Block-Level Frame Decoding Feedback to Limit Error Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image compression schemes propagate decoding errors from one frame to subsequent frames, leading to continuous deterioration of image quality.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a transmission device and a reception device that exchange information about decoding failures, allowing the transmission device to process blocks with errors differently and the reception device to avoid using them for encoding subsequent frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If image compression uses reference frames to encode subsequent frames, then compression rate increases, but decoding errors propagate from one frame to subsequent frames causing continuous deterioration of image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata redundancyVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference frame into multiple blocks and identifies specific blocks with decoding failures. By processing each block independently and marking only the failed blocks rather than the entire frame, the system prevents error propagation while maintaining compression efficiency. The segmentation allows selective handling of affected areas without compromising the entire image sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a feedback channel from the reception device to the transmission device that communicates block-level decoding failure information. This intermediary allows the transmission device to adjust its encoding strategy for subsequent frames based on actual decoding performance, preventing error propagation while maintaining the benefits of reference frame compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If blocks with decoding failures are used as references for subsequent frames, then encoding efficiency is maintained, but image quality deteriorates continuously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic block-level reference selection where the usability of each block as a reference is determined adaptively based on decoding success. Blocks with decoding failures are dynamically excluded from reference use, while successful blocks continue to be used. This dynamic approach maintains encoding efficiency by preserving valid references while preventing error propagation from failed blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality control by treating each block independently with respect to its decoding status. Instead of uniformly treating the entire frame, the system applies different reference usage rules to different blocks based on their individual decoding outcomes. This local differentiation allows efficient use of good blocks while isolating problematic areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the transmission device processes blocks with decoding failures differently, then error propagation is reduced, but communication overhead increases due to additional information exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror propagation controlVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by communicating only the necessary minimum information - specifically, identifiers of blocks with decoding failures - rather than transmitting complete frame data or extensive error information. This selective communication approach reduces overhead while still enabling the transmission device to identify and handle problematic blocks appropriately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4701195A1Image processing device and method
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4701195A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4701195A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4701195A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a receiving device of an image processing system. The receiving device is configured to: receive, from a transmitting device, at least one data packet including data in a first frame; carry out decoding of the first frame on the basis of the at least one data packet; identify whether a decoding failure of the first frame occurs; and, on the basis of identifying that a decoding failure of the first frame has occurred, transmit, to the transmitting device, first information related to at least one first block in which the decoding failure has occurred. The first information may include block ID information of the at least one first block in which the decoding failure has occurred, and frame ID information of the first frame to which the at least one first block belongs.