Abstract: A method of estimating one or more dimensions of a patch panel may include receiving an image of a patch panel that comprises a plurality of ports and one or more gaps, extracting, by a computing device, a region of interest from the received image, detecting, by the computing device, one or more possible port edges from the region of interest, fitting the detected possible port edges to a cross-ratio constancy model to determine a port-to-gap-length ratio associated with the patch panel, using the port-length-to-gap-length ratio to determine a location of one or more final port edges, and determining a location of one or more final ports based on the location of the final port edges.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for image or video personalization with selectable effects. Image data, which can include video sequences or digital still images, can be received in a graphical personalization tool to perform various image processing and related operations to insert personalized objects into the image data. In aspects, the personalized object(s) can be or include graphical inputs such as, for instance, textual information, graphical information, and/or other visual objects. The graphical personalization tool can automatically perform one or more processing stages in the image path, such as identifying key regions in a still image and/or key frames in a video sequence, in which personalized objects will be generated and inserted. Personalized objects can be extended to additional regions of a still image, can be animated across multiple still images, and/or can be extended to additional frames of a video sequence, all on an automated or user-assisted basis.

Abstract: As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method facilitates pre-analyzing an image and automatically suggesting to the user the most suitable regions within an image for text-based personalization. Image regions that are spatially smooth and regions with existing text (e.g. signage, banners, etc.) are primary candidates for personalization. This gives rise to two sets of corresponding algorithms: one for identifying smooth areas, and one for locating text regions. Smooth regions are found by dividing the image into blocks and applying an iterative combining strategy, and those regions satisfying certain spatial properties (e.g. size, position, shape of the boundary) are retained as promising candidates. In one embodiment, connected component analysis is performed on the image for locating text regions. Finally, based on the smooth and text regions found in the image, several alternative approaches are described herein to derive an overall metric for “suitability for personalization.

Abstract: A method for determining parking availability includes receiving video data from a sequence of frames taken from an image capture device monitoring a parking area. The method includes detecting at least one object located in the parking area. The method includes determining boundaries of the parking area. The boundaries include at least an inner boundary relative to the image capture device and an outer boundary relative to the image capture device. The outer boundary is substantially parallel to the inner boundary. The method further includes computing a length of at least one of the object and a space between objects using an object pixel for each of the inner and outer boundaries. Using the computed length, The method includes determining a parking availability in the parking area. The method includes outputting a notice of the parking availability to a user.

Abstract: A method of estimating one or more dimensions of a patch panel may include receiving an image of a patch panel that comprises a plurality of ports and one or more gaps, extracting, by a computing device, a region of interest from the received image, detecting, by the computing device, one or more possible port edges from the region of interest, fitting the detected possible port edges to a cross-ratio constancy model to determine a port-to-gap-length ratio associated with the patch panel, using the port-length-to-gap-length ratio to determine a location of one or more final port edges, and determining a location of one or more final ports based on the location of the final port edges.

Abstract: A method of estimating one or more dimensions of a patch panel may include receiving an image of a patch panel that comprises a plurality of ports and one or more gaps, extracting, by a computing device, a region of interest from the received image, detecting, by the computing device, one or more line segments from the region of interest, determining whether one or more candidate ports can be identified based on at least a portion of the line segments, and in response to determining that one or more candidate ports can be identified, identifying one or more candidate ports, and determining, by the computing device, a gap length associated with the identified candidate ports.

Abstract: A method for processing an image of a patch panel includes: a) receiving an initial image; b) determining multiple ports of the patch panel are aligned in a desired orientation in the initial image; c) processing the initial image to identify edge lines perpendicular to the desired orientation; d) processing the edge lines to identify a port hypothesis that includes an estimated port gap between the multiple ports along the desired orientation and an estimated port size for the multiple ports along the desired orientation; e) processing the port hypothesis to determine an estimated port quantity for the multiple ports; and f) processing the port hypothesis to identify an estimation error between expected and detected edge line positions in relation to a reference axis perpendicular to the edge lines. An apparatus associated therewith includes an input/output and pre-processing modules and detection, hypothesis, estimating, and scoring processors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining an image and providing one or more document files to a user is disclosed. The method may include receiving an image of a target object using an imaging device, analyzing the image to identify one or more features, and accessing a model database to identify an object model having features that match the identified features from the image. When the system determines that more than one model may be a match, the method looks for distinguishing features of the target object and selects a model that includes the distinguishing features. The method then includes, retrieving a document file that corresponds to the identified model from a file database, and providing the document file to a user.

Abstract: As set forth herein, systems and methods facilitate providing an efficient edge-detection and closed-contour based approach for finding text in natural scenes such as photographic images, digital, and/or electronic images, and the like. Edge information (e.g., edges of structures or objects in the images) is obtained via an edge detection technique. Edges from text characters form closed contours even in the presence of reasonable levels of noise. Closed contour linking and candidate text line formation are two additional features of the described approach. A candidate text line classifier is applied to further screen out false-positive text identifications. Candidate text regions for placement of text in the natural scene of the electronic image are highlighted and presented to a user.

