Abstract: A method of retrieving an image for display is disclosed. The image is stored in a compressed wavelet-based format having blocks encoded substantially independently. Initially, a representation (1300) of the image is provided at a first (low) resolution (1302). The user can then select a portion (1308) of the representation for reproduction at a predetermined, generally a second (higher), resolution. A first set of blocks is then identified (1322) corresponding to the selected portion(1310), which are then retrieved, decompressed and rendered to display. A second set of blocks (associated with the first set of blocks) is then identified (1326–1340), retrieved and decompressed. The rendered first set of blocks is then modified using the decompressed second set and displayed at the predetermined/second resolution.

Abstract: A method of retrieving an image for display is disclosed. The image is stored in a compressed wavelet-based format having blocks encoded substantially independently. Initially, a representation (1300) of the image is provided at a first (low) resolution (1302). The user can then select a portion (1308) of the representation for reproduction at a predetermined, generally a second (higher), resolution. A first set of blocks is then identified (1322) corresponding to the selected portion(1310), which are then retrieved, decompressed and rendered to display. A second set of blocks (associated with the first set of blocks) is then identified (1326-1340), retrieved and decompressed. The rendered first set of blocks is then modified using the decompressed second set and displayed at the predetermined/second resolution.