Abstract: There are provided spatial scalable video encoder and decoders and corresponding methods for scalable video encoding and decoding. A method for spatial scalable video encoding includes selecting between scalable coding and non-scalable coding of motion vectors on a slice basis.

Abstract: To achieve an encoding system including a highly efficient prediction performed in response to the content of a scene, a significance, and a motion characteristic of a moving picture and the like, a reference memory, a motion compensator receiving a parameter representing the motion of a prediction picture segment for generating a predicted picture by using arbitrary data stored in the memory based upon the parameter, and memory update unit that updates picture data in memory and controls the capacity of the memory, are provided.

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: Methods and apparatus for coding multimedia data such as video data are disclosed. In some embodiments, such methods and apparatus determine an appropriate quantization parameter to be used for effectively coding such multimedia data.

Abstract: Provided is an image coding method for performing intra prediction achieving higher coding efficiency. The method for coding image data on a block-by-block basis includes; generating a predicted block by predicting a current block; computing a difference between the current block and the predicted block; coding the difference computed in the computing; decoding the difference coded in the coding; and adding the difference decoded in the decoding to the predicted block to generate a decoded block, wherein the generating includes: detecting an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block; and extrapolating or interpolating previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block, along a direction of the edge detected in the detecting to generate the predicted block.

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: The transmitting end of a content distribution system selectively employs a redundancy mechanism to encoded video data based on the frame type of each frame being transmitted. In the event that a particular frame contains information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the transmitting end can apply a redundancy mechanism to redundantly distribute the data of the frame throughout a set of data segments, each of which is separately transmitted via the network to the receiving end. Otherwise, in the event that a particular frame to be transmitted does not contain substantial information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the loss of some or all of the data of the frame may not appreciably affect the presentation of the video content at the receiving end and thus the transmitting end can forgo application of the redundancy mechanism to such frames so as to avoid unnecessarily processing and reduce the overall network bandwidth used to transmit the encoded video data.

Abstract: A two-pass encoder determines a quantization parameter (QP) value to control an actual number of bits consumed in a second encoding pass. The two-pass encoder includes a first encoding module, a rate control module and a second encoding module. The first encoding module includes a circuit configured to perform a first encoding pass to encode input video sequences. The rate control module is configured to determine R, a target bit rate for a picture in the second encoding pass, and ?, a variable dependent on a QP value range, a picture type, and complexity. Q, a QP value for the picture or an MB of the picture in the second encoding pass, is also determined based on R and ?. The second encoding module is configured to use Q to encode the picture or the MB of the picture in the input video sequence in the second encoding pass to form an output bitstream. The rate control module is further configured to update ? to encode a next picture or a next MB of the picture in the second encoding pass.

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: Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation.

Abstract: A more efficient co-use of dynamic range mapping on the one hand and temporal prediction on the other hand such as, for example, in order to code HDR frame sequences, is achieved by exploiting the concept of weighted prediction in order to transition from the mapping parameter from the reference frame to the currently temporally predicted frame. By this measure, the temporal prediction does not fail and despite the frame-wise variation in the dynamic range mapping, encoding efficiency is, thus, maintained. As a favorable side aspect, weighted temporal prediction is already within the capabilities of existing video coding stages such as, for example, the H.264/AVC.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for coding of header information of video blocks. In particular, the techniques of this disclosure select one of a plurality of prediction modes for use in generating a prediction block of a video block of a coding unit, the plurality of prediction modes including unidirectional prediction modes and multi-directional prediction modes that combine at least two unidirectional prediction modes. An encoding device encodes the prediction mode of the current video block based on prediction modes of one or more previously encoded video blocks of the coding unit. Likewise, a decoding unit receives encoded video data of a video block of a coding unit and decodes the encoded video data to identify one of a plurality of prediction modes for use in generating a prediction block of the video block based on prediction modes of one or more previously decoded video blocks of the coding unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video decoder (DEC) for decoding a bit stream (BS) corresponding to pictures (P) of a video signal, the coded pictures being likely to include macroblocks coded in a progressive and in an interlaced way. The decoder includes a decoding unit (DEU) for decoding macroblocks coded in a progressive way, and a hybrid reference construction unit (HRCU) for constructing, for each reference picture, a hybrid reference texture (HRT) which has the property of representing said reference picture in a frame-based and in a field-based manner. Said hybrid reference texture is used by said decoding unit for decoding interlaced macroblocks.

