Vector embedded graphics coding

Abstract

A method of coding High Definition (HD) color pictures is described. The method divides the HD picture into individual bit planes of the three colors. The method then interleaves the bit planes such that bit planes of the three colors having the same significance are coded together. The method codes a block of the picture based on the bit distribution in corresponding groups of the corresponding bit planes of the three colors. The method performs a first level grouping of bits in a bit plane of an image and a second level grouping of the first level grouping bits of different color components within a group.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of encoding programmed in a controller in a device comprising:
 a. performing a first level grouping of bits in a color component of a bit plane of an image; and   b. performing a second level grouping of the first level grouping bits.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising interleaving bit planes of the image to generate a virtual block. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein performing the first level grouping further comprises:
 a. determining if a color component in the group includes a split; 
 b. if the color component includes the split, indicating the split for the color component with a first-level indicator bit and coding bits of the color component in a raster scan order; 
 c. if the color component does not include the split, indicating no split for the color component with the first-level indicator bit and coding a refinement bit; and 
 d. repeating the steps a-c for each of the color components in the group. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein performing the second level grouping further comprises:
 a. determining if any of the first-level indicator bits indicate the split; 
 b. if the first-level indicator bits do not indicate the split, then coding a second-level indicator bit indicating no split and omitting all of the first-level indicator bits; and 
 c. if the first-level indicator bits indicate the split, then coding the second-level indicator bit indicating the split. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein performing the second level grouping further comprises:
 a. determining if any of the indicator bits of the three colors components are all zeros; 
 b. if the indicator bits are all zeros, then coding a second level bit of zero indicating all zeros and omitting the first level indicator bits; and 
 c. otherwise, the second level bit is coded as a one, indicating at least one split happens in the three color components. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein once the split is found, the split is applied to other color components. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the split comprises disparate bit values and the no split comprises same bit values. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the color components are selected from the group consisting of RGB and YUV. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein when the split happens in the color component, the refinement bits of group members of the color component within an original group are sent in a raster scan order which are able to be sent using raw bits or employing one of a run length coding and a prediction coding. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone, a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, an iPhone, an iPod®, a video player, a DVD writer/player, a television and a home entertainment system. 
     
     
         11 . A method of encoding programmed in a controller in a device comprising:
 a. acquiring an image;   b. dividing the image into bit planes;   c. interleaving the bit planes to generate a virtual block, wherein color components of a bit plane having a same significance coded together;   d. implementing two-level signal grouping where there are no splits within the color components; and   e. implementing two-level signal grouping where there is at least one split within the color components.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the two-level signal grouping where there are no splits further comprises indicating no split and coding a refinement bit for each of the color components. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the two-level signal grouping where there is the at least one split further comprises indicating the split and coding each individual color component using a first level grouping. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first level grouping comprises:
 a. sending an indicator bit for a group of pixels in a color component, indicating if all the bit values of the group members are the same; 
 b. if the bit values are the same, one bit is used to specify the bit value; and 
 c. otherwise, refinement bits are sent for all group members. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein when a split happens in one color component, the split is also applied to the other two color components. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising displaying an encoded image of the coded bits. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the split comprises disparate bit values and the no split comprises same bit values. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the color components are selected from the group consisting of RGB and YUV. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone, a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, an iPhone, an iPod®, a video player, a DVD writer/player, a television and a home entertainment system. 
     
     
         20 . A system for encoding programmed in a controller in a device comprising:
 a. an acquisition module for acquiring an image;   b. a dividing module for dividing an image into bit planes;   c. an interleave module for interleaving the bit planes; and   d. a two level signal grouping module for implementing two-level signal grouping.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the two-level signal grouping further comprises indicating no split and coding a refinement bit for each of the color components where there are no splits. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the two-level signal grouping further comprises indicating the split and coding each individual color component using a first level grouping. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the first level grouping comprises:
 a. sending an indicator bit for a group of pixels in a color component, indicating if all the bit values of the group members are the same; 
 b. if the bit values are the same, one bit is used to specify the bit value; and 
 c. otherwise, refinement bits are sent for all group members. 
 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein when a split happens in one color component, the split is also applied to the other two color components. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising displaying an encoded image of the coded bits. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the split comprises disparate bit values and the no split comprises same bit values. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the color components are selected from the group consisting of RGB and YUV. 
     
     
         28 . A camera device comprising:
 a. a video acquisition component for acquiring a video;   b. a memory for storing an application, the application for:
 i. interleaving bit planes of an image to generate a virtual block, wherein color components of a bit plane having a same significance are grouped into a group; 
 ii. implementing two-level signal grouping where there are no splits within the color components; and 
 iii. implementing two-level signal grouping where there is at least one split within the color components; and 
   c. a processing component coupled to the memory, the processing component configured for processing the application.   
     
     
         29 . The camera device of  claim 28  wherein the two-level signal grouping where there is the at least one split further comprises indicating the split and coding each individual color component using a first level grouping. 
     
     
         30 . The camera device of  claim 29  wherein the first level grouping comprises:
 a. sending an indicator bit for a group of pixels in a color component, indicating if all the bit values of the group members are the same; 
 b. if the bit values are the same, one bit is used to specify the bit value; and 
 c. otherwise, refinement bits are sent for all group members. 
 
     
     
         31 . The camera device of  claim 30  wherein when the split happens in one color component, the split is also applied to the other two color components. 
     
     
         32 . The camera device of  claim 29  further comprising displaying an encoded image of the coded bits. 
     
     
         33 . The camera device of  claim 29  wherein the split comprises disparate bit values and the no split comprises same bit values. 
     
     
         34 . The camera device of  claim 28  wherein the color components are selected from the group consisting of RGB and YUV.