Maria Gabrani

Multimedia QoS in consumer terminals

Over the past years, there has been a considerable amount of research in the field of QoS support for (distributed) multimedia systems, ie, multimedia processing in, for example, a (networked) workstation environment. QoS for multimedia systems is about media processing in software, using dynamically scalable functions, and trading resources for quality. Unlike QoS for mainstream multimedia systems, QoS support for high volume electronics (HVE) consumer terminals (CT), such as digital TV sets, digitally improved analog TV sets and STB (set-top boxes), has received little attention in the literature. This paper considers multimedia QoS for consumer terminals, with focus on the high-quality video domain.

Scalable algorithms for media processing

Since programmable platforms have a fixed number of resources, the number of algorithms that can run in parallel is limited. We propose to overcome this by introducing scalable algorithms that are capable of trading resource usage for output quality. We show the feasibility of this approach by means of an implementation example, namely scalable sharpness enhancement for video signals.

Scalable video algorithms and quality-of-service resource management for consumer terminals

Execution of video algorithms on programmable platforms is limited by the available resources. A novel approach with scalable algorithms and run-time control of output quality and resource usage can transcend such limitations.

Dynamic behavior of consumer multimedia terminals: system aspects

Increasingly, media processing in high volume electronics (HVE) consumer multimedia terminals, such as digital TV sets and set-top boxes, is performed by powerful programmable components. These programmable components enable media processing in software, allowing the terminals to become open and flexible. HVE consumer terminals are heavily resource constrained, and therefore demand for a minimal dimensioning of these terminals. This paper presents the dynamic behavior of HVE consumer multimedia terminals, and describes the implications for the system in general and resource management in particular.

Dynamic behavior of consumer multimedia terminals: video processing aspects

Consumer multimedia devices are becoming more open allowing media applications in software. Programmable components, however, are expensive and the consumer expects the devices to remain robust. A novel approach uses media applications that allow a trade-off between resource usage and output quality in a QoS environment. In this paper we focus on video applications and we take a look on the type of changes they may undergo at run-time. We use this information to define the parameters that describe the state of the applications in a QoS manner. We further provide the implications of state changes to the functionality and QoS control of the video processing modules.

Scalable motion compensated scan-rate upconversion

A method for scalable motion compensated up-conversion of video sequences is proposed. By computing suitable objective quality estimates,(which show a high correlation with subjective quality scores), the method allows to predict the resources needed to up-convert a given input video sequence achieving a certain visual quality of the output video sequence. This method permits to dynamically change the resource utilization in a way which is optimal for the system, e.g. for a programmable platform for media processing.

Cellular LMS L-filters for noise suppression in still images and image sequences

A novel class of nonlinear adaptive L-filters based on cellular neural networks topology is presented. Like cellular neural systems and cellular automata as well, processing nodes, called cells, communicate with each other directly only through its nearest neighbors exchanging information. Each cell is an adaptive LMS L-filter. The proposed filters share the best features of both adaptive filters and cellular neural network topologies; their adaptive structure tracks image nonstationarities and their local interconnection feature makes it suitable for VLSI implementation. Cellular adaptive LMS L-filters are suited for high-speed parallel adaptive image filtering. Some interesting applications to image and image sequence filtering are demonstrated.<<ETX>>