Encoders for improved image dithering

Abstract

Example embodiments allow for training of encoders (e.g., artificial neural networks (ANNs)) to facilitate dithering of images that have been subject to quantization in order to reduce the number of colors and/or size of the images. Such a trained encoder generates a dithering image from an input quantized image that can be combined, by addition or by some other process, with the quantized image to result in a dithered output image that exhibits reduced banding or is otherwise aesthetically improved relative to the un-dithered quantized image. The use of a trained encoder to facilitate dithering of quantized images allows the dithering to be performed in a known period of time using a known amount of memory, in contrast to alternative iterative dithering methods. Additionally, the trained encoder can be differentiable, allowing it to be part of a deep learning image processing pipeline or other machine learning pipeline.