Abstract: A system and method for recognition of images may include the use of alignment markers. The image recognized may be a pattern from an array, a character, a number, a shape, and/or irregular shapes. The pattern may be formed by elements in an array such as an identification marking and/or a sensor array. More particularly, the system and method relate to discriminating between images by accounting for the orientation of the image. The size and/or location of alignment markers may provide information about the orientation of an image. Information about the orientation of an image may reduce false recognitions. The system and method of image recognition may be used with identification markings, biosensors, micro-fluidic arrays, and/or optical character recognition systems.

Abstract: An image processing device for the user to easily perform the setting for specifying the location to be performed with three dimensional measurement on the image where the photographed is shown, the device including an imaging section (1) with a first camera (C0), arranged with the optical axis directed in the vertical direction, for generating a front image of a work W, and a second camera (C1), arranged with the optical axis directed in a slanted direction, for generating a slant image of the work W. In the setting prior to the measurement, the setting object is photographed with each camera (C0, C1), and the setting is performed pm the specified region for specifying the position to be measured by the user using the front image from the first camera C0. In time of the measurement, the specified region is defined in the front image from the first camera (C0) based on the setting, and the process of specifying the position to be measured is performed in the relevant region.

Abstract: An electronic level includes a wide-angle lens system having a two-dimensional imaging element configured to form thereon a picture image including an image of a level staff assigned with a code pattern, an extraction part configured to extract the image of the level staff from the picture image, a height-level measurement value calculation part configured to obtain a height-level measurement value indicated by a portion of the code pattern in the image of the level staff extracted by the extraction part, the portion of the code pattern located at a collimation optical axis of the wide-angle lens system, and a calculation part configured to calculate a collimation height from the height-level measurement value.

Abstract: A first and a second image recording unit, which are arranged at a defined distance from one another, are provided for monitoring a spatial region. The spatial region has at least one structure having a plurality of substantially parallel edges. A number of reference marks are arranged at the structure. A first image of the spatial region is recorded by means of the first image recording unit. A second image is recorded by means of the second image recording unit A number of reference distances between the image recording units and the reference marks are determined. A structure position of the structure is determined on the basis of the reference distances. Moreover, a number of object positions are determined on the basis of the first and second images, wherein each object position represents the spatial distance of an object relative to the image recording units. Depending on the object positions, a switching signal is generated.

Abstract: The spatial location and azimuth of an object are computed from the locations, in a single camera image, of exactly two points on the object and information about an orientation of the object. One or more groups of four or more collinear markers are located in an image, and for each group, first and second outer markers are determined, the distances from each outer marker to the nearest marker in the same group are compared, and the outer marker with a closer nearest marker is identified as the first outer marker. Based on known distances between the outer markers and the marker nearest the first outer marker, an amount of perspective distortion of the group of markers in the image is estimated. Based on the perspective distortion, relative distances from each other point in the group to one of the outer markers are determined. Based on the relative distances, the group is identified.

Abstract: A method of displaying a shot image on a car reverse video system is described, which is applicable for adjusting an image displaying angle of the car reverse video system with a fixed lens according to a distance from an obstacle. Firstly, a scene image behind the car is shot through using the lens. Then, a distance detector is activated to detect a distance from the obstacle behind the car. If the distance from the obstacle is smaller than a preset distance, a scaling ratio is set according to a ratio of the preset distance to the distance from the obstacle. Finally, according to the scaling ratio and a distance between each pixel in the scene image and a reference point, all pixel pitches are adjusted, such that the scene image is deformed, and thus achieving an effect of switching a viewing angle of the scene image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to track and to photograph a mobile object over a wide range, by a cooperative operation of multiple cameras. In addition, a mobile tracking system is provided for tracking the mobile object by the cooperation of multiple cameras, in which each camera includes a photographing device which photographs and recognizes the mobile object, a changing device which changes a view angle of the photographing device, a position deriving device which derives a position of the camera, a distance deriving device which derives the distance between the camera and the mobile object, and a communication device which transmits an identifier of the camera, a position of the camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and the distance between the camera and the mobile object to another camera and receives an identifier of the other camera, a position of the other camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and a distance between the other camera and the mobile object from the other camera.

Abstract: A target position identifying apparatus includes a color difference converting section for processing pixel values of an image of a target comprised of combination of a first color and a second color obtained from the target under influence of ambient light, thus generating a color component value of the first color, a color component value of the second color and a luminance value, a color region determining section for determining region of the first color and region of the second color, based on the first color component value and the second color component value, with using a determination condition based on either luminance of the captured image or the luminance value, a border detecting section for detecting border between the first color and the second color in the target based on result of the determination by the color region determining section and a target position calculating section for calculating the position of the target on the image based on result of the border detection by the border detec

Abstract: An image capture system is provided. The image capture system for capturing an image of an object includes a light emitting module, a lens, a base unit and a filter unit. The light emitting module provides a plurality of light beams to form a reference area. The base unit includes a light sensor corresponding to the lens. The filter unit includes at least one visible light passing portion and at least one invisible light passing portion. The filter unit is driven to position one of the visible light passing portion and the invisible light passing portion between the lens and the light sensor. The actual size of the object can be estimated via the reference area.

Abstract: A system for determining an orientation of an implement on a vehicle is provided. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle, and a target object within a field of vision of the camera and mounted to the implement. The target object includes markings to enable a determination of the orientation of the implement with respect to the camera. A method of determining an orientation of an implement on a vehicle is provided. A system of orienting an implement is provided. A method of installing an implement orientation system is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method of determining an orientation of an implement when executed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a masking block in a monitoring camera. The method adjusts the masking block to precisely hide an image of a subject with its position and size changed when a zoom magnification is changed under a state where the masking block is set. In addition, the method adjusts a masking block to precisely hide a changed image of a subject when the monitoring camera is rotated to change the position of the image of the subject. In addition, the method measures and corrects a distance between a center axis of a CCD and an optical axis of a lens if the two axes are not coincident with each other. In addition, the method corrects an offset occurring due to an incorrect coupling between the monitor camera and a pan/tilter. Furthermore, a method for setting a masking block when a remotely uncontrollable monitoring camera is used is disclosed.

Abstract: A calibration element (1) serves for calibrating the magnification ratio of a camera (3). The calibration element (1) has at least one calibration region (4) in which at least one perforation (5) or indentation is provided. The perforation (5) or indentation can be detected by the camera. The calibration element (1) is sufficiently slight in the calibration region (4) that the detection of an upper edge or lower edge of the perforation (5) or indentation produces only negligible differences. In order to determine the dependence of the magnification ratio on the thickness, the calibration element (1) additionally has at least one support foot (8), whose length (9) is selected in such a way as thereby to produce a variation in the measured magnification ratio of the camera image that can be evaluated.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a rear view camera system provides a driver with an accurate and effective aid for backing a vehicle. The rear view camera system includes a closed circuit video camera connected to a video monitor mounted in the driver's area. A marker is placed a known distance from the rear of the vehicle. The system is calibrated by adjusting a horizontal rear scale line up and down on the monitor so that it coincides with the edge of the marker. Once the system is calibrated, as the vehicle is backed and the rear scale line contacts an object on the monitor, the driver knows that the vehicle is the known distance from the rear bumper of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for determining the velocity vector, speed, and direction of moving vehicles traveling on roadways which change elevation and have curves. A camera mounted above a roadway observes at least one vehicles traveling in different directions on different roads. Each pixel in the two-dimensional optical image is mapped into a three-dimensional real world location to enable the moving vehicles to be analyzed in the three-dimensional real world as they travel on roads, which may change elevation and may have curves. The estimated vehicle velocities may be displayed on an image near the moving vehicle. Individual images with vehicle velocities may be posted on an Internet site. The sequence of optical images, or streaming video, with the displayed vehicle velocities may also be used for television news programs that show traffic moving on the roadways.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for capturing the image of the physical object and displaying the captured image is provided for combining and displaying in real time the shape-distorted graded scale with the captured image, the apparatus comprising a graded scale generating part for generating the graded scale to be used for indicating the dimension of the physical object in the captured image; a data storing part for storing the data for correction to be used in order to correct the graded scale shape by adding the distortion to the generated graded scale in the similar degree to the distortion caused by the distortion aberration; a graded scale shape correcting part for generating the shape-distorted graded scale by correcting the graded scale shape according to the data for correction; and an image combining part for combining the generated shape-distorted graded scale with the captured image, and displays the captured image combined with the shape-distorted graded scale.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for measuring a three dimensional shape with improved accuracy. The apparatus includes a stage, at least one lighting unit, a plurality of image pickup units and a control unit. The stage supports an object to be measured. The lighting unit includes a light source and a grid, and radiates grid-patterned light to the object to be measured. The image pickup units capture, in different directions, grid images reflected from the object to be measured. The control unit calculates a three dimensional shape of the object from the grid images captured by the image pickup units. The present invention has advantages in capturing grid images through a main image pickup portion and sub-image pickup portions, enabling the measurement of the three dimensional shape of the object in a rapid and accurate manner.

