Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a memory which stores a code stream having a wavelet division level, an interface unit which transmits the code stream to another apparatus, and a processing unit which changes the wavelet division level of the code stream before the transmission of the code stream to such another apparatus by acquiring a target division level that is a wavelet division level of such another apparatus, checking a difference between the target division level and the wavelet division level of the code stream, generating data that compensates for the difference, and embedding the generated data into the code stream.

Abstract: Embedding a watermark includes receiving a datastream of repeated values, determining if an end of run mode permits embedding a first or second binary value, transmitting a shortened version of the datastream when the next bit is a first binary value, appending to the datastream a redundant codeword indicating when the next bit is a first binary value and transmitting an unshortened version of the repeated data values to indicate the next bit is a second binary value and appending a conventional codeword from the codespace indicating the end of run mode and second binary value. Extracting a watermark bit-sequence includes determining if an end of run mode could have embedded either binary value, indicating a first binary value when the end of run mode uses a redundant codeword from the codespace and indicating a second binary value when the end of run mode uses a conventional codeword.

Abstract: A Discrete Fourier Transform watermark for use with digital images/video. A Y component of a Y, U(Cb), V(Cr) digital data stream representing color components of digital video is extracted as the digital data for embedding the watermark. The digital data is then scaled to a standard size. A Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) is performed on the digital data, and a magnitude domain of the Discrete Fourier Transform is computed. The watermark is embedded into selected frequency bands of the computed magnitude domain of the Discrete Fourier Transform, thereby creating a watermarked magnitude domain. The selected frequency bands comprise one or more middle frequency bands, and the middle frequency bands comprise a band of circular rings of the magnitude domain. An inverse Discrete Fourier Transform is performed on the watermarked magnitude domain to reconstruct the digital data with the embedded watermark.

Abstract: In optical image processing methods for determining the occupation of a vehicle seat, it is advantageous to know the position of the vehicle seat (14), even in the case when said seat is occupied. The above is achieved, whereby the side surface of the backrest (11), facing the camera (30) is part of a boundary plane. A section (T, B), between a separating plane, cutting vertically through the vehicle seat and the boundary plane (B) is at least partly not covered by a seat occupant in the direction of the camera. By means of an image processing method the position of the seat may be determined.

Abstract: Real-time visual tracking using depth sensing camera technology, results in illumination-invariant tracking performance. Depth sensing (time-of-flight) cameras provide real-time depth and color images of the same scene. Depth windows regulate the tracked area by controlling shutter speed. A potential field is derived from the depth image data to provide edge information of the tracked target. A mathematically representable contour can model the tracked target. Based on the depth data, determining a best fit between the contour and the edge of the tracked target provides position information for tracking. Applications using depth sensor based visual tracking include head tracking, hand tracking, body-pose estimation, robotic command determination, and other human-computer interaction systems.

Abstract: Using medical three-dimensional image data, at least one of a volume-rendering image, a flat reformatted image on an arbitrary section, a curved reformatted image, and an MIP (maximum value projection) image is prepared as a reference image. Vessel center lines are extracted from this reference image, and at least one of a vessel stretched image based on the center line and a perpendicular sectional image substantially perpendicular to the center line is prepared. The shape of vessels is analyzed on the basis of the prepared image, and the prepared stretched image and/or the perpendicular sectional image is compared with the reference image, and the result is displayed together with the images. Display of the reference image with the stretched image or the perpendicular sectional image is made conjunctive. Correction of the center line by the operator and automatic correction of the image resulting from the correction are also possible.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method is provided that can detect and capture an image at a monitored position as an analog video signal, and in response, convert the analog video signal into a digital video signal for enlargement, analysis and storage of detected facial images therein. The system includes a candidate area detection unit for comparing a color difference signal level of the converted digital video signal with a reference range, a control unit for outputting a zooming control signal and a face detection unit for detecting a face video signal from the enlarged images. A compression/recording unit is provided for then compressing and recording the detected face image video signal, and allowing a user to easily perform a search for a subject's face when searching recorded video data.

Abstract: An image including a signal component and a background component is digitized into a brightness distribution and is divided into the signal component and the background component. An optimized threshold gradient value is previously determined and is used for creating a calibration curve from only the signal component. A statistical analysis value is computed based on the calibration curve.

Abstract: A device for monitoring around a vehicle capable of detecting objects present around the vehicle based on an image captured by at least one infrared camera member provided with the vehicle. An area which is inferred to correspond to the pedestrian's head is established as a reference area. Two object areas are established above the reference area so as to correspond to spaces above the shoulders on both sides of the pedestrian's head. An area which corresponds to the head and the shoulders in an infra-red ray image is acknowledged. Another object area which is inferred to correspond to the shoulders and arms of the pedestrian is established. If a distance from an entire pedestrian and a distance from an area which corresponds to the shoulders and arms are equal, it is acknowledged that a binary object including the area which corresponds to the shoulders and arms indicates a pedestrian.

Abstract: Processing of sorting a train of pixel values within the same line of a radiation image containing a gas part region or an air part region in a subject and rearranging the train of pixel values within the same line from the pixels having higher pixel values to the pixels having lower pixel values, is executed over the entire image of the subject. A characteristic value is calculated from a predetermined region of the image subjected to the sorting processing.

