| The following draft paper will be useful in understanding Digital's imageing
approach. Note that the paper is long, and that we expect to distribute
copies through Office Mail in the next week or so (BY CHRISTMAS)
C O M P A N Y C O N F I D E N T I A L
NOT FOR RELEASE
***********
White Paper
***********
Digital's Image Strategy
and
Near-term Products
Joel Arker
Base Product Marketing Manger
Image Systems Group
9 November, 1988
Contents
--------
White Paper Topics:
- Digital's Image Program Introduction
- Images and their characteristics
- The problem with paper and film and
Advantages of Digitized Images
- Digital's Vision and Implementation Strategy
- Digital's Image Systems Architecture (DISA)
- Elements of an Image Capable System
- Using Images Across an Enterprise
- Products to Bring Images into Mainstream Applications
o VAXimage Application Services
o VAXimage Scanning Subsystem
o VAXimage Scanning Application
o VAXimage Storage Manager
- Image in future Digital Products
- Summary
Appendix A - CDA/DDIF
Appendix B - Scanners
Appendix C - Storage requirements and configurations.
Appendix D - Image Questions and Answers
Appendix E - Competition
Appendix F - Information Sources
Digital's Image Program
-----------------------
Digital's image program was initiated 5 years ago. We realized a that
time that to deliver the solutions that our customers would require in
the future, our computers and networks would have to be capable of handling
and processing data in all its forms including text, graphics, numerical
data, sound, video and of course images. Text, graphics and numerical
data were already defined. We believed that images would be among the
most important of these new data types.
With the increasing role of computers and networks as tools for
communication of information between people the need to use images on a
routine basis is beginning to come to the forefront in many markets.
Images
------
Images are the form in which most business information is captured,
stored and transmitted.
* Over 90% of the information is bound to the medium of paper
* 4% is on microfilm. Only 3% is managed by computer
* Images are the most concise and effective way to communicate
information to people. Images are the way people think.
* Images can represent any kind of data and are not limited
to the data that computers understand.
* Images can represent a wide variety of real world objects
such as business forms and documents, engineering drawings,
photos, medical X-rays, artist's drawings and photographs
of scenes or 3-dimensional objects.
* They can be:
o Bitonal - black and white only
o Continuous tone - black & white plus
shades of gray in between
o Color - parts of the spectrum people can see
o Multispectral - colors and parts of the spectrum
people can't see in addition to those
that can.
Digitized Images
----------------
To begin the process of improving the efficiency we must be able to copy
(or take a picture of) the object (paper, film or 3-dimesional) and
capture the output in a form that can be processed by a computer and
moved through a network.
We called these "Digitized Images" since they are copies of the original
image and they are represented by a series of dots, or digits.
* In black and white images the appearance of the image to the
person viewing it depends on whether the dots are turned on
(appear as white) or off (appear as black).
* In continuous tone images the intensity of the dots is also
controlled so they can appear as various shades of gray.
* For color, continuous tone images representing different colors
are combined to appear as a single "color picture".
In order to understand the impact of images on the system we need to first
examine the characteristics of images.
* Images provide the ability to copy real world objects but they
require a great deal of data to represent them. See appendix C
for more information on image data file sizes.
* They can be bitonal, Grayscale or color information. More data is
required for Grayscale (continuous tone) than bitonal and
even more for color.
* Clarity of the Grayscale (the more tones that can be represented)
determines the amount of information it takes to represent it.
Color requires three or more times this amount.
These attributes need to be considered when planning the image-capable system.
The problem with paper and film
--------------------------------
Costly limitations are placed on the productivity of organizations
as long as the information they need to operate is bound to the media
of paper and film. This is especially true when information from several
sources, stored on different media, must be brought together to make a
decision that means doing business.
o Good examples are:
- insurance underwriting risk analysis
and claims processing
- customer service
- vendor procurement processes
- regulatory reporting
- medical patient records with X-rays and hand written
records
- shipping and receiving (bills of lading)
- signed authorization documents with the
actions they authorize
- real estate transactions requiring maps
legal records, plot plans, etc.
- Police records including mug shots,
accident claims with drawn explanations.
In these operations paper must flow sequentially from desk to desk.
Access is local access only. If it is sent by conventional means it is
often too late or has stalled an important activity. If it is copied the
copies can not be easily controlled and people use out of date information.
When the information is stored it can be filed with a "single key" only.
That means that only a very structured predefined approach can be used
to find and combine the information needed for a given task. The
flexibility that we have come to expect from databases can not be used
directly. When it is found it is distributed relatively slowly and
easily lost.
Advantages of Digitized Images
------------------------------
To eliminate these limitations we look to digitized images in the
context of computer and network based solutions.
As digitized images you can utilize the power of computer automation in
the storage, use and transmission of images.
* Images can be mixed with text, graphics and
computer generated data and used in applications
to solve a wide variety business problems.
* We are no longer limited to sequential work flow
since up-to-date copies under automated revision
control can be sent to as many people as need it
at the same time, at electronic speeds, anywhere
it is required.
* The images can be put into a database allowing
multiple key filing and flexible search and compilation.
* The chances of lost information are reduced and
automatic audit trails can be put in place increasing
reliability.
Digital's Vision and Strategy
-----------------------------
Digital took a long at these problems and determined that the most
effective approach was to integrate images into all levels of the
computing model so that they could be used and shared by all
applications.
Using this model images can be captured once and shared across the
across systems, across applications, across the enterprise, across the
world.
Implementing the Strategy
-------------------------
Our vision required a strategy based on an image architecture and a
commitment to international and industry standards.
We start at the most fundamental level with an architecture
based on standards. The Digital Systems Image Architecture is
defines how images will be represented. More importantly
it is integrated into the architectures which define our mainstream
products so that each of them is capable of handling and processing
images. The idea was to make all Digital's products "image-capable"
and not to create a line of "image products". This meant horizontal
integration across our products rather than vertical integration
based on the needs of a specific market or application.
Once the architectures were in place we built a set of software and
hardware development tools to enable application builders to
easily incorporate images easily into their applications. These
tools:
o Provide for the consistent use of the image data type
o Provide for data compatibility across applications
o Provide the ability to mix images with text, graphics
and numerical data in a single file (or document).
o Provide image processing software
o Provide the basis for building image processing hardware
These tools were first built for use by our internal product
development organizations and some of them will be places in
the market for use by external development organizations.
Once the architectures and tools were in place the addition of
image handling capabilities to our mainstream hardware and software
products began. This will allow our customers to make protected long-term
investments while taking advantage of a broad platform for the
use of images in applications across the enterprise.
We recognized that services can often make the difference
between success and failure and that our customers would
expect us to provide information, guidance, system integration,
support and the expertise at all levels to ensure their success.
We have put some of this in place and are actively working
to extend it.
Digital will provide the systems platforms that will integrate
the tools and mainstream products into the higher level building
blocks required to support selected end-user solutions. We expect
that third parties will develop platforms from these lower
level blocks focused on meeting the needs of specific markets.
Digital will provide some selected end user solutions however,
we expect that third party application developers will provide
the majority of them as has historically been the case for
these solutions independent of the technology.
Digital's Image Systems Architecture (DISA)
-------------------------------------------
We understood that if our image architecture was to be adopted for
general use, it had to have the longevity and basis for acceptance that
only international standards could give it, flexibility for unlimited
growth and independence from the a specific hardware product set.
* DISA is based our architecture on existing standards and work to drive
new standards where none exist
* DISA provides the ability to scale easily from small applications such as
a standalone publishing system to an enterprise-wide mail/massaging
system.
* DISA insulates the user from changes in underlying technology and
providing investment protection. Applications and data remain
stable to the users with changes in network, processors, or
operating system
* To assure that images could be used universally we addressed the
problem to the lowest common denominator, the data representation.
DISA defines a consistent data representation; the image data type.
The DISA Architectural Model
----------------------------
If we take a look at a model of our image architecture, we see that it is
built around a consistent data representation called IIF or Image
Interchange format. It is an integral part of our compound document
document architecture and its format called DDIF or Digital Document
Interchange Format. DDIF is a proper superset of ODIF or the ISO Office
Document Interchange Format so we expect that over time all vendors
will move to use it for the interchange of data. This way, all
applications understand images and how to handle them.
* Display services and operating systems are built to understand
this image data representation and provide that features
necessary to handle and manipulate images though the standard
tools we discussed earlier and will look at again.
* These tools will provide the programming-level support for data
representation, insulating application developers.
* Image handling requirements have also been considered in the
architectural design of our DECnet/OSI networking products.
* Just as character cell terminals were developed to handle text,
there are image requirements which must be considered when
designing the hardware architecture of an image capable system.
Commitment to Standards
-----------------------
Commitment to industry and international standards is a fundamental part
of the strategy for Digital's Image Program. I have highlighted
several of the most important of the the international standards but we
also comply to industry standards like the Postscript page description
language.
* Digital fully complies with x.400 and x.409 communications
standards for massaging and message transport.
- x.400 specifies the protocols for sending and receiving
messages over a network.
- x.409 specifies how the user agent (the mail
program which receives the message) should interpret
what is gets. This is very important since it lets
the program do the "right things" when it gets an image
or an image as part of a compound document.
* For encoding and compression, we comply with FAX groups 3 and 4
and are actively participating in ISO Grayscale and color standards
* Compound document refers to packaging of text, graphics, images,
voice, video, etc. into a single wrapper called a document.
Digital is ahead of the standards bodies and actively participating
in the ISO Office Document Architecture committees specifying the
ODIF-Office Document Interchange Format. When it is accepted we
will comply fully.
* For display, we are fully compliant with the X Windows System
being specified by a consortium of vendors working with MIT. We are
promoting X extensions for images. This will provide the X Windows
System with the ability to use hardware based in the display server
to do image manipulations like decompression, rotations, scaling or
other processing.
* We are also participating in ANSI tilling standards activities.
Tiling allow an application to divide a large image into sections
called tiles and send the display server only those tiles which
are needed at any one time. This limits that amount of data
which must be transferred over the network and the amount of
local memory on the display server workstation.
Elements of an Image Capable System
-----------------------------------
The elements of an image capable system may include image scanners,
facsimile equipment, cameras, printers and workstations all built
around the networks which move the images from where they are stored
to where they are needed.
* Image scanners are similar to copy machines. Instead of copying
the information on one piece of paper to another they copy the
information into electronic or bit-mapped form so it can be placed
under computer control, manipulated and managed by applications,
and moved through computer networks.
o Wide range in prices from $100's to $100,000's based
on speed and features.
o Digital will sell several models but encourage many
vendors' scanners will to be interfaced to our systems.
o See Appendix B for more information on scanners.
* FAX machines are basically a scanner, printer, and a modem.
They can be treated as an image I/O device and files can be
transferred to and from them through an application or as a
mail device in which the mail system sees them as a remote
system to which it sends and receives messages. We are working
on projects to meet the need to use FAX machines as "mail nodes"
and we are looking at how we might approach the former model.
FAX machines:
o Implement a special protocol to minimize the amount
of time it takes to transfer the scanned image.
o Are limited to documents with low to medium visual quality
requirements. FAX Group 3 provides for resolution of
200 dpi (low quality) and group 4 of 400 dpi. (medium
quality). Both are limited to bitonal images.
o Are cost effective for low volume applications
o Telephone network rates determine cost.
o Machines are fairly low cost
* Cameras - 3D object, variable format paper and film
* Printers must be able to print images at a speed similar to
text and graphics.
* Optical storage (WORM) is today generally considered
to be the most cost effective way to store the very
large amounts of data associated with an image database.
These databases can easily grow from gigabytes to terabytes.
* Networks
A carefully designed Ethernet/802.3 network
can handle most of the document/bitonal image requirements
we are seeing today. Bridges which can be used to segment
workgroups are also important. Tests have shown that an
Ethernet segment can support approximately 20 workstations
running a high demand document image application where
most images are representations of 8-1/2" X 11" documents.
Wide area networks should consider store and forward systems
and T1-3 links between high traffic sites.
100 MBits FDDI backbones open up more applications; especially
those using high grade continuous tone and color images. In this
case each segment would support fewer stations and the backbone
would support many segments.
When 100 MBits+ to the station is generally available applications
such as those involving moving images will become practical on
a routine basis.
* Workstations provide display capability and since this is often the
presentation surface there are several considerations.
o On board hardware to do image processing intensive tasks
such as decompression, rotation and zooming.
o Monitors with sufficient resolution to meet visual quality
requirements. 100 dots per inch (DPI) is generally considered
to be sufficient for document applications. Since this
a very subjective area comparison tests are generally the
best answer.
o Grayscale and color require multi-plane monitors and actual
resolution is less important than display rendition
techniques. Digital has several research projects focused
on this area.
* Storage - Images are information rich and require a relatively
large amount of data to represent them so planning storage
requirements is an important part of designing an
image-capable system.
Using Images Across an Enterprise
---------------------------------
In an integrated environment we can bring together many applications into
an enterprise-wide solution or simply allow many departmental solutions
to share image data as needed. In many cases the basic data needed by
applications throughout the enterprise is the same.
Two Scenarios
Senerio 1:
A marketing person coming back from a trade show has seen things in his
competitors' products that gave him an idea. To communicate that idea to
engineering he sends the brochures (electronic mail) to engineering.
They create concept drawings of modifications they might make and
respond. The report including the concept drawings is put together and
presented to management where it is accepted. Draftsmen make the change
and send it to manufacturing, product documentation and the packaging
artists (to change the box). Manufacturing uses the revised drawing
(originally it was on paper) to machine the part and update assembly
documentation. Each organization makes the change and the news,
including pictures is communicated to the field sales and services force
through electronic mail.
* Office
- Mail (including FAX)
- Writing reports
- Marketing data
- Presentations
- Personnel
* Engineering and technical documentation
- Engineering drawing management and revision
- Product documentation
- Concept drawings
- Intra-site discussions
- Vendor procurement
- Manuals, reports, journals
* Manufacturing
- Process and assembly sheet revision control and distribution
- Training materials.
- Intra-plant documentation
- Quality assurance
Senerio 2:
The engineering division of a large manufacturing is designing a
hardware component. The process begins with a concept drawing and
drafted designs. The sketches are captured through an image scanner and
converted to computer manageable image data.
In this form, the image can be accessed quickly and used easily by
everyone involved in bringing the product to market:
-- Engineers can include the drawing along with the
design specifications they interchange for
review.
-- The drawing can be sent to managers and project
leaders, who can annotate it with suggestions
and electronically mail it from person to person
as it makes it way through approval processes.
-- The firm's technical documentation group can
incorporate the drawing in electronically
created maintenance manuals which can be
distributed to service departments.
-- Purchasing can include the drawing along with
item numbers, specifications, and terms of
purchase in documents used to order parts from
external suppliers.
-- Manufacturing can be sent an online image of the
drawing -- complete with specifications -- to
illustrate assembly details.
-- The drawing can be included in product
literature that is transmitted electronically
or in hardcopy to sales people and customers
across the globe.
Mainstream Products
-------------------
Our strategy is to provide mainstream products which are capable of
handling images, either off the shelf or by adding standard standard
options. In some cases, like our networks, no enhancements are
required. In others, such as our operating systems we have added image
handling capabilities to the basic products.
Products that Bring Images into Mainstream Applications
-------------------------------------------------------
+-----------------------+
| Workstation |
| Display |
| |
| o DECwindows |
| |
+-----------------------+
|
|
+-----------------------+
+---------------+ | | +--------------+
| Image | | Image-capable | | |
| Input | | Application | | Image |
| | | | | Output/Print |
| o VAXimage | ---> | o VAXimage |-->| |
| Scanning | | Application | | o Printers |
| Subsystem | | Services | | |
| | | | | o Terminals |
| o VAXimage | +-----------------------+ | |
| Scan | /\ | o PC's |
| Software | || | |
| | \/ +--------------+
+---------------+ +-----------------------+
| |
| Other Image-capable |
| Applications |
| |
| o VAXimage |
| Application |
| Services |
| |
+-----------------------+
Since images are representations of real-world objects they must first be
captured and transformed into computer managable form. To do this we are
introducing two new products:
o VAXimage Scanning Subsystem - This product consists of a
low cost, medium performance desktop image scanner and
Q-bus controller.
o VAXimage Scanning Application - A DECwindows, VMS based
application to enable users to operate the scanner,
preview and adjust the images and file or distribute the images.
VAXimage Scanning Application also allows the user to access
image files which were scanned in earlier or supplied by
another device or application. As additional image capture
devices are supported VAXimage Scan will be extended to
support these devices.
Once images have been captured and brought into the system they can be
accessed, used and shared by "image-capable" applications. Virtually any
application can be made image capable. To build these image capabilities
into applications we are introducing a software library which provides
application developers with a wide array of image specific operations
which they can use even if they have no previous image expertise.
o VAXimage Application Services - A VMS layered product which
provides callable routines following the VAX calling standard.
VAXimage Application Services which provides the tools which allow
application builders to use images as routinely as they
use graphics and other data types.
Operations include:
- Managing input devices.
- Manipulation such as crop, rotate, scale, combine and copy.
- DECwindows display services.
- Formating for a variety of output devices such as
postscript printers, sixel printers, sixel terminals
and PC's.
