Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image data
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for encoding images, more particularly to an encoding unit in conjunction with a library of pictorial entities and image qualifiers. The method and apparatus provide encoding an image by using a code factor table in conjunction with a set of element codes. The resulting image code allows the set pictorial elements of an image and their associated image qualifiers to be represented by a compact code uniquely representing a given configuration of pictorial elements. The use of the resulting image code facilitates the transmission and storage of images requiring only the code to be sent or stored. The invention further provides a computer readable medium comprising a program element that direct a computer to implement the encoding process.
1. A computer readable medium storing a program, comprising:
a first code which causes a processor to recognize at least a first morphology element selected from a first set of morphology elements;
a second code which generates at least one element code corresponding to at least the first morphology element, the at least one element code based on:
(a) a symbol representative of the at least first morphology element, the symbol having one of a plurality of values indicative of variations of the at least first morphology element; and
(b) a first code factor having one of a plurality of values indicative of a feature of the first set of morphology elements.
2. The computer readable medium storing the program of claim 1 , wherein the symbol is indicative of an attribute selected from the group consisting of size, shape, color, and position of at least the first morphology element.
3. The computer readable medium storing the program of claim 1 , wherein the information-bearing medium is selected from the group consisting of a read-only medium, a writable medium, a removable computer-readable medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, a CD-ROM, and a non-volatile memory.
4. A method of decoding a morphology element from at least one element code, comprising:
(i) receiving a signal including at least one element code based on:
(a) a symbol representative of an at least first morphology element selected from a first set of morphology elements stored on a first computer, the symbol having one of a plurality of values indicative of variations of the at least first morphology element; and
(b) a first code factor having one of a plurality of values indicative of a feature of the first set of morphology elements;
(ii) mapping the symbol to at least a second morphology element selected from a second set of morphology elements stored on a second computer
(iii) using the first code factor to determine if the first and second sets of morphology elements are compatible.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the signal is received from a network transmission.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein an error message is displayed if the first and second sets of morphology elements are not compatible and the at least second morphology element is displayed if the first and second sets of morphology elements are compatible.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein mapping further includes modifying at least one attribute of the at least second morphology element selected from the group consisting of a size, shape, color and position.
8. The computer readable medium storing the program of claim 1 , wherein the code factor includes a specific number.
9. The computer readable medium storing the program of claim 1 , wherein the first code factor is indicative a feature selected from the group consisting of the number of morphology elements within the first set of morphology elements, the version number for the first or second code, and the library from where the first set of morphology elements was obtained.