On data filling algorithms for MRC layers

A previously adopted standard, the mixed raster content (MRC) imaging model, represents compound images as a superposition of layers. Since layers are superimposed, large regions may not be imaged onto the final raster. Thus, those regions are redundant. We focus on techniques to replace the redundant data, i.e. on data filling redundant regions based on non-redundant ones. We present techniques to minimize the rate and distortion achieved by MRC compression through data filling. We start with a general method, then narrowing the presentation to DCT based compression of planes. Iterative block filling algorithms are presented in both spatial and DCT domain.