KR20200021737A - A method for image searching using real time popular search word and an apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image search method using real-time popular search words and an apparatus therefor. The image search method using real-time popular search words comprises the steps of: assigning, by a popularity processing module, popularity to a plurality of images stored in a database based on popular text search words; receiving image search words from a user device by an image search module; detecting, by the image search module, a plurality of images corresponding to the received image search words among the plurality of images stored in the database by performing image search; and providing an image search result according to the popularity of the plurality of searched images.

Description

A method for image searching using real time popular search word and an apparatus therefor}

The present invention relates to an image retrieval technology, and more particularly, to an image retrieval method and apparatus that derives the popularity of an image using a real-time popular search term and provides an image search result according to the popularity.

Image search can be divided into two types according to the method and purpose of finding an image. The first is to search for related images using text search terms. For example, if you enter the keyword 'flowers', you can see different types of flowers. This type is a traditional search method from the very beginning of the Internet. The second is to enter an image search term, which is an image file, and analyze the image file to find the same or similar image. It's the way computer analysis and internet technology have developed. Compared to the keyword method, the user can intuitively search for an image.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2012-0001847, published Jan. 05, 2012 (Name: Image Search System and Image Search Method)

An object of the present invention is to provide an image retrieval method and apparatus for calculating the popularity of an image using a real-time search term reflecting the latest issue, the latest topic, and providing the image search results according to the popularity.

The image retrieval method according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a step of the popularity processing module to give the popularity of the plurality of images stored in the database based on the popular text search word, the image search module Receiving an image search word from a user device, performing an image search by the image search module, detecting a plurality of images corresponding to the received image search word among a plurality of images stored in the database, and searching the plurality of images Providing image search results according to its popularity.

The granting of the search popularity may include collecting the popular text search term, calculating a popularity degree for the popular text search term, collecting a plurality of images corresponding to the popular text search term, and collecting the collected plurality. Deriving a popular item from an image of the image, retrieving the same image as the popular item from a plurality of images stored in the database, and reflecting the calculated popularity in the same image.

The deriving of the popular item may include identifying an object corresponding to a popular text search word present in at least one of the collected plurality of images, and determining the identified object as a popular item.

The deriving of the popular object may include identifying a plurality of objects that are commonly present in two or more images among the plurality of collected images, and a plurality of collected plurality of images among the plurality of identified common objects. Determining an object present in the popular item.

The calculating of the popularity may include calculating the popularity of the popular text search word in proportion to the ranking of the popular text search word and the holding time of the ranking.

An image retrieval apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a storage module including a database for storing a plurality of images, and the popularity of the plurality of images based on a popular text search term And receiving an image search word from the user device, performing image search to detect a plurality of images corresponding to the received image search word among the plurality of images stored in the database, and to determine the popularity of the searched plurality of images. And an image search module for providing image search results.

The popularity processing module collects the popular text search term, calculates popularity for the popular text search term, collects a plurality of images corresponding to the popular text search term, and derives a popular item from the collected plurality of images. And searching for the same image as the popular item in the plurality of images stored in the database, and reflecting the calculated popularity in the same image.

The popularity processing module may identify an object corresponding to a popular text search word present in at least one of the collected plurality of images, and derive the identified object as a popular item.

The popularity processing module identifies a plurality of objects commonly present in two or more images among the plurality of collected images, and identifies an object present in the plurality of collected plurality of images among the identified plurality of common objects. It is characterized by deriving a popular item.

The popularity processing module may be configured to calculate the popularity of the popular text search word in proportion to the ranking of the popular text search word and the holding time of the ranking.

According to the present invention, by calculating the popularity of the image through the real-time popular search terms, and providing the image search results according to the popularity, the user experience that allows users to easily see the latest trends, trends, trends related to the image query Provide (UX)

1 is a view for explaining an image retrieval system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of giving popularity to another search target image in an embodiment of the present invention.
5 through 8 are screen examples for explaining a method of giving popularity to a search target image according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an image search method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 and 11 are diagrams for describing an image retrieval method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To make the features and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

However, in the following description and the accompanying drawings, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations that may obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible throughout the drawings.

