Abstract: A method and apparatus in which original digital content is input. First copyright information on the input original content is acquired and if a user is authorized to alter the original content, image processing and/or audio processing is performed on the content, either in a predetermined manner or as directed by the user, to generate secondary content. Thereafter, both the first copyright information for the original content and second copyright information for the secondary content are associated with or imprinted into the secondary content. The secondary content is then registered in a database in such a manner that the secondary content is associated with the original content.

Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for digital movie or video that provides for error checking within the digital video files. The digital video is coded in a data stream that includes key frames and correspondence data between key frames as well as additional correspondence data between somewhat separated key frames. During decoding, an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate frame or frames by interpolation, based on key frame data and correspondence data file between key frames. If an error detector detects an error in an input coded data stream, an error controller instructs the intermediate image generator to perform an error avoidance processing which may include substituting another key frame for an error-containing key frame or use of the additional correspondence data to create the intermediate key frame or frames for an error-containing correspondence data file, and so forth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coding and decoding image data in which image data are input, and the input data are separated into key frames and intermediate frames (which are frames other than the key frames). A pixel by pixel matching is then performed between the key frames to allow generation of both virtual key frames and intermediate frames between the key frames by interpolating the matching results. Actual frames, which may be key frames or intermediate frames, are then coded by determining a difference between virtual frames and actual frames, so that the actual frames can be coded based on the small amount of difference data.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image and sound data in which sound or other data is imprinted into key frame images. In encoding, an image input unit receives a first image and a second image (key frames). A matching processor performs a pixel-by-pixel matching between the images and transmits a corresponding point file to an imprinting unit. Sound data acquired by a sound input unit are also transmitted to the imprinting unit. The corresponding point file and the sound data are imprinted into the first image and an altered first image is generated. In decoding, the corresponding point file and sound data are extracted, the corresponding point file is used to generate intermediate images between the key frames to provide a motion picture, and the sound data is reproduced in synchronization with the motion picture.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image data in which the coding and decoding method may be simplified based on factors such as processing speed requirements. In encoding, an image input unit receives a first image and a second image (key frames). A matching processor begins performing a multiresolutional analysis using pixel-by-pixel matching between the images but, due to predetermined factors or settings, either discontinues the analysis or switches to a simplified method of analysis prior to the final resolution level. If the analysis is discontinued during encoding (i.e. at the encoding side), the analysis may be completed at the decoding side prior to conducting the decoding and the decoding side may be arranged accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing in which data for image processing are imprinted into the images to be processed. An image input unit receives a first image and a second image for encoding. A matching processor performs a pixel-by-pixel matching between the images and transmits a corresponding point file to an imprinting unit. The corresponding point file and a program for processing the images and the corresponding point file are imprinted into the first image and an altered first image is generated. In decoding, an extracting unit extracts the corresponding point file from the altered first image and an intermediate image generator utilizes the program to generate intermediate images from the first image, the second image and the corresponding point file.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image coding apparatus and an image decoding apparatus. The image coding apparatus includes an image input unit for acquiring key frames, a matching processor for generating correspondence information between the key frames, a sound input unit for acquiring sound data to be synchronized with the key frames and correspondence information, and a stream generator for generating a coded data stream which includes the sound data, the correspondence information, and the key frames. The image decoding apparatus includes a stream input unit for acquiring the added data stream, a stream separator for separating the key frames, correspondence information and sound data from the coded data stream; an intermediate frame generator for generating intermediate frames from the key frames and correspondence information, and an output controller for outputting the key frames and intermediate frames in synchronization with the sound data.

Abstract: A matching processor detects correspondence information between key frames. A judging unit detects motion vectors from the correspondence information to determine variation of a field of view between the key frames. When variation of the field of view is sufficiently large, added information is generated related to the variation of the field of view. A stream generator generates a coded data stream by incorporating the added information. An intermediate image generator (for example, at a decoding side) detects the added information and trims edges of a generated intermediate image to account for the variation in the field of view, so that an unnatural invalidated region is cut out.

Abstract: An image-effect apparatus which provides high quality motion pictures and image effects such as supper slow motion based on a small amount of image data. An image input unit inputs a first image and a second image. A matching processor performs pixel matching between the first image and the second image, and a result thereof is recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image between the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. A speed controller controls the number of intermediate images to be generated, based on a user's instruction. As the number of intermediate images generated is increased, slow motion and super slow motion images are produced.

Abstract: In an image generating system or apparatus, a first storage unit stores key frames and corresponding point data therefor. A performance specifying unit determines a processing performance of a user terminal. A resolution decision unit determines a resolution of motion pictures (intermediate frames) to be generated or reproduced in accordance with the determined processing performance. An intermediate frame generator generates intermediate frames at the determined resolution by interpolating the key frames based on the corresponding point data.

Abstract: A digital camera which provides motion pictures or image effects based on capture or storage of only a small amount of image data. An image pick-up unit captures a first image and a second image. A matching processor performs a pixel matching between the first image and the second image and obtains corresponding points on the second image, which correspond to lattice points of a mesh taken on the first image. A result thereof is recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates one or more intermediate image between the first image and the second image, based on the corresponding point file. The first image, the intermediate image or images, and the second image approximate a motion picture. The corresponding point file is created using only corresponding lattice points so that the amount of data used for generating the motion picture is reduced.

Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for compressing motion pictures which makes use of critical point filter technology and that includes detection of scene changes to provide more accurate decoding. An image input unit acquires key frames. A scene change detector detects when there is a scene change between key frames, and notifies a matching processor to that effect. The matching processor then skips generation of correspondence data between those key frames. A stream generator generates a coded data stream in a manner that key frames and associated correspondence data are incorporated when there is no scene change, while key frames and associated correspondence disable data are incorporated when there is a scene change. This allows a decoder to more accurately decode the data stream and take account of scene changes.

Abstract: An image input unit acquires a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a pixel matching between the images so that corresponding points are obtained on the second image with respect to lattice points of a mesh defined on the first image. A result thereof is recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image of the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. Since the corresponding point file is composed of corresponding lattice points alone rather than corresponding pixels or the like, the amount of data is relatively small, and thereby allows efficient implementation of and application to various image effects, motion picture compression, on-line commodity presentation, and mobile applications.

Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for digital movie or video that provides for error checking within the digital video files. The digital video is coded in a data stream that includes key frames and correspondence data between key frames as well as additional correspondence data between somewhat separated key frames. During decoding, an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate frame or frames by interpolation, based on key frame data and correspondence data file between key frames. If an error detector detects an error in an input coded data stream, an error controller instructs the intermediate image generator to perform an error avoidance processing which may include substituting another key frame for an error-containing key frame or use of the additional correspondence data to create the intermediate key frame or frames for an error-containing correspondence data file, and so forth.

Abstract: A multivariate space processing apparatus and method in which visualization is carried out by image processing alone and without a modeling process. In the apparatus, a preprocessing unit degenerates multivariate data into three variates; a conversion unit specifies a reference variate among the three variates, then determines values for the two remaining variates at two predetermined values of the reference variate, so that a first image and a second image based on the two remaining variates and corresponding to the two predetermined values are generated; a matching processor computes a matching between the first image and the second image; and an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image of the first and second images based on the matching. Preferably, a display control unit displays the intermediate image on a display.

Abstract: An image interpolation method and apparatus by which to quickly generate and display motion pictures using a small amount of data. An image input unit inputs a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a pixel matching between those images so that a corresponding point is obtained on the second image with respect to a lattice point of a mesh on the first image. The matching processor stores the matching results recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image between the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. In particular, in generating the intermediate image, an attribute of the pixels on one image may be used as such without the attribute being interpolated between pixels of each image. Thus, when generating intermediate images, only one image and a smaller corresponding point file can be used.

Abstract: An image input unit acquires a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a matching between those images such that corresponding points are obtained on the second image with respect to lattice points of a mesh taken on the first image and generates a corresponding point file based on the matching. The corresponding point file comprises positional information on the corresponding points and difference data on attribute values of the corresponding points. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image of the first image and the second image, based on the first image and the corresponding point file. In particular, for an attribute such as color, the color difference data on a pair of corresponding points of the first image and second image are used when interpolating, such that the second image is not needed in the interpolation.

Abstract: An image matching method for processing a sequence of image frames. Matching between a pair of adjacent image frames, such as a pair comprised of the first and the second image frames, a pair of the second and the third image frames, . . . , and a pair of the (n−1)-th and the end (n-th) image frames, is sequentially processed. The matching generates a corresponding point file for each of the image frame pairs, which contains information related to corresponding points between image frame pairs. The resulting n−1 corresponding point files are then integrated into a single corresponding point file for a pair comprised of the first and the n-th image frames. The first and the n-th image frames are referred to as “key frames” and are stored or transmitted together with the single corresponding point file, while the intermediate image frames (the second to (n−1)-th image frames) may be discarded.

Abstract: An animation distributing server receives a request from a user to distribute animation. The server selects key frames to be transmitted and transmits the selected key frames to the user. Thereafter, compact interpolation data, for interpolating between the key frames, are generated, a digital watermarking processing is performed thereon, and the interpolation data are transmitted to the user. A viewer, for composing an animation from the key frames and interpolation data, may be sent to the user. The key frames and the interpolation data are transmitted separately in a manner such that they can be integrated at the user side.