Abstract: A method for embedding a watermark into a digital image. The method includes independently changing real number components and imaginary number components of each of coefficient values of a complex watermark coefficient matrix using a key, from the watermark to be embedded in the digital image. The method further includes a step for performing a discrete Fourier inverse transform on the sequence matrix of the changed watermark and generating a watermark pattern. The method also includes a step for adding like tiling the water mark pattern to the original image, and generating an embedded image.

Abstract: An image processing method by which image information of a variety of artifacts can be easily searched through in accordance with attributes of the artifacts and the image information combined to easily produce a realistic image close to reality, comprising the steps of generating an artifact information object of clothing or another artifact by using element information object data indicating attributes of an element forming a component of the artifact and artifact generating processing object data indicating a processing procedure for generating the artifact by using the same, then combining the artifact and base artifact information object data of a base artifact such as a doll to generate image data of a scene of for example a doll with clothes on.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems for automatically determining convergence when registering image sets are provided. Example embodiments provide an Enhanced Image Registration System (EIRS), which includes an Image Comparison Module, a Transformation Optimizer, and a Convergence Calculator. When the EIRS receives two image sets to align, the Image Comparison Module compares two image sets to determine or measure how closely the image sets are aligned. The Transformation Optimizer determines an appropriate transformation to apply to one of the image sets to align it with the reference image set. The Transformation Optimizer then applies the determined transformation. The Convergence Calculator examines one or more points within the transformed image set to determine when convergence is attained.

Abstract: A method to arbitrate between results obtained from observationally derived data by several procedures, where the results are items characteristic of the observationally derived data is disclosed. Each procedure is given a ranking according to the confidence on the procedure. The results and characteristics derived from the results are used in a plurality of rules, where the rules are used to arbitrate between the results.

Abstract: A spatial domain using image produced by a source is combined with watermark data Ri to produce a spatial domain watermarked image. The watermarked image is produced by an embedder according to equation: Ci?=Ci+?. Ri, where Ci and Ci? are wavelet transform coefficients of the image, and ? is a scaling factor. ? is chosen so that the watermark is imperceptible in the image and to resist removal of the watermark by unauthorized processing. It is desirable that a has the smallest value which achieves that. If ? is too big the watermark is perceptible in the image. If ? is too small the mark may not survive processing of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and recovering data embedded in information material, the data having been embedded in the material in a transform domain representation by arranging for the data to modulate a predetermined data sequence to form modulated data and combining the modulated data with the material. The apparatus includes a transform processor operable to transform the material into the transform domain representation, and a correlation processor operable to correlate transform domain data symbols bearing the modulated data with a reproduced version of the predetermined data sequence to form a correlation output signal and to recover the embedded data from the correlation output signal. The correlation processor is operable to repeat the correlation for transform domain data symbols and data symbols of the predetermined data sequence for each of a plurality of start positions in the transform domain.

Abstract: The invention concerns an image information apparatus that stores a plurality of image information corresponding to a plurality of images. The apparatus includes a receiving section to receive the plurality of image information, an ID information reading section to read the ID information corresponding to the image information, a memory section to store the plurality of image information and the ID information read by the ID information reading section relatively, and an ID distinction section that outputs an ID distinction-signal when detecting that the second ID information does not coincide with the first ID information. The memory section stores a plurality of the image information corresponding to the first ID information, before the second ID information is received, when the memory section receives the ID distinction-signal outputted by the ID distinction section.

Abstract: An image processing method for extracting a threadlike structure (GW) represented in an image, comprising a phase of acquisition (10) of a sequence of images, including an image of a present instant (t) in which the threadlike structure is to be extracted and an image of a past instant (t-1) in which the threadlike structure is detected as a string of points (Gt-1), and further comprising a phase of prediction (20) of a silhouette (?t) of the threadlike structure estimated from said detected string of points (Gt-1), of the image of the past instant, a phase of pursuit (30) for extracting a final string of points (Gt) representing the threadlike structure in the image of the present instant t, including steps of estimation of constraints (C2t, ?) based on said silhouette (?t) for performing said extraction.

