Decoder Function Selection for Lower-Bandwidth Image Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional image coding and decoding systems, the decoder has a passive role and underutilized processing capabilities, with excessive transmission of descriptive information about coding functions that increases with the number of available functions, leading to inefficient bandwidth usage.

Innovation Solution

The decoder is empowered to autonomously reproduce the selection operations of the encoder by receiving information about the choice function, reducing the need for transmitting descriptive information and allowing the use of a reduced-size identifier for the decoding function, which is selected from an indexed set based on distinct criteria, enabling adaptive and efficient communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the encoder unilaterally selects encoding functions and transmits descriptive information to the decoder, then the decoding accuracy is ensured, but the bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The decoder is empowered to autonomously reproduce the selection operations performed at the encoder level by applying the same selection function to the set of decoding functions. This self-service mechanism allows the decoder to independently identify the correct decoding function without requiring the encoder to transmit detailed descriptive information, thereby significantly reducing bandwidth consumption while ensuring decoding accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the encoder transmits only the identifier of the selected encoding function, and the decoder uses this identifier along with its own reproduction of the selection process to determine the corresponding decoding function. This feedback loop ensures that both encoder and decoder remain synchronized without requiring extensive descriptive information transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the set of available coding functions is increased to improve coding flexibility, then the adaptability is enhanced, but the amount of descriptive information to be transmitted increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding flexibilityVSAvoiddescriptive information size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential identifier of the selected encoding function from the set of available coding functions and transmits it to the decoder. The decoder then uses this extracted identifier along with its local copy of the selection function to reproduce the selection process and identify the corresponding decoding function from its set of available decoding functions. This extraction approach allows for a large set of available functions to maintain coding flexibility while minimizing the transmission of descriptive information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If the decoder is given autonomous selection capability, then the bandwidth usage is optimized, but the decoder complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth usageVSAvoiddecoder complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decoder is designed with multi-functionality, capable of both receiving encoded data and independently performing the selection operation to identify the appropriate decoding function. By integrating the selection function reproduction capability into the decoder, the system optimizes bandwidth usage while the increased complexity is justified by the elimination of extensive descriptive information transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2160837B1Selection of decoding functions distributed to the decoder
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 ORANGE SA
  • EP2160837B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2160837B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2160837B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting at least one current image part, characterised in that: an encoding function is selected (10) from a finished set of encoding functions by applying (14) at least one first type of chosen function, said first type of chosen function(s) using image data which has already been decoded; the current image part is encoded (20) by means of the selected encoding function; the encoded image part is transmitted (30) towards a decoder (6); and information describing the chosen function(s) of the first type is transmitted (34) towards the decoder. The invention also relates to the corresponding decoding method.