Abstract: Coding quantized transform coefficients as occur in image compression combines a position identifying method to identify the relative position of clusters of consecutive non-zero-valued coefficients, an amplitude event identifying method to identify amplitude events in the clusters of non-zero-valued coefficients, and a coding method to code the position events, amplitude events, and signs of the amplitudes in the clusters. The method is particularly applicable to a series of quantized transform coefficients where clusters are likely to occur.

Abstract: Provided are a graphic image data compressor that provides a complete image instead of an erroneous image when graphic image data fails to be compressed to satisfy its bandwidth and a method of compressing graphic image data using the same, where the graphic image data compressor includes a compression block for compressing received graphic image data using a loss compression algorithm and a lossless compression algorithm and controlling an amount of loss data in the loss and lossless compression algorithms, and a compressed data determination block for comparing a compression rate of data compressed according to the loss and lossless compression algorithms with an established compression rate, selecting optimum compressed data, and determining to output the selected compressed data or the graphic image data.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time laser designation scoring is disclosed. The method begins with capturing laser illumination image data of a target that has an active region corresponding to areas of the target reflecting a laser beam and an inactive region. Then, the active regions are encoded into a set of first order vectors, where each first order vector is correlated to a pixel column in the image. A plurality of adjacent first order vectors are then decimated into a second order vector. Thereafter, the method includes transmitting the second order vectors to a remote viewer, and then displaying the second order vectors overlaid on a model of the target.

Abstract: A method for transcoding between video streams using different entropy coding, comprising the steps of (A) decoding a first video stream using a first set of entropy codes, and (B) generating a second video stream by entropy encoding the decoded first video stream using a second set of entropy codes. The first set of entropy codes and the second set of entropy codes are configured to represent all valid coefficient values of the first video stream.

Abstract: Subtitling aims at the presentation of text information and graphical data, encoded as pixel bitmaps. The size of subtitle bitmaps may exceed video frame dimensions, so that only portions are displayed at a time. The bitmaps are a separate layer lying above the video, e.g. for synchronized video subtitles, animations and navigation menus, and therefore contain many transparent pixels. An advanced adaptation for bitmap encoding for HDTV, e.g. 1920×1280 pixels per frame as defined for the Blu-ray Disc Prerecorded format, providing optimized compression results for such subtitling bitmaps, is achieved by a four-stage run length encoding. Shorter or longer sequences of pixels of a preferred color, e.g. transparent, are encoded using the second or third shortest code words, while single pixels of different color are encoded using the shortest code words, and sequences of pixels of equal color use the third or fourth shortest code words.

Abstract: The described embodiments provide a system that encodes a sequence of integers using a variable-length compression technique. During operation, the system scans the sequence of integers and observes the sizes of the integers to determine a threshold value, K, from the observed sizes. For a given integer of length N bits, if N?K is greater than zero, the system generates a tag for the encoded integer comprising a sequence of N?K zeros followed by a one, and generates a set of remaining bits for the encoded integer as a sequence of the N?1 least-significant bits which make up the integer. Otherwise, the system generates a tag for the encoded integer as a single one, and generates a set of remaining bits for the encoded integer by padding the N bits which make up the integer with zeros so that the set of remaining bits is K bits in length.

Abstract: A technique for rearranging an input data stream for LZ data compression system to achieve a higher data compression. In one example embodiment, this is achieved by receiving an input data stream of a sequence of data blocks. Each of the received data blocks is then compared with each of a predetermined number of previously processed data blocks. One or more match locations and their associated match lengths for each of the data blocks are determined as a function of the comparison. An affinity array is then formed, such that each element in the affinity array comprises an affinity number based on the one or more match locations and their associated match lengths. The sequence of data blocks in the input data stream is then rearranged using the affinity array to form a new data stream. The new data stream is then encoded to achieve the higher data compression.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for compressing a stream of data, such as video data, is disclosed. First, data in the video stream are classified in accordance with their values. Data with values equal to zero are classified in a first class. Data with values less than a predetermined positive number but greater than a predetermined negative number, and not equal to zero, are classified in a second class. All other data are classified in a third class. Data in the first class is compressed using a run length encoding technique. Data in the second class is compressed by reducing the size of the data value and by adding a constant. Data in the third class is not compressed, but is modified by adding a constant. The data can be decompressed by determining the class of the compressed value and reversing the compression process. The compression method disclosed is easy to implement and results in a significant reduction in the amount of data that needs to be transmitted.

Abstract: Provided are an image encoding method and apparatus, in which a distribution of difference values included in an image unit is adjusted using a predetermined offset, an image unit including the adjusted distribution of the difference values is divided into an image plane corresponding to upper bits and an image plane for lower bits, and then the image planes are entropy-encoded.

Abstract: A method, system and computer software product for improving rate-distortion performance while remaining faithful to JPEG/MPEG syntax, involving joint optimization of Huffman tables, quantization step sizes and quantized coefficients of a JPEG/MPEG encoder. This involves finding the optimal coefficient indices in the form of (run, size) pairs. By employing an interative process including this search for optimal coefficient indices, joint improvement of run-length coding, Huffman coding and quantization table selection may be achieved. Additionally, the compression of quantized DC coefficients may also be improved using a trellis-structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate video fingerprints for video data streams. A collection of sub-fingerprints constitute a fingerprint block. The size and temporal position of the block is chosen to represent the video that is being served. The video server has prior information about the video semantics. Based on this information, the server generates control codes that identify which blocks, based on time/byte offsets, in the sequence best represent the video object. The video receiver is equipped with facilities to generate these fingerprint blocks. The block(s) are sent back to the server. The server is equipped with facilities to verify and record the mismatches with respect to references. The mismatch statistics may be archived for use in a number of applications.

Abstract: According to aspects of embodiments of the invention, a method of encoding a sequence of frames of image data, each frame including a number of lines of pixels equal to a frame height, and each line having a number of pixels equal to a line length, comprises: encoding as an encoded symbol stream a sequence of pixels of a frame without including an end-of-line code after each line; identifying as a run having a run length, a sequence of pixels having values less than a threshold; and encoding the run using digit encoding. According to other aspects, the digit encoding may further comprise: identifying a set of most frequently used symbols; assigning a symbolic digit to each of the set of most frequently used symbols; assigning a start symbol; and encoding using digit encoding may include inserting in the encoded symbol stream the start symbol; and inserting in the encoded symbol stream after the start symbol a sequence of symbolic digits identifying the run length of the run.

Abstract: Coding quantized transform coefficients as occur in image compression combines a position coding method to code the position of clusters of consecutive non-zero-valued coefficients with an amplitude coding method to code the amplitudes of a concatenation of a plurality of the clusters. The amplitude coding method exploits that runs of amplitude 1 coefficients are more likely in the clusters than runs of other coefficient amplitudes.

Abstract: In a method for compressing an image, a number of non-zero AC coefficients for a component transform and the locations of the non-zero AC coefficients in a transform block are determined. One of a plurality of coding modes is selected in response to the number of non-zero AC coefficients and the locations of the non-zero AC coefficients satisfying predetermined criteria, where the plurality of coding modes comprise different bit allocations from each other. In addition, the locations and values of the non-zero AC coefficients and a DC coefficient for the component transform are coded according to the selected coding mode, to thereby compress the image.

Abstract: A multi-scanner scans a signal according to several different patterns. A scanning pattern selector determines which scanning pattern produced the most efficient coding result, for example, for runlength coding, and outputs a coded signal, coded most efficiently, and a selection signal which identifies the scanning pattern found to be most efficient.

Abstract: A drawing processing apparatus is provided to solve the problems in which pixels of a drawing primitive with sub-pixel information may have an increased amount of data causing a burden on implementation. A setup processing unit sets up various parameters to allow a digital differential analyzer (DDA) to process the stream of a drawing primitive supplied from a primitive input unit. The DDA performs DDA processing on the drawing primitive supplied from the setup processing unit for conversion into pixel data. The DDA performs the DDA processing on a per rectangular pixel set basis along a scan line to output the pixel data of the drawing primitive on a per rectangular pixel set basis. A compression encoding unit encodes the sub-pixel information of each pixel contained in the rectangular pixel set by run length encoding for output to a FIFO buffer.

Abstract: A multi-scanner scans a signal according to several different patterns. A scanning pattern selector determines which scanning pattern produced the most efficient coding result, for example, for runlength coding, and outputs a coded signal, coded most efficiently, and a selection signal which identifies the scanning pattern found to be most efficient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compressing binarized images (90) comprising receiving a binarized image (70) and generating a first sequence of first code symbols (80) representing the binarized image wherein at least one row of the image is represented in run-length encoded format and encoding a portion of the first sequence of code symbols using a preliminary encoding scheme, thereby to provide a first portion of a second sequence of code symbols, and, while encoding, accumulating the frequency of at least some of the first code symbols thus far encoded (100) and generating an additional portion of the second sequence using a modified version of the code scheme such that at least one subsequent code symbol in the first sequence with a large accumulated frequency is encoded more compactly in the second portion than at least one subsequent code symbol in the first sequence with a small accumulated frequency.

Abstract: A method and system of lossless adaptive Golomb/Rice (G/R) encoding of integer data using a novel backward-adaptive technique having novel adaptation rules. The adaptive G/R encoder and decoder (codec) and method uses adaptation rules that adjust the G/R parameter after each codeword is generated. These adaptation rules include defining an adaptation value and adjusting the G/R parameter based on the adaptation value. If the adaptation value equals zero, then the G/R parameter is decreased by an integer constant. If the adaptation value equals one, then the G/R parameter is left unchanged. If the adaptation value is greater than one, then the G/R parameter is increased by the adaptation value. In addition, the adaptive G/R encoder and method include fractional adaptation, which defines a scaled G/R parameter in terms of the G/R parameter and updates and adapts the scaled G/R parameter to slow down the rate of adaptation.

Abstract: A method for compressing two color anti-aliased images takes advantage of the fact that when two color anti-aliased images are present, it is often the case that the two base colors appear in adjacent or continuous series or “runs” of pixels representing the same color. According to one embodiment to the present invention, these runs are identified and then the color and run length are encoded to produce increased compression efficiency.

Abstract: A method, system and computer software product for improving rate-distortion performance while remaining faithful to JPEG/MPEG syntax, involving joint optimization of Huffman tables, quantization step sizes and quantized coefficients of a JPEG/MPEG encoder. This involves finding the optimal coefficient indices in the form of (run, size) pairs. By employing an interactive process including this search for optimal coefficient indices, joint improvement of run-length coding, Huffman coding and quantization table selection may be achieved. Additionally, the compression of quantized DC coefficients may also be improved using a trellis-structure.

Abstract: Techniques for generating, storing and displaying graphics on computer systems are disclosed. The type of graphics in particular are images, where the image can be defined as a set of areas, whether these areas are lines, geometric shapes, letters or other types of areas. The effect of using these methods is that graphics, such as digital maps, can be handled faster, with more flexibility and with higher display quality, both for screen use and for printing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a run length coding instruction for determining output context and decision values. Pixel coefficient bit values are used after wavelet transformation to determine output context (CX) and decision (D) values. The input is comprised of coefficient bit values (bit1, bit2, bit3, bit 4) in accordance with the scan order and the output are CX and D values. The CX and D pairs are processed together by arithmetic encoder to produce compressed data output (CD). CX selects the probability estimate to use during the coding of D.

Abstract: A system is described that comprises a method and apparatus for further compressing an already compressed data stream, using a mathematical exclusive-OR computation. The method comprises: receiving a data stream that has been compressed using a first compression protocol; decompressing the data stream using the first compression protocol; reducing temporal redundancy in the data stream using an exclusive-OR comparison protocol; and recompressing the data stream using the first compression protocol. The apparatus comprises: a decompression unit to receive and decompress a compressed data stream to produce decompressed data; an exclusive-OR comparison unit, coupled to the decompression unit, to perform a mathematical exclusive-OR operation on the decompressed data to produce resultant data; and a recompression unit to compress the resultant data to produce a further compressed data stream.

Abstract: Lossless video data compression is performed in real time at the data rate of incoming real time video data in a process employing a minimum number of computational steps for each video pixel. A first step is to convert each pixel 8-bit byte to a difference byte representing the difference between the pixel and its immediate predecessor in a serialized stream of the pixel bytes. Thus, each 8-bit pixel byte is subtracted from its predecessor. This step reduces the dynamic range of the data. A next step is to discard any carry bits generated in the subtraction process of two's complement arithmetic. This reduces the data by a factor of two. Finally, the 8-bit difference pixel bytes thus produced are subject to a maximum entropy encoding process. Such a maximum entropy encoding process may be referred to as a minimum length encoding process. One example is Huffman encoding.

Abstract: When a plurality of image data are to be compressed, an image correlation information extraction unit extracts respective image correlation information of image data, using first image data as reference image data. An encoding unit compresses the extracted image correlation information to produce encoded data. A data output unit outputs the compressed data and the reference image data to a page memory. When the compressed data are to be restored, a data input unit supplies the image correlation data input from the page memory to an image correlation information decoding unit, and supplies the reference image data to an image restoring unit. The image correlation information decoding unit decodes the image correlation data into the respective image correlation information and supplies the image correlation information to the image restoring unit. The image restoring unit restores the plural image data from the respective image correlation information and the reference image data.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method of coding the position information of a digital map in a small data volume by utilizing a compressing and coding technique. In a coding method of coding data indicative of a shape vector on a digital map, an arithmetic processing is carried out over position information about a node string and a shape which indicate the shape vector to be represented by data having a statistical deviation, and the data having the statistical deviation are coded to reduce a data volume. It is possible to considerably decrease a transmission data volume in the case in which the vector shape of the digital map is to be transferred.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a decompressing unit decompressing image data having a first data compression format, an obtaining unit obtaining a second data compression format that is applicable for decompression by another image processing apparatus, a re-compressing unit re-compressing the decompressed image data with the second data compression format obtained by the obtaining unit, and a transmitting unit transmitting the re-compressed image data to the other image processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image decoding device for decoding a hierarchically encoded compressed code obtained by dividing an image into a plurality of tiles and performing discrete wavelet transform on the pixel values of the image tile by tile includes a tile boundary smoothing part that performs smoothing of tile boundary distortion on the image after the decoding by application of a low-pass filter. The tile boundary smoothing part controls the degree of smoothing of the low-pass filter according to the ratio of the decoding quantity to the entire quantity of the compressed code. The decoding quantity is the portion of the compressed code which portion is to be decoded.

Abstract: In an image coding method of the present invention, after a process such as DCT is performed to digital image data, quantization process is performed, and then, to resultant quantized transform coefficients, variable length coding process is performed with reference to a variable length code table showing how variable length codes are allocated, and in a comparison process between an event derived from the quantized transform coefficients and a reference event included in the variable length code table, transformation process is performed to increase a possibility of performing variable length coding with satisfactory coding efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing an image data with an array of pixels comprising a data length is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rearranging unit, a transformation operator, a quantizer and a coding operator. The rearranging unit is configured to transform the array to form a rearranged block with a mark value. The transformation operator is configured to obtain transform coefficients of the rearranged block according to a predetermined transformation. The quantizer is configured to quantize the transform coefficients. The coding operator is configured to generate a result data by coding the transform coefficients which is quantized and the mark value according to a predetermined coding method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of converting a series of data words into modulated signals. This method divides a data word, which a sync signal is to be added in front or rear of when it is written in a recording medium, into two or more word segments, generates for each word segment a number of intermediate sequences by combining mutually different digital words with that word segment, scrambles these intermediate sequences to form alternative sequences, translates each alternative sequence into a (d,k) constrained sequence, checks how many undesired sub-sequences are contained in each (d,k) constrained sequence, and selects one (d,k) constrained sequence for recording on an optical or magneto-optical recording medium among the (d,k) constrained sequences not having the undesired sub-sequence. Applying this method to a modulating device, DSV control can be conducted by much simpler hardware.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a coding system that codes data according to a pair of coding chains. A first coding chain generates coded video data that can be decoded by itself to represent a source video sequence of a small size, such as a size sufficient to support the real time playback and display features of a video editing application. The second coding chain generates coded video data representing supplementary data, which when decoded in conjunction with the coded video data of the first coding chain, yields the source video sequence for full-size display. The output of the first coding chain may be stored in memory in a file structure that can be accessed independently of the second chain's output and, therefore, it facilitates real time decoding and playback.

Abstract: An apparatus for image processing is disclosed. The apparatus is for reducing one or more runlengths by converting binary-format image data for each of black and white runlengths in one direction relative to the data so as to obtain the reduced image data relative to that direction. In the apparatus, when performing an operation of reducing a given one of the runlengths, the operation is performed with reference to one or more runlengths, other than the given runlength, of the same line that have already been reduced.

Abstract: In an image coding method of the present invention, after a process such as DCT is performed to digital image data, quantization process is performed, and then, to resultant quantized transform coefficients, variable length coding process is performed with reference to a variable length code table showing how variable length codes are allocated, and in a comparison process between an event derived from the quantized transform coefficients and a reference event included in the variable length code table, transformation process is performed to increase a possibility of performing variable length coding with satisfactory coding efficiency.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and carrier medium to encode a series of quantized transform coefficients. The method includes identifying clusters of at least one non-zero-valued coefficients, and for each such cluster, identifying at least one position event that defines the relative position and runlength of the cluster of non-zero coefficients and any intervening run of zero-valued coefficients, and identifying at least one amplitude event to define the amplitudes of the non-zero-valued coefficients in the identified cluster. The method further includes jointly encoding the identified position event or events with the identified amplitude event or events such that relatively short codewords are formed to represent values or sequences of values that are relatively more likely-to-occur, and relatively long codewords are formed to represent values or sequences of values that are relatively less likely-to-occur.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and a computer readable hardware storage medium with instructions to encode a series of quantized transform coefficients. The method includes identifying runs of one or more non-zero coefficients, and for each such run, identifying events of consecutive amplitude-1 coefficients followed by a single amplitude>1 coefficient. The method further includes encoding the identified event with a codeword, each event identified according to the length of the consecutive amplitude-1 coefficients and the amplitude of the ending coefficient. The method is such that relatively short codewords are formed to represent values or sequences of values that are relatively more likely-to-occur, and relatively long codewords are formed to represent values or sequences of values that are relatively less likely-to-occur. The method is applicable to encoding a region in the series where there is likely to be a cluster of non-zero-valued coefficients.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable medium to encode a series of quantized transform coefficients. The method includes identifying events that each includes a run of one or more non-zero-valued coefficients, and for each such event, encoding the event with a codeword that for at least some events, relatively more likely-to-occur events are encoded by a shorter codeword than relatively less likely-to-occur events, and for each identified event, jointly encoding according to an amplitude coding method, a plurality of consecutive values in the run of consecutive non-zero-valued coefficients. The method is applicable to encoding a region in the series where there is likely to be a cluster of non-zero-valued coefficient.

Abstract: An image detection manager uses run length encoding to detect a target image in a candidate image. The image detection manager extracts run length encoding data from the candidate image. The image detection manager distinguishes between a foreground and background of the candidate image and target image, and takes into account an interval of scale factors for matching color runs in the foreground and length runs in the background. The image detection manager treats background pixels as wildcards, and utilizes fuzzy color matching in which color levels of adjacent pixels in the foreground are allowed a specified variation. Using such functionality, the image detection manager compares rows of the run length encoding data from the candidate image to rows of run length encoding data from the target image, and determines whether the target image is present in the candidate image.

Abstract: A technique of processing an image data for output on a digital image device that compresses (164) a portion of a received image data to a data frame (110) according to a predefined size that is optimized for output with a processor of the device. The portion of the image data that is defined by the data frame is outputted (166, 186) to another source, and for any empty bits in the data frame, a zero bit is inserted (174).

Abstract: Error diffusion is performed using a Floyd-Steinberg-like approach. A integer-representation of a running error is compressed by storing only its most significant bits and returning any remainder to the error diffusion processor. The running error is shifted to the right until only the desired number of significant bits remain, and this compressed error is stored. Any portion of the original running error that is lost due to the shifting is treated as a remainder and is returned to the error diffusion processor for use in calculating an adjusted current pixel value. The amount of the shift is retained in compressed form to keep track of the number of shifts needed to form a truncated running error from the compressed running error.

Abstract: A method of losslessly compressing and encoding signals representing image information is claimed. A lossy compressed data file and a residual compressed data file are generated. When the lossy compressed data file and the residual compressed data file are combined, a lossless data file that is substantially identical to the original data file is created.

Abstract: Variable bit size run length encoding (“RLE”) is used to encode uninterrupted runs of adjacent first symbols and adjacent second symbols within a sequence that may represent an image. The symbols may be 1s and 0s. The bit size used to encode a run length for a current run is varied in dependence on the bit sized used or required to encode a run length of a previous run of the same symbol type. Further, an image to be encoded may be transformed into an image/bit sequence representing changes from line to line in the image. By so transforming the image, the correlation from run length to run length of like colors is increased, thereby improving the efficiency of the variable bit size RLE.

