Using positive and negative examples for precise image retrieval

Systems for content based image retrieval typically support access to database images through the query-by-example paradigm. This includes query-by-image and query-by-sketch. Since query-by-sketch can be difficult in some cases-lack of sketching abilities, difficulty to detect distinguishing image features-querying is generally performed through the query-by-image paradigm. A limiting factor of this paradigm is that a single sample image rarely includes all and only the characterizing elements the user is looking for. Querying using multiple examples is a possible solution to overcome this limitation. In this paper some issues and solutions for retrieval by content using positive and negative examples are presented and discussed.