Showing papers on "Image file formats published in 1997"

Practical Digital Libraries: Books, Bytes, and Bucks

Abstract: Practical Digital Libraries Contents Practical Digital Libraries: Books, Bytes, and Bucks by Michael Lesk Preface 1 Evolution of Libraries 1.1 Why Digital Libraries? 1.2 History and Change 1.3 Advantages of Digital Libraries 1.4 Rise of Printing and Libraries 1.5 Vannevar Bush 1.6 Computer Technology 1.6.1 Processors 1.6.2 Memory Technology 1.6.3 Software 1.7 Information and Software 1.8 Summary 2 Text Access Methods 2.1 Computer Typesetting and Online Databases 2.2 Text Formats 2.3 Linear Text Searching 2.4 Inverted Files 2.5 Hash Coding 2.6 Other Text Search Issues 2.7 Thesauri 2.8 Document Conversion 2.9 Summary 3 Images of Pages 3.1 Scanning and Fax Machines 3.2 Image Formats for Scanned Printed Pages 3.3 Display Requirements 3.4 PostScript, Acrobat, and Reprinting 3.5 Indexing Images of Pages 3.6 Shared Text/Image Systems 3.7 Image Storage vs. Book Storage 3.8 Summary 4 Multimedia Storage and Access 4.1 Sound Formats: Vinyl, Tape, and CD 4.2 Pictures: GIF and JPEG 4.3 Automatic Speech Recognition 4.4 Moving Images: MPEG and Motion JPEG 4.5 Indexing Images: Motion Segmentation 4.6 Summary 5 Knowledge Representation Methods 5.1 Library Classification 5.2 Indexing Words and Thesauri 5.3 Artificial Intelligence Structures 5.4 Hypertext 5.5 Vector Models 5.6 History-Based Information Resources 5.7 New Information Techniques 5.8 Summary 6 Distribution 6.1 Physical Objects: Books and CD-ROMs 6.2 Computer Network Technologies 6.2.1 Packets vs. Circuits 6.2.2 Stars vs. Buses 6.2.3 Ethernet 6.2.4 Arpanet and Addressing 6.3 Security on the Net 6.4 Cryptography 6.5 Summary 7 Usability and Retrieval Evaluation 7.1 General Human Factors Considerations 7.2 Text Displays: Fonts and Highlighting 7.3 Image Displays and Compression Systems 7.3.1 Text 7.3.2 Speech 7.3.3 Images 7.4 Interface Methods: Menus and Keywords 7.5 Access Methods 7.6 Retrieval Evaluation 7.7 Summary 8 Collections and Preservation 8.1 Traditional Paper Collections 8.2 Traditional Preservation Problems: Acid Paper and Perfect Binding 8.3 Digitizing Special Collections and Archives 8.4 Sharing of Collections among Libraries 8.5 New Kinds of Material and Their Durability 8.6 Summary and Responsibilities to the Future 9 Economics 9.1 Traditional Economics and Economies of Scale 9.2 Scholarly Publications Today 9.3 Models for Library Funding 9.4 Paying for Electronic Information 9.5 Access versus Ownership 9.6 Importance of Administrative Costs 9.7 Electronic Commerce 9.8 The Future of Quality Information 9.9 Summary 10 Intellectual Property Rights 10.1 History of Copyright Law 10.2 History of Patent Law 10.3 Other Legal Risks 10.4 National Information Infrastructure Dangers 10.5 Intellectual Property Protection 10.5.1 Fractional Access 10.5.2 Control of Interface 10.5.3 Hardware Locks (Dongles) 10.5.4 Repositories 10.5.5 Steganography 10.5.6 Cryptolopes, or Secret Envelopes 10.5.7 Special Hardware 10.5.8 Economic Approaches 10.5.9 Flickering 10.6 Summary: Future Research and Law 11 International Activities 11.1 Information Policy, Not Industrial Policy 11.2 United States 11.2.1 University of California at Berkeley 11.2.2 University of Michigan 11.2.3 University of Illinois 11.2.4 Stanford University 11.2.5 University of California at Santa Barbara 11.2.6 Carnegie Mellon University 11.2.7 Other U.S. Projects 11.3 United Kingdom 11.4 France 11.5 Other EU Efforts 11.6 Japan 11.7 Australia 11.8 Elsewhere 11.9 International Cooperation 11.10 Summary 12 Future: Ubiquity, Diversity, Creativity, and Public Policy 12.1 Dream to Be Realized 12.2 Future Roles in Information Handling 12.3 Effect of Digital Technology on Universities 12.4 Society and Creativity 12.5 Public Policy Questions 12.6 Projections References Index

System and method for digital image capture and transmission

Abstract: A system method for digital image capture and transmission includes an image fulfillment server, having a transceiver for sending and receiving channel assessment signals and receiving a digital image file and a memory for storing the received digital image file. The system also includes a digital camera having an electronic image sensor for sensing an image and producing a digital image; a short term memory for storing digital images produced by the image sensor in digital image files; a transceiver for communicating with and transmitting the digital image files to the image fulfillment server; a signal strength detector for monitoring the registration signal from the fulfillment server and producing a transmit enable signal; a long term memory for storing the digital image files; the transmit enable signal for disabling transmission of the digital image data when the channel assessment signal indicates that successful transmission of the digital image data is not possible; and a timer for transferring the digital image file from the short term memory to the long term memory after a predetermined period of time.

File format for an image including multiple versions of an image, and related system and method

Abstract: A system for retrieving an image from a network comprises: (1) a server application; (2) a plurality of image files, each storing an image in a plurality of different versions, and connected to the server application; (3) a client application which enables a user to select and retrieve a desired version of a desired image; and (4) a communication application providing a communication link between the client and server applications wherein, in use, the user can select a desired image and a desired version of that desired image for retrieval and display. The versions of the image are stored such that when a low resolution version of the image has been obtained, a high resolution version can be obtained simply by downloading the difference between the two versions of the image.

US extended-field-of-view imaging technology.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To develop an ultrasound (US) extended-field-of-view scanning technique that combines the convenience of a real-time scanner with the spatial advantages of a static B-mode scanner and provides a panoramic image in real time without position sensors or cumbersome articulated arms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An image-registration-based position-sensing technique was used to track probe motion and reconstruct a large composite image during real-time scanning. The probe motion (translation and rotation) was estimated by combining multiple local motion vectors. This computationally intensive process required a special programmable image processor. RESULTS: Large, resolution-preserved composite images up to 60 cm long were obtained. Measurement accuracy as determined with phantom experiments was better than 5%. The method could be applied to any probe or image format. CONCLUSION: In addition to providing a panoramic image to expand diagnostic capabilities, extended-field-of-view US provides a more easily i...

Method and system for prioritized downloading of embedded web objects

Abstract: A method retrieves a web file and sorts one or more information element references according to a priority attribute associated with each reference. After ranking the information element references by priority, the method then retrieves each information element in the order that their references were ranked. After receiving an information element, the method acts upon the information element in the appropriate manner. Typical objects, and their actions, would include displaying an image file, executing an applet, or playing an audio file. By using the steps of the method, more important objects are retrieved before less important objects, thus allowing action upon the more important objects sooner than such action is allowed using methods available in the prior art.

Image retention and information security system

Abstract: A video image retention and data information security system operates in conjunction with a group of transaction devices, such as receipt printers at bank teller stations. A video camera is provided at each teller station and a group of lobby video cameras are provided for security surveillance. The video cameras are connected to the video inputs of a selector which connects any one of the inputs to a video output. The video output is provided to a video board that digitizes a received image upon command. A controller, such as a personal computer, receives through a video and data channel selector, a set of information from the transaction machine, such as the data related to a bank checking transaction. The controller causes the video camera associated with the teller station to be connected to the video board which is then activated to capture an image of the customer who conducted the transaction that resulted in the generation of the receipt printer transaction. The data associated with the transaction together with the image are stored on a disk drive. A data file is stored which includes multiple data entries relating to the image file, and the image file can be retrieved by any data in the data file. Surveillance cameras operate to take sequential images wherein a comparison of pixel values is made to determine whether a substantial change has been made from one image to the next. If a substantial number of the pixels differ from one image to the next, the latter image is stored for security review. Both the images generated by the teller cameras and the security images can be remotely accessed via telephone lines.

