Image Processing Apparatus Reference Pixel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques, such as S3 Texture Compression, result in significant image degradation during decoding, particularly when pixel colors change gradually within blocks.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that divides image information into blocks, acquires map information associating reference pixel information with positional information, and selects the most suitable reference pixel information based on pixel values to minimize decoding errors, using a combination of blocking, map information acquisition, reference pixel selection, and quantization units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If S3 Texture Compression is used to compress image information into blocks with representative colors, then image data size is reduced, but image degradation increases during decoding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of pixels into foreground and background categories before compression, and pre-calculates multiple candidate reference pixel values. This preliminary organization allows the decoding process to reconstruct images with higher accuracy by selecting appropriate reference pixels, thereby reducing image degradation while maintaining compression efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by storing not just single representative colors but multiple candidate reference pixel values with associated confidence indicators. This parameter expansion allows the system to adapt during decoding based on actual image content, improving reconstruction quality without significantly increasing compression ratio.
2Productivity
If two representative colors are configured for each block with index information, then compression is achieved, but decoding accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate reference pixel values that serve as mediators between the compressed representative colors and the original pixel values. These reference pixels act as intermediate steps that preserve more information during compression, allowing accurate reconstruction during decoding while maintaining reasonable compression ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the color representation into multiple components: foreground reference pixels, background reference pixels, and intermediate pixels. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with foreground and background areas using appropriate reference strategies, thereby improving overall decoding accuracy while maintaining compression efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus of the disclosure includes: a blocking unit configured to divide image information into blocks; a map information acquisition unit configured to acquire at least one piece of map information in which pieces of reference pixel information and pieces of positional information are associated with a target pixel in each of the blocks, the pieces of reference pixel information denoting at least one reference pixel referenced by the target pixel, each of the pieces of positional information denoting a positional relationship between the target pixel and the at least one reference pixel; and a reference pixel information selecting unit configured to select one piece of reference pixel information of the pieces of reference pixel information included in the at least one piece of map information based on a pixel value of the target pixel and a pixel value of the at least one reference pixel.