High fidelity image delivery with color correction notification

• US 6,744,448 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2000
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: LightSurf Technologies, Inc. (VeriSign, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hilliard, William J., Bernard, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Sy D.
• Application Number:
  US09/603,445
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 345/700, 345/716, 345/727, 345/728, 345/733, 345/760, 345/764, 345/772, 345/810, 345/835, 345/589, 345/593, 345/594, 345/597, 345/690, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/219
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32512 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32529 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices

Abstract

A system and method for providing critical end user feedback as to the color correction status of imagery shown on a client display, thus notifying the user that the color image being viewed is color accurate. In particular, the invention includes server and or client based applets which automatically informs viewers and/or other receivers of digital images as to the state of color correction for a particular digital image, thus notifying a viewer of the visual integrity of the digital image being displayed. The notification may be an icon that provides users with a visible indication about the integrity of color imagery currently being viewed by the client at a specific web site. It does this by briefly flashing the cursor for a fraction of a second to indicate if whether or not the page is being viewed utilizing calibrated color. This icon can be implemented in addition, or instead, in the OS, in a web-enabled application, or in a browser (when implemented on as a client-side application); or it can be implemented as an image, tag, program, or watermark embedded within a web page by the web server or by any of the links between server and client within the network infrastructure.

Claims

1. A method for responding to a request for an image, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request for an image for display to a user on a user'"'"'s display;

determining color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display;

providing a selected image for display to the user on the user'"'"'s display; and

without user intervention, causing an indication comprising a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image to be provided to the user for viewing on the user'"'"'s display together with the selected image indicating whether the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein all steps are performed by a server in communication with a plurality of users through a computer network such as the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is a person or a computer network client.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the color corrected selected image includes an image color corrected for display on the user'"'"'s display.

5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing a signal to cause the user'"'"'s display to provide the indication to the user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to provide the indication.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display is accomplished prior to the step of providing the selected image.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to provide the indication, including a selected one of an icon, a second image, a watermark, and a non-standard cursor on the user'"'"'s display.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to provide a first indication to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to provide a second indication to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to provide a first indication to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display and provide a second indication to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to provide an indication to the user of the state of color correction of the selected image.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to display an icon on the user'"'"'s display, the icon having a default, first state indicative of a non-color corrected selected image and a second state indicative of a color corrected selected image.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing a software process for loading into an Internet browser or a storage media browser.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

distributing code executable in association with the user'"'"'s display and responsive to the signal to provide a non-visual indication.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the non-visual indication is an audio indication.

17. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

verifying that the selected image has color correction information matched to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

18. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing a signal to cause the user'"'"'s display to provide the indication to the user further comprises the step of:

providing color correction information associated with the selected image to the user.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of providing color correction information associated with the selected image to the user further comprises the step of:

providing information related to color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display received with the request.

20. The method of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the step of receiving a request further comprises the step of:

receiving the request from the user.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of receiving a request from the user further comprises the step of:

receiving information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display together with the request.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of providing a selected image further comprises the step of:

selecting an image responsive to the request and to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

verifying that the selected image has color correction information matched to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

24. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of receiving a request further comprises the step of:

receiving the request from a server in communication with the user.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step receiving a request from the server further comprises the step of:

receiving information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display together with the request.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of providing a selected image further comprises the step of:

selecting an image responsive to the request and to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing color correction information associated with the selected image to the server.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing the indication to the server together with the image.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing the indication to the server further comprises the step of:

providing a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing the indication to the server further comprises the step of:

providing a non-visual indication.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

verifying that the selected image has color correction information matched to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

32. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of providing a selected image further comprises the step of:

providing the selected image to the user.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of receiving a request from the user further comprises the step of:

receiving information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display together with the request.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of receiving a request from the user further comprises the step of:

selecting an image responsive to the request and to information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

35. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of providing a selected image further comprises the step of:

providing the selected image to a server in communication with the user.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of receiving a request from the user further comprises:

receiving information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display together with the request.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of providing a selected image further comprises the step of:

selecting an image responsive to the request and to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing the indication to the server together with the image.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of providing the indication to the server further comprises the step of:

providing a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of providing the indication to the server further comprises the step of:

providing a non-visual indication.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:

providing a server storing a plurality of images.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of providing a server storing a plurality of images comprises the step of:

providing a plurality of color corrected images on the server.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a selected image for display to the user on the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

selecting one of the plurality of color corrected images on the server.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the step of selecting one of the plurality of color corrected images on the server further comprises the steps of:

detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display; and

selecting an image having color correction information corresponding to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display contained in the request.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of receiving a request further comprises the step of:

receiving a request for a markup language file.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

detecting a transfer function associated with the user'"'"'s display.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of selecting an image further comprises the steps of:

selecting one of the plurality of images; and

color correcting the selected image in accordance with the transfer function.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing executable code and electronic circuitry to display the indication on the user'"'"'s display.

