By sequentially inputting images for each frame, sequentially extracting
features from the inputted frame images, converting the features
sequentially extracted into a feature series corresponding to the
inputted frame image series, compressing the feature series in the
direction of the time axis, storing the compressed feature series in the
storage, sequentially extracting features separately from the images to
be retrieved for each inputted frame, sequentially comparing the features
of the images to be retrieved for each frame with the stored compressed
feature series, storing the progress state of this comparison, updating
the stored progress state of the comparison on the basis of a comparison
result with the frame features of the succeeding images to be retrieved,
and retrieving image scenes matching with the updated progress state from
the images to be retrieved on the basis of the comparison result between
the updated progress state and the features of the images to be retrieved
for each frame, the present invention can retrieve video images on the
air or video images in the data base at high speed and enables self
organization of video to be classified and arranged on the basis of the
identity of partial images of video.