Image searching techniques

A method for retrieving images and producing a ranked result, the method comprising:

• receiving at least one joint feature from a joint histogram corresponding to an image characteristic;
• searching an index of joint features corresponding to indexed images to identify selected indexed images including at least the received joint feature, wherein the indexed joint features include individual joint features to which associated images correspond;
• determining whether to retrieve the selected indexed images based on whether the selected indexed images satisfy at least one similarity metric;
• and
• retrieving the selected indexed images that satisfy the at least one similarity metric to produce a ranked list of images.

A computer program stored on a computer readable medium or a propagated signal for performing an image search, the computer program comprising:

• a receiving code segment tat causes the computer to receive a set of joint features from a joint histogram corresponding to image characteristics;
• a comparing code segment that causes the computer to compare the received set of joint features to joint features that have been indexed for multiple stored images, wherein the indexed joint features include individual joint features to which associated images correspond;
• and
• a producing code segment that causes the computer to produce a search result based on the comparison.

A computer program stored on a computer readable medium or a propagated signal for retrieving images and producing a ranked result, the computer program comprising:

• a receiving code segment that causes the computer to receive at least one joint feature from a joint histogram corresponding to an image characteristic;
• a searching code segment that causes the computer to search an index of joint features corresponding to indexed images to identify selected indexed images including at least the received joint feature, wherein the indexed joint features include individual joint features to which associated images correspond;
• a determining code segment that causes the computer to determine whether to retrieve the selected indexed images based on whether the selected indexed images satisfy at least one similarity metric;
• and
• a retrieving code segment that causes the computer to retrieve the selected indexed images that satisfy the at least one similarity metric to produce a ranked list of images.