Method for planar processing of wavelet zero-tree data

摘要

This invention is a method of embedded zero-tree wavelet encoding that operates on planarized wavelet coefficient data. Following wavelet transformation of image data, the wavelet coefficients are transformed into bit plane form. The threshold comparisons are thus converted into determination whether a corresponding bit in a bit plane data word corresponding to the threshold is "1" or "0". The reduction of the threshold occurs by consideration of the bit plane data for the next most significant bit. Zero-tree node determinations are made by a bottom up ANDing of the bits for all descendant wavelet coefficients. This technique makes better use of memory bandwidth, cache and data processing capability by operating on only the needed data.