Abstract: A scheme for modifying an image is disclosed, which includes receiving a source image having a first image configuration; determining a second image configuration for a target image; providing the received source image to an AI engine trained to identify, based on a set of rules related to visual features, candidate regions from the source image; generating proposal images based on the candidate regions, respectively; determining, based on prior aesthetical evaluation data, an aesthetical value of each regional proposal image; and selecting, based on the determined aesthetical value of each regional proposal image, one of the regional proposal images as the target image; extracting, from the AI engine, the target image; and causing the target image to be displayed via a display of a user device.

Abstract: In a method for generating a cartoon face image that is performed by a computing device, a to-be-processed face image is obtained. Face feature information is recognized from the to-be-processed face image, and cartoon materials corresponding to feature parts of a face in the to-be-processed face image are obtained according to the face feature information. The obtained cartoon materials are cartoon face materials. The cartoon face materials include cartoon facial feature materials and another cartoon material other than the cartoon facial feature materials. Each of the cartoon facial feature materials are adjusted by using an adjustment parameter, and the other cartoon material are combined with the cartoon facial feature materials after adjustment to generate the cartoon face image.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a figure data generation program to cause a computer to execute a first process of displaying a drawing screen to make/edit an intended figure, a second process of commanding a processor to draw the intended figure on a surface of a workpiece to project a visible light onto a predetermined position on the surface, the processor including a visible-light source, the predetermined position having been designated by a user, and a third process of presenting a position corresponding to the predetermined position in the drawing screen.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method comprising receiving a first set of information corresponding to a first entity and receiving a second set of information corresponding to a second entity. Each set of information received corresponding to each entity comprises visual information relating to the entity. The method further comprises encoding each set of information, and classifying the first entity and the second entity as either matching entities or non-matching entities based on the encoding.

Abstract: There is provided a technique that includes: a camera configured to capture images of the target object; a memory configured to store the images of the target object and feature data including one or more predetermined exterior features of the target object; and a processor configured to: determine a first process configuration for an operation including a plurality of image processes; perform the operation under the first process configuration; generate inspection data from the sets of images that have been processed; generate an inspection score by comparing the inspection data with the feature data; compare the inspection score with a predetermined threshold score; set the first process configuration as an optimal configuration if the inspection score satisfies the predetermined threshold score.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for namespace and content manipulation within a storage system includes: defining policy rule(s), each policy rule dictating: how namespaces within the storage system may be transformed; and/or how content stored within the storage system may be transformed; receiving a request for access to a particular data set stored within the storage system; parsing the request to determine one or more transformations requested therein and/or required thereby; determining whether the particular data set is compliant with the one or more transformations; in response to determining the particular data set is compliant with the one or more transformations, providing access to the particular data set; and in response to determining the particular data set is not compliant with the one or more transformations, performing the one or more transformations to generate a transformed data set, and providing access to the transformed data set.

Abstract: Certain examples described herein relate to a method for detecting a line in an image. In one such example, the method comprises identifying a candidate line break region in the image. Identifying the candidate line break region comprises identifying a first pixel of the image and a second pixel of the image, between which the candidate line break region appears, a characteristic of the first pixel and the second pixel having a predetermined similarity relationship. The method then comprises using the identified candidate line break region to assist in detecting a line in the image.

Abstract: Techniques and constructs can reduce the time required to determine solutions to optimization problems such as training of neural networks. Modifications to a computational model can be determined by a plurality of nodes operating in parallel. Quantized modification values can be transmitted between the nodes to reduce the volume of data to be transferred. The quantized values can be as small as one bit each. Quantization-error values can be stored and used in quantizing subsequent modifications. The nodes can operate in parallel and overlap computation and data transfer to further reduce the time required to determine solutions. The quantized values can be partitioned and each node can aggregate values for a corresponding partition.

Abstract: A memory system may include: a nonvolatile memory device comprising a plurality of memory blocks; and a controller suitable for checking a read operation time, a read level class, an error occurrence, and an error occurrence class when performing the read operation on each of the memory blocks, classifying the memory blocks into various classes based on a result of the checking, and differently setting a durability parameter for each of the memory blocks based on a result of the classifying of the memory blocks.

Abstract: Spectral encoding methods are more robust when used with improved weak signal detection and synchronizations methods. Further robustness gains are achieved by using informed embedding, error correction and embedding protocols that enable signal to noise enhancements by folding and pre-filtering the received signal.

Abstract: A method for approving a commercial transaction using a customer generated fractal image. The method includes receiving, from a central authority, a seed, and receiving a request for the customer generated fractal image for payment of the commercial transaction with a merchant. In response to the request, payment device information is obtained and the customer generated fractal image is generated using the seed and the payment device information. The customer generated fractal image is displayed on the mobile device where it is scanned by the merchant to obtain a scanned fractal image. The scanned fractal image is sent, by the merchant, to the central authority. The central authority approves the commercial transaction by generating an expected fractal using a copy of the payment device information and the seed, and comparing the scanned fractal image with the expected fractal.

Abstract: A receiver, including: a posteriori probability demodulator configured to receive an input digital signal and output demodulated data; a deinterleaver configured to deinterleave the demodulated data; a forward error correction (FEC) decoder configured to error correct the demodulated data; a FEC encoder configured to encode the error corrected demodulated data; an interleaver configured to interleave the FEC encoded data and output the interleaved FEC encoded data to the posteriori probability demodulator; and a symbol compressor/decompressor configured to compress symbol data from the a posteriori demodulator and store the compressed data in a symbol memory and configured to decompress compressed symbol data stored in the symbol memory.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating medication. The method includes the steps of printing a first recoverable key on a medication pill, printing a second recoverable key on a medication packaging for the medication pill, employing at least a portion of the first recoverable key to extract information from the second recoverable key, and providing medication authentication in accordance with information extracted from the second recoverable key. The first recoverable key and the second recoverable key may include one or more fractal properties.

Abstract: Computer processor hardware receives image data specifying element settings for each image of multiple original images in a sequence. The computer processor hardware analyzes the element settings across the multiple original images. The computer processor hardware then utilizes the element settings of the multiple original images in the sequence to produce first encoded image data specifying a set of common image element settings, the set of common image element settings being a baseline to substantially reproduce each of the original images in the sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for partially up/downscaling an image encoded on a macroblock basis. The method and apparatus performs operations of: storing the encoded image; creating map data from bitstream of the encoded image to decode at least one macroblock of the encoded image, creating a shrunken image of a predetermined size based on resolution of a display device, storing the map data and the shrunken image so as to relate with the encoded image; outputting the shrunken image related with the encoded image to be displayed based on a control request received from an input device; determining at least one macroblock to be decoded based on a display area of the shrunken image; partially decoding the encoded image for the determined macroblock using the map data; and outputting to the display device, the image data of the display area of the partially decoded image.

Abstract: An apparatus, computer readable medium, and method of compressing images generated on an image generating device, the method including responsive to a generated image and position and orientation data associated with an image generating device which generated the image, selecting a previously generated image having a similar position and a similar orientation as the generated image; and if a comparison between the selected previously generated image and the generated image indicates the difference between one of the previously generated images and the generated image is less than a threshold difference, then compressing the generated image using the previously generated image. The method may include generating the generated image from light incident to the image generating device, and generating the position and orientation associated with the image generating device.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for the global quantitative characterization of patterns. In one representative embodiment, a method is provided in which fractal analysis is performed on a pattern to generate a global quantitative characterization of the pattern in a computer system.

Abstract: A visual quality assessment method and system are based on deriving a quality metric by comparing sub-band approximations of a distorted image and an undistorted version of the same image, providing a good compromise between computational complexity and accuracy. The sub-band approximations are derived from Discrete Wavelet (Haar) transforms of small image blocks of each image. Due to inherent symmetries, the wavelet transform is “blind” to certain types of distortions. But the accuracy of the method is enhanced, and the blindness of the transform is overcome, by computing quality metrics for the distorted image as well as computing quality metrics for a shifted version of the distorted image and combining the results.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for up-scaling a source input video from a lower, first resolution to a desired output video having a higher, second resolution, using fractal zooming techniques to replace each individual source pixel of each respective frame of the source input video with a multiple of proposed replacement pixels in the vertical and horizontal dimensions having similar characteristics as the individual source pixel, reducing noise associated with each respective frame of the desired output video, re-sizing, as necessary, each respective replacement frame to the second resolution, and outputting each zoomed replacement frame to generate the desired output video having a higher, second resolution, which is the up-scaled version of the source video. The fractal zooming techniques include identifying a plurality of candidate pixels from the source video and selecting a group of pixels from the candidate pixels that best matches the individual source pixel.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for the detection of patterns. In one embodiment, a pattern detection method is provided that comprises the step of performing a fractal analysis of a pattern to generate a plurality of scaling parameters from a fractal associated with the pattern in a computer system. In addition, the method further comprises the step of detecting a degree of organization in the pattern by examining a degree of equality among the scaling parameters of the fractal in the computer system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication systems with compressive sensing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of signal processing includes receiving a data packet at a processor. The data packet includes compressively measured data in wavelet transform coefficients of a signal. The signal is reconstructed using a clustering property of the wavelet transform coefficients.

Abstract: A method of generating three dimensional body data of a subject is described. The method includes capturing one or more images of the subject using a digital imaging device and generating three dimensional body data of the subject based on the one or more images.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a digital data stream is divided into at least two complementary digital substreams and delayed in time. The first digital substream and the second digital substream are transmitted by the broadcasting systems with a time offset in accordance with the broadcasting principle such that any receiver can use the respectively intact part of the other complementary digital substream in order to ensure a seamless media reception when a break in the transmission or reception occurs.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for detecting presence of an object in an image are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a method for detecting a presence of an object in an image comprises: receiving multiple training image samples; determining a set of adaptive features for each training image sample, the set of adaptive features matching the local structure of each training image sample; integrating the sets of adaptive features of the multiple training image samples to generate an adaptive feature pool; determining a general feature based on the adaptive feature pool; and examining the image using a classifier determined based on the general feature to detect the presence of the object.

Abstract: A computerized system for up-scaling a source input video from a lower, first resolution to a desired output video having a higher, second resolution, using fractal zooming techniques to replace each individual source pixel of each respective frame of the source input video with a multiple of proposed replacement pixels in the vertical and horizontal dimensions having similar characteristics as the individual source pixel, converting each of the proposed replacement pixels into a desired color space for the desired output video, using low-pass filtering to reduce noise associated with each respective frame of the desired output video, down-sizing the output video to its desired resolution, and outputting each zoomed replacement frame to generate the desired output video.

Abstract: A rendering process for rendering an image frame and a postprocess for adapting the image frame to a display are separated. A rendering processing unit 42 generates an image frame sequence by performing rendering at a predetermined frame rate regardless of a condition that the image frame should meet for output to the display. A postprocessing unit 50 subjects the image frame sequence generated by the rendering processing unit to a merge process so as to generate and output an updated image frame sequence that meets the condition. Since the rendering process and the postprocess are separated, the image frame sequence can be generated regardless of the specification of the display such as resolution and frame rate of the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charged particle detection including statistical reconstruction of object volume scattering density profiles from charged particle tomographic data to determine the probability distribution of charged particle scattering using a statistical multiple scattering model and determine a substantially maximum likelihood estimate of object volume scattering density using expectation maximization (ML/EM) algorithm to reconstruct the object volume scattering density. The presence of and/or type of object occupying the volume of interest can be identified from the reconstructed volume scattering density profile. The charged particle tomographic data can be cosmic ray muon tomographic data from a muon tracker for scanning packages, containers, vehicles or cargo. The method can be implemented using a computer program which is executable on a computer.

Abstract: In summary, the present invention provides a method, apparatus and program product for calculating an estimate of the amount of toner coverage required for printing print data defined in a compressed data stream. The estimate is obtained with reduced processing by obtaining coverage data from a partially decompressed formed of the data stream and using this to obtain the coverage estimate, thus removing the need to do a full de-compression of the data stream. For example the coverage data is a count of toned pixels for at least one intensity level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effectively predicting a video frame that use all of the advantages of an intra mode and an intra BL mode in multi-layer structure based-video coding. The method includes reconstructing the intra block of a lower layer using the previously reconstructed first neighboring blocks of the intra block; subtracting the first neighboring blocks from previously stored the second neighboring blocks of an upper layer corresponding to the first neighboring blocks; creating a differential predicted block based on a predetermined intra prediction mode by performing intra prediction using virtual differential neighboring blocks that are created as a result of the subtraction; adding the differential predicted block and the reconstructed intra block; and subtracting a predicted block, which is created as a result of the addition, from a block of the upper layer corresponding to the intra block.

Abstract: A method is provided for decompressing an image originally compressed using a known compression technique. An original compressed image file is defined by a plurality of locations that correspond to image data. A set of smooth test images is created by iteratively applying a plurality of different size PIXON® kernels to each location of a starting image beginning with a smallest size kernel. Each smooth test image is compressed using the known compression technique, then compared against the original compressed image at each location of the image to determine a goodness-of-fit of the compressed smooth test image to each location of the original compressed image file. For each location, the smooth test image that has the largest size kernel that passes a pre-determined goodness-of-fit criterion is selected for a given location of the decompressed image. A compression method utilizes the PIXON® method for optimization of knot points within an image.

Abstract: Functionality for storing and modifying multi-resolution texture atlases is provided so that applications can expose methods to enable users to access and browse a collection that includes multiple multi-resolution images. The images are stored as thumbnails in a texture atlas having different levels of detail in which the levels are arranged in an image pyramid that includes multiple tiles that are each stored as separate files. The thumbnails are spatially storable as textures in the texture atlas using a fractal layout (which in one illustrative example is a Morton layout) that enables images to be efficiently packed in the tiles. The fractal layout ensures that no more than one tile stores less than a fully packed texture at each level of detail. The same packing order scales across each level of detail in the texture atlas so that layout information is stored for the individual images in the collection only once.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for detecting presence of an object in an image are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a method for detecting a presence of an object in an image comprises: receiving multiple training image samples; determining a set of adaptive features for each training image sample, the set of adaptive features matching the local structure of each training image sample; integrating the sets of adaptive features of the multiple training image samples to generate an adaptive feature pool; determining a general feature based on the adaptive feature pool; and examining the image using a classifier determined based on the general feature to detect the presence of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effectively predicting a video frame that use all of the advantages of an intra mode and an intra BL mode in multi-layer structure based-video coding. The method includes reconstructing the intra block of a lower layer using the previously reconstructed first neighboring blocks of the intra block; subtracting the first neighboring blocks from previously stored the second neighboring blocks of an upper layer corresponding to the first neighboring blocks; creating a differential predicted block based on a predetermined intra prediction mode by performing intra prediction using virtual differential neighboring blocks that are created as a result of the subtraction; adding the differential predicted block and the reconstructed intra block; and subtracting a predicted block, which is created as a result of the addition, from a block of the upper layer corresponding to the intra block.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for noise reduction in images with locally different and directional noise, in particular for noise reduction in image data records of computed tomography. In at least one embodiment of the method, two image data records of an identical object region that have mutually independent noise are provided. The two image data records are decomposed by a discrete wavelet transformation into a number of frequency bands, detailed images having high frequency structures being obtained in at least two different directions. Noise images in the respective frequency bands and directions are obtained by subtracting a wavelet coefficient of the two input images. These noise images are used to estimate noise locally and as a function of direction, and on the basis of this estimate local threshold values are calculated and applied to the averaged wavelet coefficients of the input images. A result image with reduced noise is obtained after an inverse wavelet transformation.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a PHLCT circuit (15), which includes an input signal DCT coefficient computation module configured to compute DCT coefficients of an input signal of a subject block region in a plurality of block regions and block regions adjacent to the subject block region, respectively, an offset function DCT coefficient computation module configured to compute DCT coefficients of a gradient offset function, which offsets the gradient of the input signal at a block boundary between each subject block region and its adjacent block regions from the DCT coefficients of the input signal, and a residual computation module configured to compute a residual of the DCT coefficients of the input signal and the DCT coefficients of the gradient offset function; a quantization circuit configured to quantize the residual to obtain compressed data; and an entropy coding circuit (17) configured to encode the compressed data.

