Abstract: A system providing methods for improved compression of images that have been compressed using Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) based compression is described. A digital image that has been compressed using DCT based compression, such as an image compressed using the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compression scheme, is received and partially decompressed to generate DCT coefficients of the image. The decoded coefficients of the image are then rearranged to aggregate like frequencies together. After rearrangement, the image is recompressed using a wavelet-based compression scheme.

Abstract: An improved method for enumerating resources for use by a client is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes method steps of: storing a source set of resources; receiving a request from the client for resources appropriate for the client; based at least in part on the request, determining a type for the client; based at least in part on the determined type, determining capabilities of the client; determining possible media types that may be derived from the source set of resources that are appropriate for the client; based on the possible media types and based on the set of resources, generating an extended set of resources; communicating the extended set of resources to the client; and processing requests from the client for access to resources from the extended set of resources.

Abstract: A system including methodology for optimizing/customizing display or rendering of requested images is described. In one embodiment, the system provides on-demand creation of images that are customized for a particular device type. The system comprises a module serving as a repository for images, each image comprising image components arranged into distinct layers; a module for processing a request from a device for retrieving a particular image from the repository, the module determining a particular device type for the device based in part on information contained in the request; and a module for creating a copy of the particular image that is customized for the device, the module individually rendering image components in the distinct layers of the particular image based on the determined device type, such that at least some of the image components in the distinct layers of the particular image are customized for the device.

Abstract: Compressed image files are partially preprocessed to expedite color correction and delivery of color corrected images. Color correction may be accomplished by processing only the luminance channel, only the color channels, or a combination of the luminance and color channels. A method for adjusting characteristics of a compressed image file including compressed characteristics elements and compressed image elements, includes: in the compressed image file, separating the compressed characteristics elements and the compressed image elements; decompressing one or more of the compressed characteristics elements; and adjusting the decompressed characteristics elements.

Abstract: A system providing methodology for the restoration of original media quality in messaging environments is described. In one embodiment, for example, deployed in a messaging system, a method of the present invention is described for restoring media items to original quality, the method comprises steps of: upon receipt of a message containing an original media item that is new, storing the original media item in a repository; generating an identifier for identifying the original media item stored in the repository; replacing the original media item in the message with a substitute copy that includes the identifier; and upon future encounter of a particular media item having the identifier, restoring the particular media item to original quality using the identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a portion of an encoded version of a downsized image and one or more encoded residual images, decoding the portion of the encoded version of the downsized image to create a decoded portion of the downsized image, decoding a portion of at least one or more encoded residual images, enlarging the decoded portion of the portion of the downsized image, and combining the enlarged and decoded portion of the downsized image with a first decoded residual image to create a new image.

Abstract: A sliding window (block) system incorporating a methodology for providing a processor access to image data is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the system operates as follows. An image is received for processing that has a size that is too large for the processor to access directly. As a result, the sliding window system creates first, second, and third swappable windows (blocks) for accessing image data from the image; each windows is swappable so that any two are available within the memory space of the processor while a third is being loaded in a background memory. The system cycles through the three windows such that, at any given point in time, two of the three windows are affixed in the memory space of the processor as left and right adjacent windows, while the remaining or third window is being loaded in the background (e.g., in a DRAM) as a temporary shadow or background window. After the shadow window is loaded with appropriate image data, it is brought into the foreground (i.e.

Abstract: An ASIC-implemented wavelet transformation engine (circuit) providing a wavelet filter is described. The wavelet filter itself provides up to a 9-stage FIR (finite impulse response) filter with symmetrical coefficients. The architecture of the filter includes data inputs, a bank of shift registers (register bank), coefficient registers, a multiplier/accumulator, a sub-sampling component, and output (results) registers. The filter provides a wavelet-based compression solution that may be implemented in less-costly, page-based memory architecture (e.g., SDRAM), and does so in a manner that overcomes the inherent speed disadvantage encountered due to the horizontal-optimized access strategy employed by page-based memory architectures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for modeling the tone reproduction curve of a flat panel screen such as an LCD. The technique employs a second order function to predict the luminance output as a function of the input voltage based upon two known input values. This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules requiring an abstract to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure contained herein. This abstract is submitted with the express understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A digital imaging system is described that provides techniques for reducing the amount of processing power required by a given digital camera device and for reducing the bandwidth required for transmitting image information to a target platform. The system defers and/or distributes the processing between the digital imager (i.e., digital camera itself) and the target platform that the digital imager will ultimately be connected to. The system only performs a partial computation at the digital imager device and completes the computation somewhere else, such as at a target computing device (e.g., desktop computer) where time and size are not an issue (relative to the imager). This image processing technique employs an efficient color conversion process, using a GUV color space. After an RGB mosaic (image) is captured, the image may be “companded” or quantized by representing it with less bits (e.g., companding from 10 bits to 8 bits).

Abstract: An improved method for enumerating resources for use by a client is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes method steps of: storing a source set of resources; receiving a request from the client for resources appropriate for the client; based at least in part on the request, determining a type for the client; based at least in part on the determined type, determining capabilities of the client; determining possible media types that may be derived from the source set of resources that are appropriate for the client; based on the possible media types and based on the set of resources, generating an extended set of resources; communicating the extended set of resources to the client; and processing requests from the client for access to resources from the extended set of resources.

Abstract: A system and method for providing critical end user feedback as to the color correction status of imagery shown on a client display, thus notifying the user that the color image being viewed is color accurate. In particular, the invention includes server and or client based applets which automatically informs viewers and/or other receivers of digital images as to the state of color correction for a particular digital image, thus notifying a viewer of the visual integrity of the digital image being displayed. The notification may be an icon that provides users with a visible indication about the integrity of color imagery currently being viewed by the client at a specific web site. It does this by briefly flashing the cursor for a fraction of a second to indicate if whether or not the page is being viewed utilizing calibrated color.

Abstract: A browser-based system is described that provides a methodology for labeling of photo compact discs with a photo-facsimile table of contents. The system allows a customer at an e-commerce photo Web site to easily archive multiple albums that are on-line onto a CD-ROM along with a personalized table of contents printed onto the CD itself. This provides a user-friendly index of the digital images stored on the CD, thus saving a user from having to load the CD in a CD drive to be able to determine which pictures it contains. In this manner, people having multiple photo-CDs can quickly and easily identify the particular CD that has photographs that are of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for providing critical end user feedback as to the color correction status of imagery shown on a client display, thus notifying the user that the color image being viewed is color accurate. In particular, the invention includes server and or client based applets which automatically informs viewers and/or other receivers of digital images as to the state of color correction for a particular digital image, thus notifying a viewer of the visual integrity of the digital image being displayed. The notification may be an icon that provides users with a visible indication about the integrity of color imagery currently being viewed by the client at a specific web site. It does this by briefly flashing the cursor for a fraction of a second to indicate if whether or not the page is being viewed utilizing calibrated color.

Abstract: A system including methodology for optimizing/customizing display or rendering of requested images is described. In one embodiment, the system provides on-demand creation of images that are customized for a particular device type. The system comprises a module serving as a repository for images, each image comprising image components arranged into distinct layers; a module for processing a request from a device for retrieving a particular image from the repository, the module determining a particular device type for the device based in part on information contained in the request; and a module for creating a copy of the particular image that is customized for the device, the module individually rendering image components in the distinct layers of the particular image based on the determined device type, such that at least some of the image components in the distinct layers of the particular image are customized for the device.

Abstract: A system providing methods for improved compression of images that have been compressed using Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) based compression is described. A digital image that has been compressed using DCT based compression, such as an image compressed using the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compression scheme, is received and partially decompressed to generate DCT coefficients of the image. The decoded coefficients of the image are then rearranged to aggregate like frequencies together. After rearrangement, the image is recompressed using a wavelet-based compression scheme.

Abstract: An imaging system is described that automates fulfillment of image photofinishing based on location. The system includes the following components: an imaging device capable of capturing a plurality of images; a local host, at least occasionally connected to the imaging device, that is capable of offloading images from the imaging device and capable of determining a current position based on GPS (Global Positioning System) information; and a remote (e.g., Web-based) host capable of receiving the plurality of images, capable of receiving a request for photofinishing the images, and capable of transmitting the plurality of images to a particular fulfiller for photofinishing, based on the current position.

Abstract: An imaging system is described that automatically identifies where images are captured. The system includes the following components: an imaging device for capturing images; a GPS (Global Positioning System) module providing location information; a host device (e.g., local host) that is at least occasionally connected to the imaging device, and application logic for querying the GPS module for determining location information and for associating each captured image with a location identifier indicating where each image was captured.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating and characterizing an image capture device is disclosed. Using a calibrated display of known colorimetric properties, a feedback loop method and system is disclosed such that the image capture device capture device can be calibrated.

Abstract: A system providing methods for dynamically generating personalized content is described. Specific items of content which may be personalized or customized are identified. Subdirectories are created for each value of such personalized content. Files specific to each value of personalized content are created and placed in these subdirectories. When a user requests a particular web page or item of content, a token is retrieved identifying the personalized content to be generated for that particular user. Personalized content is then dynamically generated by construction of a path to at least one subdirectory containing personalized content. The path to such subdirectory containing personalized content is dynamically constructed based upon the token identifying such personalized content.