Image analysis – Image compression or coding
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-03
2002-10-29
Tran, Phuoc (Department: 2621)
Image analysis
Image compression or coding
C382S233000, C382S240000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06473526
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing system comprising a server machine for managing hierarchical encoded image data, a client machine for decoding and displaying the hierarchical encoded image data, and a network for connecting the server machine and the client machine and a control method of the system, an image processing apparatus and a control method of the apparatus, and a computer readable memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional image processing system for exchanging hierarchical encoded image data between a server machine and a client machine through a network, the server machine transfers encoded image data in all layers of hierarchical encoded image data requested by the client machine in accordance with one transfer request.
In separately transferring hierarchical encoded image data a plurality of times, the hierarchical encoded image data is divided and transferred in predetermined units.
Additionally, when the client machine needs to use once transferred hierarchical encoded image data like a data cache, an image of the transferred hierarchical encoded image data is stored in a file as a temporary file without changing the format of the image.
In the above conventional image processing system, the encoded image data in all layers of requested hierarchical encoded image data is transmitted in accordance with one transfer request from the client machine to the server machine. Therefore, when hierarchical encoded image data encoded by a hierarchical coding method such as a JBIG coding method or a JPEG progressive coding method is used, even encoded image data in layers not used in display is transferred to the client machine. This increases the traffic of the network connecting the server machine and the client machine and also prolongs the time required for transfer.
In the JBIG coding method, JBIG-encoded hierarchical image data is necessarily decoded in order from encoded image data in a lowest-resolution layer. However, encoded image data constituted by a HITOLO format (constituted in order from encoded image data in a highest-resolution layer to encoded image data in a lowest-resolution layer) is transferred in this order from the server machine to the client machine. Therefore, the client machine must start decoding an encoded image in the lowest-resolution layer stored in the end of the encoded image data. This complicates the decoding process.
Also, in divisionally transferring hierarchical encoded image data in predetermined units, data is transferred in fixed units regardless of the transfer capacity or the use conditions of the network. Therefore, only a very small amount of data is sometimes transferred although the network in use is not frequently used. Conversely, a large amount of data is sometimes transferred when the network is busy. In either case, the network cannot be efficiently used.
Furthermore, when the client machine has a function of storing once transferred hierarchical encoded image data in a temporary area like a data cache, an image of the transferred encoded image data is immediately stored. When only encoded image data in a certain layer of hierarchical encoded image data is transferred, an image of the divisionally transferred encoded image data is immediately stored in the data cache. Therefore, even when the encoded image data is again decoded, the same complicated process as in the first time must be performed.
Additionally, to directly read out and decode each divided encoded image data in this data cache, dedicated decode/display application software is necessary. This lowers the versatility of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide, in an image processing apparatus for managing hierarchical encoded image data by using a server/client system, an image processing system capable of efficiently exchanging hierarchical encoded image data between a server machine and a client machine and rapidly decoding and displaying encoded image data received by the client machine and a control method of the system, an image processing apparatus and a control method of the apparatus, and a computer readable memory.
To achieve the above object, an image processing system according to the present invention has the following arrangement.
An image processing system comprises a server machine for managing hierarchical encoded image data, a client machine for decoding and displaying the hierarchical encoded image data, and a network for connecting the server machine and the client machine, the server machine comprising transmitting means for transmitting encoded image data in one layer designated in units of layers from the hierarchical encoded image data to the client machine through the network, the client machine comprising receiving means for receiving encoded image data transmitted in units of layers from the server machine through the network, and reconstructing means for reconstructing the encoded image data in each layer received by the receiving means into one hierarchical encoded image data, and the reconstructing means storing latest encoded image data received by the receiving means while converting the latest encoded image data into one hierarchical encoded image data by combining the latest encoded image data with previously received encoded image data.
To achieve the above object, a method of controlling an image processing system according to the present invention has the following arrangement.
A method of controlling an image processing system comprising a server machine for managing hierarchical encoded image data, a client machine for decoding and displaying the hierarchical encoded image data, and a network for connecting the server machine and the client machine comprises the transmission step of transmitting encoded image data in one layer designated in units of layers from the hierarchical encoded image data from the server machine to the client machine through the network, the reception step of allowing the client machine to receive encoded image data transmitted in units of layers from the server machine through the network, and the reconstruction step of reconstructing the encoded image data in each layer received in the reception step into one hierarchical encoded image data, wherein the reconstruction step stores latest encoded image data received in the reception step while converting the latest encoded image data into one hierarchical encoded image data by combining the latest encoded image data with previously received encoded image data.
To achieve the above object, a computer readable memory according to the present invention has the following arrangement.
A computer readable memory storing program codes for controlling an image processing system comprising a server machine for managing hierarchical encoded image data, a client machine for decoding and displaying the hierarchical encoded image data, and a network for connecting the server machine and the client machine comprises a program code of the transmission step of transmitting encoded-image data in one layer designated in units of layers from the hierarchical encoded image data from the server machine to the client machine through the network, a program code of the reception step of allowing the client machine to receive encoded image data transmitted in units of layers from the server machine through the network, and a program code of the reconstruction step of reconstructing the encoded image data in each layer received in the reception step into one hierarchical encoded image data, wherein the reconstruction step stores latest encoded image data received in the reception step while converting the latest encoded image data into one hierarchical encoded image data by combining the latest encoded image data with previously received encoded image data.
To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangem
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Tran Phuoc
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