Abstract: An input module obtains a media signal to be communicated to a destination system, after which an identification module identifies a plurality of segments within the media signal. A codec includes a selection module that automatically selects different compression methods to respectively compress at least two of the segments. The compression methods are automatically selected to produce a highest compression quality for the respective segments according to a set of criteria without exceeding a target data rate. A compression module within the codec then compresses the segments using the automatically-selected compression methods, after which an output module delivers the compressed segments to the destination system with an indication of which compression method was used to compress each segment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for service acquisition. In an aspect, a method is provided for service acquisition. The method includes generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, and encapsulating the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided for service acquisition. The apparatus includes a source encoder configured to generate one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, an error encoder configured to encode the CSV signals and the multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, and a packer configured to encapsulate the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

Abstract: In a method for generating a physical layer (PHY) data unit for transmission via a communication channel, first data and second data that correspond to a unit of audio, video, and/or image information is received. The first data and the second data are encoded and modulated so that a resulting data rate of the first data is less than a resulting data rate of the second data. The first data and the second data are parsed to a plurality of spatial streams, and a single PHY data unit that includes the plurality of spatial streams is generated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for predicting high dynamic range image blocks, wherein the systems and methods comprise a first image block and a second image block, where a received first prediction data of the first image block and a received prediction difference data of the second image block may be combined to determine a second prediction data for the second image block.

Abstract: An image coding device (300) according to the present invention includes: a signal division unit (302) which divides each of pictures included in an input image signal (310) into a first coding target region (315A) and a second coding target region (315B); a first coding unit (303A) which codes the first coding target region (315A) to generate a first coded signal (313A); a second coding unit (303B) which codes the second coding target region (315B) to generate a second coded signal (313B); and a signal combining unit (307) which combines the first coded signal (313A) and the second coded signal (313B) to generate an output coded signal (314), wherein the signal division unit (302) determines, as a range to be used for motion vector search by the first coding unit (303A), a range including the first coding target region (315A) and a first overlap region (316A), and changes a size of the first overlap region (316A) according to a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A luminance compensating method of compensating a de-interlaced pixel in a current block of a current frame with reference to a reference block of a reference frame is provided. First, calculate an average luminance of the current block and an average luminance of the reference block. Next, adjust the luminance of the de-interlaced pixel by a luminance difference between the average luminance of the current block and the average luminance of the reference block, such that the luminance of the de-interlaced pixel is more appropriate and the display quality is improved.

Abstract: A video coding system and method for increasing a transmitted output bit rate of a video encoding system by altering the content of the bit stream. A video encoder may receive a coding mode signal from a computer application for coding source video data, the coding mode signal indicating a target bit rate having a risk factor related to transmission error associated to the target bit rate. The coded bitstream may be modified based on the risk factor indicated in the coding mode signal. A modified coded bitstream may be outputted at the target bit rate and at a reduced coding efficiency, and the channel may be tested for transmission errors. Based on the test results, a revised coding mode signal indicating the same target bit rate, but a revised risk factor may be provided. The coded bitstream may be revised by removing the modifications previously made to the coded bitstream and a revised coded bitstream having greater coding efficiency may be output at the target bit rate.

Abstract: Described is a hierarchical filtered motion field technology such as for use in recognizing actions in videos with crowded backgrounds. Interest points are detected, e.g., as 2D Harris corners with recent motion, e.g. locations with high intensities in a motion history image (MHI). A global spatial motion smoothing filter is applied to the gradients of MHI to eliminate low intensity corners that are likely isolated, unreliable or noisy motions. At each remaining interest point, a local motion field filter is applied to the smoothed gradients by computing a structure proximity between sets of pixels in the local region and the interest point. The motion at a pixel/pixel set is enhanced or weakened based on its structure proximity with the interest point (nearer pixels are enhanced).

