Abstract: A line sensor having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements is provided for producing image data dependent on an optical image of at every scanning line. Marker data of a green line is generated on demand. A changeover switch is provided for selectively switching the image data and the marker data, and a display memory is provided for storing the image data and marker data. A controller produces a first write signal for writing the marker data and a second write signal for writing the image data at every scanning line. A timing signal is generated for deciding timing for producing the first write signal and the second write signal. A monitor is provided for displaying the green line dependent on the stored marker data and an image dependent on the stored image data, superimposing on the green line.

Abstract: A data structure representation of an original image called an image structure map (ISM) accurately, compactly and explicitly represents the geometry, topology and signal properties of regions in an original image. In mathematical terms, the ISM is a partition of the original image induced by a set of image region boundaries. The ISM data structure includes, for each region in the original image, a region data item that indicates the region boundary data items that form the region and a signal property descriptor indicating the value of signals computed for or assigned to the region. Region boundary data items represent image region boundaries that are determined to occur in the original image as a result of analyzing signal properties of original image locations.

Abstract: Iris recognition is achieved by (1) iris acquisition that permits a user to self-position his or her eye into an imager's field of view without the need for any physical contact, (2) spatially locating the data defining that portion of a digitized video image of the user's eye that defines solely the iris thereof without any initial spatial condition of the iris being provided, and (3) pattern matching the spatially located data defining the iris of the user's eye with stored data defining a model iris by employing normalized spatial correlation for first comparing, at each of a plurality of spatial scales, each of distinctive spatial characteristics of the respective irises that are spatially registered with one another to quantitatively determine, at each of the plurality of spatial scales, a goodness value of match at that spatial scale, and then judging whether or not the pattern which manifests solely the iris of the user's eye matches the digital data which manifests solely the model iris in accordance

Abstract: Before dither-processed data are input to a compression processing section, dither-processed data of a previous frame and dither-processed data of a current frame are subjected to inter-frame differential processing in a differential processing section to form signal series having long white and black run length for the data input to the compression processing section, thereby enhancing the compressibility. A coding control section for performing coding processing beforehand sets a flag for determining whether each of the dither processing, the differential processing and the compression processing is performed. Each processing is performed on the basis of the flag information.

Abstract: This provides a first device for implementing an RSA-type protected data exchange system for the signing of messages and the verification of the signed messages, and a second device for inhibiting the encryption anti decryption functions inherent of such systems so as to authorize only the signature and signature functions and public key authentication.

Abstract: A method implemented in an object-based video encoder or decoder uses shape information that describes the boundary of a group of pixels representing an object in a sequence of video frames to identify transparent blocks (e.g., macroblocks or blocks so that coding/decoding of these blocks can be skipped. In the object-based video coding method, encoders code shape separately from motion and texture, and shape information is available before the encoder/decoder codes/decodes texture and motion data. The encoder and decoder use this shape information to identify transparent macroblocks or blocks so that texture coding and possible motion coding can be skipped. This method for transparent block skipping reduces coding and decoding operations and reduces the number of bits needed to store a bitstream representing a compressed video sequence.

Abstract: Burr inspection system (120) inspects an electrical lead for a burr (112) in association with the operation of a machine vision lead inspection system (10) and includes machine vision circuitry (50) for forming an image (70) of the electrical lead (72) using machine vision lead inspection system (10). Edge detecting instructions (120) associate with machine vision circuitry (50) for determining a plurality of edges (89, 91) associated with the electrical lead (72). Scan line determining instructions (128) calculate a plurality of scan lines (88, 90) each corresponding to the contour of a selected one of the plurality of edges (89, 91). The scan lines (88, 90) are separated from edges (88, 90) and image (70) by a preselected distance (92). Inspecting circuitry (130) inspects each scan line (88, 90) to detect whether a burr image (112) crosses the scan line (88, 90) to determine the presence of a burr on the electrical lead.

Abstract: An encoding method that allows the use of previous line data without requiring multiple accesses to the image or the use of a line buffer. The image, which is to be compressed, is divided into columns. Each column is traversed vertically. Each row within a column is compressed by horizontally moving across the row. After a row is compressed the next row in transferred to the compressor. Once a column is compressed, the compressor continues at the top of the next column. This process continues until all the columns have been compressed. By vertically traversing through the image, information about the previous row is limited by the width of the column. This limited storage of the previous row allows use of a two dimensional context model, which greatly increases the compression ratio.

Abstract: An image reading device of the type in which a display panel is laid over a document table and an image on an original document is input through the display panel. In the image reading device, the display panel is a liquid crystal panel of the transmission type in which liquid crystal/polymer composite material is sandwiched by electrodes, and at least one of the electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal/polymer composite material consists of a plurality of divided electrodes. Further, a gap between the adjacent divided electrodes is shorter than a minimum resolution distance in a location of the display panel of the image reading device. Alternatively, an electrode layer may be provided covering the gap between the adjacent divided electrodes in a state that an insulating layer is layered between the electrode layer and the gap. The ends of the divided electrodes may overlap with each other, with an insulating layer being layered therebetween.

Abstract: A caries detection system and method for quantifying a probability of lesions existing in tissues are presented. Digital X-ray images are segmented and further processed to generate feature statistics inputs for a neural network. The feature statistics include colinearity measurements of candidate lesions in different tissue segments. The neural network is trained by back propagation with an extensive data set of radiographs and histologic examinations and processes the statistics to determine the probability of lesions existing in the tissues.

