US5508746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Advanced television system
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1994-11-16
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2014-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for incorporating future developments in video compression technology to migrate toward a better television system in a receiver-compatible manner. The invention uses enhancement data that can be combined with standard video data. Standard HDTV receivers will utilize standard video data, ignoring the enhancement data. More advanced HDTV receivers will combine the enhancement data with standard data. The television signal is transmitted in a format comprising a first set of bits that represents images at a first quality (e.g., first resolution) and that can be decoded to provide an output at the first resolution, and a second set of bits that represents enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first set of bits to provide an output at a second resolution greater than the first resolution. The first set of bits is decoded according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of images at the first resolution. The second set of bits is decoded according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information. And at least some of the enhancement information and at least some of the information representative of images at the first resolution are used to provide the output at the second resolution.
Inventors
- 👤 Jae S. Lim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/04; H04N19/00; H04N19/10; H04N19/102; H04N19/103; H04N19/112; H04N19/134; H04N19/136; H04N19/169; H04N19/187; H04N19/60; H04N19/61; H04N7/015; H04N19/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of receiving and decoding a television signal representing an input video source, wherein the television signal has been encoded using a method comprising the steps of encoding a first set of bits using a first transmission standard, the first set of bits representing images at a first quality and being capable of being decoded to provide an output at a first quality, and encoding a second set of bits using a second transmission standard, the second set of bits representing enhancement information that can be decoded and used in the receiver with the first set of bits to provide an output at a second quality greater than the first quality, wherein the second transmission standard comprises the steps of decoding the first set of bits to produce an estimate of the decoded images at a first quality, and comparing the estimate to the input video source and using the results of the comparison to produce the second set of bits, the method of receiving and decoding comprising the steps of: decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of images at the first quality; decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; and combining the enhancement information with the information representative of the images at the first quality to provide output at the second quality.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of receiving and decoding a television signal representing an input video source, wherein the television signal has been encoded using a method comprising the steps of encoding a first set of bits using a first transmission standard, the first set of bits representing images at a first quality and being capable of being decoded to provide an output at a first quality, and encoding a second set of bits using a second transmission standard, the second set of bits representing enhancement information that can be decoded and used in the receiver with the first set of bits to provide an output at a second quality greater than the first quality, wherein the second transmission standard comprises the steps of decoding the first set of bits to produce an estimate of the decoded images at a first quality, and comparing the estimate to the input video source and using the results of the comparison to produce the second set of bits, the method of receiving and decoding comprising the steps of: decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of images at the first quality; decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; and combining the enhancement information with the information representative of the images at the first quality to provide output at the second quality.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second quality comprise first and second resolutions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second transmission standard further comprises the steps of processing the estimate with a prediction method to produce a predicted signal for the input video source and encoding information representative of the prediction method for use by the decoder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the comparison step comprises comparing the predicted signal to the input video source and using the difference in producing the second set of bits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of decoding the second set of bits comprises the steps of decoding a portion of the bits to provide information representative of a prediction method to be used to transform images from the first to the second quality, and using the information to select the prediction method from among a plurality of prediction methods; and the step of using at least some of the enhancement information comprises the step of using the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods to generate the output at the second quality.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the television signal has been transmitted using a third set of bits that represents second enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first and second sets of bits to provide an output at a third quality greater than the first and second qualities, wherein the method further comprises the steps of decoding the third set of bits according to a third decoding procedure to provide the second enhancement information; using at least some of the second enhancement information, and at least some of the first-mentioned enhancement information, and at least some of the information representative of images at the first quality to provide the output at the third quality.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of using at least some of the enhancement information further comprises the steps of decoding the enhancement information to provide an identification of a prediction method used in an encoder in a transmitter transmitting the television signal, using the identification to select the prediction method used in the encoder from a plurality of prediction methods, and using the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods to process the information representative of images at the first quality to form predictions of images at the second quality.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the predictions of images at the second quality are used as the output at the second quality.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the steps of decoding the enhancement information further includes the steps of decoding a residual computed at the transmitter that represents the difference between predictions of the input video source and the input video source itself; and combining the decoded residual and the predictions of the input video source to form the output at the second quality.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 or 9 wherein the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods uses spatial interpolation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the spatial interpolation is done by filtering.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 or 9 wherein the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods uses deinterlacing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the enhancement information includes information representative of a type of deinterlacing, the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods using the type of deinterlacing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 or 9 wherein the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods uses temporal interpolation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the temporal interpolation is done by filtering.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the temporal interpolation is done by filtering.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of receiving and decoding an audio signal, the audio signal representing an input audio source, wherein the audio signal has been transmitted in a format comprising a first set of bits that represents audio at a first quality and that can be decoded to provide an output at the first quality, and a second set of bits that represents enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first set of bits to provide an audio output at a second quality greater than the first quality, the method of receiving and decoding comprising the steps of: decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of audio at the first quality; decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; using at least some of the enhancement information and at least some of the information representative of audio at the first quality to provide the output at the second quality.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of receiving and decoding an audio signal, the audio signal representing an input audio source, wherein the audio signal has been transmitted in a format comprising a first set of bits that represents audio at a first quality and that can be decoded to provide an output at the first quality, and a second set of bits that represents enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first set of bits to provide an audio output at a second quality greater than the first quality, the method of receiving and decoding comprising the steps of: decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of audio at the first quality; decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; using at least some of the enhancement information and at least some of the information representative of audio at the first quality to provide the output at the second quality.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the first and second quality comprise first and second accuracies.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the audio signal is an audio portion of a television signal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for receiving and decoding a television signal representing an input video source, wherein the television signal has been encoded by encoding a first set of bits using a first transmission standard, the first set of bits representing images at a first quality and being capable of being decoded to provide an output at a first quality, and encoding a second set of bits using a second transmission standard, the second set of bits representing enhancement information that can be decoded and used in the receiver with the first set of bits to provide an output at a second quality greater than the first quality, wherein the second transmission standard comprises the steps of decoding the first set of bits to produce an estimate of the decoded images at a first quality, and comparing the estimate to the input video source and using the results of the comparison to produce the second set of bits, the system for receiving and decoding comprising: means for decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of images at the first quality; means for decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; and means for combining the enhancement information with the information representative of the images at the first quality to provide output at the second quality.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for receiving and decoding a television signal representing an input video source, wherein the television signal has been encoded by encoding a first set of bits using a first transmission standard, the first set of bits representing images at a first quality and being capable of being decoded to provide an output at a first quality, and encoding a second set of bits using a second transmission standard, the second set of bits representing enhancement information that can be decoded and used in the receiver with the first set of bits to provide an output at a second quality greater than the first quality, wherein the second transmission standard comprises the steps of decoding the first set of bits to produce an estimate of the decoded images at a first quality, and comparing the estimate to the input video source and using the results of the comparison to produce the second set of bits, the system for receiving and decoding comprising: means for decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of images at the first quality; means for decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; and means for combining the enhancement information with the information representative of the images at the first quality to provide output at the second quality.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the second transmission standard further comprises processing the estimate with a prediction method to produce a predicted signal for the input video source and encoding information representative of the prediction method for use by the decoder.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the comparison comprises comparing the predicted signal to the input video source and using the difference in producing the second set of bits.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said first and second quality comprise first and second resolutions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
95 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the means for decoding the second set of bits comprises means for decoding a portion of the bits to provide information representative of a prediction method to be used to transform images from the first to the second quality, and means for using the information to select the prediction method from among a plurality of prediction methods; and the means for using at least some of the enhancement information comprises using the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods to generate the output at the second quality.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the television signal has been transmitted using a third set of bits that represents second enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first and second sets of bits to provide an output at a third quality greater than the first and second qualities, wherein the system further comprises means for decoding the third set of bits according to a third decoding procedure to provide the second enhancement information;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the means for using at least some of the enhancement information further comprises means for decoding the enhancement information to provide an identification of a prediction method used in an encoder in a transmitter transmitting the television signal, means for using the identification to select the prediction method used in the encoder from a plurality of prediction methods, and means for using the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods to process the information representative of images at the first quality to form predictions of images at the second quality.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the predictions of images at the second quality are used as the output at the second quality.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the means for decoding the enhancement information further includes means for decoding a residual computed at the transmitter that represents the difference between predictions of the input video source and the input video source itself; and means for combining the decoded residual and the predictions of the input video source to form the output at the second quality.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 24 or 28 wherein the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods uses temporal interpolation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 24 or 28 wherein the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods uses spatial interpolation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the spatial interpolation is done by filtering.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 24 or 28 wherein the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods uses deinterlacing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the enhancement information includes information representative of a type of deinterlacing, the prediction method selected from the plurality of prediction methods using the type of deinterlacing. means for using at least some of the second enhancement information, and at least some of the first-mentioned enhancement information, and at least some of the information representative of images at the first resolution to provide the output at the third quality.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
174 words
A system of receiving and decoding an audio signal, the audio signal representing an input audio source, wherein the audio signal has been transmitted in a format comprising a first set of bits that represents audio at a first quality and that can be decoded to provide an output at the first quality, and a second set of bits that represents enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first set of bits to provide an audio output at a second quality greater than the first quality, the system of receiving and decoding comprising: means for decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of audio at the first quality; means for decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; means for using at least some of the enhancement information and at least some of the information representative of audio at the first quality to provide the output at the second quality.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
174 words
