Method and data arrangement for encapsulating signed over-ranged color image data to accommodate in-range file formats

A method for arranging image data in an over-ranging color space in a format rendering color image data sets encoded in the over-ranging format compatible with in-range color image systems, the method comprising the steps of:

• formulating a file header segment describing contents of a color image file;
• and
• creating an image data segment comprising digital image data representing a set of color image elements encoded in a signed over-ranged color space, the creating an image data segment comprising the sub-steps of:
• first storing image data corresponding to a first color image data word portion associated with an in-range color space within a first partition;
• and
• second storing image data corresponding to a second color image data word portion associated with an over-ranging color space in a second partition.

A color image data encoder for arranging image data in an over-ranging color space in a format rendering color image data sets encoded in the over-ranging format compatible with in-range color image systems, the color image data encoder comprising:

• a first routine for formulating a file header segment describing contents of a color image file;
• and
• a second routine for creating an image data segment comprising digital image data representing a set of color image elements encoded in a signed over-ranged color space, the creating an image data segment comprising:
• first storing image data corresponding to a first color image data word portion associated with an in-range color space within a first partition;
• and
• second storing image data corresponding to a second color image data word portion associated with an over-ranging color space in a second partition.

A decoder for rendering color image data from a color image file comprising image data encoded in an over-ranging color space, in a format rendering color image data sets encoded in the over-ranging format compatible with in-range color image systems, the decoder comprising:

• a first parsing routine for decoding a file header segment describing contents of a color image file;
• and
• a second parsing routine for decoding an image data segment comprising digital image data representing a set of color image elements encoded in a signed over-ranged color space, the decoding an image data segment comprising:
• first retrieving image data corresponding to a first color image data word portion associated with an in-range color space within a first partition;
• and
• second retrieving image data corresponding to a second color image data word portion associated with an over-ranging color space in a second partition.

A computer-readable medium storing computer executable instructions to perform steps for arranging image data in an over-ranging color space in a format rendering color image data sets encoded in the over-ranging format compatible with in-range color image systems, the steps comprising:

• formulating a file header segment describing contents of a color image file;
• and
• creating an image data segment comprising digital image data representing a set of color image elements encoded in a signed over-ranged color space, the creating an image data segment comprising the sub-steps of:
• first storing image data corresponding to a first color image data word portion associated with an in-range color space within a first partition;
• and
• second storing image data corresponding to a second color image data word portion associated with an over-ranging color space in a second partition.