Abstract: The computer graphics system is configured to generate a shadow effect with a stencil shadow volume method using a combination of compressed and uncompressed stencil buffers in coordination with compressed and uncompressed depth data buffers. An uncompressed stencil buffer is capable of storing stencil shadow volume data for each pixel and a compressed stencil buffer is capable of storing stencil shadow volume data for a group of pixels.

Abstract: A sort middle graphics architecture comprising a host interface for receiving raw primitive data from a graphics application; a geometry processing module coupled to the host interface for receiving the raw primitive data from the host interface and generating sort middle traffic data, said geometry processing module a having a built-in compression module for compressing the sort middle traffic data; and a rasterization module coupled to the host interface for receiving the compressed sort middle traffic data and rasterizing the data, said rasterization module having a built-in decompression module for decompressing the sort middle traffic data before it is rasterized.

Abstract: A control device, which is capable of suppressing an increase in a load of a data transfer for an increase of an amount of data is provided. The control device includes a compressed data generation unit for generating a compressed data based on a set-up value inputted, and a controller for outputting a frame rate information to the compressed data generation unit, and for making compressed data to be outputted from a memory for use in storing a compressed data to an image display device in accordance with the frame rate.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for processing graphics to be displayed in a portable device. A current mode of operation of the portable device is identified. In a normal mode of operation, image data associated with the portable device is rendered by a graphics system of the portable device and stored in memory external to the graphics system prior to display. When a screen refresh mode of operation is identified, image data rendered by the graphics system is compressed and stored in memory integrated internal to the graphics system. The present disclosure has the advantage of allowing the memory external to the graphics system to be disabled during the screen refresh mode of operation, reducing power consumed by the portable device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the remote display of graphics images by the redirection of rendering and the optional use of image data compression. Instead of sending graphics commands over a network and rendering on a remote computer system, graphics commands may be automatically redirected by modified OpenGL functions to local graphics devices without explicit involvement by the graphics application. The modifications to a set of the OpenGL functions on the local system are transparent in the normal mode of rendering and displaying locally. After an image is rendered locally, it may be read back and sent across the network. A standard X Server on the remote system may be sufficient to support this methodology. An X Extension for data decompression on the remote system, however, may allow for more efficient image transmission through the use of image data compression.

Abstract: The invention provides a waveform information display apparatus, wherein the property of waveform data is grasped by the light of nature. Specifically, digital waveform data stored in a memory is split into a plurality of time segments, and compressed display data is generated in each of the time segments. A waveform is displayed on the screen by the compressed display data. Then, a property specified for the waveform is extracted from the digital waveform data in each of the time segments, and a value expressing the specified property in the time segment is obtained on the basis of the extracted property. Further, a waveform display portion in each of the time segments displayed on the screen on the basis of the compressed display data in each of the time segments is displayed in a state wherein the obtained value expressing the property is reflected on the waveform display portion.

Abstract: A video and graphics system includes a data transport processor for receiving compressed data streams, a video transport processor for extracting video data, and an audio decode processor for extracting audio data. The data transport processor provides PCRs to the video transport processor and the audio decode processor. The video transport-processor stores the video data in external memory and generates a start code table to index the video data stored the external memory. In the start code table SLICEs of the video data are aligned to a suitable boundary. The compressed data streams may include MPEG Transport streams, and the video data may include SDTV or HDTV data. The video and graphics system may be implemented on an integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A display driver capable of implementing natural moving image display with a reduced power consumption, based on display data of following frame is generated on a cycle longer than a read cycle for display data from a built-in RAM, and a display unit and an electronic instrument having the display driver. A display driver IC with a built-in RAM stores in an FIFO memory compressed data input on a cycle longer than a drive cycle that is based on the display data, uses an MPEG decoder circuit to decompress the compressed data on a cycle substantially equivalent to the read cycle of the display data RAM to generate the display data, and writes the display data into the display data RAM prior to the read operation at a speed equal to or higher than the reading speed.

Abstract: A multi-mode texture compression algorithm is provided for effective compression and decompression texture data during graphics processing. Initially, a request is sent to memory for compressed texture data. Such compressed texture data is then received from the memory in response to the request. At least one of a plurality of compression algorithms associated with the compressed texture data is subsequently identified. Thereafter, the compressed texture data is decompressed in accordance with the identified compression algorithm.

Abstract: A pixel is textured by storing a first texel reference value, a second texel reference value, and texel mapping values where each texel mapping value represents a k-tuple of (ternary) references to the first texel reference value, the second texel reference value and a third texel reference value to thereby represent a block of texels. A pixel value for the pixel is generated from the stored texel values and the pixel is displayed responsive to the generated pixel value. In some embodiments, respective pluralities of texel reference values and texel mapping values that map thereto are stored for respective ones of a plurality of overlapping blocks of texels. In further embodiments, a first mipmap value for a pixel is bilinearly interpolated from the retrieved texel values for the set of nearest neighbor texels. A second mipmap value for the pixel is generated by averaging the retrieved texel values for the set of nearest neighbor texels.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing bitmap data in a system for sharing an application running on a host computer with a remote computer, wherein the shared application's screen output is simultaneously displayed on both computers. Simultaneous display of screen output is achieved by efficiently transmitting display data between the host computer and the remote computer. When a font used by the host computer for displaying text is not available on the remote computer, the host computer sends a bitmap representation of the text for display, rather than the text itself. Bitmap representations are cached by the remote computer, so that the same bitmap representation need not be repeatedly transmitted from the host computer to the remote computer. Bitmap representations are compressed by the host computer prior to transmission, transmitted, then decompressed by the remote computer.

Abstract: Image display apparatus and image display method which realize smooth scroll-display of image data and enlargement/reduction display, and attain cost reduction by reducing the capacity of local memory for temporarily storing image data. In the image display apparatus, compressed image data is stored in an image memory 52, and partial image data of the compressed image data within a display range of monitor screen 56 and its peripheral compressed image data are transferred to a local image memory 59. in the local image memory 59, the partial image data and the peripheral image data are expanded and stored. Further, compressed image data further surrounding these data is stored. Then, compressed image data in a designated scroll direction is expanded by an image expansion unit 60.

Abstract: A decompression unit is configured to partially decompress a compressed image formed by compressed tiles. Each compressed tiles correspond to a tile of the uncompressed image. The decompression unit selects a subset of relevant tiles, which are visible in a view window or a view frustum. Specifically, the decompression unit includes a tile selector to select the relevant tile and a tile decompressor to decompress the relevant tiles. By decompressing only a subset of the compressed tiles, the decompression unit reduces the processing time required to generate the contents of the view window.

Abstract: A multimedia data decoding apparatus to decode multimedia data and method thereof includes a data information extracting unit extracting detail information from the multimedia data. An input buffering unit stores the multimedia data for a predetermined time. A decoding unit decodes the multimedia data from the input buffering unit into original signals of respective types. An output buffering unit stores the decoded multimedia data for a predetermined time. A control unit determines buffering capacities of the input buffering unit and the output buffering unit based on the detail information extracted by the data information extracting unit.

Abstract: A graphics processing system performs filtering of oversampled data during a scanout operation. Sample values are read from an oversampled frame buffer and filtered during scanout; the filtered color values (one per pixel) are provided to a display device without an intervening step of storing the filtered data in a frame buffer. In one embodiment, the filtering circuit includes a memory interface configured to read data values corresponding to sample points from a frame buffer containing the oversampled data; and a filter configured to receive the data values provided by the memory interface, to compute a pixel value from the data values, and to transmit the pixel value for displaying by a display device, wherein the filter computes the pixel value during a scanout operation.

Abstract: A Web-based 3D-image display system that downloads 3D-image files from a Web server and smoothly displays 3D images on a Web browser. The Web-based 3D-image display system is provided with a Web server storing compressed 3D files that have been edited and created based on 3D-scene information extracted from a VRML file or the like, and a 3DA applet for displaying 3D scenes; and a Web browser for displaying the 3D scene. The Web browser requests and downloads the 3D applet from the Web server and requests and downloads the compressed 3D file from the Web server by executing the 3D applet. After downloading and receiving all information, the Web browser continuously displays an interactive 3D scene by executing, independently of the Web server, real-time 3D-rendering and 3D-motion algorithms using the 3D applet.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the compression of pixel data for communicating the same with a frame buffer. Initially, a plurality of samples is received. It is first determined whether the samples are reducible, in that a single sample value can take the place of a plurality of sample values. If it is determined that the samples are capable of being reduced, the samples are reduced. Reduction is a first stage of compression. It is then determined whether the samples are capable of being compacted. The samples are then compacted if it is determined that the samples are capable of being compacted. Compaction is a second stage of compression. The samples are then communicated with a frame buffer, in compressed form, if possible, in uncompressed form if not. Subsequent reading of frame buffer data takes advantage of the smaller transfer size of compressed data. Compressed data is uncompacted and expanded as necessary for further processing or display.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional computer generated image is generated by subdividing the image into a plurality of rectangular areas. Object data for each rectangular area is loaded into a display list memory (4) until that memory is substantially full. Image data and shading data for each picture element of each rectangular area is derived by an image synthesis processor (6) from the object data. Image data is then stored in a local memory (16) and further object data loaded into the display list memory (4) and replaces the existing contents. Once this has happened, the stored image data and shading data is retrieved and additional image data and shading data derived for each picture element by the image synthesis processor (6) using the new object data and the previously derived image and shading data. When there is no further object data to load to the display list memory the shading data is provided for display for the rectangular areas by a frame buffer 11.

Abstract: A graphics system and method for processing geometry compressed, three-dimensional graphics data are disclosed. After transforming and lighting each vertex, a vertex data stream is decompressed using connectivity information, and vertexes are reassembled into geometric primitives. The connectivity information may include mesh buffer references, vertex tags, or other types of information. Independent buffers, queues, and/or caches are used to simultaneously store: (a) vertex data for the next several primitives, (b) vertex data that will be reused, (c) vertex tags, (d) control tags, (e) vertex data being assembled into a primitive, and (f) an assembled primitive ready to be launched. The assembled primitive may be clip tested for visibility in a defined viewport, before investing time to have the primitive processed into pixel data for display. The independent buffers, queues, and/or caches may also enable the vertex processing steps to be performed in parallel and at different rates.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium for compressing connected component objects (300) of bi-level images. The compression apparatus (204) can take various forms including apparatus for coding a stroke of an object (300) or for coding the entirety of the object (300), including plural strokes. The compression apparatus (204) typically includes a referencing module (205) for identifying at least one reference node (310), a coding module (206) for successively coding pixel runs (311-314) such that at least one run (311) is coded relative to the reference node (310) and other runs (312-314) are coded relative to previously coded runs, and a closing module (207) for terminating the process. Certain forms of the apparatus operate in a horizontal or a vertical mode only, never operate in horizontal mode during two consecutive coding operations, code each run using two code-words, and/or utilize modified Huffman coding techniques.

Abstract: A control device, which is capable of suppressing an increase in a load of a data transfer for an increase of an amount of data is provided. The control device includes a compressed data generation unit for generating a compressed data based on a set-up value inputted, and a controller for outputting a frame rate information to the compressed data generation unit, and for making compressed data to be outputted from a memory for use in storing a compressed data to an image display device in accordance with the frame rate.

Abstract: Methods and devices for compressing and uncompressing three color component graphics and/or digital video data for storage to and retrieval from a reduced memory space, while allocating memory space for pixel data special attribute, such as a transparency attribute. 24 bit video data, for example, may be compressed and stored along with 2 bits of transparency data in a 16-bit memory space, without undue loss of fidelity relative to the original graphics and/or video data. The stored and compressed video data may be uncompressed and a correction factor may be selectively applied to each of the three component pixel data. The resulting uncompressed pixel data matches or closely resembles the video data prior to compression and storage. The correction factor may vary depending upon the color space of the graphics and/or video pixel data.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for processing graphics to be displayed in a portable device. A current mode of operation of the portable device is identified. In a normal mode of operation, image data associated with the portable device is rendered by a graphics system of the portable device and stored in memory external to the graphics system prior to display. When a screen refresh mode of operation is identified, image data rendered by the graphics system is compressed and stored in memory integrated internal to the graphics system. The present disclosure has the advantage of allowing the memory external to the graphics system to be disabled during the screen refresh mode of operation, reducing power consumed by the portable device.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for efficient storage of texture data in memory for use with a computer graphics pipeline. Provided is a data structure including at least one compressed sub-block representing a group of texels in a predetermined image plane and at predetermined locations in a first and a second dimension in a texture map. A number of the sub-blocks is based on a depth of texture data in the texture map.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer readable medium are described that compress and/or decompress digital images in a lossless or a lossy manner. In some embodiments, a display controller may quantize pels of a digital image and may identify runs of successive quantized pels which are equal. The display controller may generate a symbol to represent an identified run of pels. The symbol may comprise a run length and a quantized pel that may be used to reconstruct the run of pels. The symbol may further comprise an error vector for each of the pels of the run that may be used to further reconstruct the run of pels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing and unpacking pixels using a shift-down register and a shift-up register. In general, the shift-down register and shift-up register have the same bit storage capacity. In addition, the shift-down register and the shift-up register have a bit storage capacity larger in size than the bit storage capacity of the memory device from which the pixels are unpacked, or to which the pixels are packed.

