Digital image compression employing a resolution gradient

Apparatus for providing image data from a remotely controlled vehicle to an operator of the vehicle at a remote location, the apparatus associated with the vehicle comprising:

• means for generating digital image data expressive of an image having a centrally disposed region having a first image resolution surrounded by concentrically disposed peripheral regions of progressively lesser image resolution, the image generating means comprising a plurality of camera means disposed for having abutted fields of view and further comprising means, coupled to an output of each of the camera means, for converting a camera digital image data output to a logarithmic polar representation of the image expressed thereby;
• means, having an input coupled to an output of the generating means, for extracting image cue data from the logarithmic polar representation, the extracting means including means for separating the logarithmic polar representation of the image data into a color channel and into a contrast edge channel, the contrast edge channel having a higher resolution than the color channel;
• means, having an input coupled to an output of the extracting means, for compressing the extracted data;
• and
• means, having an input coupled to an output of the compressing means, for transmitting the compressed data to the remote location.

Image processing apparatus comprising:

• means for encoding an image represented by digital image data such that the encoded digital image data representation has a centrally disposed region of highest resolution, the resolution continuously and progressively decreasing towards a periphery of the encoded digital image data representation;
• means for reconstructing upon display means a display of the image from the encoded digital image data representation such that local components of the displayed image accurately reflect a position and content of features of the image, within the limits of the resolution of the display means;
• and
• at least one camera means for generating and outputting the digital image data, wherein the encoding means includes means coupled to an output of the at least one camera means for converting the digital image data to a logarithmic polar format, and wherein the converting means is comprised of a first logarithmic polar logarithmic mapping means for converting black and white image data to a logarithmic polar representation having a first mapping resolution, the converting means further being comprised of a second logarithmic polar mapping means for converting color image data to a logarithmic polar representation having a second mapping resolution that is less than the first mapping resolution.