Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for processing data representing stored images so that a set of said stored images can be represented simultaneously on an output medium having a specified output area, characterised by: a divider (40) for dividing said output area into a number of regions dependent on the number of stored images in said set; an assignment device (50) for associating each of the stored images in said set with an associated one of said regions; and a scaling means (60) for scaling a stored image from said set such that when that image is represented on said output medium, that image will occupy a selected area within the associated region of said output area; whereby said set of images can be represented on said output medium simultaneously in a way that allows the whole output area to be utilized, irrespective of the number of stored images in said set.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said divider (40) divides the output area into a number of regions equal to the number of stored images in said set, said assignment device (50) therefore associating each stored image in said set with one of said regions so that all regions are associated with an image, and said scaling means (60) scales the stored images so that said images occupy substantially the whole of their associated regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said number of regions created by said divider (40) cannot exceed a predetermined number, and if the number of stored images in said set exceeds said predetermined number, then said assignment device (50) is adapted to assign said stored images to successive sets of regions, each such set containing no more than said predetermined number of regions, for representation one set at a time.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said data representing stored images is obtained as a result of an image database search.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said output medium is a display screen (80) of a monitor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of processing data representing stored images to enable a set of said stored images to be represented simultaneously on an output medium having a specified output area, characterised by the steps of: dividing said output area into a number of regions dependent on the number of stored images in said set; associating each of the stored images in said set with an associated one of said regions; scaling a stored image from said set such that when that image is represented on said output medium, that image will occupy a selected area within the associated region of said output area; and transferring the scaled stored image to said output medium for representation in said associated region of said output area; whereby said set of images can be represented on said output medium simultaneously in a way that allows the whole output area to be utilized, irrespective of the number of stored images in said set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claimed in Claim 6, comprising: dividing the output area into a number of regions equal to the number of stored images in said set; associating each stored image in said set with one of said regions so that all regions are associated with an image; and scaling the stored images so that said images occupy substantially the whole of their associated regions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein said number of regions created during said dividing step cannot exceed a predetermined number, and if the number of stored images in said set exceeds said predetermined number, then said associating step comprises: assigning said stored images to successive sets of regions, each such set containing no more than said predetermined number of regions, for representation one set at a time.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein said data representing stored images is obtained as a result of an image database search.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein said output medium is a display screen (80) of a monitor.