Abstract: A computer-implemented method of transforming an image file by an image file transformation apparatus, the method including providing an image file in a pixel-based format having a plurality of pixels, dividing the pixels into a plurality of patches, sampling the pixels to generate boundary conditions relating to each of the patches, deriving Fourier coefficients of a solution to a partial differential equation according to the boundary conditions, and outputting the Fourier coefficients for each of the patches as a transformed image file.

Abstract: A data compression apparatus and method suitable for image data assembles pixel values into plural groups. An encoding unit sets a maximum bit plane according to a highest value in the group, and encodes the data values sequentially along the group using iteratively reduced bit plane levels until reaching a lowest bit plane or exhausting the data values in the group, to provide a compressed dataset. Examples include recording a positional index where the bit plane level is changed within each group.

Abstract: A multimedia content delivery apparatus for delivering graphical information across a network to a client device, the apparatus including an environment engine controlling a virtual environment responsive to user commands, an object transformation unit transforming original object data of objects in the environment into compressed object data, a data management unit transmitting compressed data to the client device for decompression to output a sequence of images of the environment on the device, and a handler unit receiving commands from the device and providing the user commands to the environment engine.

Abstract: A multimedia content delivery system includes a server apparatus (100) for delivering graphical information across a network (30) to a client device (200). An environment engine (150) controls a virtual environment responsive to user commands. An object transformation unit (400, 405) transforms original object data (310) relating to a plurality of objects into compressed object data (350). A data management unit (120) transmits the compressed object data to the client device (200). The compressed object data (350) is decompressed and rendered by the client device (200) to output images to represent the virtual environment on a visual display device. Server-side and client side I/O handler units (130, 230) provide the user commands from the client device (200). The compressed object data (360) may comprise coefficients of a solution to a partial differential equation.