Method and apparatus for processing and printing documents

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for efficient image handling. The invention includes an image server with which image files are registered. The image processing requests are sent to the image server to produce image data representing the processed image file. In one embodiment of the invention, a document processing application obtains an image file for printing. The application registers the image with the image server. The image server returns an identifier identifying the image file which is used for subsequent image processing requests. The application initiates a print job, sending the image identifier and selected print parameters to a printer driver. In response, the printer driver negotiates image processing requests with the image server to modify the image file in accordance with the selected print parameters. Finally, the processed image data is retrieved from the image server and sent to the printer. The image server and printer driver may be separate and independently executing processes. In an alternate embodiment, the application, image server and printer driver are loaded on two or more networked computers.

Device and method for examining, verifying, correcting and approving electronic documents prior to printing, transmission or recording

Abstract: Disclosed is a software implemented device and method for examining, verifying, correcting and approving electronically-recorded documents, prior to their final output, whether printing, transmission or recording. The disclosed device and method permits the user to assure that the diverse elements of the composite file, such as text, fonts, graphic formats, layout instructions and the like, which may exist in one or more electronic files, will be accessible by, and compatible with the output device. The present embodiment is able to assemble all elements of an electronic file, group of files or an electronic document into one location, whether physical or logical. The present embodiment also allows the above-described analysis on a multiplicity of file types, without need to use the specific file-creation applications used to create the files. This is accomplished by identifying the internal characteristics of the elements of files generated by a multiplicity of file or document creation computer applications and providing a computer software implemented device to decode the information for analysis or presentation. The importance of the present invention lies in its ability to find inconsistencies, incompatibilities, corrupted data and errors not visible to the human checker, to report them or automatically repair them, and, in so doing, to save significant amounts of wasted time and resources in the intermediate or final printing, transmission or recording phase. The present invention allows the user to set custom sets of preferences, establishing unique criteria for the analysis. A further implementation allows the software-implemented device to learn from experience and suggest changes or make changes automatically based on user preferences.

Process control system

Abstract: A process management system in accordance with the present invention comprising inspection apparatuses for inspecting defects on a wafer, the inspection apparatuses being connected through a communication network, inspection information and image information obtained from these inspection apparatuses being collected to construct a data base and an image file, therein definition of defects is given by combinations of elements which characterize the defect based on the inspection information and the image information obtained from the inspection apparatuses By giving definition of the defect, characteristics of the defect can be subdivided and known Therefore, it is easy to study what cause a defect is produced by

Method and apparatus for directly printing out image files for printer

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing provides for direct printing out of image files received from a system that is external to the printer. The method includes the step of determining whether or not a command mode of the printer at present is a Direct Image File Printing System mode, if data are inputted to the printer from a host computer that is external to the printer. The method may also include the step of converting the inputted data into an image form which can be outputted so as to print them out depending on the image file type mode. This step may occur if the command mode of the printer at present is found to be the Direct Image File Printing mode upon a result of the examination.

Reading system which reads aloud from an image representation of a document

Abstract: A reading system includes a computer and a mass storage device including software comprising instructions for causing a computer to accept an image file generated from optically scanning an image of a document. The software convert the image file into a converted text file that includes text information, and positional information associating the text with the position of its representation in the image file. The reading system has the ability therefore to display the image representation of the scanned image on a computer monitor and permit a user to control operation of the reader by with respect to the displayed image representation of the document by using the locational information associated with the converted text file. Also described are techniques for dual highlighting spoken text and a technique for determining the nearest word to a position selected by use of mouse or other pointing device operating on the image representation as displayed on the monitor.

