Patent US6373979B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6373979B1
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System and method for determining a level of similarity among more than one image and a segmented data structure for enabling such determination
Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1999-01-29
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Granted: 2002-04-16
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Expires: 2019-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is disclosed for determining a level of similarity among more than one image. Anticipated spatial characteristics of an image are used for automatically identifying segments within the image and for identifying weights to be added to the color characteristics associated with the identified segments. To determine similarity, comparisons are made between weighted color characteristics of corresponding segments of different images. The identified segments have attributes such as size, position and number which are based on the anticipated spatial characteristics of the image. The anticipated spatial characteristics of the image include, among other things, differences in image characteristics that are anticipated at relative positions within the image. Additionally, a standard for representing image data including feature descriptors for color characteristics is disclosed, the color feature descriptor being divided into plural units corresponding to segments within the image identified based on anticipated spatial characteristics therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 Jia Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/40; G06T7/00; G06T7/97; G06T7/30; G06T7/33; G06T7/337; G06T7/90; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/70; G06V10/74; G06V10/75; G06V10/751; G06V10/7515; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10016; G06T2207/10024; G06T2207/20; G06T2207/20021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for determining similarity among more than one image, comprising: automatically identifying segments within an image by recursively identifying segments within the image using a number of iterations of the recursive identification of segments based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified, and the identified segments having attributes that are based on anticipated spatial characteristics of the image; and comparing color characteristics of image data within the identified segments of the image to color characteristics of image data within corresponding segments of at least one other image to determine similarity among the images.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for determining similarity among more than one image, comprising: automatically identifying segments within an image by recursively identifying segments within the image using a number of iterations of the recursive identification of segments based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified, and the identified segments having attributes that are based on anticipated spatial characteristics of the image; and comparing color characteristics of image data within the identified segments of the image to color characteristics of image data within corresponding segments of at least one other image to determine similarity among the images.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited by claim 1 , wherein the anticipated spatial characteristics of the image include differences in image characteristics that are anticipated at relative positions within the image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method recited by claim 1 , wherein the anticipated spatial characteristics of the image include at least one of an anticipated position of an object within the image and an anticipated difference in coloration between two positions of the image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited by claim 1 , wherein the attributes of identified segments include at least one of number, position and size of segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited by claim 4 , wherein the size of segments is nonuniform so as to apply unequal emphasis on features within the image being characterized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited by claim 1 , wherein the color characteristics are compared to determine an occurrence of change in image characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited by claim 1 , wherein the color characteristics are compared to identify similar images.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining similarity among more than one image, comprising: identifying segments within an image with recursive identification of segments using a number of iterations based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified; computing color characteristics of image data within each of several identified segments of an image; comparing the color characteristics of image data within the identified segments of the image to color characteristics of image data within corresponding segments of at least one other image; biasing to achieve a greater emphasis for comparisons of color characteristics between selected segments within the images; and determining a similarity among the images based on the results of the comparison which reflect the bias.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining similarity among more than one image, comprising: identifying segments within an image with recursive identification of segments using a number of iterations based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified; computing color characteristics of image data within each of several identified segments of an image; comparing the color characteristics of image data within the identified segments of the image to color characteristics of image data within corresponding segments of at least one other image; biasing to achieve a greater emphasis for comparisons of color characteristics between selected segments within the images; and determining a similarity among the images based on the results of the comparison which reflect the bias.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited by claim 8 , wherein the biasing involves applying weights to the color characteristics associated with each of the identified segments based on anticipated spatial characteristics of the images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method recited by claim 9 , wherein the comparing involves: comparing the weighted color characteristics of image data within the identified segments of the image to the weighted color characteristics of image data within corresponding segments of at least one other image; and applying a greater emphasis; to comparisons of segments whose color characteristics are weighted more heavily when determining the similarity among images.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited by claim 9 , wherein the anticipated spatial characteristics of the image include differences in image characteristics that are anticipated at relative positions within the image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method recited by claim 9 , wherein the anticipated spatial characteristics of the image include at least one of an anticipated position of an object within the image and an anticipated difference in coloration between two positions of the image.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
30 words
The method recited by clam 8 , further comprising: determining a number, position and size of segments to be identified within the image based on spatial characteristics of the image.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
30 words
The method recited by clam 8 , further comprising: determining a number, position and size of segments to be identified within the image based on spatial characteristics of the image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited by claim 8 , wherein weighted color characteristics are compared to determine an occurrence of change in image characteristics.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited by claim 8 , wherein weighted color characteristics are compared to identify similar images.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for determining similarity among more than one image, comprising: automatically identifying segments within an image by recursively identifying segments within the image using a number of iterations of the recursive identification of segments based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified, and at least one of the identified segments overlapping other of the identified segments; and comparing color characteristics of image data within the identified segments to color characteristics of image data within corresponding segments of at least one other image to determine similarity among the images.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for determining similarity among more than one image, comprising: automatically identifying segments within an image by recursively identifying segments within the image using a number of iterations of the recursive identification of segments based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified, and at least one of the identified segments overlapping other of the identified segments; and comparing color characteristics of image data within the identified segments to color characteristics of image data within corresponding segments of at least one other image to determine similarity among the images.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited by claim 16 , wherein the overlapping segment is completely overlapping other identified segments.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited by claim 16 , further comprising: determining attributes of segments identified within the image based on spatial characteristics of the image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited by claim 16 , wherein the segments identified within the image include attributes of at least one of number, position and size.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited by claim 19 , wherein the size of segments is nonuniform so as to apply unequal; emphasis on features within the image being characterized.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited by claim 19 , wherein the images have anticipated spatial characteristics including differences in image characteristics that are anticipated at relative positions within the image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method recited by claim 19 , wherein the images have anticipated spatial characteristics including at least one of an anticipated position of an object within the image and an anticipated difference in coloration between two positions of the image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited by claim 16 , wherein the color characteristics are compared to determine an occurrence of change in image characteristics.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited by claim 16 , wherein the color characteristics are compared to identify similar images.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
A data structure comprising: an image data field corresponding to data representing an image; and a color feature descriptor field that includes multiple units representing color characteristics of corresponding segments identified within the images, wherein the segments are automatically identified with recursive identification of segments using a number of iterations based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
65 words
A data structure comprising: an image data field corresponding to data representing an image; and a color feature descriptor field that includes multiple units representing color characteristics of corresponding segments identified within the images, wherein the segments are automatically identified with recursive identification of segments using a number of iterations based on a variance detected among color characteristics of image data within segments previously identified.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The data structure of claim 25 , wherein the segments identified within the image are based on anticipated spatial characteristics of the image so that the units of the color feature descriptor field are based on the anticipated spatial characteristics of the image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-15 | 2005-10-15 | 2006-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | 2010-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-15 | 2013-10-15 | 2014-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |