A Java bean that offers high performance display of images has been developed as a component of the Java Advanced Display Environment (JADE) computer program.
This component works asynchronously, loading and/or computing image tiles as needed in background threads. In so doing, it enables a main graphical-user-interface (GUI) thread to remain responsive even while loading huge images: scrolling and other actions can occur while images are being read in and/or computed. This component performs well even when loading images larger than 2 gigabytes. Display of such large images would not be practical without background processing of tiles. Scrolling is fast, regardless of image size, because the GUI is not hung while waiting for tiles to be loaded. This component is written using Java Advanced Imaging (JAI) 1.1. It is neutral with respect to image file format, so it can display almost any Java image, and it is platform-independent because it is pure Java. It also supports overlay of user-supplied graphics on images — a capability that can be used for such purposes as annotation of images, generating tie-point plots, and painting of complex or dynamic cursor shapes.
This program was written by Robert Deen of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393- 3425. Refer to NPO-30471.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Image Display Component of JADE
(reference NPO-30471) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document outlines a high-performance image display component developed as part of the Java Advanced Display Environment (JADE) for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Created by Robert Deen, this Java bean is designed to handle large images efficiently, specifically those exceeding 2 gigabytes, by utilizing asynchronous processing. This allows the component to load and compute image tiles in the background, ensuring that the main graphical user interface (GUI) remains responsive. Users can scroll and interact with the images without experiencing delays, significantly enhancing usability compared to traditional image display methods that process everything in the main GUI thread.
The component is built using Java Advanced Imaging (JAI) 1.1, making it compatible with standard RenderedImage objects, which means it can display nearly any Java image format. Its platform-independent nature, being pure Java, allows it to function across different operating systems, catering to a wide range of users, including those on Unix, PC, and Mac systems.
In addition to its core functionality, the image display component supports the overlay of user-supplied graphics on images. This feature is particularly useful for applications such as image annotation, generating tie-point plots, and creating dynamic cursor shapes, thereby expanding its utility in various imaging applications.
The document also includes a disclaimer stating that references to specific commercial products or services do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or JPL. It emphasizes that the work was conducted under a contract with NASA and that the information provided does not guarantee freedom from privately owned rights.
For those interested in commercial licensing of this software, the document provides contact information for Don Hart at the California Institute of Technology. The overall focus of the document is on the novelty and technical capabilities of the image display component, highlighting its advantages over previous technologies and its potential applications in serious imaging tasks. The component represents a significant advancement in interactive image display technology, making it a valuable tool for scientists and professionals working with large image datasets.
