Patent ID: 7346219

Claim:
A method for the encoding of at least one source image implementing a hierarchical mesh defining at least two nested spaces, each corresponding to a level of decomposition of the mesh, comprising: a preliminary step for associating a mathematical space of representation of an image V n such that V n =V n−1 ⊕W n−1 , with at least one decomposition level n other than the first level of decomposition, where: V n−1 is the space associated with the decomposition level n−1; and W n−1 is a space orthogonal to V n−1 ; a preliminary step for obtaining orthogonal bases, delivering a base of piecewise affine functions (φ n−1 of said space V n−1 and a base of functions of pre-wavelets ψ n−1 of said space W n−1 forming two orthogonal bases, such that, with space V n there is associated, firstly, a base of piecewise affine functions φ n , and, secondly, a base formed by the combination of said two orthogonal bases; and a step for determining, at said decomposition level n other than the first level of decomposition, image coefficients expressed only in the base of pre-wavelet functions ψ n−1 defined in said space W n−1 orthogonal to said space V n−1 corresponding to the decomposition level n−1, the pre-wavelet functions being selected so that the image coefficients enable the optimizing, for said decomposition level n, of the information already transmitted for a preceding decomposition level n−1; so as to enable the production of a reconstructed image, representing the at least one source image, with a quality of restoration optimized for said decomposition level n.