50. The method of claim 41, comprising the further steps of:

providing a user client to transmit the request to the server and to receive the selected image for display on the user'"'"'s display.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of receiving a request further comprises the step of:

receiving a request for a markup language file.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of receiving a request further comprises the step of:

detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display contained in the request.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of providing a server storing a plurality of images further comprises the step of:

providing a plurality of color corrected images on the server.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of providing a selected image for display to the user on the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

selecting one of the plurality of color corrected images on the server having color correction information corresponding to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

detecting a transfer function associated with the user'"'"'s display.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of providing a selected image for display to the user on the user'"'"'s display further comprises the steps of:

selecting one of the plurality of images; and

color correcting the selected image in accordance with the transfer function.

57. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of receiving a request further comprises the step of:

receiving a request for a URL embedded in a markup language file.

58. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of providing a selected image further comprises the step of:

providing an analog image or a digital image.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the step of providing a digital image further comprises the step of:

providing a digital image compressed in the GIF, PNG, or JPEG format.

60. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of providing a selected image further comprises the step of:

providing a selected image for display on a transmissive or a reflective imaging device.

61. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing executable code to display the indication on the user'"'"'s display.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the step of providing executable code further comprises the step of;

providing a software process for loading into an image retrieval program running on the user client.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the step of providing a software process for loading into an image retrieval program further comprises the step of;

providing a software process for loading into an Internet browser or a storage media browser running on the user client.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the step of providing executable code further comprise the step of:

providing executable code running on the server.

65. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing electronic circuitry to display the indication on the user'"'"'s display.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the step of providing electronic circuitry further comprises the step of:

providing electronic circuitry connected to the server.

67. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

verifying that the selected image has color correction information matched to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

68. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing color correction information regarding the selected image.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the step of providing color correction information regarding the selected image further comprises the step of:

providing color correction information regarding the selected image together with the selected image.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the step of providing color correction information regarding the selected image further comprises the step of:

providing color correction information regarding the selected image to the user.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the step of providing color correction information regarding the selected image further comprises the step of:

providing color correction information regarding the selected image and the selected image to a server in communication with the user.

72. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing the indication.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of providing the indication to the user for display together with the image further comprises the step of:

providing the indication to the user.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the step of providing the indication to the user further comprises the step of:

providing a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein the step of providing the indication to the user further comprises the step of:

providing a non-visual indication.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the step of providing a non-visual indication further comprises the step of:

providing an audio indication.

77. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of providing the indication for display together with the image further comprises the step of:

providing the indication to a server in communication with the user.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the step of providing the indication to the server further comprises the step of:

providing a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the step of providing the indication to the server further comprises the step of:

providing a non-visual indication.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the step of providing a non-visual indication further comprises the step of:

providing an audio indication.

81. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of providing the indication further comprises the step of:

providing the indication for display together with the image.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the step of providing the indication for display together with the image further comprises the step of:

providing the indication to the user.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein the step of providing the indication for display together with the image further comprises the step of:

providing the indication to a server in communication with the user.

84. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

causing a non-visual indication to be provided to the user.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

causing an audio indication to be provided to the user.

86. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

causing a first indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is color corrected a for the user'"'"'s display.

87. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

causing a second indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

88. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the steps of:

causing a first indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display; and

causing a second indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

89. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

causing an indication to be provided to the user of the state of color correction of the selected image.

90. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

providing an icon for display on the user'"'"'s display, the icon having a default, first state indicative of a non-color corrected selected image and a second state indicative of a color corrected selected image.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the step of providing an icon for display on the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

providing executable code to display the icon on the user'"'"'s display.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the step of providing executable code to display the icon on the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

providing a software process for loading into an Internet browser or a storage media browser.

93. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

detecting color correction information associated with the selected image.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the step of detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprises the step of:

detecting a color correction information data file or an identification associated with a known color state.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprises the step of:

detecting color correction information embedded within the selected image.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprises the step of:

detecting markup language tags, ICC profiles, pointers to markup language tags, or pointers to ICC profiles.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprises the step of:

detecting if the selected image is defined in a known color space.

98. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein the step of detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display contained in the request.

100. The method of claim 98, wherein the step of detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

detecting a transfer function associated with the user'"'"'s display.

101. The method of claim 98, wherein the step of detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

checking file entries, registries, pointers to file entries, or pointers to registries to determine whether user display characterization parameters are present.

102. The method of claim 98, wherein the step of causing an indication to be provided to the user further comprises the step of:

determining if the color correction information associated with the selected image is responsive to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

103. A system for responding to a request for an image, comprising:

a user'"'"'s display having color display characteristics;

a server for providing a plurality of images for use in responding to a request for an image for display on the user'"'"'s display and detecting color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display, and

an indicator for causing without user intervention an indication comprising a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image to be provided to the user for viewing on the user'"'"'s display indicating if an image selected from the plurality of images in response to the request is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

104. The system of claim 103, further comprising:

a server hosting the plurality of images and in communication with a plurality of users through a computer network such as the Internet.

105. The system of claim 103, wherein the user is a person or a computer network client.

106. The system of claim 103, wherein the color corrected selected image includes an image color corrected for display on the user'"'"'s display.

107. The system of claim 106, further comprising:

a storage medium to store the plurality of images.

108. The system of claim 107, further comprising:

a client connected to the storage medium to select an image in response to the request and to retrieve the selected image.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein the indicator further comprises:

executable code running on the client.

110. The system of claim 108, wherein the indicator further comprises:

electronic circuitry connected to the client.

111. The system of claim 108, wherein the indicator further comprises:

executable code running on the client and electronic circuitry connected to the client.

112. The system of claims 109 or 111, wherein the executable code further comprises:

a software process for loading into a storage media browser for browsing the plurality of images on the storage medium.

113. The system of claim 108, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for detecting information relating to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

114. The system of claim 113, wherein the client further comprises:

means for selecting an image responsive to the request and to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

115. The system of claim 114, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for verifying that the selected image has color correction information matched to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

116. The system of claim 108, wherein the storage medium further comprises:

a compact disc drive.

117. The system of claim 108, wherein the user'"'"'s display further comprises:

a transmissive or a reflective imaging device.

118. The system of claim 107, further comprising:

a server connected to the storage medium to select an image in response to the request and to retrieve the selected image.

119. The system of claim 118, further comprising:

a client in communication with the server to transmit the request to the server and to receive the selected image from the server.

120. The system of claim 119, wherein the indicator further comprises:

executable code running on the client.

121. The system of claim 120, wherein the server further comprises:

means for providing a signal to cause the executable code to provide the indication to the user.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code responsive to the signal to provide the indication, including a selected one of an icon, a second image, a watermark, and non-standard cursor on the user'"'"'s display.

123. The system of claim 122, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code responsive to the signal to provide a first indication to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

124. The system of claim 122, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code responsive to the signal to provide a second indication to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

125. The system of claim 122, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code responsive to the signal to provide a first indication to the user if the selected image is color corrected the user'"'"'s display and provide a second indication if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

126. The system of claim 122, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code responsive to the signal to provide an indication to the user of the state of color correction of the selected image.

127. The system of claim 122, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code responsive to the signal to display an icon on the user'"'"'s display, the icon having a default, first state indicative of a non-color corrected selected image and a second state indicative of a color corrected selected image.

128. The system of claim 122, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code loaded into an Internet browser or a storage media browser.

129. The system of claim 122, wherein the executable code further comprises:

executable code responsive to the signal to provide a non-visual indication.

130. The system of claim 129, wherein the non-visual indication is an audio indication.

131. The system of claim 129, wherein the signal further comprises:

color correction information associated with the selected image.

132. The system of claim 131, wherein the color correction information associated with the selected image further comprises:

information related to color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display received with the request.

133. The system of claim 119, wherein the indicator further comprises:

electronic circuitry connected to the client.

134. The system of claim 119, wherein the indicator further comprises:

executable code running on the client and electronic circuitry connected to the client.

135. The system of claims 120 or 134, wherein the executable code further comprises:

a software process for loading into a storage media browser for browsing the plurality of images on the storage medium.

136. The system of claim 119, wherein the indicator further comprises:

executable code running on the server.

137. The system of claim 119, wherein the indicator further comprises:

electronic circuitry connected to the server.

138. The system of claim 119, wherein the indicator further comprises:

executable code running on the server and electronic circuitry connected to the server.

139. The system of claims 136 or 138, wherein the executable code further comprises:

a software process for loading into a browser for browsing the plurality of images on the storage medium.

140. The system of claim 136 or 138, wherein the server further comprises:

means for transmitting an indication provided by the indicator to the client.

141. The system of claim 136 or 138, wherein the server further comprises:

means for transmitting an indication provided by the indicator to the client for display on the user'"'"'s display.

142. The system of claim 139, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for detecting information relating to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

143. The system of claim 142, wherein the server further comprises:

means for selecting an image responsive to the request and to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

144. The system of claim 143, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for verifying that the selected image has color correction information matched to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

145. The system of claim 119, wherein the plurality of images further comprise:

a plurality of color corrected images.

146. The system of claim 145, wherein the server further comprises:

means for selecting one of the plurality of color corrected images on the server in response to the request.

147. The system of claim 146, wherein the means for selecting one of the plurality of color corrected images on the server further comprise:

means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display; and

means for selecting an image having color correction information corresponding to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

148. The system of claim 147, wherein the means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprise:

means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display contained in the request.

149. The system of claim 148, wherein the server further comprises:

means for receiving a request for a markup language file.

150. The system of claim 148, wherein the server further comprises:

means for receiving a request for an URL embedded in a markup language file.

151. The system of claim 147, wherein the means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprise:

means for detecting a transfer function associated with the user'"'"'s display.

152. The system of claim 151, wherein the means for selecting an image further comprise:

means for selecting one of the plurality of images; and

means for color correcting the selected image in accordance with the transfer function.

153. The system of claim 151, wherein the plurality of images further comprises:

a plurality of analog images or digital images.

154. The system of claim 153, wherein the plurality of images further comprises:

a plurality of digital images compressed in the GIF, PNG or JPEG format.

155. The system of claim 103, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for providing a non-visual indication.

156. The system of claim 155, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for providing an audio indication.

157. The system of claim 103, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for causing a first indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

158. The system of claim 103, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for causing a second indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

159. The system of claim 103, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for causing a first indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display; and

means for causing a second indication to be provided to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

160. The system of claim 103, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for causing an indication to be provided to the user of the state of color correction of the selected image.

161. The system of claim 103, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for providing an icon for display on the user'"'"'s display, the icon having a default, first state indicative of a non-color corrected selected image and a second state indicative of a color corrected selected image.

162. The system of claim 103, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for detecting color correction information associated with the selected image.

163. The method of claim 162, wherein the means for detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprise:

means for detecting a color correction information data file or an identification associated with a known color state.

164. The method of claim 163, wherein the means for detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprise:

means for detecting color correction information embedded within the selected image.

165. The system of claim 163, wherein the means for detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprise:

means for detecting markup language tags, ICC profiles, pointers to markup language tags, or pointers to ICC profiles.

166. The system of claim 162, wherein the means for detecting color correction information associated with the selected image further comprise:

means for detecting if the selected image is defined in a known color space.

167. The system of claim 162, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for detecting information relating to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

168. The system of claim 167, wherein the means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprise:

means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display contained in the request.

169. The system of claim 167, wherein the means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprise:

means for detecting a transfer function associated with the user'"'"'s display.

170. The system of claim 167, wherein the means for detecting information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprise:

means for checking file entries, registries, pointers to file entries, or pointers to registries to determine whether user display characterization parameters are present.

171. The system of claim 167, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for determining if the color correction information with the selected image is responsive to the information related to the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display.

172. A method for notifying a user viewing an image on a user'"'"'s display that the image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from a user such as a person or a computer network client for an image to view on a user'"'"'s display;

detecting color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display;

providing a selected image to the user responsive to the user request and color corrected in accordance with the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display; and

without user intervention, providing a notification to the user comprising a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image for viewing on the user'"'"'s display together with the selected image indicating that the image viewed on the user'"'"'s display is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

173. The method of claim 172, wherein the means for providing a selected image to the user further comprises the step of:

selecting an image from a plurality of images stored on a server.

174. The method of claim 173, wherein the means for receiving a request further comprises the step of:

receiving a request for a markup language file or for an URL embedded in a markup language file.

175. The method of claim 174, wherein the means for detecting color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display further comprises the step of:

detecting color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display contained in the request.

176. The method of claim 175, wherein the means for detecting color display characteristics further comprise:

detecting a transfer function associated with the user'"'"'s display.

177. The method of claim 176, wherein the means for providing a selected image to the user further comprises the step of:

color correcting the selected image in accordance with the transfer function.

178. The method of claim 172, wherein the means for providing a notification to the user further comprises the steps of:

providing color adjustment information regarding the selected image to the user to cause the display on the user'"'"'s display of a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image for viewing together with the selected image.

179. The method of claim 172, wherein the means for providing a notification to the user further comprises the step of:

selecting an image from a plurality of images stored on a client connected to the user'"'"'s display.

180. The method of claim 179, wherein the means for providing a notification to the user further comprises the step of:

providing a software process responsive to color correction information regarding the selected image to cause the display on the user'"'"'s display of a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and watermark embedded in the selected image for viewing together with selected image.

181. The method of claim 180, wherein the means for providing a software process further comprises the step of:

providing a software process for loading into a browser running on the client for browsing the plurality of images.

182. The method of claim 172, wherein the means for providing a notification to the user further comprises the step of:

providing a non-visual indication to the user.

183. The method of claim 182, wherein providing a non-visual notification to the user comprises the step of:

providing an audio indication to the user.

184. The method of claim 172, wherein the means for providing a notification to the user further comprises the steps of:

providing a first indication to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display; and

providing a second indication to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

185. The method of claim 172, wherein the means for providing a notification to the user further comprises the step of:

providing an indication to the user of the state of color correction of the selected image.

186. The method of claim 172, wherein the means for providing a notification to the user further comprises the step of:

providing an icon for display on the user'"'"'s display, the icon having a default, first state indicative of a non-color corrected selected image and a second state indicative of a color corrected selected image.

187. A system for notifying a user viewing an image on a user'"'"'s display that the image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display, comprising:

user'"'"'s display having color display characteristics to display an image requested by a user such as a person or a computer network client;

a server to receive the image request from the user, detect color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display, and provide a selected image to the user'"'"'s display responsive to the user request and color corrected in accordance with the color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display; and

an indicator to provide without user intervention a notification to the user comprising a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image for viewing on the user'"'"'s display together with the selected image indicating that the image viewed on the user'"'"'s display is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

188. The system of claim 187, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for providing color correction information regarding the selected image to the user to cause the display on the user'"'"'s display of a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image for viewing together with the selected image.

189. The system of claim 187, wherein the server further comprises:

means for receiving a request for a markup language file or for an URL embedded in a markup language file.

190. The system of claim 187, wherein the server further comprises:

means for detecting color display characteristics of the user'"'"'s display contained in the request.

191. The system of claim 190, wherein the means for detecting color display characteristics further comprise:

means for detecting a transfer function associated with the user'"'"'s display.

192. The system of claim 191, wherein the server further comprises:

means for color correcting the selected image in accordance with the transfer function.

193. The system of claim 187, wherein the server is connected to the user display and further comprises:

means for selecting an image from the plurality of images in response to the request.

194. The system of claim 193, wherein the indicator further comprises:

a software process responsive to color correction information regarding the selected image to cause the display on the user'"'"'s display of a selected one of an icon, a second image, a non-standard cursor, and a watermark embedded in the selected image for viewing together with the selected image.

195. The system of claim 194, wherein the software process further comprises:

a software process for loading into a browser running on the server for browsing the plurality of images.

196. The system of claim 187, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for providing a non-visual indication to the user.

197. The system of claim 196, wherein the means for providing a non-visual indication further comprises:

means for providing an audio indication to the user.

198. The system of claim 187, wherein the indicator further comprises:

means for providing a first indication to the user if the selected image is color corrected for the user'"'"'s display; and

means for providing a second indication to the user if the selected image is not color corrected for the user'"'"'s display.

199. The system of claim 187, wherein the indication further comprises:

means for providing an indication to the user of the state of color correction of the selected image.

200. The system of claim 187, wherein the indication further comprises:

means for providing an icon for display on the user'"'"'s display, the icon having a default, first state indicative of a non-color corrected selected image and a second state indicative of a color corrected selected image.