Abstract: An algorithm is disclosed that detects and analyzes possible lesions that are left in contact with a structural boundary. A morphological closing with a structuring element is performed along the boundary to detect lesions within the threshold of the structuring element. A deformable surface-based analysis is performed on distinctive surfaces of the structure for the identification of lesions. The integrated use of a deformable surface model and chamfer distance potential enables explicit representation of regularized, or smoothed, surfaces from which lesion candidates may be detected.

Abstract: A scanned document image, including add-on information such as handwritten annotations in addition to printed text lines, is processed by a handwriting detection method. First, at least one projection histogram is generated from the scanned document image. A regular pattern that correlates to the printed text lines is determined from the projection histogram. Second, connected component analysis is applied to the scanned document image to generate at least one merged text line. Each merged text line relates to at least one of the handwritten annotation and the printed text line. By comparing the merged text lines to the regular pattern of the projection histograms, the printed text lines are discriminated from the handwritten annotations.

Abstract: A method, computer readable storage, and apparatus for implementing a recursive hierarchical segmentation algorithm on a parallel computing platform. The method includes setting a bottom level of recursion that defines where a recursive division of an image into sections stops dividing, and setting an intermediate level of recursion where the recursive division changes from a parallel implementation into a serial implementation. The segmentation algorithm is implemented according to the set levels. The method can also include setting a convergence check level of recursion with which the first level of recursion communicates with when performing a convergence check.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for decompressing a bit stream of compressed data representing a plurality of image blocks. This includes a two-step method of processing both a DC code and a plurality of AC codes. With respect to the processing of the AC codes, a plurality of bits of compressed input data relating to the AC codes are first retrieved from the bit stream. A first decoding operation is then executed based on the obtained compressed input data in order to generate first output data. It is then determined whether sufficient space is available for the first output data. If it is determined that there is sufficient space for the first output data, the first output data is outputted. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is insufficient space for the first output data, an alternate second decoding operation is executed in order to generate second output data.

Abstract: A digital image processing apparatus capable of high-quality reproduction in which a black isolation point does not lie scattered even for a manuscript document having a colored background.

Abstract: An image processing device for processing input image data includes a correction unit that corrects for image deterioration caused by changes in image magnification; a reduction/enlargement unit that, based on the magnification, thins out the pixel data when reduction is being performed or carries out inflation of the pixel data when enlargement is being performed; and a controller that changes the operation of the correction unit in response to the magnification.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus operates to process input signal samples representative of at least part of a colour video image to produce legal colour signal samples representative of a legal colour version of the image. The apparatus comprises an adjustment factor generator, which operates to generate a plurality of adjustment factors which when combined with the input signal samples have an effect of converting illegal colour pixels of the colour image into legal colour pixels, an adjustment factor softener, which operates to soften the adjustment factors whereby distortion in the legal colour video image produced when the adjustment factors are combined with the input signal samples is substantially reduced, and a colour legaliser coupled to the softener, which operates to combine the softened adjustment factors with the input signal samples to produce the legalised colour signal samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and method that enables extraction of line segments of an arbitrary width from multi-valued images not uniform in background. To extract line segment data constituting a line segment, image data is scanned using a line segment basic element to extract line segment data from the image data. In other words, pixel data included in the line segment basic element is used as one unit and it is judged for each unit whether the pixel data corresponds to line segment data. Thereby, even if the densities of pixel data corresponding to, e.g., backgrounds are not uniform, by judging the line segment basic element as one unit, line segment data of a line segment width to be extracted can be extracted free of the influence of the densities being not uniform.

Abstract: A method beginning at (10) is provided for creating high-fidelity visible coloring from infrared images of a scene under surveillance. The infrared images captured at (12) are analyzed at (14) to determine if an object, such as a face, is identifiable within the image. If an object is identifiable at (16) the object features are compared to a plurality of stored object features at (20). If there is a match at (22), the color characteristics of the object are obtained at (24) and the object is colored at (26) based on the stored database feature information. If there is no match at (22) or identifiable object at (16) and object color cannot be identified at (23), the image is analyzed at (28) to determine if a pattern, such as clothing, is identifiable within the image. If a pattern is identifiable at (30), the color characteristics of the pattern are obtained at (34) and the pattern is colored at (36) according to infrared reflectance characterization in conjunction with the stored pattern information.

