Abstract: First and second image data is captured comprising a first and second image, respectively. A fixed light source is identified in each of the first and second images. A first ground plane is determined in the first image data. A first (second) intersection is determined, wherein the first (second) intersection is a point in the first image where a virtual lamp post corresponding to the fixed light source in the first (second) image intersects with the first (second) ground plane. The first image data and the second image data are transformed to provide a first and second inverse perspective map (IPM) comprising a first transformed intersection and a second transformed intersection, respectively. Movement parameters are determined based on the location of the first transformed intersection in the first IPM and the location of the second transformed intersection in the second IPM.

Abstract: Methods and systems for model reduction and system identification of dynamic systems with multiple inputs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a plurality of statistically independent random ntunbers for use as input signals, and performing a singular-value-decomposition directly on the system response due to a simultaneous excitation of the plurality of input signals. Alternate embodiments further includes sampling individual pulse responses for the first two time steps, and constructing Hankel-like matrices from which the state-space system matrices (A, B, C, D) are obtained. Since the system response is sampled almost exclusively for the single representative input, the model construction time is significantly reduced, especially for a large-scaled dynamic systems. The plurality of input signals may be filtered tbrough a low-pass filter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of reducing the mosquito noise in a decoded image by using a noise reduction algorism that does not depend on the compression coding algorism applied to the image to be improved. The decoded compression-coded digital image is divided into blocks. The standard deviation or the “variance coefficient” of luminance values is calculated for each block of the decoded compression-coded digital image. An ? matrix for the compression-coded digital image is composed so that all components of each block of the ? matrix is filled with the standard deviations or the variance coefficients for each block. An ? filter is composed so that its ? values are expressed by the ? matrix. The decoded compression-coded digital image is applied to the ? filter to reduce the mosquito noise that arises during decoding process.

Abstract: A multiple camera tracking system for interfacing with an application program running on a computer is provided. The tracking system includes two or more video cameras arranged to provide different viewpoints of a region of interest, and are operable to produce a series of video images. A processor is operable to receive the series of video images and detect objects appearing in the region of interest. The processor executes a process to generate a background data set from the video images, generate an image data set for each received video image, compare each image data set to the background data set to produce a difference map for each image data set, detect a relative position of an object of interest within each difference map, and produce an absolute position of the object of interest from the relative positions of the object of interest and map the absolute position to a position indicator associated with the application program.

Abstract: A system and associated methodology of detecting objects using multiple sets of object probability data relating to different respective expected object sizes relative to the image size. A list of locations in an image where an object has been detected is stored, the list defining a probability data set and a probability value for each detected object. Object locations in a set of object probability data as locations at which a local maximum probability value exceeds a threshold probability value are detected and, if that location is substantially similar to a location previously stored in the list, where the local maximum probability value exceeds that relating to the previously stored location. The storing is repeated successively in respect of each set of probability data.

Abstract: The image searching method extracts or recognizes specific information for an image that exists in the image and/or accompanies it, allows either the specific information itself or related information thereof to be appendant to image data for the image, stores the image data as well as either information appendant to the image data as accessory information in a database, designates at least a portion of the accessory information as a searching condition, searches through the database under the designated searching condition, determines a degree of agreement with the accessory information appendant to a selected image data and reads an image having the degree of agreement not lower than a predetermined value. The image processing method utilizes the image searching method. These methods are capable of efficient image detection or search using as a key specific information such as the shape of subjects.

Abstract: A system and method for localizing imaging devices in a network using images taken by the imaging devices. The relative position and orientation of a network of camera-equipped communications devices are obtained by having each device examine images taken by its camera. The devices are also equipped with controllable light sources that vary their output in a predetermined manner. This variation is found in images and used to identify the devices in view and to define epipolar points related to the other imaging devices in view. Common reference points in the image are also identified. The imaging devices then exchange details of the epipolar and common reference points with each other, and use them to obtain their relative position and orientation.

