Adaptive Multi-Stage Image Coding with Residual Prediction Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image coding methods, such as H.264, face challenges in predicting target blocks accurately, leading to increased prediction errors as pixels become more distant, and may propagate quantization errors or fail to utilize high correlations between adjacent pixels effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image coding device that employs multiple prediction units and switching mechanisms to adaptively select residual signals for orthogonal transformation, quantization, and coding, using reconstructed pixel signals and residual signals to improve prediction accuracy and reduce redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional intra prediction using adjacent coded pixels is used, then the coding method is simple, but the prediction accuracy deteriorates as pixels become more distant from the reference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the prediction process into multiple stages: first prediction using adjacent coded pixels, second prediction using reconstructed residual signals, and third prediction using reconstructed pixel signals. Each stage segments the prediction task to address different aspects of accuracy, allowing the system to overcome the distance-related accuracy degradation of conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested prediction structures where the second prediction unit processes residuals from the first prediction, and the third prediction unit processes using reconstructed pixel signals. This nested approach allows multiple levels of prediction refinement, improving accuracy while maintaining a structured complexity manageable for implementation.
2Ease of manufacture
If block-based prediction methods are used, then the prediction can be systematic, but quantization errors may be propagated when adjacent pixels are not coded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reconstructed residual signals as intermediaries between the coded pixel signals and the final prediction. The second prediction unit uses these reconstructed residuals to correct prediction errors without directly propagating quantization errors from uncoded adjacent pixels, thereby improving reliability while maintaining systematic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different prediction strategies to different regions: the first prediction uses adjacent coded pixels for systematic processing, while the second and third predictions apply localized corrections using reconstructed signals where needed, ensuring high reliability in regions affected by quantization errors while maintaining overall systematization.
3Productivity
If multiple prediction procedures are applied, then the coding efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic prediction selection where the switching unit adaptively chooses between the second and third prediction procedures based on the specific block characteristics. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve high coding efficiency by selecting the most appropriate prediction method for each block while avoiding the unnecessary complexity of always using all prediction units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the prediction units with multi-functionality: the second prediction unit can process residuals from the first prediction, and the third prediction unit can process using reconstructed pixel signals. This universal design allows the same structural framework to handle multiple prediction scenarios, improving coding efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an image coding device having high coding efficiency and an image decoding device. A plurality of prediction procedures that uses various types of correlations between pixels are adaptively applied with a coded signal as a reference. With respect to an input pixel, first residual and prediction information are obtained by a first prediction unit that carries out in-screen prediction and the like, second residual and prediction information are obtained by a second prediction unit for predicting a first residual as a serial additional process, and third residual and prediction information are obtained by a third prediction unit for directly predicting a pixel to be coded as a parallel additional process on the input pixel. Which of either the second residual or the third residual to code is determined based on the coding cost, and the signal is switched in the first switching unit.