Video compression by bit‐plane watermarking

This article proposes a new fragile watermarking scheme named bit‐plane watermarking (BPW) which considers ways to improve coding efficiency whereas providing watermarking capability. Because of the use of the run‐length coding strategy for embedding watermark information, the BPW not only verifies the authenticity and integrity of video streams, but also can recompress the bit streams for improving the compression ratio. To verify the effectiveness of this new concept, we select the MPEG‐4 FGS as the platform for implementation. The watermark is embedded in the bit‐plane blocks of MPEG‐4 FGS enhancement layer bitstream, and the coefficient in each bit‐plane block is automatically selected so that the run‐length symbols can be reduced and the location of embedded bits is not required to memorize. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is demonstrated in a series of experimental simulations. It is shown that the scheme successfully detects changes made to the content of MPEG‐4 FGS video streams and identifies the specific location at which these changes have been made. Furthermore, the results show that the scheme can further reduce the length of compressed bit stream. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 257–264, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).     

Improved upsampling filter design for spatially scalable video coding

Scalable video coding is an ongoing standard, and the current working draft (WD) is to be finalized as an extension of H.264/AVC. It provides scalability at the bit stream level with good compression efficiency and allowing free combinations of spatial, temporal and quality scalability. In the WD, a uniform up‐sampling filter is employed to interpolate the base layer frames. This technique achieves high interpolated precision for both luma component and chroma components, but it results in extremely large encoding time which obstructs it from practical use. This paper proposes an improved up‐sampling filter design for spatially scalable video coding. It makes use of a basic characteristic of human vision system and intends to assign different filters for different components. Specifically, current usage of the 6‐tap up‐sampling filter is only for luma component, but for chroma components, much more simplified filter such as 4‐tap filter or 2‐tap filter should be used instead. Experimental results show that improved up‐sampling filter design reduces the computational complexity significantly with negligible coding loss and bit‐rate increases. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 17, 315–319, 2007     

A new progressive coding scheme for halftone dithered images using bit‐interleaving

A novel progressive coding scheme is presented for the efficient display of dithered images. Dithered images are the results of thresholding original gray‐level images with dithering screens. After the preprocessing of bit‐interleaving, this algorithm utilizes the characteristic of reordered image to determine the transmitting order and then progressively reconstructs the dithered image. In addition, the dithered images are further compressed by lossy and lossless procedures. The experimental results demonstrate high‐quality reconstructions while maintaining low transmitted bit rates. Moreover, an objective error criterion obtained by LMS optimization is also presented in this study. As documented in the experiments, the error criterion is quite consistent to the basic characteristic of human visual system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 121–127, 2006.     

Fast intra prediction mode decision for H.264/AVC video coding

Abstract

Intra coding is used for reducing the spatial redundancy in video coding. H.264 supports several macroblocks of predictions for intra coding such as luma block four 16×16 modes, nine 4×4 modes and chroma block four modes, which significantly improve intra coding efficiency, but increase the encoding complexity. In order to select the best mode, we need to calculate the cost of the various modes. In this paper, a fast intra prediction mode decision for H.264/AVC video coding is proposed. Based on Laplacian, this intra prediction mode decision detects edges and selects the best mode for the block. This mode decision can shorten the time to reduce the encoding time. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves an encoding time saving of 70% on average.     

视频编码优化中多模块关联度的分析与定量测试

在视频编码中,算法可定制的模块起着至关重要的作用.目前并没有资料对模块之间的关联度进行系统的调查研究,但是多模块算法的设计能够获得较好的全局最优化来代替局部优化,使得编码的性能与复杂度之间达到最佳平衡.怎样测量模块之间的关联度是一项非常有意义并且有趣的工作,本文尝试对模块间的关联性度量进行分析,并且给出了相关性因子的定量测试方法,最终我们通过关联性来为算法决定各个参数选择的优先顺序;实验以X264编码器为平台,给出了度量的相应结果,验证了本文提出的方法和理念,这对多模块联合算法优化有着重大的意义.     

一种基于差错估计的H.264视频容错算法

针对最新的视频编码标准H．264,设计了一种基于差错估计的容错算法。该算法结合信道条件,估计差错在视频编码帧之间的扩散;根据每个宏块差错的程度,自适应地判断是否对该宏块进行帧内编码,从而抑制差错的积累。在存在反向信道的环境中,该算法可以利用解码器反馈的实际宏块错误信息,跟踪差错扩散,对其进行更准确的估计,以提高容错性能。仿真表明,在各种信道条件下,该算法相对于随机帧内宏块更新算法．重建图像平均峰值信噪比有1．3～2．5dB的提高。同时,该算法对信道估计的要求不高,运算量和存储量的增加较低,具有实用性。     

基于H.264的自适应可伸缩编码研究

为了更好地适应网络及终端的多样性,本文针对基于H.264的可伸缩编码,提出了一种基于运动区域的自适应可伸缩编码的优化方案.该方案根据基本层的运动信息及编码模式自动提取图像的运动感兴趣区域,并以独立片的形式对其进行时间,空间和质量上的可伸缩编码,实现选择性增强.实验结果表明,该方案不仅能大幅降低编码复杂度,而且使增强层码流集中包含运动区域信息,从而提高运动区域的重建质量及整幅图像的主观质量.     

A technique of object‐adaptive vertex‐based shape coding for MPEG‐4 videos

The MPEG‐4 visual standard is the first international standard that allows the transmission of arbitrarily shaped video objects and provides technologies to view, access, and manipulate objects rather than pixels. It addresses the encoding of video objects by shape coding, motion estimation, and texture coding for interactivity, high compression, and scalability. Current binary shape‐coding techniques can be classified into two categories: bitmap based and contour based. O'Connell (1997) proposed an object‐adaptive vertex‐based shape‐coding method to improve the efficiency of shape coding. This method encodes the relative locations of a video object's vertices by adapting the representation to the dynamic range of the relative locations and by exploiting an octant‐based representation for each relative location. We propose an extension of O'Connell's method. Two relative locations of a video object's vertices are grouped and the x pairs and y pairs of the locations are encoded, respectively. Simulation results demonstrate that our method outperforms O'Connell's method. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 11, 277–282, 2000     

用于水下单光子视频通信的联合编码研究

为了实现有效与可靠的视频传输,针对水下单光子通信系统,提出了一种基于字典学习和LT码级联LDPC码的视频联合编码方案。通过字典学习稀疏编码,极大地压缩了视频数据量。根据水下单光子信道存在的删除特性,利用LT码级联LDPC码的信道级联编码方法,同时克服了LT码译码开销过大的缺点。由于LT码存在译码失败概率的问题,提出了译码成功双反馈机制。实验结果表明,当信道误码率处于10-2数量级、视频压缩率为75.6%时,可以实现平均峰值信噪比(PSNR)为37.4921 dB重建视频帧。     

Performance improvement of multi‐view video coding based on geometric prediction and human visual system

This article proposed an accurate disparity vector prediction (DVP) algorithm for multi‐view video coding. Differing from traditional DVP that uses the information of motion vectors of neighboring blocks, the geometry of the camera position is utilized to calculate the parallax of different viewpoints in this algorithm and this parallax is the foundation of DVP. We jointly applied the Just‐Noticeable‐Difference human visual model to the DVP. After filtered using Gaussian function, the geometric DVP was obtained. Experimental results showed that the proposed method achieved significant data reduction and subjective/objective quality enhancement. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 25, 41–49, 2015     

Design and implementation of real‐time software‐based H.261 video codec

ITU‐T H.261 is a video coding standard for videophone and video‐conferencing applications on LAN and ISDN, which requires a great amount of computing power for DCT and motion estimation, traditionally provided by hardware. Since motion estimation is a major problem in developing real‐time video codec, in this paper we propose a simple and fast motion estimation algorithm to reduce searching time. Mainly, a real‐time software‐based H.261 video codec is investigated and implemented, in which several fast methods such as programming technique and Intel MMX? instruction are used to improve computing speed. The experimental results have demonstrated that our H.261 codec can compress video in CIF format over 30 fps and in QCIF at 105 fps, and can achieve a very high decoding rate. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 73–83, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10013     