- Filing in DDIF and other formats.
- Conversion from Microtek Eyestar(r) format.
VAXimage Application Services has been used extensively by
product development groups in Digital to include image
capabilities to their products. Now we are making it available
as a product.
These products are fully integrated with DECwindows, DIGITAL'S Compound
Document Architecture (CDA) and Doucment Interchange Format (DDIF) to provide
seamless integration of CDA complient applications. CDA is a superset of
ISO's ODA (Office Document Architecture) and enables the merging of
images with multifont text, graphics, and application data into a single
document file.
Image Storage Manager provides the ability to manage large
numbers of images either directly or in cooperation with a
database.
VAXimage Application Services
Image Services is a set of tools for application programmers, which
allow them to do a variety of basic functions to handle images within
applications.
* Supports applications where image data is the dominant data type
and those where image data is only used occasionally.
* Routines to support input devices
* DECwindows for display services. In addition to lower level
services VAS provides predefined windows to do functions such
as pan and scroll.
* Wide variety of image manipulation - crop, rotate, etc.
* Interface/convert from DDIF to variety of protocols of protocols such
as Postscript, bitmap, sixel, CCITT group 3 and 4, and Eyestar.
* Printing - terminal or hardcopy
* Based on VMS native interfaces, ULTRIX version will follow.
* Consistent application interface to devices
* Initial version fully supports bitonal. May include some Grayscale.
* Functional Description
Image Application Services (VAS) is a VMS layered product which provides
application programmers with software tools and utilities to
facilitate the building of image applications. Initial support will
be for bitonal images but support for grayscale will follow in the
next version and color after that. IS provides run-time support for
the image data type, as well as a set of services to enable
application development and system integration.
IS complies with CCITT, Group III (1D and 2D) and Group IV (2D)
(CCITT Standards T.4 and T.6) recommendations for bitonal
(facsimile) image data compression schemes; the X Window System
standard; and the PostScript Language Reference industry standard.
It also complies with DIGITAL's Imaging System Architecture (DISA),
DIGITAL's Document Interchange Format (DDIF), and DIGITAL's Compound
Document Architecture.
IS provides library resident routines for scanning, viewing,
printing, and and manipulation of bitonal image data. The routines
are language independent and include examples in BASIC, FORTRAN, and
C. These programmer productivity tools offer a consistent interface
that conforms to the VAX-11 Procedure Calling and Condition Handling
Standard.
IS supports the DIGITAL bitonal document image scanner.
IS includes the following components and features:
Image Input Services (IIS) provides the device driver for the
image scanner as well as the following callable services:
o reserve/release local or remote image input device
o get/set/reset device attributes
o read image data from the device, synchronously (local
or remote) or asynchronously (local only)
o read image data into an ISL image frame.
VAXimage Application Services Library (ISL) provides integrated image
data type support services, including:
o create/delete/copy an image frame in memory
o set/get image frame attributes
o import image data from bitmap or DDIF format
o export image data to bitmap, DDIF, PostScript, or
sixel format
o encode using CCITT, Group-III (1D and 2D) and
Group-IV (2D) (CCITT T.4 and T.6) data compression
schemes
o adjust image frame:
-- rotate through any angle
-- scale the image by any amount, independently,
along the X and Y axes
-- define a rectangular region of interest within
an image frame
-- copy or extract the rectangular region of interest
-- perform boolean operations on an image bitmap
Image Display Services (IDS) provide rendition and presentation
services for device independent image display for applications,
including:
o services for display of images on DECwindows workstations and
supported hardcopy devices
o DECwindows image widgets with scroll bars to render and
display an image or portion of an image and to
interactively roam through the image.
IMAGE Utility is a DCL command line interface to specific IS
services.
o IMAGE SCAN allows scanning of an 8-1/2 x 11 page on the
image scanner as well as control over these scanner
features -- brightness, contrast, mode (halftone or line
art), and resolution.
o IMAGE RENDER makes an image file suitable for display,
considering the type and characteristics as well as
presentation level protocol of the output device.
o IMAGE VIEW provides viewing of the image on a display
device which supports either VAX Workstation Software
or X Window System format.
o IMAGE ADJUST demonstrates rotating or reorienting the
original image; cropping or extracting a region of
interest; and scaling (enlarge/reduce) the original image.
o IMAGE CONVERT provides conversion of the Microtek Eyestar
file format to DDIF format for inclusion in compound documents.
* Software requirements
- VAX/VMS Operating System
- VMS DECwindows
* Minimum hardware required
Processor Support:
VAX: all 8xxx series
11/750, 11/780, 11/785
MicroVAX: MicroVAX II, MicroVAX 2000, MicroVAX 3500,
MicroVAX 3600
VAXstation: VAXstation II, VAXstation II/GPX, VAXstation 2000,
VAXstation 3200, VAXstation 3500
Not supported: 11/725, 11/730, 11/782, MicroVAX I, VAXstation I,
VAXstation 8000
A recommended minimum development system configuration is based on the
VAXstation II and includes:
o at least 9 MB of memory
o one RD54A disk
o one TK50 cartridge tape drive (for software installation)
o one VRxxx series monitor
o one mouse, one keyboard
Disk space required for installation: 5600 blocks (2.87 MB)
Disk space required for use (permanent): 5000 blocks (2.6 MB)
Image Utility
-------------
The Image Utility provides a programmer's workbench and a command
level interface which can be used directly or in command files for
casual applications.
* Provides operation of a scanner
* Allows rotation, scaling, cropping
* Rendering converts from DDIF to output device
* Allows access conversion from other protocols
* View capability builds a window for viewing images
* Source code will be provided for examples
* Both DECwindows and UIS window environments supported
VAXimage Scanning Subsystem
---------------------------
The Image Scanner and Q-bus controller for image capture will scan
approximately 6-8 pages per minute.
* Appropriate for variety of Electronic Publishing,
and low volume applications.
* Software selectable variable resolution from 75 up to 300 DPI
* Software selectable variable contrast
* Line art or natural image provides for half-toning of photos
so they can be represented as bitonal images.
* Interface to MicroVAX II and 3000 Series workstations
* Sheet feeder option
VAXimage Scanning Application
-----------------------------
An end-user application for image acquisition.
* Brings images to window in the DECwindows environment
* Provides for scanning and previewing.
* Read previously images from a local or remote disk.
* Provides a "magnify" feature which allows inspection of
the image at full resolution
* Allows adjustments such as crop, rotate, highlight,
complement, wash (white out).
* Scaling of the image to fit any size window.
* Image window supports panning across a large image.
* Output to printers in Postscript format.
* File on a local or remote system
* Direct interface to Electronic Mail
Storage Manager
---------------
Image Storage Manager will allow applications to manage a large number
of images with any standard database.
* Most databases alone cannot handle the large size of images
* This product works in conjunction with standard databases to
store, retrieve and manage images in a distributed storage
environment.
* Provides organization by storage sets
* Provides access control
* Support of optical drives and jukebox in addition to magnetic
storage.
VAXimage Application Services in future Digital applications
VAX Image Services will form the basis for a wide variety of products
from Digital with integrated image capability. For example:
- Mail Products
- VAXnotes
- Book reader
- Epic product set
- All-in-1
- VTX
- Paint
- Print screen
- DDIF viewers
- And many others ...............
Summary
-------
Since paper based data represents over 90% of the information used today
in all segments of business and government most applications can benefit
from the ability to harness it and use it to enhance their business
solution. Until today only dead end point products were available to do
this. Digital's approach now provides customers with the ability to take
advantage of a flexible long-term approach which lets them start small
and grow to meet the needs of their entire enterprise. They can now
capture the information once and use it everywhere for anything.
We believe that our emphasis on a standards-based scalable image
architecture, well integrated broad-based image-capable product line,
flexible networking and easy application development will pay big
dividends for our customers as they begin to use imaging as an integral
part of their operations.
Appendix A - DDIF
******************************
Background information on DDIF
******************************
DIGITAL DOCUMENT INTERCHANGE FORMAT (DDIF)
What is DDIF?
Digital Document Interchange Format (DDIF) is a document
interchange format for the storage and interchange of revisable
documents containing Integrated multi-font text, graphics,
Image and application data. The specification will be
especially optimized for Digital's Office Systems, electronic
mail environments, and will be provided to selected third
parties publishing vendors as well.
Why is a Compound Document Interchange Format Important?
Timely and accurate information is crucial to all organizations.
In fulfilling these needs, the electronic document has emerged
as a powerful vehicle for the transfer and dissemination of
information. Further, the rapidly emerging display
technologies of video and print have made it possible to
display information as text, graphics and images. Other more
advanced forms may be developed in the future. Clearly then,
the concept of document has to expand to include information
presented in any combination of text, graphics, or images and
other data types organized for effective presentations.
Successful exchange of these types of documents among different
users and departments requires a powerful and flexible
interchange format. DDIF is such an Interchange format for
documents.
What are the benefits of Digital's approach?
The DDIF specification is designed to meet the customer's growing
need to exchange compound documents between different systems.
The DDIF specification will be used as a standard format for
the interchange of documents among Digital office and
publishing products. DDIF support will include the ability to
convert to and from ODA, therefore, Digital systems will be
able to interchange compound documents with systems from other
vendors who comply with ODA standards. Digital's approach
provides customers with the best information solution: the
optimized performance of a Digital publishing solution that can
exchange revisable documents with other systems using the ODA
standard.
What are the primary characteristics of DDIF?
DDIF content is structured hierarchically into segments -
meaningful logical elements of the document such as paragraphs,
chapters, sections, figures, and tables. This allows
processing applications, text editors, and text formatters to
deal intelligently with document content while maintaining
hierarchical structure that can be easily understood by people
as well.
Any segment of a document can have attributes associated with it
- including those for processing purposes (for example chapter
and list), and presentation purposes (for example text font
descriptions, line widths, and color and margin selections).
DDIF also has attributes that indicate segments that result
from external calculations such as tables computed and
extracted from a spreadsheet. Attribute specifications may be
shared among an entire set of segment instances through a
generic attribute specification linkage. When it is time for
final presentation of the document, attributes are communicated
to the document formatter for final form results.
DDIF contains text primitives which cover the existing and
planned Digital standard character sets, graphics primitives
based on those of GKS and other graphics standards, and image
primitives which are an extension of the exiting Consultative
Committee on International on International Telephony and
Telegraphy (CCITT) international standards for facsimile
transmission. DDIF coding is extensible, allowing for the
inclusion of new data types, such as voice, when required.
How is DDIF designed to Include Information into a document?
DDIF allows applications to include information from a variety of
external sources. The data may be input directly through a
user interface, scanned in, extracted from another document,
obtained as a result of a computation from other program, or
transferred from a variety of systems including those from other
vendors.
Employing appropriate tools, the user can create an integrated
environment in which information from various sources and
applications output can be combined into a single document.
In addition, the DDIF format allows links to these various
sources. Therefore, information contained in DDIF document can
be updated automatically as the source is updated. For
example, a user may develop a monthly report document
containing tables of results from a spreadsheet program that
calculates profitability. DDIF effects a link between the
document and the spreadsheet application. Therefore, the
tables update as the spreadsheet data changes. Even when
documents are transmitted to other parts of an organization.
DDIF makes it possible for recipients of those documents to
maintain these linkages. Therefore, many member of an
organization will be able to share information and keep it
current without a lot of wasted time and effort.
How does DDIF relate to other document Interchange formats?
Digital is fully committed to International Standards. Digital
will support the International Standards Organization (ISO)
proposed Office Document Architecture (ODA) and is continually
involved in the development of document interchange standards
such as ODA/ODIF and SGML. DDIF documents will be convertible
between DDIF and ODA formats. Conversion of SGML (Standard
Generalized Markup Language) encoded documents can also be
supported.
In our continuing effort to aid in establishing international
standards, Digital based DDIF on an extension of the
X.409/ASN.1 CCITT/ISO international standard for data
interchange. These same standards are the basis for the X.400
international mail/massaging standards and the currently
evolving international standards for document interchange.
How will Digital use DDIF?
Digital will use DDIF as a standard for developing future Digital
document processing and publishing products, and will work with
additional third parties in the development of total solutions
for the office and electronic publishing market.
Copies of the DDIF specification have been made available to
electronic publishing vendors who are participants in Digital's
cooperative marketing programs for their review. To date,
three such vendors, Interleaf Inc., Datalogics Inc., and
Information Dimensions Inc. (IDI), have agreed to provide DDIF
Interface from their software. The benefit to our customer
will be fully integrated, multi-vendor networked publishing
environment.
DDIF
"TOUGH" Q AND A'S
Q. You say that you will work with vendors to further refine the
DDIF specification - how will these vendors be selected?
A. Selection of vendors will be based on these key criteria:
1) Their application solution
2) Technical added value to the specification
The selection process will be managed jointly by the
Electronic Publishing Systems Group and Engineering.
Q. Will Digital provide development tools and technical support
to selected vendors?
A. Digital will work on a one-on-one basis with its selected
vendors before final publication of the DDIF specification.
Development tools will also be made available as they are
developed.
Once DDIF is published, Digital will provide technical
assistance through their software service organization.
Q. Will Digital make DDIF public? Will it be available in the
public domain, or will Digital license people to use it?
A. We will make DDIF public. It is premature to state at this
time whether it will be made available in the public domain,
or whether it will be a licensed product.
Q. Will DDIF conform to ODA/ODIF when it becomes a standard?
A. DEC is fully committed to international standards. DEC is an
active participant in the ODA/ODIF international standards
committee, and will evolve mechanisms to support
international standards as they are approved.
Q. How does DDIF compare to ODA/ODIF?
A. DDIF is consistent with many of the concepts behind ODA/ODIF.
It uses the same underlying encoding and meta-language. It
has the same processing model and document structure. DDIF
will be consistent with ODA/ODIF conformance levels in the
areas of document architecture, and character content
architecture. DDIF concentration is on compound document
content and logical structure not page layout. Therefore,
DDIF does not included any of the general or specific layout
provisions of ODA/ODIF.
Q. What is Digital's position on SGML? How does DDIF relate to
SGML? Will DDIF be compatible with SGML?
A. DDIF is a native format for Digital's product set. DDIF also
represents the full compound document architecture, SGML
deals principally with text. It will be possible to convert
formats between SGML and DDIF.
Q. Many customers are already using IBM's DCA. Why should they
consider DDIF? How would Digital compare/contrast DCA and
DDIF?
A. The level of DCA most appropriate to DDIF interchange is
DCA/RFT - Revisable form DCA. This is an older standard that
has yet been extended to compound documents. DCA/RFT does not
include any structure, graphics, or image. It only includes
the level of content and formatting descriptions consistent
with word processing products. DDIF is optimized for the
Digital environment and is consistent with international
standards. We will evaluate developing filters between DDIF
and DCA based on customer need.
Q. How would Digital compare/contrast DDIF and DCA when DCA is
enhanced to include data, graphics, image and voice?
A. It is difficult to comment, since enhanced DCA has not been
announced.
Q. What will Digital do to include other industry-standard word
processing files like those from Multimate, Wordstar,
etc..into DDIF?
A. Where it makes sense from a business or customer perspective
Digital will consider developing conversion routines for
industry-popular word-processing files. When DDIF is made
public, third-party document conversion companies will also
be able to provide conversion routines for other third-party
word processors.
Q. What products is Digital developing that use DDIF? Will DDIF
become a Digital standard for all products that access
compound documents?
A. It is the intent that DDIF will become a DEC standard for the
storage and interchange of revisable compound documents.
Digital does not comment on products before formal product
announcements.
Q. How does DDIF relate to the recent DECwindows announcement?
A. DECwindows provides a consistent user interface for
applications across a variety of operating environments.
DDIF provides the underlying format for the storage and
interchange of compound documents.
DECwindows and DDIF are both integral parts of an overall
electronic publishing solution and provide standards for both
Digital and third party products.
Q. How does DDIF relate to the graphic standards that exist
today?
A. During the development of DDIF, various graphic standards
were considered. Since there are several graphic standards,
many of them relating to device interfaces or graphic
programming interfaces, DDIF's graphics primitives were based
on those of GKS (Graphics Kernal System). DDIF was also based
on image primitives which are extensions of the existing
CCITT internal standards for facsimile transmission.
Q. How does DDIF relate to REGIS and NAPLPS?
A. REGIS and NAPLPS are presentation level protocols for
rendering graphics on display device. DDIF is an
interchange format for revisable compound documents, allowing
interchange of documents containing text, graphics, images and
external data between appropriate parties. At some point, a
document represented in DDIF needs to be displayed.
Protocols like REGIS and NAPLPS may be useful for that.
Q. How does DDIF relate to third-party standards for image?
A. DDIF incorporates images in the same manner as facsimile
standard CCITT Group 4 International Standard. As long as
third-party product conform to the CCITT Group 4 standards
they will be compatible to DDIF.
Q. How does DDIF relate to Postscript?
A. Postscript is a final form protocol supported by Digital for
describing complex pictures in a device independent way.
DDIF is an interchange format for compound documents in a
revisable form, allowing interchange of documents containing
text, graphics, images and external data between appropriate
parties. At some point, a user may wish a DDIF document to
be printed. A DDIF document can be formatted for printing on
Postscript printers.
