System and methods for improved storage and processing of BITMAP images

In a computer system, a method for encoding multiple images into a single bitmap, the method comprising:

• (a) storing at least one image in the bitmap;
• and
• (b) for each said at least one image stored in the bitmap:
• (1) storing in the bitmap at least one delimiter for marking boundaries of the image, and
• (2) storing in the bitmap an identifier for the image, so that the image may be distinguished from other images stored in the bitmap;
• wherein said bitmap comprises an array of pixel values representing images and wherein step (b)(1) includes:
• selecting a single pixel of the bitmap to serve as a reference, said single pixel having a color value;
• and
• storing in said bitmap at least one bracket for delimiting boundaries of the image, said at least one bracket having a color value different from that of said single pixel.

In a computer system, a method for encoding multiple images into a single bitmap, the method comprising:

• (a) storing at least one image in the bitmap:
• and
• (b) for each said at least one image stored in the bitmap:
• (1) storing in the bitmap at least one delimiter for marking boundaries of the image, and
• (2) storing in the bitmap an identifier for the image, so that the image may be distinguished from other images stored in the bitmap:
• (c) storing in the bitmap a bitmap mask for at least one of said images, said mask for rendering an image which is not rectangular;
• and
• (d) storing in the bitmap at least one mask delimiter for said mask, thereby associating the mask with a particular image.

In a computer system, an improved method for storing bitmapped images, the improvement comprising:

• (a) storing a plurality of images of various sizes in a single bitmap;
• and
• (b) for each particular image of said images,
• (i) embedding within the bitmap itself information indicating dimensions of the particular image, so that the boundaries of each image can be determined;
• and
• (ii) embedding within the bitmap itself at a location in the bitmap other than where the particular image itself is stored a unique identifier for the particular image, so that the particular image can be distinguished from other images of said plurality of images stored in the bitmap.

In a computer system, an improved method for storing bitmapped images, the improvement comprising:

• (a) storing a plurality of images in a single bitmap;
• and
• (b) for each of said images, embedding within the bitmap itself information indicating dimensions and a unique identifier for the image;
• (c) storing in the bitmap a mask for at least one of the images, for rendering an image which is not rectangular;
• (d) surrounding said mask and its corresponding image with corner brackets, for indicating size;
• and
• (e) separating the image from its mask by interposing "T" brackets.

An image processing system comprising:

• (a) means for receiving information specifying a plurality of images of various sizes;
• (b) storage means for storing said plurality of images in a single bitmap;
• and
• (c) storage means for storing with each particular image of said plurality of images stored in the bitmap at least one delimiter for marking boundaries of the image, and an identifier for the image, said particular image itself being stored at bits of the bitmap other than bits employed from storing said at least one delimiter and storing said identifier;
• so that the image may be distinguished from other images stored in the bitmap.