Graphic image re-encoding and distribution system and method

A method of processing a graphic image, comprising:

• dividing an image data array comprising the graphic image into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• and
• generating a plurality of encoded blocks by independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding encoded block by:
• applying a plurality of distinct lossless encodings to the block to produce an equal plurality of distinct encoded block versions;
• selecting as the encoded block one of the plurality of distinct encoded block versions in accordance with predefined selection criteria;
• and
• storing each encoded block in a distinct data structure.

A method of processing a graphic image, comprising:

• dividing a first image data array comprising the graphic image at a first resolution level into a first set of blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks in the first set of blocks have a first predefined block size;
• independently, losslessly encoding each of the blocks in the first set of blocks to produce a first set of encoded blocks, and storing each respective encoded block in the first set of encoded blocks in a separate, respective data structure;
• dividing a second image data array comprising the graphic image at a second resolution level into a second set of blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks in the second set of blocks have a second predefined block size;
• independently, losslessly encoding each of the blocks in the second set of blocks to produce a second set of encoded blocks, and storing each respective encoded block in the second set of encoded blocks in a separate, respective data structure;
• and
• storing in a data structure zoom out linkage information, linking a first block in the first set of encoded blocks to a corresponding lower resolution encoded block in the second set of encoded blocks, and zoom in linkage information linking a second block in the second set of encoded blocks to a corresponding higher resolution encoded block in the first set of blocks;
• wherein
• the first resolution level is a higher resolution level than the second resolution level and the first set of encoded blocks represent portions of the graphic image at higher resolution than portions of the graphic image represented by the second set of encoded blocks, and the zoom out linkage information and zoom in linkage information facilitate zoom out and zoom in operations.

A method of processing an graphic image file, encoded using a first predefined run-length based or pattern based encoding method, the graphic image file representing a graphic image, the method, comprising:

• decoding the graphic image file to produce an image data array;
• dividing the image data array into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding encoded block by remapping pixel values in accordance with a histogram mapping method and encoding the remapped pixel values using an lossless encoding method based on how many distinct pixel values are included in the block, such the encoded remapped pixel values have a bit length determined, at least in part, by the number of distinct pixel values in the block;
• and
• storing each encoded block in a distinct data structure.

A method of processing an graphic image file, encoded using a first predefined run-length based or pattern based encoding method, the graphic image file representing a graphic image, the method, comprising:

• decoding the graphic image file to produce an image data array;
• dividing the image data array into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• generating a plurality of encoded blocks by independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding encoded block by:
• applying a plurality of distinct lossless encodings to the block to produce an equal plurality of distinct encoded block versions;
• selecting as the encoded block one of the plurality of distinct encoded block versions in accordance with predefined selection criteria;
• and
• storing each encoded block in a distinct data structure.

A method of processing an image file, encoded using a first predefined run-length based or pattern based encoding method, the method, comprising:

• decoding the image file to produce an image data array;
• dividing the image data array into at least four blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• and
• independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding re-encoded block by remapping pixel values in accordance with a histogram mapping method and encoding the remapped pixel values using an lossless encoding method based on how many distinct pixel values are included in the block, such that the bit length of the encoded remapped pixel values is determined, at least in part, by the number of distinct pixel values in the block;
• and
• storing each re-encoded block in a distinct data structure.

A method of processing an graphic image file, encoded using a first predefined run-length or pattern based encoding method, the method, comprising:

• decoding the image file to produce an image data array;
• dividing the image data array into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• and
• independently, losslessly re-encoding each of the blocks and storing each respective re-encoded block in a separate, respective data structure;
• where the re-encoding of each respective block uses a respective encoding method that is distinct from the first predefined encoding method.

A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

• an encoding module for dividing a graphic image comprising an image data array into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size and for encoding at least a plurality of the blocks, the encoding module including instructions for independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding encoded block by:
• applying a plurality of distinct lossless encodings to the block to produce an equal plurality of distinct encoded block versions;
• selecting as the encoded block one of the plurality of distinct encoded block versions in accordance with predefined selection criteria;
• and
• storing each encoded block in a distinct data structure

A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

• an encoding module including instructions for:
• dividing a first image data array comprising a graphic image at a first resolution level into a first set of blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks in the first set of blocks have a first predefined block size;
• independently, losslessly encoding each of the blocks in the first set of blocks to produce a first set of encoded blocks, and storing each respective encoded block in the first set of encoded blocks in a separate, respective data structure;
• dividing a second image data array comprising the graphic image at a second resolution level into a second set of blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks in the second set of blocks have a second predefined block size;
• independently, losslessly encoding each of the blocks in the second set of blocks to produce a second set of encoded blocks, and storing each respective encoded block in the second set of encoded blocks in a separate, respective data structure;
• and
• storing in a data structure zoom out linkage information, linking a first block in the first set of encoded blocks to a corresponding lower resolution encoded block in the second set of encoded blocks, and zoom in linkage information linking a second block in the second set of encoded blocks to a corresponding higher resolution encoded block in the first set of blocks;
• wherein
• the first resolution level is a higher resolution level than the second resolution level and the first set of encoded blocks represent portions of the graphic image at higher resolution than portions of the graphic image represented by the second set of encoded blocks, and the zoom out linkage information and zoom in linkage information facilitate zoom out and zoom in operations.

A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

• an re-encoding module including instructions for:
• decoding a graphic image file to produce an image data array, the graphic image file having previously been encoded using a first predefined run-length based or pattern based encoding method, the graphic image file representing a graphic image;
• dividing the image data array into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding encoded block by remapping pixel values in accordance with a histogram mapping method and encoding the remapped pixel values using an lossless encoding method based on how many distinct pixel values are included in the block, such the encoded remapped pixel values have a bit length determined, at least in part, by the number of distinct pixel values in the block;
• and
• storing each encoded block in a distinct data structure.

A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

• an re-encoding module including instructions for:
• decoding a graphic image file to produce an image data array;
• the graphic image file having previously been encoded using a first predefined run-length based or pattern based encoding method, the graphic image file representing a graphic image;
• dividing the image data array into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• generating a plurality of encoded blocks by independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding encoded block by:
• applying a plurality of distinct lossless encodings to the block to produce an equal plurality of distinct encoded block versions;
• selecting as the encoded block one of the plurality of distinct encoded block versions in accordance with predefined selection criteria;
• and
• storing each encoded block in a distinct data structure.

A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

• a re-encoding module including instructions for:
• decoding a graphic image file to produce an image data array, the graphic image file having previously been encoded using a first predefined run-length based or pattern based encoding method, the graphic image file representing a graphic image;
• dividing the image data array into at least four blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• and
• independently processing each block of a plurality of the blocks to produce a corresponding re-encoded block by remapping pixel values in accordance with a histogram mapping method and encoding the remapped pixel values using an lossless encoding method based on how many distinct pixel values are included in the block, such that the bit length of the encoded remapped pixel values is determined, at least in part, by the number of distinct pixel values in the block;
• and
• storing each re-encoded block in a distinct data structure.

A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

• a re-encoding module including instructions for:
• decoding a graphic image file to produce an image data array, the graphic image file having previously been encoded using a first predefined run-length based or pattern based encoding method, the graphic image file representing a graphic image;
• dividing the image data array into blocks, wherein a majority of the blocks have a predefined fixed size;
• and
• independently, losslessly re-encoding each of the blocks and storing each respective re-encoded block in a separate, respective data structure;
• where the re-encoding of each respective block uses a respective encoding method that is distinct from the first predefined encoding method.