Color bitmap normalization

A system for transmitting a bitmap of a digital image over a network, the network connecting a first and a second computer, the system comprising:

• means, in the first computer, for reducing the size of an original bitmap by:
• counting a number n of different bit patterns included in the original bitmap;
• determining if the number n of different bit patterns included in the original bitmap is less than a number of entries in a first palette data structure;
• creating, for later reuse, a second palette data structure having at least n entries, each one of the different bit patterns in the original bitmap having at least one corresponding entry in the second palette;
• and
• replacing, in the original bitmap, the bit patterns with a pointer to a corresponding entry in the second palette data structure to thereby generate a normalized bitmap, wherein each of the entries in the second palette data structure provide a pointer to a corresponding entry in the first palette data structure containing an indication of a color to be displayed when representing a bit pattern corresponding to the entry in the second palette data structure, wherein the processor performs the create and replace operations in response to the number n of different bit patterns included in the original bitmap being less than a number of entries in the first palette data structure;
• network means for transmitting the normalized bitmap and the second palette data structure from the first to the second computer;
• and
• means, in the second computer, for obtaining the digital image using the normalized bitmap and the second palette data structure.