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: Disclosed are an intra prediction method of a chrominance block using a luminance sample and an apparatus using the same. An image decoding method comprises the steps of: calculating an intra prediction mode of a chrominance block on the basis of an LM mapping table when the chrominance block uses an LM; and generating a prediction block for the chrominance block on the basis of the calculated intra prediction mode of the chrominance block. When intra prediction mode information of chrominance blocks are decoded, mutually different tables are used depending on whether or not an LM is used, so that encoding and decoding can be performed without an unnecessary waste of bits.

Abstract: The invention facilitates the use of low resolution estimation to identify an optimal sequence of frame types for encoding a stream of video data. In one embodiment a series of video frames are downscaled and divided into superblocks. Low resolution motion estimation metrics are calculated for the superblocks and compared to corresponding superblocks of a previous frame. A series of video frame types is selected based on the comparison metrics and used to encode the video frames.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image by freely combining a plurality of prediction schemes and a plurality of orthogonal transform schemes based on grouping and matching of the plurality of prediction schemes and the plurality of orthogonal transform schemes is provided.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method capable of implementing pattern matching based on an edge code at relatively high speed with a smaller circuit configuration. In the image processing device according to the present embodiment, an information amount of a valid zone is diffused over an entire edge code image. In other words, the amount of information used in the entire edge code image is compressed by reducing the number of bits to assign to each pixel and effectively using the number of bits assigned to each pixel as a whole. If a valid zone for an edge EDG1, the following invalid zone in which the invalid edge code value continues, and the following valid zone for an edge EDG2 appear in a profile of the edge code value, increase/decrease information from the edge code value contained in the valid zone for the edge EDG1 to the edge code value contained in the valid zone for the edge EDG2 is assigned to the element corresponding to the invalid zone.

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: This technique relates to an image processing apparatus and a method for improving the coding efficiency for a quantization parameter. Provided are a predicted quantization parameter setting unit for setting a predicted quantization parameter for a current coding unit by using multiple quantization parameters which are set for multiple surrounding coding units located around the current coding unit which is target of coding processing, and a difference quantization parameter setting unit for setting a difference quantization parameter indicating a difference value between the quantization parameter which is set for the current coding unit and the predicted quantization parameter which is set by the predicted quantization parameter setting unit. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an image processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image coding device including: an edge detecting section configured to perform edge detection using an image signal of a reference image for a coding object block; a transform block setting section configured to set transform blocks by dividing the coding object block such that a boundary between the blocks after division does not include an edge on a basis of a result of the edge detection; and a coding processing section configured to generate coded data by performing processing including an orthogonal transform of each of the transform blocks.

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: A method and system for transmitting uncompressed video over a wireless channel by inputting a frame of pixel information, partitioning spatially correlated pixels into different packets, and transmitting the packets separately over a wireless channel. For robust transmission, error detection data can be generated for each packet and appended to each packet before transmission. A receiver receives the transmitted packets and checks if a received packet is corrupt based on the appended error detection data. For a corrupt packet, the receiver corrects the corrupt pixels using pixel information in other received packets containing neighboring pixels to recover each corrupt pixel in the corrupt packet.

