Abstract: Provided are a method for measuring tool dimensions and a measurement device, whereby if a machine tool (10) cannot fit the overall outline of a tool (20) inside the field of vision (V) for an image from an imaging device (33), the field of vision (V) of the imaging device (33) is moved by relatively moving the imaging device (33) and the tool (20). In addition, the imaging device (33) can follow the outline (54) of the tool (20) by moving the field of vision (V), because the movement direction (53) for the field of vision (V) is determined on the basis of the partial outline (51) specified based on image data. In this way, even when measuring dimensions for a tool (20) with a larger diameter than the field of vision (V) of the imaging device (33), a partial outline (51) of a desired range, for example, is specified. An outline of a desired range for the tool (20) is extracted if a plurality of specified partial outlines (51) are combined.

Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for acquiring measurements associated with a vehicle. The system includes at least one imaging sensor having a field of view and at least one optical target secured to a wheel assembly on a vehicle within the field of view of the imaging sensor. The optical target includes a plurality of visible target elements disposed on at least two surfaces in a determinable geometric and spatial configuration which are calibrated prior to use. A processing unit in the system is configured to receive at least two sets of image data from the imaging sensor, with each set of image data acquired at a different rotational position of the wheel assembly around an axis of rotation and representative of at least one visible target element on each of the two surfaces, from which the processing unit is configured to identify said axis of rotation of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are an object tracking system using a robot and an object tracking method using a robot. The present invention provides an object tracking system using a robot and an object tracking method using a robot capable of continuously performing object tracking without missing the corresponding object even when the object deviates from a viewing angle of a camera, in tracking an image based object (person) using a robot.

Abstract: System and method for tridimensional cartography of a structural surface. Two wires are extended in front and along the structural surface so as to define a reference surface. A measuring unit comprising a laser arrangement and a camera is moved in front of the structural surface so as to progressively scan the surface. Tow distinct light planes directed toward the structural surface are projected by means of the laser arrangement. Images of the structural surface containing lines resulting from an intersection of the light planes with the structural surface and four reference points resulting from an intersection of the light planes with the wires are captured by means of the camera. The images are processed to determine the 3D coordinates of the lines defining the mapping in a reference system bound to the reference surface considering the position and the orientation of the measuring unit based on the reference points.

Abstract: An object is detected in images of a live event by storing and indexing templates based on representations of the object from previous images. For example, the object may be a vehicle which repeatedly traverses a course. A first set of images of the live event is captured when the object is at different locations in the live event. A representation of the object in each image is obtained, such as by image recognition techniques, and a corresponding template is stored. When the object again traverses the course, for each location, the stored template which is indexed to the location can be retrieved for use in detecting the object in a current image. The object's current location may be obtained from GPS data from the object, for instance, or from camera sensor data, e.g., pan, tilt and zoom, which indicates a direction in which the camera is pointed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a housing for protecting an electronic device (1) to be fitted to a motor vehicle, the housing comprising a plurality of shells (2, 3) forming a front (2) and a cap (3), these being assembled together to define jointly an enclosure (4) for housing an electronic card (1) provided with remote connectors (13), wherein at least one first shell (3) is formed from at least two elementary shells (18) and said first shell (3) includes, molded into it, at least one mobility means allowing relative movement between the elementary shells. The first shell (3) is formed in one piece, the two elementary shells (18) are situated side by side, each comprising a window for the passage and/or reception of a connector (13), and said mobility means comprises an elastically deformable member (26).

