Near-lossless compression algorithm for Bayer pattern color filter arrays

In this contribution, we propose a near-lossless compression algorithm for Color Filter Arrays (CFA) images. It allows higher compression ratio than any strictly lossless algorithm for the price of some small and controllable error. In our approach a structural transformation is applied first in order to pack the pixels of the same color in a structure appropriate for the subsequent compression algorithm. The transformed data is compressed by a modified version of the JPEG-LS algorithm. A nonlinear and adaptive error quantization function is embedded in the JPEG-LS algorithm after the fixed and context adaptive predictors. It is step-like and adapts to the base signal level in such a manner that higher error values are allowed for lighter parts with no visual quality loss. These higher error values are then suppressed by gamma correction applied during the image reconstruction stage. The algorithm can be adjusted for arbitrary pixel resolution, gamma value and allowable error range. The compression performance of the proposed algorithm has been tested for real CFA raw data. The results are presented in terms of compression ratio versus reconstruction error and the visual quality of the reconstructed images is demonstrated as well.