Abstract: According to a picture coding method, a coded picture is stored, as a reference picture, into a storage unit; commands indicating correspondence between reference pictures and reference indices for designating reference pictures and coefficients used for generation of predictive images are generated; a reference picture being used when motion compensation is performed on a current block in a current picture to be coded is designated by a reference index; a predictive image is generated by performing linear prediction on a block being obtained by motion estimation within the designated reference picture, by use of a coefficient corresponding to the reference index; a coded image signal including a coded signal obtained by coding a prediction error being a difference between the current block in the current picture to be coded and the predictive image, the commands, the reference index and the coefficient is outputted.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing system that can uniquely identify a motion vector for each pixel of an interpolation frame and accurately identify a motion vector. A motion vector candidate selection unit (301) sequentially selects predetermined motion vector candidates in an interpolation frame. A differential image generation unit (302), a binary image generation unit (303) and an area image generation unit (304) generate a differential image, a binary image and an area image, respectively, based on a selected motion vector candidate. For each pixel of the interpolation frame, a motion vector determination unit (305) identifies a motion vector candidate with which a pixel value of a pixel in the area image corresponding to the pixel is the largest as a motion vector. A pixel value determination unit (306) determines each pixel value of the interpolation frame by using the motion vector identified for each pixel, thereby generating an interpolation frame.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus includes a pixel bit depth increase converter to convert bit depth of each pixel of an input image to output a converted input image and output bit conversion information indicating the number of bits changed by conversion, an image encoder to encode the input converted input image to output encoded image information, and a multiplexer to multiplexes the bit conversion information and encoded image information.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including a receiving unit that receives a point sequence image, a point-plane conversion unit that performs a point-plane conversion processing for the image received by the receiving unit, plural lossy encoding units that perform a lossy encoding processing for the point-plane conversion image by using the point-plane conversion unit, and a control unit that performs control such that transmission of the image to the lossy encoding unit from the point-plane conversion unit is controlled to synchronize lossy encoding processings of the plural lossy encoding units, and each lossy encoding unit changes processing variables used in the encoding processing based on a code amount of the processing result of the lossy encoding unit.

Abstract: The method includes the following units: a coefficient number detecting unit (109) for detecting the number of coefficients which has a value other than 0 for each block according to the generated coefficient, a coefficient number storing unit (110) for storing the number of coefficients detected, a coefficient number coding unit (111) for selecting a table for variable length coding based on the numbers of coefficients in the coded blocks located on the periphery of a current block to be coded with reference to the selected table for variable length coding so as to perform variable length coding for the number of coefficients.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for second pass video coding in a multi-pass video coding scenario. The coding modes for some video blocks encoded during a second pass may be changed relative to the coding modes used for such video blocks in the first pass. However, motion information does not change for those video blocks that have the changed modes. In particular, mode changes can be made in the second coding pass relative to the modes used in the first coding pass without changing the manner in which motion information will be derived at the decoder, e.g., due to similarities between the original modes of the first pass and changed modes used in the second pass. The second pass coding techniques may also include quantization parameter adjustments, and the mode changes can cause such quantization parameter adjustments to have more profound refinements effects on the second pass coding.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for compensating motion of a moving image. The method includes calculating a pixel value of a pixel located between pixels of a reference image corresponding to a current image based on pixel values of the pixels of the reference image by using at least one method from among a plurality of methods, such as a vertical linear filtering, a horizontal linear filtering, and a cubic filtering, of interpolating the pixels of the reference image according to codec information indicating one of a plurality of codecs, such as MPEG4, H.264/AVC, and VC1, and restoring the current image by adding motion compensation data, including the calculated pixel value, and a difference between the reference image and the current image.

Abstract: A plurality of programs are statistically multiplexed using a plurality of two-pass encoders. Pictures in the plurality of programs are encoded in a first encoding pass using a plurality of first encoding modules. RW—passOne, which is a total number of bits used to encode all the pictures in a sequence in the plurality of programs in the first encoding pass, is determined. RW—passTwo, which is a total target number of bits for all pictures in a same sequence in the plurality of programs in a second encoding pass, is also determined. Rtwo,Ff,picType(i,l), which is a target bit allocation for each picture in each program l of the plurality of programs, is determined based on RW—passOne, RW—passTwo, and Rone,Ff,picType(i,l). Rone,Ff,picType(i,l) is a number of bits consumed for a corresponding picture in the first encoding pass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for second order prediction are provided. In the decoding method, the reconstruction of decoded picture comprises second order prediction and compensation and second prediction storage. The second order prediction and compensation comprises first prediction and compensation and second prediction and compensation, input of which includes reconstructed first order residue and second order residue. The encoding method comprises second order prediction and second prediction storage. Second order prediction consists of first prediction and second prediction, input of which includes reconstructed first order residue and second order residue, and it will generate bit-stream accordingly. This invention will eliminate redundancy using second order prediction encoding and decoding method, so that coding efficiency will be improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image is provided. An image coding unit, including a region that deviates from a boundary of a current picture, is divided to obtain a coding unit having a smaller size than the size of the image coding unit, and encoding is performed only in a region that does not deviate from the boundary of the current picture. A method and apparatus for decoding an image encoded by the method and apparatus for encoding an image is also provided.

Abstract: When a motion prediction/compensation unit 32 generates predicted image data by performing motion compensation using reference image data based on a motion vector detected through motion detection, a compensation control unit 3231 switches a filter coefficient supplied from a coefficient table 3232 to a filter unit 3233 according to a loop filter process on the reference image data used to generate the predicted image data. For example, when the loop filter process is not performed, a filter process is performed on the reference image data with filter characteristics in which noise removal strength is high. Therefore, since the predicted image data with small noise can be generated, and deterioration in the quality of a predicted image is reduced, and thus deterioration in compression efficiency can be suppressed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for encoding and decoding data using adaptive transform domain filtering are described. The encoder determines a set of transform domain filter coefficients to be applied to a transform domain prediction. The filtering may, in some cases, also apply to quantized transform domain coefficients. Rate-distortion optimization may be used to determine the optimal filter coefficients on a frame-based, coding-unit-basis, or other basis.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a reproduction unit that reproduces plural moving image data having different frame rates from a recording medium, an output unit that outputs the reproduced moving image data to a display device, a setting unit that sets one of a first and a second reproduction modes, and a control unit that controls the output unit to select some of frames of the reproduced moving image data and output moving image data of the selected frames according to an instruction for high-speed reproduction. In the first reproduction mode, the control unit selects frames at a predetermined frame interval according to reproduction speed for the high-speed reproduction. In the second reproduction mode, the control unit selects frames at a frame interval determined based on the reproduction speed for the high-speed reproduction and a frame rate of the reproduced moving image data.

Abstract: Provided that a first segment is an earliest time segment included in a discrete time segment, and a second segment is a time segment subsequent to the first segment, a positive second-segment parameter that corresponds to a weakly monotonically increasing function value of an average amplitude of prediction residuals in a time segment including the second segment is used as a parameter for variable length coding of prediction residuals in the second segment. In addition, a value that corresponds to a weakly monotonically increasing function value of the sum of the second-segment parameter and a positive additional value that corresponds to an index representing the prediction effectiveness of time-series signals in the time segment including the second segment is used as a parameter for variable length coding of the prediction residual at a certain discrete time in the first segment.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing bus traffic during texture decoding of a video bitstream are provided. In one configuration, a wireless communication device (e.g., cellular phone, etc.) comprises a processor configured to execute instructions operative to decode and separate in a bitstream macroblock (MB) information and residual packet data. The residual packet data is used to generate codec-independent non-zero MB-packets having a universal order that is codec independent. The codec-independent non-zero MB-packets and MB information are then used for reconstructing pixels of a respective frame of the video bitstream.

Abstract: When carrying out an intra-frame prediction process to generate an intra prediction image by using an already-encoded image signal in a frame, an intra prediction part 4 refers to a table for filter selection to select a filter from one or more filters which are prepared in advance according to the states of various parameters associated with the encoding of a target block to be filtered, and carries out a filtering process on the prediction image by using the filter. As a result, prediction errors locally occurring can be reduced, and the image quality can be improved.

Abstract: An image processor includes an encoder and a decoder. The encoder includes a frequency transform unit, a pre-filter, and a color conversion unit that converts a pixel signal of a first color space inputted from outside into a pixel signal of a second color space including a luminance signal and chrominance signals. The decoder includes a frequency inverse transform unit, a post-filter, and a color inverse conversion unit that inversely converts a pixel signal of the second color space into a pixel signal of the first color space. The pre-filter performs prefiltering on one or plural specific signals among the luminance and chrominance signals. The post-filter does not perform postfiltering on the above specific signals.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus includes an input unit, a prediction unit, a prediction error calculating unit, and an encoder. The input unit receives, as an input, image data. The prediction unit calculates a predicted pixel value of a pixel of interest serving as a target to be processed in the image data. The prediction error calculating unit calculates a prediction error value by using an actual pixel value and the predicted pixel value of the pixel of interest. The encoder encodes the prediction error value with information including a number of bits and an error value. The encoder encodes, as the error value, only one or more most significant bits corresponding to a number of effective bits when the number of bits exceeds the number of effective bits.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method capable of compressing a current image using one of a plurality of compression algorithms based upon similarity (or fluctuation level) between a previous image and the current image are discussed.

