Method for determing entropy of a pixel of a real time streaming digital video image signal, and applications thereof

• US 20030081677A1
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oplus Technologies Ltd. (Intel Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oplus Technologies Ltd. (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Segman, Yosef
• Granted Patent: US 7,271,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/240.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0112 one of the standards corresponding to a cinematograph film standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/012 Conversion between an interlaced and a progressive signal for graphics images G09G2310/0229

Abstract

Method for determining entropy of a pixel of a real time streaming digital video image signal, particularly applicable for identifying the origin of, and processing, in real time, pixels of interlaced, non-interlaced, or de-interlaced, streaming digital video image signals, and for correcting errors produced during editing of streaming digital video image signals. Based upon the fundamental aspect of determining the degree or extent of randomness or disorder, or entropy, and determining the fluctuation thereof, of each pixel relative to inter-local neighborhoods and intra-local neighborhoods of selected pixels originating from the streaming digital video image input signal. Automatically detects and identifies original mode of the video input signal (film movie, video camera, or graphics). Independent of type of mode conversion used for generating the original video input signal, and not based upon an ‘a priori’ type of pattern recognition method.

Claims

1. A method for determining entropy of a pixel of a real time streaming digital video image signal, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving and characterizing the streaming digital video image input signal during a pre-determined time interval;

(b) assigning and characterizing a local neighborhood of neighboring pixels to each input image pixel of the streaming digital video image input signal, in a temporal interlaced sequence of three consecutive fields in a global input grid of pixels included in the streaming digital video input image signal, said three consecutive fields being a previous field, a next field, and a current field; and

(c) determining the entropy of each virtual pixel, of each previous pixel, and of each next pixel, in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields, relative to said assigned and characterized local neighborhoods of said neighboring pixels, said determining comprising the steps of;

(i) calculating values of pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said previous pixel in said previous field, and for each said next pixel in said next field, whereby each said value of each said pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said neighboring pixels located in subsets of said assigned and characterized local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel in said current field, and said assigned and characterized local neighborhood of each said previous pixel in said previous field, and of each said next pixel, in said next field, respectively;

(ii) calculating a value of a virtual-pixel intra-local neighborhood parameter, for each said virtual pixel in said current field;

(iii) adjusting a value of a pixel entropy counter for each said previous pixel in said previous field, for each said next pixel in said next field, and for each said virtual pixel in said current field; and

(iv) calculating a value of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, from said values of said pixel entropy counters of said pixels.

2. The method of claim 1, whereby in step (a) the streaming digital video image input signal is received following subjecting the streaming digital video image input signal to a pull down mode conversion method selected from the group consisting of a 3:

2 pull down mode conversion method, a 2;

2 pull down mode conversion method, and, another type of pull down mode conversion.

3. The method of claim 1, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(i) assigning a first local neighborhood of said neighboring pixels to each said virtual pixel within a missing horizontal line of said current field.

4. The method of claim 3, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(ii) assigning a second local neighborhood of said neighboring pixels to each said pixel located in said previous field, and to each said pixel located in said next field.

5. The method of claim 4, whereby pixels located in horizontal lines of a field previous to said previous field are selected for said assigning said second local neighborhood to each said previous pixel located in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields.

6. The method of claim 4, whereby pixels located in horizontal lines of a field next to said next field are selected for said assigning said second local neighborhood to each said next pixel located in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields.

7. The method of claim 4, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(iii) selecting a said previous pixel and a said next pixel as two sequential pixels in said previous field and in said next field, respectively.

8. The method of claim 1, whereby step (i) of step (c) further comprises:

(1) calculating values of two previous-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said previous pixel in said previous field, said value of each said previous-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in subsets of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and a second said local neighborhood of each said previous pixel.

9. The method of claim 1, whereby step (i) of step (c) further comprises:

(2) calculating values of two next-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said next pixel in said next field, said value of each said next-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in subsets of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and a second said local neighborhood of each said next pixel.

10. The method of claim 1, whereby in step (ii) of step (c), said value of said virtual-pixel intra-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of intra-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in horizontal lines of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and said pixels located in different horizontal lines within same said first local neighborhood of same said virtual pixel.

11. The method of claim 1, whereby in step (iii) of step (c) said value of each said entropy counter is adjusted according to results obtained by performing mathematical logical operations on said values of said pixel local neighborhood parameters and on said values of said virtual-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter.

12. The method of claim 1, whereby step (iv) of step (c) is performed according to a sequence of mathematical logical operations performed on said values of said pixel entropy counters of said previous pixel in said previous field, said next pixel in said next field, and of said virtual pixel in said current field.

13. The method of claim 1, whereby step (iv) of step (c) includes use of evaluating an entropy function expressed in terms of said pixel entropy counters of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field.

14. The method of claim 1, whereby step (iv) of step (c) further includes determining relative relationships among said entropy values of said pixels, by using said values of said pixel entropy counters of said pixels.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the additional step of:

(d) defining and adjusting a value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of each said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of said pixels included in the streaming digital video input image signal, thereby further characterizing said value of the entropy of each said virtual pixel in said current field.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

(i) initializing and setting said value of said fluctuation of said value of the entropy equal to zero, for each said virtual pixel in said current field; and

(ii) increasing said value of said fluctuation of said value of the entropy if there is a change in slope between sequential pairs of said neighboring pixels in said local neighborhood of said virtual pixel.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the additional step of:

(e) assigning a real value to each said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of said pixels in the streaming digital video input image signal.

18. The method of claim 17, whereby said assigning is performed according to mathematical logical operations performed on said values of the entropy of said previous pixel in said previous field, said next pixel in said next field, and said virtual pixel in said current field.

19. The method of claim 17, whereby said real value assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field is selected from the group consisting of real value of said previous pixel, and real value of said next pixel.

20. The method of claim 17, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel.

21. The method of claim 17, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel, by using a procedure of spline interpolation.

22. The method of claim 17, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel, by using a procedure of directional interpolation.

23. The method of claim 17, whereby said real value assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field is equal to real value of said previous pixel and to real value of said next pixel.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

(f) repeating steps (b) through (e) for a pre-determined plurality of additional said temporal interlaced sequences of three consecutive fields in said global input grid of frames featured in the streaming digital video input image signal, for generating a streaming digital video output image signal.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

(g) displaying said streaming digital video output image signal on a display of a digital video image display device.

26. The method of claim 1, whereby said values of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, in the streaming digital video input image signal are used for automatically detecting nature of a video source by inherently identifying original mode of the real time streaming digital video image input signal.

27. The method of claim 26, whereby said original mode of the real time streaming digital video image input signal is selected from the group consisting of a film movie mode, a video camera mode, a graphics mode, and a combination mode, thereof.

28. The method of claim 1, whereby said values of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, in the streaming digital video input image signal are used for correcting an error produced during real time editing of the streaming digital video image input signal.

29. The method of claim 1, whereby said values of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, in the streaming digital video input image signal are used for automatically deciding, by performing sequences of mathematical logical operations, not to use values selected from the group consisting of value of a said previous pixel in said previous field, and value of a next pixel in said next field, for assigning a real value to said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of pixels featured in the streaming digital video input image signal, thereby correcting an error produced during real time editing of the streaming digital video image input signal.

30. A method determining entropy of a pixel of a real time streaming digital video image signal, for automatically detecting the nature of a video source, by identifying original mode of the real time streaming digital video image input signal, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving and characterizing the streaming digital video image input signal during a pre-determined time interval;

(b) assigning and characterizing a local neighborhood of neighboring pixels to each input image pixel of the streaming digital video image input signal, in a temporal interlaced sequence of three consecutive fields in a global input grid of pixels included in the streaming digital video input image signal, said three consecutive fields being a previous field, a next field, and a current field; and

(c) determining the entropy of each virtual pixel, of each previous pixel, and of each next pixel, in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields, relative to said assigned and characterized local neighborhoods of said neighboring pixels, said determining comprising the steps of;

(i) calculating values of pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said previous pixel in said previous field, and for each said next pixel in said next field, whereby each said value of each said pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said neighboring pixels located in subsets of said assigned and characterized local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel in said current field, and said assigned and characterized local neighborhood of each said previous pixel in said previous field, and of each said next pixel, in said next field, respectively;

(ii) calculating a value of a virtual-pixel intra-local neighborhood parameter, for each said virtual pixel in said current field;

(iii) adjusting a value of a pixel entropy counter for each said previous pixel in said previous field, for each said next pixel in said next field, and for each said virtual pixel in said current field;

(iv) calculating a value of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, from said values of said pixel entropy counters of said pixels;

(d) defining and adjusting a value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of each said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of said pixels included in the streaming digital video input image signal, thereby further characterizing said value of the entropy of each said virtual pixel in said current field; and

(e) assigning a real value to each said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of said pixels in the streaming digital video input image signal,

whereby said real values of said virtual pixels in the streaming digital video input image signal correspond to identification of the original mode of the real time streaming digital video image input signal.

31. The method of claim 30, whereby in step (a) the streaming digital video image input signal is received following subjecting the streaming digital video image input signal to a pull down mode conversion method selected from the group consisting of a 3:

2 pull down mode conversion method, a 2;

2 pull down mode conversion method, and, another type of pull down mode conversion.

32. The method of claim 30, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(i) assigning a first local neighborhood of said neighboring pixels to each said virtual pixel within a missing horizontal line of said current field.

33. The method of claim 32, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(ii) assigning a second local neighborhood of said neighboring pixels to each said pixel located in said previous field, and to each said pixel located in said next field.

34. The method of claim 33, whereby pixels located in horizontal lines of a field previous to said previous field are selected for said assigning said second local neighborhood to each said previous pixel located in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields.

35. The method of claim 33, whereby pixels located in horizontal lines of a field next to said next field are selected for said assigning said second local neighborhood to each said next pixel located in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields.

36. The method of claim 33, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(iii) selecting a said previous pixel and a said next pixel as two sequential pixels in said previous field and in said next field, respectively.

37. The method of claim 30, whereby step (i) of step (c) further comprises:

(1) calculating values of two previous-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said previous pixel in said previous field, said value of each said previous-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in subsets of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and a second said local neighborhood of each said previous pixel.

38. The method of claim 30, whereby step (i) of step (c) further comprises:

(2) calculating values of two next-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said next pixel in said next field, said value of each said next-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in subsets of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and a second said local neighborhood of each said next pixel.

39. The method of claim 30, whereby in step (ii) of step (c), said value of said virtual-pixel intra-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of intra-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in horizontal lines of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and said pixels located in different horizontal lines within same said first local neighborhood of same said virtual pixel.

40. The method of claim 30, whereby in step (iii) of step (c) said value of each said entropy counter is adjusted according to results obtained by performing mathematical logical operations on said values of said pixel local neighborhood parameters and on said values of said virtual-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter.

41. The method of claim 30, whereby step (iv) of step (c) is performed according to a sequence of mathematical logical operations performed on said values of said pixel entropy counters of said previous pixel in said previous field, said next pixel in said next field, and of said virtual pixel in said current field.

42. The method of claim 30, whereby step (iv) of step (c) includes use of evaluating an entropy function expressed in terms of said pixel entropy counters of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field.

43. The method of claim 30, whereby step (iv) of step (c) further includes determining relative relationships among said entropy values of said pixels, by using said values of said pixel entropy counters of said pixels.

44. The method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

(i) initializing and setting said value of said fluctuation of said value of the entropy equal to zero, for each said virtual pixel in said current field; and

(ii) increasing said value of said fluctuation of said value of the entropy if there is a change in slope between sequential pairs of said neighboring pixels in said local neighborhood of said virtual pixel.

