Reduction of processing time in distributed image database system utilizing directory

This paper describes a new image database system which combines distributed image databases utilizing a directory. The directory was generated to decrease the processing time to retrieve the desired photographic image from the distributed image databases which store a number of photographic images. A prototype of image database system of butterflies was constructed utilizing the directory. When an image database system without utilizing the directory was used, the processing time to obtain the resembled sample images was approximately 35.37 seconds. When the prototype system utilizing the directory was used, the processing time to obtain the resembled sample images was reduced to be approximately 18.36 seconds. On the basis of the result of the experiment, an application of the directory was found to be effective in an image database system which combines large-scale distributed image databases. Utilizing the directory, one can efficiently retrieve the desired image from the distributed image databases with a reduced processing time within a short period time