Iconic indexing and maintenance of spatial relationships in image databases

In this paper we model each 2D image as a generalized extended pseudo-symbolic picture based on the absolute spatial relationships in the image. Each generalized extended pseudo-symbolic picture can then be represented by a GEP-2D string. We combine GEP-2D strings and usual 2D strings into generalized combined 2D strings to represent 2D images in order to capture both the absolute and relative spatial relationships in the image. Then we address how to maintain the complete information about the absolute spatial relationships in the image. Picture retrieval by generalized combined 2D strings is discussed.