New Image Retrieval System Utilizing Image Directory on Gigabit Network for Distributing Industrial Product Information

This paper describes a new image database system aimed at the distribution of the industrial-product information, with the aid of the image retrieval using a sketched image drawn by the customer. The new system is characterized by automatic generation of the index images used for the image matching in the image retrieval. The automatic index-image generation was carried out utilizing the DSP applications, and it reduced the processing time, which is needed to generate an index image, from 30 min to 110 s. The system features the directory server which allows the customer to exchange sample images of 128 by 128 B at high speed during the retrieval until the designated high-definition image of 15 MB is finally decided to be sent from the image server to the high-definition-television plasma display panel. The system performance was actually tested over IPv4/IPv6 on the Japan Gigabit Networks.