3D Point Cloud Encoding Using Visibility Bits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for encoding and decoding three-dimensional data, such as point cloud data, face challenges in reducing processing amounts and efficiently transmitting and receiving required information, particularly in applications involving multiple codecs and data formats like Point Cloud Compression (PCC).

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves generating a bitstream that includes an angle parameter and visibility bit information for three-dimensional point clouds, indicating orientations and visibility, which allows for reduced processing by selecting and decoding only necessary data based on these parameters, thereby optimizing data transmission and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all point cloud data is transmitted and decoded, then complete three-dimensional information is available, but processing amount and data transmission volume increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of three-dimensional dataVSAvoidprocessing amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the essential visibility information (visibility bits) indicating whether each point cloud is visible from a specific direction, rather than transmitting all point cloud data. This extraction principle reduces data transmission volume and processing amount while maintaining the ability to reconstruct visible three-dimensional information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of data detail based on visibility requirements. Visible point clouds are represented with full information, while invisible point clouds use simplified representation or are omitted entirely, optimizing the balance between information completeness and processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If visibility information for all directions is transmitted, then complete visibility data is available, but data transmission volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility information completenessVSAvoiddata transmission volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transmits visibility information for a selected subset of directions rather than all possible directions. This partial action principle reduces data transmission volume while providing sufficient visibility information for typical viewing scenarios, avoiding the excess of transmitting unnecessary directional data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Quantity of substance

If encoded point cloud data is transmitted without additional information, then data transmission volume is reduced, but decoding efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission volumeVSAvoiddecoding time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary organization of point cloud data by grouping visible and invisible point clouds and pre-calculating visibility bits before encoding. This preliminary action facilitates faster decoding by providing the decoder with pre-processed visibility information, reducing decoding time without significantly increasing transmission volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230030392A1Three-dimensional data encoding method, three-dimensional data decoding method, three-dimensional data encoding device, and three-dimensional data decoding device

Publication Date: 2023.02.02 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

A three-dimensional data encoding method includes: generating a first information item and a second information item, the first information item indicating one or more directions toward a three-dimensional point cloud, the second information item being information for each of the one or more directions and indicating whether the three-dimensional point cloud is visible from the direction; and encoding point cloud data of the three-dimensional point cloud.