Visually optimized image reconstruction

Exploiting human visual limitations in image reconstruction significantly reduces computational complexity. Based on a multiresolution pyramid image representation, direct and indirect exploitation of these limitations are attainable. In this study, direct exploitation of the variable acuity feature of the human visual system is achieved through tracking the viewer's fovea. Multiresolution images are reconstructed such that high resolution is assigned to a rectangular region, centered at the fovea, with spatial resolution dropping gradually with eccentricity. Indirect exploitation makes use of the human visual sensitivity to abrupt intensity changes (edges) in the image. Accordingly, high resolution need only be preserved within 2X2 pixel neighborhood around the detected edges while low resolution is assigned elsewhere. The amount of savings in the number of pixels rendered could be as high as 98% for the direct exploitation and may exceed 50% (depending on image edge density) for the indirect application.