An adaptive technique for content-based image retrieval

We discuss an adaptive approach towards Content-Based Image Retrieval. It is based on the Ostensive Model of developing information needs—a special kind of relevance feedback model that learns from implicit user feedback and adds a temporal notion to relevance. The ostensive approach supports content-assisted browsing through visualising the interaction by adding user-selected images to a browsing path, which ends with a set of system recommendations. The suggestions are based on an adaptive query learning scheme, in which the query is learnt from previously selected images. Our approach is an adaptation of the original Ostensive Model based on textual features only, to include content-based features to characterise images. In the proposed scheme textual and colour features are combined using the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence combination. Results from a user-centred, work-task oriented evaluation show that the ostensive interface is preferred over a traditional interface with manual query facilities. This is due to its ability to adapt to the user's need, its intuitiveness and the fluid way in which it operates. Studying and comparing the nature of the underlying information need, it emerges that our approach elicits changes in the user's need based on the interaction, and is successful in adapting the retrieval to match the changes. In addition, a preliminary study of the retrieval performance of the ostensive relevance feedback scheme shows that it can outperform a standard relevance feedback strategy in terms of image recall in category search.     

Content-based image retrieval with relevance feedback using random walks

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to content-based image retrieval with relevance feedback, which is based on the random walker algorithm introduced in the context of interactive image segmentation. The idea is to treat the relevant and non-relevant images labeled by the user at every feedback round as “seed” nodes for the random walker problem. The ranking score for each unlabeled image is computed as the probability that a random walker starting from that image will reach a relevant seed before encountering a non-relevant one. Our method is easy to implement, parameter-free and scales well to large datasets. Extensive experiments on different real datasets with several image similarity measures show the superiority of our method over different recent approaches.     

Hidden annotation for image retrieval with long-term relevance feedback learning

Hidden annotation (HA) is an important research issue in content-based image retrieval (CBIR). We propose to incorporate long-term relevance feedback (LRF) with HA to increase both efficiency and retrieval accuracy of CBIR systems. The work contains two parts. (1) Through LRF, a multi-layer semantic representation is built to automatically extract hidden semantic concepts underlying images. HA with these concepts alleviates the burden of manual annotation and avoids the ambiguity problem of keyword-based annotation. (2) For each learned concept, semi-supervised learning is incorporated to automatically select a small number of candidate images for annotators to annotate, which improves efficiency of HA.     

基于强化学习的相关反馈图像检索算法

相关反馈算法是图像检索不可缺的重要组成部分,是近来图像检索中研究的一个热点。提出了基于强化学习的相关反馈算法。根据强化学习中的Q_学习函数,建立矩阵Q,对每幅图像建立对应的一项Q_i（i=1,2,…,n）,记录每幅图像的本次检索中的累计反馈值,并根据加权特征法计算新的特征,对于每幅反馈的图像根据Q_学习函数计算其当前的累计反馈值。Q值越大即越与例子图像相关。由于强化学习是通过不断对环境的反馈来获得最佳的路径,这与相关反馈通过对用户检索意图的摸索来获得最优答案的思想一致。实验表明,提出的相关反馈算法具有更大的优越性。     

Improved AdaBoost-based image retrieval with relevance feedback via paired feature learning

Boost learning algorithm, such as AdaBoost, has been widely used in a variety of applications in multimedia and computer vision. Relevance feedback-based image retrieval has been formulated as a classification problem with a small number of training samples. Several machine learning techniques have been applied to this problem recently. In this paper, we propose a novel paired feature AdaBoost learning system for relevance feedback-based image retrieval. To facilitate density estimation in our feature learning method, we propose an ID3-like balance tree quantization method to preserve most discriminative information. By using paired feature combination, we map all training samples obtained in the relevance feedback process onto paired feature spaces and employ the AdaBoost algorithm to select a few feature pairs with best discrimination capabilities in the corresponding paired feature spaces. In the AdaBoost algorithm, we employ Bayesian classification to replace the traditional binary weak classifiers to enhance their classification power, thus producing a stronger classifier. Experimental results on content-based image retrieval (CBIR) show superior performance of the proposed system compared to some previous methods.     

A survey of content-based image retrieval with high-level semantics

In order to improve the retrieval accuracy of content-based image retrieval systems, research focus has been shifted from designing sophisticated low-level feature extraction algorithms to reducing the ‘semantic gap’ between the visual features and the richness of human semantics. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive survey of the recent technical achievements in high-level semantic-based image retrieval. Major recent publications are included in this survey covering different aspects of the research in this area, including low-level image feature extraction, similarity measurement, and deriving high-level semantic features. We identify five major categories of the state-of-the-art techniques in narrowing down the ‘semantic gap’: (1) using object ontology to define high-level concepts; (2) using machine learning methods to associate low-level features with query concepts; (3) using relevance feedback to learn users’ intention; (4) generating semantic template to support high-level image retrieval; (5) fusing the evidences from HTML text and the visual content of images for WWW image retrieval. In addition, some other related issues such as image test bed and retrieval performance evaluation are also discussed. Finally, based on existing technology and the demand from real-world applications, a few promising future research directions are suggested.     

Content-based image retrieval using fuzzy perceptual feedback

In this paper, a new framework called fuzzy relevance feedback in interactive content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems is introduced. Conventional binary labeling scheme in relevance feedback requires a crisp decision to be made on the relevance of the retrieved images. However, it is inflexible as user interpretation of visual content varies with respect to different information needs and perceptual subjectivity. In addition, users tend to learn from the retrieval results to further refine their information requests. It is, therefore, inadequate to describe the user’s fuzzy perception of image similarity with crisp logic. In view of this, we propose a fuzzy relevance feedback approach which enables the user to make a fuzzy judgement. It integrates the user’s fuzzy interpretation of visual content into the notion of relevance feedback. An efficient learning approach is proposed using a fuzzy radial basis function (FRBF) network. The network is constructed based on the user’s feedbacks. The underlying network parameters are optimized by adopting a gradient-descent training strategy due to its computational efficiency. Experimental results using a database of 10,000 images demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

集成学习SVM在图像检索中的应用

提出一种基于SVM和Adaboost集成学习相结合的相关反馈算法。在相关反馈过程中选择最具信息的样本训练支持向量机,可以有效减少相关反馈的次数和所需学习样本的数量,通过两者的互补来有效地提高图像检索的精度。最后提出Adaboost算法对SVM分类器进行加权投票,这样进一步提高了图像检索的性能。实验表明,该方法较好地解决了图像检索中的小样本选择问题,能够显著提高图像检索的效率和性能。     

基于LBSVM机器学习的相关反馈图像检索

基于机器学习的相关反馈技术是基于内容的图像检索研究的热点。由于基于SVM的相关反馈技术存在样本数量少,样本正负比例不平衡,反馈准确率低等问题,文中先对Boosting方法进行改进,提出了用先验知识的Boosting方法与SVM结合的短期机器学习相关反馈方法（BSVM）;在此基础上为进一步提高系统反馈速度与准确率,通过保存训练好的分类器和它对应的样本,提出了基于长期机器学习的相关反馈方法（LBSVM）。文中提出的两种方法与其它方法进行了比较实验,结果表明,该方法优于其它方法。     

Content-based image retrieval using growing hierarchical self-organizing quadtree map

In this paper, a growing hierarchical self-organizing quadtree map (GHSOQM) is proposed and used for a content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system. The incorporation of GHSOQM in a CBIR system organizes images in a hierarchical structure. The retrieval time by GHSOQM is less than that by using direct image comparison using a flat structure. Furthermore, the ability of incremental learning enables GHSOQM to be a prospective neural-network-based approach for CBIR systems. We also propose feature matrices, image distance and relevance feedback for region-based images in the GHSOQM-based CBIR system. Experimental results strongly demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system.     

A framework for linguistic relevance feedback in content-based image retrieval using fuzzy logic

We describe a new approach for exploiting relevance feedback in content-based image retrieval (CBIR). In our approach to relevance feedback we try to capture more of the users’ relevance judgments by allowing the use of natural language like comments on the retrieved images. Using methods from fuzzy logic and computational intelligence we are able to reflect these comments into new targets for searching the image database. Such enhanced information is utilized to develop a system that can provide more effective and efficient retrieval.     

Relevance feedback for category search in music retrieval based on semantic concept learning

Traditional content-based music retrieval systems retrieve a specific music object which is similar to what a user has requested. However, the need exists for the development of category search for the retrieval of a specific category of music objects which share a common semantic concept. The concept of category search in content-based music retrieval is subjective and dynamic. Therefore, this paper investigates a relevance feedback mechanism for category search of polyphonic symbolic music based on semantic concept learning. For the consideration of both global and local properties of music objects, a segment-based music object modeling approach is presented. Furthermore, in order to discover the user semantic concept in terms of discriminative features of discriminative segments, a concept learning mechanism based on data mining techniques is proposed to find the discriminative characteristics between relevant and irrelevant objects. Moreover, three strategies, the Most-Positive, the Most-Informative, and the Hybrid, to return music objects concerning user relevance judgments are investigated. Finally, comparative experiments are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed relevance feedback mechanism. Experimental results show that, for a database of 215 polyphonic music objects, 60% average precision can be achieved through the use of the proposed relevance feedback mechanism.

Active learning for image retrieval with Co-SVM

In relevance feedback algorithms, selective sampling is often used to reduce the cost of labeling and explore the unlabeled data. In this paper, we proposed an active learning algorithm, Co-SVM, to improve the performance of selective sampling in image retrieval. In Co-SVM algorithm, color and texture are naturally considered as sufficient and uncorrelated views of an image. SVM classifiers are learned in color and texture feature subspaces, respectively. Then the two classifiers are used to classify the unlabeled data. These unlabeled samples which are differently classified by the two classifiers are chose to label. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is beneficial to image retrieval.     

FAST: Toward more effective and efficient image retrieval

This paper focuses on developing a Fast And Semantics-Tailored (FAST) image retrieval methodology. Specifically, the contributions of FAST methodology to the CBIR literature include: (1) development of a new indexing method based on fuzzy logic to incorporate color, texture, and shape information into a region-based approach to improving the retrieval effectiveness and robustness; (2) development of a new hierarchical indexing structure and the corresponding hierarchical, elimination-based A* retrieval (HEAR) algorithm to significantly improve the retrieval efficiency without sacrificing the retrieval effectiveness; it is shown that HEAR is guaranteed to deliver a logarithm search in the average case; (3) employment of user relevance feedback to tailor the effective retrieval to each user's individualized query preference through the novel indexing tree pruning (ITP) and adaptive region weight updating (ARWU) algorithms. Theoretical analysis and experimental evaluations show that FAST methodology holds great promise in delivering fast and semantics-tailored image retrieval in CBIR.     

Integrated probability function and its application to content-based image retrieval by relevance feedback

In the last few years, we have seen an upsurge of interest in content-based image retrieval (CBIR)—the selection of images from a collection via features extracted from images themselves. Often, a single image attribute may not have enough discriminative information for successful retrieval. On the other hand when multiple features are used, it is hard to determine the suitable weighing factors for various features for optimal retrieval. In this paper, we present a relevance feedback framework with Integrated Probability Function (IPF) which combines multiple features for optimal retrieval. The IPF is based on a new posterior probability estimator and a novel weight updating approach. We perform experiments on 1400 monochromatic trademark images have been performed. The proposed IPF is shown to be more effective and efficient to retrieve deformed trademark images than the commonly used integrated dissimilarity function. The new posterior probability estimator is shown to be generally better than the existing one. The proposed novel weight updating approach by relevance feedback is shown to be better than both the existing scoring approach and the existing ratio approach. In experiments, 95% of the targets are ranked at the top five positions. By two iterations of relevance feedback, retrieval performance can be improved from 75% to over 95%. The IPF and its relevance feedback framework proposed in this paper can be effectively and efficiently used in content-based image retrieval.     

Region-based image retrieval with high-level semantics using decision tree learning

Semantic-based image retrieval has attracted great interest in recent years. This paper proposes a region-based image retrieval system with high-level semantic learning. The key features of the system are: (1) it supports both query by keyword and query by region of interest. The system segments an image into different regions and extracts low-level features of each region. From these features, high-level concepts are obtained using a proposed decision tree-based learning algorithm named DT-ST. During retrieval, a set of images whose semantic concept matches the query is returned. Experiments on a standard real-world image database confirm that the proposed system significantly improves the retrieval performance, compared with a conventional content-based image retrieval system. (2) The proposed decision tree induction method DT-ST for image semantic learning is different from other decision tree induction algorithms in that it makes use of the semantic templates to discretize continuous-valued region features and avoids the difficult image feature discretization problem. Furthermore, it introduces a hybrid tree simplification method to handle the noise and tree fragmentation problems, thereby improving the classification performance of the tree. Experimental results indicate that DT-ST outperforms two well-established decision tree induction algorithms ID3 and C4.5 in image semantic learning.     

Image retrieval model based on weighted visual features determined by relevance feedback

An accurate and rapid method is required to retrieve the overwhelming majority of digital images. To date, image retrieval methods include content-based retrieval and keyword-based retrieval, the former utilizing visual features such as color and brightness, and the latter utilizing keywords that describe the image. However, the effectiveness of these methods in providing the exact images the user wants has been under scrutiny. Hence, many researchers have been working on relevance feedback, a process in which responses from the user are given as feedback during the retrieval session in order to define a user’s need and provide an improved result. Methods that employ relevance feedback, however, do have drawbacks because several pieces of feedback are necessary to produce an appropriate result, and the feedback information cannot be reused. In this paper, a novel retrieval model is proposed, which annotates an image with keywords and modifies the confidence level of the keywords in response to the user’s feedback. In the proposed model, not only the images that have been given feedback, but also other images with visual features similar to the features used to distinguish the positive images are subjected to confidence modification. This allows for modification of a large number of images with relatively little feedback, ultimately leading to faster and more accurate retrieval results. An experiment was performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model, and the result demonstrated a rapid increase in recall and precision using the same amount of feedback.