Method of storing and transmitting image data as image file suitable for image search.

摘要

The image file (IF1) consists of a file header (FH), a reduced and compressed image data, and a compressed original image data. The reduced and compressed image data is obtained by compressing a reduced image data expressing a reduced image of an original image in serial order of bit planes. The reduced image is then reproduced and displayed on an image display for image search, in place of the original image itself, whereby efficiency in the image search is improved.