Image search and retrieval

Abstract

Techniques for providing search and retrieval of images are disclosed. The techniques include receiving a selection of a first image and performing a search query to determine a first plurality of images from a plurality of target images. A listing of the first plurality of images is presented, and a selection of a second image chosen from the first plurality of images is received. Another search query is performed, using the second image, to determine a second plurality of images. Finally a listing of the second plurality of images is provided.

1 . A non-transitory storage medium with computer-readable instructions for processing circuit board images, the instructions comprising code for:
 capturing a first circuit board image for use in a first search query;   performing the first search query to determine a first plurality of circuit board images selected from a plurality of target circuit board images;   presenting a first listing of the first plurality of circuit board images from the first search query;   receiving a selection of a second circuit board image chosen from the first plurality of circuit board images;   performing a second search query to determine a second plurality of circuit board images selected from the plurality of target circuit board images, wherein the second search query is a function of the second circuit board image; and   presenting a second listing of the second plurality of circuit board images from the second search query, wherein the first plurality of circuit board images and the second plurality of circuit board images are different.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory storage medium with the computer-readable instructions for processing the circuit board images as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise code for combining the first circuit board image and the second circuit board image for the second search query. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory storage medium with the computer-readable instructions for processing the circuit board images as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise code for:
 analyzing the first listing or the second listing to determine if the first listing or the second listing meets a criteria; and   presenting a result from the analyzing.   
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory storage medium with the computer-readable instructions for processing the circuit board images as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an order of the second listing of the second plurality of circuit board images from the second search query corresponds with a likelihood of a match to the second circuit board image. 
     
     
         5 . A method for search and retrieval of images, the method comprising:
 receiving a selection of a first image for use in a first search query;   performing the first search query to determine a first plurality of images selected from a plurality of target images;   presenting a first listing of the first plurality of images from the first search query;   receiving a selection of a second image chosen from the first plurality of images;   performing a second search query to determine a second plurality of images selected from the plurality of target images, wherein the second search query is a function of the second image; and   presenting a second listing of the second plurality of images from the second search query, wherein the first plurality of images and the second plurality of images are different.   
     
     
         6 . The method for search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first image or the second image is of a bad connection point for a circuit board. 
     
     
         7 . The method for search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising combining the first image and the second image for the second search query. 
     
     
         8 . The method for search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 7 , wherein combining the first image and the second image includes creating a condensed query image by using common characteristics of the first image and the second image. 
     
     
         9 . The method for search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 analyzing the first listing or the second listing to determine if the first listing or the second listing meets a criteria; and   presenting a result from the analyzing.   
     
     
         10 . The method for search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein an order of the second listing of the second plurality of images from the second search query corresponds with a likelihood of a match to the second image. 
     
     
         11 . The method for search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein presenting the second listing of the second plurality of images from the second search query includes presenting at least some images of the second plurality of images. 
     
     
         12 . The method for search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 5 , wherein either or both of the first search query or the second search query use search information from at least one plug-in module adapted for searching images having least one item from the group of items consisting of:
 a printed circuit board,   a face,   a scene,   a fabric, and   a trademark.   
     
     
         13 . A system for conducting search and retrieval of images, the system comprising:
 an input system configured to provide a selection of a first image;   an image database configured to provide a plurality of target images;   an output system; and   an image processing system coupled with the input system, the image database, and the output system, the image processing system configured to:
 perform a first search query using the first image to determine a first plurality of images selected from a plurality of target images; 
 present, using the output system, a first listing of the first plurality of images from the first search query; 
 receive, from the input system, a selection of a second image chosen from the first plurality of images; 
 perform a second search query to determine a second plurality of images selected from the plurality of target images, wherein the second search query is a function of the second image; and 
 present, using the output system, a second listing of the second plurality of images from the second search query, wherein the first plurality of images and the second plurality of images are different. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system for conducting the search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising at least one plug-in module configured to provide information used by the image processing system for at least one application. 
     
     
         15 . The system for conducting the search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one plug-in module provides 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 conducting the search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the image processing system is configured to combine the first image and the second image for the second search query. 
     
     
         17 . The system for conducting the search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the image processing system is configured to:
 make an analysis of the first or second listing to determine if the first or second listing meets a criteria; and   present, using the output system, a result from the analysis.   
     
     
         18 . The system for conducting the search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the output system is configured to present the second listing of the second plurality of images from the second search query in an order that corresponds with a likelihood of a match to the second image. 
     
     
         19 . The system for conducting the search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the output system is configured to present at least some images of the second plurality of images in the second listing of the second plurality of images from the second search query. 
     
     
         20 . The system for conducting the search and retrieval of images as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the image processing system is configured to:
 make an analysis of the second plurality of images to determine if the second plurality of images meets a criteria; and   provide a result from the analysis to the output system.