Binary Image Sensor Data Compression via Pixel Density Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Binary image sensors produce large data sizes due to their binary nature, making storage and processing impractical, especially since each detector can only be in one of two states, leading to difficulties in achieving a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio.

Innovation Solution

Encoding binary digital images into parameter arrays that represent the relative density and distribution of exposed pixels, allowing for significant data reduction by converting these parameters back into output images with spatially non-uniform image elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If binary image sensors are used to capture images, then color aliasing problems are avoided, but the data size becomes excessively large making storage and processing impractical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor aliasingVSAvoiddata size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information from binary images by calculating average density values and applying filters to represent entire pixel groups with single values. This extraction approach retains the aliasing-free advantage while dramatically reducing data size by storing only representative values rather than complete binary image data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms binary image data into a different parameter representation system using density values and filter responses. By changing from storing raw binary pixel values to storing processed density and filter parameters, the system achieves both aliasing avoidance and data compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple exposures and read-outs are performed to achieve sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, then image quality improves, but the time required for image capture and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidimage capture time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing by calculating average density values and applying filters during the image capture process itself. This preliminary action allows subsequent processing to work with pre-processed data that already has improved signal-to-noise characteristics, reducing the need for multiple exposures and read-outs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If binary digital images are stored or transferred as such, then complete image information is preserved, but the memory and transmission requirements become prohibitively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage information completenessVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a compressed representation (copy) of the binary image data using density values and filter responses. This copy contains the essential information needed for image reconstruction and analysis while occupying minimal storage space compared to the original binary image data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2446420B1Device and method for processing digital images captured by a binary image sensor
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2446420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2446420B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2446420B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A method for processing image data comprises determining a set of parameters (DM1, MM1, NM1 ) based on a binary digital image (IMG1 ) such that said set of parameters comprises information about the density (D) of white and/or black pixels (P1 ) of a first group of pixels (G) of said binary digital image (IMG1 ), and information about the density (D) of white and/or black pixels (P1 ) of a second group of pixels (G) of said binary digital image (IMG1 ).