Image comparison using regions

Abstract

Methods and systems for comparing two digital images are provided. A region of a selected image is extracted and processed. A target image from a plurality of target images is provided, where the region is smaller than the target image. The region is compared with a plurality of regions in the target image, and the region is matched to a target region from the plurality of regions in the target image.

1 . A method for processing circuit board images by comparing two digital images, the method comprising:
 capturing a first circuit board image;   extracting a region of the first circuit board image;   providing a second circuit board image from a plurality of images of circuit boards, wherein the region is smaller than the second circuit board image;   comparing the region of the first circuit board image to a plurality of regions in the second circuit board image; and   matching the region of the first circuit board image to a target region from the plurality of regions in the second circuit board image.   
     
     
         2 . The method for processing circuit board images by comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising determining neighboring regions to the region of the first circuit board image that are defined by their proximity to the region. 
     
     
         3 . The method for processing circuit board images by comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising retrieving a factor indicative of how important the neighboring regions are in matching for a particular application. 
     
     
         4 . The method for processing circuit board images by comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 deforming a location of the neighboring regions with respect to the region in determining a deformation factor; and   using the deformation factor in determining a likelihood of a match between the first circuit board image and the second circuit board image.   
     
     
         5 . A method for comparing two digital images, the method comprising:
 extracting a region of a selected image;   processing the region;   providing a target image from a plurality of target images, wherein the region is smaller than the target image;   comparing the region to a plurality of regions in the target image; and   matching the region to a target region from the plurality of regions in the target image.   
     
     
         6 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising intelligently dividing the target image into a plurality of regions according to an attribute of each of the plurality of regions. 
     
     
         7 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising determining neighboring regions to the region that are defined by their proximity to the region. 
     
     
         8 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising retrieving a factor indicative of how important the neighboring regions are in matching for a particular application. 
     
     
         9 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 deforming a location of the neighboring regions with respect to the region in determining a deformation factor; and   using the deformation factor in determining a likelihood of a match between the selected image and the target image.   
     
     
         10 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 determining a location difference between the region and the target region; and   modifying a score indicative of a match according to the location difference.   
     
     
         11 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 determining a first property of the region;   determining a second property of the target region;   determining a difference between the first property and the second property; and   modifying a score in relation to the difference.   
     
     
         12 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 determining a first property of a first region of the selected image;   determining a second property of a second region of the selected image;   determining a third property of a third region of the target image;   determining a fourth property of a fourth region of the target image, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth properties are like properties;   determining a first difference between the first property and the second property;   determining a second difference between the third property and the fourth property; and   modifying a score in relation to the first difference and the second difference, wherein the score is indicative of a likelihood that the selected image and the target image match.   
     
     
         13 . The method for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising providing information specific to a particular application to modify a matching algorithm used in determining if the selected image and the target image compare favorably. 
     
     
         14 . A system for comparing two digital images, the system comprising:
 an input system configured to provide a selected 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:
 extract a region of the selected image; 
 provide a target image from the plurality of target images, wherein the region is smaller than the target image; 
 compare the region to a plurality of regions in the target image; 
   
       and
   match the region to a target region from the plurality of regions in the target image.   
 
     
     
         15 . The system for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the image process system is configured to intelligently divide the target image into a plurality of regions according to an attribute of each of the plurality of regions. 
     
     
         16 . The system for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the image processing system is configured to provide the output system with information indicative of the target image. 
     
     
         17 . The system for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the image processing system is configured to:
 determine a location difference between the region and the target region; and   modify a score indicative of a match according to the location difference.   
     
     
         18 . The system for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the image processing system is configured to:
 determine a first property of the region;   determine a second property of the target region;   determine a difference between the first property and the second property; and   modify a score in relation to the difference.   
     
     
         19 . The system for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the image processing system is configured to:
 determine a first property of a first region of the selected image;   determine a second property of a second region of the selected image;   determine a third property of a third region of the target image;   determine a fourth property of a fourth region of the target image, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth properties are like properties;   determine a first difference between the first property and the second property;   determine a second difference between the third property and the fourth property;   
       and
 modify a score in relation to the first difference and the second difference, wherein the score is indicative of a likelihood that the selected image and the target image match. 
 
     
     
         20 . The system for comparing two digital images as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the image processing system is configured to use information specific to a particular application to modify a matching algorithm used in determining if the selected image and the target image compare favorably.