Abstract: Methods of encoding an image stream. In one embodiment, the method comprises analyzing, for each block in a plurality of image blocks, changes from the same block in previous image frames; classifying each block as a non-video block if it has changed from a corresponding block in an immediately previous frame; re-classifying each non-video block as a video block if it meets video block requirements; encoding each non-video block having a first image type to a lossless quality level; encoding each non-video block having a second image type to a first lossy quality level; and encoding each video block to a second lossy quality level, wherein each of the lossless quality level, the first and the second lossy quality levels define a measurable image quality level of a decoded output of a corresponding block at a client computer, wherein the image frame comprises separate video insert, text and picture portions.

Abstract: Methods of encoding an image stream. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating, by a computer, a lossless encoding of a first portion of a frame of an image based on identifying the first portion as (i) changed since a previous frame of the image and (ii) comprising a first image type; generating an initial quality lossy encoding of a second portion of the frame based on identifying the second portion as (iii) changed since the previous frame and (iv) comprising a second image type; and generating a quality improvement encoding of a third portion of the frame based on identifying the third portion as (v) unchanged since the previous frame and (vi) encoded to less than a defined quality.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an encoding engine coupled to a source of a block of pixel data, the encoding engine enabled to encode the block of pixel data to a quality level, the encoding engine coupled to a network interface; and a state sequencer, the state sequencer enabled to obtain an indication of scan block persistence, build state information and encoding parameters to control the quality level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of encoding and transmitting a block of visual data within a visual data stream. First, image information updates are acquired for the block of visual data that includes pixel data and is associated with a change history of pixel data. Next, stored block information is retrieved for the block of visual data, including a recent change history for the block of visual data. Next, a determination is made from the retrieved block information and the image information updates that the block of visual data is a video image type. Available network bandwidth is then determined. Encoding parameters for the block of visual data from the retrieved block information, the image information updates and the available network bandwidth are determined. The block of visual data is encoded and transmitted across a computer network.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an encoding engine coupled to a source of a block of pixel data, the encoding engine enabled to encode the block of pixel data to a quality level, the encoding engine coupled to a network interface; and a state sequencer, the state sequencer enabled to obtain an indication of scan block persistence, build state information and encoding parameters to control the quality level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of progressively encoding and transmitting visual data. First image information updates are acquired for a region of visual data. The region of visual data is defined by a plurality of blocks of pixel data, and individual blocks of the plurality are associated with individual change histories for their respective pixel data. Stored region information including a recent encoded state for each block in the plurality is retrieved. Available network bandwidth is determined, and then encoding parameters for each block in the region of visual data are determined from the retrieved region information and the available network bandwidth. The plurality of blocks is then encoded, the retrieved region information is updated in accordance with the determined encoding parameters; and the encoded blocks are transmitted across a computer network.

Abstract: An apparatus for encoding an image. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hash function module for determining changes to a plurality of scan blocks of an image; an encoder module, coupled to the hash function module, for encoding each scan block in the plurality of scan blocks as layers of increasing quality; and selecting specific scan blocks having a specific quality layer for transmission in response to the hash function module change determination.

Abstract: A method of transforming and sending data, comprising: receiving an image with an associated mask; transforming the received image; quantizing the transformed image; encoding the quantized image and associated mask; and transmitting the encoded image and mask; wherein transforming the received image comprises transforming the dimension subset by repeating steps of: preparing an input vector; determining a filter type; determining a first intermediate vector; determining a second intermediate vector; computing a transform vector from the sum of the first intermediate vector and the second intermediate vector; and computing an output value from the input vector and the computed transform vector.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-intrusive method and apparatus for encoding a digitized raster display signal which may then be transmitted from a host computer system to a remote display across a communications link. Hash codes are used to detect persistent blocks of pixels in a real-time digital raster signal generated by the host computer. A progressive encoding and transmission sequence is then initiated, using parameters such as bandwidth availability and build quality requirements to determine suitable encoding methods and build levels.

Abstract: A partially-built image stored in a buffer (such as for output to a display device) is combined by an image decoder with an encoded image update. The image is in a different format than the encoded image update (such as by being in a spatial domain, whereas the encoded image update is in a frequency domain). The image decoder operates, at least in part, by encoding the image to attain a same format as the encoded image update, combining the encoded image and the encoded image update, and decoding the result for storage in the buffer as an updated version of the image. The encoded image update is part of a progressive encoding. The encoding and/or the decoding are optionally lossy. After the image reaches a predetermined quality threshold, such as a perceptually lossless quality threshold, residual encoding/decoding techniques are optionally used for image updates.