Patent ID: 6104837
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method of image data processing wherein a two-dimensional pixel image is provided, with a respective absolute depth value being specified per pixel, and said depth data is compressed prior to transmission or storage with the image data, characterised in that the process of compressing the depth data per image comprises in sequence, the steps of:a) determining patches of adjoining pixels of the image, which pixels of a patch have the same or similar depth values to within a first predetermined range, and assigning a first common depth value to all pixels of the patch;b) grouping pixel patches having the same or similar common pixel depth values to within a second predetermined range, and assigning a second common depth value to all pixels of patches so grouped;c) for each discrete pixel depth value, determining the number of pixels of the image having that depth value and, for the smallest number of pixels, reassigning the depth value of each of those pixels to the nearest existing discrete depth value; andd) repeating step c) until only a predetermined number N of discrete depth values remain.