Alpha-Guided Image Encoding for Transparent Region Skipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image encoders lack suitable sample and texture formats to correlate different types of data, such as RGB and alpha data, leading to inefficient and inaccurate encoding, high processing time, and excessive resource burden, and are unsuitable for processing data in non-Cartesian coordinate systems.
Innovation Solution
An encoder that separates and encodes colour and alpha data into respective blocks, ignoring portions with zero or near-zero alpha values, optimizing encoding by utilizing alpha data as a reference to reduce processing time and resource load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional encoders encode each type of image data separately without correlation, then the encoding process is simple to implement, but the processing time increases and computing resource burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges colour data and alpha data into a unified encoding process by introducing a sample format that correlates different types of data. The encoder processes colour and alpha channels together rather than separately, creating a combined encoding approach that reduces processing time and resource burden while maintaining implementation feasibility through standardized sample and texture format extensions.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional encoders process all image data without considering alpha values, then the encoding process is straightforward, but the processing time increases and resource burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes transparent portions from the image data processing pipeline by identifying regions where alpha values indicate full transparency. These transparent regions are excluded from encoding operations, allowing the encoder to focus computational resources only on opaque portions of the image, thereby significantly reducing processing time and resource consumption while maintaining encoding simplicity for the remaining data.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional encoders do not utilize alpha data characteristics, then the encoding process is simple, but the encoding accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using alpha data characteristics to guide and optimize the encoding process. The encoder analyzes alpha values to determine which regions require encoding and uses this information to adjust encoding parameters, thereby improving encoding accuracy for colour data while maintaining process simplicity through automated alpha-based decision making.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional encoders process data in Cartesian coordinate systems only, then the encoding process is simple, but the adaptability to different coordinate systems decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the encoder's universality by enabling it to handle multiple coordinate systems (Cartesian, Polar, 360-degree canvas) through a unified sample format that supports different coordinate representations. The encoder can process data in various coordinate systems without requiring separate encoding pipelines, maintaining simplicity while achieving multi-system compatibility through flexible data structure design.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an encoder for encoding images, the encoder having a processor configured to obtain colour data of colour channels of a given image and alpha data of an alpha channel of the given image; identify at least one portion of the given image whose alpha values are zero or less than a predefined threshold value, wherein a zero alpha value indicates full transparency; divide a remaining portion of the given image into blocks, wherein the colour data and the alpha data of the remaining portion are divided into their own respective blocks; and encode the blocks into encoded data.