Patent ID: 7508998
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: G06K,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An image search apparatus for searching a plurality of saved registered images for an image similar to a predetermined image, comprising: extraction unit configured to extract a plurality of partial regions which form an image; determination unit configured to determine attributes of the partial regions extracted by said extraction unit; first calculation unit configured to calculate the number of partial regions having an identical attribute of the attributes of the partial regions determined by said determination unit, and center of gravity positions of the partial regions; second calculation unit configured to calculate feature amounts of the partial regions having the identical attribute of the attributes of the partial regions determined by said determination unit; save unit configured to save the number of partial regions having the identical attribute and the positions of the partial regions calculated by said first calculation unit as an index in correspondence with the image; load unit configured to refer to indices saved in said save unit on the basis of the number of partial regions having the identical attribute and the positions of the partial regions calculated by said first calculation unit, and for, when matched indices found, loading feature amounts of the matched partial regions onto a memory; judgment unit configured to compare the feature amounts of the partial region which is included in the predetermined image and calculated by said second calculation unit with the feature amounts of the partial regions loaded by said load unit, and judging whether or not the feature amounts of the partial regions loaded by said load unit fall within predetermined allowable ranges, respectively; and selection unit configured to select the registered images on the basis of the judgment result of said judgment unit, wherein the registered images selected by said selection unit are searched for an image similar to the predetermined image.