Graphics Interchange Format

Abstract: Binary data representing graphic images, such as a Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) file, are converted into character based data. The converted character based data are then loaded onto an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) message and transported to a mobile terminal via Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) provided by the Global System for Mobile (GSM) or Personal Communications System (PCS) network. Once the transmitted USSD message containing the converted character based data are received by the mobile terminal, the encapsulated data are retrieved and reconverted back to the binary data representing the original GIF file. The GIF file is then fed into a video graphics array (VGA) driver to be displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit attached to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: Downloading medical images on the Web creates certain compromises. The tradeoff is between higher resolution and faster download times. As resolution increases, download times increase. High-resolution (photographic quality) electronic images can potentially play a key role in medical education and patient care. On the Internet, images are typically formatted as Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) or the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) files. However, these formats are associated with considerable data loss in both color depth and image resolution. Furthermore, these images are available in a single resolution and have no capability of allowing the user to adjust resolution as needed. Images in the photo compact disc (PCD) format have higher resolutions than GIF or JPEG, but suffer the disadvantage of large file sizes leading to long download times on the Web. Furthermore, native Web browsers are not currently able to read PCD files. The FlashPix format (FPX) offers distinct advantages over the PCD, GIF, and JPEG formats for display of high-resolution images on the Web. A Java applet can be easily downloaded for viewing FPX images. FPX images are higher resolution than JPEG and GIF images. FPX images offer rich resolutions comparable to PCD images with shorter download times.

Abstract: To allow a video clip to be rendered within an e-mail, the video stream is converted into an animated image object (e.g. a GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) object) and stored on a server system. An HTML image element/tag ( ) is created that references the animated image object at the server, for embedding in a conventional HTML-encoded e-mail message. When the receiving e-mail application processes the HTML encoding, the processing of the HTML image element causes the referenced animated image object to be downloaded and displayed, thereby automatically presenting a recreation of the video stream. To facilitate efficient transmission to the receiving device, the size of the animated image object is preferably optimized before transmission, the optimization including general optimization techniques, as well as optimizations based on the particular characteristics associated with the receiving device and/or the communications link to the receiving device.

Abstract: A system for providing a topology map generation service from a service information portal is improved by utilizing an object-oriented class, a mapview module, configured for generating topology maps. The mapview module may be implemented in an object-oriented language such as Smalltalk, C++, JAVA or the like. The mapview module may be configured to provide member functions that include at least associating an output file stream; adding icon symbols and connections symbols between the icon symbols; generating a background graphic (e.g., a building, a geographic map, etc.,); and generating a topology map (or image) by calling a command on an object; and utilizing hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”) to transfer images across a network. In effect, the mapview module hides all the low-level graphic details for generating a topology view/map/image from a user. Thus, the generation of the topology maps may become easier. Additionally, since the mapview module is an object-oriented class, the mapview module may be used on a variety of computing platforms and support multiple graphic formats such as graphics interchange format (“GIF”), portable network graphics (“PNG”) and the like.