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Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Pulse Or Digital Communications, Bandwidth Reduction Or Expansion, Television Or Motion Video Signal, Specific Decompression ProcessImage coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070171983, Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/200,157, filed Jul. 23, 2002, which claimed priority from Japanese patent application No. 2001-225512, dated Jul. 26, 2001. 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 coding and decoding techniques in which images are interpolated based on a matching technology. [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 digital culture will 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 well-known that block distortion in MPEG compression is sometimes responsible for causing degraded image quality and preventing the compression rate from being improved. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances and an intention thereof is to provide a coding and decoding technology that provides fast and efficient coding and compression. Another intention is to provide a coding and decoding technology suitable for the somewhat conflicting demands of maintaining image quality and improving compression. [0008] The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an image processing technology. This technology may utilize the image matching technology (hereinafter referred to and described as the "base technology") which has been proposed in Japanese patent No. 2927350, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,018,592 and 6,137,910, assigned to the same assignee, which are hereby incorporated by reference. [0009] A preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates to an image coding method. This method includes: preparing a multiresolutional image hierarchy; conducting analysis on the multiresolutional image hierarchy; and switching the analysis to a simplified method at a stage prior to a final stage. [0010] Multiresolution analysis is a process in which, after an image is transformed to a plurality of images with differing, generally hierarchical, resolutions, the image is analyzed over those resolutions. In general, the analysis proceeds from a lower or coarser resolution to a higher or finer resolution. In the following, such an example is used when necessary, however, the present embodiments are not limited to that effect. [0011] Another preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates also to an image coding method. This method includes: generating corresponding point data by analyzing a first image and a second image in a multiresolutional manner; and outputting the corresponding point data generated by the generating, wherein the generating is such that the analyzing is switched to a simplified method at a stage prior to reaching a final resolution of the first and second images. [0012] In a particular case, the generating may be such that pixel-by-pixel matching computation is performed based on correspondence between critical points detected through a two-dimensional search on the first image and those detected through a two-dimensional search on the second image. Moreover, the generating may be such that, after the first and second images are multiresolutionalized by respectively extracting the critical points, pixel-by-pixel matching computation is performed on the first and second images, at each resolution level, and pixel-by-pixel correspondence relations are acquired gradually at finer levels of resolution while inheriting a result of the pixel-by-pixel matching computation at a different resolution level. [0013] In another particular case, the simplified method may include projecting corresponding point data of the first and second images at non-final resolution onto the first and second images at final resolution. [0014] In another particular case, the switch to the simplified method may be made such that the simplified method is executed at a decoding side rather than at the decoding side. In this case, the analyzing will be discontinued at the decoding side and corresponding point data that have been generated up to the time the analyzing is discontinued may be output from the decoding side. [0015] It will be understood that the first and second images (key frames) may also be intra-frame compressed and output together with the corresponding point data. [0016] Still another preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates to an image decoding method. This method, which decodes data that has been coded by analyzing images in a multiresolutional manner, is characterized in that, in a case when the analyzing has been discontinued at prior to reaching a final resolution stage, analyzing for remaining resolution stages is conducted at a decoding side by switching to a simplified method. Thereafter, the coded data may be decoded by a predetermined method. [0017] Still another preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates also to an image decoding method. This method is characterized in that corresponding point data between a first image and a second image have been generated by analyzing the first and second images in a multiresolutional manner at a coding side but the analyzing has been discontinued at a stage prior to reaching final resolution of the first and second images, and includes analyzing for remaining resolution stages at a decoding side using a simplified method so that completed or final coded data are available at the decoding side. [0018] In a particular case, this method may further include generating an intermediate image of the first and second images based on the completed coded data and outputting the intermediate image. [0019] In the embodiments, the base technology can be used to generate corresponding point data between the first and second images in the coding method and to generate an intermediate image based on the coded data in the decoding method. However, the base technology is not a necessary part of the embodiments. [0020] 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. [0021] 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. Continue reading about Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus... 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