Parallax Compensation Video Encoding Using Block Division

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for encoding multi-viewpoint video images face inefficiencies in encoding parallax data, leading to increased code amounts without optimizing prediction efficiency, especially when parallax displacement is encoded for each pixel.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining block divisions based on the characteristics of the target image and encoding parallax displacement data for each divided area, leveraging spatial correlation to reduce code amounts without degrading prediction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If parallax displacement is encoded for each pixel, then prediction efficiency is improved, but code amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprediction efficiencyVSAvoidcode amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple blocks, and parallax displacement is encoded for each block rather than for every pixel. This segmentation approach reduces the total number of encoded values while maintaining adequate prediction accuracy for the overall image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different encoding precision is applied to different regions. The patent encodes parallax displacement at block level for most areas, but allows for selective higher precision in specific blocks where needed, optimizing the balance between code amount and prediction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If block division is determined based on image characteristics, then encoding efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencoding efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple blocks for parallel processing. This segmentation enables independent processing of different blocks, improving encoding efficiency through better utilization of processing resources while keeping individual block processing relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent determines block division based on image characteristics, but applies this sophisticated approach selectively rather than uniformly to all images. This partial application reduces overall processing complexity while still achieving encoding efficiency improvements where most beneficial.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8451894B2Video encoding method and decoding method, apparatuses therefor, programs therefor, and storage media for storing the programs by using parallax compensation

Publication Date: 2013.05.28 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

By using parallax compensation which performs prediction by using parallax between video images, the video images are encoded as a single video image. Reference parallax for a target image to be encoded is set, wherein the reference parallax is estimated using a reference image; area division in an image frame is set; parallax displacement for each divided area is set, wherein the parallax displacement is the difference between the reference parallax and parallax for the parallax compensation; data of the area division is encoded; and data for indicating the parallax displacement is encoded. During decoding, reference parallax for a target image to be decoded is set, wherein it is estimated using a reference image; data for indicating area division, which is included in encoded data, is decoded; and data of parallax displacement, which is included in the encoded data, is decoded for each area indicated by the area division data.