Gain Map Block Encoding for Image Quality and Storage Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gain map encoding methods affect the image quality of reconstructed images due to information loss during downsampling and compression, leading to increased storage space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that selectively encode target image blocks with luminance values above a threshold, determining identification information and forming image block groups to improve encoding efficiency and reduce storage space while maintaining image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If downsampling and compression are performed on the gain map to reduce storage space, then storage space is reduced, but information is lost and image quality of the reconstructed image is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The gain map is divided into multiple image blocks, and each block is independently processed. Only blocks containing high-luminance pixels (above threshold) are encoded and transmitted, while other blocks are omitted. This segmentation allows selective retention of important information while reducing overall data volume, resolving the contradiction between storage space reduction and information preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the gain map are treated differently based on their content characteristics. High-luminance regions (which contain visually important information) are preserved with full quality, while low-luminance regions are omitted or downsampled. This local differentiation ensures that critical image quality information is retained while reducing storage requirements for less important areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If the entire gain map is encoded to maintain image quality, then image quality is maintained, but storage space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The method extracts and encodes only the essential portions of the gain map - specifically image blocks containing high-luminance pixels that contribute most to visual quality. By taking out only the necessary data elements rather than encoding the entire gain map, storage space is reduced while maintaining the image quality attributes that matter most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fully encoding the entire gain map (excessive action), the method applies partial encoding only to relevant image blocks containing high-luminance information. This partial action is sufficient to maintain perceived image quality while significantly reducing the total data volume that needs to be stored and transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4727128A1Gain map encoding method and apparatus, gain map decoding method and apparatus, device, and medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4727128A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
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AI summary

This application discloses a gain map encoding method and apparatus, a gain map decoding method and apparatus, a device, and a medium, and pertains to the field of communication technologies. The method in this application includes: obtaining at least one target image block in a gain map, where a luminance value of a pixel in the target image block is greater than a first threshold (301); determining target image block identification information of the gain map and an image block group based on the at least one target image block (302); and encoding the target image block identification information and the image block group to obtain encoding information of the gain map (303).