Patent ID: 7660474

Claim:
A method for coding a sequence of digitized images in error-prone networks, said method comprising using a computer to perform the steps comprising: for each image, coding only a portion of the image areas of that image by a first intra-coding mode depending on a predetermined criteria; coding a particular image area of a particular image by an inter-coding mode, including: identifying a set of accessible reference images from which to select a motion vector for coding the particular image area by the inter-coding mode; selecting a first image area of a first accessible reference image; determining whether a second image area of a subsequent second accessible reference image that corresponds with the first image area was coded by the first intra-coding mode; if the second image area was coded by the first intra-coding mode, removing the first reference image from the set of accessible reference images from which to select a motion vector; selecting a motion vector from the set of accessible reference images; and using the selected motion vector for coding the particular image area by the inter-coding mode.