45. The method of claim 30, whereby said assigning is performed according to mathematical logical operations performed on said values of the entropy of said previous pixel in said previous field, said next pixel in said next field, and said virtual pixel in said current field.

46. The method of claim 30, whereby said real value assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field is selected from the group consisting of real value of said previous pixel, and real value of said next pixel.

47. The method of claim 30, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel.

48. The method of claim 30, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel, by using a procedure of spline interpolation.

49. The method of claim 30, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel, by using a procedure of directional interpolation.

50. The method of claim 30, whereby said real value assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field is equal to real value of said previous pixel and to real value of said next pixel.

51. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of:

(f) repeating steps (b) through (e) for a pre-determined plurality of additional said temporal interlaced sequences of three consecutive fields in said global input grid of frames featured in the streaming digital video input image signal, for generating a streaming digital video output image signal.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of:

(g) displaying said streaming digital video output image signal on a display of a digital video image display device.

53. The method of claim 30, whereby the original mode of the real time streaming digital video image input signal is selected from the group consisting of a film movie mode, a video camera mode, a graphics mode, and a combination mode, thereof.

54. The method of claim 30, whereby said values of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, in the streaming digital video input image signal are used for correcting an error produced during real time editing of the streaming digital video image input signal.

55. The method of claim 30, whereby said values of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, in the streaming digital video input image signal are used for automatically deciding, by performing sequences of mathematical logical operations, not to use values selected from the group consisting of value of a said previous pixel in said previous field, and value of a next pixel in said next field, for assigning a real value to said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of pixels featured in the streaming digital video input image signal, thereby correcting an error produced during real time editing of the streaming digital video image input signal.

56. A method determining entropy of a pixel of a real time streaming digital video image signal, for automatically correcting an error produced during real time editing of the real time streaming digital video image input signal, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving and characterizing the streaming digital video image input signal during a pre-determined time interval;

(b) assigning and characterizing a local neighborhood of neighboring pixels to each input image pixel of the streaming digital video image input signal, in a temporal interlaced sequence of three consecutive fields in a global input grid of pixels included in the streaming digital video input image signal, said three consecutive fields being a previous field, a next field, and a current field; and

(c) determining the entropy of each virtual pixel, of each previous pixel, and of each next pixel, in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields, relative to said assigned and characterized local neighborhoods of said neighboring pixels, said determining comprising the steps of;

(i) calculating values of pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said previous pixel in said previous field, and for each said next pixel in said next field, whereby each said value of each said pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said neighboring pixels located in subsets of said assigned and characterized local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel in said current field, and said assigned and characterized local neighborhood of each said previous pixel in said previous field, and of each said next pixel, in said next field, respectively;

(ii) calculating a value of a virtual-pixel intra-local neighborhood parameter, for each said virtual pixel in said current field;

(iii) adjusting a value of a pixel entropy counter for each said previous pixel in said previous field, for each said next pixel in said next field, and for each said virtual pixel in said current field; and

(iv) calculating a value of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, from said values of said pixel entropy counters of said pixels,

whereby said values of the entropy of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field, in the streaming digital video input image signal are used for automatically deciding, by performing sequences of mathematical logical operations, not to use values selected from the group consisting of value of a said previous pixel in said previous field, and value of a next pixel in said next field, for assigning a real value to said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of pixels featured in the streaming digital video input image signal, thereby correcting an error produced during real time editing of the streaming digital video image input signal.

57. The method of claim 56, whereby in step (a) the streaming digital video image input signal is received following subjecting the streaming digital video image input signal to a pull down mode conversion method selected from the group consisting of a 3:

2 pull down mode conversion method, a 2;

2 pull down mode conversion method, and, another type of pull down mode conversion.

58. The method of claim 56, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(i) assigning a first local neighborhood of said neighboring pixels to each said virtual pixel within a missing horizontal line of said current field.

59. The method of claim 58, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(ii) assigning a second local neighborhood of said neighboring pixels to each said pixel located in said previous field, and to each said pixel located in said next field.

