IMAGE SEARCH METHOD, IMAGE SEARCH SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM

摘要

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an image search technique whereby it is possible to accurately search for similar images using many queries. To achieve this purpose, a method by which to adjust grouping of queries to reflect received search results is also provided. An image search device according to the present invention is characterized by being provided with: an image storage unit which stores images and tag information about the images; an image input unit which receives an image; a search query generation unit which extracts, from the image, feature values for search queries; a similar image search unit which performs a similar-image search to obtain similar images and grouping information; a query grouping unit which divides the queries into groups in accordance with the obtained grouping information; a query group importance level determination unit which calculates the levels of importance of the groups; a search result generation unit which sorts the search results in accordance with the levels of importance of the groups; and a data output unit which outputs information about the search results for each group.