JBIG is an acronym for Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group, referring to a lossless image compression standard. It is a commonly used method for reducing the size of black and white images, specifically binary images with limited colors or grayscale values. JBIG is primarily designed for compressing images with sharp edges, such as text documents or line art, but can also be used for halftone images.
The JBIG compression algorithm utilizes a variety of techniques to achieve efficient compression. It employs a combination of pattern matching, dictionary-based coding, and arithmetic coding to analyze and encode the image data. By identifying and encoding repeated patterns or image templates, JBIG eliminates redundancy within the image, thus achieving significant compression ratios.
One notable aspect of JBIG is its capability to encode images into multiple layers. This feature is advantageous in scenarios where images have different resolutions or complexity levels. Through encoding images in layers, JBIG optimizes the compression process for each layer, providing higher quality and smaller files.
The JBIG standard has gained popularity due to its effectiveness in reducing file sizes while maintaining visual quality. It is widely used in fax applications, as it allows for efficient transmission of documents without compromising legibility. Additionally, JBIG-generated files can be easily converted back to their original form, as the compression is lossless.
In summary, JBIG is a compression standard used for reducing the size of black and white images, particularly those with sharp edges. Its advanced techniques and multi-layer encoding contribute to achieving high compression ratios, making it a valuable tool in various applications.