60. The method of claim 59, whereby pixels located in horizontal lines of a field previous to said previous field are selected for said assigning said second local neighborhood to each said previous pixel located in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields.

61. The method of claim 59, whereby pixels located in horizontal lines of a field next to said next field are selected for said assigning said second local neighborhood to each said next pixel located in said temporal interlaced sequence of said three consecutive fields.

62. The method of claim 59, whereby step (b) further comprises:

(iii) selecting a said previous pixel and a said next pixel as two sequential pixels in said previous field and in said next field, respectively.

63. The method of claim 56, whereby step (i) of step (c) further comprises:

(1) calculating values of two previous-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said previous pixel in said previous field, said value of each said previous-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in subsets of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and a second said local neighborhood of each said previous pixel.

64. The method of claim 56, whereby step (i) of step (c) further comprises:

(2) calculating values of two next-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameters for each said next pixel in said next field, said value of each said next-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of inter-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in subsets of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and a second said local neighborhood of each said next pixel.

65. The method of claim 56, whereby in step (ii) of step (c), said value of said virtual-pixel intra-local neighborhood parameter represents a regional sum of intra-local neighborhood weighted distances measured between said pixels located in horizontal lines of a first said local neighborhood of each said virtual pixel, and said pixels located in different horizontal lines within same said first local neighborhood of same said virtual pixel.

66. The method of claim 56, whereby in step (iii) of step (c) said value of each said entropy counter is adjusted according to results obtained by performing mathematical logical operations on said values of said pixel local neighborhood parameters and on said values of said virtual-pixel inter-local neighborhood parameter.

67. The method of claim 56, whereby step (iv) of step (c) is performed according to a sequence of mathematical logical operations performed on said values of said pixel entropy counters of said previous pixel in said previous field, said next pixel in said next field, and of said virtual pixel in said current field.

68. The method of claim 56, whereby step (iv) of step (c) includes use of evaluating an entropy function expressed in terms of said pixel entropy counters of each said previous pixel in said previous field, of each said next pixel in said next field, and of each said virtual pixel in said current field.

69. The method of claim 56, whereby step (iv) of step (c) further includes determining relative relationships among said entropy values of said pixels, by using said values of said pixel entropy counters of said pixels.

70. The method of claim 56, further comprising the additional step of:

(d) defining and adjusting a value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of each said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of said pixels included in the streaming digital video input image signal, thereby further characterizing said value of the entropy of each said virtual pixel in said current field.

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising the steps of:

(i) initializing and setting said value of said fluctuation of said value of the entropy equal to zero, for each said virtual pixel in said current field; and

(ii) increasing said value of said fluctuation of said value of the entropy if there is a change in slope between sequential pairs of said neighboring pixels in said local neighborhood of said virtual pixel.

72. The method of claim 70, further comprising the additional step of:

(e) assigning a real value to each said virtual pixel in said current field in said global input grid of said pixels in the streaming digital video input image signal.

73. The method of claim 72, whereby said assigning is performed according to mathematical logical operations performed on said values of the entropy of said previous pixel in said previous field, said next pixel in said next field, and said virtual pixel in said current field.

74. The method of claim 72, whereby said real value assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field is selected from the group consisting of real value of said previous pixel, and real value of said next pixel.

75. The method of claim 72, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel.

76. The method of claim 72, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel, by using a procedure of spline interpolation.

77. The method of claim 72, whereby said real value is assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field according to a said value of fluctuation of said value of the entropy of said virtual pixel, by using a procedure of directional interpolation.

78. The method of claim 72, whereby said real value assigned to a said virtual pixel in said current field is equal to real value of said previous pixel and to real value of said next pixel.

79. The method of claim 72, further comprising the step of:

(f) repeating steps (b) through (e) for a pre-determined plurality of additional said temporal interlaced sequences of three consecutive fields in said global input grid of frames featured in the streaming digital video input image signal, for generating a streaming digital video output image signal.

80. The method of claim 79, further comprising the step of:

(g) displaying said streaming digital video output image signal on a display of a digital video image display device.