Abstract: An image encoding device that receives a plurality of component values of a color input signal inputted to an object pixel, vector quantizes, and encodes each of the plurality of component values includes: a difference vector quantization unit that vector quantizes and encodes each difference value obtained by subtracting prediction component values based on a previous object pixel from the component values of the object pixel respectively; an absolute value vector quantization unit that vector quantizes and encodes each different value of the object pixel; a determination unit that compares each difference value with respective comparison ranges to determine a code selection; and a code selector that selects one of an output from the difference vector quantization unit and an output from the absolute value vector quantization unit based on an output from the determination unit.

Abstract: An image compression method and a device thereof are provided. In the image compression method, a block image having a plurality of pixels is received. In the block image, an adjusted value of a first pixel is compared with a threshold value, and the adjusted value of the first pixel is accordingly quantized as a first parameter value or a second parameter value so as to obtain a quantized value of the first pixel. Next, an error value between the adjusted value of the first pixel and the quantized value of the first pixel is distributed to at least one second pixel adjacent to the first pixel according to an error diffusion kernel. The first pixel and the second pixel are respectively one of the above pixels. Therefore, the quality of the compressed image is improved and the influence of the blocking effect is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention can realize an image processing device and an image processing method that enable a simplified circuit configuration. An image encoding device (200) encodes an input image (91) in an ordinary process that is the same as main encoding on the basis of a predictive quantization parameter (QPd), while encoding the input image (91) in a simple manner (simplified process) on the basis of the predictive quantization parameter (QPd) and quantization parameters (QP) approximate to the predictive quantization parameter (QPd). The image encoding device (200) calculates a code quantity ratio R_reduction between a high-precision generated code quantity obtained through an ordinary process based on the predictive quantization parameter (QPd) and a generated code quantity obtained through a simplified process based on the predictive quantization parameter (QPd).

Abstract: An image encoding method for encoding an image in an image encoding apparatus. The encoding method includes: performing, in a quantization unit in the image encoding apparatus, quantization on a chroma component of transform coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation that adds a weight parameter; encoding, in an encoding unit in the image encoding apparatus, a chroma component of quantized coefficients and generating a bit stream; and transferring the bit stream and the weight parameter.

Abstract: A visual summary of the image sequences is generated, displaying at least one image from a plurality of the image sequences. Color correction is applied to a feature in one of the displayed images and images comprising at least one feature being close to the color corrected feature according to a distance criterion are selected, displayed, and color correction, based on the color correction to the feature, is applied to the features in the selected images. An apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An image is divided into subbands by wavelet transform using the Haar function as the base, and the lowest-frequency LL subband is entirely encoded. LH, HL, and HH subband coefficients which belong to the wavelet decomposition level of each hierarchy are encoded such that coefficients at the same spatial position are encoded based on a resolution or quantization accuracy mapping at each spatial coordinate. Additionally, an updated region detecting means detects an updated region from a plurality of sequential frames forming the two-dimensional signal, and obtains a changing period during which a signal value changes in each region. A resolution or quantization accuracy is set for each spatial coordinate based on the changing period, and a coefficient map is generated in which the resolution or quantization accuracy of the updated region differs from that of a region other than the updated region.

Abstract: An image information decoding method for decoding a bit stream in an image decoding apparatus. The decoding process includes decoding, in a decoding unit in the image decoding apparatus, the bit stream and generating a chroma component of quantized coefficients; and performing, in a dequantization unit in the image decoding apparatus, dequantization on the chroma component of quantized coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation.

