What is claimed is:
1. An image encoding apparatus comprising:
blocking means 1 for taking as an input a target binary image to be encoded, and for obtaining a target block by dividing said target binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
blocking means 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
exclusive OR block constructing means for constructing an exclusive OR block by sequentially scanning said target block and said reference block and by exclusive-ORing pixel values between said two blocks; and
exclusive OR encoding means for generating a coded sequence representative of the results of said exclusive-ORing, and for outputting the same as encoded data.
2. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
blocking means 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
exclusive OR decoding means for recovering said exclusive OR block by decoding the encoded data encoded by the image encoding apparatus of claim 1; and
target block constructing means for constructing a target block by combining said exclusive OR block with said reference block.
3. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
motion estimating means for searching through said reference binary image for a block that most resembles said target block, and for obtaining motion information from the result of said searching, and wherein:
said blocking means 2 is a motion compensated blocking means 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said reference binary image using said motion information, and
said motion information also is output from said image encoding apparatus.
4. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
said blocking means 2 is a motion compensated blocking means 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said previously obtained reference binary image using the motion information output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 3.
5. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
reference block adoption determining means for comparing said target block with said reference block, and for determining, based on the result of said comparison, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the remainder of processing between various means; and
target pixel encoding means for creating a coded sequence representative of pixel values in said target block, and for outputting the same as encoded data, and wherein:
when said reference block adoption determining means determines that said reference block is to be adopted, said exclusive OR block constructing means and said exclusive OR encoding means are operated so that said encoded data from said exclusive OR encoding means is output, while on the other hand, when it is determined that said reference block is not to be adopted, said target pixel encoding means is operated so that said encoded data from said target pixel encoding means is output, and
the result of the determination as to whether said reference block is to be adopted or not is output as a reference block adoption determining signal.
6. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
target pixel encoding means for creating a coded sequence representative of pixel values in said target block, and for outputting the same; and
reference block adoption determining means for comparing the output from said exclusive OR encoding means with the output from said target pixel encoding means, and for selecting, based on the result of said comparison, one or the other of said two outputs for output as encoded data, and wherein:
a reference block adoption determining signal generated on the basis of the result of said comparison is output from said image encoding apparatus.
7. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
reference block adoption control means for determining, based on the reference block adoption determining signal output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 5 or 6, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the remainder of processing between various means; and
target pixel decoding means for recovering said target block by decoding said encoded data output from said image encoding apparatus, and wherein:
when said reference block adoption control means determines that said reference block is to be adopted, said exclusive OR decoding means and said blocking means 2 are operated so that said target block from said target block constructing means is output, while on the other hand, when it is determined that said reference block is not to be adopted, said target pixel decoding means is operated so that said target block from said target pixel decoding means is output.
8. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
target pixel decoding means for recovering said target block by decoding the encoded data output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 5 or 6; and
reference block adoption control means for selecting, based on said reference block adoption determining signal output from said image encoding apparatus, either the output from said target block constructing means or the output from said target pixel decoding means for output as said target block.
9. An image encoding apparatus comprising:
blocking means 1 for taking as an input a target binary image to be encoded, and for obtaining a target block by dividing said target binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
blocking means 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
statistical model selecting means for selecting a statistical model from among a plurality of statistical models, based on the states of pixels surrounding a reference pixel in said reference block, said reference pixel corresponding to a target pixel in said target block; and
entropy encoding means for entropy-encoding said target pixel based on said selected statistical model, and for outputting the same as encoded data.
10. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when selecting said statistical model, said statistical model selecting means also considers the states of already encoded pixels in said target block in the neighborhood of said target pixel.
11. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the result of the selection by said statistical model selecting means is output as a selection result signal.
12. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
blocking means 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
statistical model selecting means for selecting a statistical model from among a plurality of statistical models, based on the states of pixels surrounding a reference pixel in said reference block, said reference pixel corresponding to a target pixel in said target block; and
entropy decoding means for recovering said target block by entropy-decoding, based on said selected statistical model, the encoded data output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 9.
13. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
statistical model selecting means for receiving the selection result signal output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 11, and for selecting from among a plurality of statistical models a statistical model corresponding to said selection result signal; and
entropy decoding means for recovering said target block by entropy-decoding, based on said selected statistical model, said encoded data output from said image encoding apparatus.
14. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:
motion estimating means for searching through said reference binary image for a block that most resembles said target block, and for obtaining motion information from the result of said searching, and wherein:
said blocking means 2 is a motion compensated blocking means 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said reference binary image using said motion information, and
said motion information also is output from said image encoding apparatus.
15. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
said blocking means 2 is a motion compensated blocking means 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said previously obtained reference binary image using the motion information output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 14.
16. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:
reference block adoption determining means for comparing said target block with said reference block, and for determining, based on the result of said comparison, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the remainder of processing between various means; and
target pixel encoding means for generating a coded sequence representative of pixel values in said target block, and for outputting the same as encoded data, and wherein:
when said reference block adoption determining means determines that said reference block is to be adopted, said entropy encoding means and said statistical model selecting means are operated so that said encoded data from said entropy encoding means is output, while on the other hand, when it is determined that said reference block is not to be adopted, said target pixel encoding means is operated so that said encoded data from said target pixel encoding means is output, and
the result of the determination as to whether said reference block is to be adopted or not is output as a reference block adoption determining signal.
17. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:
target pixel encoding means for creating a coded sequence representative of pixel values in said target block, and for outputting the same; and
reference block adoption determining means for comparing the output from said entropy encoding means with the output from said target pixel encoding means, and for selecting, based on the result of said comparison, one or the other of said two outputs for output as encoded data, and wherein:
a reference block adoption determining signal generated on the basis of the result of said comparison is output from said image encoding apparatus.
18. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:
reference block adoption control means for determining, based on the reference block adoption determining signal output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 16 or 17, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the remainder of processing between various means; and
target pixel decoding means for recovering said target block by decoding said encoded data output from said image encoding apparatus, and wherein:
when said reference block adoption control means determines that said reference block is to be adopted, said entropy decoding means and said statistical model selecting means are operated so that said target block from said entropy decoding means is output, while on the other hand, when it is determined that said reference block is not to be adopted, said target pixel decoding means is operated so that said target block from said target pixel decoding means is output.
19. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:
target pixel decoding means for recovering said target block by decoding the encoded data output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 16 or 17; and
reference block adoption control means for selecting, based on said reference block adoption determining signal output from said image encoding apparatus, either the output from said entropy decoding means or the output from said target pixel decoding means for output as said target block.
20. An image encoding apparatus comprising:
blocking means 1 for taking as an input a target binary image to be encoded, and for obtaining a target block by dividing said target binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
blocking means 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
statistical model generating means for generating a statistical model for a target pixel from said reference block; and
entropy encoding means for entropy-encoding said target pixel based on said generated statistical model, and for outputting the same as encoded data.
21. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
blocking means 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
statistical model generating means for generating a statistical model for a target pixel from said reference block; and
entropy decoding means for recovering said target block by entropy-decoding, based on said generated statistical model, the encoded data output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 20.
22. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:
motion estimating means for searching through said reference binary image for a block that most resembles said target block, and for obtaining motion information from the result of said searching, and wherein:
said blocking means 2 is a motion compensated blocking means 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said reference binary image using said motion information, and
said motion information also is output from said image encoding apparatus.
23. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said blocking means 2 is a motion compensated blocking means 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said previously obtained reference binary image using the motion information output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 22.
24. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:
reference block adoption determining means for comparing said target block with said reference block, and for determining, based on the result of said comparison, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the remainder of processing; and
target pixel encoding means for generating a coded sequence representative of pixel values in said target block, and for outputting the same as encoded data.
25. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising:
reference block adoption control means for determining, based on a reference block adoption determining signal output from the image encoding apparatus of claim 24, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the remainder of processing; and
target pixel decoding means for recovering said target block by decoding said encoded data output from said image encoding apparatus, and wherein:
when said reference block adoption control means determines that said reference block is to be adopted, control is performed so that said target block from said entropy decoding means is output, while on the other hand, when it is determined that said reference block is not to be adopted, control is performed so that said target block from said target pixel decoding means is output.
26. An image encoding method comprising the steps of:
taking as an input a target binary image to be encoded, and obtaining a target block by dividing said target binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
constructing an exclusive OR block by sequentially scanning said target block and said reference block and by exclusive-ORing pixel values between said two blocks; and
generating a coded sequence representative of the results of said exclusive-ORing, and outputting the same as encoded data.
27. An image decoding method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
taking the encoded data encoded by the image encoding method of claim 26 as an input, and recovering said exclusive OR block by decoding said encoded data; and
constructing a target block by combining said exclusive OR block with said reference block.
28. An image encoding method comprising:
blocking step 1 for taking as an input a target binary image to be encoded, and for obtaining a target block by dividing said target binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
blocking step 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
statistical model selecting step for selecting a statistical model from among a plurality of statistical models, based on the states of pixels surrounding a reference pixel in said reference block, said reference pixel corresponding to a target pixel in said target block; and
entropy encoding step f or entropy-encoding said target pixel based on said selected statistical model, and for outputting the same as encoded data.
29. An image decoding method comprising:
blocking step 2 for obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
statistical model selecting step for selecting a statistical model from among a plurality of statistical models, based on the states of pixels surrounding a reference pixel in said reference block, said reference pixel corresponding to a target pixel in said target block; and
entropy decoding step for recovering said target block by entropy-decoding, based on said selected statistical model, the encoded data output in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 28.
30. An image encoding method according to claim 28, further comprising:
motion estimating step for searching through said reference binary image for a block that most resembles said target block, and for obtaining motion information from the result of said searching, and wherein:
said blocking step 2 is a motion compensated blocking step 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said reference binary image using said motion information, and
said motion information also is output from said image encoding method.
31. An image decoding method according to claim 29, wherein
said blocking step 2 is a motion compensated blocking step 2 which obtains a reference block by applying motion compensation to said previously obtained reference binary image using the motion information output in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 30.
32. An image encoding method according to claim 28, further comprising:
reference block adoption determining step for comparing said target block with said reference block, and for determining, based on the result of said comparison, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the execution of subsequent steps; and
target pixel encoding step for generating a coded sequence representative of pixel values in said target block, and for outputting the same as encoded data, and wherein:
when it is determined in said reference block adoption determining step that said reference block is to be adopted, said entropy encoding step and said statistical model selecting step are executed so that said encoded data from said entropy encoding step is output, while on the other hand, when it is determined that said reference block is not to be adopted, said target pixel encoding step is executed so that said encoded data from said target pixel encoding step is output, and
the result of the determination as to whether said reference block is to be adopted or not is output as a reference block adoption determining signal.
33. An image encoding method according to claim 28, further comprising:
target pixel encoding step for creating a coded sequence representative of pixel values in said target block, and for outputting the same; and
reference block adoption determining step for comparing the output from said entropy encoding step with the output from said target pixel encoding step, and for selecting, based on the result of said comparison, one or the other of said two outputs for output as encoded data, and wherein:
said encoding method also outputs a reference block adoption determining signal which is generated on the basis of the result of said comparison.
34. An image decoding method according to claim 29, further comprising:
reference block adoption control step for determining, based on the reference block adoption determining signal output in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 32 or 33, whether said reference block is to be adopted or not, and thereby switching the execution of subsequent steps; and
target pixel decoding step for recovering said target block by decoding said encoded data output in accordance with said image encoding method, and wherein:
when it is determined in said reference block adoption control step that said reference block is to be adopted, said entropy decoding step and said statistical model selecting step are executed so that said target block from said entropy decoding step is output, while on the other hand, when it is determined that said reference block is not to be adopted, said target pixel decoding step is executed so that said target block from said target pixel decoding step is output.
35. An image decoding method according to claim 29, further comprising:
target pixel decoding step for recovering said target block by decoding the encoded data output in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 32 or 33; and
reference block adoption control step for selecting, based on said reference block adoption determining signal output in accordance with said image encoding method, either the output from said entropy decoding step or the output from said target pixel decoding step for output as said target block.
36. An image encoding method comprising the steps of:
taking as an input a target binary image to be encoded, and obtaining a target block by dividing said target binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
generating a statistical model for a target pixel from said reference block; and
entropy-encoding said target pixel based on said generated statistical model, and outputting the same as encoded data.
37. An image decoding method comprising:
obtaining a reference block by dividing a previously obtained reference binary image into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels;
generating a statistical model for a target pixel from said reference block; and
recovering said target block by entropy-decoding, based on said generated statistical model, the encoded data output in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 36.
38. A medium having recorded thereon a program which is executed by a computer to implement the functions of all or part of the means described in any one of claims 1 to 25.
39. A medium having recorded thereon a program which is executed by a computer to implement all or part of the steps described in any one of claims 26 to 37.