Video data integration system using image data and associated hypertext links

Abstract: Dynamic video images are integrated with HTML text in web browsers to provide links to other predetermined locations containing information (web pages or information in other formats) by selecting a feature of a dynamic video image, storing an image map file, generating a unique feature specific to the selected dynamic video image (such as color intensity, text data, audio data, or layer information) and correlating the detail information to the image map file.

Medical image filing system enabling registration and retrieval of a plurality of medical images

Abstract: In an image filing system in accordance with the present invention, image files containing images that should be displayed on a viewing monitor in a conference unit are selected from among retrieved image files using a mouse. A CPU determines how many image files are selected using the mouse and identifies management information contained in the selected image files. Under the control of the CPU, images in a work memory are temporarily stored in an image processor. The images in the image processor are displayed on a retrieval monitor. Management information contained in the selected image files and the number of selected image files are supplied from the CPU to a controller over a bus. Reduced images provided in the form of digital data and contained in the selected image files in the image processor are supplied to a D/A converter under the control of the controller. The D/A converter de-quantizes the digital data into analog data so as to display the reduced images on the viewing monitor.

Reading system displaying scanned images with dual highlighting

Abstract: A reading system includes a computer and a mass storage device including software comprising instructions for causing a computer to accept an image file generated from optically scanning an image of a document. The software convert the image file into a converted text file that includes text information, and positional information associating the text with the position of its representation in the image file. The reading system has the ability therefore to display the image representation of the scanned image on a computer monitor and permit a user to control operation of the reader by with respect to the displayed image representation of the document by using the locational information associated with the converted text file. Also described are techniques for dual highlighting spoken text and a technique for determining the nearest word to a position selected by use of mouse or other pointing device operating on the image representation as displayed on the monitor.

World wide web formatting for program output through print function

Abstract: A method of creating a Web page comprising the steps of: (a) using an application to create a file not formatted for Web viewing referred to as a source file; and (b) transmitting said source file to a print driver program, said print driver program formatting said source file in a Web format by adding and/or replacing portions of said source file with Web format commands/codes. The method wherein said Web formatted source file is stored in a location accessible by World Wide Web browsers.

Computer method and apparatus for previewing files outside of an application program

Abstract: A method and apparatus for previewing images and image file information without opening and running an application in working memory. The previewing of a user-selected file includes a summary of file characteristics and contents including images. The summary synopsizes file information and characteristics such as height, width, length, color type, resolution, compression type used for storing and forming the file, annotation graphics of the file and the like. The preview also provides display of the file images, preferably in a reduced size manner for ease of user previewing. The file preview apparatus and method of the present invention include operating system means coupled to a display assembly for generating display of indications of file characteristics of the user-selected files. The operating system means obtains and enables display of file characteristics indicia, external to and outside of an application program opened and running in the working memory. The display assembly is responsive to the operating system means and provides display of the file characteristics indicia in a manner free of opening an application program in the working memory.

Method and system for extending the available image file formats in an image capture device

Abstract: A system and method for adding file formats to a digital imaging device is disclosed. The digital imaging device includes a built-in file format. The method and system include allowing a user to loading a first file extension module, providing a management layer, and providing a plurality of data processing utilities. The first file extension module includes a second file format. The management layer communicates with the first file extension module to write and read an image file having the second file format. The management layer also communicates with a portion of the digital imaging device using an internal format. The plurality of data processing utilities are for converting data to between the second file format and the internal format.

Image displaying and controlling apparatus and method

Abstract: A image displaying and controlling apparatus for displaying a computer graphics image in square-shaped pixels in an MPEG2 image format in rectangular-shaped pixels at a regular roundness. A graphics processor block produces the data of 640×480 pixels, two-line data of which are stored in two 1H buffers, and are multiplied respectively by weights output by a weight control circuit through a line conversion circuit. As a result, data of 640×432 are produced. A delay circuit delays a vertical synchronizing signal output by the graphics processor block by 14H. A phase comparator circuit compares the 14H delayed vertical synchronizing signal in phase with a vertical synchronizing signal output by an MPEG2 video decoder. The timing of the generation of the vertical synchronizing signal at the graphics processor block is set to be earlier by 14H than the timing of the generation of the vertical synchronization signal of the MPEG2 video decoder. The memory capacity required of the buffers in front of the line conversion circuit in a processing circuit is for two lines only while line conversion process is performed without any destruction of pixel data.

Method and system for non-destructive image editing

Abstract: A method for non-destructive, selectably reversible image compositing, including providing a displayed image including at least a region of an original image, modifying the displayed image to produce a modified displayed image, and producing a modified image file including at least the displayed image and not including the modified displayed image and also including resolution independent parameters operative for modifying the displayed image to produce the modified displayed image. A system is also described and claimed.

Methodology for OCR error checking through text image regeneration

Abstract: A method of reducing errors in optical character recognition (OCR) procedures includes digitizing an image of an object, the image containing alpha-numeric characters, and storing a bitmap of the digitized image as a scanned document file (SDF). An OCR step is performed to obtain at least one candidate character, and an indication of the at least one candidate character is stored in a textural results file (TRF). The font of the digitized image is determined and the font is stored in a regeneration library file (RLF). A regenerated image file is generated using the TRF and the RLF. At least a portion of the regenerated image file is compared with a corresponding portion of the bitmap of the digitized image stored in the SDF. The TRF is outputted if the results of the comparison indicate a match of at least the portion of the regenerated image file with the corresponding portion of the bitmap. If a match is not found, further processing is performed to resolve the mismatch.

Method for making display products having merged images

Abstract: A method for making display products that generate special visual effects with autostereographic, dynamic, alternating, animated, and morphed images used in conjunction with lenticulated arrays for marketing and informational purposes. The special imaging effects, which can be integrated with discrete lenticulated container structures for data storage media and other contents, are achieved by digitally sampling and formatting source images with resampling procedures and then generating a merged image file that serves as the digital input for color printers or digital printing presses. The sampled images are printed on substrates along with registration lines or on preperforated stock preformatted for use with a corresponding lenticulated component. Afterwards, the images are separated from the substrate by either cutting them from the substrate using the printed registration lines as guides or breaking them out along the preperforated lines. In either case, the image is separated along with surrounding structure as needed to provide an intermediate image bearing subassembly that is then further folded or otherwise configured for combination with its lenticulated plastic counterpart, preferably formed by injection molding. The lenticulated plastic components are configured to either act as a receptacle for the intermediate image subassembly or to attach to it. The resampling procedures are designed so that each image segment is sampled over an interval equivalent to the full width of an individual lenticule behind which it is intended to reside but the image data obtained for printing is fit to just that fraction of the lenticule width corresponding to the space allocated based on the number of interlaced images.

Picture image outputting method and photograph finishing system using the method

Abstract: A plurality of picture image data obtained from a film in one film handling operation by a film scanner with the automatic film feeding function are output as prints by a digital printer and also as files in a recording medium by a file outputting device. In the system for providing the above two kinds of output services, the numbers of film scanners, file outputting devices, and digital printers are determined so that the processing performance of each kind of apparatus in a unit time times the number of each kind of apparatus is almost the same, to make each kind of apparatus comprising the system demonstrate its full performance. A medium image obtaining device for obtaining an image file recorded in a medium and a digital camera image obtaining device may further be provided so that the above two outputting services are promptly provided for a picture image such as a processed image recorded in a medium and brought into a service provider by a customer and a picture image recorded by a digital camera, whereby one system can carry out film reading, image obtaining from a medium or a digital camera, picture print generation, and writing a picture image in a recording medium.

