Abstract: Disclosed are computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer program products for displaying superimposed image contours. A first centroid or center-of-mass of a contour extracted from a first image that depicts a moving object as the object appeared at a first time is calculated. A second centroid or center-of-mass of a second contour extracted from a second image that depicts the object as the object appeared at a second time is also calculated. The second image depicts the object in substantially the same plane as the first image. The first and second contours are displayed with the respective first and second centroids or centers-of-mass positioned at a common location. In some implementations, the images are ultrasound images depicting, for example, a human heart. The images can be transgastric short axis views of the human heart.

Abstract: A method and system for orientation compensation of a mobile device within an environment includes providing a plurality of reference markers having straight edges and having a defined, regular orientation with respect to the environment. Information about the orientation of the reference markers is supplied to a mobile device operating within the environment. An orientation sensor disposed within the mobile device estimates an orientation of the mobile device. An image of one reference marker is captured, and at least one edge of that reference marker is located. The estimated orientation is compensated by correcting for the reference marker orientation and aligning the corrected estimated orientation to the at least one edge of the reference marker that is closest to being parallel to the corrected estimated orientation.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a device. The device includes an imaging circuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in a hand-formed analog expression marked on a surface by a handheld writing device. The device also includes a translator circuit operable to decode the digital information. The device further includes a correlation circuit operable to generate a signal indicative of the decoded digital information.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manual device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The manual device also includes a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

Abstract: A system and method for the anticipated detection of a bend on a portion of road taken by a motor vehicle comprising the following steps: establishing, by means of a first system, called as the navigation system, a first set of information on the bend in question, the first set of information being associated with a first confidence index; establishing, by means of a second system, called as the image processing system, a second set of information on the bend in question, the second set of information being associated with a second confidence index; and establishing, from the first set of information and the second set of information and by taking into account the first confidence index and the second confidence index, a third set of information on the bend in question.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a device. The device includes an imaging circuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in a hand-formed analog expression marked on a surface by a handheld writing device. The device also includes a translator circuit operable to decode the digital information. The device further includes a correlation circuit operable to generate a signal indicative of the decoded digital information.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a writing element having a first portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element over the surface and a second portion operable to discharge a second marking substance on the surface in response to a controller. The apparatus also includes the controller operable to encode information corresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulating the discharge of the second marking substance.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method, and a device A device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface corresponding to a movement of the writing element over the surface. The device also includes a controller operable to digitally encode information in the mark.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manual device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The manual device also includes a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

Abstract: A document image processing method includes providing a document image, selecting fields, which is to be recognized, from the document image, and performing character recognition process for the selected fields.

Abstract: The graphic elements which constitutes a graphic data created by a CAD system for processing the graphic data displaying a graphic formed by combining the graphic elements are sorted into separate attributes consisting of graphic type, color, line type, line width, and the like while are represented by coordinate which indicates the position to be located and configuration as well as by a range coordinate and recorded in comparison files which include tables where each attribute is assigned with the coordinate data. Accordingly, the comparison files can be used with higher effectiveness for comparing the graphic data between the different formats. Also, as the identity of graphic data is judged through the comparison in the number of tables and the number of graphic elements with respect to the attributes, the number of items to be compared will be decreased.

Abstract: The present invention employs the notion of a Chinese writing brush in moving a geometric figure to produce a style of calligraphy, where the area of the geometric figure is large or small, then the strokes of a character are thick or thin. Hence the purpose is that the variance of the strokes of a character can be achieved using the present invention. The present invention only decides a moving path for the strokes of a character and the size of a geometric figure at starting points and end points, and then moves the geometric figure along the moving path, where the area the geometric figure passes is the style of calligraphy.

Abstract: A system and process for determining the location of a captured image from a larger image is described. Using a list of determined locations, the system is able to determine the best or most likely path of a pen tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a font-based sparkline, the sparkline being composed of two or more than two glyphs, said glyphs comprising one or more lines or consisting of one or more lines, which lines have two margins defining the thickness of the lines, the method comprising the step of providing at least one shaping element having a contour which at least in part is rounded and locating said shaping element at a position at which neighboring lines of two adjoining glyphs terminate, wherein said shaping element is located so that at least a portion of said contour is in alignment or in approximate alignment with at least one of the margins of one or both of said neighboring lines.

Abstract: A curve tracing system and method of extracting a smooth curve from a plurality of image data points includes the steps of: partitioning the data points into a plurality of groups each defined by a center point, manipulating the center points into a sequential order, and re-partitioning the data points into a plurality of groups each defined by a center point with the condition that a curve passing through the center points must be smooth.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for analyzing an image to screen for target candidates wherein an edge-follower detects straight segments within a plurality of longer edges and detects also from the longer edges, contours that go around areas that are the right size. The invention also contemplates starting the edge-follower from seeds on the image and terminating the edge-following process if the edge meanders too much to ever become an acceptable contour. In accordance with another embodiment, the straight segments can be further screened by measuring the gradient direction and then noting the deviation from the mean of those direction values. The highly straight edges thus found, in confluence with each other, or near a correct size contour define likely candidates.

Abstract: A user gives, as input, two curves at a start time and at an end time and reference correspondence points with respect to the respective curves. Then, a pursuit operation of pursuing a reference correspondence point is carried out with respect to picture images successive in the time axis direction. As a result, positions of reference correspondence points at respective intermediate stages can be determined. Then, interpolation of the shape is carried out. Then, the determined interpolated shape is deformed in correspondence with the determined reference correspondence point. Accordingly, even in the case where a contour shape does not linearly move, it is possible to precisely pursue correspondence points on the contour. Thus, a contour shape with higher precision can be prepared.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for digitizing shapes especially for garment styles by using image scanning techniques.

Abstract: A scanning system and method for scanning for an object within a region, or for locating a point within a region. Embodiments of the invention include a method for scanning for an object within a region using a Low Discrepancy Curve (LDC) scanning scheme. The method may: 1) generate a Low Discrepancy Sequence (LDS) of points in the region; 2) calculate an LDC in the region based on the LDS of points; and 3) scan the region along the LDC to determine one or more characteristics of the object in response to the scan. In calculating the LDC in the region based on the LDS of points, the method may connect sequential pairs of the LDS with contiguous orthogonal line segments (each parallel to a respective axis of the region), then sample the segments, generating points which may be used to generate the LDC, such as by a curve fit.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and accurate process for extracting an object from an image, which is used to impose a great load for an operator. According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus comprises an object extracting unit, for performing a predetermined process for image data for a position or an area that is designated and for extracting a specific object from an image, an outline part deciding unit, for selecting and authenticating an arbitrary segment of an outline obtained by the extracting unit, and an outline synthesis unit, for linking and synthesizing together the outline segments that are authenticated. Since a closed curve is formed by synthesizing the outline segments obtained by repeating the above process, and the outline of the object is thus determined, the outline segment that is extracted from the image and matches the correct outline of the object is sequentially selected and authenticated.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing apparatus. A contour interval intended to be extracted is designated (S1). A start point designated in S1 is used as the initial position of an attended point, and an end point is set as a target point of contour tracing (S2). A positional relation of the attended point and the target point is calculated (S3). A blind mask for blinding pixels in the vicinity of the attended point is prepared (S4). This mask processing permits a considerably free contour line tracing, while setting a restriction to securely converge to the target point. The pixel with the maximum edge strength is searched for from the pixels in the vicinity of the attended point (S5), and the searched contour pixel is set as a new attended point (S6). The operation is repeated from S3 to S6 until the new attended point reaches the target point (S7).

Abstract: A method of digital image processing for detecting whether a test point within a digital representation of an image lies inside or outside a closed curve defined by an ordered series of curve points within the representation of the image, comprises the steps of: (i) detecting an angle subtended at the test point by pairs of the curve points adjacent to one another in the ordered series; (ii) summing the detected angles for all pairs of the curve points adjacent to one another in the ordered series; and (iii) detecting whether the summed angle is equal to a non-zero integral multiple of 360°, thereby indicating that the test point lies within the closed curve.

Abstract: An image block is detected by raster scanning an input image and chasing surrounding black pixels around a detected black pixel as the start point in sequence. Further, by judging the feature of the detected image block, the attribute of the image block can be judged. Also, by comparing the detected image block with a predetermined window, it is possible to determine whether or not the image block is noise, whereby image processing of higher accuracy can be effected.

Abstract: An embroidery data processor includes: a thinning unit that reduces thickness of lines in the image data to produce thin-line image data including at least one thin-line outline defining a bounded region corresponding to a region of the embroidery pattern; and a bounded region extractor that extracts the bounded region defined by the thin-line outline. Because the bounded region is extracted from data that has been subjected to the thinning processes, no gaps through which the workpiece cloth is exposed will form between outlines and bounded regions sewn based on the data even when outlines are sewn in an extremely narrow width.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single chip color CMOS image sensor with a novel two or more line reading structure which is compatible with MOS fabrication technology. The invention allows the simultaneous reading of line signals from two adjacent rows of pixels so that combinations of signals from pixels in adjacent rows may be obtained without the use of an external delay line device. The sensor includes a pixel array having superimposed thereon a color filter pattern and a two or more line reading structure. The reading structure includes sets of storage capacitors on which the pixel signals are stored, and a means for reading the signals from the capacitors in such a way that signals from pixels in adjacent rows may be combined. The reading structure is external to the pixel array but may still be fabricated on the same CMOS chip as the pixel array.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is disclosed which reads from above a book document mounted as opened upwardly. This image reading apparatus decides the positions of face terminal parts of the document by detecting longitudinal edges in accordance with differences in luminance contrasts which occur in the face part of document and the lateral face part of document in the lateral direction of an image and further detecting the pattern of longitudinal edges due to the overlap of pages in the lateral face part of document and the amount of change of the position of the upper side edge of the document. The apparatus, therefore, is capable of accurately detecting the face of the document and the lateral face of the document and producing exclusively the image of the face of the document in spite of the presence of an index, a pattern of black frame, or a black background in the terminal parts of the face of the document.

Abstract: A video editing system capable of tracing and extracting objects in an image selects edges of the object to be traced based on an edge cost computation and on a rotational amount of the edge. The edge cost calculation method modulates the gradient magnitude of the pixel against the gradient direction of an edge to reduce the ambiguity often encountered during tracing as a result of background noise in the image. A method of editing the trace involves introducing control points between previously generated points in the trace. Because of a consistent edge selection criteria, based on a rotational amount of an edge, the characteristics of the previous edge are preserved, and an iterative editing process is eliminated. By basing the selection criteria on a rotation of the path, a total path rotation may be maintained with minimal extra compute operations.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to generate a vector or data from inputted drawing data interactively by suppressing the input cost.When an unknown process occurs in the system during data processing, an inquiry to a user is generated in the case of interactive operation. However, when drawings are handled, the number of inquiries to a user increases and the system operability lowers inversely. The present invention executes the drawing recognition method by cooperation and and competition of a multi-agent on the basis of the basic property of a figure such as adjacent relation. When blurring or a problem portion such as in interruption part or a junction part appears during recognition of a drawing, the linkage relation of line paths is automatically decided by making the recognition agent adjacent to the problem portion cooperate and compete. An inquiry to a user is not made. By doing this, vector data is obtained.The input cost of figure information in a data base can be reduced remarkably.

Abstract: A method of color halftoning using stochastic screening includes clustering, performing error diffusion and applying an adaptive criteria to change the cluster size according to the variation of the image color values. The method incorporates features from the traditional amplitude modulated (AM) digital halftoning methods, along with the advantages of frequency modulated (FM) techniques, recently introduced into the raster image processors of high resolution phototypesetters.

Abstract: An apparatus for tracing contours of segmented regions in an image includes a zero masking unit to produce a closed contour loop for each of the segmented regions, a tracing circuit for sequentially assigning each of the non-zero masked pixels on the closed contour loop as a tracing pixel, comparing the tracing pixel with a set of its adjacent pixels located at a rightward, an upward, a leftward and a downward directions with respect to the tracing pixel to select one of the adjacent pixels having a luminance level identical to that of the tracing pixel and updating the tracing pixel with the selected adjacent pixel with until the updated tracing pixel coincides with the tracing pixel selected first.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a cutting line having a first end and a second end comprises a photographic device for photographing an image signal of the cutting line, and a processing device having a conversion function for converting the image signal of the cutting line into binary image data, first and second contour tracing functions, and a judging function. The first contour tracing function traces the contour of the cutting line from the first end to the second end of the cutting line based on the binary image data and outputs first contour tracing data corresponding to the contour of the cutting line. The second contour tracing function traces the contour of the cutting line from the second end to the first end of the cutting line based on the binary image data and outputs second contour tracing data corresponding to the contour of the cutting line.

Abstract: A bi-level image is represented by an array of pixels. Code words are generated which represent outline tracing directions defined at points between the pixels respectively. The outline tracing directions represented by the code words are determined in accordance with states of the pixels surrounding and adjoining the related points respectively. A movement from one of the points to another being one of neighboring points is performed in accordance with the outline tracing direction represented by the code word defined at the one of the points. The movement-performing is repeated to trace an outline of a region in the bi-level image. Data representing the traced outline is generated in accordance with addresses of the points along which the movements are performed.

Abstract: An apparatus for searching a contour line of an image to be cut out, has a displaying device to display an image obtained when an original image is subjected to photographic conversion scanning, a belt-shaped region setting device to set a belt-shaped region at a designated position located along a contour line of an image to be cut out, and a contour line searcher and processor to process image data in a belt-shaped region that has been set by the belt-shaped region setting device and to search a contour line of the image to be cut out, based on the image data processed by the processor.

Abstract: A digital halftoning method for creating a gray-scale monochrome reproduction of a source image includes subdividing the source image into regions based on a trace of the space filing curve, further subdividing each of the regions into equally sized pixels, scanning the source image along the trace of the space filling curve to visit all pixels of the source image, calculating an average image intensity for each region, establishing a range of pixel cluster intensity levels based on a number of pixels in a cluster, and generating a dot pattern for each of the pixel clusters by activating individual ones of the pixels to an 0N state in accordance with a sequential order along the trace of the space filling curve.

Abstract: A scanning device and method of forming a scanned electronic image include an imaging sensor and at least one navigation sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging sensor is a linear array of sensor elements, with a two-dimensional navigation sensor array at each end. The scanning device has three degrees of freedom, since position information from the navigation sensors allows manipulation of an image signal from the imaging sensor to reduce distortion artifacts caused by curvilinear scanning. Acceptable sources of the position information include printed matter and contrast variations dictated by variations in the inherent structure-related properties of the medium on which the scanned image is formed. Illumination for optimal operation of the navigation system may be introduced at a grazing angle in some applications or in the normal to a plane of the original in other applications, but this is not essential.

Abstract: A line image processing method for processing an image in which the following line or lines defectively and dispersedly exist in a line image to be shaped: a line which is connected to a line which should be disconnected therefrom to make a long line or make a branch line, lines which should connected to each other and which are separated from each other, a line which is connected to an unnecessary short line, or a line which has a short line connected thereto indicating noise, includes the steps of picking up a line image to be processed by an image pick-up device, scanning the line image to retrieve a line to be traced, tracing an arrangement direction of each pixel composing the retrieved line by means of a direction code, tracing the retrieved and traced line to an end point thereof by selecting at a branch point a direction closer to an average value of a plurality of various direction codes preceding the branch point when the branch point is detected, erasing an image of a cluster corresponding to the l

Abstract: In fingerprint pattern classification, radial scanning vectors are used. A space between two adjacent ridge lines including a core point is traced by radial scanning. Radial distribution of number of cross points from the core point is a clue to a fingerprint classification.

Abstract: An image processor for performing trace processing for tracing the line image has an image memory for storing image data, a data memory for storing graphic data, a display unit for displaying the image data and the graphic data, an input unit for entering trace designation, a semi-automatic image trace processing section for performing the trace processing for tracing the line image of the image data in a semi-automatic way, and a tracing-rule description processing section for designating a trace method for tracing the line image. The line width of the line image is detected by designating a point in the vicinity of a pixel line as a start point for detecting the line width of the line image as an object of tracing the image data, retrieving a change point for changing pixels on a contour of the line image from the start point, and detecting the line width by detecting the number of the pixels in a continuous pixel line arranged in the line-width direction of the line image from the change point.