Via ResourceShelf
http://www.resourceshelf.com/2006/10/02/askcom-offers-new-ways-to-narrow-and-focus-image-searches/

As we mentioned in an earlier post, in 2003 Ask.com began to deliver images results after looking at the context of a WEB SEARCH query placed in the WEB SEARCH BOX.

If http://www.ask.com/web?q=pics+golden+gate+bridge&qsrc=0&o=333&l=dir

the query suggested that the searcher was looking for imagery, images from the Ask image database were returned on the web results page. Other web engines began providing this useful feature last year.

ack then, Ask purchased it’s image database from a third party but since January 2006, Ask uses its own crawl and now also features Zoom Related results. Now, Ask is beginning to beta test (early stages at that) some new ways of searching for images DIRECTLY from the web search page. Remember, many people don’t know that image databases are available.

Now directly from the WEB SEARCH box you can search things like:

+ logos of Oakland Raiders
http://www.ask.com/web?q=logos+of+oakland+raiders&qsrc=0&o=333&l=dir

+ sculptures of lions
http://www.ask.com/web?q=sculptures+of+lions&qsrc=1&o=333&l=dir

+ sketches of ships
http://www.ask.com/web?q=sketches+of+ships&qsrc=1&o=333&l=dir

+drawings
http://pictures.ask.com/pictures?q=harry+truman+drawings&qsrc=8

+ watercolors of flowers
http://www.ask.com/web?q=flowers+watercolors&qsrc=1&o=333&l=dir

Of course, every web result set of images provides a direct link to the image database for more results (if available).

Again, what's new here is that you can run these queries from the web search box and get more precise image results.

This is just the beginning. Many more new ways to trigger image results are in the works as Ask.com also works to improves what’s already available.

And as Monty Python said..."and now for something completely different."

   A common "ready reference" query in the U.S. is what's the Zip Code.
So here's a search for Zip Code Springfield. I didn't specify a state since
Springfield is a very common city name.

Zip Codes Springfield
http://www.ask.com/web?q=zip+codes+springfield&qsrc=0&o=333&l=dir

First, notice the Zip for Springfield, MA. However, this city has many Zips. So, note the link to the USPS for a complete set of Zips for the city.
Then, notice the pulldown for a list of other cities named Springfield.
Select one, let's say Springfield, Ohio and now that info and a link to all Zips is made available.

Sounds good! I tried [time cover] and [van gogh painting] but no direct image popped up. (For reference, no direct image result pops up in Google web search either for these two.)