Wavelet Image Compression via Tile Segmentation and Modulo Prediction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data compression methods for graphics rendering systems are expensive for on-the-fly operations, lack random access, and are not suitable for real-time applications, especially when transitioning between lossy and lossless compression.

Innovation Solution

A method using wavelet transforms with modulo arithmetic to compress two-dimensional image data, dividing the data into arrays, performing prediction and encoding with entropy schemes, and optimizing for parallel processing to achieve symmetric encoding and decoding costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If general lossy image compression methods (JPEG, GIF) are applied to entire images, then compression ratio is improved, but processing cost increases and random access is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata compression ratioVSAvoidprocessing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image data into multiple tiles or blocks, allowing independent compression and random access to specific regions. This segmentation enables partial processing rather than entire image processing, reducing processing cost while maintaining compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different compression strategies to different regions based on their importance and characteristics. Critical regions use lossless or higher quality compression, while less important regions use more aggressive lossy compression, optimizing the balance between compression ratio and processing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If lossless compression methods (PNG, ZIP) are used, then data integrity is improved, but processing cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies lossless compression only to essential regions or data elements, while using lossy compression for other parts. This partial application of lossless compression maintains data integrity where needed while improving overall processing speed through selective compression strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If texture compression schemes are used, then random access is improved, but encoding complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access capabilityVSAvoidencoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides texture data into tiles that can be independently encoded and accessed. This segmentation enables random access to specific texture regions without decoding the entire texture, improving ease of operation while distributing encoding complexity across multiple smaller units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Quantity of substance

If Rasmusson et al's RGB compression system is used, then compression capability is improved, but register size requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression capabilityVSAvoidregister size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms color data from RGB space to alternative color spaces (such as YCbCr or other perceptually optimized spaces) that allow for more efficient compression with smaller register requirements. This parameter transformation enables maintaining compression capability while reducing the volume of data that must be processed and stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

5Ease of manufacture

If sequential prediction schemes are used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but parallel processing capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidparallel processing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the prediction process into independent tile-based units that can be processed in parallel. Each tile maintains its own prediction context, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple tiles without interfering with each other, thus enabling parallel processing while keeping implementation relatively simple through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2512137B1A method and system for data compression
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 IMAGINATION TECH LTD
  • EP2512137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2512137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2512137B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

The invention provides a system and method for compressing an electronic image data set. The image is divided into a plurality of arrays, each of which are separately transformed using a wavelet transformation. The resulting wavelet coefficients are then encoded using an entropy encoding scheme to provide a compressed data set.