Image coding using vector quantization

An image is partitioned into cells of pxp pixels. Each cell is regarded as a vector of dimension p²and is encoded by searching through a codebook for a nearest matching representative vector. A binary word identifying the selected representative vector is assigned as the codeword to describe the original cell. The decoder uses this codeword to address a codebook. Each entry of the codebook contains a full precision digital representation of one of the N representative vectors. The codebook design is based on a clustering technique for vector quantizer design preceded by a classification of training cells into edge or shade cells. Results for coding rates from 0.5 to 1.5 bits/pixel are discussed. Vector quantization appears to be a powerful and promising technique for image coding.