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for allocating and reallocating multimedia data between a base layer and an enhancement layer defined in a wireless modulation scheme. The reallocation techniques may vary depending on whether bidirectional predictive (B) frames were originally allocated to the base layer, and whether a re-encode request has been issued to encoders, e.g., to reduce the encoding rate to meet bandwidth constraints associated with a wireless communication channel. The described techniques may help to efficiently utilize channel resources, balance bandwidth between channels and possibly improve error resilience at the application layer. In some cases, the techniques can help to reduce overall aggregate bandwidth usage.

Abstract: A method is provided to efficiently transport video signals on a wireless network when resources are scarce. In an embodiment, a user's mobile terminal codes the video in multiple layers. If resources are scarce, the mobile terminal reduces current bandwidth requirements by streaming a subset, i.e., one or more of the lower coded video layers only. This streamed video can be viewed by peers and saved on a server. Meanwhile, the higher layers that were not sent are saved on the mobile device. When network resources eventually become available, the saved higher layers only are sent to the destination server that saved the lower layers. The entire video can then be reconstructed on the destination server.

Abstract: A system for communicating video, the video including 4:4:4 color space frames, includes a 4:2:0 video encoder having a 4:4:4 to 4:2:0 color space frame converter and a 4:2:0 video decoder having a 4:2:0 to 4:4:4 color space frame converter, communicatively connected to the 4:2:0 video encoder. The 4:2:0 video encoder, without conversion by the 4:4:4 to 4:2:0 color space converter, communicates the video as a plurality of encoded 4:2:0 color space frames to the decoder. The 4:2:0 video decoder, without conversion by the 4:2:0 to 4:4:4 color space frame converter, saves the video as a plurality of 4:4:4 color space frames in memory. Each of the 4:4:4 color space frames in memory of the decoder device is identical to its corresponding 4:4:4 color space frame of the video at the encoder device.

Abstract: An information distribution apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine the configuration of a stream including video data and audio data, a creating unit configured to create combination information indicating combinations of video data and audio data making up the stream, based on the results of the determination, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the combination information to a reception apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for pre-processing video sequences prior to compression to provide data reduction of the video sequence. Also, after compression of the pre-processed video sequence, the bit rate of the pre-processed and compressed video sequence will be lower than the bit rate of the video sequence after compression but without pre-processing. Pre-processing may include spatial anisotropic diffusion filtering such as Perona-Malik filtering, Fallah-Ford filtering, or omni-directional filtering that extends Perona-Malik filtering to perform filtering in at least one diagonal direction. Pre-processing may also include performing filtering differently on a foreground region than on a background region of a video frame. This method includes identifying pixel locations having pixel values matching characteristics of human skin and determining a bounding shape for each contiguous grouping of matching pixel locations.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods used in motion estimation and particularly for data compression. Embodiments of the invention may store and operate on an n-bit value in less than n bits. In one embodiment, if the multi-bit value is less than a threshold, then the multi-bit value is stored in the reduced-bit storage directly, with no loss of precision. If the multi-bit value is greater than the threshold, then the Most Significant Bits (MSBs) of the multi-bit value are shifted onto the reduced-bit storage, and a compression flag set. To decompress, if the compression flag was not set, the bits stored in the reduced-bit storage are merely copied back into the multi-bit value directly. If the compression flag was set, then the bits stored in the reduced-bit storage are shifted (left) by the same amount they were shifted (right) during compression, and an error-minimizing value is added.

Abstract: Composite video generation is described. In an embodiment, mobile video capture devices, such as mobile telephones, capture video streams of a common event. A network node receives the video streams and time-synchronizes them. Frames from each of the video streams are then stitched together to form a composite frame, and these are added to a composite video sequence. In embodiments, the composite video sequence is encoded and streamed to a user terminal over a communications network. In embodiments, the common event is a live event and the composite video sequence is generated in real-time. In some embodiments, the stitching of the video streams is performed by geometrically aligning the frames. In some embodiments, three or more mobile video capture devices provide video streams.

