An encoding device evaluates a plurality of processing and/or post-processing algorithms and/or methods to be applied to a video stream, and signals a selected method, algorithm, class or category of methods/algorithms either in an encoded bitstream or as side information related to the encoded bitstream. A decoding device or post-processor utilizes the signaled algorithm or selects an algorithm/method based on the signaled method or algorithm. The selection is based, for example, on availability of the algorithm/method at the decoder/post-processor and/or cost of implementation. The video stream may comprise, for example, downsampled multiplexed stereoscopic images and the selected algorithm may include any of upconversion and/or error correction techniques that contribute to a restoration of the downsampled images.

Scalable video coding is rendered more efficient by deriving/selecting a subblock subdivision to be used for enhancement layer prediction, among a set of possible subblock subdivisions of an enhancement layer block by evaluating the spatial variation of the base layer coding parameters over the base layer signal. By this measure, less of the signalization overhead has to be spent on signaling this subblock subdivision within the enhancement layer data stream, if any. The subblock subdivision thus selected may be used in predictively coding/decoding the enhancement layer signal.

Methods and devices are provided for rectifying a forward mapping coding bit length issue introduced by LMCS. In one method, a plurality of prediction samples, in a mapped domain, of luma component of a CU that is coded by a CIIP mode under LMCS framework is obtained, a plurality of residual samples, in the mapped domain, of the luma component of the CU is obtained, the plurality of prediction samples in the mapped domain is added to the plurality of residual samples in the mapped domain, resulting in a plurality of reconstructed samples, in the mapped domain, of the luma component, and the plurality of reconstructed samples of the luma component is converted from the mapped domain into an original domain based on a pre-defined plurality of inverse mapping scaling factors.

Methods and devices are provided for rectifying a forward mapping coding bit length issue introduced by LMCS. In one method, a plurality of prediction samples, in a mapped domain, of luma component of a CU that is coded by a CIIP mode under LMCS framework is obtained, a plurality of residual samples, in the mapped domain, of the luma component of the CU is obtained, the plurality of prediction samples in the mapped domain is added to the plurality of residual samples in the mapped domain, resulting in a plurality of reconstructed samples, in the mapped domain, of the luma component, and the plurality of reconstructed samples of the luma component is converted from the mapped domain into an original domain based on a pre-defined plurality of inverse mapping scaling factors.

Compensation offsets are provided for a set of reconstructed samples of an image. Each sample has a sample value. A method of providing the compensation offsets comprises selecting, based on a rate distortion criterion, a classification from among a plurality of predetermined classifications. Each predetermined classification has a classification range smaller than a full range of the sample values and is made up of a plurality of classes, each defining a range of sample values within the classification range, into which class a sample is put if its sample value is within the range of the class concerned. A compensation offset is associated with each class of the selected classification for application to the sample value of each sample of the class.

Compensation offsets are provided for a set of reconstructed samples of an image. Each sample has a sample value. A method of providing the compensation offsets comprises selecting, based on a rate distortion criterion, a classification from among a plurality of predetermined classifications. Each predetermined classification has a classification range smaller than a full range of the sample values and is made up of a plurality of classes, each defining a range of sample values within the classification range, into which class a sample is put if its sample value is within the range of the class concerned. A compensation offset is associated with each class of the selected classification for application to the sample value of each sample of the class.

Initial low-quality images of a progressively-displayed high-definition image are masked with corresponding progressively-revealing mask filters or masking algorithms to realistically obscure such low quality and therefore to provide a realistically appearing progressive presentation of the high-definition image.

Initial low-quality images of a progressively-displayed high-definition image are masked with corresponding progressively-revealing mask filters or masking algorithms to realistically obscure such low quality and therefore to provide a realistically appearing progressive presentation of the high-definition image.

A method for forming an image sequence that is an output sequence, from an input image sequence, is provided. The input image sequence has an input spatial resolution and an input temporal resolution. The output sequence has an output temporal resolution equal to the input temporal resolution and an output spatial resolution equal to a predetermined fraction 1/N of the input spatial resolution by an integer number N higher than or equal to 2. The method, implemented for a sub-sequence of the input frame sequence that is a current input sub-sequence and including a preset number of images, includes: obtaining a temporal frequency that is an image frequency, associated with the current input sub-sequence; processing the current input sub-sequence to obtain an output sub-sequence; and inserting the output sub-sequence and the associated image frequency into an output container.

An image sensor and an image processing system in which the image sensor includes a sensing unit configured to generate a plurality of images having different luminances with respect to a same object, a pre-processor configured to merge n images (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) except for at least one of the plurality of images to generate a merged image, and an interface circuit configured to output the at least one image and the merged image to an external processor.