Packing Strategy Signaling for 3D Point Cloud Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current point cloud compression methods in three-dimensional graphics fix patch orientation and position, leading to inefficient packing and compression, as they do not allow for flexible orientation or adaptive encoding of patch information.

Innovation Solution

A method for signaling patch orientation in 2D canvas images, enabling flexible orientation of geometry and texture patches through adaptive and fixed packing strategies, where orientation information is encoded and transmitted to allow for rotation and mirroring, optimizing packing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed patch orientation and position are used in point cloud compression, then the encoding process is simple, but the packing efficiency and compression performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding process complexityVSAvoidpacking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic patch orientation by allowing patches to be rotated to different orientations (0, 90, 180, 270 degrees) based on their content characteristics, transforming the static fixed-orientation approach into a dynamic adaptive approach that optimizes packing efficiency while maintaining manageable encoding complexity through systematic rotation rules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of patches from a fixed state to a variable state, where each patch can be rotated to one of four standard orientations. This parameter change enables better packing density and compression performance while the rotation angles are constrained to discrete values to control encoding complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the same background filling process is used for both geometry and texture, then the encoding process is simplified, but the compression performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding process complexityVSAvoidcompression performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different background filling strategies to different patch types (geometry vs. texture) based on their local characteristics. Geometry patches use one filling approach while texture patches use another, allowing each type to be optimized for its specific data characteristics and improving overall compression performance without significantly increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If flexible patch orientation with rotation and mirroring is implemented, then packing efficiency improves, but the signaling and encoding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacking efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling and encoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric orientation assignment where patches are rotated to specific orientations based on their content characteristics rather than applying symmetric transformations uniformly. This asymmetric approach optimizes packing efficiency while the systematic selection of rotation angles (0, 90, 180, 270 degrees) keeps the signaling complexity manageable through constrained discrete choices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary orientation optimization during the patch packing stage by pre-determining the optimal orientation for each patch before final encoding. This preliminary action allows the system to achieve better packing efficiency upfront, reducing the need for complex post-processing and minimizing the overall encoding complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3837669B1Packing strategy signaling
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3837669B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3837669B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3837669B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for signaling the packing method of 2D patches in canvas images, used in coding of 3D point clouds is described herein. The method utilizes a signal representation to indicate the orientation method to be used by the patches. Furthermore, an optimal method of coding the orientation information of each patch is described.