Abstract: A video processing method and system for generating a foveated video display with sections having different resolutions uses a network channel for communicating video images having video sections of different resolutions, and includes a video transmission system for processing and transmitting the received video images over the network channel. The system assigns a larger portion of the network channel's bandwidth to a video section with higher resolution. Further, the system includes a video receiving system for receiving and seamlessly combining the first and second video sections of different resolutions to form an output video image on a display device, and a control unit for sending one or more video control parameters to the video transmission system to control capturing, transmitting and processing of the video images.

Abstract: A motion estimation method for enhancing a video compression speed, and a video encoder using the same are provided. The motion estimation method includes determining a global motion type of a previous frame from motion vectors of the previous frame, setting a search area for a specified motion block included in a current frame based on the global motion type, and searching for a motion vector within the set search area.

Abstract: A method of tracking a target includes receiving from a source a depth image of a scene including the human subject. The depth image includes a depth for each of a plurality of pixels. The method further includes identifying pixels of the depth image that belong to the human subject and deriving from the identified pixels of the depth image one or more machine readable data structures representing the human subject as a body model including a plurality of shapes.

Abstract: A packet generator for generating packets from an input signal configured to: generate at least one first signal, dependent on the input signal, the first signal comprising a first relative time value; generate at least one second signal, dependent on the input signal and associated with the at least one first signal; and generate at least one indicator associated with each of the at least one second signal, each indicator dependent on the first relative time value.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus, which receives a compressed image stream as an input signal and decodes the input signal, includes decoders for decoding the input signal by decoding predetermined data units. A task controller divides a decoding process for the input signal into process steps and allocates a data unit to be processed by each decoder and for each process step. Each process step has a dependency on an order of processing. The task controller detects a processing status of the decoder, and allocates a data unit and a process step to be processed to the decoder, depending on the detected processing status, a dependency between the process steps, and a dependency between frames included in the image stream.

Abstract: Applying a mechanism of image signal processing and color-space-conversion to convert the captured Green components to be Y, luminance components for only those pixels having raw Green data without interpolation, and to convert the Blue components to be U, chrominance components for only those pixels having raw Blue data, and Red components to be V, chrominance components for only those pixels having raw Red data. These converted YUV components are input to a predetermined video compression codec for reducing the intra- and inter-frame redundant information.

Abstract: A video sequence is coded in the form of a base level and an refinement level. A group of pictures of the base level comprises intra coded or mono-predicted end images (I,P) and bi-predicted images (B1, B2, B3), the refinement level comprises at least one image (E2, E4, . . . , E16) with no temporal correspondent in the base level. Use is made of predictive coding of said image with no temporal correspondent (E2, E4, . . . , E16) by making reference to a plurality of images, each image of said plurality being an image of the refinement level with no temporal correspondent in the base level (E4, E8, E12, E14) or an image of the refinement level (E1, E17) corresponding temporally to an end image (I1P).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a graphics processing unit, a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions use (i) the graphics processing unit to perform prediction, decimation, transformation and quantization, and inverse-quantization and inverse-transformation and (ii) the processor to perform entropy encoding and rate control.

Abstract: An information outputting apparatus includes a digital interface unit that receives a digital signal transmitted through a digital bus that has a plurality of data channels, and information detecting means for detecting information indicating a source and a video format from a packet header. The information outputting apparatus also includes a signal decoding means that decodes a digital signal having a predetermined video format, display capability judgment means that judges whether the digital signal can be capable of displaying a video, and an information reporting means that reports the information on the video format and information based on the judgment of the display capability judgment means.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating a computer rendered image sequence from a host computer to a remote computer. The method comprises determining, at the host computer, while performing a progressive encoding of an image portion of the computer rendered image sequence, motion of the image portion, wherein the progressive encoding comprises generating a lossy encoding of a frequency transform of the image portion and a first refinement encoding of the frequency transform; generating, at the host computer, a motion vector representing the motion; and communicating, from the host computer to the remote computer, the lossy encoding, the first refinement encoding, and the motion vector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for predicting image elements, comprising extracting a low dynamic range (LDR) image value from a received LDR image data; modifying the LDR image value based on prediction data of a received high dynamic range (HDR) image data; and predicting an HDR image element based on the modified LDR image value and an HDR residual image element of the received HDR image data.

