Patent ID: 7173968

Claim:
A method for encoding and decoding a digitized image having picture elements, said method comprising the steps of: grouping all except at least one picture elements of said digitized image into a number of image segments based on a mathematically defined region of said digitized image derived solely from said digitized image itself, said at least one ungrouped picture element being from at least one area of said image located between image segments; encoding said image in said first arrangement by only encoding said picture elements being grouped into an image segment; transmitting said encoded image segments from said first arrangement to a second arrangement; decoding said transmitted image segments in said second arrangement; inserting new picture elements corresponding to said non-encoded picture elements of said encoded image in said second arrangement in an area between said decoded image segments; interpolating said area between said image segments in said second arrangement; and allocating encoding information resulting from said interpolating to said new picture elements.