Image compression and decoding, video compression and decoding: methods and systems

A computer-implemented method for lossy image or video compression and transmission, the method including the steps of:

• (i) receiving an input image at a computer system;
• (ii) encoding the input image using a first trained neural network, using the first computer system, to produce a y latent representation;
• (iii) encoding the y latent using a second trained neural network, using the first computer system, to produce a z latent representation;
• (iv) encoding the z latent representation, using a third trained neural network, using the first computer system, to produce a w latent representation;
• (v) entropy encoding the w latent into a first bitstream, using the first computer system;
• (vi) entropy encoding the z latent into a second bitstream, using the first computer system;
• (vii) entropy encoding the y latent into a third bitstream, using the first computer system;
• (viii) transmitting the first bitstream, the second bitstream and the third bitstream.

A computer system for lossy image or video receiving and decoding, wherein the computer system is configured to:

• (i) receive a first bitstream, a second bitstream, and a third bitstream;
• (ii) entropy decode the first bitstream to produce a w latent;
• (iii) process the w latent using a first trained neural network;
• (iv) entropy decode the second bitstream using the processed w latent to produce a z latent;
• (v) process the z latent using a second trained neural network;
• (vi) entropy decode the third bitstream using the processed z latent to produce a y latent;
• and
• (vii) use a third trained neural network to produce an output image from the y latent, wherein the output image is an approximation of an input image.

A system for lossy image or video compression and transmission, wherein the computer system is configured to:

• (i) receive an input image;
• (ii) encode the input image using a first trained neural network to produce a y latent representation;
• (iii) encode the y latent using a second trained neural network to produce a z latent representation;
• (iv) encode the z latent representation, using a third trained neural network to produce a w latent representation;
• (v) entropy encode the w latent into a first bitstream;
• (vi) entropy encode the z latent into a second bitstream;
• (vii) entropy encode the y latent into a third bitstream;
• and
• (viii) transmit the first bitstream, the second bitstream and the third bitstream.