The terms or words used in the following description and drawings should not be construed as being limited to the common or dictionary meanings, and the inventors may appropriately define the concept of terms for describing their own invention in the best way. It should be interpreted as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification and the drawings shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, various modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of the present application It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, are used to describe various components, and are used only to distinguish one component from another component, and to limit the components. Not used. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second component may be referred to as the first component, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as the second component.

In addition, when a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it means that it may be connected or connected logically or physically. In other words, although a component may be directly connected or connected to other components, it should be understood that other components may exist in the middle and may be connected or connected indirectly.

In addition, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the terms "comprises" or "having" described herein are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or the same. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or the addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof.

In addition, the terms "?", "?", "Module", and the like described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. have.

In addition, "a" or "an", "one", "the" and the like shall also be indicated otherwise in the context of the present invention (particularly in the context of the following claims). Unless otherwise expressly contradicted by context, it may be used in the sense including both singular and plural.

In addition, embodiments within the scope of the present invention include computer readable media having or conveying computer executable instructions or data structures stored on computer readable media. Such computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. By way of example, such computer readable media may be in the form of RAM, ROM, EPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage, or computer executable instructions, computer readable instructions or data structures. And may include, but are not limited to, any other medium that can be used to store or deliver certain program code means, and can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. .

In the following description and claims, “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transfer of electronic data between computer systems and / or modules. When information is transmitted or provided to a computer system via a network or other (wired, wireless, or a combination of wired or wireless) communication connections, this connection can be understood as a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that cause a general purpose or special purpose computer system to perform a particular function or group of functions. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binary, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.

In addition, the present invention relates to personal computers, laptop computers, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile phones, PDAs, pagers In a network computing environment having various types of computer system configurations, including (pager) and the like, it may be applied to providing advertisements to the computer systems. The invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where both local and remote computer systems that are linked via wired networks, wireless data links, or combinations of wired and wireless data links perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

First, an image retrieval system using an unfinished image according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 is a view for explaining an image retrieval system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image search system includes a search server 100 and a user device 200.

The search server 100 and the user device 200 may transmit and receive data to and from each other through a communication network (NW). For example, the communication network (NW) may include a wireless communication network such as a wireless LAN (WLAN), Wi-Fi, Wibro, Wimax, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), etc. Depending on how the system is implemented, it may also include wired communication networks such as Ethernet, xDSL (ADSL, VDSL), Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Cable (HFC), Fiber to The Curb (FTTC), and Fiber To The Home (FTTH).

In addition, the communication network NW of the present invention may include, for example, a mobile communication network including a plurality of access networks (not shown) and a core network (not shown) connecting them. Here, the access network is a network that performs wireless communication by directly connecting to a terminal, for example, a plurality of base stations such as a base station (BS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a NodeB, an eNodeB, and a base station controller (BSC). It may be implemented as a base station controller such as a Radio Network Controller (RNC). In addition, as described above, the digital signal processing unit and the wireless signal processing unit, which are integrally implemented in the base station, are divided into digital units (hereinafter referred to as DUs and radio units (hereinafter referred to as RUs)). In addition, a plurality of RUs (not shown) may be installed in each of the areas, and a plurality of RUs may be connected to a centralized DU, and a core network (not shown) constituting a mobile network together with an access network may be connected to an external network. It serves to connect networks, for example other communication networks, such as the Internet.

As described above, the core network is a network system that performs main functions for mobile communication services such as mobility control and switching between access networks, and performs circuit switching or packet switching, and performs mobile network. Manage and control the flow of packets within In addition, the core network may manage inter-frequency mobility and may play a role for interworking with traffic in the access network and the core network and other networks such as the Internet network. The core network may further include a serving gateway (SGW), a PDN gateway (PGW), a mobile switching center (MSC), a home location register (HLR), a mobile mobility entity (MME), and a home subscriber server (HSS). It may be.

In addition, the communication network (NW) according to the present invention may include an Internet network. The Internet network refers to a common public communication network, that is, a public network, through which information is exchanged according to the TCP / IP protocol. The search server 100 and the user device 200 interwork with each other through the communication network NW to form an image search system according to the present invention.

Here, the search server 100 is an entity existing on the network, and serves as a web server, a database server, and an application server. According to a preferred embodiment, the search server 100 searches for and provides an image identical or similar to a web server providing a shopping mall web site, a database server storing an image of an item sold on the web site, and an image search word. It can act as an application server. In the following embodiment, it is assumed that the search server 100 is a server that provides an Internet shopping mall service that sells various products. Accordingly, the search server 100 may search for images in the plurality of images stored in the database. Such an image sold in an internet shopping mall may be an image of a product.

