Patent ID: 6198849
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for generating an image data stream transmitted via a data channel, comprising the steps of:dividing image data into macroblocks;dividing image information elements of the image data into classes of similar information elements;coding the image data of at least a portion of the classes; andtransmitting a class of the coded image data into the image data stream, the transmitted class of coded image data having a beginning and an end, wherein a first portion of the transmitted class of coded image data is chronologically decoded in a receiver station starting from the beginning of the transmitted data, and wherein a second portion of the transmitted class of coded image data is reverse-chronologically decoded in the receiver station starting from the end of the transmitted data;wherein the step of transmitting further comprises the steps of:identifying corresponding macroblocks for the coded image data to be transmitted; andproviding a predetermined sequence for transmitting the coded image data organized by macroblocks,wherein the macroblocks include center macroblocks positioned substantially in a center of an image, the center macroblocks being decoded first, and wherein the macroblocks include edge macroblocks positioned in edge regions of the image, the edge macroblocks being decoded last.