Color image compression for single-chip cameras

A review of the basic concepts of CFA (color filter array) pattern design and color interpolation is given, and conventional compression methods are discussed. New compression methods that are applied to the image data before color interpolation are presented. The idea is to separate the raw sensor data into the three color groups. Then the compression is performed individually on each group of data. This approach either eliminates or reduces most discontinuities in the raw data. Simulation results show good compression performance with good image quality and relatively low artifacts. This approach is also appropriate for real-time implementation in single-chip cameras