Abstract: A method for detecting a response (grey level) of each probe zone on a test strip includes providing a test strip having a color pattern. The color pattern occurs in response to a solution contacting with the test strip and includes color lines arranged in sequence. Each color line represents a probe zone of the test strip. A whole image of the test strip is captured and is selected at least one scan line perpendicular to the color lines. A pixel position of the scan line having a minimum pixel value corresponding to a bottom edge of the test strip is set and the pixel position is used as a reference to identify respective pixel positions of the color lines on the scan line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a target or targets in a surrounding background locale based on target signatures obtained by a hyperspectral imaging sensor used the hyperspectral imaging sensor to collect raw target signature data and background locale data during a first data collection mission. The data is processed to generate a database including a plurality of target signatures and background data relating to the background locale. The hyperspectral imaging sensor is later used to collect further background data during a further, current data collecting mission so as to provide continuously updated background data, in real time. A covariance equalization algorithm is implemented with respect to the background data contained in the database and the updated background data collected during the current mission to effect transformation of each target signature of the database into a transformed target signature.

Abstract: A map depicts a plurality of different locations. Steganographic encoding is embebbed in first and second map areas. Steganographic encoding in each area conveys an identifier that is associated with its respective map area. Different encoded identifiers are used to link to information pertaining various different locations depicted in the map.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for reading the addresses of mailings with an OCR device and a video coding device. On an ambiguous reading result from the OCR device an extract is automatically generated with specified extraction rules from address alternatives as a partial result of the OCR process and the number of concurrent or non-concurrent extracts determined. When the number of the address alternatives does not exceed a maximum value, an extraction coding with the specified extraction rules is carried out with predominantly or only different extracts and a selection coding, for the address alternatives transmitted to the video coding device with the image, is carried out with predominantly or only the same extracts.

Abstract: In a motion detection system, filters are applied to a series of digital images in order to determine whether changes in the properties of pixels between the current image and a reference model are due to motion of objects or to changes in lighting. The filter may be based on scaled differences between a current image and a reference model. The type of surface may be determined based on optical properties of the surface and then only the best filter for that type of surface is applied. Alternately, multiple filters may all be applied and the results combined. The processing may be reduced using a background model to determine which pixels are in the background and which are in the foreground and then only applying the filter to the foreground pixels.

Abstract: A method (500, 600) of tracking a feature (201) across a sequence of image frames is disclosed. A current feature position in a current frame is estimated from at least a previous feature position in a previous frame. Feature data is extracted from pixel data of the current frame. The feature data is then compared with reference data. If a difference between the feature data and the reference data is larger than a predetermined number, then track of the feature (201) has been lost. Alternatively, the current feature position is appended to the trajectory of the feature, and the reference data is updated periodically with feature data of a plurality of frames. Preferably the reference data is a statistical representation of feature data of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for embedding predetermined information in an image includes an input unit for inputting the image, a division unit for dividing the input image into plural image regions, a periodicity generation unit for generating plural different periodicities, an addition unit for adding a predetermined value to a pixel value of each pixel in the image region divided by the division unit, on the basis of the periodicity, and a selection unit for selecting the periodicity for the addition from among the plural periodicities, in accordance with the predetermined information. Thus, image quality deterioration is reduced and an extraction error ratio at a time of extracting additional information is also reduced in a method of embedding the additional information in the image.

Abstract: The present invention involves a new system and method for probabilistic exemplar-based tracking of patterns or objects. Tracking is accomplished by first extracting a set of exemplars from training data. The exemplars are then clustered using conventional statistical techniques. Such clustering techniques include k-medoids clustering which is based on a distance function for determining the distance or similarity between the exemplars. A dimensionality for each exemplar cluster is then estimated and used for generating a probabilistic likelihood function for each exemplar cluster. Any of a number of conventional tracking algorithms is then used in combination with the exemplars and the probabilistic likelihood functions for tracking patterns or objects in a sequence of images, or in a space, or frequency domain.

Abstract: An image generation apparatus includes an image file generating unit operable in one of first, second and third modes, wherein (a) if the first mode is selected, the image file generating unit generates a first image file including image data and first verirfication data used to verify whether the image data is falsified or not, (b) if the second mode is selected, the image file generating unit generates a second image file including the image data, additional information of the image data and second verification data used to verify whether the additional information is falsified or not, and (c) if the third mode is selected, the image file generating unit generates a third image file including the image data, the additional information, the first verification data and the second verification data.

Abstract: When multiple cameras (CAM1) to (CAM8) for shooting the periphery of a local vehicle are mounted on the vehicle, and when obtained camera images are to be synthesized to display a synthesized image on the screen of a display device (16), the pixel data for the camera images constituting the synthesized image are compensated for, so that differences in the pixel data for adjacent camera images is reduced. For example, the pixel data are corrected so their values equal the average values of the pixel data for the adjacent camera images. Therefore, an easily viewed image, produced by synthesizing the images obtained by the multiple vehicle cameras, can be displayed on the monitor device (16).

Abstract: Methods and devices for improving the machine-to-machine and temporal (e.g., inter and intra-machine) and database consistency of coronary calcium scoring by applying a filtering algorithm that sharpens and/or smoothes the image so as to return a filtered image having a spatial resolution of a certain reference value.

Abstract: A number of novel watermarking applications, and improvements to watermarking methods, are disclosed. Included are techniques for encoding printed circuit boards and street signs with watermarks, deterring credit card fraud and controlling software licensing using watermarks, registering collectibles via watermarks, encoding the margins of printed pages with watermarks, and using watermarks to convey extra information in video by which fidelity of the rendered video may be improved.One particular arrangement is a method in which a PDA, wristwatch, or other portable device with a display screen presents an image that depicts a proprietor of the device, and also includes a machine-readable identifier (e.g., a watermark or barcode). This image is sensed by a separate device, such as a webcam or a camera-equipped cell phone. The sensing device can then take an action based on the identifier (e.g., linking to an email account or to a web site that corresponds to the person depicted on the display screen).

Abstract: A feature extracting method for a radiation image formed by radiation image signals each corresponding to an amount of radiation having passed through a radiographed subject, has plural different feature extracting steps, each of the plural different feature extracting steps having a respective feature extracting condition to extract a respective feature value; a feature value evaluating step of evaluating a combination of the plural different feature values; and a controlling step of selecting at least one feature extracting step from the plural different feature extracting steps based on an evaluation result by the feature value evaluating step, changing the feature extracting condition of the selected feature extracting step and conducting the selected feature extracting step so as to extract a feature value again based on the changed feature extracting condition from the radiation image.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enhancing the accuracy of height above ground measurements in which the registration error between successive images taken of the terrain over which an aircraft is flying is minimized, the earlier image having first been transformed according to measurements of the aircraft linear and angular velocities, the focal length and attitude of the image sensor, and an initial, coarse height estimate. By an iterative process, a more accurate height estimate is obtained.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for detecting copyright protection in digital images receives a digital image, searches for capture device information associated with the digital image, calculates one or more image characteristics of the digital image, and verifies copyright ownership and usage authorization of the digital image in response to the capture device information and the calculated image characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconstruction of a three-dimensional representation of a moving arterial tree structure from a pair of sequences of time varying two-dimensional images thereof and for analysis of the reconstructed representation. In one aspect of the invention, a pair of time varying arteriographic image sequences are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional representation of the vascular tree structure as it moves through a cardiac cycle. The arteriographic image sequences maybe obtained from a biplane imaging system or from two sequences of images using a single plane imaging system. Another aspect of the invention then applies analysis methods and systems utilizing the three-dimensional representation to analyze various kinematic and deformation measures of the moving vascular structure. Analysis results may be presented to the user using color coded indicia to identify various kinematic and deformation measures of the vascular tree.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document discriminating apparatus and a discriminating method for use in processing documents at financial institutions. A characteristic portion inherent in an optional format is cut out from image data read from a document in the optional format. Color constituents of the cut out image data are analyzed, and a color constituent exhibiting characteristics is selected from the constituents, and a color separation parameter is set for the selected color constituent. Data information is prepared which is related to the image data cut out based upon the color separation parameter. On the other hand, data information is prepared from image data obtained by reading a document to be discriminated based on the color separation parameter. Then, the data information is compared for determination with the data information stored in the document discriminating dictionary unit, whereby the document is discriminated.

Abstract: In order to segment a digital image of a postal packet in order to read a postal address (AP) automatically on said packet, the method consists: in subdividing (20) the image into image blocks of identical size; in applying (30) processing based on a Hough transform to each image block in order to identify in the image block in question a privileged direction for the distribution of image points in the block under consideration; in grouping together (40) contiguous image blocks within the image having a common privileged direction in order to define (50) a rectangular zone of interest (ZI) containing the group of said contiguous blocks having a common privileged direction in such a manner that said rectangular zone of interest has a longitudinal edge parallel to said common privileged direction; and in applying the automatic address-recognition algorithm to said zone of interest in the image in order to read a postal address automatically.

Abstract: A method and workstation for producing a combined image, including information from first and second diagnostic images, identify areas of increased uptake in the second diagnostic image as a region of interest which contains pixels representing the areas of increased uptake. The areas of increased uptake in second diagnostic image are mapped onto equivalent areas in the first diagnostic image using a deviation value calculated from a difference of a first peak position and a second peak position of pixel values of said pixels. The first peak position is a first significant peak of intensity values of the pixels and has a first intensity value, and the second peak position corresponds to a second intensity value which is half the first intensity value.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring three-dimensional (3-D) images of a scene. The system includes a projection device for projecting a locally unique pattern (LUP) onto a scene, and sensors for imaging the scene containing the LUP at two or more viewpoints. A computing device matches corresponding pixels in the images by using the local uniqueness of the pattern to produce a disparity map. A range map can then be generated by triangulating points in the imaged scene.