360-Degree Image Encoding Region Resolution Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video compression methods for 360-degree images distort pixel distribution, leading to excessive compression quality in certain regions and reduced overall efficiency due to poor prediction accuracy caused by rearranging and down-sampling two-dimensional planar images.
Innovation Solution
A 360-degree image encoding apparatus that divides the input image into regions with varying resolutions, maintaining pixel continuity by adjusting down-sampling and up-sampling ratios based on distortion levels, ensuring all regions have the same resolution for predictive image generation and residue image encoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If 360-degree visual information is projected to a two-dimensional rectangular plane using polar coordinate projection method, then the image can be compressed using existing video compression technique, but the area of upper and lower regions is distorted and increased, leading to excessive compression quality in those regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 360-degree image into multiple regions (e.g., upper, middle, lower regions) and applies different down-sampling ratios to each region. This segmentation allows the distorted upper and lower regions to be down-sampled more aggressively while the middle region maintains higher quality, thereby resolving the projection distortion issue while maintaining overall compressibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different down-sampling ratios to different regions of the image based on their distortion characteristics. The upper and lower regions with higher distortion receive higher down-sampling ratios, while the middle region with less distortion receives lower down-sampling ratios. This local quality approach ensures that each region is compressed appropriately for its specific characteristics.
2Quantity of substance
If the two-dimensional planar image is rearranged and down-sampled, then the file size is reduced, but the pixel continuity is disrupted, causing poor prediction accuracy and reduced compression efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the down-sampling ratio for each region based on its distortion characteristics and position in the image. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize both file size reduction and prediction accuracy by maintaining appropriate pixel continuity in each region while applying selective down-sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the down-sampling parameter (ratio) according to the region's distortion level and position. By varying this parameter across different regions rather than applying a uniform down-sampling ratio, the system achieves both file size reduction and maintained prediction accuracy.
3Device complexity
If uniform down-sampling is applied to all regions, then the processing is simplified, but the prediction accuracy deteriorates in regions with high distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different down-sampling ratios to different regions based on their specific distortion characteristics. The upper and lower regions with higher distortion receive higher down-sampling ratios, while the middle region with less distortion receives lower down-sampling ratios. This local quality approach ensures that each region is processed with appropriate complexity to maintain prediction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the image to identify regions with different distortion characteristics before applying down-sampling. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine the appropriate down-sampling ratio for each region, thereby maintaining prediction accuracy without excessive processing complexity during the actual compression.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a 360-degree image encoding apparatus and method, and a recording medium for performing the same function. The 360-degree image encoding apparatus divides an input image to be encoded into a plurality of regions in a vertical direction and encodes the divided regions while changing resolutions thereof so that all regions have the same resolution to maintain pixel continuity among the regions when a predictive image is generated and the regions have resolutions changed according to the degree of distortion of the regions when a residue image is encoded.