Lossless region of interest coding

Abstract

In a method and a device for transmission of S+P transform coded digitized images a mask is calculated by means of which a region of interest (ROI) can be transmitted lossless whereby the ROI can be transmitted and received lossless and still maintaining a good compression ratio for the image as a whole. This is possible since no or very few bits can be used for the remaining part of the image. The calculated mask can also be used for transmitting the coefficients needed for a lossless region of interest during any stage of the transmission.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method for lossless transmission of a region of interest, comprising: 
 wavelet transforming an image that includes a region of interest;    selecting wavelet transform coefficients from the wavelet transformed image corresponding to the ROI;    calculating an ROI mask of wavelet transform coefficients using the selected wavelet transform coefficients; and    transmitting the ROI mask to a receiver,    wherein the ROI mask permits the receiver to reconstruct the ROI losslessly.    
   
   
       12 . The method in  claim 11 , wherein the ROI coefficients are transmitted before remaining transform coefficients are transmitted.  
   
   
       13 . The method in  claim 11 , wherein after starting transmission of the ROI mask, the method further comprising: 
 formulating a new ROI;    selecting new wavelet transform coefficients from the wavelet transformed image corresponding to the new ROI;    calculating a new ROI mask of wavelet transform coefficients using the new wavelet transform coefficients; and    transmitting the new ROI mask to a receiver.    
   
   
       14 . The method in  claim 11 , wherein the wavelet transform is an S+P transform.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for lossless transmission of a region of interest (ROI), comprising: 
 means for wavelet transforming an image that includes a region of interest;    means for selecting wavelet transform coefficients from the wavelet transformed image corresponding to the ROI;    means for calculating an ROI mask of wavelet transform coefficients using the selected wavelet transform coefficients; and    means for transmitting the ROI mask to a receiver,    wherein the ROI mask permits the receiver to reconstruct the ROI losslessly.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus in  claim 15 , wherein the means for transmitting transmits the ROI coefficients before transmitting remaining transform coefficients.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus in  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 means for formulating a new ROI;    means for selecting new wavelet transform coefficients from the wavelet transformed image corresponding to the new ROI;    means for calculating a new ROI mask of wavelet transform coefficients using the new wavelet transform coefficients; and    means for transmitting the new ROI mask to a receiver.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus in  claim 15 , wherein the wavelet transform is an S+P transform.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for lossless transmission of a region of interest (ROI), comprising electronic circuitry configured to perform the following tasks: 
 wavelet transform an image that includes a region of interest;    select wavelet transform coefficients from the wavelet transformed image corresponding to the ROI;    calculate an ROI mask of wavelet transform coefficients using the selected wavelet transform coefficients; and    transmit the ROI mask to a receiver,    wherein the ROI mask permits the receiver to reconstruct the ROI losslessly.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus in  claim 19 , wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to transmit the ROI coefficients before transmitted remaining transform coefficients.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus in  claim 19 , wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to: 
 formulate a new ROI;    select new wavelet transform coefficients from the wavelet transformed image corresponding to the new ROI;    calculate a new ROI mask of wavelet transform coefficients using the new wavelet transform coefficients; and    transmit the new ROI mask to a receiver.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus in  claim 19 , wherein the wavelet transform is an S+P transform.