Method, apparatus, and computer program product for training a signature encoding module and a query processing module to identify objects of interest within an image utilizing digital signatures

An apparatus configured to generate and utilize a digital signature to identify an object of interest, the apparatus comprising:

• a signature encoding module configured to receive a reference image containing the object of interest, wherein an indication of the object of interest within the reference image is also provided, and wherein the signature encoding module is also configured to generate the digital signature representing the object of interest and at least some context associated with the object of interest in the reference image;
• and
• a query processing module configured to receive (i) the digital signature representing the object of interest and at least some of the context associated with the object of interest and (ii) at least one query image, wherein the query processing module is also configured to identify the object of interest within the at least one query image based upon the digital signature of the object of interest,
• wherein each module includes a plurality of neural network layers, and
• wherein both the signature encoding module and the query processing module are concurrently trained to generate one or more digital signatures representative of one or more objects of interest and to identify the one or more objects of interest within an image, respectively, by:
• providing the signature encoding module with a first reference image containing a first object of interest that is marked within the first reference image;
• generating a first digital signature of the first object of interest and at least some context associated with the first object of interest in the first reference image;
• providing the query processing module with a first query image and the first digital signature representing the first object of interest and at least some of the context associated with the first object of interest in the first reference image;
• identifying a second object of interest within the first query image based upon the first digital signature of the first object of interest;
• and
• modifying at least one of the signature encoding module or the query processing module based upon a qualitative or quantitative difference between the first object of interest marked in the first reference image and the second object of interest identified within the first query image.