Abstract: In a memory consolidated image processing LSI for reading data, a DRAM for storing image data for a plurality of page ranges which are formed by segmenting an image plane corresponding to a display screen in order to page-access a memory region of the DRAM, and image data for a plurality of word ranges which are formed by segmenting each of the page ranges in order to word-access the memory region, is consolidated with an image processing circuit. The size of each of the page ranges is set so that the multiplied value of the power consumption per pre-charge in a power consumption model of a memory by an average number of pre-charges is the substantially minimum value, and the size of each of the word ranges is set so that the multiplied value of the power consumption per word access in the power consumption model of the memory by an average number of word accesses is the substantially minimum value.

Abstract: Graphics data representing color values of pixels are compressed into a data structure. Each pixel has a color value that results from the combination of a luma component and chroma components. The number of bits representing the luma and chroma components of a pixel are reduced to less than eight bits, and the luma components of at least four pixels and at least two chroma components are combined into a data structure r bits in length. The number of bits of the data structure is derived from r=2s, where s is an integer greater than or equal to five.

Abstract: Idle frames received by a graphics controller are compressed by evaluating two idle frames to create an encoding table used to replace selected pixel byte values in subsequent idle frames with codes. Possible pixel byte values are associated with a first set of counters, with each counter counting several different byte values as they occur with the first idle frame. A first subset of the possible pixel byte values is selected based on the counts in the first counters and each byte value in the first subset is associated with a second counter. The occurrences of the first subset of pixel byte values are counted in the second idle frame, and a second subset of pixel byte values is selected based on the counts in the second counters and used to create the encoding table. In one aspect, the encoding table is created when the second set of pixel byte values satisfy a threshold.

Abstract: A method and device make it possible to show information interactively on a user terminal of an image display system, without requiring additional bandwidth for transmitting feedback information. The image display system includes an image source device and a user terminal connected to each other via a link. An input image signal and user command are received and, based on these, a further image signal representing an image part is generated. A compressed image signal is formed from the input image signal and an imposed image part. The compressed image signal is transmitted to the user terminal via the link where decompression occurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for implementing z-compression in a manner that is transparent to the user. Blocks of z-data are associated with storage locations in a z-data buffer in cleared, compressed, or uncompressed data states. Operations to the z-data buffer are monitored for selected operations. These operations may include clear or lock operations. If a selected operation is detected, a modified version of the selected operation is implemented to mask differences between the storage states of the data blocks.

Abstract: A decoding apparatus and method capable of improving the functionality and simplifying the constitution are realized. The decoding apparatus comprises compressing means for compressing image data decoded by the decoding means to be supplied to storing means and extending means for extending the image data compressed by the compressing means which has been stored in the storing means to be supplied to the decoding means. Also, the decoding method comprises a first step for storing the image data decoded by decoding processing in the storing means and a second step for reading and extending the compressed image data stored in the storing means and for decoding the encoded data based on the extended image data.

Abstract: A graphics display module for use with an image pickup device, an image data storage unit and an image display device in a computer system includes a data compressing device and a data decompressing device. The data compressing device is in communication with the image pickup device, and compresses a digital image data received from the image pickup device into a compressed image data that is then transmitted to the image data storage unit for storage. The data decompressing device is in communication with the image data storage unit and the image displaying device, and decompresses the compressed image data stored in the image data storage unit to recover the digital image data that is then transmitted to the image displaying device for display.

Abstract: In a specific embodiment of the present invention RGB video data is converted to a YUV video data representation. The YUV video data is compressed and transmitted over a data bus to a memory device. Also transmitted is a compression indicator. The memory device buffers arid decompresses the compressed data. The decompressed data is converted back into uncompressed RGB video, and stored in a memory array. During a read cycle, the RGB data is converted into YUV video data, and compressed at the memory before being transmitted to the graphics processor along with a compression indicator. The graphics processor decompresses the data and provides it to the requesting client.

Abstract: The storing of not only image content but information regarding what commands were used to create the image allows for well-informed decision making. The drawing commands are recorded and may be stored in a data structure. This data structure may then be accessed at the time of compression, and the selection of which compression technique to use may be based on the drawing commands. Pixmaps are data structures holding pixel values corresponding to an image in memory. The data structure utilized here may be a linked list identifying fill regions. This permits the well-informed decision making to be accomplished even when pixmaps are copied to realized (on-screen) windows or other pixmaps.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which reads an image of a document and forms the same image, including a display, a input means to be receive an input data, a ROM to store initial display data of the input means and compressed programs, a power source detecting circuit to detect that the power is ON and a CPU to read initial display data of the input means stored in a ROM and control the display of initial display data on the display of the control panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating video graphics changes of a managed server to a remote console independent of an operating system. The screen (e.g. frame buffer) of the managed server is divided into a number of blocks. Each block is periodically monitored for changes by calculating a hash code and storing the code in a hash code table. When the hash code changes, the block is transmitted to the remote console. Color condensing may be performed on the color values of the block before the hash codes are calculated and before transmission. Compression is performed on each block and across blocks to reduce bandwidth requirements on transmission. Periodically, the configuration of a video graphics controller and a pointing device of the managed server are checked for changes, such as changes to resolution, color depth and cursor movement. If changes are found, the changes are transmitted to the remote console.

Abstract: In a computer graphics system, displaying any given graphics data on a monitor, the type of compression of screen data is chosen during processing. Further, the compression technique is allowed to vary on a per row basis within a block of pixels. The type of compression is encoded with the screen data and stored in screen memory. As the compressed graphics is read from screen memory just prior to display, the screen data is decompressed.

Abstract: An apparatus, executing on a server or similar machine and a client machine, and a corresponding method, includes mechanisms for rendering a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object, and streaming the thus-rendered image to the client machine. The mechanisms include a rendering module that generates a first image, from a first point of view, having a plurality of pixels, as first image data for display on a client machine, and generates first depth information for one or more of the plurality of pixels, and a compression module that compresses the first image data and the first depth information, wherein the first image data and the first depth information are provided to the client machine.

Abstract: The present invention is characteristic in that a wave signal being measured is converted to wave data, compressed wave data is produced from wave data in a prescribed compression interval, and a part of the wave data in the compression interval used for display is re-compressed so that the range of wave data for display agrees with the range of wave data which is the origin of the compressed wave data, thereby improving the accuracy of waveform display.

Abstract: An image data demodulation apparatus comprises an input control portion for turning ON/OFF input of an encoded image data corresponding to a control signal, a detecting circuit for detecting a sequence header from the encoded image data supplied therefrom, a data extracting portion for, when the sequence header is detected, extracting a predetermined data about the kind of image data from the encoded image data, a control circuit for supplying the control signal to the input control portion based on the detected sequence header and the predetermined data so as to control ON/OFF of the input control portion and a demodulation circuit. As a result, if the type of the encoded image data is changed, this is detected and an input is temporarily stopped so as to secure a new memory region corresponding to the image type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing compressed Z information in a video graphics system is described. Pixels in a display frame are grouped into a plurality of pixel blocks, where each pixel block includes a plurality of pixels. When possible, the Z information corresponding to the plurality of pixels in a pixel block is compressed and stored in a Z buffer in a compressed format. A Z mask value for each pixel block in the frame is stored in a Z mask memory, where the Z mask for each pixel block indicates a level of compression of the Z information for each of the pixel blocks. When Z information for a pixel block is required for processing operations, a cache is first examined to determine if the Z information for the pixel block is included in the cache. If the Z information is not included in the cache, the Z mask memory is consulted to determine the level of compression of the Z information for the particular pixel block.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the remote display of graphics images by the redirection of rendering and the optional use of image data compression. Instead of sending graphics commands over a network and rendering on a remote computer system, graphics commands may be automatically redirected by modified OpenGL functions to local graphics devices without explicit involvement by the graphics application. The modifications to a set of the OpenGL functions on the local system are transparent in the normal mode of rendering and displaying locally. After an image is rendered locally, it may be read back and sent across the network. A standard X Server on the remote system may be sufficient to support this methodology. An X Extension for data decompression on the remote system, however, may allow for more efficient image transmission through the use of image data compression.

