Other

1998

The Visual Information Retrieval (VIR) Image Engine is a set of libraries for analyzing and comparing the visual content of images. VIR adds a visual element to the process of searching for images, and it allows users to perform meaningful searches against thousands of images long before the time-consuming and subjective process of manual keywording has begun. VIR also provides a level of intuitiveness and ease of use that has long been lacking in systems set up to store and retrieve digital images. While the VIR Image Engine is intended for sophisticated users, Virage has tried to facilitate this integration by partnering with the leaders in the database management system field to make our technology an integral part of their image-retrieval capabilities. The VIR Image Engine is found in a data cartridge for Oracle, a DataBlade for Informix, as well as being integrated into databases from Sybase, Object Design, and Objectivity. In addition to these preintegrated offerings, developers can optimize the VIR Image Engine to interact with both their own database and their user interface. They can also integrate the Image Read/Write Toolkit into their application to allow it to read and write all common industry-standard image formats.