America Online, Inc.

Frank Wood

Gregory S Pass

Representing an image includes extracting several types of information about an image that are then used to compute a joint histogram. A weighting factor may be applied to at least one of the types of information extracted about the image such that the joint histogram represents a weighted joint histogram. Representing an image may further include calculating a posterized joint histogram. The posterized joint histogram may be calculated after the weighting factor has been applied.

Representing an image with weighted joint histogram

A search for an image includes receiving a set of features corresponding to image characteristics that then are compared to features indexed for multiple stored images. A search result is produced based on the comparison. The received set of features may correspond to posterized image characteristics that then are compared to features that have been indexed and that correspond to posterized image characteristics for multiple stored images. The received set of features may be compared to features that have been indexed for multiple stored images in an inverted index. The inverted index may include a relationship between features and images including those features. Additionally or alternatively, the received set of features may be compared to a list of features, where the list of features includes a relationship between features and images including those features.

Image searching techniques

Conducting a search for both text and images includes receiving input, which may include one or more search criteria for at least one of searchable image characteristics and text terms. The received input may be compared with searchable image characteristics and text terms that have been indexed in a single format for multiple stored images and text segments. A search result is produced based on the comparison. The searchable image characteristics and text terms may be indexed in a uniform data format that enables a search engine to use the same search methodology to search for both images and text. The uniform data format may be an inverted index data format. The produced search result may include identifiers for one or more images and text segments that have been retrieved for display in a ranked manner based on similarity metrics.

Image and text searching techniques

Indexing images for use in a searchable index includes receiving an image. A joint histogram may be computed for the received image such that the joint histogram includes joint features. A searchable index based on the joint features within the joint histogram may be created using an index methodology. Text also may be received and a searchable index of the received text may be created. A weighting factor may be applied to at least one of the joint features within the joint histogram such that the joint histogram represents a weighted joint histogram. A searchable index may include a first joint histogram feature corresponding to at least a first image, which includes the first joint histogram feature. The searchable index also may include a second joint histogram feature corresponding to at least a second image, which includes the second joint histogram feature.

Indexing of images and/or text

Representing an image includes extracting information reflecting one or more characteristics of an image that then is used to compute a first histogram vector. The first histogram vector includes one or more vector elements, each representing information for a different characteristic extracted about the image. Multiple subsets are identified within at least one of the vector elements included in the first histogram vector and a second histogram is created. The second histogram vector includes a vector element for each of the subsets identified within the vector elements included in the first histogram vector. Data within the vector elements of the second histogram vector represents the extracted image characteristics.

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Lowpoint, IL, United States of America

Frank Wood