Low-complexity progressive image transmission scheme based on quadtree segmentation

A novel progressive image transmission scheme based on the quadtree segmentation technique is introduced in this paper. A 3-level quadtree is used in the quadtree segmentation technique to partition the original image into blocks of different sizes. Image blocks of different sizes are encoded by their block mean values. The relatively addressing technique is employed to cut down the storage cost of block mean values.

In the proposed scheme, the number of image hierarchies can be adaptively selected according to the specific applications. By exploiting inter-pixel correlation and differently sized blocks for segmentation, the proposed scheme provides good image qualities at low bit rates and consumes very little computational cost in both image encoding and decoding procedures. It is quite suitable for real-time progressive image transmission.