Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining characteristics of video data. A frame of video data is obtained, where the frame is represented by pixel data. A value is assigned to an element of a detection array based on pixel data in a portion of the video frame corresponding to the element. A frequency transform of values of the detection array is determined, and a characteristic of the video data is extracted based on the output of the frequency transform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for image visual effect improvement of video encoding and decoding. The method at an encoder comprises enhancement process of image boundary information, adaptive brightness transformation process, and adaptive enhancement process of chrominance information. The method at a decoder comprises adaptive enhancement of boundary information based on the block statistical characteristic, adaptive brightness transformation process, and adaptive enhancement process of the chrominance information.

Abstract: During encoding, blank frames may be substituted for text images in video content, encoding the blank frames instead of the text images. The text images may be any kind of text images such as opening credits, ending credits, and so on. The selection of text images to substitute may be performed by optical character recognition, user selection and so on. The text associated with the text images may be embedded in the encoded video. If the text is already embedded, an indicator of the location may be added. If not, the text may be derived from the text image using optical character recognition and then embedded. When decoded, the encoded video may be analyzed to determine whether blank frames were substituted for text images. Embedded text associated with the text images may then be located, obtained, and added to the decoded video. Thus, the original text images are essentially reconstructed.

Abstract: Included are: a prefilter (101) for outputting, based on filter characteristics control data, predetermined frequency components in an input video signal as current image data; encoding means (116) for subjecting the current image data to an encoding process, and outputting encoding parameters together with a bit stream corresponding to current image data as a result of the encoding process; and filter control means (117) for outputting the filter characteristics control data that is set based only on one or two of the encoding parameters.

Abstract: A system and method of removing noise in a bitstream is disclosed. The system and method are most applicable to removing noise in a bitstream wherein the bitstream is encoded after being segmented into portions based on predefined classifications or models. Based on the segment classifications, each segment or portion is encoded with a different encoder associated with the portion model and chosen from a plurality of encoders. The coded bit-stream for each segment includes information regarding which encoder was used to encode that segment. A circuit for removing noise in video content comprises a first filter connected to a first input switch and a first output switch, the first filter being in parallel with a first pass-through line, a second filter connected to a second input switch and a second output switch, the second filter connected in parallel with a second pass-through line, and a third filter connected to a third input switch in a third output switch.

Abstract: A method for use in video compression is disclosed. In particular, the claimed invention relates to a method of more efficient fractional-pixel interpolation in two steps by a fixed filter (240) and an adaptive filter (250) for fractional-pixel motion compensation.

Abstract: A moving picture coding apparatus includes an inter-pixel filter having filters for filtering decoded image data so as to remove block distortion which is high frequency noise around block boundaries. The inter-pixel filter includes filters having different filtering strengths. The coding apparatus also includes a filter processing control unit for determining a filtering strength of the inter-pixel filter.

Abstract: In a method for generating a compensation signal for the compensation of at least one RFI interference signal that, in a DMT transmission, is permanently superposed on a received DMT reception signal being divided into a multiplicity of channels at least one reference channel from the multiplicity of channels is provided. The multiplicity of channels comprise a first portion provided as data channels for the data transmission and a second portion which is an observation region unused for the data transmission. Channel-specific coefficients for at least one of the data channels to be compensated are provided. The channel-specific coefficients specify a correlation of the RFI interference signal being superposed on the respective data channel in respect of the reference channel. A compensation signal is generated by weighting and summing the received DMT reception signals with the channel-specific coefficients per DMT frame and for each data channel to be compensated.

Abstract: Implementations are provided that relate, for example, to view tiling in video encoding and decoding. A particular implementation accesses a video picture that includes multiple pictures combined into a single picture, and accesses additional information indicating how the multiple pictures in the accessed video picture are combined. The accessed information includes spatial interleaving information and sampling information. Another implementation encodes a video picture that includes multiple pictures combined into a single picture, and generates information indicating how the multiple pictures in the accessed video picture are combined. The generated information includes spatial interleaving information and sampling information. A bitstream is formed that includes the encoded video picture and the generated information. Another implementation provides a data structure for transmitting the generated information.

