Digital image compression employing a resolution gradient
First Claim
1. Image processing apparatus comprising:
- data compression means including means for encoding an image represented by digital image data such that the encoded digital image data representation has a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the encoded digital image data representation, said data compression means further including means for detecting and locating an edge or edges of an image feature or features in the encoded digital image data representation; and
data decompression means including means for reconstructing the image for display upon a display means, said reconstructing means reconstructing the image from the encoded digital image data representation such that local components of a corresponding displayed image accurately reflect a position and content of the feature or features of the image, within the limits of the resolution of the display means.
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Abstract
Video image compression apparatus and method provides full color, wide field of view, real time imagery having high central resolution. Compression ratios of 1600:1 are achieved thus reducing a required data transmission bandwidth sufficiently to abolish line-of-sight restrictions. Data compression apparatus and method (a) uses a log polar mapper to match the image display to human perceptual resolution to achieve a 25:1 compression ratio with no loss of perceived cues, (b) separates perceptual channels into low resolution, high discrimination level color and high resolution, low discrimination level contrast edges to yield an additional 8:1 compression ratio and (c) applies a data compression technique to yield an additional 8:1 compression ratio. A Gaussian filter is employed in generating a display of the imagery from the compressed data. An operator is provided a capability to rapidly move the high resolution window to any point of interest within the display.
378 Citations
34 Claims
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1. Image processing apparatus comprising:
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data compression means including means for encoding an image represented by digital image data such that the encoded digital image data representation has a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the encoded digital image data representation, said data compression means further including means for detecting and locating an edge or edges of an image feature or features in the encoded digital image data representation; and data decompression means including means for reconstructing the image for display upon a display means, said reconstructing means reconstructing the image from the encoded digital image data representation such that local components of a corresponding displayed image accurately reflect a position and content of the feature or features of the image, within the limits of the resolution of the display means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for providing image data from a first location to a second location, at the first location the apparatus comprising:
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means for generating digital image data expressive of an image having a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the image resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the image; means, having an input coupled to an output of the generating means, for extracting video image cue data from the video image data; and
means, having an input coupled to an output of the extracting means, for compressing the extracted video image cue data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. Apparatus for providing image data from a remotely controlled vehicle to an operator of the vehicle at a remote location, the apparatus associated with the vehicle comprising:
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means for generating digital image data expressive of an image having a centrally disposed region having a first image resolution surrounded by concentrically disposed peripheral regions of progressively lesser image resolution, the image generating means comprising a plurality of camera means disposed for having abutted fields of view and further comprising means, coupled to an output of each of the camera means, for converting a camera digital image data output to a logarithmic polar representation of the image expressed thereby; means, having an input coupled to an output of the generating means, for extracting image cue data from the logarithmic polar representation, the extracting means including means for separating the logarithmic polar representation of the image data into a color channel and into a contrast edge channel, the contrast edge channel having a higher resolution than the color channel; means, having an input coupled to an output of the extracting means, for compressing the extracted data; and means, having an input coupled to an output of the compressing means, for transmitting the compressed data to the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
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encoding digital image data such that a resolution of a digital image data representation thereof has a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the image resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the digital image representation, the step of encoding including a step of locating an edge or edges of an image feature or features in the encoded digital image data representation; and reconstructing the encoded image data for display such that local components of a displayed image representation accurately reflect a position and content of features of the image. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. Image processing apparatus comprising:
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means for encoding an image represented by digital image data such that the encoded digital image data representation has a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the encoded digital image data representation; means for reconstructing upon display means a display of the image from the encoded digital image data representation such that local components of the displayed image accurately reflect a position and content of features of the image, within the limits of the resolution of the display means; and at least one camera means for generating and outputting the digital image data, wherein the encoding means includes means coupled to an output of the at least one camera means for converting the digital image data to a logarithmic polar format, and wherein the converting means is comprised of a first logarithmic polar logarithmic mapping means for converting black and white image data to a logarithmic polar representation having a first mapping resolution, the converting means further being comprised of a second logarithmic polar mapping means for converting color image data to a logarithmic polar representation having a second mapping resolution that is less than the first mapping resolution.
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33. A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
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encoding digital image data such that a resolution of a digital image data representation thereof has a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the image resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the digital image representation, wherein the step of encoding includes a step of discrete cosine transforming and differentially pulse code modulating the encoded digital image data representation; and reconstructing the encoded image data for display such that local components of a displayed image representation accurately reflect a position and content of features of the image.
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34. A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
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encoding digital image data such that a resolution of a digital image data representation thereof has a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the image resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the digital image representation; and reconstructing the encoded image data for display such that local components of a displayed image representation accurately reflect a position and content of features of the image, wherein the step of reconstructing includes a step of applying a Gaussian filter means to the encoded digital image data representation.
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Specification