Abstract: Device for transmitting and/or storing signals presented thereto representing the textures of different areas of a video picture. The device includes a sampling stage for deriving a reference sample of the texture signals from a given picture area, and a coding stage for coding the reference sample signal as well as area signals representative of texture over the entire area from which the sample has been taken. The coded output signals of the coding stage may be transmitted by a transmission medium such as a communication channel and/or a store. A decoding stage then decodes the coded signals, and a texture synthesis stage uses the decoded sample signals to enhance the decoded area signals, thereby effectively achieving synthesis of a reproduction of the relevant picture area having a texture closely resembling the texture of such area of the original picture.

Abstract: A device for coding still images has a device for segmenting the images into homogeneous regions whereto a specific label is attached, and a device for coding the contents of the contour. The contour coding device has a sub-assembly which detects contours for each regions, for each region successively considered, it detects points which are to form a series of control points and transforming the part of the contour joining two successive control points into a straight segment. Then the validity criterion is verified. If the criterion is not met, at least one supplementary control point is introduced between the two control points and so on until it is. The transformation is applied until the contour loop is completely closed.

Abstract: A device for coding still images, wherein the still images are segmented into homogeneous regions whereto a specific label is attached. The contents and the contours of the regions are coded by circuitry including a sub-assembly (30) for coding contour information which itself includes a contour detector. On the contours of each region the real direction of orientation on the type of contour edge retained for the transmission is detected, and tested by comparing, for each pair of successive image points of each contour segment, the real direction of orientation thus detected and the instantaneous direction of orientation between these two points. The device further includes circuitry for coding segments traversed in the detected real direction of orientation, and for re-initializing the entire procedure for each of the regions.