Abstract: A vision inspection system for inspecting an inspection object of various types, and an inspection method of inspecting an inspection object using the vision inspection system are disclosed. The vision inspection system comprises a work-piece stage having a table on which an inspection object is placed, a plurality of linescan cameras, and a computer configured to process a scanned image of the inspection object. A plurality of markings, each of which has a marking stage coordinate value, are provided on an upper surface of the table such that the linescan cameras can obtain scanned images of the markings. Each two neighboring markings are placed in a field of view of each of the linescan cameras. The markings between the first and the last markings are respectively placed in such a way as to overlap within the fields of view of each two neighboring linescan cameras.

Abstract: An optical probe having a hand held device with markers, a digital camera for digitally imaging the handheld device with markers, and a computer for calculating the position of the hand held device from the position of the markers in the digital image. This allows the hand held device to be used to take measurements, wherein the digital camera is a high resolution visible light digital camera and the markers are visible light markers.

Abstract: A method for controlling a masking block in a monitoring camera. The method adjusts the masking block to precisely hide an image of a subject with its position and size changed when a zoom magnification is changed under a state where the masking block is set. In addition, the method adjusts a masking block to precisely hide a changed image of a subject when the monitoring camera is rotated to change the position of the image of the subject. In addition, the method measures and corrects a distance between a center axis of a CCD and an optical axis of a lens if the two axes are not coincident with each other. In addition, the method corrects an offset occurring due to an incorrect coupling between the monitor camera and a pan/tilter. Furthermore, a method for setting a masking block when a remotely uncontrollable monitoring camera is used is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for detecting objects includes a digital image device such as CCD camera to control a defined area for unauthorized intrusions. The digital imaging device views a predetermined pattern positioned across the defined area from the device. A processor periodically compares an image stored in the memory with a digital representation of the predetermined pattern, and a signal is sent to a control unit when the correlation is missing as a result of the object entering field of vision of the digital imaging device and obscuring said predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method for modifying a visible object shot with a television camera, in which method the object is marked by one or more marking surfaces disposed in the area of the object or in its vicinity, these marking surfaces being identifiable on the basis of radiation differing from other radiation in the area being shot. At least one of the marking surfaces differs in radiation from the environment on the basis of a property other than the color of visible light. The marking surface is identified using at least one identifying detector which is separate from the detectors of the television camera and by means of which the object is shot substantially from the same shooting direction as the picture shot by the television camera.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting an accident more swiftly and reliably. The method for detecting an accident obtains an image from a predetermined region on a road, determining whether there exists an accident or not depending on change transition of gray levels for pixels on a line type trap set in advance on the basis of the obtained image. At the moment, a real vehicle and a shadow could be discriminated with use of quantity of change and frequency of the gray levels on the line type trap.

Abstract: A target, which is photographed with an object at a spot for a photogrammtric analytical measurement, comprises first, second, third standard point members and assistant point members. The standard point members and the assistant point members are covered by a reflecting sheet. A distance between the first and second standard point members equals a distance between the second and third standard point members. Two assistant point members are positioned on a first straight line connecting the first and second standard point members. One assistant point member is positioned on a second straight line connecting the second and third standard point members. The distance between the first and second standard point members, the distance between the second and third standard point members, and an angle defined by the first and second straight lines, are predetermined.

Abstract: An eye image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit, a guide mirror, a range sensor, and an infrared illuminating section. The image pickup unit includes an objective lens, an image pickup element such as a CCD, a shooting section and a light guide section as a basic configuration, and the image pickup unit shoots an image of an eye of a person. The guide mirror guides a subject to a shooting position. The range sensor measures the distance between the image pickup apparatus and the subject. The infrared illuminating section illuminates the subject. Rough guidance of the user is made using the guide mirror and fine alignment is made by using a guiding visible light obtained from the light guide section.

Abstract: An interaction/input device for use in systems utilizing infrared video-based trackers is provided. The interaction/input device is employed by placing markers, e.g., small retroreflective disks, in a predetermined configuration on a planar surface to simulate physical buttons. Once in view of the infrared tracker, the system will recognize the predetermined configuration as the input device which can then be physically manipulated by the user. The user will put their fingers on one of these markers or disks, and in turn, the infrared video-based tracker will recognize this action and process it accordingly. Optionally, an augmented reality system employing the input device of the present invention can also augment simulated menus in the user's view, via a head-mounted display, giving the user the necessary feedback for interaction.

Abstract: A camera calibration device capable of simply calibrating a stereo system consisting of a base camera and 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.

