Data compression techniques applied to high resolution high frame rate video technology

An investigation is presented of video data compression applied to microgravity space experiments using High Resolution High Frame Rate Video Technology (HHVT). An extensive survey of methods of video data compression, described in the open literature, was conducted. The survey examines compression methods employing digital computing. The results of the survey are presented. They include a description of each method and assessment of image degradation and video data parameters. An assessment is made of present and near term future technology for implementation of video data compression in high speed imaging system. Results of the assessment are discussed and summarized. The results of a study of a baseline HHVT video system, and approaches for implementation of video data compression, are presented. Case studies of three microgravity experiments are presented and specific compression techniques and implementations are recommended

High efficiency block coding techniques for image data.

by Lo Kwok-tung.Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992.Includes bibliographical references.ABSTRACT --- p.iACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iiiLIST OF PRINCIPLE SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS --- p.ivLIST OF FIGURES --- p.viiLIST OF TABLES --- p.ixTABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.xChapter CHAPTER 1 --- IntroductionChapter 1.1 --- Background - The Need for Image Compression --- p.1-1Chapter 1.2 --- Image Compression - An Overview --- p.1-2Chapter 1.2.1 --- Predictive Coding - DPCM --- p.1-3Chapter 1.2.2 --- Sub-band Coding --- p.1-5Chapter 1.2.3 --- Transform Coding --- p.1-6Chapter 1.2.4 --- Vector Quantization --- p.1-8Chapter 1.2.5 --- Block Truncation Coding --- p.1-10Chapter 1.3 --- Block Based Image Coding Techniques --- p.1-11Chapter 1.4 --- Goal of the Work --- p.1-13Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.1-14Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Block-Based Image Coding TechniquesChapter 2.1 --- Statistical Model of Image --- p.2-1Chapter 2.1.1 --- One-Dimensional Model --- p.2-1Chapter 2.1.2 --- Two-Dimensional Model --- p.2-2Chapter 2.2 --- Image Fidelity Criteria --- p.2-3Chapter 2.2.1 --- Objective Fidelity --- p.2-3Chapter 2.2.2 --- Subjective Fidelity --- p.2-5Chapter 2.3 --- Transform Coding Theroy --- p.2-6Chapter 2.3.1 --- Transformation --- p.2-6Chapter 2.3.2 --- Quantization --- p.2-10Chapter 2.3.3 --- Coding --- p.2-12Chapter 2.3.4 --- JPEG International Standard --- p.2-14Chapter 2.4 --- Vector Quantization Theory --- p.2-18Chapter 2.4.1 --- Codebook Design and the LBG Clustering Algorithm --- p.2-20Chapter 2.5 --- Block Truncation Coding Theory --- p.2-22Chapter 2.5.1 --- Optimal MSE Block Truncation Coding --- p.2-24Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Development of New Orthogonal TransformsChapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.3-1Chapter 3.2 --- Weighted Cosine Transform --- p.3-4Chapter 3.2.1 --- Development of the WCT --- p.3-6Chapter 3.2.2 --- Determination of a and β --- p.3-9Chapter 3.3 --- Simplified Cosine Transform --- p.3-10Chapter 3.3.1 --- Development of the SCT --- p.3-11Chapter 3.4 --- Fast Computational Algorithms --- p.3-14Chapter 3.4.1 --- Weighted Cosine Transform --- p.3-14Chapter 3.4.2 --- Simplified Cosine Transform --- p.3-18Chapter 3.4.3 --- Computational Requirement --- p.3-19Chapter 3.5 --- Performance Evaluation --- p.3-21Chapter 3.5.1 --- Evaluation using Statistical Model --- p.3-21Chapter 