Color quantization and its impact on color histogram based image retrieval accuracy

The comparison of color histograms is one of the most widely used techniques for content-based image retrieval. Before establishing a color histogram in a defined model (RGB, HSV or others), a process of quantization is often used to reduce the number of used colors. In this paper, we present the results of an experimental investigation studying the impact of this process on the accuracy of research results and thus will determine the number of intensities most appropriate for a color quantization for the best accuracy of research through tests applied on an image database of 500 color images.