Abstract: A plurality of images and image features of each of the plurality of images are stored in a form correlated with the images in an external storage device of an image retrieval apparatus. In retrieval of a desired image from the plurality of images that have been stored in the external storage device, a plurality of image features regarding one image are acquired by varying, over a predetermined range, each of the image features that have been stored in the external storage device. A fuzzy image search is conducted by calculating the degree of similarity between each of the plurality of images and a retrieval source image based upon the image features that have been acquired and the image features of the retrieval-source image.

Abstract: A file system has a hierarchical tree structure in which directories and files are placed under another directory. According to the hierarchical tree structure, the data of one image is assigned to one file and a group of image data is assigned a common directory name. A program for managing the image data displays a thumbnail image based upon the image data of each file that belongs to a desired directory. With regard to another directory that belongs to the desired directory, a display is presented to clearly indicate that this is a directory and a thumbnail image based upon the image data of one file among the files belonging to this other directory is displayed as well.

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-t0) 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.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having an input means which inputs coded image data for a plurality of frames, with the coded image data being coded by intraframe and interframe coding. A decoder decodes the coded image, and skips decoding of the decoded image data in units of frames when the decoding is not performed at a predetermined timing, and performs decoding of intraframe coded image data following a skipped frame.

Abstract: Moving-picture processing apparatus and method wherein image data and special effects data are transmitted in common in a time-division manner includes receiving structure and method for receiving, in a time-division manner, (i) coded digital moving-picture data which represent a moving picture and (ii) command data for commanding image modification processing to be applied to the digital moving-picture data. Decoding structure and method is provided for decoding the coded digital moving-picture data. A processor is provided for subjecting the digital moving-picture data received by the decoding structure to the image modification processing. Image forming structure forms an image in dependence upon the digital moving-picture data processed by the processor. The digital moving-picture data and the command data are transmitted through a common transmission line. This avoids the prior art problem of performing image modification processing before the data is encoded for transmission, thus causing, e.g.

Abstract: Color image information of a predetermined number of frames is inputted while being displayed by a brilliance component, and after completion of inputting of the predetermined number of frames, the color image information is converted to a color space of an output unit for display. A monochromatic image display is conducted during image input, and is converted to the color space of the output unit after completion of the image input so that the color image display is subsequently conducted without reducing the number of frames per unit time.

Abstract: An image registering apparatus which can register formed data without operating both of an image filing system and another system is provided. The image registering apparatus cooperatively operates an image filing application, a word processor application, and a filing system under the management of an operating system. In the case where the user who uses the image filing application registers a word processor document stored in the filing system into the image filing application, the file existing in the filing system is searched and whether the file is a word processor document or not is discriminated by an extension of the file. Subsequently, by an inter-process communicating function of the operating system, the image filing application starts the word processor application, forms an icon of the searched word processor document, and presents to a document list display window. By designating the presented icon, the user can register the word processor document. The operating efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: When enlargement processing is performed, binary image data inputted from a data line 100 is subjected to contour smoothing by a contour smoothing and enlarging circuit 2 and the data is enlarged by a factor of n (where n is an integer) in the main scanning direction and m (where m is an integer) in the subordinate scanning direction. When reduction processing is performed, the binary image data is outputted as is from a selector 6 to a multivalue-converting circuit 3 via a signal line 200. In the multivalue-converting circuit 3, the binary image is stored temporarily in a memory, the image data of any area is extracted, image data of multivalued density is calculated based upon a window outputted from a weighting table with reference to an area comprising a pixel of interest and its peripheral pixels, and the multivalued data is outputted to a variable-power circuit 4 via a signal line 300.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for converting multi-level image data into binary image data and an apparatus therefor. An average density is calculated from the already binarized density of pixels positioned in a predetermined area around an object pixel, and the threshold value for binarization is set by adding a fixed bias value and varying dither signals to the average density, and the error generated in the binarization is distributed to the unbinarized pixels positioned behind. The addition of the fixed bias prevents formation of a spot-free white area in the vicinity of an edge or in the initial stage of processing, and the addition of dither signals prevents texture formation in the low density area.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method and apparatus. According to this invention, contour line data when viewed from a the main scan direction are generated on the basis of the connection relationship between a target line element and adjacent line elements before and after the target line element in one direction of continuous line elements, and a direction of an area to be painted out. It is then set that a pixel position of an odd-numbered contour encountered in a scan operation in the main scan direction indicates a forward rotation position of the area, and that an adjacent pixel position in the main scan direction of an even-numbered contour encountered in the scan operation indicates a reverse rotation position of the area.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an image processing method and apparatus for applying binarizing processing to multivalue image data so as to produce binary image data, reproducing an image having shades of light and dark based upon the binary image data, and outputting the image. On the basis of the value of the inputted multivalue image data, a search is performed to determine whether there is a pixel whose value is "1" at the periphery of each pixel of the binarized image data with regard to the image where the value of the image data is small, i.e., a highlighted portion of the image. A pixel defining an isolated point is detected through this search. Next, with regard to a pixel defining an isolated point of the binarized image, if a pixel whose value is "1" exists comparatively near this pixel, the value of this pixel of interest is diffused near the pixel. If a pixel whose value is "1" exists comparatively far from this pixel, the value of this pixel of interest is diffused far from the pixel.