Video coding and reconstruction apparatus and methods

• US 6,782,132 B1
• Filed: 08/11/1999
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Skymoon Ventures
• Original Assignee: Pixonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Fogg, Chad Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Do, Anh Hong
• Application Number:
  US09/372,656
• Time in Patent Office: 1,840 Days
• Field of Search: 382/232, 382/180, 382/260, 382/261, 382/190, 348/716, 348/718, 375/240.26
• US Class Current: 382/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/20 Processor architectures; Processor configuration, e.g. pipelining
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/02 Handling of images in compressed format, e.g. JPEG, MPEG
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/20 for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/33 in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/42 characterised by implementation details or hardware specially adapted for video compression or decompression, e.g. dedicated software implementation H04N19/635 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/46 Embedding additional information in the video signal during the compression process H04N19/517, H04N19/68, H04N19/70 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/51 Motion estimation or motion compensation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/521 for estimating the reliability of the determined motion vectors or motion vector field, e.g. for smoothing the motion vector field or for correcting motion vectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/523 with sub-pixel accuracy
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/577 Motion compensation with bidirectional frame interpolation, i.e. using B-pictures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/59 involving spatial sub-sampling or interpolation, e.g. alteration of picture size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/85 using pre-processing or post-processing specially adapted for video compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/86 involving reduction of coding artifacts, e.g. of blockiness
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/895 in combination with error concealment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/14 Picture signal circuitry for video frequency region cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/21 Circuitry for suppressing or minimising disturbance, e.g. moiré or halo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/64 Circuits for processing colour signals H04N9/77 takes precedence; camera processing pipelines for processing colour signals H04N23/84

Abstract

The present invention provides advanced encoding and advanced reconstruction apparatus and methods enabling low bitrate, enhanced coding and quality-enhanced reconstruction, among other aspects. Preferably operating in accordance with a super-domain model, the invention enables the superimposed use of advanced coding tools such as for determining the susceptibility of image data to optimization and degradation avoidance. Other preferred tools also include multi-dimensional diffusion, registration, meta data utilization, advanced constructs, image representation optimization and efficiency optimization. Advanced decoding further enables maximized utilization of received enhanced image data and other information, also preferably in accordance with a super-domain model. Advanced encoding preferably comprises reverse-superresolution encoding and advanced decoding preferably comprises advanced superresolution decoding, which can further be conducted in a distributed and/or cooperative manner.

Claims

1. A super-domain model, comprising:

a knowledge base including a reconstruction descriptor; and

a digital signal modifier in communication with the knowledge base and capable of modifying a received digital signal in accordance with the reconstruction descriptor such that reconstruction of a resultant digital signal modification is enabled.

2. The super domain model of claim 1, wherein the digital signal modifier includes capabilities for processing data types including meta data, in addition to image data, and also includes diffusion and metadata processing modules, an efficiency optimization module, a spatial optimization module and a scene analysis module.

3. The super domain model of claim 1, wherein the model is capable of modifying a digital signal comprising a single image.

4. A fusion method, comprising:

receiving digitally-coded image data;

identifying a source image portion aspect within the image data;

identifying a diffused image portion aspect within the image data; and

performing processing causing a pre-diffusion correspondence of the source image portion aspect and diffused image portion aspect to be generally re-established forming fused data.

5. A fusion method according to claim 4, wherein said step of correspondence is established according to a fusion parameter.

6. Fused data formed according to the method of claim 4.

7. A fusion method according to claim 6, wherein said fusion parameter is further received as meta data.

8. A digital image data fuser comprising:

means for receiving digitally-coded image data;

means for identifying a source image portion aspect within the image data;

means for identifying a diffused image portion aspect within the image data; and

means for performing processing causing a pre-diffusion correspondence of the source image portion aspect and diffused image portion aspect to be generally re-established.

9. A digital image data fuser according to claim 8, wherein means for identifying and performing comprise an advanced-superresolution reconstructer.