Scalable layered coding in a multi-layer, compound-image data transmission system
First Claim
1. A method for coding compound frames of data to be sent over a transmission channel, comprising:
- accepting a frame of data at an input of a data coder;
dividing the frame of data into one or more data blocks;
classifying the one or more data blocks as either picture blocks or non-picture blocks according to a set of criteria;
selecting either a picture block or a non-picture block as a next block to be coded;
comparing the selected block to a block in a frame previous to the accepted frame;
if the selected block is within a threshold difference of the block in the previous frame, generating a signal to use the block in the frame previous to the accepted frame, otherwise, if the selected block is a non-picture block, compressing the selected block using a first compression method, and dividing the selected block into at least two non-picture layers; and
if the selected block is a picture block, compressing the selected block using a second compression method, and dividing the selected block into at least two picture layers.
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Abstract
A data coder prepares a frame of data for transmission over a data channel. The frame is first broken into a series of non-overlapping blocks. The blocks are analyzed to determine if they are a “picture” block or a “non-picture” block. Picture blocks are compressed to produce one or more layers of data, including a base layer and, optionally, one or more enhanced layers. Non-picture blocks are similarly compressed, but according to different compression procedures. Prior to sending the compressed layers of data to a scheduler for transmission on the data channel, the blocks are checked to see if they have changed more than a threshold amount from the last time they were sent. If the block has changed more than the threshold, the changed block is sent to the scheduler, in compressed form. If the block has not changed more than the threshold, only an indication of the block, and not the block itself, is sent to the scheduler.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for coding compound frames of data to be sent over a transmission channel, comprising:
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accepting a frame of data at an input of a data coder;
dividing the frame of data into one or more data blocks;
classifying the one or more data blocks as either picture blocks or non-picture blocks according to a set of criteria;
selecting either a picture block or a non-picture block as a next block to be coded;
comparing the selected block to a block in a frame previous to the accepted frame;
if the selected block is within a threshold difference of the block in the previous frame, generating a signal to use the block in the frame previous to the accepted frame, otherwise, if the selected block is a non-picture block, compressing the selected block using a first compression method, and dividing the selected block into at least two non-picture layers; and
if the selected block is a picture block, compressing the selected block using a second compression method, and dividing the selected block into at least two picture layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A multi-layer coding system, comprising:
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a frame divider configured to break a frame of data into one or more data blocks;
a block classifier configured to classify the one or more data blocks as either picture blocks or non-picture blocks;
a block comparer configured to compare one of the one or more data blocks to another block, and to generate a comparison signal at an output;
a re-use indicator coupled to the output of the block comparer and configured to generate a re-use signal based on the comparison signal;
a non-picture block compressor configured to compress and divide a non-picture block into a base non-picture layer and one or more non-picture enhancement layers using a first compression system; and
a picture block compressor configured to compress and divide a picture block into a base picture layer and one or more picture enhancement layers using a second compression system. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A data transmission system, comprising:
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a data encoder, including;
a frame divider configured to break a frame of data into one or more data blocks, a block classifier configured to classify the one or more data blocks as either picture blocks or non-picture blocks, a non-picture block compressor configured to compress and divide a non-picture block into a base non-picture layer and one or more non-picture enhancement layers using a first compression-division system, and a picture block compressor configured to compress and divide a picture block into a base picture layer and one or more picture enhancement layers using a second compression-division system;
a transmission scheduler coupled to the encoder and having an input terminal to accept encoded layers of data, and having an output terminal coupled to a transmission channel; and
a server coupled to the transmission channel and structured to distribute the encoded layers of data to one or more receiving units. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification