Image-comparing apparatus, image-comparing method, image-retrieving apparatus and image-retrieving method

An image-comparing method of comparing a code stream obtained by encoding a retrieved image, with a specific image, thereby to determine whether the code stream is substantially identical to the specific image, the method comprising the steps of:

• analyzing the code stream, thereby to extract an image-characteristic amount of the retrieved image;
• extracting an encoding parameter from the code stream;
• encoding the specific image to some extent, on the basis of the encoding parameter, thereby to generate encoded specific-image data;
• and
• comparing the image-characteristic amount of the retrieved image with the encoded specific-image data, thereby to determine whether the code stream is substantially identical to the specific image.

An image-retrieving apparatus for retrieving a code stream substantially identical to the specific image from a code-stream train obtained by encoding a plurality of images, the apparatus comprising:

• image-characteristic amount extracting means for analyzing each of code streams constituting the code-stream train, thereby to extract an image-characteristic amount of each of the code streams;
• encoding-parameter extracting means for extracting an encoding parameter from the code stream;
• encoded-data generating means for encoding the specific image to some extent, on the basis of the encoding parameter, thereby to generate encoded specific-image data;
• and
• retrieving means for comparing the image-characteristic amount of the code stream with the encoded specific-image data, thereby to determine whether the code stream is substantially identical to the specific image, and for retrieving, from the code-stream train, the code stream substantially identical to the specific image.

An image-retrieving method of retrieving a code stream substantially identical to the specific image from a code-stream train obtained by encoding a plurality of images, the method comprising the steps of:

• analyzing each of code streams constituting the code-stream train, thereby to extract an image-characteristic amount of each of the code streams;
• extracting an encoding parameter from the code stream;
• encoding the specific image to some extent, on the basis of the encoding parameter, thereby to generate encoded specific-image data;
• and
• comparing the image-characteristic amount of the code stream with the encoded specific-image data, thereby to determine whether the code stream is substantially identical to the specific image, and retrieving, from the code-stream train, the code stream substantially identical to the specific image.

An image-comparing apparatus for comparing a code stream obtained by encoding a retrieved image, with a specific image, thereby to determine whether the code stream is substantially identical to the specific image, the apparatus comprising:

• an image-characteristic amount extracting section that analyzes the code stream, thereby to extract an image-characteristic amount of the retrieved image;
• an encoding-parameter extracting section that extracts an encoding parameter from the code stream;
• an encoded-data generating section that encodes the specific image to some extent, on the basis of the encoding parameter, thereby to generate encoded specific-image data;
• and
• a comparing section that compares the image-characteristic amount of the retrieved image with the encoded specific-image data, thereby to determine whether the code stream is substantially identical to the specific image.

An image-retrieving apparatus for retrieving a code stream substantially identical to the specific image from a code-stream train obtained by encoding a plurality of images, the apparatus comprising:

• an image-characteristic amount extracting section that analyzes each of code streams constituting the code-stream train, thereby to extract an image-characteristic amount of each of the code streams;
• an encoding-coefficient extracting section that extracts a encoding parameter from the code stream;
• an encoded-data generating section that encodes the specific image to some extent, on the basis of the encoding parameter, thereby to generate encoded specific-image data;
• and
• an retrieving section that compares the image-characteristic amount of the code stream with the encoded specific-image data, thereby to determine whether the code stream is substantially identical to the specific image, and retrieves, from the code-stream train, the code stream substantially identical to the specific image.