Abstract: Linear and rotational speeds of a mobile device are calculated using distance estimates between imaging sensors in the device and objects or scenes in front of the sensors. The distance estimates are used to modify optical flow vectors from the sensors. Shifting and rotational speeds of the mobile device may then be calculated using the modified optical flow vector values. For example, given a configuration where the first imaging sensor and the second imaging sensor face opposite directions on a single axis, a shifting speed is calculated in the following way: multiplying a first optical flow vector and a first distance estimate, thereby deriving a first modified optical flow vector value; multiplying a second optical flow vector and a second distance estimate, thereby deriving a second modified optical flow vector value; the second modified optical flow vector value may then be subtracted from the first modified optical flow vector value, resulting in a measurement of the shifting speed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for measuring rotation characteristics such as rotation rate, rotation axis, and rotation angle of a rotating body. A method of measuring rotation characteristics includes extracting a rotating-body region from an image of the rotating body; extracting a surface pattern of the rotating body on the basis of brightness values of the extracted rotating-body region and acquiring rotation characteristics of the rotating body on the basis of change in the extracted surface pattern. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately measure rotation characteristics regardless of variation in brightness values of a surface region of the rotating body depending on illumination of a lamp, sensitivity of a camera, and exposure time of a camera.

Abstract: A method and device for optically scanning an object is provided. A detection device optically scans a scanning region of the object by displacing the detection device and the object relative to one another into successive scanning positions spaced apart by a scanning step size along a scanning direction in an object plane. An optical imaging device generates a plurality of scanned images by imaging a partial scanning region from the object plane onto a detection surface in an image plane in the scanning positions. The plurality of scanned images are broken down into scanned part images and are combined to generate combined result images. At least one object measurement image is selected from the combined result images in accordance with one or more predetermined selection criteria.

Abstract: A method is provided for defining and utilizing an editing initialization block for a part program. The part program comprises a plurality of steps for taking measurements of a part and is displayed in an editing interface. An option is provided in the editing interface for selecting which steps are in an editing initialization block. After the part program has been saved, at a later time when the part program is recalled for editing, the editing initialization block may be run before additional steps are added to the part program. At least some of the data that would have been obtained by one or more of the initial part program steps that are not in the editing initialization block may be based on estimated data that is related to (e.g., modified based on) data determined from running the editing initialization block.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus selects one of image capturing conditions to be used for capturing images as a reference condition when a total of image capturing time of one frame in each image capturing condition to be used for capturing images is longer than one frame period at a predetermined frame rate, and captures images at the predetermined frame rate under the reference condition, and captures images at a frame rate lower than the predetermined frame rate under the other image capturing conditions. A playback apparatus detects a motion between frames of a moving image captured under the reference condition when the image capturing condition of the playback moving image is not the reference condition, and generates an interpolation frame for interpolating between frames of the playback moving image based on the detected motion.

Abstract: A method for image-based weather condition detection, using image processing methods in moving vehicles, is described. The method includes detecting road weather conditions by identifying a group of bright pixels in video images produced by an image-based road characterization, and determining whether the bright pixels are caused by reflections due to one of rainfall, snowfall, a wet surface, or a snowy surface, where a driving assistant system includes a lane-keeping system.

Abstract: A system for reflectance acquisition of a target includes a light source, an image capture device, and a reflectance reference chart. The reflectance reference chart is fixed relative to the target. The light source provides a uniform band of light across at least a dimension of the target. The image capture device is configured and positioned to encompass at least a portion of the target and at least a portion of the reflectance reference chart within a field-of-view of the image capture device. The image capture device captures a sequence of images of the target and the reflectance reference chart during a scan thereof. Reflectance responses are calculated for the pixels in the sequence of images. Reference reflectance response distribution functions are matched to the calculated reflectance responses, and an image of the target is reconstructed based at least in part on the matched reference reflectance response distribution functions.

Abstract: A folding optical path transfer videometrics method for measuring the three-dimensional position and attitude of non-intervisible objects is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes the following: constructing a folding optic path between an invisible target and a reference, disposing transfer station comprising a camera, a cooperating mark and a laser range finder on each break point in the folding optic path. The method may further include processing an image shot by each camera, accounting for the distance measured by the laser range finder, obtaining a position and posture information corresponding to each adjacent transfer station, summing the values from the reference to the invisible target, and achieving three-dimensional position and posture of the invisible target relating to the reference.

Abstract: An image taking system comprises a distance calculator 114 which calculates an object distance in each of a plurality of ranging areas 1 to 16, a velocity calculator 116 which calculates an object velocity in each of the ranging areas, an information generator 114, 116 which generates object information indicating at least one of the object distance, a difference between the object distances, the object velocity, and a difference between the object velocities, an extractor 117 which extracts a ranging area where the object velocity calculated by the velocity calculator is in a first range SA out of the plurality of ranging areas, and an output image generator 203 which generates an output image including a shot image generated by the camera and the object information corresponding to the ranging area extracted by the extractor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring a location and a distance of an object by using a camera including: a camera module for photographing an external image; a parameter setup unit for setting internal and external parameters of the camera module; an image processor unit for receiving a captured image of an image photographed from the camera module, extracting a target object within the captured image, and extracting specific point coordinates of the extracted target object; and a location and distance calculating unit for calculating three-dimensional object location information in a two-dimensional camera coordinate system through the internal and external parameters of the camera module and coordinates of the target object, and calculating distance information from the location information of the object.

Abstract: A system, device, method, and computer program product are provided for allowing a user of the device to more easily annotate data files and/or images received by or created by the electronic device or system. For example, according to one embodiment, when a user takes a digital picture using a camera-equipped mobile phone, annotation data may be automatically presented to the user when a preview of the image is first displayed on the electronic display. The annotation data may be presented to the user as a list that semi-transparently overlays the preview of the image. The annotation list and/or the individual annotations that make up the list may be customizable. The annotation choices in the list may correspond to keys on the electronic device. Annotation data may be stored with the image or file as embedded metadata. The selected annotation data may also be used to create file folders in a memory device and/or store the image or file in a particular file folder in the memory device.

Abstract: A detection apparatus, a detection method and a computer readable medium thereof for detecting an object in real time are provided. The detection apparatus is electrically connected to a video capturing apparatus for capturing a video sequence comprising the object. The detection apparatus generates a first transformed frame and a second transformed frame according to the video sequence, and retrieves a plurality of target pixel bits and a plurality of adjacent pixel bits from the first transformed frame. The detection apparatus further interlaces the target pixel bits and the adjacent pixel bits to enhance the accuracy of determining the position where the object appears in the second transformed frame without considerably increasing the computational complexity.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for evaluating sensor images of an image-evaluating surroundings-detection system on a moved carrier, preferably a vehicle (1), are proposed, wherein areas in the sensor images captured by a camera (4) which are dark in relation to the surroundings are evaluated in chronologically successive evaluation steps in order to determine whether said dark areas are moving toward the carrier at the speed of said carrier, and in that these dark areas are detected as shadows (7) of a static object and corresponding signaling is performed.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a controller in a three-dimensional space is disclosed. The method includes an operation to calibrate a computer program to identify a group of recognized fixed points from a plurality of fixed points within the three-dimensional space using a depth camera integrated with the controller. Another operation activates use of the controller and depth camera during interface with the application. During use of the controller, image and depth data within the three-dimensional space is captured with the depth camera of the controller. In another operation the image and depth data is analyzed to find one or more of the group of recognized fixed points. In one embodiment, the previous two operations are repeated and changes of position of the controller are determined based on a change in position of the found ones of the group of recognized fixed points.

Abstract: The apparatus in accordance with the present invention detects locations of opposite ends of a running strip in a width-wise direction and heights of the ends. The apparatus includes a first light-source irradiating a light onto a lower surface of a strip, a second light-source perpendicularly irradiating a linear light onto an upper surface of the strip, a camera taking a photo of the strip, and a calculation unit calculating locations of opposite ends of the strip in width-wise and height-wise directions thereof, based on an image resulted from a light irradiated from the first light-source and an image resulted from a light irradiated from the second light-source and reflected at the strip.

Abstract: A boundary calculating unit is provided for determining boundaries between separated plasma and blood cell or air and plasma whose image is picked up by an image pickup unit. With such boundary calculating unit provided, the boundaries between the separated plasma and blood cell or air and plasma can be determined, and areas of the separated air, plasma, and blood cell can be determined accurately. Particularly, a straight line drawing unit is provided for drawing, on the image picked up, a plurality of straight lines parallel to grooves in a disk which performs plasma separation. The boundary calculating unit can easily determine the boundaries by determining the boundaries based on a profile of the plurality of straight lines drawn by the straight line drawing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method for a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In the method, a protocol script map table, including command packet information and management information for parsing the command packet information, is newly defined. Whenever a camera using a new protocol is added to the DVR system, a script table for the new protocol is prepared based on the newly defined table, and is copied to a predetermined area of system memory via a data port, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and a running main application creates a command packet for controlling the newly connected camera with reference to the prepared script table. Thus, a surveillance camera can be added to a digital video recording system without interrupting a surveillance function.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an azimuth of a target point is provided. The apparatus includes a support structure and an imaging device coupled to the support structure and configured to provide image data. The apparatus also includes a position measuring device coupled to the support structure and configured to determine position information and a processor in electrical communication with the imaging device and the position measuring device. The processor is configured to receive the image data from the imaging device, receive the position information from the position measuring device, determine a baseline between a first position and a second position, determine an orientation between overlapping images, and compute the azimuth of the target point relative to the baseline.

Abstract: A display system of the present invention includes a liquid crystal platform section (200) which outputs display data for displaying, on a liquid crystal display section (100), an image in accordance with information obtained from an automobile. The liquid crystal platform section (200) includes a DIC (201) which generates display data and calculates a display position of the image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display section (100) from the obtained information and which causes the generated display data to be displayed in the calculated image display position. The DIC (201) updates display so that the image moves at frame intervals from a start position of image display to the image display position calculated from the automobile information currently obtained, when an interval at which the information is obtained is longer than each of the frame intervals for displaying the image.

Abstract: A method for detecting a moving target is disclosed that receives a plurality of images from at least one camera; receives a measurement of scale from one of a measurement device and a second camera; calculates the pose of the at least one camera over time based on the plurality of images and the measurement of scale; selects a reference image and an inspection image from the plurality of images of the at least one camera; and detects a moving target from the reference image and the inspection image based on the orientation of corresponding portions in the reference image and the inspection image relative to a location of an epipolar direction common to the reference image and the inspection image; and displays any detected moving target on a display. The measurement of scale can derived from a second camera or, for example, a wheel odometer.

Abstract: A mobile robot and a path planning method are provided for the mobile robot to manipulate the target objects in a space, wherein the space consists of a periphery area and a central area. With the present method, an initial position is defined and the mobile robot is controlled to move within the periphery area from the initial position. Next, the latest image is captured when the mobile robot moves, and a manipulating order is arranged according to the distances estimated between the mobile robot and each of target objects in the image. The mobile robot is controlled to move and perform a manipulating action on each of the target object in the image according to the manipulating order. The steps of obtaining the image, planning the manipulating order, and controlling the mobile robot to perform the manipulating action are repeated until the mobile robot returns to the initial position.

Abstract: The path and/or position of an object is tracked using two or more cameras which run asynchronously so there is need to provide a common timing signal to each camera. Captured images are analyzed to detect a position of the object in the image. Equations of motion for the object are then solved based on the detected positions and a transformation which relates the detected positions to a desired coordinate system in which the path is to be described. The position of an object can also be determined from a position which meets a distance metric relative to lines of position from three or more images. The images can be enhanced to depict the path and/or position of the object as a graphical element. Further, statistics such as maximum object speed and distance traveled can be obtained. Applications include tracking the position of a game object at a sports event.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for obtaining pointing directions for every channel of a collimator which can then be used during the image reconstruction process to more accurately estimate the direction from which radiation has been received. The disclosed system and method provide for photographic measurement and analysis of individual collimator channel to determine the pointing directions for every channel in the collimator. This information is obtained by photographing the front and back sides of the collimator, and analyzing the digital image data to obtain the pointing angle of each channel. The resulting information, referred to as a “vector map” is included in the firmware of the collimator so that it can be called on during the projection and back-projection steps of the algorithm.