Three‐dimensional analyses of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane crack‐tip constraint characterization for fracture specimens

Three‐dimensional elastic–plastic finite element analyses have been conducted for 21 experimental specimens with different in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints in the literature. The distributions of five constraint parameters (namely T‐stress, Q, h, T_z and A_p) along crack fronts (specimen thickness) for the specimens were calculated. The capability and applicability of the parameters for characterizing in‐plane and out‐of‐plane crack‐tip constraints and establishing unified correlation with fracture toughness of a steel were investigated. The results show that the four constraint parameters (T‐stress, Q, h and T_z) based on crack‐tip stress fields are only sensitive to in‐plane or out‐of‐plane constraints. Therefore, the monotonic unified correlation curves with fracture toughness (toughness loci) cannot obtained by using them. The parameter A_p based on crack‐tip equivalent plastic strain is sensitive to both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints, and may effectively characterize both of them. The monotonic unified correlation curves with fracture toughness can be obtained by using A_p. In structural integrity assessments, the correlation curves may be used in the failure assessment diagram (FAD) methodology for incorporating both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint effects in structures for improving accuracy.     

Content‐aware full search scheme for motion estimation

Taking into consideration computational complexity and design regularity, this article proposes a content‐aware full search (CAFS) block matching scheme for motion estimation. Full search (FS) is widely employed in hardware design of block matching because of its regular data flow. But the huge computational complexity of FS makes it infeasible especially in low‐power environments. To reduce the required computational complexity, CAFS using a content‐aware computation allocation mechanism dynamically distributes computation to blocks with distinct motion content based on center‐biased distribution characteristics of motion vectors. Because all operations of CAFS can be performed by a series of ±2 FSs, the hardware of CAFS can be easily extended by the design of FS. Experimental results indicates that CAFS can achieve about 0.5–1.4 dB quality improvement over original FS in football and table tennis sequences under the same computation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 14, 246–252, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20028     

In‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint parameters along a three‐dimensional crack‐front stress field under creep loading

Full‐field three‐dimensional (3D) numerical analyses was performed to determine in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint effect on crack‐front stress fields under creep conditions of finite thickness boundary layer models and different specimen geometries. Several parameters are used to characterize constraint effects including the non‐singular T‐stresses, the local triaxiality parameter, the T_z ‐factor of the stress‐state in a 3D cracked body and the second‐order‐term amplitude factor. The constraint parameters are determined for centre‐cracked plate, three‐point bend specimen and compact tension specimen. Discrepancies in constraint parameter distribution on the line of crack extension and along crack front depending on the thickness of the specimens have been observed under different loading conditions of creeping power law hardening material for various configurations of specimens.     

In‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint for single edge notched bending specimen and cruciform specimen under uniaxial and biaxial loading

Considering fracture constraint is an efficient way to describe stress–strain field and fracture toughness more accurately, so it is necessary to realise the relationship with in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint for different standard specimens. In this paper, three‐dimensional finite element method is applied to study the in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint for both cruciform specimen and single edge notched bending specimen made from commercial pure titanium. Crack length and in‐plane loading as the factors affecting in‐plane constraint, and thickness as the factor affecting the out‐of‐plane constraint are used to study the effect on both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint in this paper. From the results, in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint are both related to specimen geometries and loading styles. And there exist relationships with in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint because of factors for different specimens. Depending on crack length, out‐of‐plane constraint increases with in‐plane constraint. While depending on transverse loading, out‐of‐plane constraint decreases with in‐plane constraint. In addition, when the in‐plane constraint of a specimen is higher, in‐plane constraint increases with out‐of‐plane constraint (thickness). When the in‐plane constraint is lower, in‐plane constraint almost remains unchanged with out‐of‐plane constraint.     

