Abstract: The present invention provides methods for extracting an image region segment from a video image, a system for extracting an image region segment, a program for extracting an image region segment, a method for distributing an extracted video image, and a method for generating content. Motion compensation data is calculated using sequential video images captured by a video camera, and the sequential video images are employed to prepare an estimation of the video camera operation. Based on the estimated camera operation, the center position (xc, yc) of an area that is aimed at in a video image is estimated under predetermined conditions (rules), an image feature is designated in the vicinity of the center position of the target area, and an image segment is specified that includes this image feature.

Abstract: A digital image pickup device is provided with an input unit that inputs a photographed digital image, a predetermined information detector that detects predetermined information, a predetermined information embedding unit that embeds the detected predetermined information in the digital image and a browse restriction applying unit that executes a process for applying browse restriction to the digital image in which the predetermined information is embedded.

Abstract: A method is provided for embedding miniature security marks within documents and images, utilizing a mark parameters database, graphical user interface, and detection simulator. The method includes predicting detection error rates for each pixel location of a host image, defined as a digital representation of at least one recipient of the miniature security marks. The detection error rates for each pixel are displayed with the host image on a graphical user interface and the desired miniature security mark locations are selected. At least one set of miniature security mark parameters is identified, with the parameters being mark parameters that enable determination of an optimized balance between detectability and visibility of the miniature security marks. The host image with the miniature security mark is displayed on the graphical user interface for review and adjustment by an operator.

Abstract: A distance determining system for use in a movable device. The system comprises circuitry for capturing an image of an object external from the movable device. The system also comprises circuitry, responsive to the image, for determining an angle between a direction of movement of the movable device and the object. Lastly, the system also comprises circuitry for determining a distance to the object in response to at least the angle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and program product includes a behavior processing system for capturing a three-dimensional movement of an operator of a vehicle, wherein the three-dimensional movement is determined by using at least one image capture device aimed at the operator, and identifying at least one behavior of the operator from the captured three-dimensional movement. An operator monitoring system for a vehicle determines whether the predicted behavior and the current operational state of the vehicle indicate unsafe operation of the vehicle and the operator monitoring system notifies the operator when unsafe operator of the vehicle is indicated by the operator's behavior for the current operational state of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying, on a medical image, template data corresponding to an implant. The apparatus and method include a storing the template data and a predetermined portion distance of a predetermined portion of a representation by the template data, a displaying the stored template data, measuring length information of the displayed template data, specifying an error range of the variable magnification of the displayed template data, and judging, based on the measured length information and the stored predetermined portion distance, whether the variable magnification of the displayed template data is within the specified error range.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise, automatically determining a target object from an image via an application of an iterative minimization algorithm to an energy function. Each iteration of the iterative minimization algorithm can comprise a comparison of a model with an estimated contour of the target object.

Abstract: A user input device includes a sensor capable of sensing surface relief of human skin, a movement detector responsive to variation of the output of the sensor for detecting movement of skin across the sensor, and a user interface apparatus responsive to the movement detector to alert its state in correspondence to the detected movement.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image data generating unit, a verification data generating unit, a first slot, a second slot, a first interface and a second interface. The image data generating unit generates image data. The verification data generating unit generates first verification data used to detect whether the image data is changed. A recording medium is inserted to the first slot. An image verification apparatus is inserted to the second slot. The first interface unit stores a first image file in the recording medium, the first image file including the image data and the first verification data. The second interface unit that transfers the first image file to the image verification apparatus. The image verification apparatus is capable of detecting, using the image data and the first verification data, whether the image data is changed.

Abstract: In a Gabor filter, a modified Gabor mask function is generated from an original Gabor mask function. A convolution of an image is performed with the modified Gabor mask function to generate a filtered image. The modification of the original Gabor mask function to the modified Gabor mask function reduces a number of calculations during such a convolution.

Abstract: A method for classifying pulmonary structures in digitized images includes providing approximate target structure locations of one or more target structures in a digitized 3-dimensional (3D) image, fitting an anisotropic Gaussian model about said approximate target locations to generate more precise 3D target models and center locations of said one or more target structures, warping each said 3D target model into a 3D sphere, constructing a bounding manifold about each said warped 3D sphere, and identifying clusters on said bounding manifold wherein said one or more target structures are classified.

Abstract: The depth buffer of a GPU is used to derive a surface normal or other surface parameter, avoiding or limiting computation of spatial gradients in 3D data sets and extra loading of data into the GPU. The surface parameter is used: to add shading with lighting to volume renderings of ultrasound data in real time, to angle correct velocity estimates, to adapt filtering or to correct for insonifying-angle dependent gain and compression. For border detection and segmentation, intersections with a volume oriented as a function of target structure, such as cylinders oriented relative to a vessel, are used for rendering. The intersections identify data for loading into the frame buffer for rendering.

Abstract: A similarity search may be performed on the image of a person, using visual characteristics and information that is known about the person. The search identifies images of other persons that are similar in appearance to the person in the image.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of converting a color band representation of the image to a homogeneous representation of spectral and spatial characteristics of a texture region in the image and utilizing the homogeneous representation of spectral and spatial characteristics of a texture region in the image to identify homogeneous tokens in the image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a systematic way of automatically segmenting lung regions. To increase the efficiency of a lung segmentation technique, a region-based technique, such as region growing, is performed by a computer on a middle slice of the CT volume. A contour-based technique is then used for a plurality of non-middle slices of the CT volume. This allows the implementation to be multithreaded and results in an improvement in the segmentation algorithm's efficiency.

Abstract: Methods for providing and extracting hidden information in firmware images using steganographic processes. Information is hidden in binary firmware images, such as drivers, using a steganographic process in which the functionality of the binaries do not change, and the size is not increased. During a pre-boot phase of a computer system, binary firmware drivers containing hidden steganographic data are identified, and a steganographic extraction process is performed to extract the hidden data. In one embodiment, a hash is employed on an authentic binary image to uniquely identify the op code content. The digest from the hash is stored in the steganographic data. In one embodiment, a vendor's private key and optional signature is used to encrypt the hash. A similar hash is performed on the binary image of a discovered binary firmware driver, and the authentic hash digest is extracted from the steganographic data. The hash digests are compared to authenticate the binary firmware driver.

Abstract: A CPU 200 extracts ornamental image data and layout control information from an ornamental image file FF. When the layout control information does not include characteristic values, the CPU 200 analyzes the ornamental image data to acquire characteristic values representing a tendency of image quality of the ornamental image data. The CPU 200 may additionally compute correction rates for correcting values of image quality-relating parameters of objective image data from the acquired characteristic values of the ornamental image data. The CPU 200 writes either the acquired characteristic values or the computed correction rates into the layout control information. The layout control information including the acquired characteristic values or the computed correction rates is output together with the ornamental image data in the form of the ornamental image file FF.

Abstract: To enable obtainment of a composite image including a movement trajectory of a moving body, even from a moving image including a background. Sampling means samples frames from moving image data. First mask frame calculating means calculates mask frames including mask regions, which correspond to positions of the moving body on the frames. Second mask frame calculating means accumulates and binarizes the mask frames to calculate a reference mask frame. Region cutout means masks the frames by using the mask frames and the reference mask frame to cut out moving body regions, which correspond to a moving body, from the frames. Composing means overwrites moving body regions on one of the frames in chronological order to obtain a composite image, which includes the movement trajectory of the moving body.

Abstract: A watermark information detection process prevents prolonging of time required for setup process when no watermark information can be detected from an optical disc where watermark information has been recorded. During a setup, the number of retrials is limited. Weighting of the retrial is changed so that detection of watermark information is performed when it is confirmed that watermark information is recorded. This enables detection of information for copyright protection in an appropriate processing time.

Abstract: Image processing method for determining and setting an optimized windowing and/or dose control of a medical diagnostic device based on x-ray radiation. The digitized image consisting of a number of picture elements of an picture data matrix B originally created by an x-ray detector is processed. The object area is determined by forming an input picture data matrix B1, by forming an ROI picture data matrix B2, by analysis of the ROI picture data elements and by selection of the ROI picture data elements belonging to the object area, and in that the signals of the ROI picture data elements of the object area are evaluated.