Image comparison and processing

Abstract

Method and systems for search and retrieval of images with an image processing system is disclosed. With an input interface, selection of a plurality of images to use in a search query is accepted. The plurality of images of the search query are processed with the image processing system. A subset of the plurality of target images that are similar to the plurality of images is determined. With an output interface, the subset of the plurality of target images as a result from the search query is output.

1 . A system for comparing a first image with a second image, the system comprising:
 an output interface;   an input interface, wherein the input interface is configured to receive information indicative of the first image and the second image, the first image and second image being images of a circuit board; and   an image processing system coupled with the input interface and the output interface, the image processing system configured to:
 determine a first code associated with the first image, wherein the first code categorizes the first image; 
 determine a second code associated with the second image, wherein the second code categorizes the second image; 
 analyze of the first and second codes; 
 compare the first and second images; 
 determine if the first and second images are likely to compare favorably based, at least in part, on outcomes from the comparing and analyzing; and 
   provide, using the output interface, an indication of the determination.   
     
     
         2 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the providing the indication of the determination includes using the output interface to display a plurality of images that compare favorably with at least one of the first and second images, wherein the order of the plurality of images that are displayed corresponds with a likelihood of a match. 
     
     
         3 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the image processing system further is configured to logically combine the first and second images to perform a search for similar images. 
     
     
         4 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 1 , the image processing system is configured to perform the analyzing before the comparing. 
     
     
         5 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the image processing system further is configured to combine the first image with other images to search for the second image. 
     
     
         6 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 1 , the image processing system further is configured to:
 analyze a plurality of codes corresponding to a plurality of images;   compare the first image with the plurality of images;   use the output interface to display the plurality of images according to a likelihood of a match between the first image and the plurality of images.   
     
     
         7 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second code are manually derived. 
     
     
         8 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network is the Internet. 
     
     
         9 . A method for processing images to compare a first image with a second image, the method comprising:
 reading the first image;   reading the second image, wherein at least one of the first and second images are read from a network;   reading a first code associated with the first image, wherein the first code categorizes the first image;   reading a second code associated with the second image, wherein the second code categorizes the second image;   analyzing of the first and second codes;   comparing the first and second images; and   determining if the first and second images are likely to compare favorably based, at least in part, on outcomes from the comparing and analyzing.   
     
     
         10 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising displaying a plurality of images that compare favorably with at least one of the first and second images, wherein the order of the plurality of images that are displayed corresponds with a likelihood of a match. 
     
     
         11 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second images is from a circuit board. 
     
     
         12 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising logically combining the first and second images to perform a search for similar images. 
     
     
         13 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the analyzing is performed before the comparing. 
     
     
         14 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first image is combined with other images to search for the second image. 
     
     
         15 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 analyzing a plurality of codes corresponding to a plurality of images;   comparing the first image with the plurality of images;   displaying the plurality of images according to a likelihood of a match between the first image and the plurality of images.   
     
     
         16 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second code are manually derived. 
     
     
         17 . The method for processing images as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the network is the Internet. 
     
     
         18 . A system for processing a first image and a second image, the image system comprising:
 an input system configured to provide information indicative of the first image;   an image database configured to provide information indicative of the second image;   an output system; and   an image processing system coupled with the input system and the image database, the image processing system configured to:
 determine a first code associated with the first image, wherein the first code categorizes the first image; 
 determine a second code associated with the second image, wherein the second code categorizes the second image; 
 analyze of the first and second codes; 
 compare the first and second images; 
 determine if the first and second images are likely to compare favorably based, at least in part, on outcomes from the comparing and analyzing; and 
 provide an indication of the determination to the output system. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system for processing a first image and a second image as recited in  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first and second images is from a circuit board. 
     
     
         20 . The system for comparing a first image with a second image as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the providing the indication of the determination includes using the output system to display a plurality of images that compare favorably with at least one of the first and second images, wherein the order of the plurality of images that are displayed corresponds with a likelihood of a match.