Abstract: A method and system for detecting a source multifeatured three-dimensional object from two-dimensional source imagery, and for locating a best-matching three-dimensional object from a candidate database of such objects by performing a viewpoint and lighting invariant search among the candidate objects. The invention further includes the method and system for determining the optimally-fitting viewpoint, lighting, and deformation of the located three-dimensional candidate and basing an identification of the candidate with the source on the quality of fit between projections of the candidate and the source imagery.

Abstract: A fingerprint verification device includes a fingerprint sensor including an imaging surface. The fingerprint sensor is configured to capture images of a user's finger when the finger is swiped against the imaging surface. A memory stores fingerprint data. A controller compares minutiae in the captured images with the stored fingerprint data to verify the user's identity. The controller is configured to determine whether the finger is a real human finger based on the spacing of minutiae in the captured images.

Abstract: A system to generate a template of a fingerprint input image is described. The system provides for smoothing the input image, forming a binary image from it, and further processing the binary image to extract the minutia of the fingerprint. The minutiae are stored in the template, in the form of locations of each minutia in relation to all other minutiae. The system includes optional identification and verification steps, which compare the template generated according to the system with templates stored in a fingerprint database.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a classifier to discriminate between two classes—object or non-object. The classifier may be used by an object detection program to detect presence of a 3D object in a 2D image (e.g., a photograph or an X-ray image). The overall classifier is constructed of a sequence of classifiers (or “sub-classifiers”), where each such classifier is based on a ratio of two graphical probability models (e.g., Bayesian networks). A discrete-valued variable representation at each node in a Bayesian network by a two-stage process of tree-structured vector quantization is discussed. The overall classifier may be part of an object detector program that is trained to automatically detect many different types of 3D objects (e.g., human faces, airplanes, cars, etc.). Computationally efficient statistical methods to evaluate overall classifiers are disclosed. The Bayesian network-based classifier may also be used to determine if two observations (e.g., two images) belong to the same category.

Abstract: A face recognition and/or verification system including the step of registering a persons actual face wherein an image of the actual face is captured and synthesized to create a plurality of face prototypes, and wherein the face prototypes are stored for later analysis and comparison with a captured image to be recognized or verified.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: A method and system are described for image registration using an information theoretic approach that can be used for correcting motion in blood flow studies as well as other applications. The joint probability distribution between two MRI (or other modality) images is estimated where the interpolation method is referred to as a continuous histogram.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing character recognition is described herein. An input character is received. The input character is composed of one or more logical structures in a particular layout. The layout of the one or more logical structures is identified. One or more of a plurality of classifiers are selected based on the layout of the one or more logical structures in the input character. The entire character is input into the selected classifiers. The selected classifiers classify the logical structures. The outputs from the selected classifiers are then combined to form an output character vector.

Abstract: We describe a device that dynamically increases the contrast of the effective gray level based on the gray level distribution of serial images, performs soft-transfer of dynamic contrast adjustment curve when a scene switch occurs thereby realizing adaptive contrast enhancing while effectively avoiding image flicker. A device and associated method for enhancing image contrast includes a gray level distribution statistic circuit to calculate gray level statistic data of an image responsive to an image brightness signal. An adaptive contrast mapping curve calculation circuit calculates a gray level mapping curve responsive to the gray level statistic data. An inter-frame curve soft-merging circuit performs inter-frame soft-merging to the gray level mapping curve. And a gray level mapping circuit performs gray level mapping of the input image brightness signal.

Abstract: A system constructs an image using virtual lenslets.