Abstract: In one method embodiment, receiving plural frames of a video sequence, the plural frames corrupted with noise; filtering out the noise from the plural frames; block matching the filtered frames to derive a first set of motion vectors; scaling the first set of motion vectors; deriving a single scaled motion vector from the scaled motion vectors; and block matching the plural frames based on the scaled motion vector to derive a refined motion vector.

Abstract: There is provided a video encoding apparatus allowing for enhanced video encoding speed according to the H.264 video coding standard. The video encoding apparatus allows the memories included in the video encoding apparatus to be shared by a plurality of elements through the rearrangement and the structural change of the memories considering an efficient hierarchical motion estimation algorithm. Therefore, the video encoding apparatus has the effects of reducing the amount of transmitted and received data between the frame memory and the video encoding apparatus and enhancing video encoding speed.

Abstract: A video transmission system includes a transceiver module that transmits a video signal to a remote device over at least one communications channel wherein the video signal is transmitted as at least one separate video layer stream chosen from, an independent video layer stream and at least one dependent video layer streams that require the independent video layer for decoding. A control module determines at least one channel characteristic of the at least one channel and chooses the at least one separate video layer stream based on the at least one channel characteristic of the at least one channel.

Abstract: An image coding method with increased coding efficiency using a limited memory bandwidth includes: determining blocks usable for merging as merging candidates; determining a block to be used for coding a current block to be coded from the merging candidates; and attaching a merging candidate index indicating the determined merging candidate to the bitstream. In the determining of a block, when a motion compensation size of the current block is a bi-prediction-prohibited size and the merging candidates include a merging candidate coded using bi-prediction, a prediction image of the current block is generated using coding information for uni-prediction instead of coding information for the bi-prediction of the merging candidate coded using bi-prediction.

Abstract: A method of decoding images including: extracting motion vector information from input information to be decoded; synthesizing a prediction image by performing motion compensation using the motion vector information and a reference image which is a previously decoded image; and synthesizing a decoded image by adding the prediction image to an error image, wherein the motion compensation includes specifying either a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method for interpolating intensity values of pixels in performing the motion compensation.

Abstract: An apparatus calculates a change predicted value of a value of an interest pixel included in an interest field. The apparatus calculates a change predicted value before correcting the value of the interest pixel based on the interest field and at least one of fields which neighbors the interest field and is stored in the plurality of field memories, respectively calculates interframe difference coefficients based on any of two fields having a field interval of 2 of a plurality of fields stored in the plurality of field memories, and a field which is being input, calculates a correction value of the change predicted value based on the interframe difference coefficients calculated, and corrects the change predicted value before correction calculated by the change predicted value calculator based on the correction value calculated by the correction value calculation unit and output a change predicted value after correction.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for decoding a video in a skip mode comprises the steps of: deriving a pixel value of an estimation block for a current block; deriving an error compensation value for the current block; and deriving a pixel value of a final prediction block using the pixel value of the prediction block and the error compensation value. According to the present invention, the amount of transmitted information is minimized, and the efficiency of video encoding/decoding is improved.

Abstract: There is provided a method of improving latency in a Rate Distortion Optimization apparatus, comprising re-ordering processing of a sequence of 4×4 blocks of pixels received for processing by the Rate Distortion Optimization apparatus, the received order of the 4×4 blocks of pixels corresponding to the location of the 4×4 blocks of pixels within a macroblock, and processing the re-ordered sequence of 4×4 blocks in the Rate Distortion Optimization apparatus, where the re-ordering of the processing of the 4×4 blocks of pixels comprises interleaving the processing of two upper 4×4 blocks of pixels of a current 8×8 block with the processing of two lower 4×4 blocks of pixels of a previous 8×8 block.

