Image retrieval

Abstract

Method and systems for search and retrieval of images with an image processing system is disclosed. With an input interface, a first image to use in a search query is received. The first image is processed with the image processing system to create first information and determine a first code associated with the first image. A plurality of images are received from an image database and processed to respectively create information at least related to each of the plurality of images. A plurality of codes associated with the plurality of images is determined. The first code is compared with the plurality of codes to find a subset of the plurality of images. The first information is compared with information for the subset. Finally, the image processing system determines if the subset compares favorably with the first image based, at least in part, on an outcome from the comparing the first information with the information from the subset.

1 . A non-transitory storage medium with computer-readable instructions for processing circuit board images to compare a first image with a plurality of images to find a second image, the instructions comprising code for:
 reading the first image, wherein the first image is of a circuit board;   processing the first image to create first information at least related to the first image;   reading the plurality of images;   processing each of the plurality of images to respectively create information at least related to each of the plurality of images;   comparing a code related with the first image with a plurality of codes related with the plurality of images to find a subset of the plurality of images, wherein:
 the code related with the first image indicates a category of the first image; and 
 the plurality of codes related with the plurality of images indicates one or more categories of the plurality of images; 
   comparing the first information with the information at least related to each image of the subset; and   determining if the subset compares favorably with the first image, at least in part, on an outcome from the comparing the first information with the information for the subset.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory storage medium with the computer-readable instructions for processing the circuit board images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise code for displaying the plurality of images, wherein an order of the plurality of images corresponds with a likelihood of a match to the first image. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory storage medium with the computer-readable instructions for processing the circuit board images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first information is gathered from the first image and a negative example that does not match the first image. 
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory storage medium with the computer-readable instructions for processing the circuit board images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first information is gathered from two or more images. 
     
     
         5 . A method for processing images to compare a first image with a plurality of images to find a second image, the method comprising:
 reading the first image;   processing the first image to create first information at least related to the first image;   reading a first code associated with the first image, wherein the first code categorizes the first image;   reading the plurality of images;   processing each of the plurality of images to respectively create information at least related to each of the plurality of images;   reading a plurality of codes associated with the plurality of images, wherein the codes categorize the plurality of images;   comparing the first code with the plurality of codes to find a subset of the plurality of images;   comparing the first information with the information at least related to each image of the subset; and   determining if the subset compares favorably with the first image, at least in part, on an outcome from the comparing the first information with the information for the subset.   
     
     
         6 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first code is determined by a human. 
     
     
         7 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first information is gathered from two or more images. 
     
     
         8 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first image is of a circuit board. 
     
     
         9 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising displaying the plurality of images, wherein an order of the plurality of images corresponds with a likelihood of a match to the first image. 
     
     
         10 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the processing the first image comprises logically combining the first image and a second image to create the first information. 
     
     
         11 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first information is gathered from the first image and a negative example that does not match the first image. 
     
     
         12 . A system for processing images to compare a first image with a plurality of images to find a second image, the system comprising:
 an input system;   an image database; and   an image processing system coupled with the input system and the image database, the image processing system configured to:
 receive the first image from the input system; 
 process the first image to create first information at least related to the first image; 
 determine a first code associated with the first image, wherein the first code categorizes the first image; 
 receive the plurality of images from the image database; 
 process each of the plurality of images to respectively create information at least related to each of the plurality of images; 
 determine a plurality of codes associated with the plurality of images, wherein the plurality of codes categorize the plurality of images; 
 compare the first code with the plurality of codes to find a subset of the plurality of images; 
 compare the first information with the information at least related to each image of the subset; and 
 determine if the subset compares favorably with the first image, at least in part, on an outcome from the comparing the first information with the information for the subset. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first image is of a circuit board. 
     
     
         14 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising at least one plug-in module configured to provide application information used by the image processing system for at least on application. 
     
     
         15 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one plug-in module provides application information used by the image processing system to process images having at least one item from the group of items consisting of:
 a printed circuit board,   a face,   a scene,   a fabric, and   a trademark.   
     
     
         16 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the image processing system is configured to determine the first code based, at least in part, on input from a human. 
     
     
         17 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the image processing system is configured to create the first information by processing two or more images. 
     
     
         18 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising an output system, wherein:
 the image processing system is configured to display the plurality of images on the output system; and   an order of the plurality of images corresponds with a likelihood of a match to the first image.   
     
     
         19 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the image processing system is configured to process the first image by at least logically combining the first image and a second image to create the first information. 
     
     
         20 . The system for processing images to compare the first image with the plurality of images to find the second image as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first information is gathered from the first image and a negative example that does not match the first image.