Layered Image Compression via Flattened Base and Delta Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transmission of layered images for parallax-capable GUI elements is inefficient, leading to GUI rendering delays due to high processing and network resource consumption, exacerbated by increasing GUI resolutions.
Innovation Solution
Pre-processing layered images by generating a flattened image and delta layer images, which are then compressed using Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW)-based compressors, to reduce redundant pixel information and enhance compression ratios, allowing for efficient transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If layered images are transmitted to enable parallax-capable GUI elements, then user interaction experience is improved, but network bandwidth consumption and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The layered image is segmented into a base image and multiple layer images with different transparency levels. Only the essential base image and selective layer images are transmitted, rather than transmitting all layers at full quality. This segmentation allows the system to maintain parallax interaction capabilities while reducing the total data volume transmitted over the network.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the layered image are processed with different quality levels. Areas with high transparency or low visual importance are compressed more aggressively or represented with fewer data points, while regions with high visual importance maintain higher quality. This local quality adjustment reduces overall network bandwidth consumption while preserving the essential visual experience for user interaction.
2Manufacturing precision
If layered images are transmitted with high resolution to maintain visual quality, then GUI rendering quality is improved, but transmission time and network bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting all layer images at full resolution, the system transmits a base image at full resolution and only essential layer images at reduced resolution or with selective detail. This partial action approach maintains sufficient visual quality for effective GUI rendering while significantly reducing transmission time and network bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts image parameters such as resolution, compression level, and bit depth based on network conditions and device capabilities. By changing these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between GUI rendering quality and transmission time, delivering high-quality visuals when bandwidth permits and accepting lower quality when transmission time is critical.
3Loss of information
If all layer images are transmitted to preserve transparency information, then image fidelity is improved, but compression ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the essential transparency information needed for effective rendering, rather than transmitting complete layer images with all transparency data. By taking out only the critical alpha channel information and discarding redundant transparency data, the system maintains sufficient image fidelity for parallax effects while achieving significantly better compression ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards redundant or less important transparency information during transmission, and recovers or reconstructs essential transparency effects at the rendering side using the base image and selective layer images. This approach preserves the visual perception of transparency and parallax effects while dramatically improving compression ratio and reducing transmitted data volume.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for pre-processing layered images prior to compression and distribution. According to some embodiments, a technique can include accessing at least two images of a layered image: (i) a background image, and (ii) one or more layer images. Next, a flattened image is generated based on the at least two images. Next, respective one or more delta layer images are generated for the one or more layer images by: for at least one pixel of each layer image having (i) an alpha sub-pixel set to fully opaque, and (ii) a first color property equivalent to a second color property of a corresponding pixel within the flattened image: setting bits of the first color property of the pixel to the same value (e.g., zero (0) or one (1)). Finally, the one or more delta layer images are compressed and provided to a destination computing device.