Microsoft Seeks Patent For "Search By Sketch"

theodp writes "So, how does one search for images that aren't tagged with keywords? Google does offer its sometimes-spotty search by image, but what if you don't have an image handy that looks like what you're searching for? Microsoft, reports GeekWire, offers a solution that's 'a little like playing Pictionary with a search engine — drawing a sketch and seeing if the algorithm can return pictures that match it.' That's the concept behind Microsoft Research's patent-pending 'MindFinder' project, which has already been incorporated into a Windows Phone app called Sketch Match. A patent application made public Thursday notes that touch computing makes sketching easier than ever, making one wonder if we'll be 'giving Bing the finger' with Windows 8!"

Testing would be interesting

[Rogerborg]

Could they make it work for the 5% of sketches that aren't boobs or dongs?

Re:Testing would be interesting

[mwvdlee]

They'll just return the same nude picture on every search and claim 95% accuracy.

My first thought

[subreality]

Oh please [sketch sketch] let there be porn like this [scribble]

Re:My first thought

[Guppy]

Oh please [sketch sketch] let there be porn like this [scribble]

Now pipe 4chan to it, and watch Microsoft's server commit suicide by setting itself on fire.