Patent ID: 6859552
Filing Date: 2005-02-22
Classification: G06F,G06K

Abstract:
1. An image retrieving apparatus for retrieving whether an image similar to a predetermined retrieving image to be retrieved is included in an input image or not comprising: a first area extracting unit for extracting a first retrieving area having a first size from the input image with respect to each movement at a first moving pitch; a first histogram forming unit for forming a first histogram with respect to each first retrieving area with a first resolution of gradation; a second histogram forming unit for forming a second histogram of the retrieving image with the first resolution of gradation; a second area extracting unit for comparing the first histogram with the second histogram for calculating a similarity of the first histogram with respect to the second histogram and for extracting a retrieving area having the similarity larger than a first level; a third area extracting unit for extracting a second retrieving area having a second size from the first retrieving area extracted by the second area extracting unit at a second moving pitch; a third histogram forming unit for forming a third histogram with respect to each second retrieving area with a second resolution of gradation which is higher than the first resolution of gradation; a fourth histogram forming unit for forming a fourth histogram of the retrieving image with the second resolution of gradation; and an area retrieving unit for comparing the third histogram with the fourth histogram for calculating a similarity of the third histogram with respect to the fourth histogram and for retrieving an area having the similarity larger than a second level.