3D Image Processing Apparatus Optimizing Depth Quantization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing methods for 3D images face challenges in maintaining the quality of synthesized images while optimizing bit allocation between color and depth images, leading to degradation in image quality and inefficient encoding.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that determines optimal quantization parameters for depth images based on the relationship between color and depth images, using a distortion function of the synthesized image, to ensure identical bit amounts and improve encoding efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bit amounts for color image and depth image are optimized separately, then encoding efficiency is improved, but quality of synthesized image degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding efficiencyVSAvoidquality of synthesized image
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the bit allocation optimization for color and depth images into a unified process. The parameter determining unit jointly determines quantization parameters for both images by considering their relationship and the distortion function of the synthesized image, rather than optimizing them separately. This merging approach ensures that the bit allocation for both images is coordinated to maintain synthesized image quality while achieving encoding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the quantization parameters of color and depth images based on their relationship and the synthesized image distortion. The parameter determining unit adjusts these parameters dynamically to optimize the balance between encoding efficiency and synthesized image quality, rather than using fixed or independently optimized parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If quantization parameters are optimized for individual images, then bit amount control is improved, but distortion of synthesized image increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit amount controlVSAvoiddistortion of synthesized image
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the parameter determining unit uses the distortion function of the synthesized image to adjust quantization parameters. The system evaluates the relationship between color and depth images and their combined distortion, then feeds this information back to optimize quantization parameters, ensuring that bit amount control does not excessively increase synthesized image distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes quantization parameters based on the synthesized image distortion characteristics. The parameter determining unit adjusts these parameters to maintain an optimal balance between bit amount control and distortion minimization, considering the interrelationship between color and depth images in the synthesis process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If bit amounts of color image and depth image are maintained identically, then quality maintenance is improved, but encoding efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of intermediate imageVSAvoidencoding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quantization parameters to color and depth images based on their specific characteristics and relationship. Rather than using identical bit allocation, the system optimizes each image's quantization parameter locally according to its contribution to the synthesized image quality, achieving both quality maintenance and encoding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the quantization parameters for color and depth images differently based on their relationship and the synthesized image distortion function. This differential parameter optimization allows the system to maintain synthesized image quality while improving encoding efficiency by allocating bits more effectively to each image type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2672711B1Image processing apparatus and method for three-dimensional (3D) image
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2672711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2672711B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2672711B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An image processing apparatus and method for a three-dimensional (3D) image is provided. The image processing apparatus may include a parameter setting unit to set a first parameter related to a color image, and a parameter determining unit to determine an optimal second parameter related to a depth image, using the first parameter.