Patent US5262855A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5262855A
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Method and apparatus for encoding selected images at lower resolution
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1992-03-25
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Granted: 1993-11-16
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Expires: 2012-03-25
Abstract
Abstract 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Adnan M. Alattar
- 👤 Michael Keith
- 👤 Stuart J. Golin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N19/00; H04N19/10; H04N19/189; H04N19/196; H04N19/198; G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/20; G06T7/207; H04N19/102; H04N19/117; H04N19/132; H04N19/134; H04N19/136; H04N19/137; H04N19/139; H04N19/14; H04N19/142; H04N19/156; H04N19/162; H04N19/169; H04N19/17; H04N19/172; H04N19/50; H04N19/503; H04N19/51; H04N19/59; H04N19/146; H04N19/149; H04N19/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a dissolve region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a dissolve region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a dissolve region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a dissolve region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a fade region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a fade region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a fade region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a fade region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a fast motion region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a fast motion region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a fast motion region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a fast motion region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a complex motion region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a complex motion region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether said image is part of a complex motion region; and (c) if it is determined that said image is not part of a complex motion region then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image at a first level of resolution for encoding; (b) determining whether a parameter derived from an estimate of the available decoding time is above a predetermined threshold; and (c) if it is determined that said parameter is above said predetermined threshold then encoding said image at said first level of resolution otherwise forming a lower resolution image at a second level of resolution, and encoding only said lower resolution image, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image at a first level of resolution for encoding; (b) determining whether a parameter derived from an estimate of the available decoding time is above a predetermined threshold; and (c) if it is determined that said parameter is above said predetermined threshold then encoding said image at said first level of resolution otherwise forming a lower resolution image at a second level of resolution, and encoding only said lower resolution image, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for encoding a sub-sequence of N digital motion video images, wherein N is greater than or equal to two, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sub-sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether the quantization step size associated with said image is greater than a predetermined threshold; (c) if it is determined that said quantization step size is not greater than said predetermined threshold then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution, wherein said image is partially encoded if it is within the first N minus one images provided from said sub-sequence, otherwise said image is fully encoded; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for the remaining images in said sub-sequence.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for encoding a sub-sequence of N digital motion video images, wherein N is greater than or equal to two, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image from said sub-sequence for encoding; (b) determining whether the quantization step size associated with said image is greater than a predetermined threshold; (c) if it is determined that said quantization step size is not greater than said predetermined threshold then encoding said image at a first level of resolution otherwise encoding said image at a second level of resolution, said second level of resolution being lower than said first level of resolution, wherein said image is partially encoded if it is within the first N minus one images provided from said sub-sequence, otherwise said image is fully encoded; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for the remaining images in said sub-sequence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said step of encoding said image at said second level of resolution comprises the steps of: i. filtering said image in at least one dimension; ii. subsampling said image in at least one dimension; and iii. encoding said subsampled image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said image is filtered and subsampled in two dimensions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said subsampled image is encoded using pyramidal encoding.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said subsampled image is encoded as a still image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said step of encoding said image at said second level of resolution comprises the steps of: i. filtering said image in at least one dimension; ii. subsampling said image in at least one dimension; iii. providing a previous image from said sequence; iv. subsampling said previous image; and v. encoding a difference image derived from said subsampled image and said subsampled previous image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11, wherein step (iii) further comprises the step of filtering said previous image in at least one dimension.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said difference image in step (v) is determined using motion compensation.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a dissolve region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a dissolve region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a dissolve region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a dissolve region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a dissolve region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a dissolve region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a fade region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a fade region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a fade region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a fade region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a fade region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a fade region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a fast motion region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a fast motion region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a fast motion region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a fast motion region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a fast motion region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a fast motion region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a complex region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a complex motion region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a complex motion region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether said image is part of a complex region; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is not part of a complex motion region; and (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said image is part of a complex motion region; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image at a first level of resolution for encoding; (b) means for determining whether a parameter derived from an estimate of the available decoding time is above a predetermined threshold; (c) means for encoding said image at said first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said parameter is above said predetermined threshold; (d) means for forming a lower resolution image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said parameter is not above said predetermined threshold; (e) means for encoding only said lower resolution image if it is determined by said determining means that said parameter is not above said predetermined threshold; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for encoding a sequence of one or more digital motion video images comprising: (a) means for providing an image at a first level of resolution for encoding; (b) means for determining whether a parameter derived from an estimate of the available decoding time is above a predetermined threshold; (c) means for encoding said image at said first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said parameter is above said predetermined threshold; (d) means for forming a lower resolution image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said parameter is not above said predetermined threshold; (e) means for encoding only said lower resolution image if it is determined by said determining means that said parameter is not above said predetermined threshold; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for encoding a sub-sequence of N digital motion video images, wherein N is greater than or equal to two, comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sub-sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether the quantization step size associated with said image is greater than a predetermined threshold; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said quantization step size is not greater than said predetermined threshold; (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said quantization step size is greater than said predetermined threshold; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution, and said means for encoding at a first level of resolution and said means for encoding at a second level of resolution fully encode said image if said image is the Nth image provided from said sub-sequence, otherwise said means for encoding at a first level of resolution and said means for encoding at a second level of resolution partially encode said image.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for encoding a sub-sequence of N digital motion video images, wherein N is greater than or equal to two, comprising: (a) means for providing an image from said sub-sequence for encoding; (b) means for determining whether the quantization step size associated with said image is greater than a predetermined threshold; (c) means for encoding said image at a first level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said quantization step size is not greater than said predetermined threshold; (d) means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution if it is determined by said determining means that said quantization step size is greater than said predetermined threshold; wherein said second level of resolution is lower than said first level of resolution, and said means for encoding at a first level of resolution and said means for encoding at a second level of resolution fully encode said image if said image is the Nth image provided from said sub-sequence, otherwise said means for encoding at a first level of resolution and said means for encoding at a second level of resolution partially encode said image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, wherein said means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution comprises: i. means for filtering said image in at least one dimension; ii. means for subsampling said image in at least one dimension; and iii. means for encoding said subsampled image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said means for filtering is provided with means for filtering and subsampling said image in two dimensions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, wherein said means for encoding said image at a second level of resolution comprises: i. means for filtering said image in at least one dimension; ii. means for subsampling said image in at least one dimension; iii. means for providing a previous image from said sequence; iv. means for subsampling said previous image; and v. means for encoding a difference image derived from said subsampled image and said subsampled previous image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said difference image is determined using motion compensation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-05-17 | 2001-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-15 | 2005-05-17 | 2005-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |