Abstract: A system and method for compressing an image into bit streams allows data to be presented in either lossy or lossless quality. A lossy quality presentation results in some measurable degradation of an image's visual quality upon expansion. A lossless quality presentation displays the image in its original form. The method divides the image to be compressed into a plurality of regions. For each region, a plurality of adjacent pixels are selected and organized into a set. The corresponding sets for each respective region are identified as a group. The pixel sets within each group are encoded and arranged into two bit streams associated with each respective group. Next, each group's respective bit streams are written into a primary bit stream of constant size and possible a supplemental bit stream of variable length for presenting the image in either lossy or lossless quality.

Abstract: A system and method for recording compressed data onto a storage medium so that it can be presented later in either lossy or lossless quality. The method receives a plurality of primary bit streams and supplemental bit streams representing data to be recorded onto the storage medium. Each primary bit stream is recorded onto the storage medium as it is received. As each of the supplemental bit streams are received, they are stored in a temporary memory location. After the primary bit streams have been recorded onto the storage medium, the supplemental bit streams are retrieved from the temporary memory location and recorded onto the storage medium. The recording process is completed when all the primary bit stream data and the supplemental bit stream data have been written onto the storage medium. To present the data, a user is given the option of viewing the data in either lossy quality or lossless quality.

Abstract: A system and method for compressing an image into bit streams allows data to be presented in either lossy or lossless quality. A lossy quality presentation results in some measurable degradation of an image's visual quality upon expansion. A lossless quality presentation displays the image in its original form. The method divides the image to be compressed into a plurality of regions. For each region, a plurality of adjacent pixels are selected and organized into a set. The corresponding sets for each respective region are identified as a group. The pixel sets within each group are encoded and arranged into two bit streams associated with each respective group. Next, each group's respective bit streams are written into a primary bit stream of constant size and possibly a supplemental bit stream of variable length for presenting the image in either lossy or lossless quality.