Content-adaptive compression encoding

A computer readable media storing a computer program which, when executed by a computer, implements a method for selectively encoding an information stream, said information stream comprising a plurality of information frames, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating, in response to a subjective evaluation of the contents of an information frame, a mask indicative of a desired encoding quality adjustment for one or more information regions within said information frame;
• (b) associating each of said one or more information regions with respective encoding quality adjustment indicia;
• and
• (c) encoding said information frame in accordance with said encoding quality adjustment indicia.

An apparatus for selectively encoding an information stream comprising a plurality of information frames, said apparatus comprising:

• a subjective evaluator, coupled to receive said information stream, for subjectively evaluating at least one information frame and generating therefrom a signal indicative of a region of said information frame to be encoded according to a non-standard encoding preference;
• a mask generator, coupled to receive said information stream and coupled to said subjective evaluator, for generating a mask delineating said region of said information frame to be encoded according to a non-standard encoding preference;
• and
• an encoder, coupled to receive said information stream and coupled to said mask generator, for encoding said information stream, wherein said region of said information frame to be encoded according to a non-standard encoding preference is encoded according to said non-standard encoding preference.