Panoramic Image Encoding Using Bitstream Map for Random Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current panoramic video compression methods face challenges in achieving high compression efficiency while enabling rapid random access, leading to increased system complexity and decoding time, particularly for high-resolution images.

Innovation Solution

The system employs image segmentation into sub-images, encoding these sub-images, and generating bitstream maps (BMAP) to facilitate efficient compression and decoding, allowing for rapid access to specific image regions by combining sub-image bitstreams with BMAP information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If interframe coding method is used to improve compression efficiency, then compression efficiency is improved, but random access capability deteriorates due to delay time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidrandom access delay time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the panoramic image into multiple sub-images (e.g., 4 sub-images: top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right) and encodes them independently into separate bitstreams. This segmentation allows random access to specific sub-images without decoding the entire image, resolving the contradiction between compression efficiency and random access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables partial decoding by allowing the decoder to selectively decode only the required sub-images based on BMAP information, rather than decoding the complete image. This partial action approach maintains compression efficiency while enabling rapid random access to specific regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of time

If intraframe coding method is used to enable random access, then random access capability is improved, but compression efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverandom access timeVSAvoidcompression efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the panoramic image into multiple sub-images with independent encoding, allowing random access to specific sub-images while maintaining compression efficiency through selective decoding of only required segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The encoder performs preliminary action by generating BMAP (Bitstream Map) information that maps spatial positions of sub-images to their corresponding bitstream locations. This preliminary mapping enables the decoder to rapidly locate and access specific sub-images without scanning through the entire bitstream, thus achieving fast random access while maintaining compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If high-resolution panoramic image is processed, then picture quality is improved, but decoding time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicture qualityVSAvoiddecoding time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the high-resolution panoramic image into multiple sub-images (e.g., 4 sub-images) and encodes them independently. This segmentation allows the decoder to process only the required sub-images based on BMAP information, significantly reducing decoding time while maintaining high picture quality for the accessed regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables partial decoding of only the necessary sub-images rather than decoding the entire high-resolution image, thereby reducing decoding time while preserving picture quality for the accessed regions through selective decoding based on BMAP guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Measurement precision

If entire image is decoded for random access, then access accuracy is improved, but system resource utilization worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess accuracyVSAvoidsystem resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the panoramic image into multiple sub-images with independent encoding and BMAP information. This segmentation enables the system to access specific sub-images accurately while consuming significantly fewer system resources by processing only the required segments rather than the entire image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial decoding by allowing selective decoding of only the necessary sub-images based on BMAP information, thereby achieving accurate access to specific regions while reducing system resource utilization compared to decoding the entire image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7613344B2System and method for encoding and decoding an image using bitstream map and recording medium thereof

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 KNAPP INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED

AI summary

Disclosed are a system and method for encoding and decoding an image. The image compression system includes an image segmentation unit (110) for segmenting a first image into a plurality of sub-images; a first encoding unit (120) for encoding the sub-images to output sub-image bitstreams; a BMAP construction unit (130) for calculating the quantity of information of each sub-image bitstream and generating BMAP information using the calculated quantity of information and information on construction of each sub-image; and a bitstream combining unit (150) for combining the sub-image bitstreams and BMAP information.