US6801657B1 — Method and apparatus for representing and searchi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 134 words

A method of representing a color image, comprising: selecting two or more colors as representative colors for the image or a region of said image; calculating for each representative color a parameter related to the color variance in relation to the respective representative color for said image or the image region having two or more representative colors; calculating for each representative color a weight parameter representing the relative significance of the representative color in the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the representative color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region; and using said parameters to derive a descriptor for said image or image region, said descriptor including the parameter related to the corresponding color variance and the weight parameters.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 134 words

A method of representing a color image, comprising: selecting two or more colors as representative colors for the image or a region of said image; calculating for each representative color a parameter related to the color variance in relation to the respective representative color for said image or the image region having two or more representative colors; calculating for each representative color a weight parameter representing the relative significance of the representative color in the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the representative color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region; and using said parameters to derive a descriptor for said image or image region, said descriptor including the parameter related to the corresponding color variance and the weight parameters.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising storing said descriptor in data storage means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting representative colors comprises deriving a color histogram for the image or image region.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of selecting representative colors comprises identifying local peaks in the color histogram and selecting the corresponding colors as representative colors.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the local peaks are treated as mean values and the variances are calculated with respect to said mean values.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image or the image region is independent of the image content.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the image or the image region is a polygon.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image or the image region corresponds to an object.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 71 words

A method for searching for color images in data storage means comprising: inputting a query relating to color of an image, comparing said query with descriptors for stored images derived in accordance with a method as claimed in claim 1 using a matching function, and selecting and displaying at least one image for which the matching function indicates a close match between the query and at least part of the image.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 49 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein inputting a query comprises selecting a query image or a region of said image and obtaining the derived descriptors for said image or image region and wherein the matching function uses the descriptors for the query and for the stored images.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the matching function is based on M=exp[(−½)(q−m) T C −1 (q−m)] where q is a color vector corresponding to a query and m and C are descriptor values representing first and second central moments of the color distribution for a representative color.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 76 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the matching function is based on m f =Σ i,j v i w j m s ( i,j ) where m s ( a,b )=∫exp[(−½)( q−m s ) T C a −1 ( a−m a )]exp[(−½)( q−m b ) T C b −1 ( q−m b )] dq and where m and C are descriptor values representing first and second central moments for color distributions for representative colors.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein a query is selected from a plurality of images displayed on display means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein inputting a query comprises selecting a single color value.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein inputting a query comprises specifying one or more component distributions.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein a query is input using only some of the components of the color space.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 11 words

An apparatus for implementing a method according to claim 1 .

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 16 words

A computer system programmed to operate according to a method as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 13 words

A computer program for implementing a method as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps for implementing a method as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising: selecting the image or image region.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 1 wherein each weight parameter specifies percentage of pixels in the image or image region that have associated representative color.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of representing a color image by processing signals corresponding to said image, the method comprising: identifying a number of representative colors for said image or a region of said image, deriving a function approximating the color variance corresponding to each representative color for said image or the image region having two or more representative colors, calculating for each representative color a weight parameter representing the significance of the representative color in the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels associated with the representative color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region, and using said functions and said weight parameters to define a color description of said image or image region.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of representing a color image by processing signals corresponding to said image, the method comprising: identifying a number of representative colors for said image or a region of said image, deriving a function approximating the color variance corresponding to each representative color for said image or the image region having two or more representative colors, calculating for each representative color a weight parameter representing the significance of the representative color in the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels associated with the representative color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region, and using said functions and said weight parameters to define a color description of said image or image region.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 100 words

A method for representing an image, comprising: determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; and determining a color variance and a weight parameter representing the significance of the dominant color in the image or image region based on the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color in the image or image region for each dominant color to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region, said color descriptor including at least two parameters related to the corresponding color variances and at least two weight parameters.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 100 words

A method for representing an image, comprising: determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; and determining a color variance and a weight parameter representing the significance of the dominant color in the image or image region based on the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color in the image or image region for each dominant color to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region, said color descriptor including at least two parameters related to the corresponding color variances and at least two weight parameters.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 24 , further comprising: storing said color descriptor as a description for said object in a memory.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 24 , further comprising: selecting the image or image region.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 89 words

A method for representing an image, comprising: determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; and determining a color distribution with respect to each dominant color, using factors for each dominant color including a weight factor based on the ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color to the total number of pixels in said image or image region, a dominant color factor, and a color variance factor, to generate a color descriptor for said image or image region.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 89 words

A method for representing an image, comprising: determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; and determining a color distribution with respect to each dominant color, using factors for each dominant color including a weight factor based on the ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color to the total number of pixels in said image or image region, a dominant color factor, and a color variance factor, to generate a color descriptor for said image or image region.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 27 , further comprising: storing said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 138 words

A method for searching for an image, comprising: receiving an input including at least one image; determining at least two dominant colors for the input image or a region of said input image; determining at least two color variances with respect to the corresponding dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color within the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; comparing said color descriptor for said input image to a color descriptor for an image stored in memory to find at least one substantially matching image; and displaying said at least one substantially matching image.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 138 words

A method for searching for an image, comprising: receiving an input including at least one image; determining at least two dominant colors for the input image or a region of said input image; determining at least two color variances with respect to the corresponding dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color within the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; comparing said color descriptor for said input image to a color descriptor for an image stored in memory to find at least one substantially matching image; and displaying said at least one substantially matching image.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 69 words

A method for propagating a signal, comprising: generating a signal including a plurality of images; encoding said images onto said signal using a description language to define at least a color descriptor generated using a predetermined algorithm, including a plurality of fields, for at least one selected image wherein said fields include fields representing the color space description, color variance description, and dominant color weight description for said image.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 69 words

A method for propagating a signal, comprising: generating a signal including a plurality of images; encoding said images onto said signal using a description language to define at least a color descriptor generated using a predetermined algorithm, including a plurality of fields, for at least one selected image wherein said fields include fields representing the color space description, color variance description, and dominant color weight description for said image.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 118 words

A system for representing an image, comprising: a detector for determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; a controller for determining a color variance and a weight parameter representing the significance of the dominant color relative to other colors within the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region for each dominant color to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; and a memory for storing said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 118 words

A system for representing an image, comprising: a detector for determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; a controller for determining a color variance and a weight parameter representing the significance of the dominant color relative to other colors within the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region for each dominant color to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; and a memory for storing said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 114 words

A system for representing an image, comprising: a detector for determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; a controller for determining a color distribution with respect to each dominant color, using factors for each dominant color including a weight factor based on the ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color to the total number of pixels in said image or image region, a dominant color factor, and a color variance factor, to generate a color descriptor for said image or image region; and a memory for storing said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 114 words

A system for representing an image, comprising: a detector for determining at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; a controller for determining a color distribution with respect to each dominant color, using factors for each dominant color including a weight factor based on the ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color to the total number of pixels in said image or image region, a dominant color factor, and a color variance factor, to generate a color descriptor for said image or image region; and a memory for storing said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 151 words

A system for searching for an image, comprising: an input device for inputting at least one image; a detector for determining at least two dominant colors for said input image or a region of said input image; a controller for determining a color variance with respect to each dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region for generating a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or image region; a comparator for comparing said color descriptor for said input image to a color descriptor for an image stored in memory to find at least one substantially matching image; and a display for displaying said at least one substantially matching image.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 151 words

A system for searching for an image, comprising: an input device for inputting at least one image; a detector for determining at least two dominant colors for said input image or a region of said input image; a controller for determining a color variance with respect to each dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region for generating a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or image region; a comparator for comparing said color descriptor for said input image to a color descriptor for an image stored in memory to find at least one substantially matching image; and a display for displaying said at least one substantially matching image.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 121 words

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to: determine at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; determine a color variance with respect to each dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; and store said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 121 words

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to: determine at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; determine a color variance with respect to each dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; and store said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 116 words

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to: determine at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; determine a color distribution with respect to each dominant color, using factors for each dominant color including a weight factor based on the ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color to the total number of pixels in said image or image region, a dominant color factor, and a color variance factor, to generate a color descriptor for said image or image region; and store said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 116 words

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to: determine at least two dominant colors for an image or a region of said image; determine a color distribution with respect to each dominant color, using factors for each dominant color including a weight factor based on the ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color to the total number of pixels in said image or image region, a dominant color factor, and a color variance factor, to generate a color descriptor for said image or image region; and store said color descriptor as a description for said image or image region in a memory.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 150 words

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to: receive an input including at least one image; determine at least two dominant colors for said input image or a region of said input image; and determine a color variance with respect to each dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; compare said color descriptor for said input image to a color descriptor for an image stored in memory to find at least one substantially matching image; and display said at least one substantially matching image.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 150 words

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to: receive an input including at least one image; determine at least two dominant colors for said input image or a region of said input image; and determine a color variance with respect to each dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region to generate a color descriptor based on pixels within said image or the image region; compare said color descriptor for said input image to a color descriptor for an image stored in memory to find at least one substantially matching image; and display said at least one substantially matching image.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of representing a color image, comprising: selecting two or more colors as dominant colors for an image; for each dominant color, calculating the variance of the color distribution of the image in color space relative to the dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region; and representing the image in terms of the color space value of each dominant color and the value of the respective color variance.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of representing a color image, comprising: selecting two or more colors as dominant colors for an image; for each dominant color, calculating the variance of the color distribution of the image in color space relative to the dominant color and weight parameters representing the significance of each dominant color relative to other colors in the image or image region based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the dominant color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region; and representing the image in terms of the color space value of each dominant color and the value of the respective color variance.

Claim 51

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of representing a color image, comprising: deriving a color histogram for an image region to determine two or more dominant colors; calculating a parameter relating to variance of the two or more representative colors within the image region to represent the image; calculating for each representative color a weight parameter representing the relative significance of the representative color in the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the representative color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region; and using said parameters and histogram to derive a descriptor for said image or image region, said descriptor including the parameter related to the corresponding color variance and the weight parameters.

Claim 52

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of representing a color image, comprising: deriving a color histogram for an image region to determine two or more dominant colors; calculating a parameter relating to variance of the two or more representative colors within the image region to represent the image; calculating for each representative color a weight parameter representing the relative significance of the representative color in the image or image region, based on a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the representative color relative to the number of pixels in the image or image region; and using said parameters and histogram to derive a descriptor for said image or image region, said descriptor including the parameter related to the corresponding color variance and the weight parameters.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-10-05	2008-04-05	2008-10-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-10-05	2012-04-05	2012-10-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-10-05	2016-04-05	2016-10-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for representing and searching for color images

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