Abstract: A video sequence including images in the form of digital samples is encoded by: subsampling the video sequence to produce: a number N of multiple descriptions of the video sequence, each multiple description including 1/N samples of the video sequence, and a subsampled version of the sequence, the subsampled version having a resolution lower or equal to the resolution of the N multiple descriptions. The N multiple descriptions and the subsampled version are subjected to scalable video coding (SVC) to produce an SVC encoded signal having a base layer and N enhancement layers predicted from said base layer. The subsampled version of the sequence and the N multiple descriptions of the video sequence constitute the base layer and the enhancement layers, respectively, of the SVC encoded signal.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for transforming and inverse-transforming an image. The method of transforming an image includes: generating a substituted N×N transformation matrix by substituting elements of an N×N transformation matrix used for a 1-dimensional (1D) discrete cosine transform (DCT) of a N×N block of the image with values based on N variables, where N is an integer; obtaining a multiplication matrix of the substituted N×N transformation matrix and a transposed matrix of the substituted N×N transformation matrix; obtaining the N variables that enable a sum of squares of elements excluding diagonal components of the obtained multiplication matrix to be a minimum; and transforming the N×N block by using the substituted N×N transformation matrix, which is substituted with the values based on the obtained N variables.

Abstract: First image data at a lower sampling frequency is up-sampled in a sampling ratio N:M to a higher sampling frequency in an up-sampling filter; and, second image data at the said higher sampling frequency is down-sampled in a sampling ratio M:N to the said lower sampling frequency in a down-sampling filter where the combination of the up-sampling filter and the down-sampling filter is substantially transparent and every filtered sample is formed from a weighted sum of at least two input samples.

Abstract: This invention calculates motion vectors during video encoding for sub-sampled data using a hierarchical search. The motion vector calculation employs a prior original frame as the reference frame rather than a reconstructed frame according to the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention a method of transmitting video information over a communication link made of several transmission paths between wireless transmitting and receiving stations. The method comprises, in the wireless transmitting station, obtaining an uncompressed video frame made of an array of pixel blocks, a pixel in the pixel blocks being represented by base pixel information and enhancement pixel information; generating at least one set of complementary pixel blocks from a given pixel block of the obtained uncompressed video frame, by applying different operations to said given pixel block for dropping different enhancement pixel information from that pixel block, so that the complementary pixel blocks comprise different enhancement pixel information and each comprises the base pixel information; and for each set, transmitting the complementary pixel blocks over respective different transmission paths to the wireless receiving station.

Abstract: Methods for post-processing of non-key frames of an image are described. According to the methods, reconstructed non-key frames are updated with information of neighboring key frames. Methods to evaluate whether to update or not update the non-key frames are also described.

Abstract: A scalable video bitstream may have an H.264/AVC compatible base layer and a scalable enhancement layer, where scalability refers to color bit depth. The H.264/AVC scalability extension SVC provides also other types of scalability, e.g. spatial scalability where the number of pixels in BL and EL are different. According to the invention, BL information is upsampled in two logical steps, one being texture upsampling and the other being bit depth upsampling. Texture upsampling is a process that increases the number of pixels, and bit depth upsampling is a process that increases the number of values that each pixel can have, corresponding to the pixels color intensity. The upsampled BL data are used to predict the collocated EL. The BL information is upsampled at the encoder side and in the same manner at the decoder side, wherein the upsampling refers to spatial and bit depth characteristics.

Abstract: Methods, medium, and machines which compress, enhance, encode, transmit, decode, decompress and display digital video images. Real time compression is achieved by sub-sampling each frame of a video signal, filtering the pixel values, and encoding. Real time transmission is achieved due to high levels of effective compression. Real time decompression is achieved by decoding and decompressing the encoded data to display high quality images. A receiver can alter various setting including, but not limited to, the format for the compression, image size, frame rate, brightness and contrast. In a Doppler improvement aspect of the invention, Doppler velocity scales are incorporated into grayscale compression methods using two bits. Variable formats may be selected and Doppler encoding can be turned on and off based on the image content.

Abstract: Techniques are described related to performing random access starting from a random access point picture that is not an instantaneous decoder refresh picture. Some techniques are also related to reducing the amount of information that is signaled for long-term reference pictures of a reference picture set. Additional techniques are also related to decoded picture buffer management, such as removing decoded pictures based on a temporal identification value.

Abstract: A method for generating for at least one block of pixels of a picture of a sequence of interlaced pictures at least one motion predictor and at least one texture predictor from motion data, respectively texture data, associated with the pictures of a sequence of low resolution progressive pictures is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of compressing a video signal can include the steps of: receiving a video signal, the video signal including frames; analyzing, for each frame, the video signal on a macroblock-by-macroblock level; determining whether to downsample a macroblock residual for each of the macroblocks; selectively downsampling a macroblock residual for some of the macroblocks; and coding the macroblocks. A system and method of decompressing a video signal can include the steps of receiving a compressed video signal, the video signal including frames; analyzing, for each frame, the video signal on a macroblock-by-macroblock level; determining whether to upsample a macroblock residual for each of the macroblocks; selectively upsampling a macroblock residual for some of the macroblocks; and decoding the macroblocks.

Abstract: A video signal can be decoded at a reduced resolution by receiving a video signal encoded at a first resolution; determining a second resolution at which the received video signal is to be decoded, wherein the second resolution is lower than the first resolution; and decoding the received video signal at the second resolution. The second resolution can be selected from a plurality of predetermined decoding resolutions. Further, the second resolution can be selected in response to an input received from a user. Decoding of the received video signal can include scaling one or more reference pictures by a first scaling factor and scaling one or more non-reference pictures by a second scaling factor. Additionally, scaling can comprise transforming a first portion of frequency coefficients associated with a block of picture information and discarding a second portion of frequency coefficients associated with the block of picture information.

Abstract: Various approaches for motion search refinement in a processing element are discussed. A k/2+L+k/2 register stores an expanded row of an L×L macro block. A k-tap filter horizontally interpolates over the expanded row generating horizontal interpolation, results. A transpose storage unit stores the interpolated results generated by the k-tap filter for k/2+L+k/2 entries, wherein rows or columns of data may be read out of the transpose storage unit in pipelined register stages. A k-tap filter vertically interpolates over the pipelined register stages generating vertical interpolation results.

Abstract: Coding schemes for coding a spatially sampled information signal using sub-division and coding schemes for coding a sub-division or a multitree structure are described, wherein representative embodiments relate to picture and/or video coding applications.

Abstract: An optimal denoising method for video coding. This method makes use of very few pixels and linear operations, and can be embedded into the motion compensation process of video encoders. This method is simple and flexible, yet offers high performance and produces appealing pictures.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing is provided. A receiving system may include a signal receiving unit, a first data processor, a second data processor, and an audio/video decoder. The signal receiving unit receives at least first mobile service data transmitted according to a first transmission made and second mobile service data transmitted according to a second transmission mode. The first data processor corrects errors generated in the first mobile service data by performing demodulation according to a first demodulation mode and cyclic redundancy check decoding and RS decoding. The second data processor corrects errors generated in the second mobile service data by performing demodulation according to a second demodulation mode and performing CRC decoding and RS decoding. The A/V decoder can perform A/V decoding for the mobile service data output from the first data processor and the second data processor.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method are provided for selecting one of several alternate input streams for transmission, the method including determining bandwidth requirements for each of the alternate input streams, measuring bandwidth currently available for transmission, and selecting for transmission one of the alternate input streams that has the highest determined bandwidth requirement less than or equal to the measured bandwidth currently available for transmission.

Abstract: A system and a method reformat digital broadcast multimedia for a mobile device. The system and the method reformat and/or repackage audiovisual content into a format that may be rendered on the mobile device without the need for additional custom software on the mobile device. The system and the method reformat incoming mobile broadcast audiovisual content into 3GPP Progressive Download format in real time while simultaneously delivering a resulting 3GPP Progressive Download file to the mobile device for rendering.

Abstract: Signal processing techniques are applied to digital image data to remove the distortion caused by motion of the camera, or the movement of the subject being photographed, or defective optics, or optical distortion from other sources. When the image is captured, the effect of relative motion between the camera and the subject is that it transforms the true image into a blurred image according to a 2-dimensional transfer function. The 2-dimensional transfer function representing the motion is derived using blind estimation techniques or by using information from sensors that detect the motion. The transfer function is inverted and used to define a corrective filter. The filter is applied to the image and the blur due to the motion is removed, restoring the correct image. Another embodiment uses the transfer function to avoid blur by combining multiple consecutive images taken at a fast shutter speed.

Abstract: A method and system of hierarchical motion estimation include a reference frame and a current frame being downsampled, and the downsampled reference frame being stored. A coarse motion vector (MV) map is generated according to the downsampled reference frame and the downsampled current frame. Scan lines adjacent to a center scan line corresponding to a downsampled scan line in the downsampled reference frame are retrieved and then stored. A refined MV map is generated according to the coarse MV map, the current frame and the stored scan lines adjacent to the center scan line.

Abstract: A data conversion apparatus which converts data including a K pixel amount of bit data expressed as N bits/1 pixel, where N and K are plural, using conversion data of predetermined bits comprising: a holding unit configured to hold input data in K×N bits; an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the conversion data a number of bit patterns corresponding to a decimal value expressed by N bits among a conversion target to convert the input data held by the holding unit by N-bit units; a storage unit configured to store a pattern of N bits corresponding to a decimal value obtained from a bit pattern acquired by the acquisition unit in a bit position of the conversion target; and an updating unit configured to update the bit position of the conversion target each time the acquisition unit and the storage unit perform processing.

Abstract: A remote resource access interface apparatus is provided. A key input unit has keys for generating input key values. A communication unit transmits a connection establishment request message including screen resolution information to, and receives a connection establishment response message including supportable key information from, a portable device. The communication unit transmits input key information to and receives video information from the portable device after establishing the connection. A pixel information processing unit converts the video information to pixel signals for a video output unit to display as a visual image. A key advisor unit extracts supportable key information from the response message and outputs the supportable key information to the video output unit. The video information is video data adjusted in resolution based on the screen resolution information, and the input key value is mapped to one of key values indicated by the key information of the portable device.

Abstract: A dyadic spatial down sampling filter having tap values configured according to a Kaiser window function a beta factor of approximately 2.5, having approximately 1.5 side lobes, and having a down sampling ratio of approximately 1.9. The dyadic spatial down sampling filter may have tap values [?1, 17, 32, 17, ?1]/64. A dyadic spatial up sampling filter having tap values configured according to a Kaiser window function having a beta factor of approximately 1.5, having approximately 2 side lobes, and having an up sampling ratio of approximately 2. The dyadic spatial up sampling filter may have tap values [?5.44, 0, 20.71, 33.46, 20.71, 0, ?5.44]/64.0, or tap values [?5, 0, 21, 32, 21, 0, ?5]/64, or tap values [?5, 21, 21, ?5]/32.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for reducing the required throughput in an ultra-wideband system is provided. A temporal sub-sampling routine limits the number of frames, or portions thereof, to be transmitted to a sink over an RF link. The temporal sub-sampling routine may have a fixed, or static, sub-sampling rate that specifies the rate at which frames are discarded. In accordance with another embodiment, an automatic temporal sub-sampling mechanism is provided. Additionally, a tile copying mechanism may be implemented for reducing the throughput of the RF link. A WDV subsystem may include an interface to an external frame buffer that facilitates the temporal sub-sampling and tile copy routines disclosed herein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus and method for an angular-directed spatial deinterlacer are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating a cost measure for each of multiple angle candidates for a target pixel block to be deinterlaced in a spatial-only domain, determining a horizontal angle measure for the target pixel block, establishing a global minimum angle from the multiple angle candidates by determining the lowest cost measure from the multiple angle candidates, establishing a local minimum angle from the multiple angle candidates by sifting through the angle candidates in a hierarchical manner, and filtering the global minimum angle and the local minimum angle to create a value for interpolating the target pixel block for deinterlacing. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of communicating individual packets i of K bits includes permutation mapping of the packets, with each permuted packet being denoted by ?n(i), wherein ?n is a permutation on K letters that is unique for each packet transmission. Each permuted packet ?n(i) is modulated to provide a complex vector x(?n(i)) for each packet. The packets are transmitted over a AWGN channel so each individual packet i is received as a variable of the vector x(?n(i)) in a complex vector yn=x(?n(i))+vn, wherein n represents the sequential number of the transmission attempt for a particular packet and vn represents noise. This method enables the packets to be transmitted while using an improved ARQ routine that includes soft-combining decisions and a constant constellation with a constellation complexity greater than two bits/symbol to thereby significantly improve ARQ-routine performance over the current state of the art.

Abstract: Methods, medium, and handheld, wireless devices which compress, enhance, encode, transmit, decompress and display digital video images in real time. Real time wireless videoconferences connect multiple handheld video devices. Real time compression is achieved by sub-sampling each frame of a video signal, filtering the pixel values, and encoding. Real time transmission is achieved due to high levels of effective compression. Real time decompression is achieved by decoding and decompressing the encoded data to display high quality images. A receiver can alter various setting including but not limited to the format for the compression, image size, frame rate, brightness and contrast. A zoom control can be used select a portion of interest of video being transmitted or being played back.

Abstract: A method for adaptive frame averaging includes dividing a current frame image into a plurality of sub-blocks; obtaining a characteristic for each of the plurality of sub-blocks to obtain a characteristic image of the current frame image; determining a frame averaging coefficient for each of the plurality of sub-blocks based on the characteristic image of the current frame image and a characteristic image of a previous frame image; and frame-averaging a resultant frame-averaged image of the previous frame image and the current frame image by using the frame averaging coefficient of each of the plurality of sub-blocks to obtain a resultant frame-averaged image of the current frame image.

Abstract: Provided is a motion compensating apparatus that efficiently generates a motion-compensated pixel by reducing the amount of data to be transmitted from a multi frame memory storing reference pixel data, while minimizing an increase in the scale of a circuit.

Abstract: A single compression engine transmits first and second discrete cosine transform (DCT)-encoded signals. The first DCT-encoded signal uses at most t coefficient bits to represent each of a plurality of DCT coefficients. The second DCT-encoded signal uses at most u coefficient bits, where u is less than t, to represent each of the plurality of DCT coefficients.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus (500) for generating a second compressed video stream (550) having a second resolution, from a first compressed video stream (540) having a first resolution. The apparatus comprises means (513) for extracting transform domain luma data and spatial domain chroma data from the first compressed video stream (540), means (514-516) for applying a transform domain operation to the luma data to form reconstructed transform domain luma data, means (518, 519, 560) for applying a spatial domain operation to the chroma data to form reconstructed spatial domain chroma data, and means for scaling the reconstructed transform domain luma data and reconstructed spatial domain chroma data to generate the second compressed video stream.

Abstract: Sub-band video coding architecture for packet based transmission. Video processing includes converting of a frame or picture of a video signal into a number of respective sub-bands or sub-frames (e.g., such that each respective one is a respective subsampled version of an original frame or picture) and subsequent assembly thereof into a reconstructed frame or picture. The reconstructed frame or picture then undergoes video encoding to generate an output bitstream that may subsequently undergo appropriate processing (e.g., packetization, continuous time signal generation, etc.) to generate a signal for transmission via one or more communication the links. Characteristics associated with each respective sub-band or sub-frame may be similar (e.g., similar characteristics) or different (e.g., two or more sub-bands or sub-frames have different characteristics, such as different respective number of pixels, aspect ratios, etc.). Respective sub-frames may undergo video encoding and transmission.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for adjusting quality and bit rate of multiple chunks of media delivered over a network are described. For example, each of the multiple chunks is encoded as multiple layers (e.g., a base layer and multiple embedded residual layers) for fine-grained scalability at different rate/quality points. A server stores the encoded data for the layers of chunks as well as curve information that parameterizes rate-distortion curves for the chunks. The server sends the curve information to a client. For the multiple chunks, the client uses the curve information to determine rate-distortion preferences for the respective chunks, then sends feedback indicating the rate-distortion preferences to the server. For each of the multiple chunks, the server, based at least in part upon the feedback, selects one or more scalable layers of the chunk to deliver to the client.

Abstract: A method and system for low-latency processing of intra-frame video pixel block prediction including: predicting a pixel block based on boundary pixels of left and upper neighbor blocks of said pixel block; subtracting said predicted pixel block from a source pixel block to generate a prediction error; forward transforming and quantizing said prediction error to generate a residual data; inverse transforming and quantizing said residual data; adding said predicted pixel block to said inverse transformed and quantized residual data to generate a reconstructed pixel block; pre-computing blocks of DC-coefficients used with luma and chroma intra prediction modes; pre-computing mode selection of a best prediction mode of said luma and chroma intra prediction modes; and outputting said residual data to be used in entropy or arithmetic coding, and a reconstructed data used for motion prediction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for encapsulating a plurality of data substreams encoded in a bit stream, wherein the encoded data substream is obtained by entropy encoding of a symbol subsequence representing an image or a series of images. The method includes grouping data substreams into substream pairs according to an iterative traversal order predetermined from the plurality of substreams, and on the basis of a pair of the substreams, obtaining a symmetrical pair by reversing a data order making up the second substream of the pair. The obtained pairs are then concatenated within a sequence. The binary stream is created by encapsulating the sequence and information related to a number of substreams and related to the sizes of pairs of symmetrical substreams.

Abstract: A method of processing an interleaved video including a plurality of fields includes receiving a top field and a bottom field successively; selecting one of the top field and the bottom field as a selected field; and generating an interpolated field for replacing an unselected field of the top field and the bottom field, wherein a field motion between the selected field and the interpolated field is less than a field motion between the top field and the bottom field.

Abstract: A plurality of initial decimation filters are concatenated into an initial combined decimation filter. The initial decimation filters are assigned to a plurality of classes which associate the initial decimation filters with regions of an image to be predicted. An input signal is generated from the initial combined decimation filter and is weighted with a plurality of prediction filters. A correlation matrix and an observation vector are generated for the initial combined decimation filter from the input signal. An optimized combined decimation filter is extracted from the correlation matrix and observation vector. The optimized filter comprises a plurality of optimized decimation filters. The optimized combined decimation filter is de-concatenated into the plurality of optimized decimation filters.

Abstract: A combing artifacts detection apparatus includes a feature-value calculating unit that calculates a feature value from an input image; a film-mode detecting unit that detects a film mode by using the feature value; and a pixel-difference calculating unit that calculates a pixel difference between fields by using 2:3 pulldown sequence detection information and input-image combination information that are results of the film mode detection. The apparatus also includes a luminance-variation determining unit that determines luminance variation based on a calculation result of the pixel-difference calculating unit; a combing artifacts-candidate detecting unit that detects a combing artifacts candidate per line based on a determination result of the luminance-variation determining unit; and a combing artifacts determining unit that determines whether a combing artifacts occurs for each image based on a detection result of the combing artifacts-candidate detecting unit.

Abstract: A method and system for communication uncompressed video over a wireless communication medium is provided. Pixels in an uncompressed video frame are grouped into groups of pixels for wireless transmission from a transmitter to a receiver, wherein the neighboring pixels in each group possess (have) high spatial correlation. Upon receiving the pixel groups, the receiving station reconstructs the video frame from the received pixel groups, wherein upon detecting an erroneous pixel in a group, information from one or more neighboring pixels in that pixel group are used in place of the erroneous pixel. Further, FEC encoding is utilized recovering bit-errors.

Abstract: A method for implementing motion estimation comprising the steps of (A) performing a motion estimation search on one or more blocks of sub-sampled images to generate a first plurality of motion vector scores, (B) applying a first adjustable bias to any one or more of said first plurality of motion vector scores with a lowest sum of absolute differences score, (C) selecting a motion vector with a lowest adjusted score in response to applying the first adjustable bias, (D) performing a motion estimation search on one or more blocks of non-sub-sampled images to generate a second plurality of motion vector scores with the selected motion vector with the lowest adjusted score, (E) applying a second adjustable bias to any one or more of the second plurality of motion vector scores with the lowest sum of absolute differences score and (F) selecting a final motion vector for each target block position.

Abstract: A method of decoding a video signal is disclosed. The method includes decoding a bit stream of a base layer, obtaining flag information, obtaining information indicating an obtaining position of parameters. The parameters includes at least one of information on a phase shift of a chrominance signal and offset information. The method further includes obtaining the information on the phase shift of the chrominance signal based on the flag information and the information indicating the obtaining position of the parameters, and obtaining the offset information based on the flag information and the information indicating the obtaining position of the parameters. The method further includes up-sampling the picture of the base layer, and decoding a bit stream of an enhanced layer based on the reference picture up-sampled from the picture of the base layer, the information on the phase shift of the chrominance signal and the offset information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program are provided. The image processing apparatus of processing an image includes: means for acquiring a display format operable to acquire a display format which displays an image on means for displaying an image; means for acquiring a shot image signal operable to acquire a shot image signal that is an image signal from means for shooting an object; and means for converting a signal operable to convert the shot image signal in a first signal format into an image signal in a second signal format that is a signal format associated with a display format acquired at the means for acquiring a display format, based on correspondence information which associates a signal format for the image signal with a display format.

Abstract: This invention enables to generate encoded data without noticeable image quality degradation when reproducing an image at a lower resolution not to mention the original resolution. To accomplish this, when setting is done to transmit an image captured by a digital camera to a network, code stream forming information CF is set to “2” to arrange the encoded data of each tile in a resolution order. To suppress image quality degradation when reproducing at an intermediate resolution, stream conversion information SC is set to “2”. When encoding image data in compression processing, block overlap processing of suppressing discontinuity of data at the boundary between adjacent blocks is executed as many times as the count set in the stream conversion information. The obtained encoded data is arranged in accordance with the code stream forming information CF and output.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that compresses moving-picture data includes an image converter configured to decimate pixels in individual blocks that are defined by dividing moving-picture frames, the image converter being configured to generate a plurality of layer signals using different sampled pixels corresponding to representative pixels in pixel decimation; and an encoder configured to receive input of the plurality of layer signals generated by the image converter and to generate encoded data based on the layer signals.

Abstract: A method of estimating motion is disclosed. A first plurality of candidates is identified in a reference frame, wherein the total area occupied by the first plurality of candidates is substantially smaller than that of the reference frame. A first refinement search is then performed based, at least in part, on the first plurality of candidates. One or more best candidates are then identified based, at least in part, on the first refinement search. Finally, motion data is encoded based, at least in part, on the one or more best candidates.

Abstract: An image capturing and transmission device includes an image capturing module, an image processor, an image encoder, and a network transmission module. The image capturing module is used for capturing a scene of an area to be displayed and outputting image data. The image processor converts the image data according to a first and a second cutting areas and a first and a second shrink ratio values, and outputs a first and a second sub-images. The first cutting area includes the second cutting area, and the first shrink ratio value is greater than the second shrink ratio value. The image encoder encodes the first and the second sub-images according to first and second encoding information, and outputs a first and a second streaming images. The network transmission module is used for transmitting the first and the second streaming images.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a motion vector storage unit, an index value generating unit, a storage control unit, and a motion vector reading unit. The motion vector storage unit stores a motion vector in a unit block area. The index value generating unit generates the index value corresponding to a position of the unit block at upper left and upper right corners of an object block for which a prediction motion vector is to be acquired, on the basis of a size of the object block. The storage control unit copies a motion vector of an adjacent block by each of the unit block area and stores the copied motion vector. The motion vector reading unit obtains the index value indicating the unit block area on the basis of the index value. The prediction motion vector is obtained on the basis of the motion vector.

Abstract: A video receiving apparatus configured to receive packetized video data from a server includes a detecting unit configured to detect an error from the packetized video data received from the server; a determining unit configured to determine the importance of the packetized video data with the error in the case that the error is detected by the detecting unit, based on added information relating to the packetized video data; and an error processing unit configured to process the packetized video data with the error, according to the importance determined by the determining unit.

Abstract: Provided are a scalable encoding/decoding apparatus and method for the same for a moving image of more than 8 bits. The scalable moving image encoding apparatus includes a pixel value clipper clipping a pixel value of an original image to a pixel value with a predetermined pixel depth, a base layer encoder receiving the clipped image and encoding the clipped image using a predetermined encoding method based on motion prediction, a pixel value scaler receiving a base layer image generated by the base layer encoder, which is a decoded image of an encoded image, and scaling a pixel depth of the base layer image to the pixel depth of the original image, and an enhancement layer encoder subtracting the base layer image having a scaled pixel value from the original image to form an enhancement layer image and encoding the enhancement layer image using a predetermined encoding method.

Abstract: Optimizing data rates for video services on a broadband network. Different data rates can be delivered to a subscriber premises depending on the size of the display screen connected to a set-top box, the type of content being requested, or whether there is real-time viewing. Therefore, the data rate can be optimized to maximize the number of video streams that can be delivered to any one subscriber without causing a perceived reduction in video picture quality.