摘要:
An image encoding method in which when transmitting or storing an image, a frame of the image is divided into predetermined-sized processing regions, and for each processing region, a pixel value of each pixel is predicted for the encoding. The method includes a step that determines one pixel value, which is assigned to and represents each object in the processing region, to be an object pixel value that is associated with an object identifier for identifying the relevant object; a step that generates, based on each object pixel value and the pixel value of each pixel in the processing region, an object map that indicates which object has been obtained at each pixel in the processing region, by using the object identifier; a step that generates a predicted image for the processing region by assigning the object pixel value to each pixel in accordance with the object map; a step that encodes the object map; a step that encodes each object pixel value; and a step that performs predictive encoding of an image signal for the processing region by using the predicted image.
摘要:
When the entire image is divided into regions, each of which is subjected to predictive encoding while predicting an image signal by using an independent method assigned to the region, the object number and a representative pixel value for each object are predicted utilizing spatial continuity for the presence of the object, and also using decoded pixel values of a previously-processed neighbor region adjacent to a processing region. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of code required for encoding the object number in the processing region or the pixel value as a representative of each object in the processing region, where these encoded items are required in highly accurate image signal prediction which can handle any object shape by utilizing the pixel value as a representative of each object in the processing target region and information for identifying the object assigned to each pixel in the processing region. Therefore, efficient image encoding can be implemented. Since the employed decoded pixel values of pixels in a previously-decoded neighbor region are common information between the encoding and decoding sides, appropriate prediction can be performed even in the case where one of multiple image signal prediction modes is selected for each region, like in H.264.