Abstract: The system described herein is a unified approach to three-dimensional filtering for the reduction of video noise. The technique is based on weight averaging pixels of the filter's output value in a three-dimensional neighborhood, in space and time, of the filter's output value. The weights can be computed for individual factors, such as distance, regional differences, etc., or can be combined into a weight that is indicative of all individual weights.

Abstract: A deblocking filter includes a controller, an edge filter module, a first multiplexer module, a plurality of buffers, and a second multiplexer module. The controller controls the deblocking filter to filter edges between decoded blocks according to a plurality of deblocking strategies in order to obtain an efficiency result under a designated video standard, and determines a target deblocking strategy by reference to the efficiency result. The edge filter module filters a plurality of original pixels to generate a plurality of filtered pixels. The first multiplexer module outputs a plurality of combinations selected from the plurality of filtered pixels according to the target deblocking strategy. The plurality of buffers are used for storing the plurality of combinations, respectively. The second multiplexer module selectively outputs a designated combination of the plurality of combinations as the original pixels to be inputted into the edge filter module according to the target deblocking strategy.

Abstract: A television transmitting system includes an encoder, a data randomizing and expanding unit, a group formatter, a deinterleaver, and a packet formatter. The encoder codes enhanced data for error correction, permutes the coded data, and further codes the permuted data for error detection. The randomizing and expanding unit randomizes the error-detection-coded data and expands the randomized data. The group formatter forms a group of enhanced data having one or more data regions and inserts the expanded enhanced data into at least one of the regions. The deinterleaver deinterleaves the group of enhanced data, and the packet formatter generates enhanced data packets.

Abstract: A sample cell corresponding to a sample is computed to include pixels of an image according to sample cell criteria and shape. The sample cell shape and criteria define pixels to include in the sample cell. A target pixel cell corresponding to a target pixel includes pixels of the image according to a target pixel cell criteria defining which pixels are included in the target pixel cell. A sample filter coefficient is computed from pixels in the sample and target pixel cells. A filter tap corresponding to the target pixel is defined based on the sample filter coefficient. A tap extension corresponding to the target pixel is generated. The tap extension defines additional pixels of the image to be included in an extended target pixel cell according to a tap extension criteria. The extended target pixel cell includes pixel in the target pixel cell and the additional pixels. A tap extension filter coefficient based on pixels located in the extended target pixel cell and the sample cell is computed.

Abstract: An adaptive temporal noise reduction method that adaptively combines motion adaptive filtering results and motion compensated results to reduce Gaussian additive noise in video sequences is described herein. The system determines the motion detection and motion compensation results from the current frame and the filtered previous frame. Measurements on the video are used to determine a probabilistic measure of noise that is employed to adaptively combine the motion detection and motion compensation results.

Abstract: A method of generating an adaptive temporal filter is performed by constructing a motion vector area cell around each of a plurality of motion vectors in a target image, selecting a pixel in the target image, constructing a pixel area cell around the selected pixel, determining an overlap area between the motion vector area cells and the pixel area cell, generating filter weights from the overlap area, and using the filter weights to filter the selected pixel.

Abstract: Transmitting and receiving a layered coded video, in which a picture of a base layer and a picture of at least one enhancement layer are separately encoded, the encoded pictures of the base layer and the encoded pictures of the at least one enhancement layer are arranged on a slice basis, the arranged pictures are packetized by adding a header to the rearranged pictures, and the packets are transmitted as a bit stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for encoding and/or decoding video frame data. In one embodiment, the video coder comprises a noise filtering module to operate on transformed frame data and perform signal estimation on a plurality of transform coefficients by estimating signal power for each of the plurality of transform coefficients, comparing the signal power of said each coefficient with at least one threshold, and setting the value of said each transform coefficient based, at least in part, on results of comparing the signal power to the at least one threshold.

