<title>Algorithm for fast fractal image compression</title>

Abstract

Fractal image compression is a promising new technology that may successfully provide a codec for PC-to-PC video communications. Unfortunately, the large amount of computation needed for the compression stage is a major obstacle that needs to be overcome. This paper introduces the Fast Fractal Image Compression algorithm, a new approach to breaking the `speed problem' that has plagued previous efforts. For still images, experiments show that at comparable quality levels the FFIC algorithm is 5 to 50 times faster than the current state of the art. Such an improvement brings real-time video applications within the reach of fractal mathematics.