Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus can change an output image in accordance with photographing condition. The medical image processing apparatus for processing image data representing an image obtained by radiography and read by an image reading apparatus, comprises: a unit for receiving the image data and photographing condition when the image is obtained; a unit for executing image processing of the image data; and a unit for reading output-format control information corresponding to the photographing condition from a predetermined set of output-format control information to be used to control an image format when the image is output on a film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus with the sensitivity to detect and identify single target molecules through the localization of dual, fluorescently labeled probe molecules. This can be accomplished through specific attachment of the taget to a surface or in a two-dimensional (2D) flowing fluid sheet having approximate dimensions of 0.5 ?m×100 ?m×100 ?m. A device using these methods would have 103–104 greater throughput than previous one-dimensional (1D) micro-stream devices having 1 ?m3 interrogation volumes and would for the first time allow immuno- and DNA assays at ultra-low (femtomolar) concentrations to be performed in short time periods (˜10 minutes). The use of novel labels (such as metal or semiconductor nanoparticles) may be incorporated to further extend the sensitivity possibly into the attomolar range.

Abstract: In a method for radiographic scoring of a radiographic image at least one region of interest is determined. Each of the determined regions of interest is displayed in close proximity to a number of reference stages each having an associated score. For each region of interest a reference stage image best matching the displayed region of interest is selected and the score number associated with the selected reference stage image is associated with the region of interest. Score numbers retained for each of the regions of interest are combined to form the score number of the radiographic image.

Abstract: A method of determining an amount of at least one molecular specie comprising a sample is provided, each molecular specie being indicated by a dye. The amount of the molecular specie is determined from an image of the sample captured as image data by a color image acquisition device in a video-microscopy system. An optical density of the sample is first determined in each of a red, green, and blue channel at a particular pixel in the image. A corresponding optical density matrix is thereafter formed for that pixel. The optical density matrix is then multiplied by the inverse of a relative absorption coefficient matrix so as to form a resultant matrix for the pixel. The relative absorption coefficient matrix comprises a relative absorption coefficient for each dye, independently of the sample, in each of the red, green, and blue channels. The resultant matrix thus comprises the amount of each molecular specie, as indicated by the respective dye, for that pixel.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for imparting a multiplicity of watermarks onto a digitized image. The image includes a plurality of pixels, wherein each of the pixels includes brightness data that represents one brightness value if the image is monochrome, or a plurality of brightness data values if the image has multiple colors. In one aspect it provides for imparting more than one watermark into the digitized image comprising the steps of providing the digitized image, and multiplying the brightness data associated with at least one of the image pixels by a plurality of predetermined brightness multiplying value. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for generating a composite watermark and imparting on a plurality of copies of a digitized image a different composite watermark into each copy. Also provided is a method for detecting one or more of the watermarks in the composite.

Abstract: Methods of embedding and detecting a watermark into/from a digital image are disclosed. A method of embedding a watermark in accordance with the present invention includes generating a predicted image of an original image by using a linear predictor; generating a difference image by subtracting said predicted image from said original image or vice versa; and segmenting said difference image into sub-regions. The method further includes the steps of calculating a watermark amplitude for each sub-region or for each pixel of each sub-region; performing a channel coding process on a set of watermark data bits; calculating a watermark block for each sub-region by using said encoded data bits, a pseudo random sequence (PRS) and said watermark amplitude; and embedding said watermark block into each sub-region by adding said watermark block with pixel values of each sub-region.

Abstract: A method for volumetric reconstruction of a cyclically moving object using a computed tomography (CT) system includes scanning a cyclically moving object with a CT imaging system including at least one of an area detector and a linear detector to encompass the desired field of view and a rotating gantry to measure projection data during a plurality of cycles of the cyclically moving object. The method also includes dividing a period of the cyclically moving object into a discrete number of phases, identifying an initial set of projection data at a desired phase of a first cycle at a first angle, identifying at least one subsequent set of projection data at the same desired phase of a subsequent cycle at an angle that is different from the first angle, and combining the initial set of projection data with each subsequent set of identified projection data and using a reconstruction algorithm to generate a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: In a method for the presentation of images of a region that are generated in a chronological sequence the values allocated to the picture element per image are compared to one another for acquiring changes for at least one picture element that represents an identical location per image with respect to the region to be imaged, the acquired changes are set down in a change log for the picture element, a marking is allocated to the picture element dependent on the change log, and the marking is superimposed on the location of the picture element in a selected image of the region.

Abstract: The present invention includes in a system and method for estimating and tracking an orientation of a user's face by combining head tracking and face detection techniques. The orientation of the face, or facial pose, can be expressed in terms of pitch, roll and yaw of the user's head. Facial pose information can be used, for example, to ascertain in which direction the user is looking. In general, the facial pose estimation method obtains a position of the head and a position of the face and compares the two to obtain the facial pose. In particular, a camera is used to obtain an image containing a user's head. Any movement of the user's head is tracked and the head position is determined. A face then is detected on the head and the face position is determined. The head and face positions then are compared.

