Optimizing Multi-Feature Queries for Image Databases

TitleOptimizing Multi-Feature Queries for Image Databases
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsGüntzer, U., W. - T. Balke, and W. Kießling
Conference Name26th International Conference on Very Large Databases (VLDB 2000)
Conference LocationCairo, Egypt
Abstract

In digital libraries image retrieval queries can be based on the similarity of objects, using several feature attributes like shape, texture, color or text. Such multi-feature queries return a ranked result set instead of exact matches. Besides, the user
wants to see only the k top-ranked objects. We present a new algorithm called Quick-Combine (European patent pending, nr. EP 00102651.7) for combining multi-feature result lists, guaranteeing the correct retrieval of the k top-ranked results. For score aggregation virtually any combining function can be used, including weighted queries. Compared to Fagin’s algorithm we have developed an improved termination condition in tuned combination with a heuristic control flow adopting itself narrowly to the particular score distribution. Top-ranked results can be computed and output incrementally. We show that we can dramatically improve performance, in particular for non-uniform score distributions. Benchmarks on practical data indicate efficiency gains by a factor of 30. For very skewed data observed speed-up factors are even larger. These performance results
scale through different database sizes and numbers of result sets to combine.

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