Perceptual pre-processing filter for user-adaptive coding and delivery of visual information

We describe design of an adaptive video delivery system employing a perceptual preprocessing filter. Such filter receives parameters of the reproduction setup, such as viewing distance, pixel density, ambient illuminance, etc. It subsequently applies a contrast sensitivity model of human vision to remove spatial oscillations that are invisible under such conditions. By removing such oscillations the filter simplifies the video content, therefore leading to more efficient encoding without causing any visible alterations of the content. Through experiments, we demonstrate that the use of our filter can yield significant bit rate savings compared to conventional encoding methods that are not tailored to specific viewing conditions.