Abstract: This relates to a filtering method for processing an image sequence, including for each image parallel binarizations of the gray levels, provided to define a tree structure made of a father node (c.sub.0.sup.1) corresponding to a background (A0) and of successive child nodes (C.sub.h.sup.k) corresponding to associated connected components (B1, D1, F1, C2, E2, G2) and a decision on the elimination or the preservation of each node (C.sub.h.sup.k), followed by an assignment of a gray level value to each picture element. This type of filtering offers the advantage of simplifying the images as well as perfectly preserving the contours, and the decision is based on various proposed simplification criteria, among which the motion-oriented one is particularly attractive.

Abstract: A data compression system for use in thermal imaging systems. The data compression system includes a memory (74) for receiving an input video signal. Hardware loader (100) loads the video signal into the memory (74). A system processor (84) controls loading of the input video signal by the hardware loader (100) into the memory (74). A histogram chip (80) determines useful data contained in the video signal input into the memory (74). The processor (84) reads information from the histogram chip (80) and compresses the video signal as a function of information read from the histogram chip.

Abstract: A system (method and apparatus) for verifying/identifying a person based on contour of the knuckle surface of at least one hand, e.g. a digitized waveform unique to each individual. At an Enrollment Station a microcomputer is connected to a device for identifying the knuckle surface profile (e.g. a video camera or electromechanical contour sensing device). A candidate user grasps a grip handle, preferably vertically oriented, on the apparatus, positioning a fist before a viewing window and activating the device to scan or assess the fist and generate a contour of the user's knuckle surface contour. User's data comprises a knuckle contour, an assigned PIN, and optionally, information such as user's name, bank ID number, Social Security Number, and access restrictions. User's data may be stored as a profile (template) in an ID card, and/or in a master database containing data of all authorized users in a guarded system.

Abstract: A histogram-equalization method and circuit for enhancing an image signal represented by a predetermined number of gray levels is presented. The method calculates a cumulative density function and a mean level in a unit of a picture, and maps an input sample into a new gray level according to a transform function which is defined by use of the cumulative density function and the mean level. The method may also include a step of obtaining a compensated mean level by adding to the mean brightness level, so that the input sample is mapped into the compensated mean level according to the mean level. Thus, a brightness compensation may be carried out along with the contrast enhancement of the image.

Abstract: When a gradation test pattern is read a predetermined period of time after the gradation test pattern was fixed, the correction amount can be controlled based on a stable image density, and an image with good gradation characteristics can be formed. A gradation test pattern including all color patterns is output in accordance with a gradation test pattern registered in a test pattern memory area, and at the same time, a timer is started. After an elapse of a predetermined period of time stored in a RAM, the output gradation test pattern is read by an original reader. On the basis of the read image density, a .gamma.-LUT is set.

Abstract: A histogram equalization method for enhancing an image is provided and includes the steps of: quantizing the level of input image signals; quantizing a mean level of quantized input image signals by a unit of a picture; splitting quantized input image signals into a predetermined number of quantized sub-images according to a quantized mean level; calculating a cumulative density function value of each quantized sub-image; interpolating the cumulative density function value of each sub-image according to input image signals and the cumulative density function value of each quantized sub-image; and independently histogram-equalizing each quantized sub-image according to the interpolated cumulative density function value of each quantized sub-image, to thereby enhance the contrast and preserve the overall brightness of a given image as well as simplify the circuit hardware.

Abstract: In a character recognition system, a method and apparatus for correcting the skew of a document image. Skew correction is typically performed during segmentation of the document image into text and non-text parts. Skew correction generally involves skew angle determination and correction of the document image based on the skew angle. A skew angle is determined through the steps of: providing a set of associated rectangles representing the document image, identifying a column edge associated with the set of associated rectangles, comparing rectangles from the set of associated rectangles to identify those that are in the same column and suitably far apart, calculating a tangential angle between the rectangles identified and identifying the most common tangential angle as the skew angle.

Abstract: An identification code signal is impressed on a carrier to be identified (such as an electronic data signal or a physical medium) in a manner that permits the identification signal later to be discerned and the carrier thereby identified. The method and apparatus are characterized by robustness despite degradation of the encoded carrier, and by permeation of the identification signal throughout the carrier.

Abstract: The error resilient method and apparatus for encoding data includes an encoder including a code word generator for generating a plurality of code words representative of respective portions of the data. The code word generator encodes data pursuant to split field coding in which each code word includes a prefix field and an associated suffix field. The prefix field includes information representative of a predetermined characteristic of the associated suffix field, such as the predetermined number of characters which form the associated suffix field. In addition, the suffix fields include information representative of at least some of the original data. Consequently, if the prefix field of a code word is decoded correctly, i.

Abstract: A two dimensional video convolver generates visually acceptable images on a standard television receiver and includes first and second adder stages and two pixel time period delays. The first adder stage simultaneously receives binary data from three adjacent pixels in a predetermined line in a first direction of a picture to be reproduced on a display during each pixel scan period. The binary data of each of three pixels is processed with a predetermined weight to generate a binary first stage output signal representative of a weighted sum of the plurality of the three pixels in the predetermined line. The second adder stage is responsive to the binary first adder stage output signal during a time period for each of three predetermined adjacent lines in a second orthogonal direction of a picture to be reproduced on a display.