Abstract: For encoding of a picture whose macroblock is divided into parts of various sizes, a picture encoding method is provided to appropriately reduce a coding amount of a motion vector, without lowering coding efficiency. In order to reduce a processing amount and an increase of a coding amount, which result from generation of a large number of motion vectors due to bi-directional prediction selected for a small-sized part, a motion estimation unit selects the optimal prediction method from prediction method candidates decided by a prediction-method-candidate determination unit. Thereby, when motion compensation is performed for a large-sized part, forward-directional, backward-directional, and bi-directional prediction can be permitted. On the other hand when motion compensation is performed for a small-sized part, the bi-directional prediction is prohibited but the forward-directional or backward-directional prediction is permitted.

Abstract: An intra prediction method and a device using the intra prediction method are provided. The intra prediction method includes the steps of: deriving a current prediction mode as a prediction mode of a current block; constructing neighboring samples of the current block with available reference samples; filtering the available reference samples; and generating predicted samples of the current block on the basis of the filtered available reference samples. The filtering step includes performing the filtering using the available reference sample located in the prediction direction of the current prediction mode and a predetermined number of available reference samples neighboring to the prediction direction of the current prediction mode.

Abstract: A predictive coding method for coding intra of frames is revealed. Firstly, an encoder divides an image frame into a plurality of macroblocks. Then the encoder sets predictive coding models corresponding to these macroblocks according to a ratio. The encoder performs predictive coding for coding each macroblock according to the corresponding predictive coding model so as to get and output a coded image. By the present invention, various predictive coding models are set and applied to code the different macroblocks so as to increase predictive coding efficiency. The intra prediction efficiency and image compression efficiency are improved simultaneously.

Abstract: A system, processor, and method are provided for encoding a data block, for example, of digital data. A processor may, from among a plurality of intra frame encoding modes each having a different direction for extrapolating already encoded pixels adjacent to the block, select an intra coding mode having a direction that most closely matches a direction of minimum pixel value change of the block. The processor may compute a predicted intra frame encoding residual data for the block associated with the selected mode based on the difference between the direction of the selected intra frame encoding mode and the direction of minimum pixel value change of the block. The processor may compute inter frame encoding residual data and compare the intra and inter frame encoding residual data. The processor may compress the data block using the intra or inter frame encoding having the smaller residual data.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique of appropriately compensating for loss of even an entire image frame due to data error such as a transmission error to allow display of a high quality image. An image display apparatus of the present invention comprises: a decoding unit which decodes an encoded bit stream into an image signal; an interpolation image generating unit which generates an interpolation frame based on frames of the decoded image signal; and a control unit which detects an error in the encoded bit stream and controls the interpolation image generating unit; wherein when a frame of the encoded bit stream is lost (that is, it has not been able to be decoded) due to an uncorrectable error, the above interpolation frame is displayed instead of the lost frame.

Abstract: An image encoding method for encoding an image to generate an image bit stream, comprising encoding an image on a block-by-block basis in a first encoding mode in which a quantization is performed, encoding the image on a block-by-block basis in a second encoding mode in which a quantization is not performed, and filtering a first reproduced image and a second reproduced image generated. The filtering is controlled such that the filtering on the second reproduced image is performed based on filter control information indicating whether the second reproduced image is to be subjected to the filtering.

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: 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: There are provided methods and apparatus for decoded picture buffer (DPB) management in single loop decoding for multi-view video. An apparatus includes a decoder (200) for decoding a picture corresponding to at least one view of at least two views of multi-view video content. The picture is decoded in support of decoded picture buffer management for single loop decoding using inter-view prediction.

