SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY EXTRACTING PIXELS FROM AN IMAGE AND FOR FORMING AN ABSTRACT IMAGE BY DISPLAYING THE EXTRACTED PIXELS

Abstractions of digital images are created and displayed based on the pixels forming the digital image, by selectively extracting less than all pixels from the digital image, and by displaying the extracted pixels against predetermined background pixels such that the extracted pixels are displayed in substantially the same relative positions as in the digital image and such that the predetermined background pixels are displayed in substantially the same relative positions as unextracted pixels in the digital image. The abstract image has a size substantially the same as the size of the digital image. The predetermined background pixels are selected so as to enhance viewability of the abstract image, or the background pixels may be pixels from previous displays of image extractions so as to allow a fill-in effect for single digital images or an abstract motion video effect for digital images that comprise frames in a digital motion video sequence. Since fewer than all pixels of the digital image are extracted, overall time for retrieval, transmission, and display of the abstract image is significantly shortened.