Intel Corporation

Adnan M Alattar

Michael J Keith

Stuart J Golin

Larry E Wickstrom

Rohan G Coelho

Arlene K Kasai

A method and apparatus for improving motion analysis in fade regions where motion compensation systems based on block matching typically fail to accurately encode images. A previous image is selected from an image sequence. A base image is calculated by adjusting the brightness of the previous image. A displacement vector representing the magnitude and direction of the displacement between at least one region in a target image and a corresponding region in the base image is determined. The displacement vector is applied to a corresponding region in a previous reconstructed image to form a predicted image, and is then encoded. Pixel values in the predicted image are subtracted from corresponding pixel values in the target image to form an error image which is also encoded.

Method and apparatus for improving motion analysis of fades

At least one region of each video frame is designated for intra encoding. One or more regions of each video frame are designated for inter encoding. One or more motion vectors are selected for each region designated for inter encoding, wherein at least one motion vector is a non-zero motion vector. The plurality of video frames are encoded in accordance with the designation of regions for intra encoding, the designation of regions for inter encoding, and the selection of motion vectors, wherein the designation of regions for intra encoding and the selection of motion vectors are adapted to ensure error recovery during decoding of the encoded video frames.

Process, apparatus and system for encoding video signals using motion

A reference characterization characterizes the relationship between frames encoded using a first encoding process and frames encoded using a second encoding process for a variety of frames. A previous frame is encoded using the first encoding process and the encoded previous frame is characterized. A current frame is encoded using the second encoding process, wherein the current frame is encoded in accordance with the reference characterization and the characterization of the encoded previous frame.

Bit rate controller for encoding video signals

A cell of an image is segmented into two or more subcells. According to one embodiment, the nullity of each of the subcells is classified and the cell is encoded in accordance with the nullity of the subcells. According to another embodiment, the quantization level of each of the subcells is classified and the cell is encoded in accordance with the quantization levels of the subcells.

Segmenting image signals for encoding using quantization analysis

A region of an image having a plurality of corresponding image values is encoded to generate a temporary encoded region. The temporary encoded region is then decoded to generate a decoded region. An error measure is generated as a function of the decoded pixels of the decoded region and the previous pixels of a previous region. If the error measure is less than a specified threshold, then the region is encoded as a skipped region, otherwise the region is encoded as the temporary encoded region.

Method and system for encoding images using skip blocks

A similarity measure is generated as a function of a plurality of values corresponding to a region of an image. An encoding mode is then selected in accordance with the similarity measure and the region is encoded in accordance with the selected encoding mode.

Mode selection for method and system for encoding images

A method and apparatus for compressing a dissolve region within a sequence of digital motion video frames. A function is calculated based on statistical data derived from frames in the sequence. Dissolve region boundaries are then detected based on characteristics of the calculated function. Consecutive detected boundaries may be flagged as a dissolve region based on the average value of the function between the consecutive detected boundaries and the distance between the consecutive detected boundaries.

Method and apparatus for detecting dissolve regions in digital video

A method and apparatus for encoding a sequence of digital motion video images at more than one resolution. In a first embodiment, it is determined whether an image selected from the sequence is part of either a dissolve, a fade, a fast motion region or a complex motion region. If the selected image is part of either a dissolve, a fade, a fast motion region or a complex motion region, then the selected image is encoded at a reduced resolution level. In a further embodiment, a selected image is provided for encoding. A determination is then made whether a parameter derived from an estimate of the available decoding time is above a predetermined threshold. If the parameter is above the predetermined threshold, then the selected image is encoded at a reduced resolution. In a still further embodiment, a selected image from a sub-sequence of images is provided for encoding. A determination is then made whether the quantization step size associated with the image is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the quantization step size is greater than the predetermined threshold, then the image is encoded at a reduced resolution. The image is partially encoded if it is within the first N minus one images provided from the sub-sequence, otherwise the image is fully encoded.

Method and apparatus for encoding selected images at lower resolution

A method and apparatus for detecting a fade within a sequence of digital motion video frames. A first frame and a previous frame are selected from the sequence as first and second regions, respectively, for processing. The mean of the first region and the mean of the second region are each calculated and the relative mean change between the means is determined. A fade is detected if the relative mean change exceeds a first predetermined threshold. Alternatively, a fade is detected if the relative mean change is less than the first predetermined threshold but greater than a second predetermined threshold and the magnitude of the difference between the means is greater than a third predetermined threshold.

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Plainsboro, NJ, United States of America

Adnan M Alattar