Abstract: System and method for determining the presence of an object of interest in a target data set. Portions of a target data set may be located that match an object of interest, e.g., in a template data set, with respect to various information, e.g., edge or boundary information. The invention includes improved methods for mapping point sets or curves to new point sets or curves for curve matching. The method determines the presence of an object of interest in a target data set despite of or using various types of topological transformations of the object of interest in the target data set. One or more mapping operators are determined based on template curves and/or example target curves. Pattern matching is performed on one or more target data sets using the mapping operator(s) to generate pattern matching results, and the pattern matching results output.

Abstract: A simple digital holographic apparatus and method allow reconstruction of three-dimensional objects with a very narrow depth of focus or high axial resolution. A number of holograms are optically generated using different wavelengths spaced at regular intervals. They are recorded, such as on a digital camera, and are reconstructed numerically. Multiwavelength interference of the holograms results in contour planes of very small thickness and wide separation. Objects at different distances from the hologram plane are imaged clearly and independently with complete suppression of the out-of-focus images. The technique is uniquely available only in digital holography and has applications in holographic microscopy.

Abstract: Flexible and efficient systems and methods for organizing, analyzing, and processing digital ink incrementally analyze input data (e.g., representing ink strokes) as the user continues to add to, edit, or modify the data. In this manner, processing is performed promptly as the ink is entered, and the processing system and method can effectively keep up with the user. This prevents long processing delays, because the systems and methods need not first process a large volume of ink data present after the user has entered has completely filled a page with ink.

Abstract: A personal identification apparatus is disclosed by which personal identification can be performed making use of an impulse response obtained from a pulse signal transmitted by a living organism. A pulse generation section generates a pulse, and a speaker applies the pulse amplified by an amplifier to a finger of a user touching with the speaker and a microphone. The pulse signal is transmitted to the microphone with an attenuation characteristic that depends upon, for example, a transmission distance that depends upon the length and the thickness of the finger and characteristics of the living organism such as the thickness of the flesh and the bone density. A data synthesis processing section synthesizes the pulse and an impulse received by the microphone and amplified by an amplifier. A template recording section records a template to be used as a reference of discrimination in an authentication process together with a user ID and so forth.

Abstract: Methods, systems and user interfaces for providing feedback to a user based on recognition of character-based ink input are provided. A first feedback is provided to the user to indicate a character as which ink input by the user is recognized. The first feedback is displayed in proximity to the displayed input ink so that the user knows to which ink character the first feedback corresponds. A second feedback may optionally also be provided indicating a correctness of the recognized ink input, as compared to a predefined correct value such as a correct word game solution or answer, by displaying the input ink in one format to indicate that the recognized value is correct, and by displaying the input ink in a second format to indicate that the recognized value is incorrect.

Abstract: A method of determining segments in a series of images based on previous segmentation results and on motion estimation. A second segment (108) of a second image (106) is determined based on a first segment (102) of a first image (100), with the first segment (102) and the second segment (108) corresponding to one object (104). The method comprises a calculation step to compare values of pixels of the first image (100) and the second image (106) in order to calculate a motion model which defines the transformation of the first segment (102) into the second segment (108). An example of such a motion model allows only translation. Translation can be described with one motion vector (110).

Abstract: A personal authentication system of this invention has a card reader, in which a bar code reading device for reading a two-dimensional barcode containing personal data, a CMOS image sensor for producing face data by photographing the face of a person, and a fingerprint reading device for producing fingerprint data by reading the fingerprint of the person are assembled as one unit. A personal computer performs a projection transform and a brightness correction to the barcode read by the card reader for acquiring accurate data. Then, the personal data, the face data, and the fingerprint data are compared with database for authenticating the person. Therefore, this invention achieves more accurate personal authentication and leads to improved security.

Abstract: A character recognition method is provided, in which the method includes the steps of: picking up images in a motion picture by changing brightness for each image; extracting a character area from each image; recognizing at least one character in the character area by performing a matching process between the character area and dictionary images for each image, and determining a character recognition result for each image; and selecting a final character recognition result of which the matching degree is the highest from the character recognition results of the images. Accordingly, even when a character is too dark to recognize due to shadows in the daytime or a character is too bright to recognize due to irradiation in the nighttime, the character can be recognized by using images having differing brightness.

Abstract: A system for performing face registration and authentication using face information, and a method thereof. A set of readily distinguishable features for each user is selected at a registration step and only the set of features selected at the registration step is used at a face authentication step, whereby memory use according to unnecessary information and amount of data calculation for face authentication can be reduced. Thus, the present system has an advantage in that identity authentication through face authentication can be performed even under restricted environments of a USB token or smart card with limited resources. The present system further has advantages in that authentication performance is improved, as readily distinguishable feature information is used, and the time for face authentication is reduced, as face authentication is performed using the SVM built by using the optimal set of readily distinguishable features at a training step.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic fingerprint identification method. In the method according to the invention, identification is executed in three phases. In coarse alignment (32), fingerprints are compared using a few reference points. In fine alignment (33), coincidence of fingerprint minutiae are used to find the best fingerprint matching transformation. In the matching phase (34), individual minutiae of the fingerprint examined are matched against a known template. Parameters are computed from the matching minutiae and used in making the final identification.

Abstract: Sprite identification in animated sequences is achieved by performing three separate but related procedures, namely (i) identification of the sprite, (ii) identification of the background and (iii) identification of the identified sprite's translation path. By analyzing a sequence of frames, sprite definition is first established. Then, using the definition of the sprite, a determination is made of the background image and translation path taken. This analysis allows the animated sequence to be compressed in a format in which the background and the sprites are separately identified.

Abstract: A method and digital camera are disclosed for capturing a complete set of image data for a three-dimensional target object by capturing image data from multiple images from different perspectives of the target object. The camera captures an image of the object from an initial perspective. Based on image data retrieved from the image, discontinuous edges of the object are identified for the initial perspective. The camera continues capturing image data for the object by capturing images from different perspectives, until complete image data is obtained. As each image is captured, the camera attempts to resolve discontinuous edges identified in any of the images. If all of the discontinuous edges cannot be resolved, then another image of the target object is captured from another perspective. When all of the discontinuous edges are resolved, the camera indicates that complete image data has been obtained, using an indicator.

Abstract: Electronic ink layout analysis systems and methods provide flexibility and efficiency in organizing, analyzing, and processing digital ink. These layout analysis systems and methods allow users substantial freedom in entering electronic ink into a pen-based computer system. Using these systems and methods, a user's input digital ink is not constrained by requirements that a user write in a specific screen orientation, that a user write in one specific orientation on all portions of a page, or that a user write using a specific minimum or maximum sized stroke. Rather, the systems and methods freely allow the user to write anywhere on a given page, in any orientation or size, while still enabling effective and efficient handwriting recognition and other processing of the input digital ink.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for enhancing digital image data is to be know as DarbeeVision™, or DVn™ for short, and includes a method and an apparatus for enhancing images by embedding three-dimensional information into them. It works for movies, TV, videogames, print—in fact, for any image—whether from natural sources or generated by a computer. By combining the information contained in two source images, one for each eye, the DarbeeVision algorithm adds significant additional information content to any ordinary two-dimensional image. As a result DarbeeVision strikingly enhances images visually, imparting a strong sense of depth that is particularly pronounced when viewing moving images. The DarbeeVision method for enhancing images and the apparatus for implementing the method can be used during image recording and as a post-production procedure.

Abstract: A method for preventing abduction of a person, the method includes the steps of capturing a first image of a first adult and a first person upon entering a premises; inputting the captured first image in a database; capturing a second image of a second adult and a second person upon exiting the premises; and comparing the first and second images for predetermined characteristics for validating that the first adult associated with the first person in the first image is the same as the second adult associated with the second person in the second image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for document image decoding incorporating a Stack algorithm improve document image decoding. The application of the Stack algorithm is iterated to improve decoding. A provisional weight is determined for a partial path to reduce template matching. In addition, semantically equivalent hypotheses are identified to reduce redundant hypotheses.

Abstract: A marginal distribution feature extraction unit 20 sequentially focuses on each pixel in a reference image and the corresponding pixel in an inspection image, and computes a marginal distribution feature value indicative of the spatial variation in pixel values in the focus pixel neighborhood in both images. Based on this marginal distribution feature value, a tolerance image generation selection unit 26 sets a tolerance range for the reference image or inspection image focus pixel with the less spatial variation. A target image selection unit 30 selects the image comprising pixels from both images for which a tolerance range is not set as a target image. Referencing the set tolerance ranges, a comparison operator 34 compares each pixel in the target image and tolerance image, and outputs a difference Sub representing how far the pixel values of the target image are from the respective tolerance range.

Abstract: An electronic ink object is preprocessed for improving handwriting recognition results. An electronic ink object, possibly having multiple lines of non-horizontal ink, is preprocessed by segmenting or separating the electronic ink object into one or more lines, computing a writing angle of each line, and rotating each line so that it is horizontal.

Abstract: A technique which can generate stable virtual page marks even in a non-OCR form to stably identify the form. Key segments which can be stably detected within a form are predefined for the detection of virtual page marks, and the virtual page marks (circumscribed rectangle) are generated on the basis of the key segments. Redundancy is bestowed on the detection of the key segments, and substitute segments are defined so as to generate the virtual page marks on the basis of them even in a case where the key segment has failed to be detected due to a stain, a partial lack or the like.