Flexible use of MPEG encoded images

• US 20060256865A1
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ensequence Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ensequence Incorporated
• Inventors: Westerman, Larry A.
• Application Number:
  US11/200,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20060256865A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/240.120
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/174 the region being a slice, e.g. a line of blocks or a group of blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/48 using compressed domain processing techniques other than decoding, e.g. modification of transform coefficients, variable length coding [VLC] data or run-length data motion estimation in a transform domain H04N19/547; processing of decoded motion vectors H04N19/513
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/70 characterised by syntax aspects related to video coding, e.g. related to compression standards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440254 by altering signal-to-noise parameters, e.g. requantization
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4621 Controlling the complexity of the content stream or additional data, e.g. lowering the resolution or bit-rate of the video stream for a mobile client with a small screen arrangements for using the results of monitoring on user's side in broadcast systems H04H60/65; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10

Abstract

Systems and methods for encoding a sub-image, using conventional MPEG encoding technique, to generate a special image file that is smaller than the equivalent full-frame image file. This special image file can be used to regenerate any of a multiplicity of full-sized encoded image files, each of which results in the display of the sub-frame image at one of a multiplicity of positions within the full-sized image frame.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

combining an image data file and broadcast video content, wherein the image data is not compliant with MPEG and MPEG-2;

transmitting the combined image data file and video content;

receiving the transmitted image data file and video content;

generating a second image data file based on the first image data file, wherein the second image data file is compliant with at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2;

decoding the second image data file; and

displaying the decoded second image data file with the broadcast video content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first image data file includes one or more slices having one or more macroblocks, wherein each macroblock in a slice is encoded using at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2 encoding format.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein each slice includes total number of bits information for the slice.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein generating includes byte aligning the macroblocks in a slice by padding the corresponding slice with data at the beginning of the slice based on frame position information included in the first image data file, wherein byte aligning produces slices that are encoded according to at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the padding data includes at least one empty macroblock.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein generating further includes padding data at the end of at least one slice.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first image data file includes a header, wherein the header includes width and height information.

8. A system comprising:

a first component configured to combine an image data file and broadcast video content, wherein the image data is not compliant with MPEG and MPEG-2 and transmit the combined image data file and video content; and

a second component configured to receive the transmitted image data file and video content, generate a second image data file based on the first image data file, wherein the second image data file is compliant with at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2, decode the second image data file, and display the decoded second image data file with the broadcast video content.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first image data file includes one or more slices having one or more macroblocks, wherein each macroblock in a slice is encoded using at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2 encoding format.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each slice includes total number of bits information for the slice.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the second component generates the second image data file by byte aligning the macroblocks in a slice, wherein byte aligning is performed by padding the corresponding slice with data at the beginning of the slice based on frame position information included in the first image data file, wherein byte aligning produces slices that are encoded according to at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the padding data includes at least one empty macroblock.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second component generates the second image data file by padding data at the end of at least one slice.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the first image data file includes a header, wherein the header includes width and height information.

15. A method comprising:

combining an image data file and broadcast video content, wherein the image data is formatted according to Q-frame format; and

transmitting the combined image data file and video content.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first image data file includes one or more slices having one or more macroblocks, wherein each macroblock in a slice is encoded using at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2 encoding format.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each slice includes total number of bits information for the slice.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first image data file includes a header, wherein the header includes width and height information.

19. A computer-based system comprising:

a first component configured to generate an image data file, wherein the image data is formatted according to Q-frame format;

a second component configured to combine the image data file and broadcast video content; and

a third component configured to transmit the combined image data file and video content.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first image data file includes one or more slices having one or more macroblocks, wherein each macroblock in a slice is encoded using at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2 encoding.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein each slice includes total number of bits information for the slice.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the first image data file includes a header, wherein the header includes width and height information.

23. A method comprising:

receiving an image data file and video content, wherein the image data is not compliant with MPEG and MPEG-2;

generating a second image data file based on the received image data file, wherein the second image data file is compliant with at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2;

decoding the second image data file; and

displaying the decoded second image data file with the broadcast video content.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first image data file includes one or more slices having one or more macroblocks, wherein each macroblock in a slice is encoded using at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2 encoding format.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein each slice includes total number of bits information for the slice.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein generating includes byte aligning the macroblocks in a slice by padding the corresponding slice with data at the beginning of the slice based on frame position information included in the first image data file, wherein byte aligning produces slices that are encoded according to at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the padding data includes at least one empty macroblock.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein generating further includes padding data at the end of at least one slice.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the first image data file includes a header, wherein the header includes width and height information.

30. A system comprising:

a first component configured to receive an image data file and video content, wherein the image data is not compliant with MPEG and MPEG-2;

a second component configured to generate a second image data file based on the received image data file, wherein the second image data file is compliant with at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2;

a third component configured to decode the second image data file; and

a fourth component configured to display the decoded second image data file with the broadcast video content.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the first image data file includes one or more slices having one or more macroblocks, wherein each macroblock in a slice is encoded using at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2 encoding format.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein each slice includes total number of bits information for the slice.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the second component generates the second image data file by byte aligning the macroblocks in a slice, wherein byte aligning is performed by padding the corresponding slice with data at the beginning of the slice based on frame position information included in the first image data file, wherein byte aligning produces slices that are encoded according to at least one of MPEG or MPEG-2.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the padding data includes at least one empty macroblock.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the second component generates the second image data file by padding data at the end of at least one slice.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the first image data file includes a header, wherein the header includes width and height information.

37. A method comprising:

combining an image data file and broadcast video content, wherein the image data is undecodable by a decode application program;

transmitting the combined image data file and video content;

receiving the transmitted image data file and video content;

generating a second image data file based on the first image data file, wherein the second image data file is decodable by a decode application program;

decoding the second image data file; and

displaying the decoded second image data file with the broadcast video content.