Method and device for image and video transmission over low-bandwidth and high-latency transmission channels

Abstract

A method for transmission of images and/or video over bandwidth limited transmission channels having varying available bandwidth, which uses a classification algorithm to decompose the images and/or video to be transmitted into multiple spatial areas, each area having a specific image type; detecting the image type of each of those areas; and separately selecting for each of those areas an image and/or video encoding algorithm having a compression ratio. The classification algorithm is used to prioritize each of the areas, increase the compression ratio of the image and/or video encoding algorithm dedicated to spatial areas having lower priority in case of decreasing bandwidth.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method for securing transmission of data from a server to a portable imaging device, the data comprising confidential and non-confidential data, the method comprising:
 determining a position of the portable imaging device with respect to an authorised area,   based on the determined position of the portable imaging device, determining whether the portable imaging device is authorized to receive the confidential and/or non-confidential data over a predetermined transmission channel,   transmitting, from the server to the portable imaging device, the confidential and/or non-confidential data requested if authorisation is granted, the portable imaging device having a display area,   removing at least from the display area at least the confidential data when the portable imaging device leaves the authorised area, so that only non-confidential information is visible, and   showing at least on the display area the confidential data when the portable imaging device enters the authorised area.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising removing at least confidential data from volatile and/or non-volatile memory elements in the portable imaging device when the portable imaging device leaves the authorised area. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 34 , furthermore comprising encrypting the confidential data when the portable imaging device leaves the authorised area. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , the method furthermore comprising decrypting the confidential data when the portable imaging device enters the authorised area. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 34 , the method furthermore comprising switching to a transmission channel different from the predetermined for transmitting the requested data, the transmission channel used depending on the determined position of the portable imaging device. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 34 , the method furthermore comprising switching to a transmission channel different from the predetermined for transmitting the requested data, the transmission channel used depending on regulations in place at the determined position of the portable imaging device. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 38 , the portable imaging device determining which transmission channel to use for transmitting the requested data. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 39 , the portable imaging device determining which transmission channel to use for transmitting the requested data. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the server determines which transmission channel to use for transmitting the requested data. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the server determines which transmission channel to use for transmitting the requested data. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 34  wherein the confidential and non-confidential data are images and/or video. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the images and/or video are medical images and/or video. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the transmission channel for transmitting images and/or video is a bandwidth limited transmission channel having varying available bandwidth for transmitting to a plurality of portable imaging devices, the method comprising the use of a classification algorithm for each of the images and/or video, for:
 decomposing the images and/or video to be transmitted into multiple spatial areas, each area having a specific image type;   detecting the image type of each of those areas   separately selecting for each of those areas an image and/or video encoding algorithm having a compression ratio;   wherein each of the portable imaging devices is prioritized, said classification algorithm increasing the compression ratio of the image and/or video encoding algorithms dedicated to a device having lower priority in case of decreasing bandwidth.   
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein said prioritizing of the portable imaging devices is done based on the applications accessed through said portable imaging devices. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein said prioritizing of the portable imaging devices is done based on the identity of users using said portable imaging devices. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising a step of user log-on to one of said portable imaging devices. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein said prioritizing of the portable imaging devices is done based on the location of said portable imaging devices.