Abstract: An image compression apparatus compresses image data by carrying out a parallel processing for every image pattern made up of a plurality of bits. The apparatus includes a first unit for obtaining a run length of the image data and a repetition number of the run length, a second unit for coding the run length and the repetition number obtained by the first unit, and a third unit for predicting whether or not a code length of a code generated by a word which is to be coded by the second unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value, based on the run length and the repetition number obtained by the first unit. The second unit carries out a pass coding to output the image pattern as it is when the third unit predicts that the code length exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of image compression, and a memory to store a data structure for compression. The method includes, for an ordered series of quantized coefficients of a transform of an image block, forming from the series events that are a run of non-zero-valued coefficients in a first contiguous region defined by a breakpoint, a run of zero-valued coefficients in the first region, or a run of zero-valued coefficients that ends in a non-zero-amplitude coefficient in a second region defined by the breakpoint. A codeword is formed for each runlength of non-zero-valued and zero-valued coefficients in the first region using a first and a second coding method, respectively, and, and encoding the runs of zero-valued coefficient that end in a non-zero value in the second region according to a third coding method, including providing an exception codeword when the ending amplitude is not 1.

Abstract: An image representation format for representing a digital image comprises: image information stored as a bitstream representing sequential image blocks, each block comprising one or more components, each component comprising one or more data units and each data unit being represented as a Huffman-coded stream of coefficients of basis functions, wherein a zeroth order coefficient is represented as a difference to the previous zeroth order coefficient of the corresponding component, and a block information table, which comprises: indicators to the first coefficient of a specified order of each image block in said bitstream, information indicating the number of bits in the bitstream between adjacent coefficients of said specified order of the image block, and the zeroth order coefficient of at least the first data unit of each components said zeroth order coefficient being represented in a non-differential form.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and carrier medium to encode a series of quantized transform coefficients. The method includes identifying events that each includes a run of zero-valued coefficients preceding a run of one or more non-zero-valued coefficients, and for each such event, jointly encoding the run lengths of the preceding run of zero-valued coefficients and the following run of non-zero-valued coefficients with a codeword, such that for at least some events, relatively more likely-to-occur pairs of runlengths are encoded by a shorter codeword than relatively less likely-to-occur runlengths. The method further includes encoding each amplitude in the run of consecutive non-zero-valued coefficients, and encoding the signs of such coefficients. The method is applicable to encoding a region in the series where there is likely to be a cluster of non-zero-valued coefficients.

Abstract: A method, a carrier medium, and an apparatus to process a plurality of ordered series of quantized coefficients of a block of an image to reduce the amount of data used to represent the image. The method includes establishing a breakpoint along the ordering of the series to define a first contiguous region and a second contiguous region, such that clusters of consecutive signals of non-zero values occur mostly in the first contiguous region. Establishing the breakpoint uses statistics calculated from at least a subset of the plurality, the statistics being of where, along the ordering of the plurality of the series, coefficients of any non-zero value occur in clusters of consecutive non-zero coefficients. For each series in the plurality, the signals in the first region are encoded using a first region encoding method, and the signals in the second region are encoded using a second region encoding method.

Abstract: An image-processing device (130) includes a data access section (131) that reads composite image data (10) having one data structure in which a plurality of image data are combined, and a controller (136) that selects predetermined image data from the composite image data (10) and displays only the selected image data on a display section (140). With the above configuration, a plurality of image data are organized in one composite image data (10) to thereby significantly reduce the image data size. Therefore, in such a device as having limited capacity for saving image data or the like, such as a car navigation, mobile phone, or other devices having a small-sized movie display section, a number of images can be displayed by using the composite image data in which a plurality of image data are combined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing technique, and in particular to a method for restoring a compressed image by using a hybrid motion compensation discrete cosine transform (hybrid MC/DCT) mechanism, including: a step of defining a smoothing functional having a smoothing degree of an image and reliability for an original image by pixels having an identical property in image block units; and a step of computing a restored image by performing a gradient operation on the smoothing functional in regard to the original image, thereby preventing the blocking artifacts and the ringing effects in regard to the pixels having an identical property in image blocks. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a pixel value in a current block and at least one adjacent pixel value. A type of the current block is one of an intra-coded type and inter-coded type. A smoothing value of the current block is determined based on the obtained pixel value in the current block and the adjacent pixel value.