Intra mode selection in downsizing video transcoder based on H.264

An intra mode selection scheme is proposed in this work, which supports both downsizing transcoding and re‐quantization transcoding simultaneously. In the proposal, a total number of nonzero coefficients in precoded frame is used as criterion and a thresholding method is applied to select intra macroblock mode in re‐encoder. To calculate this threshold, which is related to re‐quantization parameter (denoted as Q_r), we propose a Th_I‐Q_r model which includes direct method and percentage I16MB method. In the former, an exponent model is proposed to describe relationship between the threshold and the Q_r; while in the latter, the threshold Th_I is converted into percentage of macroblocks with I16MB mode in the downsized frame (denoted as per_16), and relationship between the per_16 and the Q_r is also modeled as an exponent function. Then the two exponent models are all converted into linear regression model, and least square estimation is used to estimate the parameters of the models. Furthermore, if I4MB mode is selected for one macroblock, the intra prediction modes in precoded frame are utilized to select prediction mode for every 4 × 4 block of the macroblock in downsized frame to reduce computational complexity. We compared rate distortion performance and computational complexity of the proposed method with rate‐distortion optimization method. Simulation results demonstrate that on the precondition of compression performance of the proposal being close to the results of the rate‐distortion optimization method, the proposed method can save up to 30 and 80% in total encoding time and mode decision time, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 19, 340–349, 2009     

Research on adaptive scanning and quantisation for 3D DCT video coding

Abstract

Nowadays, a well-established video coding method is based on the block-matching algorithm that is in the core of all MPEG and H.26x standards. However, this method involves motion estimation and compensation; thus the computational complexity is high. However, the video coding based on three-dimensional discrete cosine transform (3D DCT) is a potential method, and the scanning order and quantisation of 3D DCT coefficients play a crucial role in coding effect. So, the statistical performances of 3D DCT are studied in this paper, and then adaptive scanning order and quantisation of 3D coefficients are proposed. The theoretical analysis and experiment results show significant improvement in performance over previously reported methods.     

Unified correlation of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints with fracture toughness

In this paper, the specimens with different geometries and loading configurations were used to study the unified correlation of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints with fracture toughness by using numerical simulation method. The results show that the unified constraint parameter A_p which was defined on the basis of the areas surrounded by the equivalent plastic strain isolines ahead of crack tip can characterise both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints induced by different specimen geometries and loading configurations. A sole linear relation between the normalised fracture toughness J_IC/J_ref and was obtained. The J_IC/J_ref ‐ line is a unified correlation line of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints with fracture toughness of a material, and the constraint dependent fracture toughness of a material can be determined from the unified correlation line. The results also demonstrate that the out‐of‐plane constraint effect is related to the in‐plane constraint effect, and there exists interaction between them. The higher in‐plane constraint strengthens the out‐of‐plane constraint effect, whereas the lower in‐plane constraint is not sensitive to the out‐of‐plane constraint effect.     

Three‐dimensional analyses of unified characterization parameter of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraint

Based on extensive three‐dimensional finite element analyses, the unified characterization parameter A_c of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraint based on crack‐tip equivalent creep strain for three specimen geometries (C(T), SEN(T) and M(T)) were quantified for 316H steel at 550 °C and steady‐state creep. The distributions of the parameter A_c along crack fronts (specimen thickness) were calculated, and its capability and applicability for characterizing a wide range of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraints in different specimen geometries have been comparatively analysed with the constraint parameters based on crack‐tip stress fields (namely R*, h and T_Z). The results show that the parameter A_c in the centre region of all specimens appears uniform distribution and lower value (higher constraint), and in the region near free surface it shows protuberant distribution and higher value (lower constraint). The parameter A_c can simultaneously and effectively characterize a wide range of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraints, while the parameters R*, h and T_Z based on crack‐tip stress fields cannot achieve this. The different capabilities of these parameters for characterizing in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraints originate from their underlying theories. The parameter A_c may be useful for accurately characterizing the overall constraint level composed of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints in actual high‐temperature components, and it may be used in creep life assessments for improving accuracy.