IMAGE RETRIEVAL DEVICE, IMAGE CLASSIFICATION METHOD, IMAGE RETRIEVAL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image retrieval device, an image classification method, an image retrieval method and a program for automatically extracting an image with variations among a plurality of images. SOLUTION: The image retrieval device stores digital images and classifies and retrieves the stored digital images. The retrieval device comprises a candidate image selecting means for selecting candidate images to be classified; a notable area calculating means for regionally segmenting the candidate images and calculating notable degrees at every segmented area to generate a pattern image in a notable area: and a pattern identifying means for classifying the candidate images, based on the pattern image in the notable area generated by the notable area calculating means. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI