Picture algebra for interface with pictorial database systems

An integrated approach for a pictorial database system is proposed. It will handle the non-pictorial data and pictorial data in a uniform way in order to allow for greater flexibility for pictorial information retrieval. The distinction of logical view and physical view of picture ob jects is discussed. A picture algebra is defined to manipulate the areal picture object, linear picture object, point picture object, and even the combination of these picture objects. In addition physical zooming as magnification of picture object, logical zooming technique is more important to navigate into the detailed description of this picture object or to browsing among the similar picture of the reference picture. Hierarchical representation for the handling of spatial data in order to fit logical zooming technique and the materization of the logical picture to physical picture ready for display are also included in picture algebra.