Abstract: A method of converting 10-bit pixel data (e.g. 10:10:10:2 data) into 8-bit pixel data involves converting the 10-bit values to 8-bits using a technique that is selected dependent upon the values of the MSBs of the 10-bit values and setting the value of an HDR flag dependent upon the values of the MSBs. The HDR flag is appended to the 3-bit channel.

Abstract: Hierarchical methods for selecting fixed point number formats with reduced mantissa bit lengths for representing values input to, and/or output, from, the layers of a DNN. The methods begin with one or more initial fixed point number formats for each layer. The layers are divided into subsets of layers and the mantissa bit lengths of the fixed point number formats are iteratively reduced from the initial fixed point number formats on a per subset basis. If a reduction causes the output error of the DNN to exceed an error threshold, then the reduction is discarded, and no more reductions are made to the layers of the subset. Otherwise a further reduction is made to the fixed point number formats for the layers in that subset. Once no further reductions can be made to any of the subsets the method is repeated for continually increasing numbers of subsets until a predetermined number of layers per subset is achieved.

Abstract: Image synthesis methods and units are described which can be implemented in real-time on low-cost and mobile devices. A set of sample blocks from an input image are defined. For each combination of sample blocks, a matching block is determined, which provides a best match for that combination when positioned in conjunction with a predetermined arrangement of the sample blocks of the combination. A match table can then be created and stored which includes an indication of the determined matching block for each combination of sample blocks from the input image. The match table can be used to generate a synthesised image, which may be much larger than the input image. For example, the match table may be used to determine an index table which comprises indications of sample blocks to be positioned in a synthesis arrangement for generating the synthesised image.

Abstract: A lossy method of compressing data, such as image data, which uses wrap-around wavelet compression is described. Each data value is divided into two parts and the first parts, which comprise the most significant bits from the data values, are compressed using wrap-around wavelet compression. Depending upon the target compression ratio and the compression ratio achieved by compressing just the first parts, none, one or more bits from the second parts, or from a data value derived from the second parts, may be appended to the compressed first parts. The method described may be lossy or may be lossless. A corresponding decompression method is also described.

Abstract: Image synthesis methods and units are described which can be implemented in real-time on low-cost and mobile devices. A set of sample blocks from an input image are defined. For each combination of sample blocks, a matching block is determined, which provides a best match for that combination when positioned in conjunction with a predetermined arrangement of the sample blocks of the combination. A match table can then be created and stored which includes an indication of the determined matching block for each combination of sample blocks from the input image. The match table can be used to generate a synthesised image, which may be much larger than the input image. For example, the match table may be used to determine an index table which comprises indications of sample blocks to be positioned in a synthesis arrangement for generating the synthesised image.

Abstract: In a computer-based graphics imaging system, binocular tone mapping is employed with an optimization-based framework to generate a binocular single vision image with more visual richness than a single tone-mapped image, the binocular tone mapping being guided by a binocular viewing comfort predictor (BVCP) metric in order to assure stable formation of binocularly tone-mapped image pairs, so that visual information content of the image pair can be maximized without triggering visual discomfort.

Abstract: In a computer-based graphics imaging system, binocular tone mapping is employed with an optimization-based framework to generate a binocular single vision image with more visual richness than a single tone-mapped image, the binocular tone mapping being guided by a binocular viewing comfort predictor (BVCP) metric in order to assure stable formation of binocularly tone-mapped image pairs, so that visual information content of the image pair can be maximized without triggering visual discomfort.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for producing an ASCII picture from a vector outline image. The method comprises rasterizing the vector outline image into a plurality of grid cells, at least one of which has a reference image; matching each reference image with an ASCII character based on log-polar histograms thereof; and gathering all matched ASCII characters to form the ASCII picture.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for producing an ASCII picture from a vector outline image. The method comprises rasterizing the vector outline image into a plurality of grid cells, at least one of which has a reference image; matching each reference image with an ASCII character based on log-polar histograms thereof; and gathering all matched ASCII characters to form the ASCII picture.