Abstract: Security of photographic identification documents is enhanced by embedding within the photographic image encoded information that may be correlated to other information pertaining to the individual represented by the image, such other information being, for example, printed on the document adjacent to the photograph.

Abstract: A method of identifying business forms that uses contour polygons constructed from linear line segments. Wherein contour polygons are derived from a windowed raster scan of the forms' image. Each of the contour polygons is examined to determine if it represents a text component or a graphic component. All text contour polygons and graphic contour polygons are grouped and profiled. The accumulated profiles are compared against a library of stored profiles of known forms so as to determine a best match thereby identifying the unknown form.

Abstract: A method of vertex-based hierarchical shape representation and coding includes selecting an image of interest, defining a boundary about an object of interest within the image of interest, wherein the boundary is defined by a set of contour points, selecting a number of layers, each layer having a predefined saliency parameter associated therewith, wherein the saliency parameter defines a range of layers from a most salient layer to a least salient layer, identifying the most salient contour points in the boundary and placing the most salient contour points in the most salient layer, identifying the next most salient contour points in the boundary and placing the next most salient contour points in the next most salient layer until all of the selected layers have contour points placed therein, and hierarchically storing the layers in a database.

Abstract: A signal switcher and an input/output interface for an external equipment are provided within an encoding/decoding apparatus. A display part in the encoding/decoding apparatus can be utilized by controlling a signal switcher to select either a signal from a writing/reading part or an external signal from the input/output interface for an external equipment by a control microcomputer and supplying the output of the signal switcher to a display part through a decoding processing part.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically determining a compression method to be used on a file. A histogram of the file is constructed in order to determine if there are a predetermined number of consecutive byte patterns below a set threshold. If this condition exists, the file is not an image file and compression can be performed using the lossless Lempel-Ziv compression method. If, over the range of the histogram, the file is above the predetermined threshold, the histogram is examined to determine if the average value in the histogram is in a central portion of the histogram. If it is not, the file does not represent an image and again, the Lempel-Ziv compression method is used. If both the byte patterns and the histogram exceed the predetermined threshold and the average of the histogram is in a central portion, the file is determined to contain an image.

Abstract: A tokenless identification system and method for authorization of transactions and transmissions is described. The tokenless system and method are principally based on a correlative comparison of a unique biometrics sample, such as a finger print or voice recording, gathered directly from the person of an unknown user, with an authenticated biometrics sample of the same type obtained and stored previously. The method and apparatus can be networked to act as a full or partial intermediary between other independent computer systems, or may be the sole computer systems carrying out all necessary executions. The method and apparatus further contemplates the use of a private code that is returned to the user after the identification has been complete, authenticating and indicating to the user that the computer system was accessed. The identification system and method of the invention additionally include emergency notification process to permit an authorized user to alert authorities an access attempt is coerced.

Abstract: A method encodes a current contour of an object in a video signal based on a previous contour thereof by extending the current contour over neighboring pixels thereto. In the encoded method, a displacement between the extended and the previous contours is found to set the displacement as a motion vector for the current contour. The previous contour is overlapped onto the extended contours based on the motion vector to thereby provide an overlapped previous contour and an overlapped extended contour. A mismatch between the overlapped contours is detected and encoded to thereby generate encoded error data, wherein, the encoded contour data includes the encoded error data and the motion vector.

Abstract: A method is used for discerning a specific type of a work, including a plurality of specified contoured portions forming parts of the work, from an image including the subject work. Each specified contoured portion, which may be defined by geometric characteristics, such as an area, a peripheral length of a specified contoured portion and a ratio between the area and peripheral length, is recognized in the image based on two-valued image data into which many-valued image data representative of the subject work is transformed with a threshold value. A position of the subject work is discerned based on a relative position of each two specified contoured portions defined by geometric characteristics, such as a distance between centers of each two specified contoured portions and an angle of a center line of each two specified contoured portions relative to a center line of another two specified contoured portions.

Abstract: A color image processing apparatus that prevents counterfeiting by detecting specific originals with high precision. Although general banknotes have graphic patterns drawn on uniform density portions, the tonality percepted by human eye is the mixture of the tonality of a graphic portion and the tonality of a uniform density portion. In consideration of the mixed tonality sensed by human eye, the apparatus smoothes a read image signal to generate mixed tonality for judgment, thus improves judgment precision. The total judgment of existence/absence of specific original is made by performing m judgments on m (m>n) judging conditions using the tonality data of pre-registered n (n: positive integer) specific originals.

Abstract: To convert a mixture of text data and dot-mapped image data to compressed dot-mapped data not exceeding a given size, the text data are converted to dot-mapped data, then losslessly compressed, after which the dot-mapped image data are down-sampled as necessary. To compress dot-mapped data to within a given size, lossless compression, lossy compression, and down-sampling followed by compression are attempted until the necessary size reduction is achieved. To convert a page of object data to compressed dot-mapped data, the objects are classified and prioritized, then rasterized and compressed by different methods according to their priorities. The compression ratios are predicted and monitored, and the compression parameters are modified according to the prediction error.