Color image compression using an embedded rate scalable approach

In this paper we propose a wavelet based coding algorithm for color images using a luminance/chrominance color space. Data rate scalability is achieved by using an embedded coding scheme, which is similar to Shapiro's (1993) embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) algorithm. In a luminance/chrominance color space, the three color components have little statistical correlation. However, observations are made that at the spatial locations where chrominance signals have large transitions, it is highly likely for the luminance signal to have large transitions. This interdependence between the color components is exploited in the algorithm.