Image search apparatus and image search method

An image processing method comprising:

• a first image input step of inputting a first image into an image processing apparatus;
• a partial region extraction step of dividing the first image into a plurality of partial regions;
• a setting step of setting combined regions each of which includes two or more partial regions;
• a feature amount extraction step of extracting feature amounts of the respective partial regions;
• a comparison step of using the image processing apparatus to compare the respective extracted feature amounts of partial regions of the first image and feature amounts of a second image which are registered in a database;
• and
• a determination step of determining a similarity between a feature amount of at least one combined region and a feature amount of a similar region of the second image, wherein the similar region is a circumscribing rectangle including two or more partial regions of the second image each having a feature amount similar to any one of the respective extracted feature amounts of partial regions of the first image.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• an input unit constructed to input plural images;
• a partial region extraction unit constructed to divide each of the plural images into a plurality of partial regions and extract a layout order of the respective plurality of partial regions from each of the plural images;
• a feature amount extraction unit constructed to extract feature amounts of the respective partial regions;
• a comparison unit constructed to compare partial regions in a first image and partial regions in a second image, based on the respective feature amounts and the respective layout orders extracted from the first and second images, wherein the first and second images are selected from the plural images;
• a setting unit constructed to set combined regions each of which includes two or more partial regions in the first image;
• and
• a determination unit constructed to determine a similarity between a feature amount of at least one combined region and a feature amount of a similar region of the second image, wherein the similar region is a circumscribing rectangle including two or more partial regions of the second image each having a feature amount similar to any one of the respective extracted feature amounts of partial regions of the first image.

An image processing method comprising:

• an input step of inputting plural images into an image processing apparatus;
• a partial region extraction step of dividing each of the plural images into a plurality of partial regions and extracting a layout order of the respective plurality of partial regions from each of the plural images;
• a feature amount extraction step of extracting feature amounts of the respective partial regions;
• a comparison step of using the image processing apparatus to compare partial regions in a first image and partial regions in a second image, based on the respective feature amounts and the respective layout orders extracted from the first and second images, wherein the first and second images are selected from the plural images;
• a setting step of setting combined regions each of which includes two or more partial regions in the first image;
• and
• a determination step of determining a similarity between a feature amount of at least one combined region and a feature amount of a similar region of the second image, wherein the similar region is a circumscribing rectangle including two or more partial regions of the second image each having a feature amount similar to any one of the respective extracted feature amounts of partial regions of the first image.