In addition, the user device 200 will be described as a representative example of a mobile communication terminal, but the terminal is not limited to the mobile communication terminal, but a variety of information communication devices, multimedia terminals, wired terminals, fixed terminals and IP (Internet Protocol) terminals, etc. Applicable to the terminal. For example, the terminal may be a mobile terminal having various mobile communication specifications such as a mobile phone, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a mobile internet device (MID), a smart phone, a tablet PC, a tablet PC, and an information communication device. Can be advantageously used. As another example, the terminal may be a notebook, a personal computer, or the like.

The user device 200 may request an image search by transmitting the image search word to the search server 100. Accordingly, when the search server 100 receives the image search word, the search server 100 searches for an image that is the same as or similar to the corresponding search word and provides an image search result. The image search result includes a plurality of images. The search server 100 arranges a plurality of images based on the popularity of each of the plurality of images and provides an image search result. Here, the popularity is calculated based on the popular text search word, and is set higher as more recent searches are performed. Therefore, as in the embodiment of the present invention, by providing an image search result according to the popularity, it is possible to make the user can easily see the latest trends, trends related to the image.

Then, the configuration of the search server 100 and the user device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the search server 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search server according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the search server 100 includes a communication module 110, a storage module 120, and a control module 130.

The communication module 110 is for communication with the user device 200. The communication module 110 performs communication for exchanging data including necessary information with the user device 200 when the user device 200 accesses the search server 100. The communication module 110 extracts data from the packet received from the user device 200 and transfers the extracted data to the control module 130. For example, the extracted data may be an image search word. In addition, when the communication module 110 receives a search result including data for transmission from the control module 130 to the user device 200, the communication module 110 configures and transmits the received data into a packet. For example, the received data may be a plurality of images that are image search results.

The storage module 120 stores a program and data necessary for the operation of the search server 100 and may be divided into a program area and a data area. The program area may store a program for controlling the overall operation of the search server 100, an operating system (OS) for booting the search server 100, an application for image processing, an application for image search, and the like. The data area is an area in which data generated according to the operation of the search server 100 and data necessary for the operation of the search server 100 are stored. For example, the search server 100 may be an internet shopping mall. In this case, the storage module 120 stores a plurality of images in a database, and the images stored in the database include product images. In particular, the data stored in the database of the storage module 120 may include a product image of each product category. Such a product image may be an object of an image search. Various data stored in the storage module 120 may be deleted, changed, or added according to a user's manipulation.

The control module 130 may control a general operation of the search server 100 and a signal flow between internal blocks of the search server 100 and may perform a data processing function for processing data. The control module 130 is preferably a central processing unit (CPU). The control module 130 includes a popularity processing module 131 and an image search module 133.

The popularity processing module 131 gives popularity to the plurality of images stored in the database of the storage module 120 based on the popular text search word. To this end, the popularity processing module 131 may collect the popular text search term from a predetermined web site through the communication module 110 and then calculate the popularity of the collected popular text search term.

In addition, the popularity processing module 131 collects a plurality of images corresponding to the popular text search word through the communication module 110, and derives a popular item from the collected plurality of images. The derived popular item may be referred to as an item exposed to the public by the popular text search word. Accordingly, the popularity processing module 131 searches for the same image as the popular item derived from the plurality of images stored in the database, and reflects the popularity calculated in the same image.

The image search module 133 may receive an image search word from the user device 200 through the communication module 110. Then, the image search module 133 performs an image search to detect a plurality of images identical or similar to the received image search word among the plurality of images stored in the database.

In particular, the image retrieval module 133 arranges the plurality of detected images according to the popularity of the image given by the popularity processing module 131. The image search module 133 provides the user device 200 with a search result including a plurality of images arranged through the communication module 110. As such, the present invention provides an image search result according to popularity, so that the user can easily encounter the latest trends, trends, and trends related to the image search word.

Next, the user device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a user device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a communication unit 210, a camera unit 220, an input unit 230, a display unit 240, a storage unit 250, and a controller 260. It includes.

The communication unit 210 is for communication with other devices including the search server 100 and performs communication through various communication connection methods. The communication unit 210 may communicate by selecting any one of various communication connection type communication functions. The communication unit 210 may be implemented by one module or a plurality of modules. For example, the communication unit 210 according to the WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A, etc. according to the broadband mobile communication method to access the network through the base station, according to the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) method using Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) A wireless near field communication method for accessing a network NW through an access point (AP) and performing communication may be used. The communication unit 210 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying a frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver for low noise amplifying and down-converting a received signal. Data received from the controller 260, for example, an image search word may be converted into a wireless signal and transmitted through a wireless channel. In addition, the communication unit 210 may receive a wireless signal including data, for example, an image search result, through a wireless channel, and transmit the data to the controller 260.

The camera unit 220 is for photographing an image. To this end, the camera unit 220 includes at least an image sensor. In the embodiment of the present invention, 'shooting' means generating an image generated by the image sensor of the camera unit 220 as a digital file according to a specific image file format (eg, JPG, PNG, etc.). The image sensor receives light reflected from a subject and converts the light into an electrical signal, and may be implemented based on a Charged Coupled Device (CCD), a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), or the like. The camera unit 220 may further include an analog-to-digital converter, and may convert the analog signal output from the image sensor into a digital signal and output the digital signal to the controller 260.

The input unit 230 receives a key operation of the user for controlling the user device 200, generates an input signal, and transmits the generated input signal to the controller 260. The input unit 230 may include any one of a power key, a numeric key, and a direction key for power on / off, and may be formed as a predetermined function key on one surface of the user device 200. When the display unit 240 is formed of a touch screen, functions of various keys of the input unit 230 may be performed by the display unit 240. When the display unit 240 may perform all functions using only the touch screen, the input unit 230 may be omitted. It may be.

The display unit 240 visually provides a menu, input data, function setting information, and various other information of the user device 200 to the user. In particular, the display unit 240 may display an image captured by the controller unit 260 through the camera unit 220. The display unit 240 outputs various screens such as a boot screen, a standby screen, a menu screen, and the like of the user device 200. The display unit 240 may be formed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), active matrix organic light emitting diodes (AMOLEDs), and the like. Meanwhile, the display unit 240 may be implemented as a touch screen. In this case, the display unit 240 may include a touch sensor, and the controller 260 may detect a user's touch input through the touch sensor. The touch sensor may be configured as a touch sensor such as capacitive overlay, pressure, resistive overlay, infrared beam, or a pressure sensor. . In addition to the above sensors, all kinds of sensor devices capable of detecting contact or pressure of an object may be used as the touch sensor of the present invention. The touch sensor detects a user's touch input, generates a detection signal, and transmits the detected signal to the controller 260. The sensing signal may include coordinate data input by the user. When the user inputs the touch position movement operation, the touch sensor may generate a detection signal including coordinate data of the touch position movement path and transmit the detected signal to the controller 260.

The storage unit 250 stores a program and data necessary for the operation of the user device 200, and may be divided into a program area and a data area. The program area may store a program for controlling the overall operation of the user device 200, an operating system (OS) for booting the user device 200, an application program, and the like. The data area is an area in which data generated according to the use of the user device 200 is stored. In addition, the storage 250 may store various data generated according to the operation of the user device 200.

The controller 260 may control a general operation of the user device 200 and a signal flow between internal blocks of the user device 200, and may perform a data processing function of processing data. The controller 260 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor, a graphic processor (GPU), or the like.

The controller 260 may capture a specific image through the camera unit 220 according to a user's manipulation. The captured image may be used as an image search word. In addition, the controller 260 may access a specific web site through the communication unit 210 and download an image of the web site according to a user's manipulation. The downloaded image may be used as an image search term. The controller 260 selects an image photographed or downloaded through the input unit 230 or the display unit 240 according to a user's operation, and detects an input requesting an image search for the selected image, and includes the corresponding image. The image search request may be transmitted to the search server 100 through the communication unit 210 to perform an image search. The operation of this controller 260 will be described in more detail below.

Next, an image retrieval method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. According to an embodiment of the present invention, before performing an image search, in order to provide an image search result according to popularity, for a plurality of images stored in a search target image, that is, a database of the storage server 120 of the search server 100. Gives popularity. A method of giving such popularity will be described.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of giving popularity to another search target image in an embodiment of the present invention. 5 to 8 are screen examples for explaining a method of giving popularity to a search target image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in operation S110, the popularity processing module 131 accesses a predetermined web site through the communication module 110 and collects a popular text search word. Here, the web site may exemplify a portal site. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any site that provides statistics on text search terms may be a web site collecting popular text search terms according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the popularity processing module 131 calculates a popularity corresponding to the popular text search word collected in step S120. An example of a popular text search term is shown in FIG. 5. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the popular text search word refers to a search word that has increased in search ranking according to a predetermined criterion of a corresponding web site and thus ranks above the predetermined criterion in the ranking of the search word. There are a plurality of popular text search terms, and each of the plurality of popular text search terms has a ranking. Since the holding time of the ranking of each of the popular text search terms is calculated according to a predetermined criterion of the corresponding web site, it varies according to the criterion.

Popularity according to an embodiment of the present invention is weighted mutually in proportion to the search term ranking and the holding time of the ranking.

For example, it is assumed that the ranking of the popular text search word of the site A is counted from 1st to 10th. In this case, it is assumed that 10 points to 1 point are assigned to each of the first to tenth places. In addition, it is assumed that the popular text search word is given one point per time staying in each ranking.

In addition, it is assumed that the text search word "Hong Gil-dong Airport Fashion" ranks first and remains first for about two hours and thirty minutes. In addition, it is assumed that the ranking of the text search word "Sungchunhyang sneakers" is 4th, and maintained 4th for about 6 hours 15 minutes.

In this case, the popularity of the text search word "Hong Gil-dong Airport Fashion" is given 10 points to the first place and 2.5 points to 2 hours and 30 minutes, so that the weighting may be 10 ⅹ 2.5 = 25 points. In addition, the popularity of the text search word "Sungchunhyang sneakers" is given 7 points in the fourth place, 6.25 points in 6 hours 15 minutes can be weighted mutually 7 ⅹ 6.25 = 43.75 points.

Next, the popularity processing module 131 collects an image corresponding to the popular text search word in step S130. The popularity processing module 131 may search a plurality of web sites through popular text search terms and collect a plurality of images posted on the searched plurality of web sites. An example of a web site searched through popular text search terms is shown in FIG. 6. A website searched for "Hong Gil-dong Airport Fashion" could be a news article (n). As shown, news article n includes headline h, article content a, and image m. The popularity processing module 131 may collect an image m from such a web site, that is, a news article n.

Next, the popularity processing module 131 specifies a popular item from the plurality of images collected from the web site searched for by the popular text search word in step S14.

According to an embodiment, the popularity processing module 131 may identify an object corresponding to a popular text search word present in at least one of the collected plurality of images, and determine the identified object as a popular item. For example, it is assumed that an image collected corresponding to the popular text search term "Sungchunhyang sneakers" is as shown in FIG. 7. The popularity processing module 131 first derives the word "sneakers" that refer to an item through character recognition for the text "Sungchunhyang sneakers." Then, the popularity processing module 131 may identify the image "sneakers" corresponding to the word "sneakers" through image recognition of the corresponding image (FIG. 7) and may specify the sneakers image PI as a popular item.

According to the above-described embodiment, a word indicating an item may be derived through character recognition of a popular text search word. However, there may not be a word for a specific item in the popular text search term. For example, in the case of "Hong Gil Dong Airport Fashion", there is no word referring to the item. Therefore, according to another embodiment, the popularity processing module 131 identifies a plurality of objects commonly present in two or more images of the collected plurality of images, and the collected number of the largest number of the identified plurality of common objects. The object existing in the image of the can be determined as a popular item.

For example, it is assumed that the images collected in response to the popular text search term "idol airport fashion" are the same as in FIG. 8 (a), (b) and (c). The popularity processing module 131 identifies common objects through image recognition in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 3C, respectively. Accordingly, it is assumed that the black jeans PI1 are commonly detected in FIGS. 8A and 8C, and that the sneakers PI2 are commonly detected in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 3C. do. Objects present in the largest number of collected plurality of images among the identified common plurality of objects are sneakers (PI2) commonly present in three images, i.e., (a), (b) and (c) of FIG. ), You can determine the sneaker image (PI2) as a popular item.

As described above, when the popular item is determined, the popularity processing module 131 searches for the same image as the popular item among the plurality of images stored in the storage module 120 database in step S150.

Then, the popularity processing module 131 reflects the popularity calculated before the image retrieved in step S160 (step S120). For example, if the text search term "Hong Gil Dong Airport Fashion" has 25 points of popularity and the "Sung Chun Hyang Sneakers" has 43.75 points of popularity, the same image as the popular item corresponding to the text search term "Hong Gil Dong Airport Fashion" reflects 25 points of popularity. 43.75 points of popularity may be reflected in the same image as a popular item corresponding to the search term "Sungchunhyang sneakers".

Next, an image retrieval method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image search method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10 and 11 are diagrams for describing an image retrieval method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the popularity processing module 131 of the control module 130 of the search server 100 gives popularity to a plurality of images stored in the database of the storage module 120 in step S210. The plurality of images stored in the database may be a product image. Here, popularity refers to the degree to which the image is exposed to the public. This indicates, for example, the degree to which the products included in the image are exposed to the public. The popularity of an image according to an embodiment of the present invention is derived from a popular text search term and applied. In this step S210, as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 through 8, popularity is given to a plurality of images stored in the storage module 120 database.

On the other hand, the control unit 260 of the user device 200 generates an image search word in step S220. Here, the image search word may be an image captured by the controller 260 through the camera unit 220 according to a user's operation, or may be an image downloaded from a corresponding web site by accessing a specific web site through the communication unit 210. . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the sneaker image as shown in Fig. 10 is an image search word sw.

Then, the controller 260 transmits the image search word generated through the communication unit 210 to the search server 100 in step S230. Accordingly, the image search module 313 of the search server 100 may receive an image search word through the communication module 110. Then, the image search module 313 performs an image search in step S240 to detect a plurality of images corresponding to the received image search word among the plurality of images stored in the database of the storage module 120. That is, the image search module 313 detects an image identical or similar to the image search word among the plurality of images stored in the database.

Subsequently, the image search module 313 arranges the detected plurality of images according to the popularity of the plurality of images detected in operation S250. The image retrieval module 313 arranges the plurality of detected images such that the highly popular images go to the upper level.

11 illustrates an example of a screen in which a plurality of images of a search result are arranged according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, it is assumed that a plurality of images including the first to fourth images sr1, sr2, sr3, and sr4 corresponding to the image search word sw is searched. Here, it is assumed that the first image sr1 is the same image as the popular item corresponding to the text search term "Sungchunhyang sneakers", and the second image sr2 is the same image as the popular item corresponding to the text search term "Hong Gil-dong airport fashion". . In addition, a popular item corresponding to the text image "Sungchunhyang sneakers" as the first image (sr) is 43.75 points of popularity, and a popular item corresponding to the text search term "Hong Gil-dong airport fashion" as the second image (sr). Assume that 25 points of popularity are given to the same image. On the other hand, it is assumed that the third image sr3 is the same image as the image search word sw, and the fourth image sr4 is an image having the same design but different in color from the image search word sw. It is assumed that the third image sr3 and the fourth image sr4 have zero popularity. In this case, the second image sr2 is disposed second on the first image sr1 according to popularity. In addition, like the third image sr3 and the fourth image sr4, the images having zero popularity included in the search result may be arranged according to the similarity with the search word sw.

On the other hand, the image search results according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to each image, for example, manufacturers of goods such as manufacturers A, B manufacturers, C manufacturers, D manufacturers, for example, SN-001, SN-002, SN- Provide additional identification information for products such as 003 and SN-004. In addition, the image search result may further provide a link to a purchase page for purchasing a corresponding product corresponding to each image.

In particular, image search results may be displayed on popular pages such as "Seongchunhyang sneakers" and "Hong Gil-dong airport fashion," such as the first image sr1 and the second image sr2, which are derived from popular text search terms. Can provide additional links. For example, a link may be provided to the news article n of FIG. 6, which is a related page for the popular text search term "Hong Gil Dong Airport Fashion".

Next, the image search module 133 transmits the image search result to the user device 200 through the communication module 110 in step S260. When the user device 200 receives the image search result, the controller 260 of the user device 200 may display the plurality of images included in the image search result through the display unit 240 in operation S270. The user may easily view the latest trends, trends, and trends in relation to the image search word sw by looking at the image search results as shown in FIG. 11.