Abstract: An exemplary image processing apparatus generates an interpolation frame to be inserted between two contiguous frames of a moving picture. The image processing apparatus includes: a motion vector calculation section configured to calculate a first motion vector by performing a matching operation between first and second frames, of a first frame, a second frame and a third frame of the moving picture contiguous with one another, and calculate a second motion vector by performing a matching operation between the second and third frames; and an interpolation frame generation section configured to generate an interpolation frame to be inserted between the second frame and the third frame through a process performed based on a magnitude of a difference vector between the first motion vector and the second motion vector.

Abstract: An encoding method of screen frame and its application of electronic devices, which rapidly detect motion regions and motionless regions from lossless screen frames captured by software, and then encode the motion regions with lower image quality while encode motionless regions with higher quality to display higher quality images and smooth video at a receiving end in real-time. Furthermore, the above-mentioned encoding method is optimized for lossless screen frames which does not need complicated operations of video encoder of prior art, such as motion estimation, motion compensation, etc., so that the method can be implemented with minor system resources and lower latency delay.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for performing motion vector prediction for video coding. A video coding device comprising a processor may perform the techniques. The processor may be configured to determine a plurality of candidate motion vectors for a current block of the video data so as to perform the motion vector prediction process and scale one or more of the plurality of candidate motion vectors determined for the current block of the video data to generate one or more scaled candidate motion vectors. The processor may then be configured to modify the scaled candidate motion vectors to be within a specified range.

Abstract: A method of selecting a number of candidate prediction modes for a block in a video sequence, the method comprising calculating a cost value of each of prediction modes for each of a predetermined number of blocks, identifying one of the prediction modes having the smallest cost value for the each block, calculating a function value of each of the prediction modes for the each block using a cost function, ranking the prediction modes for the each block by the function value of each of the prediction modes and identifying an ordinal value of the one prediction mode having the smallest cost value, the ordinal value being related to the ordinal number of the one prediction mode after the ranking, calculating a feature value of the each block based on the function value of each of the prediction modes related to the each block, identifying a plurality of sets of blocks, each set of blocks having substantially the same feature value, identifying the number of each set of blocks and calculating a sum of the ordinal

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: Multiview videos are acquired of a scene with corresponding cameras arranged at poses, such that there is view overlap between any pair of cameras. V-frames are generated from the multiview videos. The V-frames are encoded using only spatial prediction. Then, the V-frames are inserted periodically in an encoded bit stream to provide random temporal access to the multiview videos. Additional view dependency information enables the decoding of a reduced number of frames prior to accessing randomly a target frame for a specified view and time, and decoding the target frame. The method also decodes multiview videos by maintaining a reference picture list for a current frame of a plurality of multiview videos, and predicting each current frame of the plurality of multiview videos according to reference pictures indexed by the associated reference picture list.

Abstract: International image or video coding standards uses hybrid coding, wherein a picture is separated into pixel blocks on which predictive coding, transform coding and entropy coding is employed. The transform coding is effective because the prediction error samples are correlated in the frequency domain. However, when the prediction quality is getting better and better, spatial domain coding becomes more effective than transform coding. According to the invention, it is first determined in which corner of a current block the first non-zero amplitude value is located. Based on the related zeros run length value in that block, a pre-defined scan path is selected, i.e. a context-based adaptive scan mode is used.

Abstract: Processing a reference picture is described. A reference processing unit enables signaling of parameters such as motion model parameters, interpolation filter parameters, intensity compensation parameters, and denoising filter parameters. Methods for estimating the various parameters are also discussed. Processing improves quality of a reference picture prior to its use for prediction of a subsequent picture and thus improves the prediction.

Abstract: The transmitting end of a content distribution system selectively employs a redundancy mechanism to encode video data. In the event that a particular frame contains information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the transmitting end can apply a redundancy mechanism to redundantly distribute the data of the frame throughout a set of data segments, each of which is separately transmitted via the network to the receiving end. Otherwise, in the event that a particular frame to be transmitted does not contain substantial information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the loss of some or all of the data of the frame may not appreciably affect the presentation of the video content at the receiving end and thus the transmitting end can forgo application of the redundancy mechanism to such frames so as to avoid unnecessary processing and reduce the overall network bandwidth used.

Abstract: A video codec comprising a processor configured to compute a reconstructed pixel based on a residual pixel and a first prediction pixel and compute a second prediction pixel in a directional intra prediction mode based on the reconstructed pixel, wherein the first and second prediction pixels are located in a same block of a video frame. A method for intra prediction comprising computing a prediction pixel adaptively based on a plurality of reconstructed neighboring pixels, wherein a distance between the prediction pixel and each of the plurality of reconstructed neighboring pixels is one.

Abstract: In generating a candidate list for inter prediction video coding, a video coder can perform pruning operations when adding spatial candidates and temporal candidates to a candidate list while not performing pruning operations when adding an artificially generated candidate to the candidate list. The artificially generated candidate can have motion information that is the same as motion information of a spatial candidate or temporal candidate already in the candidate list.

Abstract: A video codec comprising a processor configured to compute a difference between an original pixel and a prediction pixel to generate a prediction residual, and binarize an absolute value of the prediction residual. A method for video coding comprising computing a difference between an original pixel and a prediction pixel to generate a prediction residual, and binarizing an absolute value of the prediction residual. A video encoder comprising a processor configured to set a number of syntax elements to indicate lossless encoding of some or all coding units (CU) in a video frame, a transmitter configured to transmit a bit stream comprising the syntax elements. A method for video encoding comprising setting a number of syntax elements to indicate lossless encoding of some or all coding units (CU) in a video frame, and transmitting a bit stream comprising the syntax elements.

Abstract: A reduction in the number of binarizations and/or contexts used in context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) for video coding is proposed. In particular, this disclosure proposes techniques that may lower the number contexts used in CABAC by up to 56.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a differential frame may be constructed, for example, by differencing frames or using an error prediction method. More frequently and less frequently used values of a differential frame are identified. Symbols with lower and higher transmission energy are identified. The more frequently used values of the differential frame are mapped to the symbols with lower transmission energy to reduce overall energy consumption.

Abstract: A motion compensation module, that can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal, includes a motion search module that generates a motion search motion vector for each macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks by contemporaneously evaluating a top frame macroblock and bottom frame macroblock from a frame of the video input signal and a top field macroblock and a bottom field macroblock from corresponding fields of the video input signal. A motion refinement module, when enabled, generates a refined motion vector for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an interpolation frame generation apparatus generates an interpolation frame image to be inserted between continuous frame images. The interpolation frame generation apparatus includes a motion vector detection module and a generation module. The motion vector detection module is configured to execute block matching processing in each of a plurality of blocks included in the continuous frame images and specify one motion vector on an interpolation frame. The generation module is configured to, for an interpolation block in which the motion vector detection module specifies one motion vector, generate an interpolation frame image based on the motion vector, and for an interpolation block in which the motion vector detection module does not specify one motion vector, generate an interpolation frame image based on the frame image containing no motion vector component.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for coding of header information of video blocks. In particular, the techniques of this disclosure select one of a plurality of prediction modes for use in generating a prediction block of a video block of a coding unit, the plurality of prediction modes including unidirectional prediction modes and multi-directional prediction modes that combine at least two unidirectional prediction modes. An encoding device encodes the prediction mode of the current video block based on prediction modes of one or more previously encoded video blocks of the coding unit. Likewise, a decoding unit receives encoded video data of a video block of a coding unit and decodes the encoded video data to identify one of a plurality of prediction modes for use in generating a prediction block of the video block based on prediction modes of one or more previously decoded video blocks of the coding unit.

Abstract: Methods of using motion estimation techniques with video encoders to provide significant data compression with respect to video signals so that the video signals may subsequently be reconstructed with minimal observable information loss. Methods include a fast fractional motion estimation scheme.