Abstract: The present invention includes in a system and method for estimating and tracking an orientation of a user's face by combining head tracking and face detection techniques. The orientation of the face, or facial pose, can be expressed in terms of pitch, roll and yaw of the user's head. Facial pose information can be used, for example, to ascertain in which direction the user is looking. In general, the facial pose estimation method obtains a position of the head and a position of the face and compares the two to obtain the facial pose. In particular, a camera is used to obtain an image containing a user's head. Any movement of the user's head is tracked and the head position is determined. A face then is detected on the head and the face position is determined. The head and face positions then are compared.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the displacement of individual brain areas and to the presentation thereof on a display for guaranteeing optimal planning of an operation, said displacements being caused by tumor formation. According to the invention a displacement vector is detected for each brain area which was situated at a defined location in the initial position where a tumor is located now. Said displacement vector defines the displacement of a brain area in the direction and the amount thereof, whereby said displacement is caused by tumor growth. Said vector is detected by means of two parameters (b and c) which can be derived from the size and the kind of the tumor. The displacement vectors are numerically calculated according to the formula ur=cr+br?2 after the two parameters have been detected. The image of the tumor as well as the detected displacements are subsequently inserted into a stereotactic atlas.

Abstract: A guide can provide proper registration of an object such as a hand above a scanner device for imaging. The guide can include windows or slits so that the scanner device can produce an image such as a finger or palm in a natural state rather than being pressed against, for example, a flat surface such as glass. Thus, registration of a palm and/or a finger in the guide can be used to produce non-distorted high quality images of biometric patterns in their natural 3-dimensional state.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques whereby objects are readily identified. These inventive techniques are ideally suited for traffic monitoring. In one implementation a vehicle is marked with a machine-readable code on an outer, top surface of the vehicle. An elevated or aerial platform captures an image of the vehicle. A detector analyzes the captured image to recover the machine-readable code. The vehicle is identified from such. Traffic congestion can be determined by monitoring the movement of a marked vehicle through the city traffic. In some implementations the machine-readable code comprises an identifier, which is used to interrogate a database for related information.

Abstract: A system for imaging and analyzing perfusion in selected body regions includes an imaging device configured to transmit electronic signals to computer-executable software, the software being programmed to translate the electrical signals into electronic data, and to transpose and calculate such data into multi-dimensional displays, which multi-dimensional displays depict perfusion characteristics reflecting image data free of non-essential background data.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus able to automatically superpose photographing information into image data obtained by radiography. The medical image processing apparatus includes a first unit for obtaining image data representing an image recorded by radiography; a second unit for obtaining photographing information data representing photographing information to be displayed on a screen; a third unit for determining position and size on the screen in which the photographing information represented by the photographing information data obtained by the second unit is to be displayed; and a fourth unit for adding the photographing information data to the image data or image attendant information which is attendant upon the image data, and outputting the added data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for embedding and extracting a spatial domain blind watermark using a sample expansion. The sample expansion method using a sample expansion coefficient is introduced to basically improve a common disadvantage of the conventional watermarking method based on the patchwork method, for instance, the watermark is not robust against a compression attack such as JPEG. By applying the sample expansion to a sample group, the embedded watermark comes to contain a low frequency component more larger than ever, so that radio frequency component decreases as much. Thus, although the radio frequency component of the watermark is damaged by the image compression such as JPEG, it is possible to relatively reduce the damage of the watermark. Also, an adaptive watermark embedding method can be considered such that the embedded watermark value is proportional to an average value of the pixel.

Abstract: The systems and methods of this invention watermark an original data file using dimensional compression and expansion. The original data file extends along a given dimension and has portions that extend along that given dimension. The information is embedded into the data file by selectively dimensionally compressing or expanding a size of each of some or all of the portions along the given dimension, which can be space or time. The portions of the data file are selectively dimensionally expanded or compressed according to a given encoding scheme. This encoding scheme can use the kind of modification, the relationships between the type of modification between adjacent portions, or the duration or degree of compression or expansion to store a portion of the embedded information. The portions of the embedded information can be individual bits of binary or trinary information, or can be a portion of analog information.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention can be configured to demultiplex an asynchronously multiplexed video signal, which comprises images from a number of different cameras. Image matching techniques are used to assign input images with states. After a period, the number of states will generally equal the number of input cameras. The states may be modeled through any number of techniques, such as histogram analysis, clustering, and hidden Markov model analysis. Input images are assigned to states, and the input images are output as being associated with the states. Zone surveillance may be performed on a series of images from one or more of the states. Any events that occur can be distinguished and reported.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analyzing curvilinear structures by receiving three-dimensional space imaging data of a curvilinear structure, defining an axis curve within the curvilinear structure, sweeping a line segment along said axis curve so as to define a ribbon in said three-dimensional space, and adsorbing data from said three-dimensional space onto said ribbon. This ribbon may then be flattened for convenient examination.