Patent ID: 6950989

Claim:
A graphical user interface adapted to browse and retrieve pictures stored in a digital image database, said graphical user interface comprises: a metadata decoder adapted to decode metadata stored in digital image files; a first display level constructed with the aid of decoded metadata, said first display level comprising a first metaphor representing the span of time over which pictures stored in said database were captured, and a plurality of first icons placed on said first metaphor representing predefined temporal intervals, said first icons being proportionately sized to correspond to the number of pictures captured during a predefined temporal interval; and at least a second display level constructed with the aid of decoded metadata and linked to said first display level and triggered by activating one of said first icons, said second display level comprising a second metaphor, and second icons placed on said second metaphor for grouping the pictures represented by the activated first icon, said second icons being proportionately sized to correspond to the number of pictures captured for each grouping.