Abstract: An image pipeline (60) provides image data to a capture unit (61). The capture unit (61) generates a frame from the image data for compression by a compression unit (64). A frame spoiler (62) determines whether the frame is to be discarded prior to compression by the compression unit (64). An output buffer (66) to a network link provides an output indication to the frame spoiler (62) indicating that the output buffer (66) is congested. The frame spoiler (62) discards the frame in accordance with the output indication. Similarly, an input buffer (63) to the compression unit (64) provides an input indication to the frame spoiler (62) indicating that the input buffer (63) is congested. The frame spoiler (62) may discard the frame in accordance with the input indication or in accordance with a combination of the input indication and the output indication.

Abstract: A visual server system (10) includes a visual server (12) that provides graphics images through execution of a graphics application (20). The server (12) includes a plurality of compression modules (28) that compress frames of a served visual for transport to a client terminal (14). The compression modules (28) keep track of differences between successive frames of a served visual and compress and transport only those differences to the client terminal (14). In this manner, traffic can be reduced on the network link between the server (12) and the client terminal (14) and a reduction in latency is achieved to enhance the interactive ability for the served visual. The client terminal (14) includes decompression modules (42) that can recreate the served visual in response to receipt of an update to the served visual which contains only the differences between successive frames.

Abstract: A visual server system (10) includes a visual server (12) that provides graphics images through execution of a graphics application (20). The graphics images are compressed by a compression unit (63) according to compression modules (28). The server can detect an event associated with any of the graphics images. Upon detecting the event, the server generates a message that controls the compression unit (63) and the compression modules (28) in compressing the graphics images. Compression of the graphics images is adjusted according to the message generated by the server (12). The message is also provided to the appropriate decompression unit (72) and decompression modules (42) in order to control decompression of the graphics images. In this manner, dynamic control of compression and decompression of an image stream are achieved.