Abstract: This invention provides a codec for depth compression and decompression in 3D-video streaming, recording and visualization applications. PROBLEM: Use of 3D-video imaging is relevant to a vast of data to be recorded into storage media and streamed in real-time through communication media with bandwidth limitations. Reduction of 3D-video data amount can be achieved by using variety of compression methods. Some conventional methods of 2D-video processing are applicable also for 3D-video streams. However, significant reduction of video data amount is relevant to use of lossy processing methods, operation-greedy algorithms, and challenges for visual quality of the processed 3D-videos. SOLUTION: The codec for 3D-video depth information compression and decompression, by employing depth similarities between neighboring rows of a single depth frame, and capabilities of rANS-algorithm to compress sets of values that have highly irregular distribution.

Abstract: This invention provides a codec for depth compression and decompression in 3D-video streaming, recording and visualization applications. PROBLEM: Use of 3D-video imaging is relevant to a vast of data to be recorded into storage media and streamed in real-time through communication media with bandwidth limitations. Reduction of 3D-video data amount can be achieved by using variety of compression methods. Some conventional methods of 2D-video processing are applicable also for 3D-video streams. However, significant reduction of video data amount is relevant to use of lossy processing methods, operation-greedy algorithms, and challenges for visual quality of the processed 3D-videos. SOLUTION: The codec for 3D-video depth information compression and decompression, by employing depth similarities between neighboring rows of a single depth frame, and capabilities of rANS-algorithm to compress sets of values that have highly irregular distribution.