Abstract: A system and method for processing digital video. The invention allows for manual level and gain adjustment of the video similar to that used in a histogram based automatic level and gain control system using a cumulative distribution function. Level changes are made by an offset to the existing automatic level and gain. Level changes are first made by applying an offset L and the midscale gray intensity bin on the histogram is located. Gain changes are made by changing the relative gain multiplier (G) which acts on the automatic level and gain algorithm causing the gain to change equally about midscale gray (i.e., midscale gray is maintained). In accordance with the invention, as part of the histogram based manual level and gain algorithm, the local gain is clipped to a predetermined maximum in order to prevent an overly noisy picture when too much gain is applied. The inventive method determines how to prevent a shift in the level when increasing the gain (i.e., G>1) even when clipping is applied.

Abstract: A coding apparatus which can simplify a coding circuit and also simplify the processing of quantization. Image data that consists of R-, G-, and B-color components read from a scanner into buffers is subjected to transformation using a position correlation for each of RGB in position-correlation transformation sections. The DC component of each of the components is then color-converted in a color conversion section to be a DC lightness signal and DC color signals, and the signals are quantized in a quantization section and a coding section. Whereas, the AC components of each of the components are subjected to quantization in a first step in an AC component quantization section, and further to color conversion in a color conversion section to be an AC lightness signal and AC color signals. The signals are quantized in a second step in a quantization section and a coding section.

Abstract: A method of quantization a color space is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for digitally editing an image of a real-life person for attaching the image to a soft-bodied doll having a generally planar face. The process includes electronically importing an image into a computer by use of a scanner, a digital camera, a compact disc, or an attachment to an e-mail, to produce a digital image file. The image is then digitally edited using any image editor. The face is masked while the neck of the person and background of the image are deleted. A portion of the person's cheek is then sampled and lightened slightly to form a neck color which then fills in the previously deleted portion. In a second embodiment, only the eyes, nose and mouth are masked while the rest of the image is either tinted to a chosen color corresponding to the color of fabric used in producing the doll, or partially erased to allow the chosen background color to blend through and create a color match between the facial images and the cloth body.

Abstract: An image segmenter uses one or more techniques to accurately segment an image, including the use of a progressive flood fill to fill incompletely bounded segments, the use of a plurality of scaled transformations and guiding segmentation at one scale with segmentation results from another scale, detecting edges using a composite image that is a composite of multiple color planes, generating edge chains using multiple classes of edge pixels, generating edge chains using the plurality of scaled transformations, and/or filtering spurious edges at one scale based on edges detected at another scale.

Abstract: A histogram is prepared by calculating the pixel number ratio corresponding to each gradation in relation to the total number of pixels in image data obtained from the outside. A threshold value for the pixel number ratio corresponding to a given gradation that is determined through user specification is compared against the pixel number ratio corresponding to each gradation in the histogram. Based upon the results of the comparison, the histogram gradation width is corrected. For instance, the width representing the range of gradations with pixel number ratios smaller than the threshold value in the histogram is compressed. Then, the gradation width in the histogram is expanded to achieve the number of pre-compression gradations.

Abstract: A signal encoding/decoding system and method are provided, where a signal quantizer is designed by minimizing a target function in accordance with a rate/distortion tradeoff. The system and method can be applied to give lossy compression of data for graphic or music files and also to smart-server applications, in accordance with the available bandwidth.

Abstract: An algorithm is disclosed that recovers regions of possible pleural nodules left out of an organ field or otherwise undetected due to the nature of low level image processing in the organ field. A morphological closing with an elliptical structuring element is performed on a region to detect nodules within the size of the ellipsoid. A deformable surface-based analysis is performed in distinctive regions for the identification of larger nodules. The integrated use of a deformable surface model and chamfer distance potential enables explicit representation of regularized, or smoothed, surfaces within which nodule candidates may be detected.

Abstract: In a network photograph service which provides a digital photograph service on a network, a workload on a user to input a registration ID needed upon viewing an image is reduced. In a registration ID input screen 38, the registration ID and a registration password input to boxes 39 and 40 are stored by relating the two to the user ID of the user who has carried out the input. When the same user recalls the registration ID input screen 38, registration IDs 32 having been stored are displayed as a list. By selecting one of the registration IDs by clicking a display button 41, display of images managed under the registration ID can be requested.

Abstract: An automatic image replacement and rebuilding system and method thereof which can replace and rebuild the image automatically. The system includes an input module; a processing module; a storage module; and an output module. The input module inputs external image data into the system. The processing module is coupled to the input module to receive the image data, then analyzes the shading value and the direction of the sample object in the image data, and outputs an access signal and an output signal. The storage module coupled to the processing module to receive the access signal, and is stored or read out on a replaced image, and the output module coupled to the processing module to receive the output signal, and outputs the image data.

Abstract: A system and method for object inspection detects and reports object and/or object feature shapes from an acquired image of an inspected sample-object using both edge-based and grey level-based data. Such systems and methods are particularly useful for detecting objects and/or object features whose appearances are relatively unknown prior to inspection.