EP0859335A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thumbnail image manipulation using aspect ratio zooming, compression and scaling
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1998-01-07
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2018-01-07
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are method and apparatus for the manipulation of thumbnail images as used in image-based browsing file management systems. Disclosed are arrangements whereby zooming in and out of thumbnail images can be performed without a continued need to decompress a true image thus providing for faster operation. Pixel interpolation and/or replication are used to generate intermediate images that are display to deliver to the user a perception of a transitory zoom yet are of sufficient detail to maintain user orientation. Aspect ratio zooming of thumbnail containment areas is also disclosed which facilitates ease of browsing. The compression of thumbnail type images using a discrete wavelet transform facilitates the fast zoom of thumbnails and their associated containment areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Quentin Scott
- 👤 Jeremy David Michael Thorp
- 👤 Timothy Merrick Long
- 👤 Nicolas Leslie Coleman
- 👤 Richard Maclean Antill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T9/00; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/54; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/4084; H; H04; H04N; H04N19/00; H04N19/60; H04N19/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 110
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of zooming an image on a display device, said method comprising
the steps of: displaying a first image at a first predetermined size; stretching or shrinking the first image to one or more predetermined image
sizes; displaying at least one of said stretched or shrunken images; and displaying a second image at a second predetermined image size.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of zooming an image on a display device, said method comprising
the steps of: displaying a first image at a first predetermined size; stretching or shrinking the first image to one or more predetermined image
sizes; displaying at least one of said stretched or shrunken images; and displaying a second image at a second predetermined image size.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first image is stored on a
memory storage means in an encoded format and the steps of displaying further
includes a decoding of the first image for display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said second image is stored on a
memory storage means in an encoded format and the steps of displaying further
includes a decoding of the second image for display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the encoded format is a
compressed image format.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the compressed image format is a
wavelet coding technique.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said wavelet coding technique
comprises the SWEET method (as herein defined).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the compressed image format is
achieved by a JPEG coding technique.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second image are
different resolutions of a single image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said single image is stored as a single
compressed image and wherein the first and second images are extracted from the
single compressed image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said stretching or shrinking comprises
adjusting the size of the first image by manipulating pixels of the first image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said stretching comprising
mathematically manipulating values of groups of pixels to provide at least one pixel
value, and replicating said at least one pixel value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said shrinking comprises
mathematically manipulating groups of pixels to provide at least one pixel value, and
assigning said one pixel value to a limited number of pixels smaller that contained in
said groups.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein, said assigning comprises discarding
pixels from said image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
175 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said image is coded into said encoded
format by a method of representing a digital image to provide a coded representation,
said method comprising the steps of: transforming said digital image to derive a plurality of coefficients, each
coefficient represented by a predefined bit sequence; selecting a portion of said plurality of coefficients as a region; (a) scanning the significance of each bitplane of said selected region from
a most significant bitplane towards a least significant bitplane and providing a first
token in said coded representation for each insignificant bitplane until a significant
bitplane is determined, wherein a second token is provided in said coded representation
for said significant bitplane; (b) partitioning said selected region into two or more subregions having a
predetermined form, and setting each of said subregions as said selected region; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) commencing from said significant bitplane
until said selected region has a predetermined size, wherein said coefficients of said
selected region are coded and provided in said coded representation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said transforming step comprises
applying a discrete wavelet transform to said digital image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said region comprises said entire
plurality of coefficients.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said portion comprises a subband of
said plurality of coefficients.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said first and second tokens
comprise bit values of 0 and 1, respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said subregions are equally sized.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein said subregions are square.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined size of said
subregion is a 1 x 1 coefficient.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said 1 x 1 coefficient is encoded by
outputting bits of said corresponding bit sequence beginning with the respective
significant bitplane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein only bits of said corresponding bit
sequence above a predetermined minimum bit level are output in said coded
representation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein, in step (c), steps (a) and (b) are
repeated otherwise until each bitplane of said selected region has been scanned.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 24. wherein each bitplane of said selected region
above a minimum bit level has been scanned.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of zooming an image on a display device, said method comprising
the steps of: (a) decompressing a compressed true image to a first representation of
said image at a predetermined size, and displaying said first
representation; (b) if the predetermined size is smaller than a desired image size then (i) stretching the representation to a larger image size and displaying
said stretched representation; and (ii) repeating step (b)(i) until said desired image size is reached; (c) if the predetermined size is larger than a desired image size then (i) shrinking the representation to a smaller image size and
displaying said shrunk representation; and (ii) repeating step (c)(i) until said desired image size is reached.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of zooming an image on a display device, said method comprising
the steps of: (a) decompressing a compressed true image to a first representation of
said image at a predetermined size, and displaying said first
representation; (b) if the predetermined size is smaller than a desired image size then (i) stretching the representation to a larger image size and displaying
said stretched representation; and (ii) repeating step (b)(i) until said desired image size is reached; (c) if the predetermined size is larger than a desired image size then (i) shrinking the representation to a smaller image size and
displaying said shrunk representation; and (ii) repeating step (c)(i) until said desired image size is reached.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 26 comprising the further step, after step (c), of: (d) decompressing the compressed true image to a further representation
at a said desired size and displaying said further representation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein step (d) occurs substantially
simultaneously during steps (a) (b) and (c).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for zooming an image for display on a display device, said
apparatus comprising: means for displaying a first representation of said image at a first
predetermined size means for stretching or shrinking said first representation to at least one further
predetermined size; means for displaying said stretched or shrunken representation at each said
further predetermined size, and means for displaying a second representation of said image at a second
predetermined size.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for zooming an image for display on a display device, said
apparatus comprising: means for displaying a first representation of said image at a first
predetermined size means for stretching or shrinking said first representation to at least one further
predetermined size; means for displaying said stretched or shrunken representation at each said
further predetermined size, and means for displaying a second representation of said image at a second
predetermined size.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein means for displaying said second
representation operates substantially simultaneously with the other said means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having
a computer program recorded thereon for zooming images for display on a display
device, said computer program product comprising: means for displaying a first representation of said image at a first
predetermined size means for stretching or shrinking said first representation to at least one further
predetermined size; means for displaying said stretched or shrunken representation at each said
further predetermined size, and means for displaying a second representation of said image at a second
predetermined size.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having
a computer program recorded thereon for zooming images for display on a display
device, said computer program product comprising: means for displaying a first representation of said image at a first
predetermined size means for stretching or shrinking said first representation to at least one further
predetermined size; means for displaying said stretched or shrunken representation at each said
further predetermined size, and means for displaying a second representation of said image at a second
predetermined size.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of zooming thumbnails of digital images for use in image browsing,
said method comprising the steps of: laying out said thumbnails in at least one containment area having the same
aspect ratio as an available display area of a display means; and scaling said thumbnails contained in said at least one containment area to fit
within the available area of said containment area.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of zooming thumbnails of digital images for use in image browsing,
said method comprising the steps of: laying out said thumbnails in at least one containment area having the same
aspect ratio as an available display area of a display means; and scaling said thumbnails contained in said at least one containment area to fit
within the available area of said containment area.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 31, further comprising the step of increasing the
scale of said thumbnails if increased detail of said thumbnails is required for
assessment.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 32, wherein said thumbnails are scaled to be as
large as possible and fit within said available display area.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, further comprising the step
of organising said thumbnails into two or more groups in respective containment areas.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein said groups have a hierarchical
structure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 34 or 35, wherein one or more groups laid out in
respective containment areas comprises two or more (sub)groups of thumbnails laid out
in respective (sub)containment areas, each (sub)containment area having the same
aspect ratio as the parent containment area and said displayable area.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
27 words
A method according to any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein one or more of
said digital images is generated using a digital image capture device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein said scaling comprises zooming said
thumbnails according to the method of claim 1.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for zooming thumbnails of digital images for use in image
browsing, said thumbnails being displayable on a display means, said apparatus
comprising: means for laying out said thumbnails in at least one containment area having
