Abstract: In a conventional client/server type image database for centralized management of image data, upon transmission of image as a search result from a server to a client, since it takes time for the client to display the image due to a network band, the image search cannot be always performed efficiently. Accordingly, in a client process, a feature amount is extracted from a search image, and the extracted feature amount is transmitted to a server process. Then, the result of search by the server process based on the feature amount and a GUID specifying the image database are received from the server process, and image data which is not cached in the client, is requested from the server process based on the search result and the GUID.

Abstract: A plurality of image data are stored in a hard disk drive in one-to-one correspondence with the image feature amounts of the image data. A CPU calculates the image feature amount of an input image on the basis of each color component value in a predetermined color space of each of regions obtained by segmenting the input image by a predetermined segmentation pattern. Image data similar to the input image is searched for on the basis of the calculated image feature amounts and the image feature amounts of the image data stored in the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating fluid apparatus includes a magnetic circuit device in which magnetic pole members project inward from an annular magnetic circuit member so as to oppose each other. The magnetic pole members and the annular magnetic circuit member have a uniform thickness. First and second additional annular magnetic circuit members are set on both sides of the annular magnetic circuit member to constitute a part of the magnetic circuit device, thereby minimizing the increase in magnetic reluctance due to magnetic flux concentration at the joints between the magnetic pole members and the annular magnetic circuit member.

Abstract: Various recording apparatuses and methods, each capable of repeatedly attaching the same meta-data as information related to binary data to a plurality of binary data to generate a plurality of binary data having meta-data. A first recording apparatus generates binary data by image sensing and also generate meta-data as information related to the binary data. This apparatus can repeatedly attach the same meta-data generated to the generated binary data to easily generate a plurality of binary data having meta-data. A second recording apparatus loads and uses binary data instead of generating it and can generate meta-data and repeatedly attach the same meta-data to a plurality of loaded binary data to easily generate binary data having meta-data.

Abstract: Modified image data is composed by combining unprocessed original image data and modification information expressing a modification process applied to that original image data, enabling the original image data to be recreated from modified image data without deterioration in picture quality. In addition, recording modification information at each process step enables past modifications to be undone and redone at any time.

Abstract: An image as a basis of a mosaic image is segmented into M×N areas by the process shown in FIG. 4 (S300), and the image characteristics of the segmented areas (S301), and those of source images (S305) are obtained. When the source image is a moving image, the image characteristics of that moving image are obtained from those of a plurality of still images in the moving image (S304). Source images corresponding to the segmented areas are determined (S309) and pasted (S310), thus generating a mosaic image.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus for reading out image data from a storage medium, performing predetermined processing on the image data, storing the image data in a storage unit and outputting the image data to an output unit, a control method for controlling a caching operation and an uncaching operation of the storage unit on the image data disclosed. In particular, types of image data stored in the storage medium are detected. If the detected types contain a predetermined type, the storage unit is controlled so as not to cache processed image data of any type other than the predetermined type.

Abstract: In searching for a desired image from an external storage device which stores a plurality of images, similarity between a designated search source image and each of the plurality of images is calculated on the basis of the feature amount of the designated search source image and the feature amounts of the plurality of images. A similar image is extracted from the plurality of images on the basis of the calculated image similarity. In calculating the similarity, an image is segmented into a plurality of regions, different weights are set for the respective regions, and the similarity is calculated using the set weights.

Abstract: A plurality of image data are stored in a hard disk device in correspondence with their image feature amounts. An image is input using an input window. A CPU computes the image feature amount of the input image. The CPU also computes image similarity on the basis of the computed image feature amount and those of image data stored in the hard disk device. A list of image data as search results are displayed on a display unit on the basis of the computed image similarity. Image data stored in the hard disk device are read out into the input window.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus in which attachment of removable memory card is detected and it is determined whether or not binary data is stored in the memory card. If it is determined that binary data is stored in the memory card, it is further determined whether or not meta data is stored in the memory card. If it is determined that the meta data is stored, the meta data is added to the binary data. If it is determined that no meta data is stored, meta data registration processing is started, and addition processing is performed after registration of the meta data. On the other hand, if it is determined that no binary data is stored, the registration processing is started to register the meta data in the memory card.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for forming a mosaic image by combining a plurality of material images, dividing a first image that is the basis of the mosaic image into a plurality of tile areas, comparing each tile area with each of the material images, selecting a material image that most resembles the tile area in terms of color or luminance and pasting this material image to the tile area, thereby creating a mosaic image.