Abstract: This disclosure describes deblock filtering techniques in which an in-loop deblock filter of a first codec is used as a post deblock filter of a second codec. A number of techniques are also described to facilitate input parameter adjustments and allow for the effective use of the filter with both codecs. The techniques can simplify the architecture of a device that includes multiple codecs operating according to different coding standards. Specifically, the different codecs can use the same deblocking filter regardless of whether the coding standard calls for in-loop filtering or whether post filtering is used. For example, a filter designed as an in-loop deblocking filter for a codec that complies with the ITU-T H.264 coding standard can be used as a post deblocking filter for MPEG-4 video.

Abstract: Adjacent regions are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent regions are identified. Selective filtering is performed at the region between the identified adjacent regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a memory for processing moving pictures, which loads data from a frame buffer of an external memory, and uses a motion prediction technique. The method includes the steps of: loading, from the frame buffer, pixels of a relevant block of 8×8 size and extra pixel data necessary for an inter prediction while performing the inter prediction of a block of an 8×8 size following division of a macroblock, storing the pixels of the relevant block size of 8×8 and the extra pixel data in an internal cache memory. The stored pixels of the relevant block size of 8×8 and the stored extra pixel data are used; and then the stored pixels of the relevant block size of 8×8 and the stored extra pixel data stored in the cache memory are re-used during an inter prediction of the relevant block size of 8×8 and sub-blocks.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include computer-implemented mathematical methods to develop software and/or hardware implementations that use wavelet transforms (WT) to pre-process video frames that can then be compressed using a variety of codecs to produce compressed video frames. Such compressed video frames can then be transmitted, decompressed, post-processed using the post-processing methods disclosed in the invention and displayed in their original size and quality using software and/or hardware implementations of embodiments of the invention, thereby producing real-time high-quality reproduction of video sequences. Embodiments include computer devices and computer readable media to implement these methods.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a moving picture encoding method includes deriving a target filter to be used for a decoded image of a target image to be encoded. The method includes setting a correspondence relationship between target filter coefficient in the target filter and reference filter coefficient in a reference filter in accordance with tap length of the target filter and tap length of the reference filter. The method includes deriving coefficient difference between the target filter coefficient and the reference filter coefficient in accordance with the correspondence relationship. The method includes encoding target filter information including the tap length of the target filter and the coefficient difference.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a reconfigurable pattern filtering engine may include assembling a hardware filter from a plurality of minimum length hardware filters. A length of the assembled hardware filter may vary in multiples of a length of one of the minimum length hardware filters. The assembled hardware filter and the minimum length hardware filters may be integrated within a single chip. Specific messages in the data stream may be filtered using the assembled hardware filter. The assembled hardware filter may use at least one filter coefficient, an inclusion mask, and an exclusion mask to filter messages. At least a portion of the filtered messages may be stored in memory via direct memory access transfers.

Abstract: A method for implementing B-frame prediction in video compression comprising the steps of (A) setting a prediction flag (i) “off” if B-frames are used for block prediction and (ii) “on” if B-frames are not used for block prediction, (B) if the prediction flag is off, generating an output video signal in response to an input video signal by performing an inverse quantization step and an inverse transform step in accordance with a predefined coding specification and (C) if the prediction flag is on, bypassing the inverse quantization step and the inverse transform step.

Abstract: This disclosure describes adaptive filtering techniques to improve the quality of captured imagery, such as video or still images. In particular, this disclosure describes adaptive filtering techniques that filter each pixel as a function of a set of surrounding pixels. An adaptive image filter may compare image information associated with a pixel of interest to image information associated with a set of surrounding pixels by, for example, computing differences between the image formation associated with the pixel of interest and each of the surrounding pixels of the set. The computed differences can be used in a variety of ways to filter image information of the pixel of interest. In some embodiments, for example, the adaptive image filter may include both a low pass component and high pass component that adjust as a function of the computed differences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for filtering noise internally within a video encoding framework. In various embodiments of the invention, an in-loop noise filter is integrated within an encoding device or framework that reduces noise along a motion trajectory within a digital video signal. This integration of in-loop noise reduction allows both noise filtering parameters and encoding parameters to be more easily related and adjusted. The in-loop noise filter leverages characteristics of digital video encoding processes to reduce noise on a video signal and improve encoding efficiencies of a codec.