Q. Does DDIF replace DX? What about vendors who have already
developed conversion tools to/from the DX standard?
A. DX will continue to be supported for as long as Digital
continues to market products which use DX. Over time, DDIF
will replace DX as Digital's standard document format.
Digital will provide a filter to convert DX text files into
DDIF format. Therefore, vendors who provide DX filters today
will be able to access DDIF through Digital's DX-DDIF filter.
Once DDIF is made public, we expect 3rd parties to develop
their own DDIF filters as well.
Q. How does DDIF relate to the U.S. Navy's DIF standard? Will
you have a DDIF-to-DIF filter?
A. DIF is text only. Today a DX to DIF conversion capability
is in place. Since DX to DDIF conversion routines will be
developed, it will be possible to convert DDIF and DIF
documents.
Q. You mention things such as text, graphics, image, etc. Will
DDIF support voice? How about video?
A. DDIF is an extensible format which can support voice and
video data types. When suitable voice standards emerge and
when there is a market requirement for video, Digital will
consider implementing voice and video.
Q. Will DDIF work on operating systems such as MS/DOS, or
ULTRIX?
A. Yes, DDIF is a specification for the storage and interchange
of revisable compound documents that is operating system
independent. Of course, applications will need to be
developed on these operating systems to actually implement
DDIF.
Appendix B - Scanners
o Digital will soon market a scanner under the label
"Image Capture Subsystem". It will include the scanner
image scanner, controller and cable. Support for this
scanner will be included in the Image Capture Application.
o Digital has a CMP relationship with VIDAR which makes
a large document scanner (upto E-size 34"x44"). A VIDAR
format to DDIF format converter will be done.
o Digital has a CMP relationship with Microtek for the
300A PC based scanner. This scanner. An Eyestar (Microtek's
file format) to DDIF converter will be included with
the Image Services product.
o In addition many makes and models are on the market today.
Key differentiations:
- Input media: Paper, camera, fiche, film, aperture cards
- Media input size: A (8.5"x11"), B, C, D, E (34"x44")
- Color: Bitonal, grayscale, color. Also varies by number
of bits per pixel of grayscale and color.
- Performance: Low - less than 6 pg/minute
Medium - 7 to 30 pg/minute
High - over 30 pg/minute
- Capacity: Desktop - less than 100 per day
Workgroup - 100 to 500 per day
Department - 500 to 1000 per day
Production - Over 1000 per day
- Interconnect: Q-bus, SCSI, Ethernet, .......
Appendix C - Storage requirements and configurations.
The following chart summarizes the storage requirements
generated by images. It is important to note that the resolution
at which the image is scanned as well as size of the original
image affect the data requirements.
Another consideration to keep in mind, which cannot easily be
summarized in a chart, is the amount of information actually
contained in the original image. Thus, an 8-1/2" x 11" bitonal
image containing information only on 6" x 3" of the page (the
rest of the space being white) would be approximately 90 KB of
raw data when digitized.
+------------------------+-----------------+-------------+-----------------+
| Bitonal | Scanning | | 10:1 Compressed |
| Scanned Documents | Resolution | Raw Data | Data |
+------------------------+-----------------+-------------+-----------------+
| bank check (6" x 3") | 200 x 200 x 1 | 90 KB | 9 KB |
| bank check (6" x 3") | 300 x 300 x 1 | 203 KB | 20 KB |
| | | | |
| 8-1/2" x 11" paper | 200 x 200 x 1 | 468 KB | 47 KB |
| 8-1/2" x 11" paper | 300 x 300 x 1 | 1.05 MB | 105 KB |
| 8-1/2" x 11" paper | 400 x 400 x 1 | 1.87 MB | 187 KB |
| | | | |
| 11" x 17" paper | 200 x 200 x 1 | 935 KB | 94 KB |
| 11" x 17" paper | 300 x 300 x 1 | 2.10 MB | 210 KB |
| 11" x 17" paper | 400 x 400 x 1 | 3.74 MB | 374 KB |
+------------------------+-----------------+-------------+-----------------+
The formula to determine raw data for bitonal images is:
(SR Width) x (SR Height) x (Width) x (Height) = Bytes
--------------------------------------------
8 bits/byte
200 x 200 x 6 x 3 = 203 KB
-----------------
8
SR = scanner resolution in dots per inch, width and height in inches
DIGITAL Mass Storage Disk Capacity
----------------------------------
The following chart roughly summarizes the number of 8-1/2" x 11"
images which can be stored on DIGITAL storage devices. The
information can be useful when determining the hardware
configuration for application development as well as for
determining guidelines for image applications.
+---------+-------------+-------------------------------------+
| | | Number of 8-1/2" x 11" Images* |
| | Capacity +-------------+-----------------------+
| Disk | in Bytes | As Raw Data | With 10:1 Compression |
+---------+-------------+-------------+-----------------------+
| RD33 | 42 MB | 90 | 900 |
| RD53 | 71 MB | 151 | 1517 |
| RD54 | 159 MB | 339 | 3397 |
| RA70 | 280 MB | 598 | 5982 |
| RA81 | 456 MB | 974 | 9743 |
| RA82 | 622 MB | 1329 | 13290 |
| RV20 | 2000 MB | 4273 | 42735 |
| | | | |
+---------+-------------+-------------+-----------------------+
*Scanned at 200 dpi
* Configuration - A simple image-capable application
development platofrm configuration could look like:
processing/distributed storage
+----+ +-------+ +----+ +-------------+
|RV20+---+VAX/VMS+---+RA81| |COMPUTER ROOM|
+----+ | 8xxx | +----+ +-------------+
+---+---+
+--------------+---------------- Ethernet
- -|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
|
| print server
| +------+
+---+LPS 40|
| +------+
+-------------------------------+
|
|
view/process |
+--------+ | +------------------+
|VS2000 +---+ |OFFICE ENVIRONMENT|
+--------+.. | +------------------+
+--------+ |
|IMAGE II+---+
+--------+.. |
|
+-----+ +--------+ |
|LN03++--+VSII/GPX+---+
+-----+ +--------+.. |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
<---------+---------------------+
+--+-+ +-----+
|VSII+--+LN03+|
+--+-+ +-----+ +----------+
+----+---+ |STANDALONE|
| LNV21 | +----------+
+--------+
|MD300-AA|
+--------+
scan/view/process/print
Appendix D - Image Questions and Answers
Q: What is the image data type?
A: Like text and graphics, digitized image is a type of data.
The data type defines the format in which the image is
represented. By defining a robust data type that can handle
bitonal, grayscale and color data at any resolution and integrating
an understanding of the data type across all aspects of
Digital's computing environment applications can use it as
easily as they use text.
Q: When will grayscale images be supported in Image Services?
A: The next version of Image Services will provide grayscale
support.
Q: When will color images be supported in Image Services?
A: A future release will support color images.
Q: Will there be a version of Image Services for Ultrix?
A: Yes.
Q: Can images be displayed on PC's and terminals?
A: Yes as an output device. The PC must be running DECwindows or a
terminal emulator capable of handling one of the supported output
protocols (sixel, bitmap ..). Digital terminals such as VT240,
VT241, VT330 and VT340 understand these protocols.
The visual quality of the image is dependant on the monitor's
resolution. Many PC and terminal monitors are relatively low
resolution so image quality maybe poor when displayed on these
devices.
Q: Will we accept input from PC based FAX?
A: We are actively considering this.
Q: What kind of performance can we expect if the document
is on-line?
A: This is heavily dependent on the desktop hardware. Display
times can range from .25 seconds (quarter of a second) for a
small document on a workstation with hardware assist to
minutes for a large grayscale or color image on a workstation
with limited resources.
Q: Can Ethernet handle the bandwidth requirements of image
applications?
A: Ethernet has proven itself able to handle large document image
applications and smaller applications using grayscale and
color applications. Tests have shown that under average load
15-20 active workstations can be supported on a segment.
By using bridges and isolating segments a very large
application can be deployed. Digital is commited to
delivering 100 mb FDDI products which will provide the
infrastructure and capacity for large grayscale and color image
applications.
Q: What's the relationship with Kodak?
A: KODAK is a Digital S/CMP. Our primary strategy for delivering
end user solutions is through:
- Solution systems vendors who will use our tools
and platforms to build their products.
- Application developers in large organizations.
KODAK fits the first catagory and is marketing a system called
KODAK Image Management System (KIMS). This product is meets
the needs of a specific market focused on archieving and retrieving
document images. They currently are not compatable with
Digital's Image Systems Architecture (DISA) but they have commited
to migrate to it in the future.
We are working with other solutions system vendors and expect
to be providing solutions through a long list of them over
time.
