An environment for content-based image retrieval from large spatial databases

In this paper, we address the problem of content-based image retrieval using queries on shape and topology. We focus on the particularities of image databases encountered in typical topographic applications and present the development of a spatial data management system that enables such queries. The query requires user-provided sketches of the shape and spatial configuration of the object (or objects) which should appear in the images to be retrieved. The objective of the search is to retrieve images that contain a configuration of objects sufficiently similar to the one specified in the query. Our approach combines the design of an integrated database with the development of a feature library and the necessary matching tools. In this paper, we present our overall scheme, introduce some individual database components, and provide some implementation results.