Abstract: A system and method for remote navigation of a specimen.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inventive method for providing visual chat. A character image is read into memory representing a character a user wishes to be for the duration of the visual chat. Continuous frames of video images are then received, typically using video camera, which include image data of a person. The head image of the person is then tracked by the system, and portions of the head image are extracted from the video images. These extracted portions are preferably features of the person in the video image. Finally, the extracted portions of the head image are blended into corresponding areas of the character image, such that the features of the blended character image match the features of the person, and change as the features of the person change.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a gradation quantization processing in a case of performing a region dividing processing in the animation of a moving picture and in an object extraction, in which frequency histograms are created for each frame, a judgment is performed whether a quantization reference value is re-calculated by comparing the frequency histograms, in the case of performing the re-calculation, and a quantization reference value is successively obtained in accordance with the product of the frequency histograms and the error coefficient, thereby realizing a high-speed high-quality image process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning device with a positioning senor and a processing method to obtain images, comprising a casing, linear contact image sensor (CIS), further comprising a system processor P3 for controlling the work of said CIS by timing signal, the optical coordinate sensors and the displacement processor P1 and P2 for estimating the coordinate increment (8001) and the coordinate increment (8002) of the real-time displacement, an A/D circuit and data buffer; said system processor P3 packets original scanning data with positioning information (8004), and then transfers to the upper machine.

Abstract: In an image replication circuit, the improvement of replicating a given element at a certain location with the most similar of surrounding sets of image elements.

Abstract: A method for re-orientating digital images in an image-editing environment where images are loaded in landscape mode by default, with the aim of unburdening users from the inconvenience of manual correction of image orientation. Intelligent re-orientation of digital images is realized by analyzing an image in order to determine if re-orientation is required, using image zone analysis processes and facial feature analysis and, by the information provided by the same processes, also determining the direction and scale of correction need to render an image correctly orientated with respect to a user.

Abstract: A method of auto-deskewing a titled original image is provided. Frist, obtain an original image by scanning to acquire values of pixels in the original image. Next subject the original image to a binarization process. And, set a datum line in the original image. Then determine a tilting angle on the basis of the datum line. Finally, adjust the original image on the basis of the tilting angle. Therefore, the tilting angle of the original image may be acquired to adjust.

Abstract: The present invention is an image processing apparatus applied to a digital camera which includes a Bayer array CCD for producing and outputting an image lacking at least one type of color component per pixel by capturing an optical image focused by an optical system, a line correction circuit for correcting the difference in gain between lines on the image output from the CCD via a single-chip image buffer, and an interpolation circuit for producing color image data by interpolating a missing color component at each pixel of the single-chip image data output from the line correction circuit via a WB correction circuit based on information regarding neighborhood pixels.

Abstract: An image decoder comprises a code decompression/decoding unit that decodes code data produced through compression and encoding of image data, a power supply state detection unit that detects a current state of a power supply of the image decoder, and a controller that controls the code decompression/decoding unit based on the current state of the power supply so as to reduce power consumption in performing decompression and decoding of the code data.

Abstract: The application discloses various methods and systems to provide substitute information or objects for, e.g., substitution when making copies of media objects (e.g., audio, video or images). One method includes: receiving i) an identifier obtained from a steganographic encoding encoded in a media object, and ii) state information associated with the steganographic encoding or associated with the media object; obtaining—from a storage location—a substitute media object corresponding to the identifier; adjusting the substitute media object in accordance with the state information; providing the adjusted, substituted media object.

Abstract: Compensation of the effects of uncontrolled light in an imaging system using a controlled light source. Light from the controlled light source reflected by an object and uncontrolled light are detected in a plurality of frequency ranges. Intensity of the uncontrolled light is determined based on the varying sensitivity of an image sensor to light in the different frequency ranges and known emission characteristics of the controlled light source in the frequency ranges. Once the intensity of the uncontrolled light is determined, the total light detected at each point is adjusted to reduce the effects of the uncontrolled light in the resulting imaging data produced by the imaging system.

Abstract: Method and system for obtaining and optionally utilizing information about an occupant of a vehicle includes a weight sensor system arranged in connection with a bottom portion of a seat on which the occupant will be seated to provide data about weight of an occupant, and a spatial sensor system which monitors a space above the seat in which the occupant would be situated if seated in the seat to provide data about occupancy of the space above the seat. Information about the occupant is determined based on data provided by the weight sensor system and the spatial sensor system. The weight sensor system is a bladder arranged in the bottom portion or at least one strain gage mounted on structural members of the seat.

Abstract: Systems, methods, etc., that that assist a print examiner to thoroughly search and compare a print or substantial portion thereof against a known print database contained within an AFIS system. In certain embodiments, the prints can be definitively matched to a corresponding same print in the database. A result of a more thorough search and comparison can be a higher hit score and accuracy rate. In certain embodiments, the database comprises a candidate list of previously obtained prints to assist in the identification.