Light Field Encoding via Discrete Radon Transform

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current light-field technologies face challenges in storing and transmitting 4D light-field data due to the lack of a standard format, leading to inefficiencies and increased storage requirements, particularly when using parametrized representations that require storing coordinates for each light ray.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced that encodes light field content by obtaining four coordinates per light ray from a two-plane parametrization, applying a discrete Radon transform to a 2D ray diagram, and storing parameters such as slope and intercept, along with color values, to efficiently represent and store light field data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If four coordinates per light ray are stored from two-plane parametrization, then light field data representation is achieved, but storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight field data representationVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential parameters (slope and intercept) from the four coordinates of light rays. Instead of storing all four coordinates (x1, y1, x2, y2) for each light ray, the invention identifies and stores only the two critical parameters that define the light ray's behavior, thereby reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to represent and process light field data effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the representation parameters from four coordinates to two parameters (slope and intercept). This parameter change is achieved through mathematical transformation where the four coordinates are converted into slope and intercept values, which contain the same essential information in a more compact form, directly reducing the storage burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If discrete Radon transform is applied to 2D ray diagram, then data compression is achieved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sizeVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the discrete Radon transform as a preliminary processing step to the 2D ray diagram before final storage. This preliminary action transforms the data into a compressed representation that facilitates efficient storage and retrieval, while the transform itself is performed once during the encoding phase rather than during every access operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a transformed copy of the light field data through the Radon transform. Instead of storing and processing the original four-coordinate representation repeatedly, the invention creates a compressed transformed version (with slope and intercept parameters) that can be efficiently stored and manipulated, reducing the burden on storage and processing systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces storage needs by compressing light field data, allowing for more compact representation and efficient transmission, while maintaining the ability to render 4D light-field data effectively.

Implementation Method 1

applying a discrete Radon transform to said first 2D ray diagram that delivers lines of interest in said first 2D ray diagram

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadon transform:

Data Source

PatentEP3351001B1Method for encoding a light field content
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3351001B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3351001B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3351001B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In one embodiment, it is proposed a method for encoding a light field content. The method is remarkable in that it comprises: - obtaining, for a set of light rays (401) associated with said light field content, four coordinates per light ray from a two planes parametrization (2000; 402, 403) of said light field content; - obtaining (2001), for each light ray from said set, two coordinates from said four coordinates, corresponding to a projection of said light rays from said set onto a plane (404, 405, P) perpendicular to two planes used in said two planes parametrization, defining points in a first 2D ray diagram (∏(χ1, χ2), ∏(χ1, χ2)); - applying (2002) a discrète Radon transform on said first 2D ray diagram (∏(χ1, χ2), ∏(χ1, χ2)) that delivers lines of interest in said first 2D ray diagram; - encoding (2003) said lines of interest into encoded lines of interest; and - storing (2004) said encoded lines of interest.