Patent ID: 7593602

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of retrieval of stored images stored with metadata for at least some of the stored images, the stored metadata comprising at least one entry specifying (a) a part of the respective image, (b) another stored image, and (c) a measure of the degree of similarity between the specified part and the specified other stored image, the method comprising using a computer to perform the steps of: i. displaying one or more images; ii. receiving input from a user specifying a part of at least one of the displayed images; iii. determining measures of interest for each of a plurality of non-displayed stored images specified by said metadata for the displayed image(s), as a function of (a) said stored measures of the degree of similarity and (b) the relationship between the user input and the respectively corresponding part specified; iv. selecting from those non-displayed stored images, on the basis of the determined measures of interest, further images for display.