Abstract: An information processing apparatus that compares a query image and a model image and provides support information for discriminating a subject of the model image from a subject of the query image is disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes: a feature point extracting means extracting one or more feature points from the model image; a feature describing means describing features of the one or more feature points extracted by the feature point extracting means; and a discrimination capability value calculating means generating correlation images among the features described by the feature describing means, the extracted model image, and one or more other model images for the one or more feature points extracted by the feature point extracting means, and calculating a discrimination capability value indicating the degree of contribution to discriminating the subject of the model image on the basis of the correlation images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing system, a learning device and method, and a program which enable easy extraction of feature amounts to be used in a recognition process. Feature points are extracted from a learning-use model image, feature amounts are extracted based on the feature points, and the feature amounts are registered in a learning-use model dictionary registration section 23. Similarly, feature points are extracted from a learning-use input image containing a model object contained in the learning-use model image, feature amounts are extracted based on these feature points, and these feature amounts are compared with the feature amounts registered in a learning-use model registration section 23. A feature amount that has formed a pair the greatest number of times as a result of the comparison is registered in the model dictionary registration section 12 as the feature amount to be used in the recognition process. The present invention is applicable to a robot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a moving image analyzing apparatus, method and system. The moving image analyzing apparatus comprises a moving image reading means for reading a moving image, a region-of-interest extracting means for extracting a region-of-interest from each frame in the moving image, an object feature extracting means for extracting an object feature in the region-of-interest or a region adjacent to the region-of-interest, and a shot change detecting means for detecting a shot change on the basis of the color feature of image, the object feature of the region-of-interest, and the differences of the motion information among the images of each frame. By estimating the reliability of the motion information within an image, the present invention can eliminate the shot change which is incorrectly detected according to the color distribution feature and the dimensional feature of the region-of-interest, thereby improving the detection accuracy of shot change.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that executes processing for creating an environmental map includes a camera that photographs an image, a self-position detecting unit that detects a position and a posture of the camera on the basis of the image, an image-recognition processing unit that detects an object from the image, a data constructing unit that is inputted with information concerning the position and the posture of the camera and information concerning the object and executes processing for creating or updating the environmental map, and a dictionary-data storing unit having stored therein dictionary data in which object information is registered. The image-recognition processing unit executes processing for detecting an object from the image acquired by the camera with reference to the dictionary data. The data constructing unit applies the three-dimensional shape data registered in the dictionary data to the environmental map and executes object arrangement on the environmental map.

Abstract: An image processing device that models, based on a plurality of frame images being results of time-sequential imaging of an object in motion, a motion of the object using a three-dimensional (3D) body configured by a plurality of parts is disclosed. The device includes: acquisition means for acquiring the frame images being the imaging results; estimation means for computing a first matrix of coordinates of a joint of the 3D body and a second matrix of coordinates of each of the parts of the 3D body, and generating a first motion vector; computing means for computing a second motion vector; and determination means for determining the 3D body.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that compares an input image with a model image to identify the subject of the input image with the subject of the model image. The apparatus includes feature value extraction means for setting feature points, each of which is on an edge of the model image and provided to extract a model image feature value, which is the feature value of the model image, and extracting the model image feature value from each of a plurality of feature value extraction areas in the neighborhood of each of the feature points, and matching means for checking if an input image feature value, which is the feature value of the input image, at the point that is on an edge of the input image and corresponds to the feature point matches any of the plurality of model image feature values at the feature point.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed which processes moving images each divisible into a plurality of shots, the image processing apparatus including: a holding unit configured to hold discrimination models acquired by learning beforehand a first rule and a second rule from a moving image formed by a plurality of known shot groups which are made up of at least one shot each and from which a highlight is to be extracted in accordance with the discrimination models, the first rule governing relevance between the shots, the second rule governing relevance between frames within each of the shots; and an extraction unit configured to extract from a newly input moving image a shot group recognized as the highlight in accordance with the discrimination models held in the holding unit.

Abstract: A diagnostic mat has a texture, which enables avoiding mismatching in diagnosis and calibration, such as uniform and unduplicated patterns, for example, random dot patterns, fractal, natural images, and the like. A robot apparatus placed on the diagnostic mat assumes a stance suitable for taking images of the diagnostic mat, creates a distance image from an image acquired by the stereo camera, and verifies the performance of the stereo camera based on the flatness of the diagnostic mat obtained from this distance image. This assists in diagnosing the offset of the stereo camera mounted on the robot apparatus due to the deterioration over time of the stereo camera, falling of the robot apparatus, and the like.

Abstract: An image transmission device and method, a transmitting device and method, a receiving device and method, and robot apparatus are capable of effectively transmitting the image data of multiple channels by using the existing systems which are formed on the premise of transmitting and receiving of the image data through single transmission line. At a transmitting side, the image data of multiple channels to be input is multiplexed with switching the channels by frame, and prescribed image information is added to each of the multiplexed image data of each frame. At a receiving side, the image information added to each of the image data for each frame respectively transmitted from the transmitting device are analyzed, and dividing device for dividing for each frame and outputting the multiplexed image data transmitted from the transmitting device to the corresponding channels is provided based on the analysis result.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method, applied to e.g. a TV conference system or a TV telephone system, in which an image to be transmitted or received is captured and reconstructed into a virtual view point image which may appear as if it is captured by a virtual camera. The correspondence between pixels may be taken with higher robustness and higher accuracy, while mismatch in such correspondence, otherwise caused due to disparity, may be reduced to as small a value as possible. To this end, the disparity between the images, obtained on imaging an object from different view points by at least two cameras 11a, 12a, are detected and, based on the detected disparity, each of the images is separated into plural image regions. The relation of correspondence is found of the separated each image region, in association with the object, from one pixel position on the same horizontal lines to the next.

Abstract: Disclosed herein an information processing device that compares an input image with a model image, the device including: a storage; an object feature point extractor; and a feature comparator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an object recognition device for recognition of an object that exists in an image, the device including: an edge image creator configured to create an edge image from a target image; a local feature extractor configured to extract a feature of each edge point on an edge image, and determine a base point and a support point from edge points in a local area defined for the edge image; a feature matching unit configured to implement, with reference to a memory, feature matching of a base point and a support point to thereby acquire a matching pair; and a matching pair determiner configured to determine final matching pairs by employing matching pairs having a highest matching cost among matching pairs obtained by the feature matching unit, wherein an object in a target image is identified based on matching pairs determined by the matching pair determiner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a position estimation apparatus capable of determining whether an estimated value deviates from an actual value and trying a process to correct the estimated value if the estimated value is determined to be incorrect. The position estimation apparatus employs a position prediction unit configured to produce a prediction of the position of a mobile object having an odometry sensor mounted thereon, an environment observation unit configured to keep track of each feature point in the environment of the mobile object, a prediction-error check unit configured to determine whether the position prediction produced by the position prediction unit is correct or incorrect, a position-prediction correction unit configured to correct a wrong position prediction and a position/posture updating unit configured to update the position and/or posture of the mobile object on the basis of a correct position prediction.

Abstract: An image transmission device and methods a transmitting device and method, a receiving device and method, and robot apparatus are capable of effectively transmitting the image data of multiple channels by using the existing systems which are formed on the premise of transmitting and receiving of the image data through single transmission line. At a transmitting side, the image data of multiple channels to be input is multiplexed with switching the channels by frame, and prescribed image information is added to each of the multiplexed image data of each frame. At a receiving side, the image information added to each of the image data for each frame respectively transmitted from the transmitting device are analyzed, and dividing device for dividing for each frame and outputting the multiplexed image data transmitted from the transmitting device to the corresponding channels is provided based on the analysis result.

Abstract: An image transmission device and method, a transmitting device and method, a receiving device and method, and robot apparatus are capable of effectively transmitting the image data of multiple channels by using the existing systems which are formed on the premise of transmitting and receiving of the image data through single transmission line. At a transmitting side, the image data of multiple channels to be input is multiplexed with switching the channels by frame, and prescribed image information is added to each of the multiplexed image data of each frame. At a receiving side, the image information added to each of the image data for each frame respectively transmitted from the transmitting are analyzed, and dividing for dividing for each frame and outputting the multiplexed image data transmitted from the transmitting to the corresponding channels is provided based on the analysis result.

Abstract: An image transmission device and method, a transmitting device and method, a receiving device and method, and robot apparatus are capable effectively transmitting the image data of multiple channels by using the existing systems which are formed on the premise of transmitting and receiving of the image data through single transmission line. At a transmitting side, the image data of multiple channels to be input is multiplexed with switching the channels by frame, and prescribed image information is added to each of the multiplexed image data of each frame. At a receiving side, the image information added to each of the image data for each frame respectively transmitted from the transmitting device are analyzed, and dividing device for dividing for each frame and outputting the multiplexed image data transmitted from the transmitting device to the corresponding channels is provided based on the analysis result.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide quick search of a plurality if any of sets subject to search for desired members. A common representative point setting block sets a common representative point common to sets on the basis of a feature vector stored in a vector information storage block and stores the set point into a common representative point information storage block. A neighborhood table group creation block creates a neighborhood table for each set on the basis of the vector information and common representative point information and stores the created table in a neighborhood table group storage block. A nearest neighborhood vector group search block, upon acquisition of an input vector, searches each set for a nearest neighborhood vector of the input vector on the basis of the vector information, the common representative point information, and the neighborhood table group and outputs the retrieved nearest neighborhood vector as a comparison result.

Abstract: An image transmission device and method, a transmitting device and method, a receiving device and method, and robot apparatus are capable of effectively transmitting the image data of multiple channels by using the existing systems which are formed on the premise of transmitting and receiving of the image data through single transmission line. At a transmitting side, the image data of multiple channels to be input is multiplexed with switching the channels by frame, and prescribed image information is added to each of the multiplexed image data of each frame. At a receiving side, the image information added to each of the image data for each frame respectively transmitted from the transmitting means are analyzed, and dividing means for dividing for each frame and outputting the multiplexed image data transmitted from the transmitting means to the corresponding channels is provided based on the analysis result.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method, applied to e.g. a TV conference system or a TV telephone system, in which an image to be transmitted or received is captured and reconstructed into a virtual view point image which may appear as if it is captured by a virtual camera. The correspondence between pixels may be taken with higher robustness and higher accuracy, while mismatch in such correspondence, otherwise caused due to disparity, may be reduced to as small a value as possible. To this end, the disparity between the images, obtained on imaging an object from different view points by at least two cameras 11a, 12a, are detected and, based on the detected disparity, each of the images is separated into plural image regions. The relation of correspondence is found of the separated each image region, in association with the object, from one pixel position on the same horizontal lines to the next.

Abstract: A camera calibration device capable of simply calibrating a stereo system consisting of a base camera and a detection camera. First, distortion parameters of the two cameras necessary for distance measurement are presumed by the use of images obtained by shooting a patterned object plane with the base camera and the reference camera at three or more view points free from any spatial positional restriction, and projective transformation matrixes for projecting the images respectively onto predetermined virtual planes are calculated. Then internal parameters of the base camera are calculated on the basis of the projective transformation matrixes relative to the images obtained from the base camera. Subsequently the position of the shot plane is presumed on the basis of the internal parameter of the base camera and the images obtained therefrom, whereby projection matrixes for the detection camera are calculated on the basis of the plane position parameters and the images obtained from the detection camera.