Image matching using run-length feature

Color histogram is the most commonly used color feature in image retrieval systems. However, this feature cannot effectively characterize an image, since it only captures the global properties. To make the retrieval more accurate, this paper introduces a run-length (RL) feature. The feature integrates the information of color and shape of the objects in an image. It can effectively discriminate the directions, areas and geometrical shapes of the objects. Yet, extracting the RL feature is time-consuming. For that reason, this paper also provides one revised representation of the RL, called semi-run-length (SRL). Based on the SRL feature, this paper develops an image retrieval system, and the experimental results show that the system gives an impressive performance. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.