Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method for amplifying an image signal are provided without reducing an image size and without lowering a sense of resolution. An edge-direction detecting arithmetic section (2) detects an edge minimum direction from extracted Bayer data (BAY). An assigning arithmetic section (4) assigns a coefficient in which weighting is applied in the edge minimum direction of the extracted Bayer data (BAY) at a higher distribution ratio than other directions to a spatial filter kernel. In other words, the coefficient of the spatial filter kernel is changed in accordance with the edge minimum direction. A pixel adding arithmetic section (5) performs a sensitization process of extracted Bayer data (BAY). Therefore, it becomes possible to selectively perform a low-pass filtering process in the edge minimum direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. the feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead envelope transverse the stack of mail. The mail is then cut on a side edge and the top edge to cut open each envelope. A transport conveys the cut envelopes to an extractor. The extractor opens the edge-severed mail and presents the contents of the envelopes to an operator who manually extracts the contents. The operator drops the extracted contents onto a conveyor that conveys the contents to an imaging station. The contents are automatically separated and imaged to obtain image data for the contents. The contents are then sorted into a plurality of output bins.

Abstract: A method for providing an intensity or brightness measurement using a digital image-capturing device comprising: selecting a target area within a field of view of the image-capturing device, the target area containing pixels; measuring the intensity or brightness of pixels in a target area; accumulating the intensity or brightness values of the pixels in the target area; and determining a pixel value representative of the intensity or brightness of the pixels in the target area. A device for making color measurements comprising an image-capture device, a processor or logic device, and a memory location for accumulating color data, and the processor or logic device is programmed to perform color measurements by accumulating the data for pixels located in the target area in memory, and determining a representative color value.

Abstract: A system for modifying a classification scheme for classifying hand-written characters. A memory stores the classification scheme, which includes a number of allographs, each allograph representing a respective style of a respective letter. A processor received data representing a hand-written character, and then selects an allograph representing the character. One or more of the allographs are then modified in accordance with the selection, to thereby reflect the fact that the allograph corresponds to a style of letter used by a user.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining the acceptability of an input image for a predetermined output operation, such as printing, includes the steps of: (a) identifying one or more important areas in the input image; (b) calculating a salient acceptability feature for each of the important areas; (c) determining the acceptability of the input image from the salient acceptability features of the important areas; and (d) implementing the predetermined output operation based on the acceptability of the input image determined in step (c).

Abstract: A unique multi-stage classification system and method that facilitates reducing human resources or costs associated with text classification while still obtaining a desired level of accuracy is provided. The multi-stage classification system and method involve a pattern-based classifier and a machine learning classifier. The pattern-based classifier is trained on discriminative patterns as identified by humans rather than machines which allow a smaller training set to be employed. Given humans' superior abilities to reason over text, discriminative patterns can be more accurately and more readily identified by them. Unlabeled items can be initially processed by the pattern-based classifier and if no pattern match exists, then the unlabeled data can be processed by the machine learning classifier. By employing the classifiers in this manner, less human involvement is required in the classification process. Even more, classification accuracy is maintained and/or improved.

Abstract: A computerized method for associating one or more portions of a diagnostic image with one or more electronic records is provided. The method includes receiving a diagnostic image having data particular to at least two persons and associating a first portion of the diagnostic image with an electronic record. The method may further include storing the first portion of the diagnostic image with the electronic record and/or associating and storing a common portion of the diagnostic image with the electronic record, the common portion consisting of data common to each person whose data is shown on the image. In one embodiment, the method may further include modifying the received diagnostic image and associating and storing the modified image with an electronic record. A computer system for associating at least a portion of a diagnostic image with an electronic record is also provided.

Abstract: A biometric information measuring apparatus has a biometric signal detecting portion that detects a biometric signal. A control section calculates biometric information based on the detected biometric signal by nullifying an amplitude of the detected biometric signal corresponding to a noise portion of the detected biometric signal when the nullified amplitude does not satisfy a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A microinjection apparatus of the present invention includes a needle-position polarity detecting unit that detects a position of the needle in the vertical direction at which a value of a differential aggregate distribution becomes the maximum in the situation in which a shape of the leading edge of the needle at a focal position narrows at the right. Moreover, a differential-average determining unit, based on a differential average of an image near the position detected by the needle-position polarity detecting unit, determines the lowest allowable position of the needle, which is a position at which a differential average exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to this invention includes an information generation unit which generates correspondence information representing correspondence between first images whose viewpoints are different each other, and a selection unit which selects, out of the first images on the basis of the correspondence information, second images whose viewpoints have a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a head image of an input image. In the head image detection apparatus, a training DB stores therein a positive head image and a negative head image into which a plurality of images are classified. A sub-window processor extracts a feature population while sliding a sub-window of a predetermined size with respect to the input image. A head candidate region classifier classifies head candidate regions based on the extracted feature population from the sub-window processor by referring to samples stored in the training DB. A head candidate region determiner determines a head candidate region as a head region by checking continuity of contours of the classified head candidate regions.

Abstract: Column misalignment between a magnetically-recognized character string and an optically-recognized character string is corrected to improve character recognition reliability. A character string is read magnetically and the result outputted. The same character string is also read optically and the result outputted. A magnetic data reading unit detects the magnetism of a character string printed in magnetic ink and outputs the detected magnetic data. A recognition result comparing unit then applies a column offset detection process to detect misalignment between the character columns in the magnetic and optical results, then applies a column offset correction process to correct any column offset and align corresponding character columns. The comparing unit then compares corresponding character columns in the magnetic data recognition result and image data recognition result.

Abstract: A system for creating photorealistic 3D models of environments and/or objects from a plurality of stereo images obtained from a mobile stereo camera and optional monocular cameras, for enhancing 3D models of environments or objects by registering information from additional sensors to improve model fidelity or to augment it with supplementary information using a light pattern projector, and for generating photo-realistic 3D models of underground environments such as tunnels, mines, voids and caves, including automatic registration of the 3D models with pre-existing underground maps. The cameras may be handheld, mounted on a mobile platform, manipulator or a positioning device. The system automatically detects and tracks features in image sequences and self-references the stereo camera in 6 degrees of freedom by matching the features to a database to track the camera motion, while building the database simultaneously.

Abstract: A system for electronically distilling information from a business document uses a network scanner to electronically scan a platen area, having a business document thereon, to create a bitmap. A network server carries out a segmentation process to segment the scan generated bitmap into a bitmap object, the bitmap object corresponding to the scanned business document; a bitmap to text conversion process to convert the bitmap object into a block of text; a semantic recognition process to generate a structured representation of semantic entities corresponding to the scanned business document; and a document generation process to convert the structured representation into a structure text file.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for determining a sharp panoramic image constructed from a group of projection images, especially the invention relates to defining a structure of the panoramic X-ray image of an area of a dentition and of jaws. The structure of a panoramic image to be generated from a group of projection images is determined by at least two crucial parameters, namely parameters of the central surface S of the sharp layer and thickness t(s) of the sharp layer, using penalty function F(S,t), which is at least a penalty function F3(S,t) of low-frequency changes in the computed panoramic image corresponding to the choices S and t(S). After computing F3(S,t) the best center surface and thickness function (in other words the sharpest layer of the panoramic image) is obtained by minimizing said penalty function F(S,t) over parameter space.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of processing a digital image, which includes assigning an image quality classification to the image on the basis of an analysis of at least a portion of the image to detect whether one or more defects exist in the image.

Abstract: To provide an image matching method, an image matching apparatus, and a program able to perform a matching images at a high accuracy. A Hough transform unit 15 performs a Hough transform processing to a registered image AIM and an image to be matched RIM, in detail, an image processing by which points in each image are transformed to a curved pattern and linear components in each image are transformed to a plurality of the overlapped curved-patterns, based on a distance ? from a reference position to a shortest point in a straight line L passing through a point in the image and an angle ? between a straight line n0 passing though the reference position and the shortest point and a x-axis as a reference axis including the reference position, and generating a transformed image S1621 and a transformed image S1622.

Abstract: A computerized method, system and computer program for the computerized fractal-based analysis of a structure as presented in a pattern on a medical image. Image data is generated from the medical image and a region of interest is selected. The image data is digitized and analyzed to reveal fractal-based computer-generated features of a texture of the image data. Then a qualifier is applied to the computer-generated features to obtain fractal characteristics of the image data. A multi-fractal nature is observed for the texture of the region of interest. A marker for assessing a risk of a disease is yielded based on the multi-fractal nature of the texture.

Abstract: Visually encoded data is captured along with one or more visual elements, the encoded data is decoded and one composite view is displayed that incorporates information related to the decoding data, such as a decode confirmation or decoded data, and the visual elements. The recognition and decoding process may additionally provide for transforming the captured visual elements to accommodate the allocated display area of small sized display, such as the display associated with a handheld image capturing device. The invention is thus suited for capturing encoded data and branding elements, such as company or product logos, and displaying the branding elements in unison with data related to the decoded information.

Abstract: An identity authentication device including a case member, a fingerprint sensor member being detachable from the case member, a first metal terminal formed in the finger print sensor member and a second metal terminal formed in the case member and electrically connectable with the first metal terminal.