Abstract: A system and method for contractively mapping decompressed images to facilitate resynchronization of data transmission is provided. This system includes a transmitter having a data compressor, a decompressor, and a contractive mapper. The receiver for the data transmission includes a decompressor and contractive mapper. The decompressor and contractive mapper of the transmitter provide the compressor with the same information which the decompressor at the receiver is using to decompress data. In this manner, the compressor may accurately represent the incoming frame data in terms of the contractively mapped decompressed data. The contractive mapper attenuates information in the decompressed data frame to prevent the persistence of erroneous data at the receiver should data become corrupted during transmission or the transmission be interrupted. The contractive mapping is preferably achieved with an affine map contracting scheme which is preferably implemented by a scalar multiplication.

Abstract: Provided is a digital information decoding method capable of speedily and surely reading digital information recorded as a two-dimensional pattern by giving a mark to each of matrix meshes set virtually. The two-dimensional pattern is converted into image data composed of image bits. A center position of each mesh is calculated, and a value of the image bit in the calculated center position is read as a value of the mesh. If there is a read error, at least one of first through third analyzing methods is executed to perform re-reading. According to the first analyzing method, the position to be examined is shifted by a specified amount from the center position in the mesh. According to the second analyzing method, a sum of weighted values of the image bits included in the mesh is calculated and compared with a specified threshold value.

Abstract: A binary digital image feature extracting process whereby a number of elementary portions of predetermined shape are defined in a binary digital matrix; in each elementary portion, a number of analysis directions are defined at a predetermined angle in relation to the edges of the elementary portion; a number of paths are defined, each formed by an orderly set of pixels arranged at least approximately parallel to a respective analysis direction; for each path, the pixels presenting a predetermined characteristic definable by one or more whole numbers are determined; the numbers are converted by a nonlinear function to calculate a number of partial scores which are then grouped to give an overall score for each path; and the overall scores of the various paths are grouped according to the analysis direction to calculate a directional feature for each analysis direction.

Abstract: A system for the model-based compression of speckle images in which the pulse characteristics of the known coherent imaging system which generated the speckle image to be compressed are used together with a scatterer image model to modify that scatterer image to contain impulse information such that when the impulse information is convolved with the pulse, the speckle image is reproduced. The modified scatterer image is compressed and outputted together with the pulse characteristics so that the speckle image can be reproduced.

Abstract: An integrated vehicle operator monitoring system for a vehicle including a device for monitoring operator identity to ensure a vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle, a device for monitoring operator intoxication, and a device for monitoring operator drowsiness. There is also a device for preventing the operator from operating the vehicle when the operator identity monitoring device indicates the operator is not authorized to operate the vehicle and/or the operator intoxication monitoring device indicates the operator is intoxicated. In addition, an alarm capable of being activated when the operator drowsiness monitoring device indicates the vehicle operator is drowsy, is included.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus converts image information each pixel of which has n gray levels into image information with an increased number of pixels each having m gray levels so that one pixel of the original image information is expanded to A.times.B pixels in the converted image information (where n and m are integers which satisfy the condition n>m.gtoreq.2). The image processing apparatus includes a scalar quantization unit for scalar-quantizing the image information with n gray levels into image information with p gray levels wherein the scalar quantization is performed in units of pixels, with n>p>m; an addition coding unit and a vector coding unit for coding the image information with p gray levels supplied by the scalar quantization unit into a compressed code having a value less than p to the power of C wherein the coding is performed in units of C pixels (where C.gtoreq.

Abstract: A system for producing a raster image derived from a data structure including a data processing apparatus, a recognizer which performs recognition on an input bitmap to the data processing apparatus to detect identifiable objects within the input bitmap, a mechanism for producing a hybrid data structure including coded data corresponding to the identifiable objects and to non-identifiable objects and the input bitmap, and an output device capable of developing a visually perceptible raster image derived from the input bitmap in the hybrid data structure. The raster image is derived from the input bitmap and thus includes no misrecognition errors.

Abstract: A responsivity calibration system for use with an array of detectors. The system includes a first mechanism for changing the orientation of the detector array from the first orientation, during an operational mode, to a second orientation, during a calibration mode, in which each detector sequentially samples the same portion of the same scene. The system adjusts the output generated by each of the detectors in the first orientation in response to an associated signal generated by that respective detector in the second orientation. In a specific implementation, a normalization factor is generated based on the output of each detector during the calibration mode. The normalization factor is stored and multiplied by the outputs of the detectors during the operational mode. Hence responsivity correction is implemented without the need for a wide area scene of extreme uniformity or an on-board target.

Abstract: A method of embedding auxiliary information into the digital representation of host data created by a lossy compression technique. The method applies to data compressed with lossy algorithms based on series expansion, quantization to a finite number of symbols, and entropy coding. Lossy compression methods represent the original data as integer indices having redundancy and uncertainty in value by one unit. Indices which are adjacent in value are manipulated to encode auxiliary data. By a substantially reverse process, the embedded auxiliary data can be retrieved easily by an authorized user. Lossy compression methods use loss-less compressions known also as entropy coding, to reduce to the final size the intermediate representation as indices. The efficiency of the compression entropy coding, known also as entropy coding is increased by manipulating the indices at the intermediate stage in the manner taught by the method.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically analyzing the presence of an analyte in a liquid specimen of biological origin are described. The liquid specimen is added to a testing substrate that has a receptor immobilized on a portion of its surface. If analyte is present in the specimen, it will specifically bind to the receptor. A labeled reagent is added to the testing substrate which will bind to the analyte, if present, and generate a color on the testing substrate. The testing substrate is then illuminated and, using electronic equipment, a digital image of its surface is acquired and automatically scanned to locate an area that has the highest color density, which corresponds to the presence of labeled reagent. A measurement of color density, corresponding to pixels per unit area, is generated. An area peripheral to the area of highest color density, which represents background density, is also located and a measured.