Composite Image Encoding With Rendering-Intent Metadata

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image encoding and decoding technologies fail to transmit the original captured image data accurately, leading to lossy operations due to non-linear clipping and unknown algorithms, and lack backwards compatibility for multiple rendering intents.

Innovation Solution

Encoding and decoding methods that transmit metadata alongside image data to allow inversion of adjustments, enabling multiple rendering intents, including the original captured 'reality' image or a modified 'pleasing' image, while maintaining compatibility with different display devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple images corresponding to different user intents are displayed together, then user engagement and information delivery are improved, but image selection complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidimage selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image selection process by dividing images into different intent categories (informational, navigational, transactional, etc.). Each category is processed and selected independently based on its specific criteria, rather than evaluating all images uniformly. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the overall selection process while maintaining high adaptability to different user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary classification of images into intent categories before the actual selection process. By pre-organizing images according to their intended purpose and user intent type, the system reduces the computational complexity during real-time operation, making the selection process more efficient while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple images corresponding to different user intents are displayed together, then user engagement and information delivery are improved, but rendering time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoidrendering time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary processing of images including pre-generation of thumbnails, pre-computation of metadata, and pre-classification into intent categories. This preliminary action ensures that when images need to be rendered for display, the processing time is minimized since the heavy lifting has already been done in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rendering process is segmented into parallel operations where different image categories are processed simultaneously based on their priority levels. High-priority images (such as primary search results) are rendered first, while lower-priority images are processed in parallel or deferred, reducing the overall perceived rendering time while maintaining comprehensive information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If image thumbnails are generated for multiple images, then user interface quality and user experience are improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates image thumbnails periodically or on-demand rather than continuously for all images. Thumbnails are generated in advance for frequently accessed images and updated periodically, while less frequently accessed images have their thumbnails generated only when needed. This periodic action significantly reduces processing time while maintaining high user experience quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different thumbnail generation qualities and resolutions based on the specific image category and its intended use. High-quality thumbnails are generated for primary display positions, while lower-quality thumbnails suffice for secondary positions or preview modes. This local quality approach reduces overall processing time and computational resources while maintaining excellent user experience where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4559187B1Multiple-intent composite image encoding and rendering
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP
  • EP4559187B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4559187B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4559187B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for multiple-intent composite image encoding and rendering are disclosed. The techniques can include obtaining a set of constituent images for a composite image, determining a common rendering intent to be applied to the set of constituent images, adjusting one or more of the set of constituent images according to the common rendering intent, resulting in an adjusted set of constituent images, creating the composite image based on the adjusted set of constituent images, generating metadata characterizing the common rendering intent, and encoding the composite image and the metadata to create an encoded multiple-intent composite image.