Just-in-time browsing for digitized microfilm and other similar image collections

This paper describes "Just-In-Time Browsing" (JITB), a method for image browsing (at modem-like speed) in which image data is transmitted and presented to the user progressively, in prioritized order, based on image content and user interaction. Spatial resolution and grayscale or color fidelity is increased first for the portions of the image that are immediately of most interest to the user. JITB is specifically geared toward digitized microfilm and other similar document image collections, although it can also be used for other types of images. A series of common browsing tasks performed by multiple users demonstrates that JITB compares favorably with two other methods that are currently used for browsing images on the Internet.