Abstract: A system and method of signal processing using linear or non-linear signal transformation and fractal dimension based analysis. Using a transform process (i.e. wavelet transform, Fourier transform, ICA transform, etc.), a signal is decomposed into a series of coefficients or components. Within this transform domain, fractal dimensions of the components are computed. The components with fractal dimensions higher than a pre-determined threshold are then selectively processed. A modified signal is reconstructed using inverse transform of the signal components.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method for evaluating the quality of images using a test Skr-matrix system. The index k refers to the fractal level in an Skr-matrix, having matrices themselves as elements. The index r?k refers to the Kronecker sub-level to which a typical internal sum structure is present. Skr-matrices can be explained in terms of cognition numbers, basic components, eigenvalues and sine-like eigenvectors. Skr-matrices also form vector spaces in which matrix distances can be properly calculated. The image Skr-quality parameters are derived from an intermediate quasi-Skr-matrix and its best-Skr-approximation in relation to a theoretical reference Skr-matrix. Useful applications are in the field of analogue and digital cameras, scanners, vision sensors, monitors, printers, spectrophotometers, infrared cameras, copying machines, TV-screens, GPS screens, X-rays, Gamma rays, Laser rays, or every other component in the image production and image handling field.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for muon tomography vehicle imaging use autonomous processing of 3-dimensional muon tomography vehicle images based on Data Modeling techniques and various applications including analyzing vehicle voxel data such as muon vehicle images to detect potential threat objects and then to further discriminate the identified potential threat objects by shape.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus for analyzing properties of living body based on image data of the living body is provided. The medical image processing apparatus executes a predetermined image analysis processing on the image data of the living body, to obtain shape image data obtained by extracting a profile of the living body, and pattern image data obtained by extracting the pattern on the interior of the profile of the living body. A fractal dimension DA of the shape image data is calculated and a fractal dimension DB of the pattern image data is calculated based on the obtained shape image data and the pattern image data, and then, the index value CI is calculated which substantially excludes information of the shape image data and substantially includes information of the pattern of the pattern image data to judge the properties of the living body.

Abstract: Fractal decompression and the Retinex algorithm are combined to produce a color constancy method. By using this approach, color constancy and image compression can be achieved simultaneously.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus generates a sub-self-similar set F, which is a subset of a self-similar set A with respect to contraction maps f1, . . . , fn and forms an image expressing the sub-self-similar set F. The apparatus includes a base-address-set designating section, a generation-rule acquiring section and a sub-self-similar set generating section. The base-address-set designating section selects m addresses each of which formed of infinite sequence of {1, . . . , n} and generates a base address set M including the selected addresses. The generation-rule acquiring section acquires a rule of generating a hypothetical sub-self-similar set G, which is a subset of a hypothetical self-similar set B with respect to n hypothetical contraction maps g1, . . . , gn, by using the generated base address set M. The sub-self-similar set generating section generates a sub-self-similar set F, which is a subset of the self-similar set A.

Abstract: An input image is subjected to image region determination in a unit of prescribed block. Based on a result of image region determination, two or more pieces of layer data, of which validity or invalidity at the time of reproduction of the image is defined in a unit of prescribed block are generated by using data of the input image. Then, each of the two or more pieces of layer data is subjected to coding processing under a coding condition suitable for each of the generated two or more pieces of layer data, in a unit of block suitable for each of the two or more pieces of layer data.

Abstract: An image processing method is described which makes it possible to obtain an image which has a high quality and resolution without leaving boundaries of adjacent blocks detectable even in the case where the image has already been subjected to a processing of resolution enhancement (enlargement) of the image using a set of fractal parameters.

