Free Universal Image Format Progressive Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image formats, such as WebP, BPG, and AVIF, lack progressive decoding capabilities, making it difficult to deliver images efficiently across various devices and network conditions, and JPEG has limitations like verbose headers, restricted features, and insufficient scaling options, which hinder responsive web design and fast image loading.
Innovation Solution
The Free Universal Image Format (FUIF) enables efficient encoding and decoding of images with modular transformations and entropy coding, allowing for a single file to be used across different resolutions and qualities, with a compact header containing truncation offsets for progressive rendering and minimal header overhead, supporting high resolutions and alpha channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple downscaled image variants are created for responsive web design, then image delivery efficiency is improved for different devices, but file quantity and cache complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple image resolutions and quality levels into a single progressive image file. The image encoder stores image data in a progressive scan format where truncating the file at different offsets produces different quality versions, eliminating the need for multiple separate files while maintaining adaptability across devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single progressive image file serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides low-resolution previews for fast loading, high-resolution images for detailed viewing, and adaptive quality versions for different network conditions. The file acts as a universal solution replacing multiple specialized image files.
2Loss of time
If progressive decoding is implemented, then preview rendering is improved during loading, but compatibility with modern image formats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image file is segmented into multiple scan passes or layers, where each segment contains image data at different quality levels or resolutions. The decoder can process and display segments progressively as they are received, enabling preview rendering while maintaining compatibility through the fundamental progressive scan approach used in traditional JPEG.
3Ease of operation
If JPEG progressive scan is used, then scaling previews are improved, but header verbosity and feature limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the verbose header structure from traditional JPEG progressive scan format. By eliminating redundant header information and using a more compact encoding scheme, the patent maintains the beneficial scaling preview capability while reducing header complexity and adding support for modern features like alpha channels and high dynamic range.
4Loss of substance
If modern image formats like WebP and AVIF are used, then compression density is improved, but progressive decoding capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability into modern image formats by enabling progressive decoding capability that can adjust to different network conditions and device requirements. The format dynamically provides appropriate quality levels based on available bandwidth and display capabilities, combining the high compression density of modern formats with the progressive rendering benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed herein a method of encoding an image file, the method comprising inputting dimension, channel, bit depth and color model data of the image file; forward transforming the image file; entropy coding the image file; inverse transforming the image file; and, reconstructing the image file.