Abstract: A system and method is provided that generates and transmits images over a communication network to an end user. The system and method includes a zoom and pan (ZAP) feature that offers a user the ability to see all available detail of a displayed image despite the limited image display area. Specifically, images presented within a zoom and pan interface allow the user to zoom in to a particular area of a displayed image to see additional detail, pan to view various areas of the displayed image, and to zoom out again to view the whole displayed image in context. The ZAP feature is applied to a dynamically generated image that includes at least one dynamic image feature, and viewing-region-tracking information is generated enabling user viewing characteristics to be tracked and analyzed.

Abstract: A system and method providing a personal electronic communication incorporates the use of image tags which designate a desired dynamic imaging server and a corresponding image chain to dynamically create a customized image that is associated with the personal electronic communication. Upon receipt of the personal electronic communication, the personal electronic communication is parsed to identify an embedded image tag. A dynamic imaging server designated by the image tag is then used to dynamically create, manipulate and transfer customized images back to the recipient of the personal electronic communication based on the image chain corresponding to the image tag. The image chain may be included within the image tag or the image tag may include reference information designating the image chain.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that dynamically creates, manipulates and transfers digital images over a communication network on a per request basis in an efficient manner, wherein the composition, format, presentation, and content of the digital images are determined by directives presented at the time of the request. The system includes a parser that takes a request and interprets it into a set of individualized operation commands that will, in sequence, be performed to create or alter an image. The commands derived from the parser are defined as a “job. One or more image processing engines may be called upon as the job is processed to perform requested image transformations. An output formatter takes the resulting processed image and converts it to the desired format stated in the request.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that generates and transmits images over a communication network to an end user. The system and method includes a zoom and pan (ZAP) feature that offers a user the ability to see all available detail of a displayed image despite the limited image display area. Specifically, images presented within a zoom and pan interface allow the user to zoom in to a particular area of a displayed image to see additional detail, pan to view various areas of the displayed image, and to zoom out again to view the whole displayed image in context. The ZAP feature is applied to a dynamically generated image that includes at least one dynamic image feature, and viewing-region-tracking information is generated enabling user viewing characteristics to be tracked and analyzed.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that dynamically creates, manipulates and transfers digital images over a communication network on a per request basis in an efficient manner, wherein the composition, format, presentation, and content of the digital images are determined by directives presented at the time of the request. The system includes a parser that takes a request and interprets it into a set of individualized operation commands that will, in sequence, be performed to create or alter an image. The commands derived from the parser are defined as a “job. One or more image processing engines may be called upon as the job is processed to perform requested image transformations. An output formatter takes the resulting processed image and converts it to the desired format stated in the request.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that dynamically creates, manipulates and transfers digital images over a communication network on a per request basis in an efficient manner, wherein the composition, format, presentation, and content of the digital images are determined by directives presented at the time of the request.. The system includes a parser that takes a request and interprets it into a set of individualized operation commands that will, in sequence, be performed to create or alter an image. The commands derived from the parser are defined as a “job. One or more image processing engines may be called upon as the job is processed to perform requested image transformations. An output formatter takes the resulting processed image and converts it to the desired format stated in the request.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the manner in which digitized image data files are stored on a digital data storage medium, such as a compact disc, in an opto-electronic image digitizing system in which a plurality of images that have been captured on an image storage medium, such as 35 mm film, are converted into a digital image representation and stored as respective high resolution image-representative data files. For each high resolution image-representative data file, an associated low resolution digitized image is stored within a low resolution index image data file. Selected ones or all of the low resolution image-representative data files within the index file may be read out and displayed as corresponding low resolution portions of a montage image to facilitate rapid viewing of the images.

Abstract: A hybrid multiple color print reproduction scheme for a digital color image photo-finishing system employing a digitally driven high spatial resolution color printer converts a stored digital positive (e.g. RGB-representative) color image into a second digital color (e.g. CYM-representative) image. This second digital image effectively corresponds to a mirror-reversed complement of the positive color image and is digitally adjusted such that its tone and color characteristics optimize reproduction of the positive image via a conventional chemical development process. The complement color image is output to a digital printer which prints an `internegative` image onto a transparency medium, rather than the customary print paper. This digitally produced `internegative` is used to replicate multiple copies of the original image using a conventional analog electro-optic system and an associated chemical-based print developing unit, thereby providing a substantial savings in reproduction time and costs.

Abstract: A photoprocessing, photofinishing apparatus enables an unskilled consumer to personally customize and obtain high quality prints of photographic images without the intervention of a skilled technician. It also provides for the storage and retrieval of high resolution digitized color still images for playback to a variety of reproduction devices. The apparatus comprises a high resolution film scanner which scans 35 mm film and outputs high resolution image signals. These signals are digitized and coupled to a host image data processing unit, which stores each image file in a multiresolution, hierarchical format that facilitates retrieval of images for reproduction by a variety of devices the resolution of which may vary from device to device, such as a low/moderate NTSC television monitor or a very high resolution color thermal printer. The host processor is coupled to an interactive display terminal, through which the customer may manipulate a low resolution version of a selected image file.

Abstract: A single sensor video camera includes an optical blurring filter having a known spatial (or frequency) function and a color filter interposed between the blurring filter and an image sensor. The color filter has red and blue filter elements intermingled among a majority of green elements. An accurate estimate of the blurred green light blocked by the non-green elements is recovered by applying the image signal from the sensor to a digital filter and substituting the resultant signal for the missing green portions. The coefficients of the filter are selected in an optimization process that seeks to match the known function of the blurring filter to a like function of the digital filter (as represented by the coefficients). To do this the color filter must be configured to provide at least two green samples on either side of a non-green element.