US5305103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for improved pyramidal image encoding
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1993-07-09
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Granted: 1994-04-19
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Expires: 2013-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for encoding an original image. The original image is divided into a plurality of regions and a region is selected therefrom for processing. A region energy value is determined in accordance with the magnitudes of the pixels in the selected region. The region energy value is compared to a threshold and a filtered image is formed by selectively zeroing the selected region in accordance with the comparison. The filtered image is resolved into at least one lower resolution image which is encoded. An expanded image is formed in accordance with the encoded lower resolution image, the expanded image being of the same level of resolution as the original image. An image representative of the difference between the original image and the expanded image is encoded at full resolution.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart J. Golin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N19/00; H04N19/80; H04N19/60; H04N19/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for encoding an original image comprising the steps of: (a) dividing said original image into a plurality of regions; (b) selecting a region from said plurality of regions; (c) determining a region energy value in accordance with the magnitudes of the pixels in said selected region; (d) comparing said region energy value to a threshold; (e) forming a filtered image by selectively zeroing said selected region in accordance with said comparison; (f) resolving said filtered image into at least one lower resolution image; (g) encoding said at least one lower resolution image; (h) forming an expanded image from the result of step (g), said expanded image being of the same level of resolution as said original image; (i) encoding an image representative of the difference between said original image and said expanded image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for encoding an original image comprising the steps of: (a) dividing said original image into a plurality of regions; (b) selecting a region from said plurality of regions; (c) determining a region energy value in accordance with the magnitudes of the pixels in said selected region; (d) comparing said region energy value to a threshold; (e) forming a filtered image by selectively zeroing said selected region in accordance with said comparison; (f) resolving said filtered image into at least one lower resolution image; (g) encoding said at least one lower resolution image; (h) forming an expanded image from the result of step (g), said expanded image being of the same level of resolution as said original image; (i) encoding an image representative of the difference between said original image and said expanded image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said region energy value represents the mean-square-value of a plurality of pixels in said selected region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein quantization is applied to said original image and the value of said threshold is determined in accordance with the expected energy of the quantization noise.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the value of said threshold is determined in accordance with the noise level in said original image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein steps (b) through (e) are repeated for each region of said original image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises the step of: (e) if said region energy value is less than said threshold, then zeroing said selected region to form said filtered image.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for encoding an original image comprising: (a) means for dividing said original image into a plurality of regions; (b) a region selector for selecting a region from said plurality of regions; (c) a region energy determinator for determining a region energy value in accordance with the magnitudes of the pixels in said selected region; (d) a comparator for comparing said region energy value to a threshold; (e) a filter for forming a filtered image by selectively zeroing said selected region in accordance with the output of said comparator; (f) a subsampler for resolving said filtered image into at least one lower resolution image; (g) a first encoder for encoding said at least one lower resolution image; (h) an image expander for forming an expanded image in accordance with the output of said first encoder, said expanded image being of the same level of resolution as said original image; and (i) a second encoder for encoding an image representative of the difference between said original image and said expanded image.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for encoding an original image comprising: (a) means for dividing said original image into a plurality of regions; (b) a region selector for selecting a region from said plurality of regions; (c) a region energy determinator for determining a region energy value in accordance with the magnitudes of the pixels in said selected region; (d) a comparator for comparing said region energy value to a threshold; (e) a filter for forming a filtered image by selectively zeroing said selected region in accordance with the output of said comparator; (f) a subsampler for resolving said filtered image into at least one lower resolution image; (g) a first encoder for encoding said at least one lower resolution image; (h) an image expander for forming an expanded image in accordance with the output of said first encoder, said expanded image being of the same level of resolution as said original image; and (i) a second encoder for encoding an image representative of the difference between said original image and said expanded image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said region energy value represents the mean-square-value of a plurality of pixels in said selected region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein quantization is applied to said original image and the value of said threshold is determined in accordance with the expected energy of the quantization noise.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the value of said threshold is determined in accordance with the noise level in said original image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said filter zeros said selected region to form said filtered image if said region energy value is less than said threshold.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-04-18 | 1997-10-18 | 1998-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-18 | 2001-10-18 | 2002-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-18 | 2005-10-18 | 2006-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |