The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 04, 2000
Kiyoshi Kusama, Kawasaki, JP;
Kentaro Matsumoto, Higashikurume, JP;
Miyuki Enokida, Yokohama, JP;
Kunihiro Yamamoto, Yokohama, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In the retrieval of images that resemble a target image from a plurality of images, the image feature quantity of the target image is calculated when the target image is specified. The feature quantity is calculated upon removing an unnecessary area from the specified target image, and retrieval of resembling images is performed using the feature quantity that has been calculated. The unnecessary area is determined automatically based upon a change in luminance in directions vertically and horizontally of the periphery of the target image. Thus, the calculation of feature quantities from which unnecessary portions in an image have been eliminated can be executed with ease and more effective retrieval of resembling images can be carried out.