A two‐level signature file based on a block‐oriented data model for spatial match retrieval

Signature file methods have good retrieval properties and require little storage overhead. Applying a signature file method to the retrieval of images from iconic image databases can reduce the number of blocks to be examined when answering a query and can thus save processing time. The main concern in the construction of signature files is how to minimize the average false drop rate to avoid unnecessary accesses. In this paper, we propose a two‐level signature file system for spatial match retrieval based on a block‐oriented data model. An algorithm is presented to determine a set of good integer solutions in the signature size assignment problem. In addition, our signature file system has taken into consideration a flexible solution to the false drop problem and other realistic factors.