40. An image encoding apparatus comprising:
multi-value to binary converting means for taking a target multi-value image to be encoded and a smoothing function as inputs, and for generating a binary image from said multi-value image on the basis of said smoothing function;
binary image encoding means for encoding said binary image, and for outputting the same as binary image encoded data; and
smoothing function encoding means for encoding said smoothing function, and for outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data, and wherein:
said smoothing function is a function so adjusted that the original multi-value image could, in effect, be reproduced if said smoothing function were applied to said binary image.
41. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said multi-value to binary conversion by said multi-value to binary converting means is performed based on a criterion determined to match said smoothing function and said multi-value image.
42. An image encoding apparatus comprising:
smoothing function estimating means for estimating a smoothing function from a target multi-value image to be encoded;
multi-value to binary converting means for converting said multi-value image to a binary image based on a multi-value to binary conversion criterion determined to match said estimated smoothing function;
binary image encoding means for encoding said binary image, and for outputting the same as binary image encoded data; and
smoothing function encoding means for encoding said estimated smoothing function, and for outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data.
43. An image encoding apparatus comprising:
multi-value to binary converting means for generating a binary image from a target multi-value image to be encoded;
binary image encoding means for encoding said binary image, and for outputting the same as binary image encoded data;
smoothing function generating means for generating a smoothing function from said binary image and said target multi-value image; and
smoothing function encoding means for encoding said smoothing function, and for outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data.
44. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said smoothing function is expressed using one or more tables consisting of binarization patterns of neighboring pixels and substitution values corresponding to said patterns.
45. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising:
binary to multi-value converting means for generating a multi-value image by smoothing said binary image using said smoothing function; and
residual component encoding means for encoding a residual component existing between the multi-value image generated by said binary to multi-value converting means and said target multi-value image input for conversion by said multi-value to binary converting means.
46. An image encoding apparatus comprising:
multi-value to binary converting means for converting a multi-value image, which is a target image to be encoded, to a binary image based on a multi-value to binary conversion criterion determined to match said multi-value image;
smoothing function estimating means for estimating a smoothing function such that the original multi-value image could, in effect, be reproduced if said smoothing function were applied to said binary image;
binary image encoding means for encoding said binary image, and for outputting the same as binary image encoded data; and
smoothing function encoding means for encoding said estimated smoothing function, and for outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data.
47. An image encoding apparatus according to claim 40, 42, 43, or 46, further comprising:
dynamic range estimating means for obtaining a dynamic range from said target multi-value image; and
dynamic range encoding means for encoding said dynamic range, and for outputting the same as dynamic range encoded data, and wherein:
said multi-value to binary converting means generates said binary image by also considering said dynamic range.
48. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
means for receiving as inputs thereto the various encoded data encoded by the image encoding apparatus of claim 40, 42, 43, or 46;
binary image decoding means for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding means for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data; and
binary to multi-value converting means for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function.
49. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
means for receiving as inputs thereto the various encoded data encoded by the image encoding apparatus of claim 47;
binary image decoding means for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding means for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data;
dynamic range decoding means for recovering said dynamic range by decoding said dynamic range encoded data out of said encoded data; and
binary to multi-value converting means for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function and by converting pixel values using said decoded dynamic range.
50. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
means for receiving as inputs thereto the various encoded data encoded by the image encoding apparatus of claim 44;
binary image decoding means for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding means for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data; and
binary to multi-value converting means for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function, and wherein:
said decoded smoothing function is expressed using one or more tables consisting of binarization patterns of neighboring pixels and substitution values corresponding to said patterns.
51. An image decoding apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said binary to multi-value converting means recovers said multi-value image by applying pixel substitution to said binary image recursively and in multiple stages by using said smoothing function expressed using said table or tables.
52. An image decoding apparatus comprising:
means for receiving as inputs thereto the various encoded data encoded by the image encoding apparatus of claim 45;
binary image decoding means for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding means for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data;
binary to multi-value converting means for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function; and
residual component decoding means for decoding said residual component, and wherein:
an output image is obtained by adding said decoded residual component to the output from said binary to multi-value converting means.
53. An image encoding method comprising the steps of:
taking a target multi-value image to be encoded and a smoothing function as inputs, and generating a binary image from said multi-value image on the basis of said smoothing function;
encoding said binary image, and outputting the same as binary image encoded data; and
encoding said smoothing function, and outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data, and wherein:
said smoothing function is a function so adjusted that the original multi-value image could, in effect, be reproduced if said smoothing function were applied to said binary image.
54. An image encoding method comprising:
smoothing function estimating step for estimating a smoothing function from a target multi-value image to be encoded;
multi-value to binary converting step for converting said multi-value image to a binary image based on a multi-value to binary conversion criterion determined to match said estimated smoothing function;
binary image encoding step for encoding said binary image, and for outputting the same as binary image encoded data; and
smoothing function encoding step for encoding said estimated smoothing function, and for outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data.
55. An image encoding method comprising:
multi-value to binary converting step for generating a binary image from a target multi-value image to be encoded;
binary image encoding step for encoding said binary image, and for outputting the same as binary image encoded data;
smoothing function generating step for generating a smoothing function from said binary image and said target multi-value image; and
smoothing function encoding step for encoding said smoothing function, and for outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data.
56. An image encoding method according to claim 55, wherein said smoothing function is expressed using one or more tables consisting of binarization patterns of neighboring pixels and substitution values corresponding to said patterns.
57. An image encoding method according to claim 55, further comprising:
binary to multi-value converting step for generating a multi-value image by smoothing said binary image using said smoothing function; and
residual component encoding step for encoding a residual component existing between the multi-value image generated in said binary to multi-value converting step and said target multi-value image input for conversion in said multi-value to binary converting step.
58. An image encoding method comprising:
multi-value to binary converting step for converting a multi-value image, which is a target image to be encoded, to a binary image based on a multi-value to binary conversion criterion determined to match said multi-value image;
smoothing function estimating step for estimating a smoothing function such that the original multi-value image could, in effect, be reproduced if said smoothing function were applied to said binary image;
binary image encoding step for encoding said binary image, and for outputting the same as binary image encoded data; and
smoothing function encoding step for encoding said estimated smoothing function, and for outputting the same as smoothing function encoded data.
59. An image encoding method according to claim 53, 54, 55, or 58, further comprising:
dynamic range estimating step for obtaining a dynamic range from said target multi-value image; and
dynamic range encoding step for encoding said dynamic range, and for outputting the same as dynamic range encoded data, and wherein:
said multi-value to binary converting step generates said binary image by also considering said dynamic range.
60. An image decoding method comprising:
step for receiving as inputs the various encoded data encoded by the image encoding apparatus of claim 53, 54, 55, or 58;
binary image decoding step for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding step for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data; and
binary to multi-value converting step for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function.
61. An image decoding method comprising:
step for receiving as inputs the various encoded data encoded in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 59;
binary image decoding step for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding step for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data;
dynamic range decoding step for recovering said dynamic range by decoding said dynamic range encoded data out of said encoded data; and
binary to multi-value converting step for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function and by converting pixel values using said decoded dynamic range.
62. An image decoding method comprising:
means for receiving as inputs the various encoded data encoded in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 56;
binary image decoding step for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding step for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data; and
binary to multi-value converting step for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function, and wherein:
said decoded smoothing function is expressed using one or more tables consisting of binarization patterns of neighboring pixels and substitution values corresponding to said patterns.
63. An image decoding method according to claim 62, wherein said binary to multi-value converting step recovers said multi-value image by applying pixel substitution to said binary image recursively and in multiple stages by using said smoothing function expressed using said table or tables.
64. An image decoding method comprising:
means for receiving as inputs the various encoded data encoded in accordance with the image encoding method of claim 57;
binary image decoding step for recovering said binary image by decoding said binary image encoded data out of said encoded data;
smoothing function decoding step for recovering said smoothing function by decoding said smoothing function encoded data out of said encoded data;
binary to multi-value converting step for recovering said multi-value image by smoothing said decoded binary image using said decoded smoothing function; and
residual component decoding step for decoding said residual component, and wherein:
an output image is obtained by adding said decoded residual component to the output from said binary to multi-value converting step.
65. A medium having recorded thereon a program which is executed by a computer to implement the functions of all or part of the means described in any one of claims 40 to 52.