Abstract: A method for determining values of motion vectors includes receiving an irregular pattern of motion vectors for a target image, estimating an initial value for each of the motion vectors, using the motion vectors to generate a tap structure for an adaptive temporal prediction filter, and using the tap structure to re-estimate the value of each motion vector.

Abstract: A motion image distribution system includes a server and a use terminal. The server generates a feature quantity table CHT1 representing a data structure of motion image encoded data VDE, and authenticates the motion image encoded data VDE by using the generated feature quantity table CHT1. Then, the server transmits the motion image encoded data VDE and the feature quantity table CHT1 to the user terminal. The user terminal generates a feature quantity table CHT2 representing a data structure of the received motion image encoded data VDE, and authenticates received motion image encoded data VDE by using the generated feature quantity table CHT2. Then, the user terminal plays back the motion image encoded data VDE and outputs motion image playback information.

Abstract: A method of filtering to remove coding artifacts introduced at block edges in a block-based video coder, the method having the steps of: checking the content activity on every line of samples belonging to a boundary to be filtered and where content activity is based on a set of adaptively selected thresholds determined using Variable-Shift Table Indexing (VSTI); determining whether the filtering process will modify the sample values on that particular line based on said content activity; and selecting a filtering mode between at least two filtering modes to apply on a block boundary basis, implying that there would be no switching between the two primary modes on a line by line basis along a given block boundary. The two filtering modes include a default mode based on a non-recursive filter, and a strong filtering mode which features two strong filtering sub-modes and a new selection criterion that is one-sided with respect to the block boundary to determine which of the two strong filtering sub-modes to use.

Abstract: This invention provides a decoding apparatus including an intensity setting unit that sets a modification intensity based on modified image information and a modification unit that modifies decoded image information with an intensity set by the intensity setting unit.

Abstract: A method for detecting a temporally oscillating source in digital video signals includes: using an imaging device to capture a sequence of input images of a scene; generating digital video signals from the sequence of input images; and processing the digital video signals using a recursive Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter technique based on a differentiated version of Goertzel's Algorithm to detect a temporally oscillating source in the digital video signals. In various embodiments, the method also includes generating a visual display of the scene including one or more graphical elements at least one of which pertains to a detected temporally oscillating source.

Abstract: Provided are a program, a method, and an apparatus for decoding coded data, capable of completely restoring an original stream when decoded data is coded again by causing a computer to function as: means for receiving an input of a signal coded by lossy compression and orthogonally projecting an optional real number vector on one convex aggregate X in a first vector space in which the decoded signal is present; means for judging convergence of convex projection and obtaining a real number vector x belonging to the aggregate X to output the same as a decoded signal when the convergence of the convex projection is judged; and means for orthogonally projecting an optional vector of the first vector space on one convex aggregate Y in a second vector space different from the first vector space when the convergence of the convex projection is not judged, and then repeating orthogonal projection on the aggregate X and the aggregate Y with the coded signal set as an initial value.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus which includes first filters assigned first numbers different from each other and which detect packets having a previously specified identifiers. The apparatus includes information registers disposed in correspondence with the first filters and which store a predetermined number of bits, and includes a condition storage portion that stores second numbers different from each other and section conditions associated with the second numbers. The apparatus includes a determination portion that determines a number range specifying a part of the second numbers for each first filter as not overlapping each other based on the first numbers of each first filter and selects a second number from each number range per first filter based on values of bits in each information register, and a second filter that checks whether the packet detected by each first filter satisfies the section condition associated with the second number determined for each first filter.