the same aspect ratio as an available display area of a display means; and means for scaling said thumbnails contained in said at least one containment
area to fit within the available area of said containment area.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for zooming thumbnails of digital images for use in image
browsing, said thumbnails being displayable on a display means, said apparatus
comprising: means for laying out said thumbnails in at least one containment area having
the same aspect ratio as an available display area of a display means; and means for scaling said thumbnails contained in said at least one containment
area to fit within the available area of said containment area.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising: a computer; a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for
zooming said digital images, said computer program carrying out the method according
to any one of claims 31 to 38, wherein said computer program can be loaded into and
run by said computer to implement said apparatus.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a
computer program recorded thereon for zooming thumbnails of digital images for use in
image browsing, said computer program product comprising: means for laying out said thumbnails in at least one containment area having
the same aspect ratio as an available display area of a display means; and means for scaling said thumbnails contained in said at least one containment
area to fit within the available area of said containment area.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a
computer program recorded thereon for zooming thumbnails of digital images for use in
image browsing, said computer program product comprising: means for laying out said thumbnails in at least one containment area having
the same aspect ratio as an available display area of a display means; and means for scaling said thumbnails contained in said at least one containment
area to fit within the available area of said containment area.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
26 words
A method of scaling thumbnails representing digital images, said method
comprising the step of: encoding a digital image using a hierarchical representation to provide a
thumbnail.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
26 words
A method of scaling thumbnails representing digital images, said method
comprising the step of: encoding a digital image using a hierarchical representation to provide a
thumbnail.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of decoding said
hierarchical representation of said digital image at a predetermined one of a plurality of
scales to provide said thumbnail having a desired size.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 43, wherein the scale of said decoded
hierarchical representation is equal to or greater than the desired size of said thumbnail.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of downsampling
the decoded hierarchical representation to provide the desired-size thumbnail if the scale
of said decoded hierarchical representation is greater than the desired size of said
thumbnail.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of upsampling the
decoded hierarchical representation to provide the desired-size thumbnail if the scale of
said decoded hierarchical representation is less than the desired size of said thumbnail.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of decoding said
hierarchical representation of said digital image at two different adjacent scales of a
plurality of scales to provide said thumbnail having a desired size.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 47, further comprising the step of interpolating
between the two decoded hierarchical representations having different adjacent scales to
provide the desired-size thumbnail if the scale of one of said two decoded hierarchical
representations is greater than the desired thumbnail size and the other of said two
decoded hierarchical representations is less than the desired thumbnail size.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
19 words
A method according to any one of claims 43 to 48, further comprising the step
of displaying said thumbnail.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to any one of claims 42 to 49, wherein said encoding step
includes the step of applying a hierarchical discrete wavelet transform to said image.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
155 words
A method according to claim 50, wherein the encoding comprises the steps of: transforming said digital image to derive a plurality of coefficients, each
coefficient represented by a predefined bit sequence ; selecting a portion of said plurality of coefficients as a region; (a) scanning the significance of each bitplane of said selected region from a
most significant bitplane towards a least significant bitplane and providing a first token
in said coded representation for each insignificant bitplane until a significant bitplane is
determined, wherein a second token is provided in said coded representation for said
significant bitplane; (b) partitioning said selected region into two or more subregions having a
predetermined form, and setting each of said subregions as said selected region; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) commencing from said significant bitplane until
said selected region has a predetermined size, wherein said coefficients of said selected
region are coded and provided in said coded representation.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 51, wherein said transforming step comprises
applying a discrete wavelet transform to said digital image.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 51, wherein said region comprises said entire
plurality of coefficients.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 52, wherein said portion comprises a subband of
said plurality of coefficients.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 51, wherein said first and second tokens
comprise bit values of 0 and 1, respectively.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 51, wherein said subregions are equally sized.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 56, wherein said subregions are square.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 51, wherein said predetermined size of said
subregion is a 1 x 1 coefficient.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 58, wherein said 1 x 1 coefficient is encoded by
outputting bits of said corresponding bit sequence beginning with the respective
significant bitplane.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 59, wherein only bits of said corresponding bit
sequence above a predetermined minimum bit level are output in said coded
representation.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 521, wherein, in step (c), steps (a) and (b) are
