Sony patents video coding that adjusts color detail to save space
Sony has filed a patent for a system that encodes video by reducing the color depth of specific pixels based on a set pattern. This process lowers the amount of data needed to store or stream the video while maintaining the overall image structure.
In the filing’s own words
A system for encoding video content, the system comprising an image frame obtaining unit configured to obtain one or more image frames from a content source, a colour sampling unit configured to sample a plurality of pixels within an obtained image frame in accordance with a predetermined pattern, wherein the predetermined pattern indicates a bit depth at which the colour of each of the pixels is to be sampled, wherein the colour sampling unit is configured to reduce the bit depth of at least a subset of the pixels within the obtained image frame, and an encoding unit configured to encode the one or more image frames that have been subjected to the colour sampling.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A system for encoding video content, the system comprising: an image frame obtaining unit configured to obtain one or more image frames from a content source; a colour sampling unit configured to sample a plurality of pixels within an obtained image frame in accordance with a predetermined pattern, wherein the predetermined pattern indicates a bit depth at which the colour of each of the pixels is to be sampled, wherein the colour sampling unit is configured to reduce the bit depth of at least a subset of the pixels within the obtained image frame; and an encoding unit configured to encode the one or more image frames that have been subjected to the colour sampling.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.)
- Official title
- VIDEO CODING SYSTEM AND METHOD
- Publication number
- US20260270449A1
- Application number
- 19559173
- Filed
- Mar 6, 2026
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04N 19/172 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/132 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/167 Electricity & electronicsMore from Sony in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.