A fuzzy combined learning approach to content-based image retrieval

We propose a fuzzy combined learning approach to construct a relevance feedback-based content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system for efficient image search. Our system uses a composite short-term and long-term learning approach to learn the semantics of an image. Specifically, the short-term learning technique applies fuzzy support vector machine (FSVM) learning on user labeled and additional chosen image blocks to learn a more accurate boundary for separating the relevant and irrelevant blocks at each feedback iteration. The long-term learning technique applies a novel semantic clustering technique to adaptively learn and update the semantic concepts at each query session. A predictive algorithm is also applied to find images most semantically related to the query based on the semantic clusters generated in the long-term learning. Our extensive experimental results demonstrate the proposed system outperforms several state-of-the-art peer systems in terms of both retrieval precision and storage space.