Abstract: Functionality is described for forming a summary representation of a video item to help a user decide whether to obtain a full version of the video item. The functionality operates by: (a) receiving a video item; (b) dividing the video item into a plurality of segments; (c) extracting at least one key frame from each of the plurality of segments to form a plurality of key frames; and (d) organizing the video segments into one or more groups corresponding to one or more respective scenes based on the plurality of key frames, to thereby form the representation of the video item. The functionality can be used to communicate search results to a user, to provide a sample of the video item in a message, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital broadcasting transmission/reception system having an improved reception performance and in a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a TS stream generator for inputting robust and normal packets having stuff bytes in predetermined positions and generating dual TS stream by inserting the robust packets between the normal packets; a randomizer for randomizing the dual TS stream; a stuff byte exchanger for replacing the stuff bytes of a randomized data streams from the randomizer to a predetermined known data; and an encoder for encoding a data streams to which the known data is inserted. Accordingly, the present invention detects the known data from a signal received from a reception side and uses the detected known data for synchronization and equalization, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital broadcasting transmission/reception system having an improved reception performance and in a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a TS stream generator for inputting robust and normal packets having stuff bytes in predetermined positions and generating dual TS stream by inserting the robust packets between the normal packets; a randomizer for randomizing the dual TS stream; a stuff byte exchanger for replacing the stuff bytes of a randomized data streams from the randomizer to a predetermined known data; and an encoder for encoding a data streams to which the known data is inserted. Accordingly, the present invention detects the known data from a signal received from a reception side and uses the detected known data for synchronization and equalization, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels.

Abstract: A multimedia file and methods of generating, distributing and using the multimedia file are described. Multimedia files in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can contain multiple video tracks, multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitle tracks, a complete index that can be used to locate each data chunk in each of these tracks and an abridged index that can enable the location of a subset of the data chunks in each track, data that can be used to generate a menu interface to access the contents of the file and ‘meta data’ concerning the contents of the file. Multimedia files in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention also include references to video tracks, audio tracks, subtitle tracks and ‘meta data’ external to the file.

Abstract: A method of forming a picture in picture (PIP) service over an internet protocol (IP) transmission to one or more users, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a PIP channel comprising a first predetermined channel superimposed with a second predetermined channel; determining if the PIP channel already exists; forming the PIP channel if it does not already exist; and transmitting the PIP channel on a dedicated channel to any users who have requested that PIP channel.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of improved methods and systems for providing an experience platform within a CDN, as well as sentio or experience codecs, and experience agents for supporting the experience platform. The experience platform may be provided by a service provider to enable an experience provider to compose and direct a participant experience. The service provider monetizes the experience by charging the experience provider and/or the participants for services. Alternatively, the experience platform may be provided by the CDN, either as an integrated component of the CDN, or a supplemental complimentary aspect. The participant experience can involve one or more experience participants. The experience provider can create an experience with a variety of dimensions and features. As will be appreciated, the following description provides one paradigm for understanding the multi-dimensional experience available to the participants.

Abstract: An improvement to a predictive video encoding method or apparatus that includes selecting a mode class within which to choose an encoding algorithm to encode individual blocks of video information. Rather than implementing each algorithm in each mode class to ascertain an acceptable compression, the improvement eliminates searching through a class of encoding modes based simply on heuristics. The method comprises obtaining statistical information related to previous blocks of encoded video information, determining a mode class within which to chose a particular encoding algorithm based on the statistical information (e.g., heuristics) gathered, choosing an algorithm within the selected mode class using conventional techniques, and encoding the video information according to the chosen algorithm. Statistical information may include quantization parameters, prior encoding decisions, intensity or frequency values, or Hadamard transform coefficients of previously encoded macroblocks.

Abstract: A method for receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. Even when a cell is changed while an emergency alert is output, the emergency alert can be continuously output using emergency alert table information included in the broadcasting signal and channel information of the cell. The emergency alert table information may include a cell identifier and the channel information of the cell may include virtual channel information of the cell.

