Image search system, image search apparatus, image search method and computer-readable storage medium

An image search system that identifies an image of an imaged object by searching a database which has feature information stored in association with object sample images, object names, and object another portion sample images, the image search system comprising:

• a plurality of CPUs which are configured to operate as:
• an extracting section which extracts a plurality of object sample images having a high similarity to the image of the imaged object as candidate images by comparing feature information of the image of the imaged object and the feature information stored in the database;
• a first display control section which causes the image of the imaged object, the candidate images that are the plurality of extracted object sample images, and object names corresponding to the candidate images to be arranged and displayed on a display section;
• and
• a second display control section which changes the plurality of candidate images displayed on the display section to corresponding object another portion sample images and causes the corresponding object another portion sample images to be displayed on the display section;
• a communication terminal;
• and
• a server connected to the communication terminal via a network,
• wherein the display section is comprised in the communication terminal, and the database is comprised in the server.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon an image search program that is executable by a computer of an image search apparatus that identifies an image of an object imaged by an imaging section by searching a database having feature information stored in association with object sample images, object names, and object another portion sample images, the program being executable by the computer to perform functions comprising:

• extracting a plurality of object sample images having a high similarity to the image of the imaged object as candidate images by comparing feature information of the image of the imaged object and the feature information stored in the database;
• causing the image of the imaged object, the candidate images that are the plurality of extracted object sample images, and object names corresponding to the candidate images to be arranged and displayed on a display section;
• and
• changing the plurality of candidate images displayed on the display section to corresponding object another portion sample images and causing the corresponding object another portion sample images to be displayed on the display section.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon an image search program that is executable by a computer of a communication terminal including an imaging section and a display section, the program being executable by the computer to perform functions comprising:

• imaging an image of an object;
• transmitting the image of the imaged object to a server via a network;
• receiving candidate images that are a plurality of object sample images having a high similarity to the image of the imaged object, object names corresponding to the candidate images, and object another portion sample images corresponding to the candidate images, which are sent from the server;
• causing the image of the imaged object, the received candidate images that are the plurality of object sample images, and the received object names corresponding to the candidate images to be arranged and displayed on the display section;
• and
• changing the plurality of candidate images displayed on the display section to the object another portion sample images corresponding to the candidate images and causing the corresponding object another portion sample images to be displayed on the display section.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon an image search program that is executable by a computer of a server that identifies an image of an object sent from an external communication terminal via a network by searching a database which has feature information stored in association with object sample images, object names, and object another portion sample images, the program being executable by the computer to perform functions comprising:

• extracting a plurality of object sample images having a high similarity to the image of the imaged object as candidate images by comparing feature information of the image of the imaged object sent from the communication terminal and the feature information stored in the database;
• reading, from the database, the candidate images that are the plurality of extracted object sample images, object names corresponding to the candidate images, and respective object another portion sample images corresponding to the candidate images;
• transmitting the read candidate images, the object names corresponding to the candidate images, and the respective object another portion sample images corresponding to the candidate images to the communication terminal;
• changing a display at the communication terminal from the candidate images that are the plurality of extracted object sample images to the respective object another portion sample images corresponding to the candidate images such that the respective object another portion sample images are displayed at corresponding positions of the candidate images that are the plurality of extracted object sample images.

An image search method for identifying an image of an object imaged by an imaging section by searching a database having feature information stored in association with object sample images, object names, and object another portion sample images, the image search method comprising:

• extracting a plurality of object sample images having a high similarity to the image of the imaged object as candidate images by comparing feature information of the image of the imaged object and the feature information stored in the database;
• causing the image of the imaged object, the candidate images that are the plurality of extracted object sample images, and object names corresponding to the candidate images to be arranged and displayed on a display section;
• and
• changing the plurality of candidate images displayed on the display section to corresponding object another portion sample images and causing the corresponding object another portion sample images to be displayed on the display section.