Progressive Image Resolution Transmission for Low-Bandwidth Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image compression and transmission standards, such as JPEG2000/JPIP, enable interactive display of large images over narrow bandwidth channels but do not facilitate flexible visual interaction with a large number of potentially large images simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method involving communication between computers that transmits low-resolution image data for all selected images before full-resolution data, allowing for efficient transmission and storage of large image collections by varying resolution levels and using JPEG2000 or discrete wavelet transform-based compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full-resolution image data is transmitted for all selected images, then viewing quality is improved, but data transfer time and bandwidth consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image data into multiple resolution levels (e.g., low-resolution thumbnail, medium-resolution, high-resolution). The system first transmits low-resolution versions of all selected images for immediate viewing, then progressively transmits higher-resolution data for regions of interest as bandwidth becomes available. This segmentation allows users to view images at acceptable quality while reducing initial data transfer time and bandwidth consumption.
2Loss of time
If low-resolution image data is transmitted for all selected images, then data transfer time is reduced, but viewing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic resolution adjustment mechanism where the system monitors bandwidth availability, user interaction patterns, and regions of interest to dynamically adjust the resolution of image data being transmitted. As users interact with the image collection and specific regions are identified as areas of interest, the system dynamically increases the resolution of those particular regions while maintaining low-resolution transmission for other areas, thus balancing data transfer time with viewing quality.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution image data is stored for all images in the collection, then viewing quality is improved, but storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested storage structure where multiple resolution versions of image data are stored in a hierarchical manner. The system stores low-resolution versions of all images in the collection, and only stores high-resolution data for specific regions of interest that are frequently accessed or identified as important. This nested approach allows the system to maintain acceptable viewing quality for all images while significantly reducing total storage requirements compared to storing full high-resolution data for every image.
4Measurement precision
If all selected images are transmitted at full resolution, then image quality is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement where different regions of images receive different resolution treatments based on their importance. Instead of uniformly transmitting all images at full resolution, the system identifies regions of interest (such as areas with user interaction, areas containing critical information, or areas that have been previously accessed) and transmits high-resolution data only for those specific regions. Other regions are transmitted at lower resolutions, thereby maintaining acceptable overall image quality while significantly reducing total bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed, that may include establishing communication between a first computer and a second computer over a communication link, the second computer having an image collection stored therein in the form of compressed image data; selecting a plurality of images in the collection for communication to said first computer; and transmitting low-resolution image data for all of the selected images from the second computer to the first computer before transmitting full-resolution image data for any of the selected images.