Image Segmentation Unit Multirate Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Mixed Raster Content (MRC) image compression standard does not provide an efficient segmentation method, leading to high computation times, especially when processing high-resolution images, as it relies on the number of pixels in the input image.
Innovation Solution
A multirate segmentation scheme is introduced, where the image is converted to a lower resolution for segmentation, and then interpolated and refined back to the original resolution using a segmentation unit comprising sub-sampling, segmenting, and interpolating/refining units to reduce computation time while maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If segmentation is performed on high-resolution images using traditional methods, then segmentation quality is maintained, but computation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the high-resolution image into multiple blocks and processing each block separately. The binary mask layer segments the image into foreground and background regions, allowing parallel processing of different blocks to reduce overall computation time while maintaining segmentation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a binary mask layer as an intermediary structure that stores segmentation results. This mask layer acts as a mediator between the original image and the segmented output, enabling efficient processing by pre-identifying foreground and background regions before final image reconstruction.
2Measurement precision
If the number of pixels in the input image is increased to maintain quality, then segmentation accuracy improves, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task into block-level operations. By processing smaller blocks in parallel rather than the entire high-resolution image sequentially, the system maintains segmentation accuracy on each block while significantly improving overall processing speed through parallel computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the necessary blocks containing text or important features at full resolution, while other blocks can be processed more coarsely or skipped, thereby maintaining segmentation accuracy where needed while improving overall processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus usable in an image encoding and/or decoding system includes a segmentation unit to convert a first image of a first resolution into a second image of a second resolution, to segment the second image of the second resolution with one or more blocks of a binary mask layer having a foreground and a background, and to convert the segmented second image into a third image of a third resolution as a segmented image.