PURPOSE: A method for searching a content-based image using a sketch characteristic is provided to search an image stored in database by comparing a boundary line of the image stored in the database with a boundary line of an inputted image. CONSTITUTION: A processor checks whether a multitude of reference image is provided or not(201). A sketch of the reference image is extracted from one of the reference images by using an anisotropic diffusion method(202). A boundary line is extracted by connecting boundaries of the reference image with a line or a curve(203). An indistinct line is removed from the original reference image(204). A characteristic boundary line is converted to a characteristic value of the reference image and the characteristic value is stored in a database(205). A storing state of the characteristic value is checked(206). The next reference image is inputted(207). An image search request and a database search request from a user are checked(208). A requested image is inputted and a characteristic value of the requested image is extracted(209). A similarity is obtained by comparing the characteristic value of the reference image with the characteristic value of the requested image(210). The similarity is compared with a threshold value(211). The corresponding reference image is output(213).
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