As described above, the specification includes the details of a number of specific implementations, but these should not be understood as being limited to the scope of any invention or claimable, but rather may be specific to a particular embodiment of a particular invention. It should be understood as a description of the features. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments may be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, while the features operate in a specific combination and may be depicted as such initially claimed, one or more features from the claimed combination may in some cases be excluded from the combination, the claimed combination being a subcombination. Or a combination of subcombinations.

Likewise, although the operations are depicted in the drawings in a specific order, it should not be understood that such operations must be performed in the specific order or sequential order shown in order to obtain desirable results or that all illustrated operations must be performed. In certain cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. In addition, the separation of the various system components of the above-described embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and the described program components and systems will generally be integrated together into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. It should be understood that it can.

Specific embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order but still achieve desirable results. As an example, the process depicted in the accompanying drawings does not necessarily require that particular illustrated or sequential order to obtain the desired results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

The foregoing description presents the best mode of the invention, and provides examples to illustrate the invention and to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The specification thus produced is not intended to limit the invention to the specific terms presented. Thus, while the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the examples described above, those skilled in the art can make modifications, changes and variations to the examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims rather than by the described embodiments.

The present invention relates to a method for searching for an image using a real-time popular search term and an apparatus therefor. According to the present invention, by deriving the popularity of a search target image based on a real-time popular search term and providing an image search result according to the popularity, Makes it easy for users to see the latest trends, trends, and trends related to the image query. Therefore, the present invention has industrial applicability because the present invention is not only sufficiently commercially available or commercially viable, but also practically clearly implemented.

100: search server 110: communication module
120: storage module 130: control module
131: popularity processing module 133: image search module
200: user device 210: communication unit
220: camera unit 230: input unit
240: display unit 250: storage unit
260: control unit

Claims (10)

Granting popularity to the plurality of images stored in the database by the popularity processing module based on the popular text search term;
Receiving an image search word from a user device by an image search module;
Performing an image search by the image search module to detect a plurality of images corresponding to the received image search word among a plurality of images stored in the database; And
And providing an image search result according to the popularity of the plurality of searched images. The method of claim 1,
The step of giving the search popularity
Collecting the popular text search term;
Calculating a popularity of the popular text search term;
Collecting a plurality of images corresponding to the popular text search term;
Deriving a popular item from the collected plurality of images;
Retrieving an image identical to the popular item from a plurality of images stored in the database;
And reflecting the calculated popularity on the same image. The method of claim 2,
Deriving the popular item
Identifying an object corresponding to a popular text search term present in at least one of the collected plurality of images; And
Determining the identified object as a popular item. The method of claim 2,
Deriving the popular object
Identifying a plurality of objects commonly present in at least two of the collected plurality of images; And
And determining, as a popular item, objects present in the largest number of collected plurality of images among the identified plurality of common objects. The method of claim 2,
The calculating of the popularity
And calculating popularity of the popular text search term in proportion to the ranking of the popular text search term and the holding time of the ranking. A storage module including a database for storing a plurality of images;
A popularity processing module for assigning popularity to the plurality of images based on a popular text search term;
When the image search word is received from the user device, the image search is performed to detect a plurality of images corresponding to the received image search word among the plurality of images stored in the database, and provide an image search result according to the popularity of the searched plurality of images. And an image search module. The method of claim 6,
The popularity processing module
Collect the top text search terms,
Calculate popularity for the popular text query,
Collecting a plurality of images corresponding to the popular text search term,
Derive a popular item from the collected plurality of images,
Searching for the same image as the popular item in a plurality of images stored in the database,
And the calculated popularity is reflected in the same image. The method of claim 7, wherein
The popularity processing module
And identifying an object corresponding to a popular text search word present in at least one of the collected plurality of images, and deriving the identified object as a popular item. The method of claim 7, wherein
The popularity processing module
Identifying a plurality of objects commonly present in two or more images among the collected plurality of images, and deriving objects present in the largest number of collected plurality of images among the identified plurality of common objects as popular items Image retrieval device, characterized in that. The method of claim 7, wherein
The popularity processing module
And calculating a popularity of the popular text search term in proportion to a ranking of a popular text search term and a holding time of the ranking.

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