Q: Are we going to compete with WANG?
A: Yes. Our standards compliant broad based approach will allow
us to compete with WANG. WANG has essentially integrated
image into WANG OFFICE and they are marketing the resulting
product under the name WANG Integrated Image System (WIIS).
Image capability (CDA) is planned for ALL-IN-1 which will
will allow us to compete in their primary market.
In addition they have other weaknesses:
WANG DEC
---- ---
No compound document CDA/DDIF/IIF
architecture. Text is provides full
text and images are images integration of text
and they can't be mixed. graphics and images
Totally proprietary Standards based
Do have some PC support architecture.
Will support UNIX and PC
Focused on the office Not limited to any facet
of an enterprise. Can
handle enterprise wide
applications.
Cannot handle large documents Size, resolution & color
like engineering drawings independent.
very well.
For a detailed view of the WIIS system see:
Patricia Seybold's Office Systems Report
"WANG tries a new approach -- Integrated Image
Management"
Volume 10 No. 5.
Available from Digital Library Services
Q: Are demonstrations available?
A: Demonstrations are planned to be available in ACT's. Contact
your local ACT or demo center for details.
Q: Is printed literature available?
A: A brochure titled "Building Image-Capable Solutions" describing
Digital's Image Program will soon be available. Information sheets
will also be available for each product.
Appendix E - Competition
------------------------
Image products are offered by a variety of other vendors but none can
match Digital's products for breath of architecture, cross system
integration, scaleability or open systems approach.
Competition Products Market focus
----------- -------- ------------
> PC vendors many point products Desktop publishing,
Apple MAC low-end graphic arts,
& education
Strength: Highly targeted solutions available today.
Wide range of device support.
Weakness: Standalone point products. No growth.
> IBM Image-Plus Document processing and
folder management for
Insurance and banking
Strength: Market presence
Weakness: Not integrated at the desktop.
Not integrated with DCA.
Not generally available today.
> WANG Wang Integrated Office and business
Image System (WIIS) communications.
Strength: Available today
Microfilm archive access
Major WANG marketing program
Weakness: No compound document architecture
Limited desktop integration with other applications
Totally proprietary
Focused on the office
Can not handle large documents
> FILENET Document Image Commercial document
Processing System work-in-process
applications
Strength: Strong market presence
"Workflo" work-in-process application
Microflim input
Complete solution
Weakness: Non-standard, totally proprietary platforms
Limited growth
Closed system
SUN 3rd party software Medical, scientific,
--- libraries engineering, education
Strength: Cost effective workstations
UNIX applications
3rd party device support
Weakness: Workstation only product line.
No system-wide integration
Many of the above competition provide optical storage. Digital's
optical storage products will be supported by the image program.
Appendix F - Information Sources
* For more information on imaging see the following sources:
Notes file: VISUAL::IMAGING
Public Directories:
VISUAL::USERB:[IPGPUBLIC.XXXXXX]
EDWIN::USERB$:[ARCHITECTURE.GENERAL_INFO]IMAGE_PROCESSING_PRIMER.MEM
* Technical articles and publications:
The following list represents only a small sample of the
material available on Digital Image Processing. They were chosen
because of their relative currency, the quality of the overviews
they provide, and the wealth of references back into the vast
space of technical research papers. The references have been
separated by major categories to aid the user in selecting a text
on the desired area.
* VISUAL PERCEPTION AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HUMAN VISUAL SYSTEM
. Visual Perception
Cornsweet, T.N. (1970)
Academic Press, N.Y.
. Foundations of Cyclopean Perception
Julesz, B. (1971)
U. of Chicago Press
* DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING
. Digital Image Processing
Pratt, W. K. (1978)
John Wiley & Sons
. Digital Image Processing
Gonzales, R. and Wintz, P. (1987)
Addison Wesley
. Digital Picture Processing
Rosenfeld, A. and Kak, A. (1982)
Academic Press
. Digital Image Processing: A Practical Primer
Baxes, G.A. (1984)
Prentice-Hall
. Digital Image Processing
Castleman, K.R. (1979)
Prentice-Hall
* GRAPHICS AND IMAGE PROCESSING
. Algorithms for Graphics and Image Processing
Pavlidis, T. (1982)
Computer Science Press
. Principles of Interactive Computer Graphics
Newman, W.M. and Sproull, R.F. (1979)
McGraw Hill
. Raster Graphics Handbook
Conrac Corporation (1980)
* IMAGE COMPRESSION AND INFORMATION THEORY
. Science and Information Theory
Brillouin, L
Academic Press, N.Y.
. Image Transmission Techniques
Pratt, W.K. (1979)
Academic Press
. Picture Bandwidth Compression
Huang, T.S. and Tretiak, O.J. (1972)
Gordon and Breach
. Data Compression Techniques and Applications
Lynch, T.J. (1985)
Van Nostrand Reinhold
* PATTERN RECOGNITION AND VISION SYSTEMS
. Pattern Recognition: A Statistical Approach
Devijer, P.A. and Kittler, J. (1982)
Prentice-Hall International
. Syntactic Pattern Recognition
Fu, K.S. (1982)
Prentice-Hall
. Computer Image Processing and Recognition
Hall, E.L. (1979)
Academic Press
. Pattern Recognition Principles
Gonzalez, R.C. and Tou, J.T. (1974)
Addison-Wesley
. Morphological Methods in Image and Signal Processing
Giardina, C.R. and Dougherty, E.R. (1988)
Prentice-Hall
. Vision
Marr, D. (1982)
W.H. Freeman & Co.
* IMAGE PROCESSING MATHEMATICS
. Matrix Computation
Golub, G.H. and Van Loan, C.F. (1983)
Johns Hopkins University Press
. Fast Transforms, Algorithms, Analyses, Applications
Elliot, D.F. and Rao, K.R. (1982)
Academic Press
* ARTICLES
Ulichney, R. and D. Troxel (1982)
``Scaling Binary Images with the Telescoping Template'',
IEEE Trans. on Pattern Analysis and Machine
Intelligence,
vol. PAMI-4, no. 4, pp. 331-335.
above also appeared in:
J. Stoffel (1982)
Graphical and Binary Image Processing and Applications,
Dedham, MA: Artech House, pp. 495-499.
Ulichney, R. (1985)
``Continuous-tone Image Compression: a Critique of Three
Approaches'',
DEC-TR-357, Digital Equipment Corp., Hudson, MA.
Ulichney, R. (1985)
``Generalized Ordered Dither'',
DEC-TR-412, Digital Equipment Corp., Hudson, MA.
also: ATRP-T-51, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA.
Ulichney, R. (1986)
``Digital Halftoning and the Physical Reconstruction
Function'',
Ph.D. Thesis, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA.
also: RLE Tech Report 520, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA.
Ulichney, R. (1987)
Digital Halftoning.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
Ulichney, R. (1987)
``System for Pruducing Dithered Images from Continuous-tone
Image Data'',
U.S. Patent Pending.
Ulichney, R. (1987)
``Method for Image Dithering on Asymmetric Grids'',
U.S. Patent Pending.
Ulichney, R. (1988)
``Dithering with Blue Noise'',
Proceedings of the IEEE., vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 56-79.
Parker, K., Mitsa, T., and Ulichney, R. (1988)
``Digital Halftone Rendering of Medical Ultrasound
Images using `Blue Noise''',
|
|
A Perspective on Image Processing in the Insurance Industry
07-Jan-1989
The following paper was prepared by FISG and FIMG
INTRODUCTION
The announcements associated with DECtop are particularly
significant to our marketing efforts to the insurance industry.
Image processing is high on the list of strategic technologies
that the industry will employ to face the challenges of the
1990s. Digital has the products and services today to enable our
target accounts to leverage technology and achieve their
productivity and competitive objectives.
The following articles is intended to provide an industry
context for the DECtop announcements. Shortly, you will receive
additional background information in the mail that you should
find useful.
AN OVERVIEW OF IMAGE PROCESSING
It has been estimated that over 90% of the information required
for business decisions in areas such as claims processing and
underwriting in the Insurance industry today is paper-based and
is unavailable through automated systems. Because the Insurance
industry is so paper intensive, the application of image
processing is expected by the industry to have far reaching
benefits.
Today, nearly every major insurance company is planning on doing
something in the image processing/electronic publishing area.
Market growth for these systems is expected to be over 50%
annually. The average estimated value of image processing
opportunities today is $9-10 million.
Some of the key benefits of image processing include reduced
storage space for documents, reducing the amount of time spent
retrieving and processing paper-based information, and reducing
the expense of clerical staff to file and retrieve paper-based
information. A recent report suggested that properly designed
image systems can achieve work flow efficiency improvements of
better than 20%. Furthermore, the report suggested that real
expense saving or cost avoidance by using image processing could
achieve a 30 month payback on investment.
