US5557728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated image retrieval and scaling into windowed displays
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1994-11-22
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Granted: 1996-09-17
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Expires: 2014-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A system and method are provided for processing data representing stored images so that a set of such stored images can be represented simultaneously on an output medium having a specified output area in such a way that more effective use of the output area is made than previously possible with prior art techniques. Typically the set of stored images to be represented will result from an image database search and the output area will be a display screen of a monitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Garrett
- 👤 Andrew Key
- 👤 Kenneth Morse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/60; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/53; G06F16/532; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/968
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for processing data representing independently stored images so that a set of said independently stored images can be displayed on a computer display having a specified output area, comprising: means for selecting said set of independently stored images by comparing a user provided keyword with keywords corresponding to each image; a divider for dividing said output area into a number of regions less than or equal to a number of stored images in said set such that the size of each region is dependent upon the number of stored images, said number of regions being determined according to both a minimum image size that can be observed clearly and aspect ratios of said stored images; an assignment device for associating each of the stored images in said set with at least one of said regions; and a scaling means for scaling each stored image from said set based on the size of each region such that a plurality of said images are concurrently displayed on said computer display and each image occupies a selected area within the associated region of said output area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for processing data representing independently stored images so that a set of said independently stored images can be displayed on a computer display having a specified output area, comprising: means for selecting said set of independently stored images by comparing a user provided keyword with keywords corresponding to each image; a divider for dividing said output area into a number of regions less than or equal to a number of stored images in said set such that the size of each region is dependent upon the number of stored images, said number of regions being determined according to both a minimum image size that can be observed clearly and aspect ratios of said stored images; an assignment device for associating each of the stored images in said set with at least one of said regions; and a scaling means for scaling each stored image from said set based on the size of each region such that a plurality of said images are concurrently displayed on said computer display and each image occupies a selected area within the associated region of said output area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said divider divides the output area into a number of regions exactly equal to the number of stored images in said set, said assignment device 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 scales the stored images so that said images occupy most of their associated regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said number of regions created by said divider cannot exceed a predetermined number, and if the number of stored images in said set exceeds said predetermined number, then said assignment device is adapted to assign said stored images to successive iterations of display, each such iteration containing no more than said predetermined number of regions, for representation one set at a time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data representing stored images is obtained as a result of an image database search.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output medium is a display screen of a monitor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of processing data representing independently stored images to enable a set of said independently stored images to be displayed on a computer display having a specified output area, comprising the steps of: selecting said set of independently stored images by comparing a user provided keyword with keywords corresponding to each image; dividing said output area into a number of regions less than or equal to a number of stored images in said set such that the size of each region is dependent upon the number of stored images, said number of regions being determined according to both a minimum image size that can be observed clearly and aspect ratios of said stored images; associating each of the stored images in said set with at least one of said regions; scaling each stored image from said set based on the size of each region such that a plurality of said images are concurrently displayed on said computer display and each image occupies a selected area within the associated regions of said output area; and transferring the scaled stored images to said computer display for concurrent display in said associated regions of said output area.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of processing data representing independently stored images to enable a set of said independently stored images to be displayed on a computer display having a specified output area, comprising the steps of: selecting said set of independently stored images by comparing a user provided keyword with keywords corresponding to each image; dividing said output area into a number of regions less than or equal to a number of stored images in said set such that the size of each region is dependent upon the number of stored images, said number of regions being determined according to both a minimum image size that can be observed clearly and aspect ratios of said stored images; associating each of the stored images in said set with at least one of said regions; scaling each stored image from said set based on the size of each region such that a plurality of said images are concurrently displayed on said computer display and each image occupies a selected area within the associated regions of said output area; and transferring the scaled stored images to said computer display for concurrent display in said associated regions of said output area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the steps of: 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 most of their associated regions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 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 iterations of display, each such iteration containing no more than said predetermined number of regions, for representation one set at a time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said data representing stored images is obtained as a result of an image database search.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said output medium is a display screen of a monitor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
209 words
A system for processing data representing independently stored images so that a set of said independently stored images can be displayed on a computer display having a specified output area, comprising: means for selecting said set of independently stored images by comparing a user provided keyword with keywords corresponding to each image; a divider for dividing said output area into a number of regions less than or equal to a number of stored images in said set, said number of regions being dependent on aspect ratios of said stored images, one of said number of regions being larger in size indicating that said user provided keyword is a close match to one of said keywords corresponding to each image; an assignment device for associating each of the stored images in said set with at least one of said regions, said region of larger size being associated with said image having said one of said keywords closely matching said user provided keyword; and a scaling means for scaling each stored image from said set based on the size of each region such that a plurality of said images are concurrently displayed on said computer display and each image occupies a selected area within the associated region of said output area.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
209 words
A system for processing data representing independently stored images so that a set of said independently stored images can be displayed on a computer display having a specified output area, comprising: means for selecting said set of independently stored images by comparing a user provided keyword with keywords corresponding to each image; a divider for dividing said output area into a number of regions less than or equal to a number of stored images in said set, said number of regions being dependent on aspect ratios of said stored images, one of said number of regions being larger in size indicating that said user provided keyword is a close match to one of said keywords corresponding to each image; an assignment device for associating each of the stored images in said set with at least one of said regions, said region of larger size being associated with said image having said one of said keywords closely matching said user provided keyword; and a scaling means for scaling each stored image from said set based on the size of each region such that a plurality of said images are concurrently displayed on said computer display and each image occupies a selected area within the associated region of said output area.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-03-18 | 2000-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-17 | 2004-03-18 | 2004-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-17 | 2008-03-18 | 2008-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |