Query by example using invariant features from the double dyadic dual-tree complex wavelet transform

Abstract

Widespread use of digital imagery has resulted in a need to manage large collections of images. Systems providing query by example (QBE) capability offer improved access to contents of image libraries by retrieving matches to a query image. Texture is an important feature to consider in the matching process. However, standard approaches often employ a texture feature that is scale and rotation specific, and may not perform well in libraries containing images with scaled or rotated matches to the target query. A novel approach for generating scale and rotation invariant texture features from an extension of the Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT) is presented herein for use in region-based QBE. An experimental comparison reveals an improved ability of the new technique in retrieving relevant images over the standard approach.