Several vendors of image processing systems including IBM,
FileNet, Wang, Kodak, Plexus and LaserData are in the market
today. However, their current system offerings do not completely
meet customer requirements. Current offerings fall short in the
areas of interoperability, system performance, and integration
into existing hardware and software resources. All except IBM
offer products/services today but the functionality of
competitive products varies widely.
FileNet is considered the premiere image processing vendor due to
product sophistication, ability to handle high document volumes
and leadership in work-in-process software. As the buyer of
image processing has shifted from the end-user department to MIS,
FileNet has run into resistance as MIS looks for interoperability
and enterprise-wide implementation rather than more "islands of
automation."
Wang released their product, WIIS, in 1987 and has seen good
results. WIIS is well advertised, aimed at the office setting
and has served to sensitize the market for imaging applications
in the commercial markets. WIIS is being rolled out in phases
ranging from the released "Level 1" product (VS 6) for small
work groups to the "Level 3" product (VS 300) for distributed
implementation due out in 15-18 months. Limitations include a
lack of a compound document architecture and its proprietary
environment.
IBM has only made a product announcement of plans to release the
ImagePlus system in 1989 and yet is rapidly becoming the chief
competitor. A partnership with USAA Insurance has been highly
publicized. IBM's approach is for the customer to build
separate, co-resident image applications rather than allowing the
image data type to be integrated into a customer's planned or
existing applications. As a result, the USAA application uses a
separate desktop device to display images, and users have two
3270 terminals on their desks. There will be three different
versions of ImagePlus: System 36, AS/400 and MVS/ESA.
Kodak, a Digital SCMP, is currently enhancing their existing KIMS
3000 and 5000 systems to incorporate Digital's Compound Document
Architecture (CDA) to allow full integration into DECnet-based
solutions. Both systems are actively marketed by Kodak and DEC.
The DIGITAL DIFFERENCE
Our vision statement for this technology is to "integrate images
into the enterprise-wide computing environment so they can be
used easily and universally." Our image tools will allow
customers to incorporate image directly into their applications
as another data type. Digital's building block approach allow
image to be treated as another data type like text or numerics
instead of a distinct and unique application layered atop
existing systems. This approach distinguishes us from vendors
that are building image-dominant applications like Kodak, IBM and
FileNet. An advantage of Digital's approach is that it can be
more easily adopted by applications vendors that want to enhance
their applications with image processing.
Our recent product announcements will establish DEC as a
legitimate vendor for document processing opportunities today.
Further development is under way to address additional
requirements including work-in-process, workstation enhancements,
high-volume scanning and MS-DOS support.
Digital has a unique opportunity to work with MIS as they grapple
with this new technology and understand its implications and
potential value. Here are some guidelines that may work in your
accounts:
- Work with MIS to explain our imaging strategy and compound
document architecture and influence their deployment strategy
for document processing systems. Even though FileNet and Wang
have been very successful in selling point solutions,
ultimately, insurance companies will look to a larger vendor,
IBM or Digital, for image processing solutions in the mission
critical areas.
- Use Network Application Support to present a context for the
integration of image technology across heterogeneous
application systems. Our commitment to industry standards and
platform compatibility provide extendibility that proprietary
systems cannot.
- Isolate pilot projects that have a cross-departmental
dimension. Avoid bounded, point solutions like archival and
retrieval systems used by a single user group.
THE IMPACT OF THE DESKTOP ANNOUNCEMENT
ON INSURANCE IMAGE SALES OPPORTUNITIES
The "products" of the insurance industry are protection and financial
growth for the client, coupled with service. The raw materials used to
produce these products are information, most of which is initially contained
on paper. Image technology offers the opportunity for the industry to change
the "product production and maintenance" processes and streamline operations.
When coupled with effective tools to control the flow, directing and
coordinating it as appropriate, and the ability to access image information
on an integrated enterprise wide, basis. The impact on the insurance industry
is expected to be as great as the impact of computer aided manufacturing and
"just in time" ordering on the hard goods manufacturing industries. This is
clearly understood by most insurance companies, and for this reason, the
interest of the insurance market in image coupled with "work in processes
control" is substantial.
In spite of this opportunity, with the notable exception of Digital, vendors
of image based systems have, have failed to develop and offer products that
can be seen as a firm base for establishment of the Enterprise Wide,
integrated, image operations that will be critical in the future. The reason
lies in the incompatibility of most manufacturers image offerings with the
technologies that are already installed, making it difficult (if not
impossible) to provide true integration.
Digital, because of its focus on treating image as "just another data type",
and its use of the VAX and VMS as the delivery mechanisms, coupled with its
adoption of a "compound document" base for its image architecture, has
overcome this drawback. When combined with DECwindows (based on the X Windows
standard which is being widely adopted) and EPIC (an integrated information
management package which contains many different image and data based
integration tools) current Digital offerings can be seen as a strong
foundation for initial image implementations which can be logically expanded
to serve the enterprise.
It should be clearly recognized that while the insurance industry views image
as a major technology, most companies are very skittish about developing any
large applications until they have had experience with smaller, more
manageable ones. They are, by tradition, unwilling to "bet the farm" on
something that they, and most other companies, do not fully understand.
Hence, in the immediate future sales in the image area are likely to be
"point solutions". It is, however, very important to emphasize that these
"point solution", with few exceptions, represent areas where "Enterprise
access to image" would be appropriate and highly desirable for the company.
Focus the customer on the long term, and support the idea of point solutions
and experimentation WHICH CAN BE EXPANDED TO MEET THE EXPECTED FUTURE
ENTERPRISE WIDE NEEDS OF THE COMPANY!!
ENTERPRISE WIDE IMAGE SERVICES
For Insurance companies broad and effective use of image technology requires
that the images be accessible whenever and wherever they are required by an
individual to do their job, regardless of where they are stored, where they
are physically required or when they are needed. While image operations
within a narrow segment of the enterprise may have some benefit, in reducing
storage costs and improving control, the constraints that this places on the
long term effectiveness of the overall image process operation are severe.
For example a letter pertaining to claims and other issues may be received in
many different areas of the enterprise. For maximum operational effectiveness
they need to be scanned and stored as soon as they are received, and directed
through the system to the correct organization or individual to address them.
Control and coordination over the process of image documents through a "work
in process" controller is vital. In addition, these images should be
accessible to anyone who is involved in working on the case or the product,
instantly.
The key is that image should be accessible and capable of presentation to
anyone in the enterprise who requires that access in order to execute their
responsibilities. Constraints of geography, organization or technology should
not be imposed.
INTEGRATED IMAGE PROCESSING
To be fully effective, image needs to be part of the overall operating flow
of the enterprise, accessible as just one other element of the normal
processing and information flow - using the same workstation used for data
retrieval. Further records must be capable of being edited, combined,
annotated and modified in order to communicate the perceptions of the readers
to other readers. Integrated, as used in Digital's discussions of image, mean
that image information can be treated in this manner, and can be accessed as
part of a global functions (eg. Claims processing, application processing or
customer service) as required by the end user. Further, integrated means that
many users can access the same image for different reasons and for different
purposes. For each user, access to appropriate images is part of their normal
operation. Different end user may access the same image for different
functions, and in different ways.
Consider a letter from a customer indicating that a claim has not been
satisfactorily resolved, and that the customer is considering suing the
company, Because of the implications, the individual responsible for the
claim (who would be most likely be the first recipient) may wish to annotate
the letter, send it to the claim supervisor, and to the law department (who
would set it up as part of a potential suit). The law department would need
immediate access to the rest of the information about the customer, the
claim and the policy. In addition, the customer service operation may need
to access the letter in response to a telephone call ("..Did you get my
letter - what are you doing about it..?). The contact by the customer service
organization could be added to the package of image information and be
accessed by all who were involved (it could be of value to the law
department, for example). Further, the agent (to the extent that the agent
is considered part of the customer service operation) would be made aware of
the letter and could wish to modify his or her approach to the customer based
on the letter. Finally, an individual attempting to locate all letters to the
company regarding suits on claims which have been processed by a certain
office or individual could locate and access the image based on search
criteria against the reference data base.
In other words, the image (and associated information) could be made
available to all who needed it - when they needed it and through conventional
(user friendly) access methods. Since the logical basis of access to customer
records is through the customer name (or social security number), the image
access information (as well as summary information about the nature of the
image) could be stored with other customer information access, under the
customer name. The end user would not have to worry where the image was
physically, and would have a simple way to retrieve all that was required
IMMEDIATELY.
THE DIGITAL IMAGE DIFFERENCE
The announcement of January 10, 1989 includes a number of key elements that
make Digital a unique vendor in the image marketplace. As has been noted
earlier in this paper, our uniqueness lies in the delivery of image services
through currently available, general purpose hardware and operating systems
coupled with the compound document architecture which forms one foundation of
our image management approach.
In discussing the Digital difference with customers, it is important to be
sensitive to the fact that no manufacturer (including Digital) has all the
styles and performance levels of image hardware that a company may need. This
is one of the reasons that we have formed a relationship with Kodak, since
they have certain technological bases for operation (particularly in optical
storage and scanning systems) that we have not yet developed. The combination
of Kodak and Digital capabilities provide a broad range of capabilities which
are expected to satisfy the needs of our customers now and in the future.
INTEGRATED DELIVERY SYSTEM
The VAX and its associated support and integration tools has long
been the standard of comparison for integration of diverse system
applications, regardless of which manufacturers hardware or operating
system they function on. To this integration capability, we have now
added the ability to integrate image records and functions. For the
insurance customer, this means that we can now provide the service of
linking their stovepipe applications, from personal computer to
mainframe, and integrate that linkage with the enterprise wide use of
image based information. Image technology needs to be capable of
integration with all the other technologies in use in a company. For
example, access to image information about a customer should be able
to happen through a master menu about the customer and on the same
screen which shows policy, claim or other "data" based information
the workstation user is working with. Without this integration, it is
necessary to have two viewing units on the operators desk - one for
image and the other for data - an inefficient and uneconomical
operating environment.
EPIC provides a management environment for image, document creation,
data management and other functions that may be required of the
operator. Windows provides an integrated multi-functional environment
in which many different functions can be controlled and integrated
for the benefit of the operator.
Later on in this paper there is a brief discussion of the way that a typical
integrated image application might work. This discussion is not "pie in the
sky". It is based on the true capabilities that Digital now has, and that
will be expanded on in future - without in any way diminishing the
installations and uses that will have been developed on the announced
products.
COMPOUND DOCUMENT ARCHITECTURE
The use of a uniform compound document architecture approach to image
is key to long term effectiveness in its use by business in general,
and Insurance in particular, the reason lies in the need to annotate,
edit, modify and reproduce image information (in a manner similar to
paper documents] adding information, enhancements and comments so
that the next reader can better understand the position of
intervening readers.
INSURANCE IMAGE CUSTOMERS
The concept of integrated Enterprise wide image and its application are
business issues of the highest importance to the management of the
company. For this reason, review with both the business and information
processing management is appropriate. During that review, the concept
of integration (with Digital as the integrator) should be discussed not only
in the context of image but also in the context of the other divers and
unlinked functions in the company. The results of these discussion will not
be immediate sales, but should be opportunities to work with there
company ion identification, design and eventual implementation of an
image system.
The insurance industry "customers" for image include (but are not limited
to):
a. End user departments, who are likely to be the final decision makers,
since they will typically pay for the system out of their budgets.
It is likely that the end user department will be the "driver" for
image, since they will be the most heavily impacted by the results.
It is also likely that they will be the least sophisticated in terms
of the technical capabilities and limitations of the technology.
There view will be one of "what will it do for me" and " how much
will it cost".
b. Information services, who will become the organization
responsible for integration and implementation of the image process.
While purchasing may also be involved, in many companies Information
Services maintains its own purchasing operation. Another element of
Information Services that is likely to have a strong influence is the
unit responsible for network development and support, who will get
broadly involved (especially if image is seen as having enterprise
wide potential).
c. The department responsible for office management or innovation in
the company. While this is sometimes part of Information Services,
there are some instances where it is independent and has its own
spheres of influence.
d. Financial operations, who are likely to be heavily involved in the
fiscal evaluation of the "cost/benefit" of image processing.
e. Corporate planning, who will get involved because of the enterprise
wide potential for image and because image is currently a "hot
button" in the industry.
POTENTIAL INSURANCE IMAGE APPLICATIONS
The following are a small number of the potential "mission critical"
applications for image within an insurance company. For the purpose of this
paper, they have been greatly simplified, and must in all cases be seen as
one element in an Enterprise Wide image scheme, with access to the
image information when and where it is required. In fact, the potential for
image exists in almost all functions and all operations. Whether all these
applications will be implemented in the near future depends, in large
measure, on the technical effectiveness of the image system and the price
per seat. As the price per seat declines, the number of applications
implemented will increase dramatically.
UNDERWRITING (P&C and LIFE)
Collection and display of documents associated with the application
for a policy which, in order to speed the policy issue process, is
likely to be scanned in the agency. Documents accessible to the
underwriter through the image system could include:The application
itself, Inspection and Medical reports; Investigation reports;
Pictures of the property insured (P&C); Notes from the underwriter;
medical records and x-rays (Personal insurance); Letters from the
applicant etc. All of these documents will be capable of easy
retrieval and presentation to the underwriter. These images will be
capable of integration with calculations and data associated with
the actual policy, the agent, the agency and other elements of the
operation. At other stages in the life of the policy (e.g. claims
processing) , instant retrieval of these images will significantly
enhance the ability to service the customer.
CLAIMS PROCESSING (P&C and LIFE)
Collection and display of documents associated with one or more
claims including: Claims forms; Pictures associated with the loss;
Bills; Pictures of the property (P&C); Legal letters; letters from
the claimant; Inspection reports; medical records; etc. From an
operational standpoint, it is important that ALL information on a
particular claimant (even that information pertaining to policies and
coverages that are not the subject of the claim) be accessible in
this process.
Recording the image of claim forms and other documents, with
conversion of elements of the documents to ASCII for processing.
Since it is unlikely that a total form will be capable of being
converted to ASCII, the form and the ASCII record should be displayed
on a terminal for clerical completion. Note that this completion does
not have to be at the same location as the recording, permitting
broad distribution of the operational elements of the enterprise with
required coordination through the network.
PRODUCT MANAGEMENT/CUSTOMER SERVICE
Of all the functions in an insurance company, customer service is
probably the most important and the most difficult. Customer service
can be considered to take place whenever a customer or influencer
contacts the insurance company, and has a major impact on the
continued sale of products. Image, accessible throughout the
enterprise, will be a major element in the future of effective
customer service.
Letters and written communications regarding the customer will be
recorded in an image file, linked to the customer identification
record so that they can be retrieved swiftly. It should be noted
that within the customer service function should be recording of each
contact with the customer as well as a note on the action taken. This
is one of the capabilities that is lacking today in the typical
insurance company.
Providing this total "file" of information (which may be physically
distributed within the enterprise) on interactions with the customer
will be a key to effective "personal" customer service in the future.
The value of this capability cannot be measured in "savings", rather
it will be measured in increased persistency of business and sale of
new services and products.
Beneficiary information (which one key to successful management of
Life claims and pensions) can be kept in image form, and recalled at
will in conjunction with other information on the contract. This has
a beneficial effect on all aspects of operation, with particular
improvements in customer service and claims handling.
LAW DEPARTMENT
While the future Law department will be heavily supported by VTX and
other data retrieval and management capabilities, as well as
electronic mail, electronic conference management, work control
systems and other services. In this context the use of Image will be
critical to effective operations. Image will be used to record all
legal papers, letters and communications as well as notes and
contracts.
Because many of the actions of the law department revolve around
suits on policies, claims and other "insurance" issues, the retrieval
of a complete portfolio of information on the client (including all
claims, communications and notes) is a vital element in preparing and
analyzing a case. These data will be assembled for review based on
the customer identification linkage, and will be available to the
reviewer on the screen. Further using the electronic mail capability
there will be the ability to send documents to others in the
department (and externally) for advice and council.
PENSION RECORD MANAGEMENT
In the group and individual pension business, one of the key problems
is maintaining a coherent and consistent record of the contributions
that an individual, and company, make to the pension fund. This is
exacerbated by constant change in the nature of the pension fund over
the lifetime of an employee and the development of information about
options that the employee is entitled to. In at least one instance a
company has established an image system to record and present all the
paperwork on an employee, both before and after retirement. The
effect of this is to provide a coherent base for action and a swift
method of recall of information. The benefits include reduced costs
of filing and document management, as well as increased consistency
and accuracy of benefit management.
PERSONNEL
While personnel functions are not unique to an insurance company, the
wide physical distribution of employees typically found in a large
insurance company creates some unusually difficult personnel
administration issues. Information on employee reviews, applications
for employment, productivity, management evaluation, disciplinary
actions and many other key issues are likely to be kept in image in
the future, In this form the original documents will be available for
full review in any location in the company (provided the individual
executing the review has access authorization). This is likely to
facilitate internal coordination while at the same time ensuring a
more uniform treatment of employees and better management
appreciation of the potential of employees.
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