A Retrieval Method of Ancient Chinese Character Images

Abstract

Global and local image retrieval of ancient Chinese characters is a helpful means for character research work. Because of the characteristics of ancient Chinese characters such as complex structures and variant shapes, there exist many theoretical and technical problems in feature extraction, clustering and retrieval of these images. A retrieval method was established with the strategy of “clustering before matching” for the ancient Chinese character images by integrating the structural features of them. Firstly, preprocessed character image area was divided into elastic meshes and the directional elements were extracted to form the feature vectors. Then, K-means algorithm was employed to cluster the character images within global and local areas. Finally, the similar images within selected areas were searched in corresponding cluster and the obtained images were provided to users. The experimental results show that this method is helpful for the improvement of the efficiency of ancient Chinese character study.