Method for Obtaining Images in Multiple Reception

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a method and system for improving image quality in video or television reception by combining information from multiple, independently received coded image sequences (such as from different antennas, standards, or sources). The technique works even when the image sequences have different coding formats, resolutions, or only partially overlapping image content. It detects and corrects errors in one image sequence by replacing damaged regions with corresponding, error-free regions from another sequence, synchronizing and matching images as needed, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the output image.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• In-car TV or multimedia systems that combine multiple reception paths (such as DVB-T and DVB-H) for optimal image quality during travel.
• Home television receivers or set-top boxes that use signals from both terrestrial broadcast and streaming sources to provide uninterrupted viewing even during reception issues.
• Portable devices (smartphones, tablets) that can switch or combine streams for resilient video reception in areas with poor coverage or signal drops.
• Broadcast receivers in areas prone to interference, such as tunnels, urban canyons, or remote regions, increasing the robustness of video signal delivery.
• Any application needing to merge video feeds with varying quality, coding, or resolution, such as surveillance, live event broadcasting, or critical infrastructure monitoring.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly improves image quality in the presence of transmission errors, dropouts, or noise without requiring identical coding or resolution across sources.
• Enhances viewer experience by minimizing visible artifacts or interruptions during signal disturbances.
• Increases robustness and reliability of video delivery systems—vital for vehicles, mobile devices, or critical applications.
• Allows for flexible usage of heterogeneous broadcast standards and infrastructures (e.g., combining high- and low-quality streams).
• Can be integrated with existing error correction and concealment technologies for even better performance.
• Supports partial overlap (cropping), different image geometry, or resolution, making it suitable for diverse signal environments and future standards.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for obtaining images from coded image sequences, wherein at least two coded image sequences comprising mutually-corresponding images are received and improved images are obtained by combining images from the first and at least one further image sequence. This is particularly possible when the image sequences are coded differently, corresponding images are not completely identical, or images show only sections of the content of corresponding images of another image sequence. According to the invention, this is solved by images of different image sequences being decoded independently of each other and information about reception errors that can be particularly easily detected during decoding is used to correct faulty regions of an image using regions of a corresponding image from another image sequence received without an error. The method also comprises steps for synchronizing different image sequences and steps for equalizing different image resolutions.