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: In motion search using a PE array, a technique is provided for enabling high-speed calculation while avoiding bank conflict without increasing a memory for storing pixels outside the screen. When pieces of pixel data of a plurality of lines to be read from the memory 3 (reference image memory 30) exist in a same bank, the conflict bank anticipatory read control unit 10 reads pixel data of a line in advance, and a read data holding circuit 20 holds the data until timing for inputting to a PE array unit 4. Accordingly, bank conflict can be avoided when reading pixel data from the memory 3, so that smooth pipeline processing by the PE array unit 4 can be realized.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting an enhancement layer macroblock. A base layer frame is divided into intra-coded and inter-coded regions. If any portion of the enhancement layer macroblock is covered by both an intra-coded base layer macroblock and an inter-coded base layer macroblock, predictions utilizing the intra-coded and inter-coded macroblocks are established independently to generate at least two prediction values. The at least two prediction values are then combined to give a prediction from which the enhancement layer block is coded. Various embodiments serve to smooth the boundary effect between intra-coded regions and inter-coded regions inside the inter-layer prediction for extended spatial scalability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding a video by using pixel unit bi-directional motion compensation are provided. According to the method of encoding a video, pixel unit motion compensation is performed on each pixel of a current block by using pixels of first and second reference pictures used for bi-directional motion prediction and compensation, in addition to block unit bi-directional motion compensation performed on the current block, and a bi-directional motion prediction value of the current block is generated by using results of the block unit bi-directional motion compensation and pixel unit motion compensation.

Abstract: Techniques for coding both edge and band offset values are described. Offset values may be predicted such that one offset value in a group of offset values is predicted from another offset value in the group. In addition, offset values of a partition may be predicted from offset values of a neighboring partition. Offset values may also be right shifted to be at a lower precision before signaling in the encoded video bitstream. A video decoding device may apply the techniques to filter a current partition based on offset values associated with a neighboring partition.

Abstract: An intra prediction mode selecting method is disclosed. First, a compress profile and a frame resolution of a frame data are received. Next, a plurality of corresponding prediction modes are selected according to the compress profile and the frame resolution, and the selected prediction modes are scheduled for sequentially calculating a plurality of corresponding cost functions. Finally, the cost functions are compared to select one of the prediction modes to serve as a prediction mode of the frame data.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, motion compensates coding of video sequences. Motion compensated prediction is utilized in the representation of motion vector fields. Reduced numbers of bits are required to represent the motion vector field while maintaining a low prediction error, thereby facilitating improved communication of, and recreation of, video frames forming a video sequence.

Abstract: A video encoding method and apparatus and a video decoding method and apparatus. In the video encoding method, a first predicted coding unit of a current coding unit that is to be encoded is produced, a second predicted coding unit is produced by changing a value of each pixel of the first predicted coding unit by using each pixel of the first predicted coding unit and at least one neighboring pixel of each pixel, and the difference between the current coding unit and the second predicted coding unit is encoded, thereby improving video prediction efficiency.

Abstract: Techniques are described related to modifying an initial reference picture list. The example techniques may identify a reference picture in at least one of the reference picture subsets used to construct the initial reference picture. The example techniques may list the identified reference picture in a current entry of the initial reference picture list to construct a modified reference picture list.

Abstract: A moving picture decoding method and a decoder for restoring a moving picture signal is disclosed. The decoder includes a decoding unit that decodes the differential signal, a motion vector, and a shape information indicating a shape of a block that becomes a unit for the motion compensated prediction by using an encoded bitstream. The shape information indicates an accuracy of virtual pixel and an interpolation filtering method. The decoder also includes a motion compensating unit that determines that the accuracy of virtual pixel and the interpolation filtering method is to be used in generating the predicted picture based on the shape of the block that becomes the unit for the motion compensated prediction, and generating the predicted picture containing the virtual pixel with reference to the reference pictures stored in a frame memory using the motion vector decoded by the decoding unit according to a determination result.

Abstract: Adjacent blocks are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent blocks are identified. Deblock filtering between the identified adjacent blocks is skipped if the coding parameters for the identified adjacent blocks are similar and not skipped if the coding parameters for the identified adjacent blocks are substantially different.