Abstract: An apparatus for embedding data in information material, the data being a plurality of data items each having a different relative importance. The apparatus comprises an encoding processor operable to encode each of said data items, and a combining processor operable to combine said encoded data items with said information material. The information material provides a limited data embedding capacity, as a result for example of the limited bandwidth of the information material itself. Each of the data items are encoded and embedded to the effect that a proportion of the limited data embedding capacity is allocated to the encoded data items in accordance with the relative importance of these data items. As such, for example, an amount of error protection given to each of the data items can be arranged in accordance with the importance of the data items, whilst still satisfying the limited data embedding capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forecasting the likely occurrence of convective weather events, such as thunderstorms. An image filter is used to identify areas of interest within a meteorological image that are likely to contain convective weather. The image filter and an image difference processor identify sub-image regions within the meteorological image that are likely to experience a growth and/or decay of weather events. The classification filter classifies sub-image regions within the meteorological image into a number of predetermined storm categories. The meteorological images are filtered using matched filters, features within the filtered images are tracked, and the resulting track vectors are combined according to the storm classification. The meteorological image, interest image, growth/decay image, classification image, and combined vectors are processed to produce the short-term forecast.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of setting anti-forgery information addition level while taking an apparatus individual difference into consideration. The method is employed by a data processing system including: an image processing apparatus 100 for processing an image; and a maintenance apparatus 120, connected with the image processing apparatus through a network 110, for setting a processing function of the image processing apparatus 100. The maintenance apparatus 120 determines an anti-forgery information addition level depending on an individual difference of apparatuses, such as an exhaustion level of the image processing apparatus 100. The addition level determined by the maintenance apparatus 120 is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100. The image processing apparatus 100 adds anti-forgery information to an inputted image at the addition level transmitted by the maintenance apparatus 120.

Abstract: A method for determining a region of interest on an object includes the step of producing an image of the object. The method also includes the step of identifying regions of adjacent pixels on the image. The method also includes the step of identifying which of the regions of adjacent pixels are positioned within a predetermined distance of each other on the image. The method also includes the step of grouping in a cluster regions determined as being positioned within a predetermined distance of each other. The method further includes the step of identifying the cluster as a region of interest on the object.

Abstract: A method for detecting and attenuating grid artifacts in a digital radiographic image comprising; providing an input digital radiographic image; processing the input digital radiographic image with a detection algorithm based on 2-D dynamic correlation in both spatial and frequency domains to determine whether the input digital radiographic image has a grid artifacts; and if it does detecting the grid orientation, frequency, and signal-to-noise ratio of the grid artifacts, designing a frequency bandstop (notch) digital 1-D filter as a function of the grid frequency and attenuation level; and suppressing the grid artifacts by further processing said input digital radiographic image with said designed filter to produce an output digital radiographic image of improved image quality.

Abstract: A biometric facial image verification system capable of recognizing human users which includes a smart-card having stored thereon encoded first human facial images, a video camera and video digitizer embedded within said smart-card for acquiring data representative of a second human facial image. A computer-based device with a docking station capable of receiving said smart-card and software resident within said computer-based device for facial recognition, which includes Principal Component Analysis, Neural Networks, or another equivalent algorithm for comparing said first human facial images with said second human facial image and producing an output signal therefrom for use in verifying the identity of said human users. The apparatus can further include software for fingerprint and speech recognition.

Abstract: An anomalous shadow detection system capable of obtaining stable detection capacity across all facilities into which the system is introduced, regardless of variations in the conditions of the image obtaining environments of each facility is provided. An image obtaining means obtains an image of a standard-phantom, and an image readout means obtains phantom-image data thereof. Said phantom-image data is input to an evaluative model detecting means which detects evaluative models contained within the image of the standard-phantom. An evaluating means compares the detected evaluative models to a desired detection level. If the detected evaluative models are of a different detection level than the desired detection level, a parameter setting means resets the detection parameter, depending on the result obtained by the evaluating means 32, and the above processing of the phantom-image data is repeated until the detection result and the desired detection level are the same.

Abstract: The invention is a method for performing a stratigraphically-based seed detection in a 3-D seismic data volume. The method incorporates criteria that honor the layered nature of the subsurface so that the resulting seismic objects are stratigraphically reasonable. The method may be used to extract from a seismic data volume all seismic objects that satisfy the input criteria. Alternatively, the method may be used to determine the size and shape of a specific seismic object in a seismic data volume.

Abstract: A method of detecting relative movement between a scene from which radiation emanates and a matrix of pixels observing the scene and capable of detecting the radiation, each pixel of the matrix measuring contrast vector information representative of the observed scene monitors the evolution of the contrast vector information in each pixel of the matrix During a first time interval, it detects among the pixels the pixel whose magnitude vector information value is greater than the magnitude vector information value of the adjacent pixels. During a second time interval consecutive to the first time interval it detects if the magnitude vector information of the pixel whose value was at a maximum during the first time interval has decreased. It generates output signals representative of the relative movement if a decrease is detected.

Abstract: A method for detecting a copy of a composite image that includes a first image and a second image that has information embedded in the second image that will change in appearance when the first and second images are scanned or photocopied. The foregoing is accomplished by scanning the first and second images, and detecting a change in appearance of the second image that indicates the first and second images were scanned or photocopied.