Abstract: A method for eliminating moire in scanned digital image comprises the steps of using an average circuit for taking weighted average and error diffusing a gray level difference between an error diffusion pixel Gij and neighbor pixels to neighbor to obtain output image pixel Y?ij; using a second adder for subtracting the error diffusion pixel Gij from the output image pixel Y?ij to obtain a neighbor image error dij; using a error filter H(z) to process the neighbor image error dij to obtain a corrected pixel error H(d(i,j)); and using a first adder for adding the corrected pixel error H(d(i,j)) and the input image pixel Yij to obtain the corrected error diffusion pixel Gij, and then jumping to first step until all pixels being processed. The method provides real time treatment for eliminating moire and provide smooth image.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described to determine whether a JPEG image has undergone two compressions. Probabilities can be computed for the first digits of quantized DCT (discrete cosine transform) coefficients from a set of AC (alternate current) modes to detect or determine whether the JPEG image has undergone two compressions. The set of AC modes may include a predetermined number of distinguishable AC modes where a distinguishable AC mode may be an AC mode in which a second quantization step (QS2) is not an integer multiple of the first quantization step (QS1). Classifiers may be created during a training process, and later may be used to assist in determining whether a suspect JPEG image has undergone two compressions. When the classifiers support a multi-classification system, described detection techniques may also be arranged to determine a primary quality factor for the double compressed JPEG image.

Abstract: An image coding method for performing compression-coding on image data includes: binarizing a signal to be coded of the image data, to generate a binary signal; determining a low-order context which is a context associated with a type of the signal to be coded, and a high-order context that is common to the low-order context and a context associated with another type; calculating coding probability information to be used in arithmetic coding of the binary signal, using (i) high-order probability information corresponding to the determined high-order context and (ii) low-order probability information corresponding to the determined low-order context; performing the arithmetic coding on the binary signal using the coding probability information; and updating the high-order probability information and the low-order probability information based on the binary signal.

Abstract: A system and method uses the capabilities of a geometry shader unit within the multi-threaded graphics processor to offload data compression computations from a central processing unit (CPU), reduce the memory needed to store image data, and reduce the bandwidth needed to transfer image data between graphics processors and between a graphics processor and a system memory.

Abstract: In a compression method of quantizing and compressing image data of an image, the method comprises the steps of: determining a method of quantization for each pixel; quantizing the image data in pixel unit according to the determined quantization method; storing the quantized image data in a same region of a memory in spite of the quantization method; and storing discrimination data for discriminating the quantization method used for quantizing the image data by corresponding to the quantized image data in the memory.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for encoding an image for a mobile telecommunication handset. The image is divided into the stripe blocks and the number of the phase of wavelet transform is determined depending on the size of the image. The divided image stripe block is wavelet-transformed depending to the determined number of the phase. The wavelet-transformed high-frequency components is granular-quantized and the wavelet-transformed low-frequency components is DPCM-encoded. Thus, computing load and memory capacity can be lessened, maintaining the image of good quality in the mobile telecommunication handset.

Abstract: A dimensionality reduction method and system for efficient color transform compression is disclosed. A multi-dimensional color transform with an n-dimensional input color space can be received. A projection operator can be derived and applied to the n-dimensional input color space to form a k-dimensional input color space. A functional approximation can be designed to the n-dimensional input color space and can be evaluated on the k-dimensional input color space to form an m-dimensional output color space. The projection operator and the approximation function can be combined to form a compressed transform by mapping the n-dimensional input color space to m-dimensional output color space. Such an approach provides a significant reduction in size of the color profile with respect to storage and speeds-up real-time computation.

Abstract: An image encoding device includes a dynamic range generator for outputting dynamic range data Dd1 of block image data Dc1, an average value generator for outputting average value data De1 of the block image data Dc1, a number-of-pixel reducing unit 20 for decreasing number of pixels of the block image data by reduction-number of pixels to generate reduced-number-of-pixel block image data Dc1?, an encoding parameter generator 18 for generating encoding parameter pa1 specifying a quantization bit rate and the reduction-number of pixels in accordance with the dynamic range data Dd1, a quantization threshold generator 19 for generating a quantization threshold value tb1, and an image data quantizer 21 for generating quantized image data Df1 from the reduced-number-of-pixel block image data Dc1? with use of the quantization threshold value tb1.

Abstract: An image compression method is used for processing a plurality of pixels of an image. The image compression method includes the steps of receiving N pixels; analyzing the N pixels and generating a content type corresponding to the N pixels; obtaining a quantization parameter and a coding parameter corresponding to the N pixels according to the content type and a currently available buffer space value; obtaining N quantized differences corresponding to the N pixels through a prediction and quantization way according to values of the N pixels and the quantization parameter; and encoding the N quantized differences according to the N quantized differences and the coding parameter.

