Image analysis – Applications
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-01
2004-02-10
Johnson, Timothy M. (Department: 2625)
Image analysis
Applications
C382S166000, C382S232000, C382S282000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06690810
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image encoding device which encodes an image and effects image processing such as image synthesis onto the encoded image, an image encoding method, a recording medium which records the procedure of image encoding, and a recording medium which records an image file.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional encoding devices of this type include, for example, the technologies disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JPA) No. 5-199424 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JPA) No. 6-125553. The former is an example of image encoding and describes, as a conventional method, a simple method to use in the conventional method using an open key or a common key. A method of encoding by changing the permutation of image blocks is also proposed as an alternative method.
The latter is also an example of image encoding. Because the burden of encoding all the images is too large a method of encoding only the DC component of signals which are subjected to frequency conversion (DCT conversion) is proposed.
Further, an image format includes the one which has four channels of R, G, B, and &agr; which is used in an embodiment of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JPA) No. 9-102033. In a normal color image, the pixel color is determined from the three values of R, G, and B. The RGB&agr; format has another value &agr; which represents the transparency of the pixel. When the image is superposed on another image and synthesized, the image below is transparent and the degree of transparency is controlled by the value of &agr;.
The normal image is rectangular. However, a clipped image can be obtained by defining an arbitrary image within the rectangular image using this &agr; channel.
Moreover, in the case of the RGB&agr; format, the encoding processing described in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JPA) No. 5-199424 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JPA) No. 6-125553 is carried out every four channels, and the entire file is encoded using an open key or a common key.
However, in the aforementioned conventional technologies, when a background image has an RGB&agr; format image superposed thereon, only the RGB&agr; data is encoded. Thus, when the background image file, the encoded RGB&agr; file, and the information which determines the position of synthesis are transferred, there is a drawback in that a device other than the device having the final decoding right cannot recognize how the RGB&agr; file is superposed on the background image file. Further, when a portion of an image, in which all of the channels of R, G, B, and &agr; are encoded, is adhered onto another background image, all of the data in the two images must be read and thereby the processing speed is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was developed in order to solve the above-described drawbacks, and the object thereof is to enable the configuration of an image to be known even by a device which does not have a decoding right, when an image having RGB&agr; format is encoded, and to improve the processing speed of the image of the encoded image data.
The first aspect of the present invention is an image encoding device comprising: input means for inputting an image file by reading an image file which represents an image; separating means for separating the image file into image data of predetermined components including at least image data of components representing the transparency of the image; encoding means for encoding, from among image data separated by the separating means, image data of components other than image data of components representing the transparency of the image; and file generating means for generating an image file from image data of components encoded by the encoding means and image data of components other than image data of components encoded by the encoding means.
According to the first aspect, an image file representing an image is read by the input means. The image file read by the input means is then separated into image data of predetermined components including at least the image data of components representing the transparency of the image. The encoding means then encodes image data of components other than at least the image data of components representing the transparency of the image from among the separated image data. The image file generating means then generates an image file from the encoded image data of components and image data of components other than the unencoded image data of components.
In this way, because the image data of components representing the transparency of the image is not encoded in the encoded image file, the shape of the image can be known. Moreover, because the remaining image data of components is encoded, the security of the detailed image data can be maintained.
The second aspect of the present invention is an image encoding device, wherein an area occupied by the portion of the image which is to be clipped from within the image area is detected on the basis of image data of components representing the transparency of the image.
According to the second aspect, the area occupied by the portion of the image which is to be clipped from within the image area can be detected on the basis of the image data of components representing the transparency of the image.
For example, if the value &agr; of unencoded image data of components representing the transparency of an image is set to 0 for transparent and 1 for opaque, the value of each pixel in the image portion to be clipped from within the image area is extracted as either 0 or 1. Therefore, the shape, position, and size of the clipped image can be detected. Translucent portions of the image, where 0<&agr;<1, can be freely clipped by clipping portions where &agr; is other than 0 or 1.
Moreover, when the portion clipped this way is pasted onto another image, the image data of components of the portion of the pasted over image which overlaps with the clipped image does not have to be processed. Accordingly, the processing time when image processing such as image transmission or image conversion are performed can be shortened.
The third aspect of the present invention is an image encoding device comprising: input means for inputting an image file by reading an image file which represents an image; separating means for separating the image file into image data of predetermined components including at least image data of components having information specifying an area of the image to be clipped; encoding means for encoding, from among image data separated by the separating means, image data of components other than image data of components having information specifying an area of the image to be clipped; and file generating means for generating an image file from image data of components encoded by the encoding means and image data of components other than image data of components encoded by the encoding means.
According to the third aspect, an image file representing an image is read by the input means. The image file read by the input means is then separated into image data of predetermined components including at least the image data of components having information specifying the area of the image to be clipped. The encoding means then encodes image data of components other than at least the image data of components having the information specifying the area of the image to be clipped from among the separated image data of components. The image file generating means then generates an image file from the encoded image data of components and the image data of components other than the encoded image data of components.
In this way, because, in the encoded image file, image data of components specifying the area of the image to be clipped is not encoded, the shape of the image can be recognized. Moreover, because the remaining image data of components is encoded, the security of the details of the image data can be maintained.
The fourth aspect of the pres
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Johnson Timothy M.
LandOfFree
Image coding without coding transparency regions does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image coding without coding transparency regions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image coding without coding transparency regions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3294664