Image playback apparatus, image recording apparatus, and methods thereof

Abstract: An image playback apparatus and in image recording apparatus are designed to permit image playback from a selected position in an image file recorded to a directly accessible memory, such as a magnetic disk. During recording of an image file, the user can designate one or more candidate playback start positions in the file, and corresponding pointers are stored as part of the image file. When the file is to be played back, the playback apparatus accesses the pointer(s) and allows the user to select playback from the corresponding position(s) in the image file. Also the playback apparatus can rewrite pointers in an image file, whereby the user can designate candidate starting positions for future playback of the file.

Print driver system having a user interface and a method for processing raster data

Abstract: A system and method for processing raster data including at least one input computer terminal for creating postscript data, at least one raster image processor (RIP), for processing the postscript data into raster data, and a PrintDrive system for managing and controlling the workflow of image files containing raster image data to a plurality of user selectable output devices

Source file editing apparatus

Abstract: A source file editing apparatus accomplishes various concatenation editing by displaying source files, especially image files, as thumbnails and controlling the thumbnails using an intuitive process. A reader reads a path from a starting point to an ending point of a drag-and-drop operation. A display processor respectively displays on a screen a plurality of thumbnails corresponding to each of a plurality of source files including image data and/or voice data. The display processor moves a first thumbnail corresponding to the starting point of the drag-and-drop operation read by the reader to an ending point of the drag-and-drop operation. A file editor detects how the first thumbnail moved and displayed by the display processor and a second thumbnail displayed on the screen are overlapping each other. The file editor executes preset concatenation editing to the source files corresponding to each of the two thumbnails depending on how the thumbnails are overlapping each other. Source files can be edited in a manner in which the source files are continuously played.

Image pickup apparatus including image erasure function and erasure status notification function

Abstract: In an electronic camera, an image file can be erased, and when the image file is erased, a state of notification to the user is changed in accordance with the data attached to an image. In the electronic camera, the data attached to the image indicates whether or not the image file previously has been transferred from a storing area where the image is stored at present to another storing area.

Apparatus and method for searching and retrieving moving image information

Abstract: An apparatus and method for searching and retrieving moving image information by using 3-dimensional icons is disclosed. The method for searching and retrieving moving image information in a computer system having a pointing device, a display unit, and external and internal memories for storing an image file includes the steps of: creating an icon file by selecting a specific frame of the image file, and storing the icon file in the internal memory; creating a main window in the display unit; creating a plurality of command windows within the main window; reading one or more specific icon file from the internal memory according to a moving image information searching command, and generating the specific icon file separated from the command windows by a given distance in the form of a 3-dimensional icon; and executing a corresponding command when any icon is dragged and dropped to any command window area by the pointing device.

Server verification of requesting clients

Abstract: Described herein is a method of verifying the integrity of client programs that request services from server programs. The invention includes a step of accepting a request for services from a client program, wherein the client program executes from an executable image in executable memory. In response to such a request, the server program identifies one or more image files on secondary storage corresponding to non-writeable sections of the executable image. The server program then compares the non-writeable sections of the executable image with the corresponding sections of the image files to determine whether the executable image has been altered in the executable memory. The server program provides the requested services only if the executable image of the client program has not been altered.

An imprecise algorithm for real-time compressed image and video transmission

Abstract: One major requirement for multimedia systems is the efficient transmission of multimedia information over a communication or computer network. Several commercial products heave been developed to apply compression techniques to images and videos in order to reduce their transmission time. Sufficient available time and bandwidth lead to satisfactory results, but image/video loss occurs if these resources are insufficient. Using imprecise computation theory, we can achieve a good tradeoff between the quality of the transmitted image/video and the available resources such as the time for transmission. However, for a compressed image file, this very flexible technique cannot be easily applied since a compressed file cannot be uncompressed if it is not transmitted completely. This paper proposes an imprecise compressed image/video transmission technique which combines the advantages of both compression and imprecise computation for the first time. Our experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has better results compared to simply using compression or imprecise transmission techniques, and has a good potential for commercial use.