Patent ID: 6314452
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A system for transmitting a digital image over a communication network, comprising:(a) an image storage device for storing an original digital image at an original resolution;(b) a client computer coupled to the communication network, wherein the client computer generates at least one request for interaction with the original digital image and at least one subsequent request, each identifying a region of interest at a selected resolution within the original digital image;(c) a server computer coupled to the communication network and the storage device, the server computer performing the steps of:(i) pre-processing the original digital image in response to the receipt of the first request, the pre-processed digital image having a resolution lower than or equal to the original resolution;(ii) for each subsequent request received from the client computer:(A) compressing the region of interest associated with each request, based upon:(1) the pre-processed digital image, and(2) further processing of portions of the original digital image at the selected resolution of the region of interest identified in the subsequent request; and(B) progressively transmitting the compressed region of interest to the client computer via the communication network.