repeated otherwise until each bitplane of said selected region has been scanned.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 61, wherein each bitplane of said selected region
above a minimum bit level has been scanned.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
164 words
A method according to claim 50, wherein said encoding comprises the steps
of: decomposing said image using a subband transform to provide a number of
subbands: for each subband, selecting said subband as an initial region and performing
the following sub-steps: (a) checking if a current bit level of the selected region is significant; (b) if said current bit level is significant, outputting a first token in a
coded representation and partitioning said selected region into a number of equally
sized sub-regions, wherein each sub-region is processed as said selected region in turn; (c) if said current bit level is insignificant, outputting a second token in
said coded representation and selecting the next lower bit level of said selected region
as said current bit level; (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) until said current bit level is less than a
specified minimum bit level, or said selected region has a predetermined size and
coefficients of said selected region are coded in said coded representation.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 63, wherein said coefficients of said selected
region are coded by representing each coefficient by the bits between the corresponding
current bit level and the minimum bit level.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 63 or 64, wherein said subband transform
comprises a discrete wavelet transform.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
291 words
A method according to claim 50, wherein said encoding comprises the steps
of: a) dividing the digital image into a plurality of blocks; b) applying a subband transform to each of said blocks to provide a
plurality of AC subband regions, at one or more resolutions, and a DC subband region
for each block; c) selection said DC subband region as a selected region and performing
the following sub-steps: ca) checking if current bitplane of the selected region is significant; cb) if said current bitplane is significant, outputting a first token in a
coded representation and partitioning said selected region into a number of sub-regions,
wherein each sub-region is processed as the selected region in turn; cc) if said current bitplane is insignificant, outputting a second token
in the coded representation and selecting the next lower bitplane of the selected region
as the current bitplane; cd) repeating sub-steps ca) to cc) until said current bitplane is less
than a specified minimum bitplane, or said selected region has a predetermined size and
coefficients of said selected region are coded in said coded representation; d) selecting substantially all uncoded AC subband regions as a remaining
region of each block and scanning the significance of each bitplane of the remaining
region from a most significant bitplane towards a least significant bitplane, and
outputting the second token for each insignificant bitplane until a significant bitplane is
determined; e) setting one or more AC subband regions, of a current resolution level,
as a selected region and performing the sub-steps ca) to cd); f) repeating step c) until substantially all AC subbands of the current
resolution level have been encoded; and g) repeating steps d) to f) until all AC subbands of each block have been
encoded.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
24 words
A method according to any of claims 43 to 66, further comprising the step of
caching said hierarchical representation and/or said decoded hierarchical representation.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 67, further comprising the step of caching
intermediate size or scaled versions of said decoded hierarchical representation.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for scaling thumbnails representing digital images, said apparatus
comprising: means for storing a thumbnail, said thumbnail comprising a hierarchically
encoded representation of a digital image; and means for decoding said hierarchical representation of said digital image at at
least a predetermined one of a plurality of scales to provide said thumbnail having a
desired size.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for scaling thumbnails representing digital images, said apparatus
comprising: means for storing a thumbnail, said thumbnail comprising a hierarchically
encoded representation of a digital image; and means for decoding said hierarchical representation of said digital image at at
least a predetermined one of a plurality of scales to provide said thumbnail having a
desired size.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 69, wherein the scale of said decoded
hierarchical representation is equal to or greater than the desired size of said thumbnail.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 69, further comprising means for downsampling
the decoded hierarchical representation to provide the desired-size thumbnail if the scale
of said decoded hierarchical representation is greater than the desired size of said
thumbnail.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 69, further comprising means for upsampling the
decoded hierarchical representation to provide the desired-size thumbnail if the scale of
said decoded hierarchical representation is less than the desired size of said thumbnail.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 69, wherein said decoding means decodes said
hierarchical representation of said digital image at two different adjacent scales of a
plurality of scales to provide said thumbnail having a desired size.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 73, further comprising means for interpolating
between the two decoded hierarchical representations having different adjacent scales to
provide the desired-size thumbnail if the scale of one of said two decoded hierarchical
representations is greater than the desired thumbnail size and the other of said two
decoded hierarchical representations is less than the desired thumbnail size.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 69 to 74, further comprising display
means for displaying said thumbnail.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 69 to 75, further comprising means
for encoding said digital image to provide said hierarchically encoded representation.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said encoding means includes means
for applying a hierarchical discrete wavelet transform to said image.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 77, wherein encoding comprises SWEET
encoding (as herein defined).
