Abstract: A method for processing an image to generate a signature which is characteristic of a pattern within said image. The method comprising receiving an image; overlaying a window at multiple locations on said image to define a plurality of sub-images within said image, with each sub-image each having a plurality of pixels having a luminance level; determining a luminance value for each said sub-image, wherein said luminance value is derived from said luminance levels of said plurality of pixels; and combining said luminance values for each of said sub-images to form said signature. Said combining is such that said signature is independent of the location of each sub-image. A method of creating a database of images using said method of generating signatures is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for characterizing an image. The characterization may then be used to conduct a search for similar images, for example using a learning system trained using previously characterized images. A face may be identified within the image and a subsection extracted from said image which does not contain said face. At least one fixed size patch is taken from said extracted subsection; and input into said learning network to characterize said image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for characterizing an image. The characterization may then be used to conduct a search for similar images, for example using a learning system trained using previously characterized images. A face may be identified within the image and a subsection extracted from said image which does not contain said face. At least one fixed size patch is taken from said extracted subsection; and input into said learning network to characterize said image.

Abstract: A method for processing an image to generate a signature which is characteristic of a pattern within said image. The method comprising receiving an image; overlaying a window at multiple locations on said image to define a plurality of sub-images within said image, with each sub-image each having a plurality of pixels having a luminance level; determining a luminance value for each said sub-image, wherein said luminance value is derived from said luminance levels of said plurality of pixels; and combining said luminance values for each of said sub-images to form said signature. Said combining is such that said signature is independent of the location of each sub-image. A method of creating a database of images using said method of generating signatures is also described.

Abstract: A method is described for processing an image to generate a signature which is characteristic of a pattern within the image. The method includes: receiving an image; overlaying a window at multiple locations on the image to define a plurality of sub-images within the image, with each sub-image each having a plurality of pixels having a luminance level; determining a luminance value for each sub-image where the luminance value is derived from the luminance levels of the plurality of pixels; and combining the luminance values for each of the sub-images to form the signature. The combining is such that the signature is independent of the location of each sub-image. A method of creating a database of images using the method of generating signatures is also described.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a search query and for searching based on said search query. The user starts from one image and systematically refines their search in a series of steps and possibly through one or more iterations of these series of steps until they find the image or images they are looking for.