Abstract: An image capturing method including following steps is provided. A preview image is captured and compressed into a compressed preview image according to a preview quantization table. An image complexity is judged by determining the amount of high frequency components the preview image has according to a set of factors consisting of the preview quantization table, a resolution of the preview image and a size of the compressed preview image. The more the amount of high frequency components the preview image has, the higher the image complexity. A to-be-captured image is captured. An initial quantization table is determined according to a set of factors consisting of the image complexity, a resolution of the to-be-captured image and an image compression target. The to-be-captured image is compressed into an output image according to the initial quantization table.

Abstract: Image data are compressed such that they do not visually deteriorate. Nonlinear compression and DPCM compression are performed in series. A compressing unit 41 that uses nonlinear transform inputs image data (L bits per pixel) of each color component. Image data are compressed to M bits (M<L) according to a compression transform tale TB1 that has been set up according to image information extracted from original image data. The compressing unit 41 performs compression transform having a characteristic similar to a gamma curve characteristic used in a gamma correction disposed downstream of the compressing unit 41. Image data compressed and transformed to M bits by the nonlinear compressing unit 41 are input to a DPCM compressing unit 42. The DPCM compressing unit 42 finally compresses input data to N bits (for example, N=10) according to a quantization table TB2. The compressed image data are stored to an image memory through a packing section 43.

Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.

Abstract: A scaleable macro block rate control method particularly well-suited for MPEG video. There is provided a method to easily derive a quantization parameter (QP) value using information such as bit usage, previous QP values and SAD values from the past encoded and future frames. The method utilizes quantization estimation techniques based on statistical relationships between different intensity measures, such as distortion intensity, absolute difference intensity and mean of absolute difference intensity. The method is well-suited to applications utilizing MPEG video such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, JVT/H.264 standards and so forth.

Abstract: A computer system processes encoded digital data representing an image at image portions. The image at each portion has color coordinates S1, S2, S3 in a first color coordinate system (CCS), wherein S1?{square root over (T12+T22+T32)}, S2=T2/S1, S3=T3/S1, wherein T1, T2, T3 are color coordinates in a predefined 70%-orthonormal linear CCS. For each image portion whose color coordinate S1 is in a predefined range, the encoded digital data comprise color coordinates s1, s2, s3 such that: s1=kB·(ln(?S1)+?) rounded to an integer, where ? and ? are predefined constants, s2=kef·S2/S1 rounded to an integer, s3=kef·S3/S1 rounded to an integer, wherein kef is about 3—kB, or kef is equal to the smallest power of 2 which is greater than or equal to about 3·kB. The processing comprises using the encoded digital data to perform editing, and/or displaying, and/or decoding the encoded data.

Abstract: Systems and media for transitioning compression levels of a streaming image system include a machine-accessible medium of a storage device containing instructions for transitioning compression levels between image frames in a streaming image system. Embodiments may include receiving client information from a client of an interactive streaming image system, generating a new image frame based on the received information, determining an initial compression level, comparing the new image frame to a previous frame to determine whether content changed, performing a smoothing heuristic by generating a multi-frame smoothing routine by increasing image quality in response to no change of content and decreasing image quality in response to a change in content, setting the new compression level based on the multi-frame smoothing routine, and encoding and transmitting the new image frame and compression level to a client.

Abstract: A method for line-based video rate control is provided. The line based video rate control method includes system feedback to change system operating parameters, including on a packet-by-packet basis and also on a line-by-line basis. Also provided is a method for line-based compression. The method includes basic elements of an arithmetic coder to improve Golomb coding performance. By inverting operations in the method for line-based compression, the corresponding decoder can be obtained. The method also provides a heuristic-driven method for generating prediction residuals from quantized data, wherein prediction is driven in the direction of maximum correlation so that it is unnecessary to supply the decoder with additional data specifying this direction at each array element.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus for quantizing an inputted moving image signal according to a quantization step so that a code amount of one frame becomes a target code amount, and for variable-length-coding the quantized moving image signal, in which a minimum value of the quantization step is determined for each frame, and the quantization step is determined so as not to be less than the minimum value.

Abstract: A method of coding a digital image includes subdividing the image into image blocks formed by a plurality of pixels, and processing each image block of the image, by determining a skip-mode prediction block in respect of the current image block being processed, calculating a difference between the image block being processed and the skip-mode prediction block, and comparing the calculated difference to a predetermined threshold. The calculation of the difference between the current image block being processed and the skip-mode prediction block includes: calculating a plurality of pixel-by-pixel differences between a pixel of the current image block and a corresponding pixel of the skip-mode prediction image block; associating a respective quantized value with each pixel-by-pixel difference; and cumulating the quantized values.

Abstract: A method for context-modeling coding information of a video signal for compressing or decompressing the coding information is provided. An initial value of a function for probability coding of coding information of a video signal of an enhanced layer is determined based on coding information of a video signal of a base layer.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for correcting quantized coefficients. In the method, statistical values of coefficients and quantized coefficients are extracted from a received video data stream, coefficient correction values for each pixel position in blocks are determined by using the statistical distribution of the coefficients depending on the statistical values, and then the coefficients are corrected by respectively adding the coefficient correction values to corresponding coefficients of respective pixel positions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a white balance processing apparatus comprising white balance processing means for effecting white balance processing on an image to be taken, color histogram processing means for effecting histogram processing by color components in accordance with the image to be taken processed of white balance by the white balance processing means, and display means for displaying histograms by color components obtained by the color histogram processing means.

Abstract: In an image coding apparatus to process a frame image generated by combining a plurality of different images in the side-by-side method as a coding target image, information which specifies an image block in contact with a boundary of the plurality of images is input to the image coding apparatus. A control unit sets a predetermined coding control parameter which reduces or inhibits filtering with a deblocking filter on the image block in contact with the boundary of the plurality of images specified based on the input information.

Abstract: Inverse transforms used in video and image compression/decompression, such as DCT/IDCT used in MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, or the integer transforms used in H.264, are usually calculated with fast algorithms, which only take advantage of the symmetry existing in the transform matrix but ignores the peculiarities in the input data. While these kind of fast algorithms can apply to both forward and inverse transforms, they tend to be inefficient in calculating inverse transforms. In inverse transforms, most of the coefficients become zero after quantization, this invention takes advantage of this fact to further simplify the general fast algorithm and speed up the calculation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus configured to generate recording data used in an image forming processing for carrying out an image formation by performing a recording scan by plural times on a same image region on a recording medium, includes a division unit for dividing input image data into image data for each recording scan, a quantization unit for quantizing, based on the divided image data for each recording scan, the image data for each recording scan, and a generation unit for generating, based on the quantized image data for each recording scan, recording data for each recording scan, in which the division unit divides the input image data into the image data for each recording scan based on a division rate periodically varying in accordance with a spatial position of an image represented by the input image data.

Abstract: A method, system and computer software product for improving rate-distortion performance while remaining faithful to JPEG/MPEG syntax, involving joint optimization of Huffman tables, quantization step sizes and quantized coefficients of a JPEG/MPEG encoder. This involves finding the optimal coefficient indices in the form of (run, size) pairs. By employing an interative process including this search for optimal coefficient indices, joint improvement of run-length coding, Huffman coding and quantization table selection may be achieved. Additionally, the compression of quantized DC coefficients may also be improved using a trellis-structure.

Abstract: An image compensating method. First, multiple scanning lines are used to scan a document and a longitudinal black and white pattern, in order to produce the actual gray level value for multiple pixels with respect to each of the scanning lines and the document, as well as a correctional gray level value for complete black and a correctional gray level value for complete white with respect to the longitudinal black and white pattern. Then, the compensational gray level value with respect to the actual gray level value for each of the pixels is obtained according to the correctional gray level value for complete black, the correctional gray level value for complete white, the theoretical gray level value for complete black, the theoretical gray level value for complete white, and the actual gray level value for each of the pixels. Then, the procedure is complete.

Abstract: A block encoder is operable to encode a target region of an image. The encoder encodes blocks from a target region of an image. The encoded blocks are stored in a scan order of the image. The encoded blocks are reordered into a scan order for the target region, and are output as an encoded image bit stream.

