Edge-adaptive JPEG image compression

Digital image compression algorithms have become increasingly popular due to the need to achieve cost-effective solutions in transmitting and storing images. In order to meet various transmission and storage requirements, the compression algorithm should allow a range of compression ratios, thus providing images of different visual quality. This paper presents a modified JPEG algorithm that provides better visual quality than the Q-factor scaling method commonly used with JPEG implementations. The quantization step sizes are adapted to the activity level of the block, and the activity selection is based on an edge-driven quadtree decomposition of the image. This technique achieves higher visual quality than standard JPEG compression at the same bit rate.