Patent ID: 8775401

Claim:
A system for picture search, comprising: one or more processors configured to: receive a picture search request from a user, wherein the picture search request includes a keyword; identify a first set of found pictures in a picture database, the first set of found pictures corresponding to the keyword in the picture search request; present a first plurality of sample pictures that corresponds to a plurality of picture shape types to the user, the first plurality of sample pictures being selected from the first set of found pictures, wherein the first plurality of sample pictures is included in a second plurality of sample pictures predetermined based at least in part on: classifying a plurality of pictures in the picture database according to a plurality of keywords associated with the respective ones of the plurality of pictures and according to the plurality of picture shape types, wherein classifying the plurality of pictures includes, for a first keyword of the plurality of keywords, extracting a set of pictures associated with the first keyword and identifying at least some of the plurality of picture shapes within the extracted set of pictures; determining the second plurality of sample pictures among the classified plurality of pictures that corresponds to respective ones of the plurality of picture shape types; receive a determined sample picture that corresponds to a user selection of one of the first plurality of sample pictures; and identify a second set of found pictures, the second set of found pictures being selected from 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; and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors and configured to provide the one or more processors with instructions.