Patent ID: 6055330
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for encoding fields or frames of video information comprising a two dimensional array of pixels, and using a depth component of each of said pixels to enhance encoding, comprising:(a) an encoder for receiving frames or fields of video information and generating a compressed video signal from said received frames or fields of video information, said encoder including a multi-mode quantizer for quantizing data which corresponds to a portion of said fields or frames of video information;(b) an object segmentation circuit for receiving depth information which corresponds to said received video information and generating an object map to associate each pixel of said received field or frame with one of one or more regions of varying perceptual importance within said received frame or field; and(c) a rate controller, coupled to said object segmentation circuit and to said multi-mode quantizer, for receiving said object map and for providing a signal, responsive to said object map, to said multi-mode quantizer to select a quantization mode therein, such that said selected quantization mode is reflective of said perceptual importance of said regions indicated by said object map.