Abstract: A video decoding apparatus includes a decoder to decode video encoded data using a predictive picture signal for a video signal, a compression device compressing the decoded picture signal, a first memory storing the decoded picture signal, a second memory storing the compressed picture signal, a decompression device decompressing the compressed picture signal read from the second memory, a selector selecting one of a decoded picture signal read from the first memory and a compressed/decompressed picture signal from the compression device as a reference picture signal according to at least one of a coding type of the video encoded data in picture unit and a prediction mode in block unit, and a motion compensator performing motion compensation on the reference picture signal to generate a predictive picture signal.

Abstract: An image encoding/decoding method and apparatus, in which at least one of a plurality of color component images except a first color component image is predicted from motion estimation information or a reconstructed color component image of the first color component images using correlation among the plurality of color component images. The image encoding method includes performing predictive-encoding on the first color component image among the plurality of color component images forming a single image using a general encoding method, and performing motion estimation and compensation on the at least one of the other color component images or predicting the at least one of the other color component images using a reconstructed first color component image.

Abstract: An encoding system may generate an edge map based on a pixel value difference between neighboring pixels in an inputted image, generate a graph by connecting pixels using the generated edge map, select a prediction value for at least one pixel based on the generated graph, and encode an image based on the selected prediction value.

Abstract: Local motion estimation is described herein. Each picture of a video is partitioned into blocks for the local motion estimation. An extended-block FFT is calculated for each block, where the extended-block denotes that a certain area around the block is also included for applying FFT. Extending the block for FFT helps to account for the motion of objects that are moving into or out of the block. Phase correlation is applied to attain a set of Motion Vector (MV) candidates for the blocks, and a cost function is evaluated for each MV. If no MV candidate produces a cost function below a pre-defined threshold, a hierarchical variable block matching search is applied and the process is repeated with blocks for finer resolution. Also, predictive MV candidates are used during the block matching search along with temporal constraints tracking to select an MV that yields the minimum cost function.

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: The present invention relates to an image encoding method using an adaptive preprocessing scheme, including loading an input image for each frame, determining an encoding type of each of the frames, determining the size of a block to be encoded in each frame according to the determined encoding type, determining blocks that can be replicated from the blocks having the determined size and performing an intra-picture replication preprocessing or inter-picture replication preprocessing procedure on the determined blocks according to the encoding types of the frames, and encoding the frames on which the preprocessing procedure has been performed.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for video coding using prediction data refinement. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding an image region of a picture. The encoder has a prediction refinement filter for refining at least one of an intra prediction and an inter prediction for the image region. The prediction refinement filter refines the inter prediction for the image region using at least one of previously decoded data and previously encoded data, the previously decoded data and the previously encoded data corresponding to pixel values in neighboring regions with respect to the image region.

Abstract: A picture encoding device may include a unit for selecting a division method of a target region, and a unit for dividing the target region into small regions using the division method, generating a prediction signal in the small region, generating a residual signal between the prediction signal and the original signal of the small region, generating quantized transform coefficients by performing frequency transform and quantization of the residual signal, selecting a map for mapping the quantized transform coefficients of the small region onto leaves of a tree structure that is common to a plurality of division methods in accordance with attribute information of the small region, mapping the quantized transform coefficients of the small region onto the leaves of the tree structure based on the map, and updating the states of the nodes and leaves of the tree structure according to the coefficient values of the respective leaves.

Abstract: Provided are a hybrid prediction apparatus and method for entropy encoding that may enhance an existing image compression scheme and prediction scheme by including and selectively using a plurality of predictors configured to perform a per-pixel prediction of an image frame, and may also supplement a performance of a prediction scheme, excessively occurring in a particular pixel.

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

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that determines in-focus conditions according to a user's taste by using auto-focus (AF). The imaging apparatus including an AF unit, that allows the user to input an in-focus operation start command, and that allows the user to input a main photographing start command. The imaging apparatus includes a photographing environment storing unit that stores photographing stop and start data, an assumed in-focus condition group generating unit that generates an assumed in-focus condition group based on at least the photographing stop data, an assumption confirming unit that confirms the assumed in-focus condition group, and an in-focus condition group changing unit that, if an in-focus success rate for the assumed in-focus condition group is higher than for the default in-focus condition group, changes the default in-focus condition group to the assumed in-focus condition group.

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