Abstract: An image coding apparatus calculates the activity of each macroblock. All the macroblocks of block lines are set as intra-candidate macroblocks (intra-candidate MBs) which are candidates for intra coding. Every other macroblock is set as an intra-candidate MB in block lines. One of the intra-candidate MBs in each block line, which has the minimum activity, is determined as an intra macroblock of a frame. The macroblock determined as the intra MB is changed from the intra-candidate MB to an intra-forbidden macroblock. After changing the setting of the intra-candidate MBs, intra macroblocks are determined for a frame inputted subsequent to the frame.

Abstract: A lossless image compression method for a high definition image is provided. The image compression method generates a minimum value of values produced by subtracting a current virtual pixel value from an average of neighbor pixels designated by a plurality of directions, as the prediction value of a current pixel. Thus, the image compression more efficient than the current JPEG-LS can be achieved.

Abstract: A 3D contents data encoding method includes receiving a plurality of primitive data contained in 3D contents data, and encoding each of the received primitive data in accordance with a predetermined encoding order for the primitive data.

Abstract: An array encoding system and method for use with high definition digital video data streams includes method and means for analyzing the incoming data stream, splitting the data stream in accordance with video complexity or other criteria, encoding each of the subsidiary data streams in accordance with a desired encoding standard, and combining the data streams to generate an output. The encoding system and method is particularly suited to encoding data streams to provide an output with is substantially consistent with the H.264 video communications standard. The system and method are scalable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chroma intra prediction for a current chroma block with reduced line memory requirement are disclosed. The chroma intra predictor is derived from reconstructed luma pixels of a current luma block using a model with parameters. In various embodiments according to the present invention, the derivation of the parameters relies on a reconstructed luma pixel set corresponding to neighboring reconstructed luma pixels from causal luma neighboring areas of the current luma block, wherein said causal luma neighboring areas include a first area corresponding to reconstructed luma pixels above a horizontal luma block boundary on a top side of the current luma block, and wherein the reconstructed luma pixels from the first area that are included in the reconstructed luma pixel set are from a luma pixel line immediately above the horizontal luma block boundary.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for processing motion vectors such that the resulting motion vectors better correlate with the true motion of a video frame. In one example, the techniques may include comparing a block motion vector corresponding to a video block to a sub-block motion vector corresponding to a sub-block contained within the video block. The techniques may further include selecting one of the block motion vector and the sub-block motion vector as a spatially-estimated motion vector for the sub-block based on the comparison. Motion vectors that better correlate with true motion may be useful in applications such as motion compensated frame interpolation (MCI), moving object tracking, error concealment, or other video post-processing that requires the true motion information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting reference data transfer scheme for motion estimation. The method includes computing, via the processor, hypothetical rectangle region in reference frame containing all the predicting and reference data for doing motion estimation search around the region, if the macroblock is not the first in a row, utilizing overlap with previously fetched reference data, computing overlap with previously fetched reference data, and transferring needed data, invalidating any predictor, wherein the predictor is not part of the fetched data, and regulating the motion estimation and setting the motion vector to an effective value based on the fetched and computed data.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a remote display unit that communicates with a computing system are described. The method includes accessing display update information from an update queue that stores drawing commands issued by an application executing on the computing system, caching the display update information, applying a lossy compression algorithm to the display update information to create a lossy display update, and transmitting the lossy update to the remote display. The method also includes applying a lossless compression algorithm to the display update information in the cache to create a lossless display update and transmitting the lossless display update a predetermined of time after transmitting the lossy update.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device and method enabling noise removal to be performed according to images and bit rates. A low-pass filter setting unit 93 sets, from filter coefficients stored in a built-in filter coefficient memory 94, a filter coefficient corresponding to intra prediction mode information and a quantization parameter. A neighboring image setting unit 81 uses the filter coefficient set by the low-pass filter setting unit 93 to subject neighboring pixel values of a current block from frame memory 72 to filtering processing. A prediction image generating unit 82 performs intra prediction using the neighboring pixel values subjected to filtering processing, from the neighboring image setting unit 81, and generates a prediction image. The present invention can be applied to an image encoding device which encodes with the H.264/AVC format, for example.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for image compression and decompression using sub-resolution images are disclosed. Compressing of images includes, determining a plurality of entropy code sets based upon statistically similar regions in the input image, generating one or more sub-resolution images including a first sub-resolution image comprising the plurality of entropy code sets, encoding the input image using the generated one or more sub-resolution images to control one or more compression parameters including an entropy code, and outputting the encoded input image and the generated one or more sub-resolution images as a compressed entropy coded image file.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a multi-view image are provided. The method of encoding a multi-view image includes determining whether each of pictures included in multi-view image sequences is a reference picture referred to by other pictures included in the multi-view image sequences for inter-view prediction, and encoding the pictures using at least one of inter-view prediction and temporal prediction based on the determination result, thereby efficiently encoding and decoding the multi-view image at high speed.

Abstract: A video encoding method and apparatus are provided. The video encoding method includes determining whether a current block includes an affine-transformation object having an affine transformation; if the current block includes an affine-transformation object, generating a prediction block by performing affine transformation-based motion compensation on the current block in consideration of an affine transformation of the affine-transformation object; and if the current block does not include any affine-transformation object, generating a prediction block by performing motion vector-based motion compensation on the current block using a motion vector of the current block. Therefore, it is possible to achieve high video encoding/decoding efficiency even when a block to be encoded or decoded includes an affine transformation.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and method for decoding an encoded bitstream to generate a video signal are taught. A decoder receives the bitstream and decodes a portion thereof to obtain at least a portion of a predictive reference frame. The reference frame is generated by, for example, selecting a filter set including a target frame with a block having a plurality of pixels and at least one adjacent frame, determining a coding mode associated with the block, determining a block-specific factor derived from the coding mode, determining weighted averages of pixels in the filter set and using the weighted averages to generate the predictive reference frame. The decoder also generates a residual from another portion of the encoded bitstream that represents a portion of a frame of the plurality of frames and reconstructs the portion of the frame by adding the residual to the predictive reference frame.

Abstract: A video codec having a modular structure for encoding/decoding a digitized sequence of video frames in a multi-core system is described. The video codec comprises a memory unit; a multithreading engine. and a plurality of control and task modules organized in a tree structure, each module corresponding to a coding operation. The modules communicate with each other by control messages and shared memory. The control modules control all coding logic and workflow, and lower level task modules perform tasks and provide calculations upon receiving messages from the control task modules. The multithreading engine maintains context of each task and assigns at least one core to each task for execution. The method of coding/decoding comprises an error resilient algorithm.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method. A vertex grouping unit of the data processing apparatus may group, into at least one group, a plurality of vertices included in a three-dimensional (3D) object desired to be compressed. A prediction mode determination unit may determine a prediction mode for compressing a vertex position with respect to each of the at least one group. A coder may code a prediction error vector and an identification (ID) index of the prediction mode determined with respect to each of the at least one group.

Abstract: An apparatus performs efficient coding techniques to more efficiently resolve geometric relationships between video data units and thereby determine neighboring video data units for a current video data unit. The apparatus comprises a geometric resolution unit that obtains video data defining a plurality of video data units, and determines, for the current one of the plurality of video data units to be processed, a partition width and a video unit number of the current video data unit. The geometric resolution unit accesses, using the determined partition width and video unit number, a plurality of look-up tables (LUTs) to output one or more indices identifying one or more of the plurality of video data units that neighbor the current video data unit.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to compression of parameters of an encoded texture block such that an efficient encoding is achieved. Index data is used as an example of parameters to be encoded. Accordingly, encoding the index data is achieved by predicting the index data, wherein the prediction is done in the pixel color domain, where changes often are smooth, instead of in the pixel index domain where the changes vary a lot. Hence, according to embodiments of the present invention the index data is predicted from previously predicted neighboring pixels taking into account that the base value and a modifier table value are known. When the index value is predicted the real index value can be decoded with the prediction as an aid. Since this way of predicting the index provides a very good prediction, it lowers the number of bits needed to represent the pixel index.

