Image coding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus

Abstract

An image processing method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image data in which the coding and decoding method may be simplified based on factors such as processing speed requirements. In encoding, an image input unit receives a first image and a second image (key frames). A matching processor begins performing a multiresolutional analysis using pixel-by-pixel matching between the images but, due to predetermined factors or settings, either discontinues the analysis or switches to a simplified method of analysis prior to the final resolution level. If the analysis is discontinued during encoding (i.e. at the encoding side), the analysis may be completed at the decoding side prior to conducting the decoding and the decoding side may be arranged accordingly.

1 . An image decoding method comprising decoding coded data that has been coded by analyzing images in a multiresolutional manner, the method characterized in that: if, during coding, the analyzing has been discontinued before reaching a final resolution stage, then analyzing for remaining resolution stages is conducted at a decoding side using a simplified method.  
   
   
       2 . An image decoding method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the images comprise a first image and a second image, and the analyzing images in a multiresolutional manner comprises generating corresponding point data between the first image and the second image by analyzing the first and second images in a multiresolutional manner, but the analyzing has been discontinued at a stage prior to reaching a final resolution stage of the first and second images; and    the analyzing for remaining resolution stages at the decoding side uses the simplified method to generate completed coded data at the decoding side.    
   
   
       3 . An image decoding method according to  claim 2 , wherein the simplified method comprises projecting corresponding point data of the first and second images at a non-final resolution onto the first and second images at a final resolution.  
   
   
       4 . An image decoding method according to  claim 3 , further comprising generating an intermediate image of the first and second images based on the completed coded data and outputting the intermediate image.  
   
   
       5 . An image decoding apparatus for decoding coded data that has been coded by analyzing images in a multiresolutional manner, the apparatus comprising: 
 a communications unit for receiving the coded data; and    a processor for analyzing the coded data and configured such that: 
 if, during coding, the analyzing has been discontinued at a stage prior to a final resolution stage, the processor analyzes for remaining resolution stages at a decoding side using a simplified method.  
   
   
   
       6 . An image decoding apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the images comprise a first image and a second image; and    the analyzing of the images in a multiresolutional manner comprises generating corresponding point data between the first image and the second image by analyzing the first and second images in a multiresolutional manner, but the analyzing has been discontinued at a stage prior to reaching a final resolution stage of the first and second images; and    the processor analyzes for remaining resolution stages at the decoding side using the simplified method to generate completed coded data at the decoding side.    
   
   
       7 . An image decoding apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the simplified method comprises projecting corresponding point data of the first and second images at a non-final resolution onto the first and second images at a final resolution.  
   
   
       8 . An image decoding apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising an intermediate image generator configured to generate an intermediate image of the first and second images based on the completed coded data.  
   
   
       9 . An image decoding apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a display unit configured to display at least one of the first image, the second image and the intermediate image.  
   
   
       10 . A physical computer readable medium including computer executable instructions for decoding data that has been coded by analyzing images in a multiresolutional manner, the instructions which, when executed on a computing device, cause the computing device to: 
 determine if the analyzing has been discontinued at a stage prior to a final resolution stage; and    conduct analysis for remaining resolution stages using a simplified method.    
   
   
       11 . An image decoding method according to  claim 2 , wherein the simplified method comprises acquiring corresponding point data at a final resolution by performing block matching based on corresponding point data of the first and second images at a non-final resolution.  
   
   
       12 . An image decoding apparatus according to  claim 6 , the simplified method comprises acquiring corresponding point data at a final resolution by performing block matching based on corresponding point data of the first and second images at a non-final resolution.  
   
   
       13 . An image decoding method comprising: 
 receiving coded data comprising image data and interim analysis data, wherein the coded data has been coded by: 
 i) analyzing the image data in a manner comprising a plurality of stages, said plurality of stages having at least a first stage and a final stage; and  
 ii) generating the interim analysis data based on said analyzing of the image data at a stage prior to the final stage; and  
   analyzing the image data for at least one of the remaining plurality of stages to generate final analysis data.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the analyzing of the image data in a manner comprising a plurality of stages is discontinued at the stage prior to the final stage.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the analyzing of the image data in a manner comprising a plurality of stages comprises a multi-resolutional analysis wherein the plurality of stages correspond to a plurality of resolutions; and    the interim analysis data is generated based on a matching computation of at least one of the plurality of resolutions.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the image data comprises a first image and a second image;    the interim analysis data comprises interim corresponding point data between the first image and the second image; and    the final analysis data comprises final corresponding point data between the first image and the second image.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 generating at least one intermediate image based on the first image, the second image and the final corresponding point data; and    outputting the at least one intermediate image using a display unit.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 generating at least one intermediate image based on the image data and the final analysis data; and    outputting the at least one intermediate image using a display unit.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the analyzing of the image data in at least one of the remaining plurality of stages comprises using a simplified method.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the simplified method comprises acquiring corresponding point data at a final resolution by performing block matching based on corresponding point data of the image data at a non-final resolution.