A visual perception threshold matching algorithm for real-time video compression

A barrier to the use of digital imaging is the vast storage requirements involved. One solution is compression. Since imagery is ultimately subject to human visual perception, it is worthwhile to design and implement an algorithm which performs compression as a function of perception. The underlying premise of the paper is that if the algorithm closely matches visual perception thresholds, then its coded images contain only the components necessary to recreate the perception of the visual stimulus. Psychophysical test results are used to map the thresholds of visual perception, and develop an algorithm that codes only the image content exceeding those thresholds. The image coding algorithm is simulated in software to demonstrate compression of a single frame image. The simulation results are provided. The algorithm is also adapted to real-time video compression for implementation in hardware