Abstract: Prestack seismic data is imaged by calculating an individual reflectivity for each frequency in the seismic data. Then, a mean reflectivity is calculating over the individual reflectivities. A variance is calculated for the set of reflectivities versus frequency. A second variance is calculated for the upgoing wavefield, using the mean reflectivity. A spatially varying pre-whitening factor is then calculated, using the variance for the reflectivities and the variance for the upgoing wavefield. A reflectivity is calculated at each location, using the spatially varying pre-whitening factor.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for automatically synchronizing multiple images. Multiple image sets of a single object are converted into a one dimensional data stream used to synchronize multiple image sets. A common reference point is located in the image sets. Various landmarks of the object are also located in the image sets. Corresponding landmarks among the image sets are noted. Distances from landmarks to the reference point and distances between landmarks are determined. Locations of the landmarks in relation to each other and in relation to the reference point are used to locate landmarks in another image set that correspond to landmarks in a selected image set. A first location in an image set may be identified using a first indicator. A second indicator corresponding to the location of the first indicator may then be determined in another image set.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image having pixels to improve the sharpness of a print generated from the digital image including determining a magnification value representing the magnification of a pixel of the digital image on the print based on the number of input digital image pixels and the output number of digital image pixels; producing a filter in response to the magnification value; using the filter to operate on the digital image to adjust the sharpness of the digital image to produce a sharpened digital image; resizing according to the magnification value the sharpened digital image to produce a resized sharpened digital image which includes the output number of digital image pixels; and producing the print based on the resized sharpened digital image.

Abstract: A method and system provide measures of the performance of a region of interest identification algorithm. The method includes obtaining known region of interest data for an object. A candidate region of interest for that object is identified using the region of interest identification algorithm to be evaluated. Candidate region of interest data is then obtained. The known region of interest is superimposed on the candidate region of interest. The area of the overlap between the known region of interest and the candidate region of interest is determined. Finally, a measure of performance based on the area overlap is obtained. The method is implemented in a system including one or more processors and or memories.

Abstract: An information hiding system such as a digital-watermark information system has an embedding side and an extracting side for recognizing an identical character string in which digital-watermark information is embedded, and the extracting side reliably extracts all digital-watermark information from the character string. In order to realize this, an image processing method of the present invention includes a determining step of determining whether a predetermined distance between each target character and an adjoining character can be maintained if any digital-watermark information which may be embedded in the target character is actually embedded; and a setting step of setting an object which is to be embedded with digital-watermark information according to the determination result.

Abstract: Candidate anomalies in an anatomical structure are processed for classification. For example, false positives can be reduced by techniques related to the anomaly's neck, wall thickness associated with the anomaly, template matching performed for the anomaly, or some combination thereof. The various techniques can be combined for use in a classifier, which can determine whether the anomaly is of interest. For example, a computed tomography scan of a colon can be analyzed to determine whether a candidate anomaly is a polyp. The technologies can be applied to a variety of other scenarios involving other anatomical structures.

Abstract: Signal-adaptive noise reduction in digital radiographic images is described herein. Embodiments comprise methods for signal-adaptive noise reduction in digital radiographic images, comprising the steps of: obtaining raw x-ray image data of an imaged object; processing the raw x-ray image data to create processed x-ray image data; inputting at least one of the raw x-ray image data and the processed x-ray image data to an image processor; developing at least one of a first intensity modulation image from the raw x-ray image data and a second intensity modulation image from the processed x-ray image data; deriving a structure-dependent noise filtered image using the processed x-ray image data; performing signal attenuation-dependent blending; and creating a noise-reduced digital x-ray image therefrom.

Abstract: A method of applying a tone scale function that is compressive, expansive or a combination of both to a digital image, the method including decomposing the tone scale function into two or more composite functions that can be applied sequentially to the digital image; applying the first composite function to the digital image with a tone scale applicator to produce a tone scaled digital image; and applying the second composite function to the tone scaled digital image to produced an enhanced digital image.

Abstract: When image information for the purpose of being printed out has been entered, whether or not the image information contains a mark image such as a watermark is determined to such an extent that will not lower the throughput of a printer. To accomplish this, the image is input and elapsed time starts being measured from the start of detection processing that is for detecting whether a specific image is contained in the input image. If time runs out during the course of detection processing, a decision is rendered to the effect that the image does not contain the specific image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an iris extraction method. In the method, two searching regions are defined in a face image. A deformable template match algorithm and an energy function are used to measure the energy of each pixel with different hypothetical circular templates within the searching region. Pixels with the same hypothetical radius having energies greater than a predetermined threshold are recorded as iris candidates, wherein the pixel having the maximal energy is recorded as first iris candidate. Further, it detects associated iris pairs from iris candidates in each searching region, records the lower iris candidate having the maximal energy of iris pairs as second iris candidate, and selects the best iris candidate from first iris candidate and second iris candidate. Finally, it designates the best iris candidate having the maximal energy of all best iris candidates with different hypothetical radius as the iris in the face image.