A method and apparatus for ontology-based classification of media content
are provided. With the method and apparatus, initial confidence values of
classifiers in a hierarchical classification structure are modified based
on relationships between classifiers. A confidence value for a classifier
is boosted by a boosting factor based on a correspondence between the
confidence value and confidence values of ancestor classifiers in the
hierarchical classification structure. A confidence value for a
classifier is modified by a confusion factor based on a correspondence
between the confidence value of the classifier and the confidence values
of mutually exclusive classifiers in the hierarchical classification
structure. In this way, a more accurate representation of the actual
confidence that media content falls within the classification associated
with the classifier is obtained. From this improved classification
mechanism, indices for media content may be generated for use in
accessing the media content at a later time.