Patent ID: 7212217

Claim:
A method implemented by a computer for generating pixel data from an abstract image tile hierarchy representing a plurality of levels of detail for a multi-layer source image, said method comprising the steps of: generating said abstract image tile hierarchy for said multi-layer source image, said abstract image tile hierarchy comprising a plurality of pixel elements and a bit plane that identifies a value for said pixel elements to represent each layer of said source image, said abstract image tile hierarchy comprising a first level of abstract image tiles and a plurality of additional levels of abstract image tiles, wherein each said additional level of abstract image tile is generated by a particular mapping based on said first level abstract image tile; receiving a target image coordinates and resolution; if the resolution is grater than a threshold resolution, utilizing a data structure technique to render geometric objects located within the target image coordinates on an output display; otherwise if the target image resolution is less than or equal to the threshold resolution, performing the following steps: selecting an abstract image tile from said abstract image tile hierarchy which matches the target image resolution; masking the bit plane to turn on or off pixel elements associated with at least one layer of said bit plane; and rendering said masked bit plane on an output display.