Abstract: A method for transcoding from an MPEG-2 format to a VC-1 format is disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) decoding an input video stream in the MPEG-2 format to generate a picture; (B) determining a mode indicator for the picture; and (C) coding the picture into an output video stream in the VC-1 format using one of (i) a VC-1 field mode coding and (ii) a VC-1 frame mode coding as determined from the mode indicator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode for reconstructing a moving picture signal coded at a low data rate while maintaining a high quality of an image. The apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode discloses the position of a merge mode candidate and the configuration of a candidate in order to predict motion information in merge mode efficiently. Furthermore, a merge candidate indicated by the merge index of a current block can be efficiently reconstructed irrespective of a network environment by adaptively generating a merge candidate based on the number of valid merge candidate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted.

Abstract: A processor generates a prediction error by predicting a pixel value of a prediction-target pixel in a compression-target image, and predicts a code amount of compression code for a compression-target line in the compression-target image. According to the predicted code amount and a code amount of compression code for one or more compressed lines, the processor determines which of lossless compression and lossy compression is to be applied to the compression-target line. When the processor determines that lossless compression is to be applied, the processor generates the compression code for the compression-target line by compressing a prediction error for each compression-target pixel in the compression-target line via lossless compression.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data transmission system that transmits data by using a relay. The relay selects a transmission terminal from among a plurality of terminals accessing a base station. A base station transmits base station data to the relay during a first time slot, and the transmission terminal transmits terminal data to the relay. The relay transmits terminal data to the base station during a second time slot, and transmits base station data to the transmission terminal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an encoding apparatus includes a first quantizer, a second quantizer, a predictor and a calculator. The first quantizer quantizes an input block to obtain a first quantized block. The second quantizer quantizes a reference pixel to obtain at least one quantized value. The predictor predicts each target pixel in the first quantized block using the at least one quantized value and a quantized value of a pixel that is to be decoded preceding the target pixel in decoding order in the first quantized block to obtain a second quantized block. The calculator calculates a difference between the first quantized block and the second quantized block.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image separating unit that separates and creates a plurality of derivative images from an input image based on feature of the input image; a coding unit that codes each of the derivative images separately, couples coded data of the derivative images, and generates multilayer structure data; and a controller that controls a code amount of coded data of at least one derivative image with a low code assignment priority out of the derivative images so that a data amount of the multilayer structure data is equal to or less than a limit amount.

Abstract: An image coding method, comprising: subtracting a prediction signal from the input image signal for each coding unit, thereby generating respective prediction error signals; performing orthogonal transform and quantization on a corresponding one of the prediction error signals for each transform unit, eventually generating quantization coefficients; and coding pieces of management information indicating a structure of the transform units and the quantization coefficients into a tree structure. Each of the transform units corresponds to a corresponding one of leaf nodes in the tree structure. In the coding, for each leaf node, management information and a quantization coefficient are coded, eventually generating a coded signal in which the coded management information and the coded quantization coefficient are arranged in succession for each leaf node.

Abstract: The invention proposes modification of quantized coefficients for signalling of a post-processing method. Therefore, it is proposed a method for lossy compress-encoding data comprising at least one of image data and audio data. Said method comprises determining quantized coefficients using a quantization of a discrete cosine transformed residual of a prediction of said data. Said method further comprises modifying said quantized coefficients for minimizing rate-distortion cost wherein distortion is determined using a post-processed reconstruction of the data, the post-processed reconstruction being post-processed according to a post processing method, and compress-encoding said modified coefficients. In said proposed method, the post-processing method is that one of n>1 different predetermined post processing method candidates whose position in an predetermined order of arrangement of the post processing method candidates equals a remainder of division, by n, of a sum of the modified coefficients.

Abstract: Inter-color image prediction is based on color grading modeling. Prediction is applied to the efficient coding of images and video signals of high dynamic range. Prediction models may include a color transformation matrix that models hue and saturation color changes and a non-linear function modeling color correction changes. Under the assumption that the color grading process uses a slope, offset, and power (SOP) operations, an example non linear prediction model is presented.

Abstract: First and second codewords are determined, based on first feature vector components of the image elements in an image block, as representations of a first and second component value. Third and fourth codewords are determined, based on second vector components, as representations of a third and fourth component value. First N1 and second N2 resolution numbers are selected based on the relation of a distribution of the first vector components and a distribution of the second vector components. N1 additional component values are generated based on the first and second component values and N2 additional component values are generated based on the third and fourth component values. Component indices indicative of the generated component values are then provided for the different image elements.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a multi-view image are provided. The method of encoding a multi-view image includes determining whether each of pictures included in multi-view image sequences is a reference picture referred to by other pictures included in the multi-view image sequences for inter-view prediction, and encoding the pictures using at least one of inter-view prediction and temporal prediction based on the determination result, thereby efficiently encoding and decoding the multi-view image at high speed.

Abstract: A prediction set determining section (13) selects a prediction set from a prediction set group including a plurality of prediction sets having different combinations of prediction modes corresponding to different prediction directions. Further, a prediction mode determining section (11) selects a prediction mode from the prediction set thus selected. An entropy encoding section (4) encodes the prediction set thus selected, the prediction mode thus selected, and residual data between an input image and a predicted image formed on the basis of the prediction set and the prediction mode. This allows an image encoding device to carry out predictions from more various angles, thereby improving prediction efficiency.

Abstract: A method for transcoding from an H.264 format to a VC-1 format. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) decoding an input video stream in the H.264 format to generate a picture having a plurality of macroblock pairs that used an H.264 macroblock adaptive field/frame coding; (B) determining a mode indicator for each of the macroblock pairs; and (C) coding the macroblock pairs into an output video stream in the VC-1 format using one of (i) a VC-1 field motion compensation mode coding and (ii) a VC-1 frame motion compensation mode coding as determined from the mode indicator.

Abstract: A compression encoding technique receives a series of data values each represented by a constant number of bits, divides the series into group, and for each group, determines a minimum number of bits that is sufficiently large to encode each of the data values without a loss in data, based on a property of the data values that is common within the group. The technique encodes the data values into encoded data values each represented by the determined minimum number of bits. The technique also appends to each encoded group a data descriptor indicating the determined number of bits used to encode the members of the group.

Abstract: A prediction error calculation part calculates a prediction error for each input data. A prediction error encoding part generates a prediction error code by encoding the value of the prediction error. A run-length counting part counts the run-length of the prediction error. When the value of the prediction error changes, a run-length encoding part generates a run-length code by encoding the run-length counted. A code connecting part generates a connected code by connecting the run-length code to the prediction error code of a corresponding prediction error. When the value of the prediction error is a particular value, a prediction error checking part selects a connected code for the prediction error, as an output code. When the value of the prediction error is a different value, the prediction error checking part selects a prediction error code for the prediction error, as an output code. A code output part outputs the output code selected.

Abstract: A method of compression of digital images using a fixed number of bits per block is described. Intra-coding is used for lossless compression of digital images. The image is partitioned into blocks with the same size. The encoder generates a fixed and predetermined number of bits for each block. The encoding process includes gamma conversion applied to the input image to generate data. Additional stages include prediction, quantization, DPCM, entropy coding and refinement.

Abstract: A fast implementation context selection of a significance map includes caching the significance of each coefficient in a buffer, storing an extended significance map in an extended buffer and updating the extended significance map after the significance of a transform coefficient is determined by the encoder or the decoder.

Abstract: A block divider divides an input image into a plurality of regions. A prediction signal generator generates a prediction signal for the pixel signal contained in an object region, which is the object of processing, among the plurality of regions, and generates a prediction signal by using a texture synthesis method for forming a texture signal for the object region. A subtracter determines a residual signal between the pixel signal of the object region and the prediction signal, and a transformer and a quantizer encode the residual signal to generate a compressed signal.

Abstract: Efficient encoding and/or decoding of digital video is provided using multiple candidate reference frames, making playback of the digital video optionally reversible. For example, a source can be encoded as duplex coded frames having multiple candidate reference frames. The reference frames can be previous or future frames, and the duplex coded frames can be encoded at a bit-rate that ensures lossless decoding using any of the candidate reference frames. Therefore, the duplex coded frames can encoded in normal and/or reverse temporal order. In this regard, the ability to decode digital video frames using either a single previous or future frame enables reversible digital video, bit-stream switching and video splicing arbitrary time points, and provides for increased error resilience.

Abstract: To reduce artifacts caused by quantization errors in image compression systems, an offset is added to quantized samples at low frequency sections of a macroblock. A decoder uses the offset after decoding to bring the decoded sample closer to the original pre-encoded and pre-quantized sample, thereby compensating for quantization errors.

Abstract: Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted.

