Method, apparatus, computer program, computer system, and computer-readable storage medium for representing and searching for an object in an image
A method of representing an object appearing in a still or video image, by processing signals corresponding to the image, comprises deriving a plurality of numerical values associated with features appearing on the outline of an object starting from an arbitrary point on the outline and applying a predetermined ordering to said values to arrive at a representative of the outline.
1. A method for representing an object appearing in an image using at least one processor to process signals corresponding to the image, the method comprising:
identifying at least one object outline;
deriving, using a predetermined algorithm and said at least one processor, a plurality of numerical values representing features appearing on the at least one object outline;
transforming at least some of said numerical values by subtracting one of said numerical values from a plurality of said numerical values; and
forming a descriptor from said transformed numerical values.
2. A method of searching for an object in an image or sequence of images by processing signals corresponding to images, the method comprising
inputting a query in the form of a two-dimensional outline;
deriving a descriptor of said outline using a method as claimed in claim 1 ,
obtaining a obtaining a descriptor of objects in stored images derived using a method as claimed in claim 1 and comparing said query descriptor with each descriptor for a stored object; and
selecting and displaying at least one result corresponding to an image containing an object for which the comparison indicates a degree of similarity between the query and said object.
3. An apparatus comprising:
an image database storing an image or sequence of images; and
a processor configured to perform the method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 .
4. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable process steps for implementing a method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 .
5. A computer system comprising:
an image database storing an image or sequence of images; and
a control unit programmed to perform the method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 .