Abstract: A geometric hashing method usable by a machine vision system for model-based recognition of an object. More specifically, in a computer having a texture engine, a method of pattern matching for recognition of objects within an image. The method comprises the following steps: deriving at least one target primitive representative of the image; forming at least one basis from at least one target primitive; in the texture engine, determining, for each one of the at least one basis, an affine invariant representation of the at least one target primitives; and identifying, using the affine invariant representation, at least one predefined model primitives that at least partially matches the at least one target primitives.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding a watermark to a moving image as it is displayed comprises a watermark generator in which data representing a watermark is generated. The watermark contains at least one of location data and time data pertaining to the displaying of the moving image. The location and time data is protected by forward error encoding. The watermark also contains at least one of program data identifying the moving image and frame data unique in identifying each frame of the moving image. The program and time data is protected by scrambling. A watermark applicator applies the watermark data to image data representing substantially all of the moving image depending on a characteristic, such as amplitude, of the data.

Abstract: Integrated inspection and test systems for liquid crystal display (LCD) active plates. The integrated inspection and test systems may combine visual imaging inspection and an electronic sensing such as voltage imaging, electron beam sensing or charge sensing, in which the potential defect information obtained by the visual inspection system is combined with the potential defect information obtained by the electronic sensing system to produce a defect report. One or more high-resolution visual cameras are scanned over a stationary plate, and the image data from the camera(s) is processed to detect potential defects. A high-resolution electronic sensing system examines the stationary plate, and the image data from the sensor(s) is processed to detect potential defects. The potential defects from the visual image data and electronic sensing image data are processed to produce the final defect information.

Abstract: In image processing of a document having image data of a document including an image with character images on a background image, the character images and the background image thereof are separated. First, areas in correspondence to the character images from the image data are extracted, and character code data are generated based on the extracted areas in the image data. On the other hand, the character image in the image data is replaced with the background image. The character images are reproduced with reference to the character code data at the positions of the character images. On the other hand, the original character images are deleted from the image data. The character images on the background image is complemented based on the background image data. Then the character images based on the character code data and the background image thereof are synthesized.

Abstract: In response to a partial codestream truncation command, a partial codestream truncation process unit temporarily truncates a code line of encoded data. The partial codestream truncation process unit can also temporarily truncate the code line frame by frame. In response to an undo command, a restoration process unit restores the encoded data that has temporarily truncated code line. The temporarily truncated frames are included in a group of frames of the moving image. In response to an undo releasing command, a code line discarding unit discards the temporarily truncated code line or frames. The encoded data has a form of JPEG2000 or Motion-JPEG2000.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating the usage of an online workforce to remotely monitor security-sensitive sites and report potential security breaches. In some embodiments, cameras are configured to monitor critical civilian infrastructure, such as water supplies and nuclear reactors. The cameras are operatively connected to a central computer or series of computers, and images captured by the cameras are transmitted to the central computer. After initially registering with the central computer, Guardians “log on” to a central website hosted by the central computer and monitor the images, thereby earning compensation. In one embodiment, images of“no-man” zones—areas where no humans or vehicles should be present or monitored—are sent to Guardians for a simple determination of whether or not a human exists in the picture.

Abstract: A service system for selecting personal goods to wear or carry, comprising a memory unit configured to memorize information on personal goods associated with types of each of decomposed body components with respect to a number of customers; an extracting unit configured to extract a given body component from a picture of a given customer; a selecting unit configured to select information on a piece of given personal goods memorized in the memory unit on the basis of the extracted result of the extracting unit; and a showing unit configured to show the selected piece of the personal goods to the given customer. Also disclosed is a selecting service system comprising a memory unit configured to memorize information on personal goods to wear or carry associated with body characteristics information of a number of customers. A program product for such a selecting service for personal goods to wear or carry is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using dual bounding boxes as dynamic templates for cartridge rack identification and tracking is disclosed. An imaging tape cartridge picker system includes a picker assembly, illumination sources disposed at the front of the picker assembly for illuminating an object, an imager disposed on the front of the picker assembly for gathering image data of the object and a processor, coupled to the imager and illumination sources, for thresholding the image data obtained from the imager and for controlling the illumination sources, wherein the processor uses bounding boxes to identify the location of a desired physical feature in the thresholded image.

Abstract: A facial image identifying apparatus checks a facial image of a user captured by an image capturing unit such as a camera or the like against facial images of registered users for thereby identifying the user. When the facial image identifying apparatus starts to detect a facial image of an examinee user, it determines whether a situation of the image captured by the image capturing unit is appropriate to detect the facial image. If the situation is judged as being inappropriate, then information representing that the situation is inappropriate is presented to the examinee user. Based on the presented information, the examinee user can make an action to improve the situation of the captured image.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for tonally balancing multiple images. In one embodiment, the method comprises using a subset of corresponding points in each of a plurality of image overlap regions to solve a set of minimization equations for gains and biases for each spectral band of each image, the corresponding points being points from different images having locations that correspond to each other, the subset of corresponding points consisting of corresponding points whose intensities differ less than a threshold, applying the gains and biases to the images, and iterating said using and applying actions for a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: A system and method for performing pattern matching to locate zero or more instances of a template image in a target image. An image is received by a computer from an image source, e.g., a camera. First pattern matching is performed on the image using a first pattern matching technique to determine a plurality of candidate areas. Second pattern matching is performed on each of the candidate areas using a second different pattern matching technique to generate final pattern match results. An output is generated indicating the final pattern match results. The second pattern matching may determine a second plurality of candidate areas which may be analyzed to determine the final pattern match results. The first pattern matching may use a plurality of pattern matching techniques, the results of which may be used to select a best technique from the plurality of techniques to use for the second pattern match.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying an object, such as a human face, are described. The systems and methods obtain parameters indicative of direct light and disperse light illuminating the object. Using these parameters, an albedo of the object is computed. The albedo is related to the radiance of the object after light is shone on the object, and is used to identify the object.

Abstract: Determination of inclination of positioning patterns used in bonding being made by: imaging a positioning pattern of reference chip and taking such image as reference-image; specifying a polar coordinate conversion origin for the reference-image; imaging an object (chip) of bonding to use it as an object-image, thus obtaining a relative positional-relationship with the reference-image; specifying the polar coordinate conversion origin of the object-image, so that the object-image is subjected to a polar coordinate conversion; and calculating inclination-angle from both images that have been subjected to a polar coordinate conversion; thus using a point, in which an error in position of the object of comparison detected by pattern matching between an image, which is the object of comparison obtained by imaging the object of comparison disposed in an attitude that includes positional deviation, and the reference-image, shows a minimal value, as an origin of the polar coordinate conversion.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of informational video programs over a single digital transport stream to a plurality of receivers, wherein the receivers are operative to select from the transport stream data identified with any given program and to decode the identified data into a displayable video signal.

Abstract: A system for registering a user with a sensing device using a form, the form having disposed thereon or therein information relating to at least one signature field, and coded data at least partially indicative of the signature field. The coded data is coincident with the information, so that when a sensing device is moved relative to the signature field, the sensing device senses coded data and generates indicating data indicative of a sensing device identifier, the signature field and a handwritten signature provided by the user. A computer system determines signature data at least partially indicative of the handwritten signature, and the sensing device identifier from the indicating data, and then stores the signature data and the sensing device identifier in a store to thereby register the user with the sensing device.

Abstract: This invention discloses an electrical circuit inspection system including an optical subsystem for optically inspecting an electrical circuit and providing an inspection output identifying more than two different types of regions and an analysis subsystem for analyzing the inspection output, the analyzing including comparing the inspection output with a computer file reference identifying more than two different types of regions. A method for inspecting an electrical circuit inspection is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of faces in a digital image captured under a variety of lighting conditions are provided. Rather than subjecting an entire image to computationally intensive face detection analysis, the image is subjected to computationally simply analysis to identify candidate pixels likely to be of skin colour. Only those pixels having such color are subject to computationally intensive face detection analysis. The pixels are selected by first selecting a color distribution model based on an image capture condition provided with the color digial image. Then, the color of the pixels is tested using the distribution model to determine those pixels having predominantly skin color. Preferably, the distribution model is selected from among a number of different distribution models with each of the distribution models associated with a different set of lighting conditions.

Abstract: A method of processing an encoded digital signal comprising a set of data obtained by encoding a set of original data representing physical quantities, and a set of information representing the original data and parameters used during the encoding. The method includes receiving an initial request for obtaining a selected part of the digital signal,determining at least one quantity of data representing the selected part of the digital signal as a function of the set of information and of the initial request, and providing at least one value of this determined quantity of data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a crack in a metal surface or the like, and, particularly, to an inspection method and apparatus for nondestructive inspection such as liquid penetrant inspection and magnetic particle testing. The present invention provides a flaw inspection method that essentially comprises the steps of illuminating a surface of a sample to be inspected, obtaining an image of the surface, characterizing a potential flaw on the inspected surface by processing the obtained image, displaying an image of the potential flaw, verifying that the potential flaw is a true flaw, and storing an image of the verified flaw in memory.

Abstract: With an assumption that the three data of the position (X1, Y1) of the first positioning pattern 202 and position (X2, Y2) of the second positioning pattern 212 of the reference chip 200, and the position (X3, Y3) of the first positioning pattern 232 of the bonding object chip 230, as well as the length L of a line segment connecting (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2), and the angle ?2 of this line segment with respect to the X axis, are known, the coordinates (X4, Y4) of the center position of the imaging range 250 that is to be imaged next is determined by detecting the inclination-angle ?? of the first positioning pattern 232 of the bonding object chip 230. Furthermore, the imaging range can be narrowed and the second positioning pattern 252 can be captured by increasing the precision of ??.