Hierarchical multirate vector quantization for image coding

Abstract The hierarchical multirate vector quantization (HMVQ) introduced in this paper is an improved form of vector quantization for digital image coding. The HMVQ uses block segmentation and a structure tree to divide an original image into several layers and sub-layers according to their grey scale contrast within blocks of a certain size. Variant bit-rates are used for block coding of different layers with the same codebook. The HMVQ technique provides high encoded image quality with very low bit-rates. The processing time for codebook generation is considerably reduced by using layer by layer optimization and subsampling in low detail regions. This technique also demonstrates flexibility of accurate reproduction in different detail regions.