Abstract: An eye image pickup device includes an object lens; an image pickup element, such as a CCD serving as an image pickup unit; a light shielding portion; and a light guide unit. The light shielding portion shielding one part of the pickup light path is coaxially positioned along a light axis of an optical image pickup system. The light guide unit guides visible light on the route of the guide light path leading to the object lens. A cross section of the guided visible light is similar to that of the light shielding portion, and the center of the visible light is coincident with the light axis. The cross-sectional area of the visible light is set substantially equal to or slightly larger than the effective cross sectional area of the light shielding portion with respect to the optical image pickup system along the light path.

Abstract: An improved method of tracking a camera in dynamic chroma-keying of the type in which a foreground object is photographed against a multicolored chroma-key screen. The multicolor patterns are created by projection on a monochrome screen, for example by projecting light through a mask on a screen colored with the chroma-key color. The projection of multiple patterns can emulate the use of a single pattern having multiple levels of detail, and can enable lateral tracking of the camera. Sequentially projecting known transformations (for example, rotations) of a pattern adds an extra degree of freedom which further enhances the accuracy of the method.

Abstract: A non-contact gaging method and apparatus using a directional light beam develops a silhouette image on a CCD camera detector array; the image spanning opposite edges of an object to be gauged. The three dimensional object is imaged on the two dimensional camera array and, by means of computer analysis of pixels output from the camera, precise measurements to MIL Standards of physical dimensions are made at high rates for high volume production.Errors inherent in Prior Art devices are eliminated by only using a point source of light and eliminating the need for any additional optics. The system overcomes dimensional error by continuously gauging the high precision etched mark on the camera faceplate.

Abstract: A moving image judging apparatus for displaying an image on a video display monitor. A line sensing camera includes a line sensor having more pixels than a number of vertical scanning lines of the video display monitor, and produces input video signals of images of moving objects by scanning the moving objects using line sensor elements to scan in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the moving objects. A video image processing apparatus converts the input video signals from the line sensing camera into digital image data signals which are stored into a memory sequentially according to a time sequence, then read out for displaying and converted into analog output video signals as output signals. The image processing apparatus includes a memory for storage purpose having a first memory area for the digital image data signals to be stored sequentially according to the time sequence and a second memory area for information data concerning the digital image data signals.

Abstract: Spatial locations of individual points on an inaccessible object are determined by measuring two images acquired with one or more cameras which can be moved to a plurality of positions and orientations which are accurately determined relative to the instrument. Once points are located, distances are easily calculated. In distinction to prior art, which uses a fixed separation of camera viewpoints, this new system offers smaller errors, measurement over a larger range of object distances, and measurement of distances which cannot be contained in a single camera view. Random errors are minimized by use of an optimum measurement geometry. Systematic errors are minimized by use of a complete and robust set of calibration procedures. A standard measurement procedure automatically obtains the optimum measurement geometry. A least squares calculation uses all of the image location and calibration data to derive the true three dimensional positions of the selected object points.

Abstract: A video data storage apparatus simultaneously records a plurality of streams of video images each generated by a respective video camera. The apparatus includes a housing having a front panel, a storage device inside the housing for storing a video information, a display screen for displaying video information and a control circuit inside the housing. A plurality of manually-operable switches is mounted in a layout pattern on the front panel. A mouse controls positioning of a cursor on the display screen. The display screen displays switch areas in accordance with the switch layout pattern of the front panel. The switch areas on the display screen are actuatable by the mouse.

Abstract: The presented invention provides the velocity of a moving target from a remote location. A CCD camera receives the image of the target vehicle and records this information on CCD array. The camera then outputs this information in a standard video format such as RS-170, NTSC, or equivalent to the frame grabber circuit card assembly located in the main computer. Custom software along with commercial frame grabber imaging software operates the computer in a Windows or DOS environment. The system will correlate the image of multiple frames stored in the frame grabber circuit card, along with the overlain reference lines and determine the velocity of the target vehicle in miles or kilometers per hour. The image data will be stored in the computer on removable media, along with all pertinent data of the incident including the time/date/location stamp, along with calibration factors and an image of the vehicle operator.

Abstract: The invention is to a system and apparatus for determining the planarity of leads on a semiconductor device. An image system is used to locate the leads with reference to a reference plate on which the device is mounted, and a real-time reference which is used to provide a known correlation between image pixels and linear measurement such as mils.

Abstract: An electronic camera is provided which, in photographing, obtains size information about an object, generates the size information, or size data calculated through arithmetic operation, or a scale pattern based on the size data, and records the scale pattern on a recording medium in the same recording area as an object image or in a separate area made correspondent to a recording area for the object image, and which, when size display is instructed during photographing or in reproduction, displays a scale (including a pattern representing the scale, indications representing the scale by characters and/or figures such as graduation numerals, and color-coded indications representing the scale) together with the object image on the same screen.