Abstract: Upon registration, a client extracts plural feature points and information (identification information) by which each of the feature points can be identified, from a user's fingerprint, and randomly generates a transformation parameter for each feature point to transform the coordinates and direction. The transformed identification information (template) is transmitted to an authentication server and stored in a memory. The identification information and transformation parameters of the feature points are stored in a memory medium of the user. Upon authentication of the user, the client extracts feature points from the user's fingerprint, and identifies the feature points by the identification information in the memory medium. The client transforms the identified feature points by reading the corresponding transformation parameters from the memory medium, and transmits the transformed information to the authentication server.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) utilizes multiple view feature descriptors to robustly determine location despite appearance changes that would stifle conventional systems. A SLAM algorithm generates a feature descriptor for a scene from different perspectives using kernel principal component analysis (KPCA). When the SLAM module subsequently receives a recognition image after a wide baseline change, it can refer to correspondences from the feature descriptor to continue map building and/or determine location. Appearance variations can result from, for example, a change in illumination, partial occlusion, a change in scale, a change in orientation, change in distance, warping, and the like. After an appearance variation, a structure-from-motion module uses feature descriptors to reorient itself and continue map building using an extended Kalman Filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for, in response to receiving a request, retrieving digital images that are associated with one or more keywords and which are similar to a digital image is provided. The request may be processed using a keywords index and a content index, and optionally, a session index that references data about what digital images users have viewed together in a session. A category associated with the identified digital image may also be used in processing the request, e.g., the category associated with the identified digital image may change the weight placed on various content attributes used in comparing the content of the identified digital image to other digital images. After the set of requested digital images are determined, request data, that identifies the set of requested digital images, may be sent to the requestor.

Abstract: Approaches to three-dimensional (3D) data reconstruction are presented. The 3D data comprises 2D images. In some embodiments, the 2D images are directionally interpolated to generate directionally-interpolated 3D data. The directionally-interpolated 3D data are then segmented to generate segmented directionally-interpolated 3D data. The segmented directionally-interpolated 3D data is then meshed. In other embodiments, a 3D data set, which includes 2D flow images, is accessed. The accessed 2D flow images are then directionally interpolated to generate 2D intermediate flow images.

Abstract: An interpretation system for interpreting electronic signals. The system comprising a central processor for receiving an electronic signal from a user terminal; software for (a) interpreting the signal electronically to reduce errors and (b) identifying parts of the signal that cannot be accurately interpreted electronically. In the event that there are parts of the signal that cannot be interpreted, the system is operable to present at an operator terminal the part of the signal that cannot be accurately interpreted electronically. The operator terminal is such as to allow an operator to interpret the signal and make any corrections that are deemed necessary. Once this is done, the correct interpretation is sent to the user terminal or another pre-determined electronic destination.

Abstract: A method of correcting a mask pattern for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes extracting a corner portion of a transistor portion. A distance from the corner portion to a line portion is extracted. A distance where the line portion does not overlap a rounding of the corner portion generated after a wafer process is obtained. A correction rule is made for a correction whether the corner portion is notched or not from the obtained distance. A corresponding relationship between the distance and an intersection part is obtained and a correction is made based on the correction rule to the corner portion.

Abstract: Method and system for creating a fused image from an image pair comprising a high resolution panchromatic image and lower resolution multi-spectral image. The method includes obtaining image data (204) defining a first image of a panchromatic image type and a second image of a multi-spectral image type. The first image has a first spatial resolution and a first spectral resolution. The second image has a second spatial resolution which is lower than the first spatial resolution and a second spectral resolution higher than the first spectral resolution. The method also includes a step (212) of concurrently calculating a point-spread function for down-sampling the first image to the second spatial resolution, and a set of weights for down-sampling the second image to the first spectral resolution.

Abstract: This invention describes an optimization and view dependency reduction method for multiplanar reformatting (MPR) of slice-based volume images. This method utilizes a traversal scheme that allows for efficient access of the computer memory layout of a sliced based volume, and therefore optimizes overall processing time. This method does not require changes to the volume memory layout or additional volume memory. Instead, efficient memory access is achieved by adaptive traversal patterns on the reformatting planes. The traversal pattern is adapted on-the-fly during rendering as the reformatting plane location and orientation is changed arbitrarily relative to the volume. In this way, the typical speed differences between various reformatting planes orientations caused by inefficient memory access is greatly reduced. Computer cache coherency, SIMD coherent implementation, and multiprocessing environments are also considered in the design of the traversal pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of an imaging system and method for generating video data with edge-aware interpolation are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, an edge-aware demosaicing process is performed on image sensor data to generate pixel-edge data, and video output data may be generated by adding the pixel-averaged data to difference data weighted by a correction factor. The difference data represents a difference between pixel-averaged data and the pixel-edge data. The correction factor may be proportional to an amount of edge content in the image sensor data.