Abstract: The process for storing, in pages of a memory, image blocks (h, v) consisting of v lines of h pixels, for the reading of image blocks (H, V) consisting of V lines of H pixels, is characterized in that the horizontal shift DI, I+a, in terms of number of blocks (h, v), of the boundary of a page corresponding to any row I of the image with respect to the boundary of a page corresponding to a row I+a is equal to: DI, I+a=a D, ∀ positive integer a less than RM=INT [(V−2)/v]+2, (INT corresponding to the integer part of the division) the value D, which corresponds to the shift between two successive rows being chosen such that: D≧(BM−1), with BM=INT [(H−2)/h]+2. Applications relate, for example to motion estimation and motion compression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for antialiasing in a video graphics system is presented. This is accomplished by determining if a pixel sample set, which results from oversampling, can be reduced to a compressed sample set that includes a single color value and a single Z value that fully describes a corresponding pixel. When the pixel sample set can be reduced to the compressed sample set, the compressed sample set is stored in a frame buffer at a location corresponding to the particular pixel that the sample set describes. When the pixel sample set cannot be reduced to a compressed sample set, pointer information is stored at the frame buffer location corresponding to the particular pixel. The pointer information includes a pointer that points to a selected address in a sample memory at which the complete sample set for the pixel is stored.

Abstract: A program controlled machine wherein signals produced in response to execution of programs control operation of machine devices includes a control for storage, retrieval and presentation of audio/video information. The control includes devices for presentation of audio/video information and stored programs including programs for enabling storage of audio/video information files while the machine is in a manual mode of operation and programs for controlling the presentation by the audio/video presentation devices of selected audio/video information from the stored files. The control provides facilities for recording audio/video information and for manually controlled presentation of audio/video information as well as for automatic presentation of audio/video information in response to detection of occurrence of a particular event.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that includes a primary memory unit to buffer image data, a secondary memory unit to store the image data transferred from the primary memory unit, and a memory control unit that controls both memory units. The memory control unit transfers, if a plurality of items of image data are to be transferred, at least one of the items of image data divisionally from the primary memory unit to the secondary memory unit. When image data are transferred from the primary memory unit to the secondary memory unit, the memory control unit transfers a unit image either in a block or divisionally in multiple parts, and the memory control unit simultaneously transfers a plurality of images divisionally, the images being divided into varying numbers of parts so that each input and output of an image can evenly share the time of the secondary memory unit and a plurality of images can be efficiently transferred in parallel in a short time.

Abstract: Image display apparatus and image display method which realize smooth scroll-display of image data and enlargement/reduction display, and attain cost reduction by reducing the capacity of local memory for temporarily storing image data. In the image display apparatus, compressed image data is stored in an image memory 52, and partial image data of the compressed image data within a display range of monitor screen 56 and its peripheral compressed image data are transferred to a local image memory 59. in the local image memory 59, the partial image data and the peripheral image data are expanded and stored. Further, compressed image data further surrounding these data is stored. Then, compressed image data in a designated scroll direction is expanded by an image expansion unit 60.

Abstract: Compressed graphic image data files, such as Compressed ARC (Arc-second Raster Chart/map) Digitized Raster Graphics (CADRG) map files for a region of interest, are stored in blocks of memory (nodes) preferably arranged as a linked list. Portions of files containing data for an area of interest including an image of interest are decompressed before the data are sent to a frame buffer for display. Nodes that do not contain requested data are flagged as unused, but not deallocated, making the data in such nodes available for use or replacement.

Abstract: Method and system aspects for increasing storage capacity in a digital image capture device are described. Compression levels of saved image files are utilized to increase storage capacity by identifying a level of compression of a saved image file in the digital image capture device. The identified level of compression is compared with a predetermined level of compression, and the saved image file is compressed to the predetermined level of compression when the identified level of compression does not match the predetermined level of compression to free storage space in the digital image capture device.