A system of receiving and decoding an audio signal, the audio signal representing an input audio source, wherein the audio signal has been transmitted in a format comprising a first set of bits that represents audio at a first quality and that can be decoded to provide an output at the first quality, and a second set of bits that represents enhancement information and that can be decoded and used in conjunction with the first set of bits to provide an audio output at a second quality greater than the first quality, the system of receiving and decoding comprising: means for decoding the first set of bits according to a first decoding procedure to provide information representative of audio at the first quality; means for decoding the second set of bits according to a second decoding procedure to provide the enhancement information; means for using at least some of the enhancement information and at least some of the information representative of audio at the first quality to provide the output at the second quality.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 34 wherein the first and second quality comprise first and second accuracies.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 34 wherein the audio signal is an audio portion of a television signal.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of encoding a television signal representing an input video source, comprising the steps of: using a first transmission standard to encode the input video source to produce an encoded signal, the encoded signal being of a lower quality than the quality of the input video source; using a second transmission standard to encode enhancement bits to permit the decoder to enhance the signal decoded from the encoded signal; the second transmission standard comprising the steps of decoding the encoded signal using a plurality of prediction methods to produce a plurality of estimates of the input video source, each estimate differing from the input video source by a residual; selecting a prediction method from the plurality of prediction methods by one of the following steps: selecting a prediction method based on the degree to which the estimate approaches the quality of the input video source; selecting a prediction method based on the efficiency by which the residual can be encoded using the second transmission standard; encoding information representative of the prediction method for use by the decoder.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of encoding a television signal representing an input video source, comprising the steps of: using a first transmission standard to encode the input video source to produce an encoded signal, the encoded signal being of a lower quality than the quality of the input video source; using a second transmission standard to encode enhancement bits to permit the decoder to enhance the signal decoded from the encoded signal; the second transmission standard comprising the steps of decoding the encoded signal using a plurality of prediction methods to produce a plurality of estimates of the input video source, each estimate differing from the input video source by a residual; selecting a prediction method from the plurality of prediction methods by one of the following steps: selecting a prediction method based on the degree to which the estimate approaches the quality of the input video source; selecting a prediction method based on the efficiency by which the residual can be encoded using the second transmission standard; encoding information representative of the prediction method for use by the decoder.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the prediction method comprises spatial interpolation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 37 wherein quality is measured in image resolution.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 39 wherein as part of the encoding under the first transmission standard the input video source is subsampled or converted to a lower resolution scanning format, to thereby reduce its resolution to one of a set of standard resolutions of the first transmission standard.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the input video source is converted from a progressively scanned format to an interlaced scanned format.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the prediction method comprises deinterlacing to restore the image to the progressive scanning format of the input video source.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the input video source is subsampled by one of spatial subsampling and temporal subsampling.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the prediction method comprises interpolation corresponding to the subsampling performed as part of the first transmission standard.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the subsampling is spatial subsampling and the prediction method comprises spatial interpolation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the subsampling is temporal subsampling and the prediction method comprises temporal interpolation.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for encoding a television signal representing an input video source, comprising: means for using a first transmission standard to encode the input video source to produce an encoded signal, the encoded signal being of a lower quality than the quality of the input video source; means for using a second transmission standard to encode enhancement bits to permit the decoder to enhance the signal decoded from the encoded signal; the second transmission standard comprising the steps of decoding the encoded signal using a plurality of prediction methods to produce a plurality of estimates of the input video source, each estimate differing from the input video source by a residual; selecting a prediction method from the plurality of prediction methods by one of the following steps: selecting a prediction method based on the degree to which the estimate approaches the quality of the input video source; selecting a prediction method based on the efficiency by which the residual can be encoded using the second transmission standard; encoding information representative of the prediction method for use by the decoder.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for encoding a television signal representing an input video source, comprising: means for using a first transmission standard to encode the input video source to produce an encoded signal, the encoded signal being of a lower quality than the quality of the input video source; means for using a second transmission standard to encode enhancement bits to permit the decoder to enhance the signal decoded from the encoded signal; the second transmission standard comprising the steps of decoding the encoded signal using a plurality of prediction methods to produce a plurality of estimates of the input video source, each estimate differing from the input video source by a residual; selecting a prediction method from the plurality of prediction methods by one of the following steps: selecting a prediction method based on the degree to which the estimate approaches the quality of the input video source; selecting a prediction method based on the efficiency by which the residual can be encoded using the second transmission standard; encoding information representative of the prediction method for use by the decoder.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 47 wherein the prediction method comprises spatial interpolation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 47 wherein quality is measured in image resolution.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 49 wherein as part of the encoding under the first transmission standard the input video source is subsampled or converted to a lower resolution scanning format, to thereby reduce its resolution to one of a set of standard resolutions of the first transmission standard.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 50 wherein the input video source is converted from a progressively scanned format to an interlaced scanned format.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 51 wherein the prediction method comprises deinterlacing to restore the image to the progressive scanning format of the input video source.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 50 wherein the input video source is subsampled by one of spatial subsampling and temporal subsampling.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 53 wherein the prediction method comprises interpolation corresponding to the subsampling performed as part of the first transmission standard.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 54 wherein the subsampling is spatial subsampling and the prediction method comprises spatial interpolation.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 54 wherein the subsampling is temporal subsampling and the prediction method comprises temporal interpolation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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