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 69 to 78, further comprising means for
caching said hierarchical representation and/or said decoded hierarchical representation.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising means for caching
intermediate size or scaled versions of said decoded hierarchical representation.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having
a computer program recorded thereon for scaling thumbnails representing digital
images, said computer program product comprising: means for storing a thumbnail, said thumbnail comprising a hierarchically
encoded representation of a digital image; and means for decoding said hierarchical representation of said digital image at at
least a predetermined one of a plurality of scales to provide said thumbnail having a
desired size.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having
a computer program recorded thereon for scaling thumbnails representing digital
images, said computer program product comprising: means for storing a thumbnail, said thumbnail comprising a hierarchically
encoded representation of a digital image; and means for decoding said hierarchical representation of said digital image at at
least a predetermined one of a plurality of scales to provide said thumbnail having a
desired size.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer program product according to claim 81, wherein the scale of
said decoded hierarchical representation is equal to or greater than the desired size of
said thumbnail.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer program product according to claim 81, further comprising
means for downsampling the decoded hierarchical representation to provide the desired-size
thumbnail if the scale of said decoded hierarchical representation is greater than the
desired size of said thumbnail.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer program product according to claim 81, further comprising
means for upsampling the decoded hierarchical representation to provide the desired¶
size thumbnail if the scale of said decoded hierarchical representation is less than the
desired size of said thumbnail.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer program product according to claim 81, wherein said decoding
means decodes said hierarchical representation of said digital image at two different
adjacent scales of a plurality of scales to provide said thumbnail having a desired size.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer program product according to claim 85, further comprising
means for interpolating between the two decoded hierarchical representations having
different adjacent scales to provide the desired-size thumbnail if the scale of one of said
two decoded hierarchical representations is greater than the desired thumbnail size and
the other of said two decoded hierarchical representations is less than the desired
thumbnail size.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product according to any one of claims 81 to 84,
further comprising display means for displaying said thumbnail.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product according to any one of claims 81 to 87,
further comprising means for encoding said digital image to provide said hierarchically
encoded representation.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product according to claim 88, wherein said encoding
means includes means for applying a hierarchical discrete wavelet transform to said
image.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product according to claim 89, wherein encoding
comprises SWEET encoding (as herein defined).
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product according to any of claims 81 to 90, further
comprising means for caching said hierarchical representation and/or said decoded
hierarchical representation.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product according to claim 91, further comprising
means for caching intermediate size or scaled versions of said decoded hierarchical
representation.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image-based computerized file browsing system comprising: a storage device for retaining a plurality of images at least group of which are
stored in an encoded format; a processor for running an operating system incorporating a file management
arrangement wherein true images retained in said storage device are depicted as
thumbnail representations when viewed via said file management system, characterised by an image manipulation arrangement whereby said thumbnail representations
are alterable in size and only a limited number of size alterations result from decoding
from said encoded format, the remainder arising from pixel manipulation of
intermediate sized images sized between a starting size and an ending size.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image-based computerized file browsing system comprising: a storage device for retaining a plurality of images at least group of which are
stored in an encoded format; a processor for running an operating system incorporating a file management
arrangement wherein true images retained in said storage device are depicted as
thumbnail representations when viewed via said file management system, characterised by an image manipulation arrangement whereby said thumbnail representations
are alterable in size and only a limited number of size alterations result from decoding
from said encoded format, the remainder arising from pixel manipulation of
intermediate sized images sized between a starting size and an ending size.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 93, wherein said file management arrangement
groups certain ones of said representations into containment areas whereby an aspect
ratio of said containment areas corresponds to that of a display device upon which said
images and representations are reproduced.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 94, wherein representations within a containment
area can be treated as a single representation when the display size of the containment
area is being altered.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 93, wherein said images are encoded according to
a hierarchical coding scheme that provides for incremental decoding of different
resolutions of an image and said image manipulation arrangement decodes said
thumbnail representations via one of said increments when performing a size
alternation.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image storage and retrieval system comprising: image memory means providing access in use to a plurality of
image data files; display means operable to display thumbnail images at least
partially representative of said image data files; processing means operable to variably control at least one
of the size, shape, grouping and information content of the
displayed thumbnail images; and output means operable to output data from a selected one
of the image data files corresponding to a user selection of a
corresponding thumbnail image.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image storage and retrieval system comprising: image memory means providing access in use to a plurality of
image data files; display means operable to display thumbnail images at least
partially representative of said image data files; processing means operable to variably control at least one
of the size, shape, grouping and information content of the
displayed thumbnail images; and output means operable to output data from a selected one
of the image data files corresponding to a user selection of a
corresponding thumbnail image.
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