To design a highly efficient video codec, comparisons of available techniques from various viewpoints are necessary so that the coding scheme and parameters are chosen appropriately. In recently presented papers and equipment, many systems use motion‐compensated interframe prediction and DCT or VQ schemes for the prediction error coding. A loop filter often is adopted to improve coding efficiency. This paper compares DCT and VQ schemes in an interframe coding scheme, on an optimal blocksize for interfreme prediction error signal coding and on the effect of loop filtering from the viewpoints of coding efficiency and reproduced image quality. Simulations using actual image sequences show that the optimal block size is 4 × 4 or 8 × 8, that the loop filter improves significantly the coding efficiency and reproduced image quality, and that DCT and VQ schemes give nearly the same efficiency with an appropriate loop filter. Copyright © 1990 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company

In high‐efficient motion picture coding such as systems to compress moving image information below several 100 kbit/s, some visible spatial and temporal distortions are unavoidable. The spatial distortion is perceived by humans as a spatial degradation or noise on the image. On the other hand, the temporal distortion, which is caused by frame dropping, occurs as unnaturalness of motions in the processed image sequence. Here, spatial and temporal distortions are in a trade‐off relationship. Finding the visually best point from this trade‐off is a key feature of good codecs. This paper describes a newly developed coding control algorithm aimed at keeping spatial and temporal distortions in a good balance. In the algorithm, the trade‐off relationship is calculated first from generated information amount vs. the SNR characteristics of the current input frame. Next, an optimal distribution is determined from the viewpoint of human perception. Finally, a coding parameter set is chosen for realizing the distribution and reproduces visually good images. This paper shows the principal of the coding control algorithm and describes an application of the algorithm to an MC‐DCT coding system and simulation results. Copyright © 1989 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company

An adaptive orthogonal transform coding algorithm utilizing the classification technique is presented. Coding efficiency for natural images can be improved by adjusting coding parameters in accordance with the local property of images. “Classification” is used to categorize small areas of an image into classes based on their characteristics. High coding efficiency results from changing coding parameters adaptively according to the classification index. Classification methods using ac energy, binary pattern and vector quantization index are compared, and the advantage of the classification method with the vector quantization technique is shown. Also, an orthogonal transform coding algorithm with an adaptive variable length coding method is proposed, and its structure and characteristics are described. A coding parameter normalization method to avoid mismatches between input images and coding parameters is also described. Coding experiments show excellent performance of this algorithm, for example, the number of bits for obtaining 40‐dB SNR of monochrome “GIRL” is 0.65 bits/pel, which is 20 percent smaller than conventional methods. Copyright © 1989 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company