Image retrieval method and apparatus using iterative matching
First Claim
1. An image retrieval method comprising:
- (a) comparing a query image to N reference images stored in an image database and extracting K similar images in order of matching rank from the N reference images; and
(b) performing iterative matching for M similar images, which are ranked higher among the K similar images, with a predetermined frequency of iteration, by selecting a similar image ranked the highest among to-be-iteratively-matched similar images as a new query image for each iteration, and rearranging the matching ranks of the M similar images for each iteration by updating a matching score using a predetermined weighted value parameter.
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Abstract
An image retrieval method and apparatus using iterative matching are provided. The method comprises: (a) extracting K similar images in order of matching rank by retrieving N reference images stored in an image database through comparison between a query image selected by a user and the reference images; and (b) performing iterative matching for M similar images, which are ranked higher and selected from the K similar images, with a predetermined frequency, and rearranging the matching ranks of the M similar images. According to the method and apparatus, among similar images retrieved by using a query image selected by a user, M similar images that are ranked higher are selected, and by performing iterative matching for the M similar images using the high-ranked similar image, M similar images are rearranged in order of similarity and output. Accordingly, accuracy of the matching can improve greatly and a load to the retrieval engine due to iterative retrieval can be minimized.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An image retrieval method comprising:
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(a) comparing a query image to N reference images stored in an image database and extracting K similar images in order of matching rank from the N reference images; and (b) performing iterative matching for M similar images, which are ranked higher among the K similar images, with a predetermined frequency of iteration, by selecting a similar image ranked the highest among to-be-iteratively-matched similar images as a new query image for each iteration, and rearranging the matching ranks of the M similar images for each iteration by updating a matching score using a predetermined weighted value parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An image retrieval apparatus comprising:
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a 1st retrieval unit which compares a query image to N reference images stored in an image database and extracts K similar images in order of matching rank from the N reference images; and a 2nd retrieval unit which performs iterative matching for M similar images, which are ranked higher among the K similar images, with a predetermined frequency of iteration, by selecting a similar image ranked the highest among to-be-iteratively-matched similar images as a new query image for each iteration, and rearranges the matching ranks of the M similar images for each iteration by updating a matching score using a predetermined weighted value parameter. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification