Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting for a distortion in a mammogram. The method comprises classifying pixels as either likely fat or likely not-fat. The method further comprises identifying a candidate distortion and calculating a histogram of the likely fat and the likely not-fat pixels at the candidate distortion. The method further comprises evaluating a quality of the candidate distortion based on features of the histograms of pixel values in the fat and dense tissue classes. The distortion may be a two dimensional tilt of the plates or a three dimensional deformation of the plates as in a bend.

Abstract: A method of determining an amount of at least one molecular species in a sample from an image of the sample captured by an image acquisition device is provided, each molecular species being indicated by a dye. A dye space representation of a plurality of dyes is formed by orthogonally adding the correspondence tables of the dyes, each correspondence table having a plurality of normalized RGB triplets and incrementally extending from 0% to 100% transmittance. The dye space representation has one dimension for each dye and provides a reference model for a combination of the plurality of dyes. Each pixel of an image of the sample stained with the combination of the plurality of dyes is compared to the reference model, each pixel having a color defined by an RGB triplet, so as to determine an optimal combination of normalized RGB triplets from the respective correspondence tables of the dyes producing the color of the respective pixel.

Abstract: A method of automatically optimizing medical three-dimensional visualizations is providing, including isolating a plurality of anatomical structures within the medical three-dimensional visualization (40), calculating the number of ray intersects, that intersect more than one of the plurality of anatomical structures, for a plurality of casting angles (42), selecting an optimum casting angle that minimizes said ray intersects from one of said plurality casting angles (44), and displaying the optimized medical three-dimensional visualization from said optimized casting angle (48).

Abstract: A method for analyzing biomechanical conformation of the lower leg and hoof of animals, for example a horse, from images (photographs, radiographs, etc) is described. In particular, there is provided a method to analyze images that may include certain scale markers. A user may be guided to pick certain key points in the images, from which a special set of biomechanical parameters may be computed. Using these parameters, the conformation of the hoof and leg can be analyzed in various ways, including comparison to a database of other animals, tracking changes over time, or by means of quantitative scoring rules.

Abstract: A semantic object tracking method tracks general semantic objects with multiple non-rigid motion, disconnected components and multiple colors throughout a vector image sequence. The method accurately tracks these general semantic objects by spatially segmenting image regions from a current frame and then classifying these regions as to which semantic object they originated from in the previous frame. To classify each region, the method perform a region based motion estimation between each spatially segmented region and the previous frame to computed the position of a predicted region in the previous frame. The method then classifies each region in the current frame as being part of a semantic object based on which semantic object in the previous frame contains the most overlapping points of the predicted region. Using this method, each region in the current image is tracked to one semantic object from the previous frame, with no gaps or overlaps.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating transfer functions for use in volume rendering of three-dimensional data of an object volume. The method comprises obtaining the three-dimensional data of the object volume, evaluating selected characteristics for a plurality of samples of the three-dimensional data and computing a transfer function range for volume rendering the three-dimensional data based on the selected characteristics. The system comprises an imaging device and an image processing device. The image processing device is adapted to generate at least one three-dimensional image data set of the object volume based on obtained image data and is further adapted to compute a transfer function range for use in volume rendering.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing motion image information, which can compress data that can be subjected to predictive encoding. An image within a frame is divided into blocks before an inter-frame compression procedure begins, and each block is approximated with a single plane represented by at least three components for pixels within each block. Pixels between the original image and the image expanded after compressed can be compared, and when a pixel that causes greater difference than a given parameter to occur exists, intra-frame compression is performed using a smaller block size. Furthermore, when the respective I blocks, which are spatially divided, are dispersed between each frame along the temporal axis, no I block is inserted into any block within the frame that has been updated due to difference between frames being greater than parameter P during a designated period of time.

Abstract: An object detecting method, object detecting apparatus and intruding object monitoring apparatus employing the object detecting method. A predetermined monitor area having no object to be detected is imaged by an imaging device and reference background sequential images are registered in advance in a storage unit. When monitoring, the predetermined monitor area is imaged by the imaging device while at the same time sequentially outputting the images frame by frame from the imaging device, a reference background image corresponding to the image from the imaging device is selected from the reference background sequential images, subtraction processing is carried out between the image from the imaging device and a corresponding reference background image, and the object detecting processing is carried out based on the result of subtraction processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved Internet camera is described. The method comprises capturing an image and determining if the image has changed. If the image has changed, sending the image to a server, and if the image has not changed with a period, sending a heartbeat to indicate continued functionality of the camera.

Abstract: A method for embedding digital watermark data in digital data contents includes the steps of obtaining a frequency coefficient of block data of digital data contents, obtaining a complexity of the block data, obtaining an amount of transformation of the frequency coefficient from the complexity and the digital watermark data, and embedding the digital watermark data by transforming the frequency coefficient. In addition, a method for reading digital watermark data includes the steps of calculating a probability of reading ‘1’ or ‘0’ in a read bit sequence by using a test method on the basis of binary distribution, determining the presence or absence of digital watermark data according to the probability, and reconstituting digital watermark data. Another method includes the steps of performing soft decision in code theory by assigning weights to the digital watermark sequence with a weighting function, and reconstituting digital watermark data.

Abstract: Segmentation techniques are used in methods for embedding and detecting digital watermarks in multimedia signals, such as images, video and audio. A digital watermark embedder segments a media signal into arbitrary shaped regions based on a signal characteristic, such as a similarity measure, texture measure, shape measure or luminance or other color value extrema measure. The attributes of these regions are then used to adapt an auxiliary signal such that it is more effectively hidden in the media signal. In one example implementation, the segmentation process takes advantage of a human perceptibility model to group samples of a media signal into contiguous regions based on their similarities. Attributes of the region, such as its frequency characteristics, are then adapted to the frequency characteristics of a desired watermark signal. One embedding method adjusts a feature of the region to embed elements of an auxiliary signal, such as an error correction encoded message signal.

Abstract: Systems and method for organizing information relating to the design of polymer probe array chips including oligonucleotide array chips. A database model is provided which organizes information interrelating probes on a chip, genomic items investigated by the chip, and sequence information relating to the design of the chip. The model is readily translatable into database languages such as SQL. The database model scales to permit storage of information about large numbers of chips having complex designs.

Abstract: A scanning system includes a hand-held scanning device that generates two-dimensional images of a pattern reflected off an object. The system also includes a memory and processing unit. The memory stores a calibration table for the scanner and received scanned bitmap images. The processing unit generates three-dimensional information as to a scanned object. The scanning can be performed without knowledge or even precise control of the position of the object relative to the scanner. Random movement of the object during scanning is also possible. For example, the scanner is simply swept over the surface of the object by hand. Three-dimensional information of the object is obtained from the captured images using a calibration table for the scanner. A method of calibration of the scanner in X, Y and Z directions is also described. The scanner can be used for a variety of purposes, including medical and industrial purposes.

Abstract: A method of correcting scatter includes obtaining a voxellized representation of a 3D image of an object from a plurality of projection data. A single scatter profile for the object is calculated using the voxellized representation of the 3D image of the object. A total scatter profile for the object is determined using the single scatter profile and an adjustment factor and the projection data is corrected using the total scatter profile to obtain a scatter corrected projection data. A beam hardening correction method includes simulating a number of attenuation data for an x-ray spectrum, at least one object material, and a detector spectral response. A function is fitted to the attenuation data to obtain an attenuation curve. A number of projection data for an object are corrected using the attenuation curve to obtain a number of beam hardening corrected projection data. A corrected image of the object is reconstructed from the beam hardening corrected image data.

Abstract: Optically scanned data forms an image stored in a computer memory represented as an array having at least two dimensions. The stored image is subjected to virtual scanning. Thus a subset of the array is defined as a portion of the image having first and second dimensions. The value of the subset is derived, the subset is then incremented, and the value of the incremented subset is determined. The steps of incrementing and deriving the value of the incremented subset are repeated. The derived values of the data are compared to a calibrated standard, to create adjusted values of data. The adjusted data values, in the case of electrophoresis, represent the scanned sample which has been subjected to electrophoresis. Thereafter, the adjusted data values can be integrated or otherwise processed.

Abstract: A scanning system includes a hand-held scanning device that generates two-dimensional images of a pattern reflected off an object. The system also includes a memory and processing unit. The memory stores a calibration table for the scanner and received scanned bitmap images. The processing unit generates three-dimensional information as to a scanned object. The scanning can be performed without knowledge or even precise control of the position of the object relative to the scanner. Random movement of the object during scanning is also possible. For example, the scanner is simply swept over the surface of the object by hand. Three-dimensional information of the object is obtained from the captured images using a calibration table for the scanner. A method of calibration of the scanner in X, Y and Z directions is also described. The scanner can be used for a variety of purposes, including medical and industrial purposes.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises, in order to judge an image prohibited by law from being printed at high speed, a judgment unit for judging for each predetermined area whether or not an output requested image includes information indicating that the image is a judgment object image; and a determination unit for determining the predetermined area for each predetermined distance with respect to the output requested image.

Abstract: A video compression and decompression system has an input to receive an encoded video sequence and an output for a decoded video sequence. A video decoder is coupled to the input and decode the received encoded video sequence. A filter module is coupled to the video decoder and the output and filters the decoded video sequence from the video decoder. The filter module has a variable filter strength that is a function of detected motion activity within the video sequence. The filter module filters coding artifacts, such as mosquito artifacts and blocking artifacts from the decoded video sequence so that the displayed video is more pleasing for a viewer's eyes.

Abstract: In a measurement processing apparatus for measuring a geometric feature of an object image: a measurement-reference-element setting unit automatically sets at least one first measurement reference element for use in measurement of the geometric feature of the object image, at at least one first position on the object image based on first image data representing the object image and position information indicating at least one second position of at least one second measurement reference element which is set on a measurement reference image corresponding to the object image; and a geometric-feature measurement unit measures the geometric feature of the object image based on the at least one first position of the at least one first measurement reference element.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus 1 to be installed in a vehicle, there are set a plurality of pixels by means of dividing a detection space around a vehicle into sub-divisions. One or more sensors 11 capture detection information DS pertaining to the state of inside of the detection space. A parameter conversion section 12 produces first parameters pertaining to an object located in the pixel on the basis of the detection information DS for each sensor 11, and assigns the first parameters to each pixel. The parameter integration section 15 integrates the first parameters assigned to the pixel on a per-pixel basis, and assigns to the pixel a second parameter which is the result of integration of the first parameters. A processing execution section 25 performs an adaptive task pertaining to vehicle control, through use of integration information MD2 consisting of the second parameters assigned to all pixels or through use of control information DC based on the integration control information MD2.