WAMI Image Data Compression via Color Channel Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional approaches for wide-area motion imagery (WAMI) face challenges in efficiently distributing high-resolution image data over computer networks due to large file sizes, leading to high latency and playback issues at client devices, especially when bandwidth is limited.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves encoding WAMI frame tiles into Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) image files, using three color channels for each tile, and packaging them into video files, such as H.264 MPEG, to improve compression and reduce storage requirements, allowing efficient distribution and playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If WAMI image data is distributed over computer networks using conventional approaches, then high-resolution image data can be transmitted, but large file sizes lead to high latency and playback issues at client devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments WAMI frame tiles into multiple color channels (e.g., red, green, blue channels) and encodes them separately into JPEG image files. This segmentation allows for more efficient compression and transmission of image data over networks, reducing file sizes and latency while maintaining high resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If WAMI image data is distributed over computer networks using conventional approaches, then high-resolution image data can be transmitted, but large file sizes cause playback issues at client devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidplayback performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments WAMI frame tiles into multiple color channels (e.g., red, green, blue channels) and encodes them separately into JPEG image files. This segmentation allows for more efficient compression and transmission of image data over networks, reducing file sizes and latency while maintaining high resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the encoding parameter from conventional formats to JPEG image files with specific color channel separations. This parameter change optimizes the balance between image quality and file size, enabling smooth playback at client devices while maintaining high resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional WAMI approaches are used, then aerial images can be generated at low frame rates, but efficient distribution and playback of high-resolution data is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe rateVSAvoiddata size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments WAMI frame tiles into multiple color channels (e.g., red, green, blue channels) and encodes them separately into JPEG image files. This segmentation allows for more efficient compression and transmission of image data over networks, reducing file sizes and latency while maintaining high resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a temporal dimension by creating video files from sequences of encoded image files. This allows the system to maintain low frame rates for data generation while enabling efficient distribution and playback of high-resolution data through optimized encoding formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3926952A1Approaches for compressing and distributing image data
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP3926952A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3926952A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3926952A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for obtaining a set of images representing a view of a geographic region to be compressed, the set of images including a first image and a second image. A first image file can be generated based on the set of images, wherein the first image is encoded in a first color channel associated with the image file, and wherein the second image is encoded in a second color channel associated with the image file. A video file can be generated based at least in part on the image file. The video file can be provided to a client device over one or more computer networks.