Video coding reconstruction apparatus and methods

A method for diffusing data within standard-coded digital image data, comprising the steps of:

• identifying a compressed image aspect in a series of compressed image representations;
• determining redundant representations of the compressed image aspect within the series of compressed image representations;
• and
• modifying a redundant representation to form a modified-representation such that the aspect is more completely conveyed by the series of compressed image representations.

A diffuser comprising:

• means for identifying an image aspect in a series of compressed image representations;
• means for determining redundant representations of the image aspect within further series of image representations;
• and
• means for modifying a redundant representation such that the aspect is more completely conveyed by the series of compressed image representations.

A method of image fusion, comprising the steps of:

• measuring and analyzing elements from a bitstream, the bitstream comprising standard decoded images, interpolated standard decoded images, and enhanced reconstructed images;
• processing frame, macroblock, and block parameters;
• establishing confidence levels for one or more fusion stages;
• constraining and guiding a fusion data construction based on the measurement and analysis results;
• and
• controlling one or more data fusion operators by optical flow measurements and analysis.