Content Based Indexing of Image and Video Databases by Global and Shape Features

Indexing and retrieval methods based on the image content are required to effectively use information from the large repositories of digital images and videos currently available. Both global (colour, texture, motion, etc.) and local (object shape, etc.) features are needed to perform a reliable content based retrieval. We present a method for automatic extraction of global image features, like colour and motion parameters, and their use for data restriction in video database querying. Further retrieval is therefore accomplished, in a restricted set of images, by shape feature (skeleton, local symmetry moments, correlation, etc.) local search. The proposed indexing methodology has been developed and tested inside JACOB, a prototypal system for content-based video database querying.