Projection-Format 360-Degree Image Reconstruction for Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing image processing systems struggle with the massive data generated for 360-degree images in virtual and augmented reality, requiring improved performance in image encoding and decoding, particularly for 360-degree images.

Innovation Solution

A method for encoding and decoding 360-degree images that includes generating a predicted image using syntax information, combining it with a residual image, and reconstructing the image in a specific projection format, such as Equi-Rectangular, CubeMap, OctaHedron, or IcoSahedral, while considering region-wise packing and image expansion based on partitioning units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If 360-degree images are processed for virtual reality and augmented reality, then the quality and realism of media service is improved, but the amount of data generated increases massively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of media serviceVSAvoidamount of data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the 360-degree image into multiple projection formats (e.g., equirectangular, cube map, octahedron, icosahedral) and processes each segment separately. This segmentation allows the system to handle the massive data by breaking it into manageable portions that can be encoded and decoded more efficiently, reducing the overall data volume while maintaining quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the projection format parameters to optimize data compression. By transforming the 360-degree image into different projection formats with specific geometric characteristics, the system can adjust parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution distribution, and pixel density to reduce data quantity while preserving visual quality for virtual and augmented reality applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the amount of data for 360-degree images increases massively, then the image quality and detail are improved, but the performance of image processing system deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidimage processing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing into distinct stages: projection format transformation, encoding, and decoding. By handling each segment separately with optimized algorithms, the system maintains high image quality while improving processing speed and system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary projection format transformation before encoding. By pre-processing the 360-degree image into optimized projection formats, the system reduces the computational burden during encoding and decoding operations, thereby improving overall processing performance while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If conventional image encoding and decoding is used, then the processing speed is maintained, but the compression performance for 360-degree images is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidcompression performance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the encoding parameters to be adapted to specific projection formats (e.g., aspect ratio, block size, quantization parameters). This allows the system to achieve better compression performance by optimizing parameters for each projection type while maintaining processing speed through efficient algorithm design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of encoding parameters based on the projection format and image content. The system can adjust compression strength, block dimensions, and other parameters dynamically during encoding and decoding, achieving optimal compression performance without significantly impacting processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250227378A1Method and apparatus for reconstructing 360-degree image according to projection format
Publication Date: 2025.07.10 INST OF IMAGE TECH INC
  • US20250227378A1 patent drawing
  • US20250227378A1 patent drawing
  • US20250227378A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for image data encoding/decoding. A method for decoding a 360-degree image includes the steps of: receiving a bitstream obtained by encoding a 360-degree image; generating a prediction image by making reference to syntax information obtained from the received bitstream; adding the generated prediction image to a residual image obtained by dequantizing and inverse-transforming the bitstream, so as to obtain a decoded image; and reconstructing the decoded image into a 360-degree image according to a projection format. Therefore, the performance of image data compression can be improved.