Segmentation based image compression system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for compressing digital data representing an input image, the data representing the input image as a matrix of picture elements (pixels), the apparatus comprising:
- processing means for processing the data representing the input image to generate data representing a segmented image having boundaries which correspond to boundaries in the input image;
means for combining the data representing the segmented image with the data representing the input image to produce data representing a residual image, the residual image representing the input image minus the segmented image using a first quantity of data;
first encoding means for losslessly encoding the data representing the segmented image to produce encoded segmented image data in a manner that allows the encoded segmented image data to be decoded without losing detail in the decoded segmented image;
second encoding means for encoding the data representing the residual image to produce encoded residual image data which represents the residual image using a second quantity of data where the first quantity of data is greater than the second quantity of data; and
means for combining the encoded segmented image data and the encoded residual image data to produce the compressed digital data.
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Abstract
An image processing system encodes a natural image into a segmented or mosaic image having well-defined edges and a residual image. The segmented image is encoded using a lossless encoding technique while the residual image is encoded using a lossy technique. This encoded image may be recorded on a video tape such that the segmented image may be recovered in picture-in-shuttle modes such as fast forward and fast rewind. In addition, the recorded image may be decoded and reencoded through several generational levels without experiencing significant degradation in perceived image quality. The segmented image is produced by an encoder which employs a multi-scale edge finder that is able to resolve transitions occurring over two, four and eight pixels into an edge located between two pixels. In addition, the lossless encoder includes circuitry which chain-encodes the segmented image into a low-resolution image and multiple complementary images such that the low-resolution image may be stored as a single data packet and, thus, recovered as a unit from the tape in picture-in-shuttle mode.
164 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for compressing digital data representing an input image, the data representing the input image as a matrix of picture elements (pixels), the apparatus comprising:
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processing means for processing the data representing the input image to generate data representing a segmented image having boundaries which correspond to boundaries in the input image; means for combining the data representing the segmented image with the data representing the input image to produce data representing a residual image, the residual image representing the input image minus the segmented image using a first quantity of data; first encoding means for losslessly encoding the data representing the segmented image to produce encoded segmented image data in a manner that allows the encoded segmented image data to be decoded without losing detail in the decoded segmented image; second encoding means for encoding the data representing the residual image to produce encoded residual image data which represents the residual image using a second quantity of data where the first quantity of data is greater than the second quantity of data; and means for combining the encoded segmented image data and the encoded residual image data to produce the compressed digital data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for compressing digital data representing an input image, the data representing the input image as a matrix of picture elements (pixels), the apparatus comprising:
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processing means for processing the data representing the input image to generate data representing the image as a segmented image having groups of pixel values separated by edges where the edges correspond to boundaries in the input image; means for subtracting the data representing the segmented image from the data representing the input image to produce data representing a residual image; lossless encoding means for encoding the data representing the segmented image to produce encoded segmented image data in a manner that allows the encoded segmented image data to be decoded without losing any detail in the decoded segmented image; lossy encoding means for encoding the data representing the residual image to produce encoded residual image data which represents an approximation of the residual image; and means for combining the encoded segmented image data and the encoded residual image data to produce the compressed digital data. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method of compressing digital data representing an input image, the data representing the input image as a matrix of picture elements (pixels), the method comprising the steps of:
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a) locating boundaries in the input image to generate data representing a segmented image having boundaries which correspond to boundaries in the input image; b) subtracting the data representing the segmented image from the data representing the input image to produce data representing a residual image; c) losslessly encoding the data representing the segmented image to produce encoded segmented image data which may be decoded without losing detail in the decoded segmented image; d) encoding the data representing the residual image to produce encoded residual image data which represents an approximation of the residual image; and e) combining the encoded segmented image data and the encoded residual image data to produce the compressed digital data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification