University of Portland
School of Engineering
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.
Portland, OR 97203-5798
Phone 503 943 7314
Fax 503 943 7316
Functional Specifications
Project Zigzag: Content-Based Image
Search
Contributors:
Adam Russell
Will French
Matt Heye
Approvals
Name
Dr. Rylander
Date
Name
Date
Dr. Lillevik
Insert checkmark (√) next to name when approved.
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MATT HEYE
FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
PROJECT ZIGZAG
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Revision History
Rev.
0.9
Date
09/19/06
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND
Author
A. Russell, W.
French, M. Heye
Reason for Changes
Initial draft
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Table of Contents
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Summary.......................................................................................................................
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Introduction ..................................................................................................................
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Background .................................................................................................................. 3
Requirements ............................................................................................................... 4
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................4
Core Functionality ...................................................................................................................................4
Website Specifications ............................................................................................................................5
Server Specifications ..............................................................................................................................5
Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 7
Appendices................................................................................................................... 8
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List of Figures.
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List of Tables .
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Table 1. Core Functionality. Specifications ....................................................................................................4
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Table 2. Website Specifications.....................................................................................................................
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Table 3. Server Specifications .......................................................................................................................5
Table 4: Appendix A - Glossary .....................................................................................................................8
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Summary
1
The goal in Zigzag is to provide an alternative method to search for graphics/images. This
is a web-based application that will allow a user to search through a set of scenes and find
scenes similar to a given image. The user will provide an image of a scene (for example a
forest or a beach), and our application will return a result set of images that are similar,
based upon the actual content of the image.
The application will allow a user to search for images in an alternative form than the
traditional metadata approach. The preceding is important, because the user will
encounter fewer irrelevant images that may have been caused by inaccurate tagging of
the metadata attached to the images. The user will therefore find relevant images quicker.
The user will be able to search for images in two ways: by browsing their local harddrive
and selecting a file to search from, or by entering a web address that is the path to an
image file. These files will then be processed and compared to the images in the Zigzag
database to find relevant images.
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Introduction
2
Traditionally, images are searched for by using words that describe the image. This is
done by searching through the tags and metadata of the images, and matching them to
the search query. This can be effective for finding images, but only if the tags and
metadata attached to the images are done correctly and accurately. This problem can
result in the user viewing unrelated results, and in turn increasing the time spent searching
for images. Our intention is to quicken the search process when the user is looking for
landscapes or scenes such as forests or beaches.
This document will outline the functional specifications of the design, what the application
will be capable of, and what are its foreseeable limitations. This document will be limited
to functional workings of the application, no design information will be provided at this time.
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Background
3
There has been recent work involving histogram technology to search for images based
on their content rather than on tags and metadata. There exists a need to develop this
technology further so that more efficient image searches can be conducted. The
proposed application will enable everyday image search users to find images based off of
the content of images they have already viewed and/or already have on their local
machine.
We envision our potential users as ones who have a need to find multiple representations
of an image. This may include graphic designers, web designers, and even artists looking
for inspiration. For example, a web designer who is working for Weyerhaeuser may want
to find multiple representations of forests to incorporate into the company website.
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Requirements
4
Overview
Project Zigzag plans to further the development of content-based image search. The goal
is to allow graphic designers, webmasters, and other users to be able to search a
repository of images by submitting an image themselves and returning a similar set of
images.
The user must initially have an image on their computer, or link from the World Wide Web
before they are allowed to search the image database. Once the user knows the location
of the file on their computer Internet, a search may occur if the user submits the image.
After image has been submitted, the resulting images from the server will be displayed to
the website.
Core Functionality
The core functionalities of Project Zigzag will allow a user to be able to search for an
image based on uploading an image they already have on their computer. Also, the
website will give the user the option of using an image link already available on the World
Wide Web to search for images similar to the linked image. Once the user obtains the
results from either one of the search options, a user will be able to either view a full size
image of the thumbnail result or download the image. Another option, which the user will
need is to be able to search on one of the resulting images based on the initial search.
Table 1. contains a list of the physical specifications necessary for the Content-Based
Image Search to work overall.
Table 1. Core Functionality Specifications
Req. Num.
Requirement
100.1
Project Zigzag shall allow the user to be able to search for an
image based on uploading an image they already have.
101.1
Project Zigzag shall allow the user to be able to search for an
image based on a link they have obtained from the internet.
Project Zigzag might allow the user to upload his or her own
images into the server’s database.
Project Zigzag shall provide the option to either view or
download a resulting image.
Project Zigzag shall allow the user to search via one of the
resulting images.
102.3
103.1
104.1
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Website Specifications
The Content-Based Image Search’s website is crucial to allow the user to search images
within the image repository. It will contain a web interface, which will allow the user to
search for similar images. If the user has provided an initial search either based on his or
her image or by link, then the website will need to provide a way to search based off one
of the results. Also, the interface should supply a feedback container for the user to tell the
system if it was successful in the search.
Table 2. Website Specifications contains a list of the specifications necessary for the
function of the project’s website.
Table 2. Website Specifications
Req. Num.
Requirement
200.1
201.1
The website shall provide an upload box and search button.
The website shall provide a link text field and search button.
202.1
The website shall return and display the results of the user’s
search.
The website shall provide a way to search based off one of the
returned images.
The website shall provide a way to specify accuracy of results.
203.1
204.1
Server Specifications
In Project Zigzag, the server will be the backend to the functionality of the website. The
images will be stored on the server in the form of a database. Images will also be able to
downloaded from the server. Also, the server will need to be able to implement an
algorithm to return results from the user’s submission of either a link or uploaded image.
The end result will be that the server will eventually be running the website.
Table 3. Server Specifications contains a list of the system hardware specifications and
their required values.
Table 3. Server Specifications
Req. Num.
300.1
301.1
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Requirement
The server shall allow images to be stored in a database.
The server shall allow images to be downloaded from the
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302.1
303.1
304.1
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database.
The server shall implement an algorithm to return results.
The server shall be able to run the specifications of the
website.
The server might allow the users to upload images into the
image repository.
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Conclusions
5
Project ZigZag will provide a method for searching images based on the content of the
image itself, more specifically, the distribution of color throughout the image.
The implantation will be web-based, providing an interface for the user to upload images
and/or search by providing a URL link. This project is an alternative to the traditional
approaches to searching large repositories of images, and searches based on the content
itself rather than solely the human-attached metadata.
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Appendices
Definitions can be found at: http://www.wikipedia.com
Appendix A - Glossary
Table 4: Appendix A - Glossary
Word
Content
Based
Image
Search
Histogram
Metadata
Query
Repository
Thumbnail
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Definition
The application of computer vision to the image retrieval
problem, that is, the problem of searching for digital
images in large databases. "Content-based" means that
the search makes use of the contents of the images
themselves, rather than relying on human-inputted
metadata such as captions or keywords
A graphical display of tabulated frequencies. More
specifically, a color histogram is a representation of an
image derived by counting the 'color' of each pixel.
Data that describes other data.
A precise request for information, typically keywords
combined with boolean operators and other modifiers, in
the field of information retrieval.
A central place where data is stored and maintained.
Reduced-size versions of pictures, used to make it easier
to scan and recognize them.
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