Inventors:
Hungviet H. Nguyen - Fremont CA
Riaz A. Moledina - Woodside CA
Assignee:
Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA
International Classification:
G06K 936
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for compressing image data while at the same time, improving both the compression ratio and the perceptibility of the decompressed image, even when the image data is compressed without segregation into its scanned and non-scanned components. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, color data is encoded in a manner which optimizes the color fidelity of a decompressed image obtained from the encoded color data. As a result, improved perceptibility of decompressed images is achieved regardless of whether scanned images, non-scanned images or any combination thereof are collectively compressed. Exemplary embodiments achieve such improved perceptibility regardless of whether the images are monochrome (having varying grey scale values) or color. In addition, improved perceptibility is realized in a manner which permits image data including scanned and/or unscanned images to be compressed in real-time.