Abstract: A method may include receiving video recorded with a camera and audio recorded with a microphone, wherein the video and audio were recorded simultaneously, and wherein the microphone is configured to move relative to the camera. The method may further include receiving a selection from a user of an object in the video, wherein the object is collocated with the microphone that recorded the audio. The method may further include tracking the object in the video and determining a location over time of the microphone relative to the camera based on the tracking of the object.

Abstract: Optical Device for Measuring and Identifying Cylindrical Surfaces by Means of Deflectometry, Applied for Ballistic Identification” describes an optical device that uses a configuration of the technique known as “deflectometry”, said device is built with a conical mirror for identifying and measuring fully or partly reflective cylindrical surfaces, and its configuration is particularly applied to ballistic identification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing images in conjunction with motion. The present disclosure includes a system comprising a recording device configured to capture images; one or more wheels coupled to the recording device, at least one of the wheels comprising a plurality of indicators spaced at regular intervals upon the face of the wheel; and one or more respective reference points for each of the at least one of the one or more wheels comprising a plurality of indicators, the one or more respective reference points configured such that a respective reference points remains fixed relative to a respective wheel as the respective wheel rotates. The present disclosure also includes methods of using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating the ability of a tire to clean its tread is provided. For example, an apparatus (100) and method for evaluating the ability of a tire to eject materials such as e.g., mud from its tread during use is provided. Samples (10) of a subject test pattern are rotated at predetermined rpm profile. A camera (170) captures the effect of centrifugal forces on the materials during rotation, which in turn may be used to compare how differences in tread patterns impact the ejection of materials (15) from the tread during use.

Abstract: The calibration device 1 is set up in a machine tool 50 and provides: a image capture subject material 10 having a calibration pattern 14 that includes one feature point and being attached to the spindle 55, two-dimensional coordinate calculation parts 22, 23 that calculate the two-dimensional coordinates of feature points based on the two-dimensional image data that is created from the images of the calibration pattern 14 that were captured at multiple movement positions of the spindle 55 by the CCD camera 58; a three-dimensional coordinate calculation part 24 that calculates the three-dimensional coordinates of the feature points that correspond to each movement position of the spindle 55; and a parameter calculation part 26 that calculates the intrinsic parameters and extrinsic parameters of the CCD camera 58 based on the two-dimensional coordinates and three-dimensional coordinates at each movement position of the spindle 55.

Abstract: A measuring device and method is used to select focusing points on an object. A CCD of the measuring device is positioned at the top of an initial focusing range, then moves to the bottom of the initial focusing range at a first speed to capture first images of the object. Image points corresponding to each focusing point in the first images are identified to compute coordinates of a first focal point of each focusing point. The initial focusing range is updated according to Z-coordinates of the first focal points. The CCD is positioned at the bottom of the updated focusing range, then, moves to the top of the updated focusing range at a second speed to capture second images of the object. Image points corresponding to each focusing point in the second images are identified to compute coordinates of a second focal point of each focusing point.

Abstract: This is a video image monitoring system which can effectively detect a mobile object appearing in a captured video image even if a background image and other camera condition change continuously. The video image monitoring system comprises: a video-image-capturing section 100 for putting out image data based on a video image signal obtained by using a camera 10; a mobile-object-candidate-area-detecting section 101 for extracting a candidate area of a mobile object from the image data; and a mobile-object-detecting section 102 for determining whether the candidate area is the mobile object. The mobile-object-candidate-area-detecting section 101 quantizes a brightness gradient direction of the image data, and calculates a spatio-temporal histogram which represents the frequency of a direction code appearing in a predetermined spatio-temporal space. After that, the mobile-object-candidate-area-detecting section 101 calculates a statistical spatio-temporal space evaluation value of the spatio-temporal histogram.

Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for acquiring measurements associated with a vehicle. The system includes at least one imaging sensor having a field of view and at least one optical target secured to a wheel assembly on a vehicle within the field of view of the imaging sensor. The optical target includes a plurality of visible target elements disposed on at least two surfaces in a determinable geometric and spatial configuration which are calibrated prior to use. A processing unit in the system is configured to receive at least two sets of image data from the imaging sensor, with each set of image data acquired at a different rotational position of the wheel assembly around an axis of rotation and representative of at least one visible target element on each of the two surfaces, from which the processing unit is configured to identify said axis of rotation of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dynamic calibration method for a single and multiple video capture devices. The present invention can acquire the variations of the pan angle and tilt angle of a single video capture device according to the displacement of the feature points between successive images. For a plurality of video capture devices, the present invention includes the epipolar-plane constraint between a plurality of video capture devices to achieve the goal of dynamical calibration. The calibration method in the present invention does not require specific calibration patterns or complicated correspondence of feature points, and can be applied to surveillance systems with wide-range coverage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for processing three-dimensional (3D or 3-D) or pseudo-3D programming. The programming includes closed caption (CC) information that includes caption data and a location identifier that specifies a location for the caption data within the 3D programming. The programming information is processed to render the caption data at the specified location and to present the programming on the display. By encoding location identification information into the three-dimensional programming, a high level of configurability can be provided and the 3D experience can be preserved while captions are displayed.

Abstract: Linear and rotational speeds of a mobile device are calculated using distance estimates between imaging sensors in the device and objects or scenes in front of the sensors. The distance estimates are used to modify optical flow vectors from the sensors. Shifting and rotational speeds of the mobile device may then be calculated using the modified optical flow vector values. For example, given a configuration where the first imaging sensor and the second imaging sensor face opposite directions on a single axis, a shifting speed is calculated in the following way: multiplying a first optical flow vector and a first distance estimate, thereby deriving a first modified optical flow vector value; multiplying a second optical flow vector and a second distance estimate, thereby deriving a second modified optical flow vector value; the second modified optical flow vector value may then be subtracted from the first modified optical flow vector value, resulting in a measurement of the shifting speed.

Abstract: A wind of the type having a tower and a nacelle with a rotor rotatably connected to the nacelle for rotating about a rotor axis and having a plurality of equally spaced blades has the rotor balanced by firstly taking a measurement of torsional vibration and then by using photographic techniques to analyze dynamic imbalance caused by differences in the angle of attack of the blades. The torsional vibration is detected using two sensors at positions mirrored exactly in distance to the left and right of the rotor axis and detecting vibration in the axial direction. The angle of attack is measured by analyzing images of the tip of the blade where, during the analysis, distortion in angles at different locations in the image are corrected, in dependence upon a prior analysis of an image taken by the camera relative to a known image.

Abstract: Method and system for calibrating a thermal radiance map of a turbine component in a combustion environment. At least one spot (18) of material is disposed on a surface of the component. An infrared (IR) imager (14) is arranged so that the spot is within a field of view of the imager to acquire imaging data of the spot. A processor (30) is configured to process the imaging data to generate a sequence of images as a temperature of the combustion environment is increased. A monitor (42, 44) may be coupled to the processor to monitor the sequence of images of to determine an occurrence of a physical change of the spot as the temperature is increased. A calibration module (46) may be configured to assign a first temperature value to the surface of the turbine component when the occurrence of the physical change of the spot is determined.