66. A medium having recorded thereon a program which is executed by a computer to implement the functions of all or part of the steps described in any one of claims 53 to 64.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for performing an in-service software upgrade to a first computing machine in a network comprising steps of:
(a) providing a source node hosting an upgrade software package;
(b) causing an upgrade command to be executed;
(c) establishing, as a result of the upgrade command, a network session between the first computing machine and the source node;
(d) receiving the upgrade software at the first computing machine;
(e) copying and distributing, within the first computing machine, the upgrade software to designated first components slated for upgrade;
(f) designating one or more second components in the first computing machine as backups for each first component to be upgraded;
(g) backing up services and software running on each first component to be upgraded to a designated second component while upgrade proceeds for the associated first component;
(h) causing a switchover at the upgraded first component to the new software; and
(i) repeating steps (g) and (h) until all the components slated for upgrade are upgraded.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the is the Internet network.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (a) the source node is an FTP server connected on the network and the upgrade software package is stored in memory of the FTP server.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (a) the upgrade software package resides on a PCMCIA flash card in.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (a) the source node is a PCMCIA flash card residing within the first computing machine, the upgrade software package residing in the flash system.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (b) execution of the upgrade command is manual and initiated by a user.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (b) execution of the upgrade command is automated and triggered at pre-set time.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (c) the network session is conducted over an Ethernet network between the source node and the first computing machine.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein in step (c) the source node is an FTP server and first component is a primary control card of a data packet router.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein in step (c) the source node is a personal computer.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein in step (c) the network session is conducted over the Internet network between the source node and the first components.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (d) receiving the upgrade software results after access and request by the first component.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (d) receiving the upgrade software results after access and request sent to the first component.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (e) the first computing machine is a data packet router and first components comprise control cards, line cards, or fabric cards.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (f) the switchover command is automatic and executed after a certain period of time.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (h) the switchover command is pre-configured to execute at a future designated time, the switchover managed by the first component of the router.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein a notification of upgrade status is conducted in a separate and future data session.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein, in step (f), backup designations are made according to an algorithm for maximizing performance during the upgrade process.
19. A system for upgrading a first computing machine while the machine is operating, comprising:
a node having access to the first computing machine by data link;
a software upgrade package stored in memory residing in or connected to the node;
a component residing in the first computing machine having access to the node over the data link; and
a user station having access to the first computing machine for displaying upgrade status and results;
characterized in that at a specified time, a first component of the first computing machine is caused to have access to the software upgrade package, receives and makes copies of image portions of the package, distributes the image portions to other components within the first computing machine identified as targeted for upgrade, backs up functions of targeted components to designated backup components, and wherein the targeted components each install their received image portion, reboot using the new image portion, and report back to the first component, which in turn reports status to the user station.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein components are upgraded in groups.
21. The system of claim 19 wherein backups are designated according to an algorithm for maximizing performance during the upgrade process.
22. The system of claim 19 wherein the network is the Internet network.
23. The system of claim 19 wherein the node having access to the first computing machine is an FTP server.
24. The system of claim 19 wherein the node having access to the first computing machine is a personal computer.
25. The system of claim 19 wherein the data link comprises an Ethernet network link.
26. The system of claim 19 wherein the memory hosting the software upgrade package is PCMCIA flash memory.
27. The system of claim 19 wherein the first computing machine is a data packet router, and the component residing in the router is a primary control card.
28. The system of claim 19 wherein the component residing in the first computing machine is a line card.
29. The system of claim 19 wherein the user station is a personal computer.
30. The system of claim 27 wherein the upgrade package includes image portions for control cards, line cards, and fabric cards.
31. An upgrade application for upgrading at least one targeted computerized element of a first computing machine comprising:
at least one runtime image, the image including parameters for element boot and operation once booted;
an executable command for initiating the upgrade application including distribution and install; and
an executable command for applying the at least one runtime image including boot directory reset and reboot instructions;
characterized in that the upgrade application functions automatically after a pre-determined or user-selected time in cooperation with a primary element to effect upgrade and reboot to all designated target elements of the router.
32. The upgrade application of claim 31 wherein the first computerized machine is a data packet router, and the computerized element comprises a control card, a line card, or a fabric card.
33. The upgrade application of claim 32 wherein the upgrade occurs while the router is forwarding data over a data-packet-network.
34. The router upgrade application of claim 33 wherein the data-packet-network is the Internet network.
35. The router upgrade application of claim 31 wherein the initiation command is automatically executed according to a pre-determined time.
36. The router upgrade application of claim 31 wherein the apply command is automatically executed according to a pre-determined time.
37. The system of claim 19 further comprising multiple backup components to assume the operational responsibilities of the target component being upgraded.
38. The system of claim 19 further comprising a backup element to assume the operational responsibilities of multiple target elements being upgraded simultaneously.
39. The system of claim 19 wherein targeted elements include cards of different types, and elements are upgraded in groups by type.