Image Retrieval Using Fuzzy Evaluation of Color Similarity

The paper describes the design and implementation of an information retrieval system using color as the index in its color image archive. Salient aspects of this approach are the use of direct visual representation of color in querying and of fuzzy set theory to formally represent intrinsic human uncertainty in evaluating the similarity between colors (query interpretation). The steps in which the information retrieval strategy is organized are illustrated, and an example of its application given, showing how the implemented system can be tailored to manage archives of images representing fabric samples.