Interactive layout mechanisms for image database retrieval

In this paper we present a user interface, CANDID Camera, for image retrieval using query- by-example technology. Included in the interface are several new layout algorithms based on multidimensional scaling techniques that visually display global and local relationships between images within a large image database. We use the CANDID project algorithms to create signatures of the images, and then measure the dissimilarity between the signatures. The layout algorithms are of two types. The first are those that project the all-pairs dissimilarities to two dimensions, presenting a many-to-many relationship for a global view of the entire database. The second are those that relate a query image to a small set of matched images for a one-to-many relationship that provides a local inspection of the image relationships. Both types are based on well-known multidimensional scaling techniques that have been modified and used together for efficiency and effectiveness. They include nonlinear projection and classical projection. The global maps are hybrid algorithms using classical projection together with nonlinear projection. We have developed several one-to-many layouts based on a radial layout, also using modified nonlinear and classical projection.