Abstract: Binary data to which meta-data is to be appended, and meta-data to be appended to the binary data are loaded. The meta-data has an XML format. The loaded meta-data is connected after the loaded binary data. The data synthesized in this manner is output as a single file as a whole. In this file data, since header information remains the same as that before connection of the meta-data, binary data can be reproduced by an existing browser or the like. A binary file with meta-data can be discriminated by checking if data in a correct XML format is present at the end of data.

Abstract: Binary data to which meta-data is to be appended, and meta-data to be appended to the binary data are loaded. The meta-data has an XML format. The loaded meta-data is connected after the loaded binary data. The data synthesized in this manner is output as a single file as a whole. In this file data, since header information remains the same as that before connection of the meta-data, binary data can be reproduced by an existing browser or the like. A binary file with meta-data can be discriminated by checking if data in a correct XML format is present at the end of data.

Abstract: Since a plurality of image data are stored in a single file, high-speed access to image data and easy management of image data are allowed, and information that pertains to each image data can be acquired from a source outside the image file. As an arrangement for this purpose, an image data area (202) continuously stores a plurality of compressed image data. An index area (204) stores reference information to a source outside the file, which pertains to each of the plurality of image data stored in the image data area (202), in the order the plurality of image data are stored. A feature amount data area (203) stores feature amount data obtained from the images stored in the image data area (202). Furthermore, an image information area (201) stores header information including information indicating the start position of each area.

Abstract: Binary data to which meta-data is to be appended, and meta-data to be appended to the binary data are loaded. The meta-data has an XML format. The loaded meta-data is connected after the loaded binary data. The data synthesized in this manner is output as a single file as a whole. In this file data, since header information remains the same as that before connection of the meta-data, binary data can be reproduced by an existing browser or the like. A binary file with meta-data can be discriminated by checking if data in a correct XML format is present at the end of data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a storing unit for storing, in a storage medium, image data of an image to be displayed on a display unit; a rendering unit for rendering characters in a character rendering region specified on the image; and a controlling unit for performing display control processing. When characters are superimposed on an image and the resulting image is displayed, image data of a region of the image, the region being corresponding to the character rendering region, is stored in the storage medium, the characters are rendered to the image data of the image, the resulting image is displayed on the display unit, and then the image data saved in the storage medium is rendered back to the image data of the displayed image. This arrangement can restrain increases in the amount of memory used and processing load and can prevent the flickering of displayed characters.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program for implementing the image processing method, and a recording medium recording the program, which when images are arranged concentrically with respect to a circular label, attains to automatically arrange the images so as to be contained within a circle through automatic adjustment of the sizes, arrangement intervals, distances from a center, and angles of the images in accordance with the number of images selected, are arranged so that a secondary storage stores a plurality of image data, image selection processing achieved through execution of a program stored in a primary storage by a CPU effects processing for selecting a plurality of image data from the secondary storage, and image arrangement processing achieved through execution of a program stored in the primary storage by the CPU generates post-arrangement image data for arrangement where multiple images based on the plurality of image data selected by the image selection processing

Abstract: In the retrieval of images that resemble a target image from a plurality of images, the image feature quantity of the target image is calculated when the target image is specified. The feature quantity is calculated upon removing an unnecessary area from the specified target image, and retrieval of resembling images is performed using the feature quantity that has been calculated. The unnecessary area is determined automatically based upon a change in luminance in directions vertically and horizontally of the periphery of the target image. Thus, the calculation of feature quantities from which unnecessary portions in an image have been eliminated can be executed with ease and more effective retrieval of resembling images can be carried out.

Abstract: A plurality of images and a feature of each of these images are stored in one image file. An attribute information area stores attribute information necessary to read out and display the images stored in the image file. A feature data area continuously stores features of the images stored in the image file. An image data area continuously stores image data of the images stored in the image file. Since one image file has the attribute information, the feature data area continuously storing the features of all images, and the image data area continuously storing all images, high-speed access to the image data and simple management of the image data are realized.

Abstract: It is arranged so that a summary of schematic images is promptly displayed even if a transmission speed is low. For that purpose, a numerical value indicating a reference resolution is substituted for a variable r. The current time is substituted for a variable t0, and data having a resolution of r is decoded. The current time is substituted for a variable t1, and a time period required for decoding processing is calculated. If there is no succeeding image, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a succeeding image, the time period of the decoding processing (t1-t0) is compared with a reference time period Tref. If (t1-t0) exceeds Tref, the resolution is halved. If (t1 to) is equal to or less than Tref, (t1-t0) is compared with Tref/2. If (t1-t0) is less than Tref/2, the resolution is doubled. By thus changing or maintaining the resolution, the processing of the second step and the succeeding steps is repeated.