Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus

Abstract

An image coding and decoding technology for digital movie or video that provides for error checking within the digital video files. The digital video is coded in a data stream that includes key frames and correspondence data between key frames as well as additional correspondence data between somewhat separated key frames. During decoding, an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate frame or frames by interpolation, based on key frame data and correspondence data file between key frames. If an error detector detects an error in an input coded data stream, an error controller instructs the intermediate image generator to perform an error avoidance processing which may include substituting another key frame for an error-containing key frame or use of the additional correspondence data to create the intermediate key frame or frames for an error-containing correspondence data file, and so forth.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to an image processing technology, and more particularly relates to an image coding and decoding method and apparatus therefor which takes error processing into consideration.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] Recently, image processing and compression methods such as those proposed by MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) have expanded to be used with transmission media such as network and broadcast rather than just storage media such as CDs. Generally speaking, the success of the digitization of broadcast materials has been caused at least in part by the availability of MPEG compression coding technology. In this way, a barrier that previously existed between broadcast and other types of communication has begun to disappear, leading to a diversification of service-providing businesses. Thus, we are facing a situation where it is hard to predict how the digital culture would evolve in this age of broadban...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0083] Using a set of new multiresolutional filters called critical point filters, image matching is accurately computed. There is no need for any prior knowledge concerning the content of the images or objects in question. The matching of the images is computed at each resolution while proceeding through the resolution hierarchy. The resolution hierarchy proceeds from a coarse level to a fine level. Parameters necessary for the computation are set completely automatically by dynamical computation analogous to human visual systems. Thus, There is no need to manually specify the correspondence of points between the images.

[0248] (3) In the base technology, four types of submappings related to four types of critical points are generated at each level of resolution. However, one, two, or three types among the four types may be selectively used. For instance, if there exists only one bright point in an image, generation of hierarchical images based solely on f.sup.(m,3) related to a maxima point can be effective to a certain degree. In this case, no other submapping is necessary at the same level, thus the amount of computation relative on s is effectively reduced.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, we are facing a situation where it is hard to predict how the digital culture would evolve in this age of broadband.

It is a well-known fact that block distortion in MPEG compression is sometimes responsible for causing degraded image quality and preventing the compression rate from being improved.

Another problem that occurs in compression algorithms is poor tolerance of errors.

Unlike reading data from storage media, this is particularly an issue for transmission of data through networks such as the Internet in which data delivery can be subject to a greater number of errors.

Further, the term "error" indicates a data error and other arbitrary faults and obstruction.

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