Learning object categories from Google's image search

Current approaches to object category recognition require datasets of training images to be manually prepared, with varying degrees of supervision. We present an approach that can learn an object category from just its name, by utilizing the raw output of image search engines available on the Internet. We develop a new model, TSI-pLSA, which extends pLSA (as applied to visual words) to include spatial information in a translation and scale invariant manner. Our approach can handle the high intra-class variability and large proportion of unrelated images returned by search engines. We evaluate the models on standard test sets, showing performance competitive with existing methods trained on hand prepared datasets

A visual category filter for Google images

We extend the constellation model to include heterogeneous parts which may represent either the appearance or the geometry of a region of the object. The pans and their spatial configuration are learnt simultaneously and automatically, without supervision, from cluttered images. We describe how this model can be employed for ranking the output of an image search engine when searching for object categories. It is shown that visual consistencies in the output images can be identified, and then used to rank the images according to their closeness to the visual object category. Although the proportion of good images may be small, the algorithm is designed to be robust and is capable of learning in either a totally unsupervised manner, or with a very limited amount of supervision. We demonstrate the method on image sets returned by Google's image search for a number of object categories including bottles, camels, cars, horses, tigers and zebras

CHORUS Deliverable 2.1: State of the Art on Multimedia Search Engines

Based on the information provided by European projects and national initiatives related to multimedia search as well as domains experts that participated in the CHORUS Think-thanks and workshops, this document reports on the state of the art related to multimedia content search from, a technical, and socio-economic perspective. The technical perspective includes an up to date view on content based indexing and retrieval technologies, multimedia search in the context of mobile devices and peer-to-peer networks, and an overview of current evaluation and benchmark inititiatives to measure the performance of multimedia search engines. From a socio-economic perspective we inventorize the impact and legal consequences of these technical advances and point out future directions of research

Trademark Searching Tools and Strategies: Questions for the New Millennium

The intent of this discussion is to raise questions about trademark searching which will be discussed in future issues of IDEA. I will lead you through the questions raised by my journey through primarily legal literature in treatises and periodicals on the Lexis and Westlaw platforms

TechNews digests: Jan - Mar 2010

TechNews is a technology, news and analysis service aimed at anyone in the education sector keen to stay informed about technology developments, trends and issues. TechNews focuses on emerging technologies and other technology news. TechNews service : digests september 2004 till May 2010 Analysis pieces and News combined publish every 2 to 3 month

The Open University Library in your pocket

The Open University library is working to support mobile learners through provision of mobile access to information management skills tutorials, the library website, and the library helpdesk. In 2007, we joined hands with the Athabasca University library team to develop the first mobile-friendly version of our library website. Since then, we have been actively researching and developing around other mobile library services, and more recently have consulted users to identify their requirements and what services they–d prefer to access through mobile phones. Recommendations from this user consultation (and from other sources, including regular users' feedback and by tracking user behavior through Google Analytics) include revamping the mobile version of the Library website to offer only the most used services on the home page, implementing SMS (Short Messaging Service) such as loan reminders or library reference service, and developing a consolidated search to offer results from various sources including the library catalogue and e-journals collection

The Half-Fairness of Google\u27s Plan to Make the World\u27s Collection of Books Searchable

Google\u27s major new initiative is to undertake the task of digitizing the world\u27s collection of books so as to make them searchable. The very idea is audacious, but what is more so is that Google plans to copy without first seeking the permission of the owners of these works. Google Print would make available what is, by conventional measures at least, the highest grade of information--books produced by millions of the world\u27s leading scholars. This is in stark contrast to the inconsistent quality spectrum one encounters through other online sources such as peer-to-peer networks and blogs, where there currently exists little mechanism for peer review or other means of quality control. What Google proposes to do is either the largest example of copyright infringement in history or the largest example of fair use in history.[...] Two major lawsuits have been filed against Google. The American Association of University Presses, which represents 125 university presses, has sued Google, seeking a declaration that Google is committing copyright infringement by scanning books and an injunction against Google Print. A second lawsuit, a class action representing published authors and The Authors Guild, seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and money damages as well. The outcome of these lawsuits is far from clear and the stakes are huge.[...] Part I of this Article will set out the complex set of facts leading up to the filing of the Google Print lawsuit. Part II will examine the legal and doctrinal issues presented by these facts. I will argue that plaintiffs have a solid prima facie case for massive copyright infringement on a scale never before seen. Google, however, will be able to counter with a compelling and innovative use of the fair use defense. Part III will begin to develop an economic and policy framework for examining and debating the various policy issues raised by the Google Print project and by internet search engines more generally. This analysis will seek to answer important questions regarding the shape and structure that regulation of internet search engines should take. I will argue that courts seeking to maximize social welfare should adopt a bifurcated approach under which fair use rights are accorded to Google with respect to the copyright holders of orphan works, but not with respect to the holders of non-orphan works. This approach is necessary to deal with the legacy problem presented by orphan works created with non-digital technologies, and thus, associated with a more onerous set of transaction costs attached to their accessibility. On a going-forward basis, however, creators of works will be properly incentivized under the approach developed here to protect their works. Thus, over time, a non-bifurcated regime of regulation will emerge. This will perhaps delay, but not impede, the development of Google Print, or a functional equivalent, and will foster the development of a richer market in books and creative works more generally