Abstract: A technique for rearranging an input data stream for LZ data compression system to achieve a higher data compression. In one example embodiment, this is achieved by receiving an input data stream of a sequence of data blocks. Each of the received data blocks is then compared with each of a predetermined number of previously processed data blocks. One or more match locations and their associated match lengths for each of the data blocks are determined as a function of the comparison. An affinity array is then formed, such that each element in the affinity array comprises an affinity number based on the one or more match locations and their associated match lengths. The sequence of data blocks in the input data stream is then rearranged using the affinity array to form a new data stream. The new data stream is then encoded to achieve the higher data compression.

Abstract: A semiconductor defect inspection apparatus using a method of comparing an inspected image with a reference image includes the following: (1) a light source and an illuminating optical system, (2) plural defect optical imaging systems and photo detectors for scattered light detection, (3) a substrate holder and a stage for a scan, (4) means for obtaining the misalignment information on an adjacent die image using the inspection image of a defect optical imaging system with the highest spatial resolution, and means for transmitting the misalignment information to all the defect inspection image processing units, (5) means for correcting misalignment information so that a design and adjustment condition of each optical imaging system may be suited, and means for calculating a difference image between dies based on the corrected misalignment information, and (6) a defect detection and image processing unit for performing defect determination and detection processing based on the difference image between the dies

Abstract: Methods and systems to identify image pixels as edge pixels using fractal signatures associated with the image pixels. Fractal signatures may include one or more of a variety of fractal dimensions. A fractal dimension of a pixel may be generated from an array of pixels that include the pixel, from x and y coordinates and one or more of luminosity values and color values associated with pixels in the array of pixels. Pixels may be identified as edge pixels when their corresponding fractal signatures are equal to or greater than a fractal signature threshold. The fractal signature threshold may be generated in a supervised fashion.

Abstract: A system and method of signal processing using linear or non-linear signal transformation and fractal dimension based analysis. Using a transform process (i.e. wavelet transform, Fourier transform, ICA transform, etc.), a signal is decomposed into a series of coefficients or components. Within this transform domain, fractal dimensions of the components are computed. The components with fractal dimensions higher than a pre-determined threshold are then selectively processed. A modified signal is reconstructed using inverse transform of the signal components.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image accepting unit that accepts an image; a pixel addition unit that specifies a reference pixel for reference based a demarcation, with each area of object within the image accepted by the image accepting unit or each sub-area into which the area is divided as the demarcation, and that adds a pixel at a position independent from a cluster of pixels within the image on the basis of the reference pixel; and an output unit that outputs the image to which the pixel is added by the pixel addition unit.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the number of mathematical operations required in the JPEG decoding process without substantially impacting the quality of the image displayed is disclosed. Embodiments provide an efficient JPEG decoding process for the purposes of displaying an image on a display smaller than the source image, for example, the screen of a handheld device. According to one aspect of the invention, this is accomplished by reducing the amount of processing required for dequantization and inverse DCT (IDCT) by effectively reducing the size of the image in the quantized, DCT domain prior to dequantization and IDCT. This can be done, for example, by discarding unnecessary DCT index rows and columns prior to dequantization and IDCT. In one embodiment, columns from the right, and rows from the bottom are discarded such that only the top left portion of the block of quantized, and DCT coefficients are processed.

Abstract: A system is described that comprises a method and apparatus for further compressing an already compressed data stream, using a mathematical exclusive-OR computation. The method comprises: receiving a data stream that has been compressed using a first compression protocol; decompressing the data stream using the first compression protocol; reducing temporal redundancy in the data stream using an exclusive-OR comparison protocol; and recompressing the data stream using the first compression protocol. The apparatus comprises: a decompression unit to receive and decompress a compressed data stream to produce decompressed data; an exclusive-OR comparison unit, coupled to the decompression unit, to perform a mathematical exclusive-OR operation on the decompressed data to produce resultant data; and a recompression unit to compress the resultant data to produce a further compressed data stream.