Abstract: A method comprises determining whether a received signal is a first type or second type. The first type of the received signal is low pass filtered. The second type of the received signal is high pass filtered. In one example, the first type of signal is a MoCA signal and the second type of signal is a cable signal. Also, a system includes a reconfigurable filter, a signal determining device, and a control device. The signal determining device is configured to determine if an input signal is a cable signal or a MoCA signal. The control device is configured to arrange the reconfigurable filter as a high pass filter if the input signal is a cable signal and to arrange the reconfigurable filter as a low pass filter if the input signal is a MoCA signal.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a method, apparatus and system for processing images using block based compression. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining whether two blocks are neighboring blocks, determining whether the two neighboring blocks are both subdivided, if the two blocks are neighboring blocks; performing deblocking filtering on one or more edge pixels of the two neighboring blocks, if it is determined that both of the two neighboring blocks are not subdivided.

Abstract: A calculation is made as to first and second differences in level represented by an input video signal at first and second inter-block boundaries adjoining opposite edges of every rectangular block respectively. A corrective value at every pixel in the rectangular block is calculated from a position of the pixel and the first and second differences according to a predetermined equation. The corrective value is added to a level represented by the input video signal to get an output video signal. The predetermined equation is designed so that levels represented by the output video signal at respective pixels in the rectangular block will be on a line given by a predetermined function of pixel position and connecting a first point in a range corresponding to the first difference and a second point in a range corresponding to the second difference.

Abstract: A motion-compensated image signal interpolation unit (200) for generating an interpolated image being located at a first predetermined temporal distance (a) from the first image and being located at a second predetermined temporal distance (1?a) from the second image is disclosed.

Abstract: A video decoder is connected with a block distortion detector for specifying the boundary of blocks where block boundary occurs, using decoded image data and information of motion vectors, which are supplied from the video decoder; and a block distortion remover for subjecting pixels in the vicinity of the block boundary of the decoded image to filtering on the basis of the result of detection from the block distortion detector, thereby removing the block distortion. Therefore, block distortion is accurately detected when a compressed and coded image is decoded, and the detected block distortion is removed while minimizing the blurriness of the image.

Abstract: A first filtering module filters actual pixel values in a first direction (e.g., vertically), and a second filtering module filters interpolated pixel values received from the first filtering module in a second direction (e.g., horizontally). Also, a third filtering module filters actual pixels in the second direction. A computation module is coupled to the first, second and, third filtering modules. The computation module generates quarter-sample interpolated pixel values. These values are based on combinations of pixel values selected from actual pixel values and interpolated pixel values received from the first, second and, third filtering modules.

Abstract: A picture coding apparatus (300) is a picture coding apparatus that codes a difference between picture data (Img) representing an input picture and predictive picture data (Pred) representing a predictive picture for the input picture and generates coded picture data, and includes a picture decoding unit (104) for decoding coded picture data (Img) after the picture data (Img) is coded; inter pixel filters A and B (303 and 304) for performing inter pixel filter operation for decoded picture data (Recon) obtained by the picture decoding unit (104); switches (301 and 302) for selecting one of the inter pixel filters; and an inter picture predicting unit (108) for generating the predictive picture data (Pred) for the input picture data (Img) using filtered decoded picture data (FilteredImg1), as reference picture data (Ref), obtained by the selected inter pixel filter.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for adjusting certain pixel values in an image. In an embodiment of the invention, an average pixel value of pixels at given distances from a selected pixel are examined to determine if the pixel is in a high-contrast area. If the pixel is in a smooth color gradient transition area, the pixel value may be adjusted in some embodiments using an additional dither or dither pattern to reduce differences between the pixel values of the selected pixel and the additional average pixel values exceeding the lower threshold.

