Color Image Codec Using Programmable Color Space Parameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image compression codecs lack awareness of specific color spaces, leading to inefficient processing and potential loss of performance optimizations when converting between different color spaces during compression and decompression.

Innovation Solution

A color image codec that includes programmable color space parameters, allowing for compression and decompression in any given color space by appending and separating color space parameter data with the image pixel data, enabling flexible conversion between input, compression, and output color spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current image compression codecs are used, then compression and decompression can be performed, but the codecs lack awareness of specific color space details leading to inefficient processing and potential loss of performance optimizations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression and decompression efficiencyVSAvoidcolor space awareness and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding color space parameter data into the image data before compression. This allows the decoder to have advance knowledge of the color space characteristics, enabling optimized decompression processing without requiring separate color space conversion operations, thus resolving the contradiction between compression efficiency and color space adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces color space parameter data as an intermediary between the image data and the compression/decompression process. This intermediary provides the necessary color space information to the codec, allowing it to perform efficient processing while maintaining awareness of the specific color space being used, thereby improving both productivity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If color space conversion is performed outside the codec, then the original and output color spaces can be changed, but gratuitous processing occurs resulting in loss of potential performance optimizations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor space conversion capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time for color space conversion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the color space conversion capability directly into the compression and decompression process by embedding color space parameter data within the compressed image data. This integration eliminates the need for separate color space conversion operations outside the codec, reducing gratuitous processing and preserving performance optimizations while maintaining full color space conversion capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7706607B2Optimized color image encoding and decoding using color space parameter data

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Optimized color codecs and methods of compressing and decompressing color images using programmable color space parameters are provided. In accordance with one method of encoding a color image, input data comprising input image pixel data and color space parameters is provided. The input image pixel data is compressed based on the color space parameter data. The color space parameter data is then appended to the compressed image pixel data. In accordance with one method of decoding a compressed color image, compressed data is provided that comprises compressed image pixel data and color space parameters. The color space parameters are separated from the compressed image pixel data. The compressed image pixel data is then decompressed based on the color space parameters.