Method and apparatus for storing and processing picture information of temporally successive pictures

A computer-readable storage medium, encoded with a computer program including executable instructions, for storing and processing picture information of temporally successive pictures, which, upon being executed by a processor, comprises the steps of:

• selecting picture areas for each of at least two temporally preceding pictures;
• copying and storing the selected picture areas, along with picture information of the selected picture areas with assignment information items related to each picture area, which enable an assignment of each respective picture area to the corresponding picture and to a position of the picture area within the picture by identifying the picture to which each picture area is assigned to, and further identifying the coordinate location of each picture area within a respectively assigned picture in the temporal succession;
• forming at least one mixed picture from the stored picture areas and picture information, wherein the mixed picture is formed using the assignment information items;
• and
• using the mixed picture for one of a reference picture for a motion estimation, a reference picture for a motion compensation and an error concealment for a picture.

A computer-readable storage medium, encoded with a computer program including executable instructions, for storing and processing picture information of temporally successive pictures, upon being executed by a processor, comprises the steps of:

• selecting picture areas within one of the pictures and at least one other preceding picture of the temporal succession, said picture areas being a portion of said picture and at least one preceding picture;
• copying and storing the selected picture areas and picture information related to each selected picture area, wherein the picture information comprises an assignment information item that identifies the picture to which each picture area is assigned to, and further identifies the coordinate location of each picture area within a respectively assigned picture in the temporal succession;
• forming at least one mixed picture from the stored picture areas and picture information by processing each picture area according to the assignment information identified for each picture area in the temporal succession;
• and
• using the mixed picture for one of a reference picture for a motion estimation, a reference picture for a motion compensation and an error concealment for a picture.

An apparatus for storing and processing picture information of temporally successive pictures, comprising:

• a processor;
• means for selecting picture areas within one of the pictures and at least one other preceding picture of the temporal succession, said picture areas being a portion of said picture and at least one preceding picture;
• means for copying and storing the selected picture areas and picture information related to each selected picture area, wherein the picture information comprises an assignment information item that identifies the picture to which each picture area is assigned to, and further identifies the coordinate location of each picture area within a respectively assigned picture in the temporal succession;
• means for forming at least one mixed picture from the stored picture areas and picture information by processing each picture area according to the assignment information identified for each picture area in the temporal succession;
• and
• means for using the mixed picture for one of a reference picture for a motion estimation, a reference picture for a motion compensation and an error concealment for a picture.