Abstract: An image decoding method for decoding an image using plural intra prediction modes, including decoding first binary data and second binary data, the first binary data indicating a first intra prediction mode to decode the image, the second binary data indicating a second intra prediction mode to decode the image, wherein in the decoding, coded data is obtained which includes a first context adaptive segment, a second context adaptive segment, a first bypass segment, and a second bypass segment. The first context adaptive segment and the second context adaptive segment are decoded by context adaptive binary arithmetic decoding which is arithmetic decoding using a variable probability updated based on decoded data, and the first bypass segment and the second bypass segment are decoded by bypass decoding which is arithmetic decoding using a predetermined fixed probability.

Abstract: A picture encoding and decoding method, a picture encoding and decoding device and a network system are provided, in which, the picture encoding method includes: determining a prediction block used by a picture block according to a division manner of the picture block; determining a corresponding division level in the picture block or the prediction block of transform blocks corresponding to the picture block or the prediction block, in which, the transform blocks corresponding to the picture block or the prediction block include one or more transform blocks; determining a size of the transform blocks corresponding to the picture block or the prediction block according to the division manner of the picture block and the division level; determining identification information for identifying the division level corresponding to the transform blocks corresponding to the picture block or the prediction block; and writing the identification information into a code stream.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for video coding. Using the method, a video encoder (100) performs filtering of at least one reference picture to obtain at least one filtered reference picture (310), and predictively codes the picture using the at least one filtered reference picture (315). In an exemplary embodiment, the filtering is done using parametric filtering.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for image encoding which improves encoding efficiency in accordance with image characteristics by performing prediction in lines and performing a one-dimensional transformation in lines on an input image, and a method and apparatus for image decoding. Encoding efficiency of an image may be improved by generating a prediction sub residual block using neighboring residues and performing a one-dimensional discrete cosine transformation (DCT) on a difference residual block which is a difference between an original sub residual block and the prediction sub residual block.

Abstract: Architecture that employs texture sensitive temporal filtering to reuse motion estimation information in a realtime encoder. The temporal filter is applied for classified static areas. The architecture reuses the motion estimation results on motion vectors, cost estimates (e.g., sum of absolute difference (SAD)), and edge awareness texture information to apply the temporal filter on the current picture. Filtering can be applied at the pixel level, block level or macroblock level.

Abstract: Provided are a motion estimation apparatus and method and an image encoding apparatus and method employing the same. The motion estimation apparatus includes an optimal motion estimation unit performing motion estimation in an initial block mode while skipping remaining block modes excluding the initial block mode from a plurality of block modes of the current block, or performing motion estimation in candidate block modes determined from the plurality of block modes.

Abstract: An image coding method for dividing an input image into a plurality of divisional blocks having different sizes, and coding the image for each of the divisional blocks includes acquiring attribute information of a target block, setting a control parameter for controlling an image quality of the target block, determining a prediction control parameter based on the attribute information, calculating a difference value between the control parameter and the prediction control parameter, and coding the calculated difference value.

Abstract: When performing pipeline processes by a prediction method determination unit, prediction coding unit, and entropy coding unit, the size of a block of an integer conversion unit (transform unit: TU) is set smaller than the size of a CU (Coding Unit). A generated code amount is fed back to the prediction coding unit on the TU basis, reducing a feedback delay and increasing the quantization control accuracy.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a division unit configured to divide an input image into a plurality of subblocks subjected to quantization control a subblock quantization parameter calculation unit configured to calculate a quantization parameter of each of the subblocks, a basic block quantization parameter calculation unit configured to set a basic block including at least two subblocks and to calculate a quantization parameter of the basic block, a difference value calculation unit configured to calculate a difference value between the quantization parameter of the basic block and the quantization parameter of each subblock included in the basic block, and a difference value coding unit configured to code the difference value.

Abstract: Decoding a video signal comprises receiving a bitstream comprising the multiview video signal encoded according to dependency relationships between respective views, and view-dependency data representing the dependency relationships; extracting the view-dependency data and determining the dependency relationships from the extracted data; and decoding the multiview video signal according to the determined dependency relationships using illumination compensation between segments of pictures in respective views, where the multiview video signal includes multiple views each comprising multiple pictures segmented into multiple segments.