Patent ID: 8392484

Claim:
A method for picture search, comprising: classifying a plurality of pictures in a picture database according to a plurality of keywords associated with the respective ones of the plurality of pictures and according to a plurality of picture shape types, wherein classifying the plurality of pictures includes, for each of the plurality of keywords, extracting a set of pictures associated with the keyword and identifying at least some of the plurality of picture shapes within the extracted set of pictures; determining a first plurality of sample pictures among the classified plurality of pictures that correspond to respective ones of the plurality of picture shape types; receiving a picture search request from a user; identifying a first set of found pictures in the picture database, the first set of found pictures corresponding to a keyword in the search request; presenting a second plurality of sample pictures that correspond to the plurality of picture shape types to the user, the second plurality of sample pictures being selected from the first set of found pictures corresponding to the keyword in the search request, wherein the second plurality of sample pictures that correspond to the plurality of shape types is presented according to an order of number of user selections; receiving a determined sample picture that corresponds to a user selection of one of the second plurality of sample pictures; and identifying a second set of found pictures, the second set of found pictures comprising a subset of the first set of found pictures and having a set of corresponding characteristic values that satisfy a predetermined criterion based at least in part on the determined sample picture.