator 82 produces a bandwidth limited transmission signal from the decompressed data. The combined action of a data sequencer 18, a quantiser 14 and an entropy encoder 20 within the data compressor act to remove from the data stream that information corresponding to frequencies not transmittable with the bandwidth limited transmission signal (e.g. PAL or NTSC) subsequently produced by a transmission signal generator 82. Accordingly, the data recorder need not use storage capacity recording data which cannot be used by the transmission signal generator.

Abstract: An entropy efficient video coder for wavelet pyramids approaches the entropy-limited coding rate of video wavelet pyramids, is fast in both hardware and software implementations, and has low complexity (no multiplies) for use in ASICs. It uses a modified Z-coder to code the zero/non-zero significance function and Huffman coding for the non-zero coefficients themselves. The encoding unit includes a significance function generator that receives coefficients and outputs a single significance bit. A zero coefficient eliminator receives coefficients in parallel with the significance function generator and outputs coefficients if non-zero. Output from the significance function generator is coded using the modified Z-coder. Output from the zero coefficient eliminator is coded using Huffman coding. Both outputs are combined to form the resulting compressed stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the efficiency of spatial scalable compression schemes by lowering the bitrate of the enhancement layer. The complete image is used during motion estimation and/or motion compensation in the enhancement layer by inserting both the reconstructed video stream from the base layer and the input video stream into the motion estimation unit or both the motion estimation unit and the motion compensation unit in the enhancement layer.

Abstract: A predictive video coder performs gradient prediction based on previous blocks of image data. For a new block of image data, the prediction determines a horizontal gradient and a vertical gradient from a block diagonally above the new block (vertically above a previous horizontally adjacent block). Based on these gradients, the encoder predicts image information based on image information of either the horizontally adjacent block or a block vertically adjacent to the new block. The encoder determines a residual that is transmitted in an output bitstream. The decoder performs the identical gradient prediction and predicts image information without need for overhead information. The decoder computes the actual information based on the predicted information and the residual from the bitstream.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting fade of a video signal which can detect a fade state of an image from a video signal at a high speed. It is determined that an image based on an original video signal is in a fade state when the absolute value of the difference between the total luminance value of original video signal of one frame and the total luminance value of the neighboring video signal of one frame which are neighboring just before or after the original video signal is relatively large and the number of pixel data in which the absolute value of the difference between each pixel data in the original video signal of one frame and each pixel data in the neighboring video signal is relatively small with respect to pixels existing at the spatially same position is large.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided, in which a signal is encoded to obtain a bit-stream. Blocks of quantized transform coefficients are provided. Transform coefficients corresponding to higher frequencies are attenuated more than coefficients corresponding to lower frequencies. For attenuating higher-frequency coefficients, the invention provides a curve (QC) with higher quantization step-size (QADD) for transform coefficients (Ci) corresponding to higher frequencies. Because this additional quantization step size (QADD) is put in the resulting bit-stream, the reconstruction is performed with an original quantization step-size, without taking the additional quantizing into account. Therefore, a reconstructed coefficient will have a lower value than an original coefficient (Ci). Bit rates can easily be regulated by shifting the curve (QC) to lower or higher frequencies and/or multiplying the curve (QC).

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital data representing an original over plural transmission links, at least of which have limited bandwidth, including a digital data source storing digital data representing the original, a digital data receiver receiving the digital data representing the original via one of the plural transmission links having limited bandwidth and a digital data transmitter operative to transmit the digital data representing the original to the receiver over a transmission link having a limited bandwidth in plural blocks which are sequentially transmitted at a rate determined by the limited bandwidth, each block being an incomplete collection of data which includes parts of multiple frames, each frame being viewable in a selectable order by the receiver even when less than all of the plural blocks have been received, receipt of subsequent blocks by the receiver being used to cumulatively improve the quality of the digital data viewed by the receiver.

Abstract: A system for coding video data comprised of one or more frames codes a portion of the video data using a frame-prediction coding technique, and generates residual images based on the video data and the coded video data. The system then codes the residual images using a fine-granular scalability coding technique, and outputs the coded video data and at least one of the coded residual images to a receiver.

Abstract: If coding is carried out on the block basis on subband coding of an image, the hierarchical characteristic which a subband image inherently has would be lost. Thus, efficient coding is to be carried out while holding the hierarchical characteristic of the subband image. After the subband image is coded on the block basis, symbol information and coefficient information are decomposed and relocated for every subband before producing coded data.

Abstract: A video coding system that codes video objects as scalable video object layers. Data of each video object may be segregated into one or more layers. A base layer contains sufficient information to decode a basic representation of the video object. Enhancement layers contain supplementary data regarding the video object that, if decoded, enhance the basic representation obtained from the base layer. The present invention thus provides a coding scheme suitable for use with decoders of varying processing power. A simple decoder may decode only the base layer of video objects to obtain the basic representation. However, more powerful decoders may decode the base layer data of video objects and additional enhancement layer data to obtain improved decoded output. The coding scheme supports enhancement of both the spatial resolution and the temporal resolution of video objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a fully scalable compressed representation of video sequences, so that they may be transmitted over networks, such as the Internet, for example. Because the signal is scalable, users receiving the signal can obtain the signal at the appropriate resolution and quality that their system will handle or that they desire.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a program to cause the processor to decompose a first frame of a video into a first set of frequency subbands. The first frame includes a first subimage. The program causes the processor to decompose a second frame of the video into a second set of frequency subbands and selectively compare portions of the first and second frequency subbands to locate a second subimage of the second frame. The second subimage is substantially identical to the first subimage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an encoding method for the compression of a video sequence divided into groups of frames decomposed by means of a tridimensional wavelet transform. According to this method, based on the hierarchical subband encoding process SPIHT and applied to the band-pass subbands of a spatio-temporal orientation tree defining the spatio-temporal relationship within the hierarchical pyramid of the obtained transform coefficients, a vectorial DPCM, using either constant prediction coefficients or adaptive ones for taking into account scene changes, is used to separately encode the lowest frequency spatio-temporal subband, and the quantification of the prediction error observed when constructing a spatio-temporal predictor for each vector of transform coefficients having components in each frame of said subband is carried out by means of a scalar or vectorial quantization.

Abstract: An adaptive region-based, multi-scale, motion compensated video compression algorithm design for transmission over hostile communication channels. The algorithm is embodied in a video encoder that extracts spatial information from video frames to create video regions that are then decomposed into sub-bands of different perceptual importance before being compressed and transmitted independently. The system further uses unequal error protection, prioritized transmission and reconstruction to guarantee a minimum spatial and temporal resolution at the receiver. In particular, the region segmented frames bound both spatial and temporal error propagation within frames. A connection-level inter-region statistical multiplexing scheme is also employed to ensure optimal utilization of reserved transmission bandwidth.