Abstract: A method for displaying on a display medium an image corresponding to detected exposures of a plurality of pixels converted to a matrix having n rows and m columns of digital values. The method comprises creating a weighted, smoothed, subtracted matrix, adding the weighted, smoothed, subtracted matrix to the starting matrix to produce an enhanced matrix; and then using the digital values from the enhanced matrix to display an image. Preferably, a sampled submatrix of digital values having n/I rows and m/I columns is created from the starting matrix from which is compiled a weighted, smoothed, subtracted submatrix that is then extrapolated to create the weighted, smoothed, subtracted matrix. A program storage device for carrying out the method, a digital x-ray image data capture system, and a method of using the system of this invention are also claimed.

Abstract: A method for reprojecting a 3D image into a 3D Radon sinogram includes the steps of dividing a three-dimensional image into sub-images as small as one voxel and reprojecting the sub-images at a smaller number of orientations to form subsinograms. These sub-sinograms are then successively aggregated and processed to form a full sinogram. The method uses two algorithms to aggregate the sub-sinograms. In one algorithm, the aggregation is exact, and in the other algorithm, aggregation is an approximation, and involves increasing the number of orientations by interpolation. The first algorithm is accurate, but relatively slow, and the second algorithm is faster, but less accurate. By performing some aggregations with the exact algorithm and some aggregations with the approximate algorithm, switching between the two algorithms in one of a number of suitable ways, an accurate result can be obtained quickly.

Abstract: An image processing system for automatically extracting image frames suitable for printing and/or visual presentation from a compressed image data is described. The image processing system includes a face detector that detects if an image frame contains at least a face. The image processing system also includes a blur detector that determines the blur indicator value of the image frame directly using the information contained in the compressed image data if the image frame is determined to contain a face. The blur detector indicates that the image frame is suitable for printing and/or visual presentation if the blur indicator value of the image frame is less than a predetermined threshold. The image processing system may also include a motion analyzer that determines if the image frame is a super-resolution image frame suitable for printing and/or visual presentation if the image frame does not contain any face.

Abstract: A method is provided for motion estimation for a set of pixel blocks (macroblocks) in a current video frame in reference to a previous video frame. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the method includes calculates a set of characteristic values for each macroblock position in the previous video frame. Preferably, the method stores these values in memory in a fashion whereby they may be easily retrieved at a later time. For example, the values may be indexably stored in a table format. The method further calculates N levels of group characteristic values for a plurality of groups, wherein each group includes multiple macroblocks. The method then estimates motion for each reference macroblock from the current video frame, by testing highest level group characteristic values calculated in the step that calculates the N levels of group characteristics. Then, the method tests the next group characteristic values, if it has not already tested the lowest group.

Abstract: Method of determining (a) symmetry line(s) in a radiation image. A method of determining (a) symmetry line(s) in horizontal (vertical) direction in an image that is represented by a matrix of digital pixel values by (i) calculating a symmetry point for each column (row) of the image, and (ii) interconnecting calculated symmetry points.

Abstract: A method for decoding a message embedded in a pattern of pixels. The method includes the steps of determining the pixel values for pixels from the pattern of pixels, determining binary values from the pixel values for pixels from the pattern of pixels; and determining the embedded message from the binary values. The pixels have a range of pixel values between a maximum and a minimum. The pixels are divided into cells each having glyph cell and background pixels. The binary value of a glyph pixel is determined by the contrast the glyph pixel has with its background pixels. The method can be used to decode embedded web-site address from an image with a foreground image and the embedded web-site address.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system and method for target motion tracking, that reduces the computational resources required, by providing for the dynamic control of the activation of targets. The present invention is comprised of a system for use in dynamically tracking the movement of a subject. A plurality of active targets are located on the subject at positions of movement of the subject. At least one camera is arranged for viewing the subject, wherein each of the at least one camera outputs a video signal. A computer receives the video signal of each and processes each video signal by means of an algorithm program to produce a control signal.

Abstract: This invention is a method for the non-invasive and safe testing of telecommunication and broadcast towers or other airwave or cable transmitting and receiving devices and related equipment using a calibrated infrared camera and computer, computer software, a color monitor or a color printer. This novel method of testing and determination of potential problem sites and failure prediction can be conducted from ground level and at some distance from the tower or device being tested, substantially reducing the risk of falling from extreme heights or being exposed to hazardous EMF fields, microwave or RF transmission waves, all of which are fatal or hazardous to health of the person conducting the testing.