Abstract: A method for analysing differences in the content of successive frames of a digital video sequence to create a profile that predicts the likely perceptual significance of and allows separation and classification of different type of signal component.

Abstract: An image of a patient taken through X-ray computed tomography or the like is registered to physical measurements taken on the patient's body. Different parts of the patient's body are given different numerical weights; for example, if bone measurements are deemed to be more accurate than skin measurements, the bones can be given a higher weight than the skin. The weights are used in an iterative registration process to determine a rigid body transformation function. The transformation function is used in robot-assisted surgical procedures, stereotactic procedures or the like.

Abstract: An image-processing method, and an apparatus for carrying out the method, that is used particularly for detecting and recognizing objects in traffic. Locally-softened feature images of an image scene are correlated with feature images of patterns for detecting and recognizing objects in real scenes with the use of images. A plurality of patterns ordered in a pattern tree structure is correlated with the image scene. To extensively prevent erroneous detections, the features are subdivided into different feature types.

Abstract: Recognizable data storage apparatus stores an image feature parameter of an object and its classification result for those objects for which said classification results are evaluated as having high reliability and recognizable and for which a classification result is outputted by first pattern recognition apparatus, and recognition suspension data storage apparatus stores an image feature parameter for those objects for which said classification results are evaluated as having low reliability and as being suspended from recognition. Pattern recognition method constitution apparatus constructs second pattern recognition apparatus on the basis of the classification result stored in the recognizable data storage apparatus, and re-classification is conducted for those objects recognition of which is to be suspended. A neural network, for example, is used for the second pattern recognition apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determines the position P of a structural element that is non-orthogonal relative to the coordinate axes (x, y) of a substrate. The structural element is imaged on a detector array of a CCD camera that has a reference point. With the aid of a measuring window that is rotated at an angle &thgr; to the substrate coordinate system, the position PIPC of one edge of the structural element is determined relative to the reference point. The position L of the reference point relative to the origin of the substrate coordinate system is determined from the angle &THgr; and the current measuring stage coordinates, so that for a particular position P, P=PIPC+L, where L=x·cos &thgr;y·sin &thgr;.

Abstract: Print data including text or graphics data is transferred from a host computer to a printer. The printer develops the received data on a band basis. When data processing to be performed by the printer is expected to fail due to shortage of the memory area size, the host computer cancels the data which has already been sent to the printer, and develops the text or graphics data to form image data. The image data thus formed is sent to the printer. Image data is transferred in a hierarchical manner. Disclosed also is a method which makes it possible to eliminate as much as possible any data processing failure in the printer attributable to shortage of memory capacity.

Abstract: A hyperspectral image encoder (10) for compressing hyperspectral imagery includes a differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) loop (26) to perform data decorrelation in the spectral domain and a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) processing means (28) to perform decorrelation in the spatial domain. The DPCM loop (26) determines an error image between a present image at the input of the encoder (10) and a predicted image. The DWT processing means (28) then divides the error image into a plurality of frequency subbands and quantizes information within the subbands in accordance with a plurality of predetermined quantization states to provide a coded output signal. In one embodiment, an interband predictor (24) is provided to predict an image, for use in calculating the error image, using the coded output signal.

Abstract: A communications system for rendering image based data includes a data interface, a display device, and a data manager. The data interface receives image based data that is used by the display device to display an image. The data manager identifies word blocks defined by the received data. The data manager uses the word blocks to define a first row of the image. In this regard, the data manager determines whether images respectively defined by each of the word blocks would be visible if the word blocks are rendered to the first row of the display screen. In response to a determination that an image associated with one of the word blocks would not be visible if the one word block is rendered to the first row of the display screen, the data manager defines a second row and renders the one word block to the second row.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a prescribed medication, in pill form, and verifying that the medication dispensed is the prescribed medication. A medication identified from a prescription (P) is dispensed into a container (C). An image of the dispensed pills is taken and processed to obtain a set of characteristic features of the pill. These features include the coloration, shape, size, and any surface features of the pills. These features are then automatically compared with those of all the pills which can be dispensed by a dispensing apparatus (10). If a pill can be uniquely identified as the correct pill, the container of pills is accepted. Otherwise, the container is rejected. If, as a result of the processing, a determination cannot be made, the container is provisionally rejected and is subsequently inspected by a pharmacist to determine if the prescription is correctly filled.

Abstract: An original image signal, which represents an original image and are composed of original image signal components representing a plurality of sampling points, that are arrayed at predetermined intervals and in a lattice-like form, is obtained. A judgment is made as to whether an interpolation point belongs to an image edge portion, at which the change in the original image signal is sharp, or belongs to a flat portion, at which the change in the original image signal is unsharp. Interpolating operation processes, one of which is to be employed for the interpolation point, is changed over to each other in accordance with the results of the judgment.

Abstract: An image processing system comprises input means for inputting an image information, storage means for storing the image information input from said input means, display means for displaying the image information input from said input means and the image information stored in said storage means, changeover means for switching between the display of the image information from said input means and that of the image information from said storage means, and output means for outputting the image information stored in said storage means.

Abstract: Today, increased efforts are made to provide users with people-machine data-processing interfaces which are as simple and comfortable as possible. Inputting is currently carried out in data-processing systems via host terminals and personal computers as well as via other peripherals, such as network computers. However, the real evolutionary leap has been the achievement of input by means of writing and speech recognition. Handwriting in particular is a form of expression with which people are familiar from childhood onwards and which, unlike speech, also produces documented proof of expression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing resources. The apparatus includes a pattern recognition block to receive the video signal comprising an eye image and to generate a first signal indicating an orientation of the eye image; and an operating system to manage resources depending on the first signal.

Abstract: A particle image analyzer that facilitates display by designating on a distribution an image desired to be displayed from among a large number of recorded images is disclosed. The particle image analyzer is provided with a parameter computation means for computing at least one characterizing parameter for respective particle images obtained by image capture; a storing means for storing correlations between the particle images and the characterizing parameters with regard to the respective particle images; distribution-diagram generation means for generating characteristic-parameter distribution diagram; designation means for designating the area within the distribution diagram; read-out means for reading out from the memory means particle images corresponding to characterizing parameters within the areas designated by the designation means; and display means for displaying the read-out particle images.

Abstract: A copying machine obtains image data on the basis of a strip-shaped region by reading portion 10, converts the image data to YMCK data at image processing portion 20 in the succeeding stage, and performs zooming processing at zooming processing portion 22. YMCK binary data is produced by pseudo tone processing portion 24. Output portion 30 sequentially prints out data on the basis of a strip-shaped region based on the produced binary data. The output of the image processing portion is divided into 64 dot portions for a reduction processing (into 128 dot portions for equal size/expansion processing). Then, the output of the image processing portion is applied to a recognizing device 50, which performs recognizing processing based on data after a zooming operation.

Abstract: A method for printing an image on an absorbent substrate using liquid colorants. The colorants are assigned to pixel groups on the substrate surface that define the image. Some colorants are applied to pixels in quantities that exceed the absorption capacity of the substrate. These colorants migrate into adjoining pixels, blending with other colorants in those pixels and forming new, otherwise unavailable colors.

Abstract: The process comprises a calibration of the apparatus, in which a virtual volume surrounding the object is generated and broken down into voxels, an acquisition of the set of numbered projected two-dimensional images, and a reconstruction of the three-dimensional image from the projected acquired two-dimensional images, and from an iterative algebraic image reconstruction algorithm. A first iteration of the algorithm is performed with a predetermined initial image resolution so as to obtain, at the end of this first iteration, first density values for the voxels of the volume, at least one part of the voxels of the virtual volume is subdivided into several sets, respectively, corresponding to different image resolutions that are multiples or sub-multiples of the initial resolution, and during each subsequent iteration of the algorithm, the algorithm is successively aplied to each of the sets of voxels.

Abstract: A printing apparatus can process all information relating to past states of use of the printing apparatus and appropriately notify the user of the state of use of the printing apparatus. A number of used recording sheets in the printing apparatus is accumulated as a number of passed sheets, and the user is notified of the accumulated number of used sheets and an average number of used sheets during a predetermined time period, in accordance with a command to confirm the number of passed sheets from the user. By also notifying the user of the amount of used consumable supplies, such as ink and the like, the user can be made aware of the frequency of required exchange or replenishment of each of the consumable supplies.

Abstract: A machine vision system includes an apparatus for registering an input image of an object, such as an aircraft engine blade, to a reference image comprising ideal specifications for the object in order to detect flaws in the object. The system includes one or more imaging devices for obtaining the input image representing the object. The system further includes a processor for registering the input image to the reference image. The processor includes a patch determining device for identifying low curvature portions of the reference image off-line. A transformation estimator matches the low curvature portions of the reference image to corresponding low curvature portions of the object, and provides a transformation matrix which maps points on the reference image 11 to corresponding points on the input image for precise and fast registration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comparing an infrared image of a person to a database of visual images of persons and calculating the probability that each is a match to the infrared image is characterized by extracting minutiae from the infrared image and extracting visible minutiae from the visible images. Coincident minutiae which occur in both spectra are used to scale and register the infrared and the visible images. Other minutiae are spectrum-dependent, but must obey rules relative to minutiae of the other spectrum, due to the anatomical structure of the human face and body. The primary application is for identification of persons seen in infrared surveillance imagery, using a reference database of visual images. Other applications include compression of talking head video and animation of synthetic faces. The method and apparatus can also be applied to areas of the body other than the face, to compare images from different spectra including images from medical sensors.