Objective
The objective of the PICA project was to produce an efficient compression scheme for photographic images. The algorithm had to be capable of compressing a colour picture to 1 bit/pel or less while retaining good quality, allowing a full-frame videotex picture to be stored in only 32 Kbytes of memory and to be transmitted in 4 seconds on the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). The final goal of the project was to gain acceptance of the algorithm as a standard.
The objective of the project was to produce an efficient compression scheme for photographic images. The algorithm had to be capable of compressing a colour picture to 1 bit/pixel or less while retaining good quality, allowing a full frame videotex picture to be stored in only 32 Kbytes of memory and to be transmitted in 4 s on the integrated services digital network (ISDN). The final goal of the project was to gain acceptance of the algorithm as a standard.
Innovative compression algorithms were developed and tested and then compared with known ones. Good results were achieved, with compression values meeting, and in some cases exceeding, the target of 1 bit/pel. Following the first year's work, a patent application was made for a new technique for vector quantization. British Telecommunications has been developing a new technique, known as recursive binary nesting, and a patent was filed during the second year.
Innovative compression algorithms were developed and tested and then compared with known ones. Good results were achieved, with compression values meeting, and in some cases exceeding, the target of 1 bit/pel. Following the first year's work, a patent application was made for a new technique for vector quantisation by CSELT. BT has been developing a new technique, known as Recursive Binary Nesting, and a patent was filed during the second year.
Exploitation
PICA submitted two compression algorithms to the ISO/CCITT Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) for standardisation and one of them, the ADCT, was ranked first out of 12 during the first evaluation exercise. Early in 1988, the PICA project achieved itsgoal when ISO selected the PICA-ADCT algorithm for development into a standard.
Excellent results in terms of image quality were achieved using compression ratios of 21:1, and at 16:1 the decoded image is indistinguishable from the original except to the trained eye. At 64:1 the image can still be recognised and could be used, for example, for the quick scanning of photographic archives. The agreed high-compression technique should stimulate the market for photovideotex services in the 1990s.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering colors
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Coordinator
IP5 7RE Ipswich
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.