Cascading cluster collages: visualization of image search results on small displays

[0035] This invention enables a user to be able to search for and show retrieved images on portable display devices, at any time and in any place. The invention is particularly helpful for travelers visiting foreign countries when facing language barriers, because images can communicate independent of language. For example, a person who wants to have a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice can simply search for “orange juice” on his PDA or cell phone and show an image that conveys freshly squeezed orange juice to the waiter at the restaurant as shown in FIG. 2. Another real life example is a “fly swatter”, which is not easy to describe or pantomime. One can easily imagine many such uses in everyday situations.

[0036] In addition, there are also many domain specific applications. An example relevant to a hi-tech manufacturing company is when a service engineer is out in the field servicing an instrument and needs to find information about replacement parts. Having access to image searc