Abstract: The present invention involves detecting dark noise artifacts in coded images and video. Locations of artifacts in compressed pictures are found. A strength of the artifact per block is determined as is an overall dark noise artifact strength for each picture. Artifact detection and strength assignment is performed by analyzing candidate areas that could be prone to this type of artifact. Multiple features such as block variance, color information, luminance levels and location of the artifact could be used in this process. Also, median filtering may be used on the identified areas to eliminate isolated areas. A final artifact parameter for each picture can be assessed based on the total number of blocks that are classified as dark noise and also the strength of each macroblock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting banding artifacts in digital images and video contents. The method operates to (i) find the locations of the banding artifacts, (ii) determine the strength of the banding artifact per block, and (iii) determine overall banding artifact strength per picture. The banding artifact detection and strength assignment is done by first finding areas that are prone to banding artifact and then considering the local characteristics of the area to reduce the false detection. The banding artifact strength of a picture is determined by considering the size and the strength of the artifact areas in this picture as well as the artifact strength in the neighboring pictures.

Abstract: A motion detecting method and a motion detector are provided. The motion detecting method includes the following steps. When the type of the current macro block (MB) is intra-type (I-type) or predictively-coded type (P-type), a first procedure or a second procedure is performed. The first procedure includes setting the active flag of the current MB according to the type of the previous MB. The second procedure includes setting the active flag of the current MB according to the motion vectors of the previous MB and the current MB. The present invention is capable of reducing the probability of erroneous motion judgments.

Abstract: Presented herein are inverse quantization and transform system(s) and method(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for deblocking. The method comprises reconstructing a macroblock, said macroblock comprising four blocks; and completing deblocking of a first one of the four blocks, with blocks from three neighboring blocks.

Abstract: The invention is related to decoding of block wise coded video pictures. The determination of using de-blocking filtering between coded blocks is based on alternative characteristics compared to the characteristics used in H.264/AVC.

Abstract: A video encoder sends at least some information regarding boundary strength to the decoder along with the bitstream of encoded video. The decoder is configured to use the received boundary strength information from the encoder to reduce the number of computations necessary for the decoder to determine the boundary strength details required for performing deblocking when decoding the bitstream.

Abstract: A picture coding apparatus (300) is a picture coding apparatus that codes a difference between picture data (Img) representing an input picture and predictive picture data (Pred) representing a predictive picture for the input picture and generates coded picture data, and includes a picture decoding unit (104) for decoding coded picture data (Img) after the picture data (Img) is coded; inter pixel filters A and B (303 and 304) for performing inter pixel filter operation for decoded picture data (Recon) obtained by the picture decoding unit (104); switches (301 and 302) for selecting one of the inter pixel filters; and an inter picture predicting unit (108) for generating the predictive picture data (Pred) for the input picture data (Img) using filtered decoded picture data (FilteredImg1), as reference picture data (Ref), obtained by the selected inter pixel filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering a compressed image for an image processing technique and an apparatus therefor. In the present invention, a cost function is defined in consideration with a directional characteristic of the pixels which will be recovered and a plurality of pixels of the recovering pixels. In addition, a regularization parameter variable having a certain weight is obtained from the cost function, and the regularization parameter variable is approximated using the compressed pixel for thereby obtaining a recovering pixel. The regularization parameter variable has a weight of a reliability with respect to the original image and a weight of a smoothing degree of the original image. In the methods and apparatuses for filtering, a filtering method is selected from filtering methods having different filtering strengths based on whether a pixel being filleted is in an intra-coded portion of an image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering a compressed image for an image processing technique and an apparatus therefor. In the present invention, a cost function is defined in consideration with a directional characteristic of the pixels which will be recovered and a plurality of pixels of the recovering pixels. In addition, a regularization parameter variable having a certain weight is obtained from the cost function, and the regularization parameter variable is approximated using the compressed pixel for thereby obtaining a recovering pixel. The regularization parameter variable has a weight of a reliability with respect to the original image and a weight of a smoothing degree of the original image. In the method, a pixel of an image is filtered using a filtering methodology that adjusts a degree of filtering based on a difference value. The difference value may be based on the pixel being filtered and a neighboring pixel.