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  Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060140492Title: Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for digital movie or video that provides for error checking within the digital video files. The digital video is coded in a data stream that includes key frames and correspondence data between key frames as well as additional correspondence data between somewhat separated key frames. During decoding, an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate frame or frames by interpolation, based on key frame data and correspondence data file between key frames. If an error detector detects an error in an input coded data stream, an error controller instructs the intermediate image generator to perform an error avoidance processing which may include substituting another key frame for an error-containing key frame or use of the additional correspondence data to create the intermediate key frame or frames for an error-containing correspondence data file, and so forth. (end of abstract)
Agent: Ralph A. Dowell Of Dowell & Dowell P.C. - Alexandria, VA, US Inventors: Kozo Akiyoshi, Nobuo Akiyoshi USPTO Applicaton #: 20060140492 - Class: 382236000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Image Analysis, Image Compression Or Coding, Interframe Coding (e.g., Difference Or Motion Detection) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060140492. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/092,205, filed Mar. 7, 2002, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-064810, filed Mar. 8, 2001. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/092,205 is hereby incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an image processing technology, and more particularly relates to an image coding and decoding method and apparatus therefor which takes error processing into consideration. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Recently, image processing and compression methods such as those proposed by MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) have expanded to be used with transmission media such as network and broadcast rather than just storage media such as CDs. Generally speaking, the success of the digitization of broadcast materials has been caused at least in part by the availability of MPEG compression coding technology. In this way, a barrier that previously existed between broadcast and other types of communication has begun to disappear, leading to a diversification of service-providing businesses. Thus, we are facing a situation where it is hard to predict how the digital culture would evolve in this age of broadband. [0006] Even in such a chaotic situation, it is clear that the direction of the compression technology of motion pictures will be to move to both higher compression rates and better image quality. It is a well-known fact that block distortion in MPEG compression is sometimes responsible for causing degraded image quality and preventing the compression rate from being improved. Another problem that occurs in compression algorithms is poor tolerance of errors. Unlike reading data from storage media, this is particularly an issue for transmission of data through networks such as the Internet in which data delivery can be subject to a greater number of errors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances and an object thereof is to provide a new compression technology for motion pictures which also provides error tolerance. [0008] In the following, an image decoding technology and an image coding technology according to the present invention are described primarily with regard to motion pictures. However, the use of the technology is not limited to motion pictures and includes other image processing, for example, image effects such as morphing and walkthrough. [0009] A preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates to an image decoding apparatus. First, for nonnegative integers i and j, when data of an i-th key frame and a j-th key frame are defined as KF.sub.i and KF.sub.j, respectively, a correspondence data file between the i-th key frame and the j-th key frame is defined as C.sub.i,j, and data of an intermediate frame between the i-th key frame and the j-th key frame is defined as IF.sub.i,j. Now, the image decoding apparatus includes: an error detector which receives a data stream that includes KF.sub.i, KF.sub.i+1 and C.sub.i,i+1 and which detects whether or nor there is an error in the data stream; an intermediate, image generator which generates IF.sub.i,i+1 from the data stream; and an error controller which, when an error occurs in the data stream, controls said intermediate image generator in a manner such that an error avoidance processing is performed in the intermediate image generator. Hereinafter, the term "frame", which is a unit of image, will not be distinguished from the term "image" unless otherwise necessary. Further, the term "error" indicates a data error and other arbitrary faults and obstruction. [0010] The intermediate image generator may generate IF.sub.i,j by interpolating using C.sub.i,j, KF.sub.i and KF.sub.j. IF.sub.i,j may correspond to an arbitrary frame between KF.sub.i and KF.sub.j, and, in that sense, IF.sub.i,j representatively symbolizes all intermediate frames that may be generated between KF.sub.i and KF.sub.j. [0011] Another preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates to an image decoding method. This method includes: acquiring a data stream that includes a plurality of key frames and a correspondence data file therebetween; generating an intermediate frame between the key frames from the data stream; and monitoring for an error in the data stream, wherein, when an error is detected, an error avoidance processing is performed at the time of generating the intermediate frame. [0012] In the above apparatus and method, there may be several types of error avoidance processing, depending on where the error occurs, for example, as follows: [0013] 1. The intermediate frame is generated from data of another key frame which is substituted for data of the error-containing key frame. [0014] 2. The intermediate frame is generated based on data of another key frame and a correspondence data file relating thereto. [0015] 3. The intermediate frame is generated from another correspondence data file which is substituted for the error-containing correspondence data file. [0016] 4. The intermediate frame is generated based on a new correspondence data file generated based on another correspondence data file. [0017] Moreover, when it is judged that a seriousness of the error is below a predetermined level, the error avoidance processing may be abandoned. Situations in which the serious of the error is low may include the following examples: [0018] 1. In all pixels of a key frame, the total number of error-containing pixels is low. [0019] 2. In the image of a key frame, the error is not present or substantially less in the low frequency component thereof. [0020] 3. Even though there are a plurality of error-containing pixels or areas, they are relatively dispersed. [0021] 4. The error-containing area is close to the edge of an image. [0022] 5. The error-containing area is in the background of an object and so forth, thus being inconspicuous. [0023] 6. The intensity of an error-containing pixel or area is low. [0024] Still another preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates to an image coding apparatus. The image coding apparatus includes: an image input unit which receives data of key frames; a correspondence data generator which generates C.sub.i,i+1 by utilizing KF.sub.i and KF.sub.i+1, and generates C.sub.i,j by utilizing KF.sub.i and KF.sub.j, where j>i+1, among the input key frame data; and a stream generator which generates a data stream including data generated by the correspondence data generator. [0025] Still another preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates to an image coding method. The image coding method includes: first generating, based on data of two adjacent key frames, correspondence data therebetween; second generating, based on data of key frames disposed at some interval, correspondence data therebetween; and generating a data stream in a manner such that the correspondence data generated in said first generating serves as main data and the correspondence data generated in said second generating serves as spare data. [0026] Here, the term "main data" indicates data to be reproduced in a usual manner while the term "spare data" indicates data to be used for repairing an error which has occurred at the time of decoding processing. Thus, the second generating may be executed with lower frequency than execution of the first generating. Moreover, in the present method, the correspondence data may be generated in a manner such that data for checking for errors is embedded therein. An example of a type of error checking data is a parity bit which is inserted into the correspondence data. [0027] The image coding method according to the present invention may further include, when generating the correspondence data, an image matching which includes: multiresolutionalizing two key frames by respectively extracting critical points; performing, for example, a pixel-by-pixel matching computation on those key frames between similar multiresolution levels; and acquiring a pixel-by-pixel correspondence relation at a finest level of resolution while inheriting a result of the pixel-by-pixel matching computation at a different multiresolution level. [0028] In the above-described embodiments, the matching method that utilizes critical points may be an application of the technology (referred to as the "base technology" hereinafter) proposed by Japanese Patent No. 2927350 which is owned by the same assignee as the present patent specification. [0029] It is to be noted that it is also possible to have replacement or substitution of the above-described structural components and elements of methods in part or whole as between method and apparatus or to add elements to either method or apparatus and also, the apparatuses and methods may be implemented by a computer program and saved on a recording medium or the like and are all effective as and encompassed by the present invention. [0030] Moreover, this summary of the invention includes features that may not be necessary features such that an embodiment of the present invention may also be a sub-combination of these described features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading... Full patent description for Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Motion encoding of still images Next Patent Application: Video encoding techniques Industry Class: Image analysis ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus patent info. 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