US 9042448

US Patent 9042448 Summary:

Title: Moving picture encoding system, moving picture encoding method, moving picture encoding program, moving picture decoding system, moving picture decoding method, moving picture decoding program, moving picture reencoding sytem, moving picture reencoding method, and moving picture reencoding program

Assignee:

• Current: Advanced Coding Technologies LLC
• Original: JVCKenwood Corp

Inventors: Satoru Sakazume

Filing Date: 2009-05-28

Issue Date: 2015-05-26

Abstract: The invention pertains to systems, methods, and programs for encoding, decoding, and re-encoding moving picture sequences, specifically focusing on processes like super-resolution enlargement. A core aspect involves a multi-layer encoding approach: a first encoder handles standard resolution video, while a first super-resolution enlarger creates higher-resolution versions. These super-resolution images are then down-converted back to standard resolution. A second encoder utilizes these converted super-resolution images as encoding targets and decoded images from the first encoder as reference frames, aiming to improve encoding efficiency by exploiting correlations across different spatial resolutions and by incorporating frequency component information not fully expressible at standard resolution.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Moving picture encoding system): This system encodes moving pictures. It includes a first encoder that processes standard resolution video to produce encoded bits and decoded pictures. A first super-resolution enlarger takes the original standard resolution video and creates higher resolution versions. A first resolution converter then scales these enlarged pictures back down to standard resolution. Finally, a second encoder uses these "super-resolution-enhanced" standard resolution pictures as the main content to be encoded, referencing the decoded pictures from the first encoder to help predict and encode the final output.
• Claim 13 (Moving picture encoding method): This method describes the steps for encoding moving pictures. It involves a first step of encoding and decoding standard resolution video to get encoded bits and decoded pictures. A second step applies super-resolution enlargement to the original standard resolution video, making it higher resolution. A third step converts these enlarged pictures back to standard resolution. A fourth step uses these converted super-resolution pictures as the target for a second encoding process, leveraging the decoded pictures from the first step as reference frames for prediction.
• Claim 14 (Moving picture encoding program): This claim describes a computer program that, when executed, performs the same method steps outlined in Claim 13 for encoding moving pictures.
• Claim 26 (Moving picture decoding system): This system is designed to decode moving pictures. It has a demultiplexer that separates incoming encoded data into standard resolution streams. A first decoder then decodes these standard resolution streams. A first super-resolution enlarger enhances the decoded standard resolution pictures. A first resolution converter then takes these enhanced pictures and converts them back to standard resolution. A second decoder then uses additional high-resolution encoded data from the demultiplexer, the enhanced decoded pictures, and the converted standard resolution enhanced pictures to perform a final prediction and decoding, resulting in super-resolution enlarged decoded pictures.
• Claim 31 (Moving picture decoding method): This method outlines the process for decoding moving pictures. It includes demultiplexing input encoded data, decoding standard resolution parts, performing super-resolution enlargement on these decoded parts, and then converting them back to standard resolution. Finally, it uses higher-resolution encoded data along with the enlarged and converted decoded pictures to perform a prediction and decoding, yielding super-resolution enlarged pictures.
• Claim 32 (Moving picture decoding program): This claim describes a computer program that, when executed, performs the same decoding method steps outlined in Claim 31.
• Claim 39 (Moving picture reencoding system): This system is for re-encoding moving pictures. It includes a demultiplexer, a decoder, a first super-resolution enlarger, a first resolution converter, and a second decoder, all functioning similarly to the decoding system described in Claim 26 to produce decoded pictures, super-resolution decoded pictures at standard resolution, and super-resolution enlarged pictures. Additionally, it contains a reencoder that takes these various decoded outputs and re-encodes them into a new sequence of encoded bits.
• Claim 40 (Moving picture reencoding method): This method details the steps for re-encoding moving pictures. It involves demultiplexing, decoding standard resolution video, applying super-resolution enlargement to the decoded video, converting the enlarged video back to standard resolution, and then performing a second decoding step using high-resolution extensions and the previously processed pictures. The final step is a re-encoding process that uses all these decoded and processed pictures to create re-encoded bit sequences.
• Claim 41 (Moving picture reencoding program): This claim describes a computer program that, when executed, performs the same re-encoding method steps outlined in Claim 40.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, my search for US patent 9042448 in the CAFC 2026 dockets did not return any specific results. The Google Patents litigation information indicates PTAB and District Court cases filed in 2024 and 2025, but no direct CAFC dockets for 2026 were found based on the available information.