Hierarchical Chroma Coding Units for Image Encoding and Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image encoding and decoding technologies face challenges in efficiently handling high-resolution or high-quality image content, particularly in determining optimal data units for compression and decompression, especially for chroma images.
Innovation Solution
The method involves hierarchically splitting luma and chroma images into coding units based on split shape modes, restricting splitting when chroma block sizes or areas are below preset thresholds, and determining coding units accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chroma blocks are split hierarchically based on split shape modes to optimize compression, then image quality and compression efficiency are improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chroma image is divided into multiple chroma blocks that are processed hierarchically through multiple levels of splitting. Each block is subdivided into smaller sub-blocks based on split shape modes, allowing progressive refinement of compression without requiring complex global optimization
Solution Approach 2:
Different split shape modes are applied to different chroma blocks based on their local characteristics. The splitting process adapts to local image features, applying more aggressive splitting where beneficial and preserving larger blocks where appropriate, optimizing compression locally rather than uniformly
2Device complexity
If chroma blocks are restricted from splitting when size or area is below preset thresholds, then computational complexity is reduced, but compression efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Preset thresholds for block size and area are established as control parameters. The splitting process dynamically adjusts based on whether blocks meet these threshold criteria, changing the processing parameters (splitting vs. no splitting) based on block characteristics to balance complexity and efficiency
3Productivity
If hierarchical splitting is applied to both luma and chroma images, then overall image compression is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The luma image is processed for hierarchical splitting first, establishing a framework and reference structure before chroma image processing begins. This preliminary processing of the luma component prepares the data structure and can be used to guide subsequent chroma processing, reducing overall processing time
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image decoding method including determining a plurality of coding units in a chroma image by hierarchically splitting the chroma image, based on a split shape mode of blocks in the chroma image of a current image, and decoding the current image, based on the plurality of coding units in the chroma image. In this regard, the determining of the plurality of coding units in the chroma image may include, when a size or an area of a chroma block from among a plurality of chroma blocks to be generated by splitting a current chroma block in the chroma image is equal to or smaller than a preset size or a preset area, not allowing splitting of the current chroma block based on a split shape mode of the current chroma block, and determining at least one coding unit included in the current chroma block.