Abstract: A process for creating a barcode with an embedded logo considers a printer gamut and divides the printer gamut into multiple regions. A virtual printer gamut is then generated with the colors in bright and dark regions. A target logo image is generated by mapping the virtual gamut to the original logo image. A logo with embedded barcode is produced using the colors specified in the target logo image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for embedding a two-dimensional machine-readable code into the background of a document in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The objects (picture, graphics, text, etc.) in a document image are first segmented from the background. A location for embedding the barcode is determined. A texture image is created by replicating the barcode to a size that covers the entire image. A modulation index map is generated from the segmentation results. The original image is modulated to produce the output image based on the texture image and the modulation index map.

Abstract: As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method is employed to place personalized text into an image. A location within the image is selected where the text is to be placed, and region is grown around the selected location. The 3D geometry of the surface is estimated proximate to the location and sets of parallel straight lines in the image are identified and selected to define a bounding polygon into which text may be inserted. Optionally, a user is permitted to adjust the bounding polygon once it has been automatically generated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting an object borderline. A first image with respect to the object can be captured by an image-capturing unit without a flash light and borderlines of the object can be detected. If the detection is successful, the detected borderlines can be outputted. Otherwise, a second image with respect to the object can be captured by the image-capturing unit by applying a flash light and the borderlines can be detected in the image. A geometric transformation between the two images can then be estimated. Finally, the border lines in the first image can be determined by transforming the borderlines detected in the second image. Such an approach effectively detects the appliance borderlines and avoids artifacts caused by applying flash.

Abstract: As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method is employed to place personalized text into an image. A location and region within the image is determined where the text is to be placed. The 3D geometry of the surface is estimated proximate to the location where the text is to be placed. A personalized text string is received. The personalized text string is incorporated into the image to appear as if it is rendered onto the surface or object according to the estimated 3D geometry.

Abstract: A system captures or otherwise receives a video and uses the video to create an electronic file corresponding to a multi-faceted printed artifact, such as a multi-page document. When the system receives the video, it selects a set of some or all of the video's image frames, determines a frame quality for each frame in the set, and identifies a subset of the frames such that the frame quality of each frame in the subset satisfies one or more image quality criteria. The subset will include at least one frame for each facet of the multi-faceted printed artifact, such as a page of the document. The processor then automatically combines the subset of frames into a single electronic file.

Abstract: A method and device for aligning an image of a printed substrate using a mobile device. The method includes receiving, by an image capturing device, an image stream of a printed substrate; determining, by a processing device operably connected to the image capturing device, a location and a geometry of the printed substrate from the image stream; displaying, on a display operably connected to the processing device, the image stream; overlaying, by the processing device, at least a first visual marker onto the printed substrate as displayed in the image stream using the location and geometry; and instructing, by the processing device, a user of the mobile device to move the mobile device to align the mobile device and the printed substrate. The device includes the various hardware components configured to perform the method of aligning.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving driver visibility during bad weather and/or poor lighting for objects such as road signs, road lines, road markings, etc. The disclosed approach can enhance the captured images by exploiting priori knowledge about the scene and the objects that are stored in a database. In general, the orientation and location of a vehicle can be determined, and data can be retrieved which is indicative of stationary objects that are anticipated to be detectable at a current orientation and location of the vehicle. A captured scene is compared to data retrieved from the database using the information regarding the orientation and the location of the vehicle such that a matching scene indicates where objects are expected to appear in the captured scene and improve driver visibility with respect to the vehicle during poor driving conditions.

Abstract: A method and a system for identifying a vehicle in a parking area includes receiving video data from a video camera observing a parking area from a first field of view over duration of time and receiving image data from a still camera observing a second field of view overlapping the first field of view. The method includes tracking a location of a vehicle across a sequence of frames. The tracking includes determining a time instant at which each frame was captured. The method includes comparing a select frame captured by the video camera with an image captured by the still camera. Based on the comparing, the method includes matching the vehicle in the image with the vehicle in the frame. The method includes determining a license plate number of the vehicle by locating a license plate on the vehicle in the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining an image and providing one or more document files to a user is disclosed. The method may include receiving an image of a target object using an imaging device, analyzing the image to identify one or more features, and accessing a model database to identify an object model having features that match the identified features from the image. When the system determines that more than one model may be a match, the method looks for distinguishing features of the target object and selects a model that includes the distinguishing features. The method then includes, retrieving a document file that corresponds to the identified model from a file database, and providing the document file to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for image or video personalization with selectable effects. Image data, which can include video sequences or digital still images, can be received in a graphical personalization tool to perform various image processing and related operations to insert personalized objects into the image data. In aspects, the personalized object(s) can be or include graphical inputs such as, for instance, textual information, graphical information, and/or other visual objects. The graphical personalization tool can automatically perform one or more processing stages in the image path, such as identifying key regions in a still image and/or key frames in a video sequence, in which personalized objects will be generated and inserted. Personalized objects can be extended to additional regions of a still image, can be animated across multiple still images, and/or can be extended to additional frames of a video sequence, all on an automated or user-assisted basis.