Embedding frame masks in a video stream

A computing device comprising:

• memory;
• one or more hardware processors coupled to the memory;
• and
• one or more computer readable storage media storing instructions that, when loaded into the memory, cause the one or more hardware processors to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a frame of video data comprising an array of pixels having respective encoded color values defined in a YUV color space, the encoded color values having been converted from original color values by applying a mapping function, wherein the original color values are bounded within a first data range, and wherein the encoded color values are bounded within a second data range, the second data range having been shifted or compressed from the first data range using the mapping function;
• decoding the encoded color values to obtain decoded color values corresponding to the array of pixels;
• extracting a foreground mask based on the decoded color values, wherein the foreground mask identifies a subset of the array of pixels to be in a foreground of the frame;
• and
• converting the decoded color values of the subset of the array of pixels identified by the foreground mask to new color values by applying an inverse mapping function to the decoded color values of the subset of the array of pixels identified by the foreground mask, wherein the inverse mapping function reverses the mapping function so that the new color values are bounded within the first color range.

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having encoded thereon computer-executable instructions causing one or more processors, when programmed thereby, to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a frame of video data comprising an array of pixels having respective encoded color values defined in a YUV color space, the encoded color values having been converted from original color values by applying a mapping function, wherein the original color values are bounded within a first data range, and wherein the encoded color values are bounded within a second data range, the second data range having been shifted or compressed from the first data range using the mapping function;
• decoding the encoded color values to obtain decoded color values corresponding to the array of pixels;
• extracting a foreground mask based on the decoded color values, wherein the foreground mask identifies a subset of the array of pixels to be in a foreground of the frame;
• and
• converting the decoded color values of the subset of the array of pixels identified by the foreground mask to new color values by applying an inverse mapping function to the decoded color values of the subset of the array of pixels identified by the foreground mask, wherein the inverse mapping function reverses the mapping function so that the new color values are bounded within the first color range.