Fast image retrieval using multi-scale edge representation of images

An image retrieval system for retrieving one or more data base images from a data base, said image retrieval system comprising:

• a means for creating a characteristic vector associated with an image,
• said means for creating the characteristic vector comprising:
• a means for detecting edges within the image, and
• a means for characterizing the detected edges,
• a means for providing a target image to said characteristic vector creation means to create a target characterization vector associated with the target image,
• a means for selecting one or more of said data base images in dependence upon a comparison of the target characteristic vector with the data base characteristic vector associated with each of said one or more data base images,
• a means for creating a set of at least two abstract images associated with each of said one or more data base images, each of the abstract images being at a different level of abstraction,
• a means for providing each abstract image to said characteristic vector creation means to create a set of abstract characterization vectors associated with each of said one or more data base image, and
• a means for selecting the one or more data base images dependent upon a comparison of the target characteristic vector with the set of abstract characteristic vectors associated with each of said one or more data base images.

A method for image characterization comprising:

• creating a characteristic vector associated with an image, said characteristic vector creation comprising:
• detecting edges within the image, characterizing the detected edges partitioning each image of a plurality of images into a plurality of blocks, detecting edges within each block of the plurality of blocks of each image, characterizing the detected edges within each block to form a characterization of the detected edges within each block,
• characterizing each block based on the characterization of the detected edges within each block, and
• composing an image characteristic vector corresponding to each image of the plurality of images based on the characterization of edges within each block of the plurality of blocks of each image.