An image retrieval model based on fuzzy triples

Abstract

This paper proposes an image retrieval model for indexing and retrieving images with fuzzy triples. The well-known triple framework based on two-dimensional (2D) strings is a novel index mechanism in that it allows us to simply specify the spatial structure of images, guaranteeing fast retrieval time. However, there are two significant drawbacks in this framework; one is that it cannot accommodate a concept-based image retrieval and the other is that it does not deal with an inexact match among directions. The former is crucial when answers turn out to be relevant only when they are conceptually related with user queries and the latter is useful especially when the spatial relationship cannot be specified in terms of eight directions. Our model supports the concept-based image retrieval as well as the inexact match with a fuzzy triple matching performed when evaluating queries. To demonstrate the feasibility of the model, we also develop a prototypal system directly supporting it.