Abstract: A high-frequency integrator acquires a first integrated value by integrating a high-frequency component of first image data. A corrector handles second image data, which is obtained when an image processor subjects the first image data to an image process affecting frequency characteristics, and acquires a second integrated value by correcting the first integrated value acquired by the high-frequency integrator in accordance with a change in the frequency characteristics that is brought about by the image process. An encoder calculates, in accordance with the second integrated value acquired by the corrector, a quantization scale for compressing the second image data acquired by the image processor to a predefined number of bytes at once, and compresses the second image data accordingly.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a criteria setter that sets selection criteria for selecting quantization intensities on the basis of feature indices of an inputted image; an intensity selector that selects, on the basis of the selection criteria set by the criteria setter, one of plural quantization intensities for each partial image area of the inputted image; and a quantizer that quantizes image information on each partial image area with the quantization intensity selected by the intensity selector.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a horizontal analysis filtering unit that receives image data in units of lines and generates a low-frequency component and a high-frequency component by performing horizontal low-pass analysis filtering and horizontal high-pass analysis filtering every time the number of samples in a horizontal direction reaches a predetermined value; and a vertical analysis filtering unit that generates coefficient data of a plurality of subbands by performing vertical low-pass analysis filtering and vertical high-pass analysis filtering every time the number of lines in a vertical direction of low-frequency and high-frequency components generated by the horizontal analysis filtering unit reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods for reversible data hiding are disclosed herein. These methods may be applied to images for reversible image data hiding. In one embodiment, a method for reversible data hiding comprises identifying carrier data having a plurality of components and establishing prediction-errors for each of the components of the carrier data. A first threshold and a second threshold are established. The prediction-errors of the components are evaluated against the first threshold to identify components for possible hiding. The components identified for possible hiding are evaluated against the second threshold to identify components for hiding. To-be embedded data is embedded into the carrier data identified for hiding to create marked data. The marked data is evaluated for overflow or underflow. If overflow or underflow is detected, histogram modification is performed. Marked data is then established.

Abstract: A parallel processor for motion estimation including: a matrix of elementary processors configured in rows and columns, local connections between the elementary processors for transmitting partial results, and row outputs for outputting a set of best match values (for example, SAD values), one value for each pixel row of a current block of image pixels; and search area delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the search area as input and forming a reference block row. The processor further includes current block delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the current block as input; a sum module coupled to the row outputs for computing a final match value from the row outputs; and a sorting module for sequentially selecting a best match value from the final match values outputted from the sum module, and generating a corresponding motion vector.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling a bit-rates in which an amount of generated bits is adjusted according to the complexity of each frame, and a bit-rate within a frame can be further effectively adjusted by applying different quantization parameter (QP) values to respective macro blocks. In the apparatus for controlling a bit-rate, a motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTP) operation is performed for each group of pictures (GOP) in an input scalable layer, and thereafter bits are allocated to respective frames in consideration of frame type and frame complexity. Furthermore, a QP is adaptively determined in the unit of a macro block on the basis of the allocated bits.

Abstract: An encoding device 100 includes a quantization parameter generating circuit 111 that generates a provisional quantization parameter, a quantizing circuit 121 that generates quantized data by quantizing a signal to be quantized on the basis of the provisional quantization parameter, a binarizing circuit 131 that binarizes the quantized data to output binary symbol data, an arithmetic coding circuit 141 that generates coded data by arithmetic-coding the binary symbol data, a quantization parameter calculating circuit 112 that generates a suitable quantization parameter on the basis of a symbol amount of the binary symbol data, a code amount of the coded data, an upper limit of the symbol amount, and an target code amount, a quantizing circuit 122 that quantizes the signal to be quantized on the basis of the suitable quantization parameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing apparatus and control method thereof and a storage medium that stores its control program capable of generating a code image with the optimum device in accordance with the amount and/or contents of the information to be encoded, and/or considering the load of the equipment. The information processing apparatus is electrically connected to an image processing apparatus, and includes: a deciding section for deciding on whether to generate a code image by encoding information or to issue a command for causing to generate the code image by encoding the information; and a processing section for generating, when the deciding section decides to generate, the code image by encoding the information and transmitting it to the image processing apparatus, and for transmitting, when the deciding section decides to issue, the command to the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided. The image processing method includes obtaining a least significant bit (LSB) associated with a pixel block. Further, two bits are reduced from a bit number of each of the pixels of the pixel block. Thereafter whether to carry the pixel or not is determined according to the LSB. When the LSB is 01 or 11, the carry manners of each pixel of the pixel block in two consecutive frames are asymmetric one to another. Further, under the conditions of when the LSB is 01 and 11, respectively, the carry manners of the pixels of the pixel block mutually compensate. Therefore, the display performance of a display is improved.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method generate a coded block pattern (CBP) of an alpha channel image. An apparatus and a method encode or decode the alpha channel image using the method. The alpha channel image encoding apparatus includes a CBP generator generating a CBP of a first block corresponding to an encoding unit in the alpha channel image by allocating CBPs to a plurality of second blocks that includes the first block; and a bitstream generator generating a bitstream by encoding the CBP or the CBP and pixel values of the second blocks based on the CBP of each of second blocks.