Abstract: A distributed coded video decoding apparatus includes a key picture decoding unit for reconstructing a key picture, a side information generation unit for generating side information using the key picture and/or previously reconstructed WZ pictures, a side information update unit for updating the side information using the side information and corrected reconstructed video, a channel code decoding unit for decoding quantization symbols, a video reconstruction unit for reconstructing a current WZ picture using the quantization symbols and the side information, and a video correction unit for calculating the reconstructed data reliability using channel code decoded data reliability of the decoded data and/or the reconstructed video reliability determining whether to correct the reconstructed video and determining a correction value based on the calculated the reconstructed data reliability and then correcting the reconstructed video.

Abstract: A system for videoconferencing that offers, among other features, extremely low end-to-end delay as well as very high scalability. The system accommodates heterogeneous receivers and networks, as well as the best-effort nature of networks such as those based on the Internet Protocol. The system relies on scalable video coding to provide a coded representation of a source video signal at multiple temporal, quality, and spatial resolutions. These resolutions are represented by distinct bitstream components that are created at each end-user encoder. System architecture and processes called SVC Thinning allow the separation of data into data used for prediction in other pictures and data not used for prediction in other pictures. SVC Thinning processes, which can be performed at video conferencing endpoints or at MCUs, can selectively remove or replace with fewer bits the data not used for prediction in other pictures from transmitted bit streams.

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: An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup unit, a recording aunit configured to record moving image data on a recording medium and record still image data on the recording medium, a conversion unit configured to convert the still image data recorded on the recording medium into moving image data to generate converted moving image data, a conversion instruction unit configured to instruct generation of the converted moving image data at an arbitrary timing, a management unit configured to manage at least one piece of still image data recorded on the recording medium as one group when the instruction is generated by the conversion instruction unit, and a control unit configured to control the conversion unit to generate a plurality of pieces of converted moving image data, and control the recording unit to finalize the recording medium after the plurality of pieces of converted moving image data are recorded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for decoding an encoded baseline video stream and an enhancement stream. The baseline video stream is decoded, upscaled and enhanced by applying adaptive filters specified by the enhancement stream. Baseline upscaled images are then coded to motion compensate enhanced high resolution images using previously decoded enhanced images, thus recycling these enhanced images. The enhancement stream provides the best predictor method for the decoder to combine blocks from previous enhanced images and upscaled images to produce a motion compensated enhanced image. Likewise, forward and backward motion compensated images are blended according to feature classification and filter extraction methods provided by the enhancement stream to produce a bidirectionally predicted frame. Lastly, the decoder applies residual data from the enhancement stream to produce a completed enhanced image.

Abstract: A computing device is described herein that is configured to encode natural video content in accordance with a first encoding scheme and screen content in accordance with a second encoding scheme. The computing device is configured to distinguish between the natural video content of a video frame and the screen content of the video frame based at least in part on temporal correlations between the video frame and one or more neighboring video frames and on content analysis of the video frame.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed. Herein, additional encoding is performed on mobile service data, which are then transmitted, thereby providing robustness in the processed mobile service data, so that the mobile service data can respond more strongly against fast and frequent channel changes. The method of processing data in a transmitting system includes receiving mobile service data, encapsulating the received mobile service data to a transport stream (TS) packet, and outputting the encapsulated mobile service data as a mobile service data packet, and multiplexing a main service data packet including main service data and the encapsulated mobile service data packet, thereby transmitting the multiplexed data packets to at least one transmitter located in a remote site.

Abstract: A method for decoding a wireless transmission in a communication system, particularly for mobile communications, comprising a plurality of receiver stations communicatively coupled to a common decoder station, wherein the receiver stations transmit digital representations of received user signals to the common decoding entity. These digital representations are initially transmitted to the common decoder station in coarse granularity, and in case the decoder station cannot decode the transmitted digital representations of one or multiple user signals, the decoder requests a refined digital representation of the received signals from at least one receiver station.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a video stream, the video stream comprising a sequence of plural compressed pictures corresponding to a video program, the plural compressed pictures having plural sets of compressed pictures, each of the plural sets adhering to one or more picture interdependencies, properties, or a combination of the picture interdependencies and properties, and provide auxiliary information in the video stream, the auxiliary information comprising plural data fields, the plural data fields comprising a first data field corresponding to one of multiple possible coding scheme, the coding scheme comprising a set of tiers that uniquely define the one coding scheme, the plural data fields further comprising a second data field different from the first data field, the second data field comprising an indication of whether the one or more picture interdependencies, properties, or a combination of both corresponding to the set of tiers is valid for use in decoding.

Abstract: A method of assigning a priority for controlling a bit rate of a bitstream having a plurality of quality layers is provided. The method includes composing first quality layers for a reference picture, composing second quality layers for a current picture that is encoded with reference to the reference picture, and assigning a priority each of the first and second quality layers, wherein a low priority is assigned to a quality layer having a small influence on a video quality reduction of the current picture when the quality layer is truncated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for encoding a video signal stream. The method includes receiving a video signal stream, identifying a plurality of individual segments within the video signal stream and encoding, off-line, recurring ones of the individual segments that recur with at least a first frequency to produce encoded recurring segments. The video signal stream is also encoded in real-time to generate a real-time encoded video stream. Segments in the real-time encoded video stream are replaced with their corresponding encoded recurring segments to thereby produce an encoded video output stream that includes some segments encoded in real-time and other segments encoded off-line.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor, a graphics processing unit and a memory. The memory stores computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions include a motion estimation kernel which when executed by the graphics processing unit performs motion estimation on a current frame using a reference frame. The current frame and the reference frame are stored in a globally shared memory of the graphics processing unit.

Abstract: Two or more video streams including a high quality video stream and a low quality video stream are simultaneously transmitted to the video receiving device over the wireless network. All of the video streams carry the same video content but with different video quality. The high quality video stream is encoded using an unequal error protection code so that first components (e.g., high frequency components) receive a higher level of error protection than second components (e.g., low frequency components). The video receiving device can select the high quality video stream when channel conditions are favorable. When channel conditions are not good enough to support the high quality video stream, the video receiving device determines whether the first components of the high quality video stream with the greater error protection are usable. If so, the video receiving device combines the first components of the high quality video stream with the low quality video stream.

Abstract: An interactive video/multimedia application (IVM application) may specify one or more media assets for playback. The IVM application may define the rendering, composition, and interactivity of one or more the assets, such as video. Video multimedia application data (IVMA data may) be used to define the behavior of the IVM application. The IVMA data may be embodied as a standalone file in a text or binary, compressed format. Alternatively, the IVMA data may be embedded within other media content. A video asset used in the IVM application may include embedded, content-aware metadata that is tightly coupled to the asset. The IVM application may reference the content-aware metadata embedded within the asset to define the rendering and composition of application display elements and user-interactivity features. The interactive video/multimedia application (defined by the video and multimedia application data) may be presented to a viewer in a player application.

Abstract: A method, medium, and system compressing and/or reconstructing image data. The data compression method includes compressing current data according to a plurality of modes for compressing current data, determining whether the current data compressed according to the plurality of modes can be represented by a fixed length of bits, selecting a mode from among modes in which the compressed current data can be represented by the fixed length of bits, and outputting the compressed current data according to the selected mode. Accordingly, it is possible to significantly lower the complexity of an image encoder/decoder system, and exactly meet a picture-based Control Bit Rate (CBR) suitable for a Liquid Crystal Display Dynamic Capacitance Compensation (LCD DCC) device/system.

Abstract: VPI/VCI of an ATM cell is translated into an internal ID by distribute VPI/VCI entries into sections in a table according to a portion of each VPI/VCI entry. A section to be searched according to the portion of a VPI/VCI of the received ATM cell is selected; and a search over the selected section is performed to find an entry corresponding to the VPI/VCI of the received ATM cell. An internal ID corresponding to the found entry is outputted.