Abstract: A dimension measuring apparatus is configured by: a movable stage; a measurement setting data storing section that holds feature amount information and measured position information; a low-magnification imaging section that photographs a workpiece with a low magnification; a workpiece detecting section that specifies a position and a posture of the workpiece in the low-magnification image based on the feature amount information; a stage controlling section that controls the movable stage 12 based on the specified location and posture such that the position to be measured of the workpiece stays within the high-magnification field of view; a high-magnification imaging section that photographs with a high magnification the position to be measured; an edge extracting section that extracts an edge of the position to be measured from the high-magnification image; and a dimension value calculating section that obtains a dimension value of the position to be measured.

Abstract: A dimension measuring apparatus is configured of an imaging section that photographs a workpiece on the movable stage; a depth extending section that performs depth extension on a plurality of the workpiece images in different Z-directional positions in the movable stage, to generate a depth extended image; a master image displaying section that screen-displays as a master image the depth extended image obtained by photographing a master workpiece; a measured position information generating section that designates a position to be measured and a measuring method with respect to the master image, to generate measured position information; an edge extracting section that extracts an edge of the position to be measured from the depth extended image, obtained by photographing the workpiece, based on the measured position information; and a dimension value calculating section that obtains a dimension value of the position to be measured based on the extracted edge.

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 and apparatus is provided for determining the bending of a golf club shaft having a first end of the shaft supported between two rollers in a two-point cantilevered mount. The second end of the shaft is deflected a predetermined amount or by a predetermined weight. A digital image is taken of the undeformed and deformed configurations, and the number of pixels between the undeformed and deformed positions is used to calculate one of the deflection, slope, curvature or stiffness of the shaft at various locations on the shaft. For adjustability, the two rollers are relatively positioned. If a deflection mechanism is used on the second shaft end, the deflection mechanism can also be positionable to vary the load on the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image-based barrier detection and warning system and a method thereof, wherein an image processing technology is used to establish ROI and verify whether a horizontal line signal exists, and wherein the image processing technology determines whether an object is a barrier via detecting contours of an object and detecting distance to the object, and wherein the system timely outputs warning signals and presents distance to a barrier when detecting the barrier. The image-based barrier detection and warning system enables the driver to watch the surroundings of the vehicle directly and clearly and learn the relative positions of barriers, whereby the driver can park more easily and safely.

Abstract: A surveillance and communication system is provided and includes two-way audio communication capabilities and a covert video acquisition system. In one embodiment, a system for acquiring video data within an environment is provided. The system includes a device having an image acquisition component, an audio acquisition component, and a speaker provided within an enclosure that is configured to be mounted to a portion of a user. The image acquisition component is configured to be utilized to acquire video data from a first viewpoint within the environment. A local data communication system is configured to receive an electrical signal indicative of video data from the image acquisition component. A surveillance component is fixed to a structure within the environment and configured to acquire video data from a second viewpoint within the environment that is elevated with respect to the first viewpoint.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatic image registration includes providing a previously aligned image pair, extracting a first number of samples of features from the previously aligned image pair, and extracting a second number of samples of features from an observed image pair. The method further includes determining a Euclidean minimum spanning tree of a union set of the samples of features from the previously aligned image pair and the observed image pair, determining a similarity measure of the observed image pair based on the Euclidean minimum spanning tree, estimating a gradient of the similarity measure, wherein a gradient estimate is used to update transformation parameters applied to register the observed image pair, and outputting a registration of the observed image pair, wherein the registration of the observed image pair is one of displayed and stored on a storage media.

Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring device is operable to report a high contact possibility between a vehicle and an object at an appropriate time or frequency according to the type of the object. When the object is determined to be a human being and the position of the object in real space is contained in a first contact determination area, a high contact possibility between the vehicle and the object is reported. On the other hand, when the object is determined to be a quadruped animal and the real spatial position of the object is contained in a second contact determination area, the corresponding report is made. The second contact determination area has an overlapped area that overlaps with the first contact determination area, and an overflowed area that has at least a part thereof overflowing from the first contact determination area.