Patent ID: 6584223
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An image search apparatus comprising:generation means for generating label information by segmenting image data into a plurality of blocks, and assigning labels in correspondence with feature amounts acquired in units of blocks; index means for readably holding, using each label included in the label information as a key, image data including that label and the number of labels included in the image data; storage means for storing the label information in correspondence with the image data; first extraction means for extracting image data having label information including at least a predetermined number of labels identical to or similar to labels included in label information of a query image, with reference to said index means and said storage means; and second extraction means for extracting similar image data by computing similarities between the image data extracted by said first extraction means, and the query image, wherein said generation means comprises assigning means for segmenting image data into a plurality of blocks, and assigning labels in correspondence with feature amounts acquired in units of labels, and generates a label sequence by arranging the labels assigned by said assigning means in a predetermined block order.