International Business Machines Corporation
Dialog-based image retrieval with contextual information

Abstract:

A method includes: receiving initial input from a client at least partially specifying one or more characteristics sought by the client; selecting a set of images from an image database for output to the client; and determining after each set of images whether an end condition has occurred. The method also includes, until the end condition has occurred: responsive to each set of images output to the client, receiving additional input from the client further specifying the one or more characteristics sought by the client; and responsive to each input received from the client, selecting another set of images for presentation to the client, said set of images being determined to at least partially satisfy the one or more characteristics specified by all input received from the client, said determination being based at least in part on side information for respective images for at least the set of images.