Method and apparatus for preserving, enlarging and supplementing image content displayed in a graphical user interface

A method of enlarging a digital image displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI), the method comprising:

• (a) selecting for enlargement a portion of an original image displayed in the GUI;
• (b) determining if there is hidden supplemental data that corresponds to the selected portion;
• and
• (c) if it is determined that there is corresponding supplemental data, displaying an enlarged image of the selected portion, the enlarged image revealing the hidden supplemental data.

Apparatus for enlarging a digital image displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI), the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first memory location that stores image data of a portion of an original image displayed in the GUI and selected for enlargement;
• (b) a second memory location that stores image data associated with the remaining portion of the original image that was not selected for enlargement;
• and
• (c) a processor that (i) retrieves the image data of the selected portion from the first memory location, (ii) retrieves the image data of the remaining portion from the second memory location, (iii) reconfigures the image data such that the remaining portion is displayed adjacent to an enlarged image of the selected portion, and (iv) instructs the GUI to display a modified image based on the reconfigured image data, wherein the remaining portion does not include image data displayed by the enlarged image and is distinct from the enlarged image.

Apparatus for enlarging a digital image displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI), the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first memory location that stores image data of a portion of an original image displayed in the GUI and selected for enlargement;
• (b) a second memory location that stores a table that correlates hidden supplemental data with selected image portion identification data;
• and
• (c) a processor that (i) searches the second memory location to determine if there is hidden supplemental data that corresponds to the selected portion, (ii) incorporates any hidden supplemental data found in the second memory location that corresponds to the selected portion into the enlarged image, and (iii) instructs the GUI to display the enlarged image, wherein the incorporated hidden supplemental data is revealed by the enlarged image.

A method of displaying a digital image, the method comprising:

• (a) displaying an original image having a plurality of image portions selectable for enlargement;
• (b) selecting one of the image portions;
• and
• (c) displaying, adjacent to and distinct from an enlarged image of the selected image portion, the remaining selectable image portions that were not selected.

A method of displaying a digital image, the method comprising:

• (a) displaying an original image having a plurality of image portions selectable for enlargement;
• (b) selecting one of the image portions;
• and
• (c) displaying, adjacent to and distinct from an enlarged image of the selected portion, at least the selectable image portions that were immediately adjacent to the selected image portion prior to being enlarged.