Satellite Image Data Compression via Video Codec

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for transmitting satellite image data face significant bottlenecks due to large data volumes and insufficient network infrastructure, particularly in regions with low bandwidth, making it difficult to access and process satellite imagery data efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that compress satellite image data using a video codec to form a video stream, allowing for efficient transmission over data networks, leveraging existing decoding technologies in devices like smartphones and workstations, and enabling efficient use of satellite data even in areas with limited network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If satellite image data is transmitted via data network using traditional compression algorithms, then data quality is preserved, but download time increases significantly and network bandwidth is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoiddownload time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of data representation by converting static satellite images into dynamic video format with temporal compression. This transformation enables achieving both high compression ratios and acceptable data quality by leveraging video coding techniques that exploit temporal redundancy between consecutive frames, thereby reducing download time while maintaining sufficient data quality for analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a compressed video stream copy of the satellite image data that can be transmitted efficiently over networks. Instead of transmitting multiple individual image files, the system generates a single video stream that contains all necessary information, significantly reducing network bandwidth requirements and download time while preserving the ability to retrieve individual frames when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If satellite image data is stored in traditional raster file formats, then data access is straightforward, but data volume becomes unmanageable requiring large investments in storage and processing infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the data storage parameter from discrete raster files to continuous video streams. This parameter change enables achieving the same data capacity in significantly smaller storage volumes by applying temporal compression algorithms that exploit redundancy between consecutive satellite observations, thereby reducing infrastructure investment requirements while maintaining data accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple individual satellite image files into a single integrated video stream. This consolidation combines temporal information from multiple observations into one cohesive data structure, reducing the overall data volume and simplifying storage management while preserving the ability to access individual time points when needed for analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If complete satellite data archives are downloaded for analysis, then all available data is available for processing, but network bandwidth is overwhelmed and download times are unreasonably long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoiddata processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables partial downloading of satellite data by allowing users to download only the video stream segments corresponding to their specific regions and time periods of interest. Instead of requiring complete archive downloads, users can selectively access portions of the data, significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption and download times while maintaining data completeness for the specific analysis needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the complete satellite data archive into manageable video stream segments organized by region and time period. This segmentation allows users to download and process only the relevant portions of data needed for their specific analysis, improving productivity by eliminating the need to transfer and process entire petabyte-scale archives when only small subsets are required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4216548A1Method and system for transmitting satellite image data via a data network
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 EARTHSTREAMER GMBH
  • EP4216548A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4216548A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B
  • EP4216548A1 patent drawingFigure 6A~6B

AI summary

The invention provides a computer-implemented method for transmitting satellite image data via a data network, comprising storing satellite image data corresponding to different acquisition times and/or different observed areas in a first data storage, selecting satellite image data to be transferred via the data network, compressing, using a video codec, the selected satellite image data based on a video coding format to form a video stream, and transmitting the video stream via the data network to a second data storage.