3.5.2 --- Evaluation using Real Images --- p.3-28Chapter 3.6 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.3-31Chapter 3.7 --- Note on Publications --- p.3-32Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Pruning in Transform Coding of ImagesChapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.4-1Chapter 4.2 --- "Direct Fast Algorithms for DCT, WCT and SCT" --- p.4-3Chapter 4.2.1 --- Discrete Cosine Transform --- p.4-3Chapter 4.2.2 --- Weighted Cosine Transform --- p.4-7Chapter 4.2.3 --- Simplified Cosine Transform --- p.4-9Chapter 4.3 --- Pruning in Direct Fast Algorithms --- p.4-10Chapter 4.3.1 --- Discrete Cosine Transform --- p.4-10Chapter 4.3.2 --- Weighted Cosine Transform --- p.4-13Chapter 4.3.3 --- Simplified Cosine Transform --- p.4-15Chapter 4.4 --- Operations Saved by Using Pruning --- p.4-17Chapter 4.4.1 --- Discrete Cosine Transform --- p.4-17Chapter 4.4.2 --- Weighted Cosine Transform --- p.4-21Chapter 4.4.3 --- Simplified Cosine Transform --- p.4-23Chapter 4.4.4 --- Generalization Pruning Algorithm for DCT --- p.4-25Chapter 4.5 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.4-26Chapter 4.6 --- Note on Publications --- p.4-27Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- Efficient Encoding of DC Coefficient in Transform Coding SystemsChapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.5-1Chapter 5.2 --- Minimum Edge Difference (MED) Predictor --- p.5-3Chapter 5.3 --- Performance Evaluation --- p.5-6Chapter 5.4 --- Simulation Results --- p.5-9Chapter 5.5 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.5-14Chapter 5.6 --- Note on Publications --- p.5-14Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- Efficient Encoding Algorithms for Vector Quantization of ImagesChapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.6-1Chapter 6.2 --- Sub-Codebook Searching Algorithm (SCS) --- p.6-4Chapter 6.2.1 --- Formation of the Sub-codebook --- p.6-6Chapter 6.2.2 --- Premature Exit Conditions in the Searching Process --- p.6-8Chapter 6.2.3 --- Sub-Codebook Searching Algorithm --- p.6-11Chapter 6.3 --- Predictive Sub-Codebook Searching Algorithm (PSCS) --- p.6-13Chapter 6.4 --- Simulation Results --- p.6-17Chapter 6.5 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.5-20Chapter 6.6 --- Note on Publications --- p.6-21Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- Predictive Classified Address Vector Quantization of ImagesChapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.7-1Chapter 7.2 --- Optimal Three-Level Block Truncation Coding --- p.7-3Chapter 7.3 --- Predictive Classified Address Vector Quantization --- p.7-5Chapter 7.3.1 --- Classification of Images using Three-level BTC --- p.7-6Chapter 7.3.2 --- Predictive Mean Removal Technique --- p.7-8Chapter 7.3.3 --- Simplified Address VQ Technique --- p.7-9Chapter 7.3.4 --- Encoding Process of PCAVQ --- p.7-13Chapter 7.4 --- Simulation Results --- p.7-14Chapter 7.5 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.7-18Chapter 7.6 --- Note on Publications --- p.7-18Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- Recapitulation and Topics for Future InvestigationChapter 8.1 --- Recapitulation --- p.8-1Chapter 8.2 --- Topics for Future Investigation --- p.8-3REFERENCES --- p.R-1APPENDICESChapter A. --- Statistics of Monochrome Test Images --- p.A-lChapter B. --- Statistics of Color Test Images --- p.A-2Chapter C. --- Fortran Program Listing for the Pruned Fast DCT Algorithm --- p.A-3Chapter D. --- Training Set Images for Building the Codebook of Standard VQ Scheme --- p.A-5Chapter E. --- List of Publications --- p.A-

Image coding employing vector quantisation

The work described in this thesis is concerned with the coding of digitised images employing vector quantisation (VQ). A new VQ-based coding system, named Directional Classified Gain-Shape Vector Quantisation (DCGSVQ), has been developed. It combines vector quantisation with transform coding tech-niques and exploits various properties of the human visual system (HVS) like frequency sensitivity, the masking effect, and orientation sensitivity, to produce reconstructed images with good subjective quality at low bit rates (0.48 bit per pixel). A content classifier, operating in the spatial domain, is employed to classify each image block of 8x8 pixels into one of several classes which represent various image patterns (edges in various directions, monotone areas, complex texture, etc.). Then a classified gain-shape vector quantiser is employed in the cosine domain to encode vectors of AC transform coefficients, while using either a scalar quantiser or a gain-shape vector quantiser to encode the DC coefficients. A new vector configuration strategy for defining AC vectors in the cosine domain has been proposed to better adapt the system to the local statistics of the image blocks. Accordingly, the AC coefficients are first weighted by an equivalent modulation transfer function (MTF) that represents the filtering characteristics of the HVS, and then they are grouped into directional vectors according to their direction in the cosine domain. An optional simple method for feature enhancement, based on inherent properties of the proposed strategy, has also been proposed enabling further image processing at the receiver. A new algorithm for designing the various DCGSVQ codebooks has been developed in two steps. First, a general-purpose new algorithm for classified VQ (CVQ) codebook design has been developed as an alternative to empirical methods proposed in the literature. The new algorithm provides a simple and systematic method for codebook design and reduces considerably the total num-ber of mathematical operations during codebook design. We have named this new algorithm Classified Nearest Neighbour Clustering (CNNC). A fast search algorithm has also been developed to reduce further computational efforts during codebook design. Secondly, a new optimisation criterion which is more suitable for shape code-book design has been developed and employed within the CNNC algorithm to design classified shape codebooks for the DCGSVQ. We have named this algo-rithm modified CNNC. The new algorithm designs the various shape codebooks simultaneously giving the designer full freedom to assign more importance to certain classes of vectors or to certain training vectors. The DCGSVQ system has been shown to outperform the full search VQ, the CVQ, and the transform coding CVQ (TC-CVQ) producing nicer coded images with better signal to noise ratio (SNR) figures at various bit rates. To improve further the perceived quality of coded images, a new postpro-cessing algorithm that can be applied at the decoder without increasing the bit rate has been developed. The proposed algorithm is based on various charac-teristics of the signal spectrum and the noise spectrum, and exploits various properties of the HVS. The proposed algorithm is a general-purpose algorithm that can be applied to block-coded images produced by various systems like VQ, transform coding (TC), and Block Truncation Coding (BTC). The algorithm is modular and can be applied in an adaptive way depending on the quality of the block-coded image. The last theme of this work has been the identification of useful fidelity criteria for image quality assessment. Quality predictors in the form of some subjectively weighted error measures were sought such that a smooth functional relationship exists between them and quality ratings made by human viewers. Quality predictors that incorporate simplified models of the HVS have been proposed and tested on a large set of VQ-coded images. Two such predictors have been shown to be better suited for image quality assessment than the commonly used mean square error (MSE) measure

Data comparison schemes for Pattern Recognition in Digital Images using Fractals

Pattern recognition in digital images is a common problem with application in remote sensing, electron microscopy, medical imaging, seismic imaging and astrophysics for example. Although this subject has been researched for over twenty years there is still no general solution which can be compared with the human cognitive system in which a pattern can be recognised subject to arbitrary orientation and scale. The application of Artificial Neural Networks can in principle provide a very general solution providing suitable training schemes are implemented. However, this approach raises some major issues in practice. First, the CPU time required to train an ANN for a grey level or colour image can be very large especially if the object has a complex structure with no clear geometrical features such as those that arise in remote sensing applications. Secondly, both the core and file space memory required to represent large images and their associated data tasks leads to a number of problems in which the use of virtual memory is paramount. The primary goal of this research has been to assess methods of image data compression for pattern recognition using a range of different compression methods. In particular, this research has resulted in the design and implementation of a new algorithm for general pattern recognition based on the use of fractal image compression. This approach has for the first time allowed the pattern recognition problem to be solved in a way that is invariant of rotation and scale. It allows both ANNs and correlation to be used subject to appropriate pre-and post-processing techniques for digital image processing on aspect for which a dedicated programmer's work bench has been developed using X-Designer