Abstract: The information processing apparatus comprises: an input unit which inputs moving image data of frames; a reference information acquisition unit which acquires reference information in accordance with the moving image data of one of the frames inputted to the input unit, the reference information forming a reference for identifying a constituent part of a person; a constituent part region extraction unit which extracts, in accordance with the reference information, a constituent part region where the constituent part of the person is situated, from the moving image data of each of the frames inputted after the frame from which the reference information has been acquired by the reference information acquisition unit; a priority region setting unit which sets, in accordance with the constituent part region, a priority region in the moving image data of each of the frames inputted after the frame from which the reference information has been acquired by the reference information acquisition unit; and a processin

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing video decoding processes in parallel are provided. The method is adapted for utilizing a first cluster and a second cluster of a processor to perform the video data decoding process in parallel. The method includes performing a VLD process to the video data with the first cluster, so as to obtain a plurality of coefficients and then performing an IZ process, an IQ process, and an IDCT process to the coefficients with the second cluster, so as to obtain a plurality of pixels values of the video data. When the first cluster decodes a coefficient of the video data, the second cluster performs the IZ, IQ, and IDCT processes to a coefficient previously decoded by the second cluster of the video data. Accordingly, a parallel process is realized and the decoding speed is increased.

Abstract: A symbol generation part serially inputs a data string of quantization data. If quantization data of non-zero coefficient is inputted, respective information on an absolute value, a zero run and a sign of the non-zero coefficient are stored in registers. When quantization data of the next non-zero coefficient is inputted, the respective information on the absolute value, the zero run and the sign stored in the registers are updated. At that time, the contents of the registers which have been stored immediately before the input are outputted as symbol data of the immediately preceding non-zero coefficient.

Abstract: An image compression apparatus performs quantization of DC component data, low-pass component data and high-pass component data which are generated by frequency conversion of still image data. An extracting part extracts additional data and coding object data which is to be entropy coded, from quantization data. An entropy coding part performs entropy coding of the coding object data stored in a coding object data memory. An additional data processing part generates a flex bit from the additional data. A pattern information generation part acquires the coding object data directly from the extracting part, to generate pattern information indicating whether the coding object data is zero or not. A bit stream generation part outputs the pattern information, the coding object data and the flex bit in a predetermined order, to output a bit stream.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image-encoding apparatus and an image-decoding apparatus for efficiently transmitting a large capacity image. The image encoding apparatus separates an input image into pixel units to generate real images of a first region and of a second region, performs a predictive filtering process on the real image of the first region to generate a predictive image of the second region, and differentiates the predictive image of the second region from the real image of the second region to thereby efficiently reduce the volume of data prior to encoding the input image.

Abstract: A method and system for coding mode selection using estimated coding costs. To provide high compression efficiency, for example, an encoding device may attempt to select a coding mode for coding blocks of pixels that codes the data of the blocks with high efficiency. To this end, the encoding device may perform coding mode selection based on estimates of coding cost for at least a portion of the possible modes. The encoding device may estimate the coding cost for the different modes without actually coding the blocks. In fact, in some aspects, the encoding module device may estimate the coding cost for the modes without quantizing the data of the block for each mode. In this manner, the coding cost estimation techniques may reduce the amount of computationally intensive calculations needed to perform effective mode selection.