Foveated video image analysis and compression gain measurements

We present a framework for assessing the quality of, and determining the efficiency of foveated and compressed images and video streams. We develop unique algorithms for assessing the quality of foveated image/video data. By interpreting foveation as a coordinate transformation, we analyze the increase in compression efficiency that is afforded by our foveation approach. We demonstrate these concepts on foveated, compressed video streams using modified (foveated) versions of H.263 that are standards-compliant. In the simulations, quality versus compression is enhanced considerably by the foveation approach. We obtain compression gains ranging from 8% to 52% for I pictures and from 7% to 68% for P pictures.