title: Image compression using binary space partitioning trees.
abstract: For low bit-rate compression applications, segmentation-based coding methods provide, in general, high compression ratios when compared with traditional (e.g., transform and subband) coding approaches. In this paper, we present a new segmentation-based image coding method that divides the desired image using binary space partitioning (BSP). The BSP approach partitions the desired image recursively by arbitrarily oriented lines in a hierarchical manner. This recursive partitioning generates a binary tree, which is referred to as the BSP-tree representation of the desired image. The most critical aspect of the BSP-tree method is the criterion used to select the partitioning lines of the BSP tree representation, In previous works, we developed novel methods for selecting the BSP-tree lines, and showed that the BSP approach provides efficient segmentation of images. In this paper, we describe a hierarchical approach for coding the partitioning lines of the BSP-tree representation. We also show that the image signal within the different regions (resulting from the recursive partitioning) can be represented using low-order polynomials. Furthermore, we employ an optimum pruning algorithm to minimize the bit rate of the BSP tree representation (for a given budget constraint) while minimizing distortion. Simulation results and comparisons with other compression methods are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Philips Res. Labs., Briarcliff Manor, NY.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Radha
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vetterli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leonardi