A flexible accurate technique for improving image compression properties wi
th linear image compressing transforms is presented. This is a reliable ite
rative algorithm for the nearly-lossless autoregressive (NLAR) compression
of images, which permits control of errors produced in each pixel intensity
while preserving the original image intensity range. The convergence of th
is new algorithm is demonstrated, both theoretically and numerically. Its r
elationship to other types of nearly-lossless compression, as well as to tr
aditional lossless and lossy approaches, is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V. All rights reserved.