Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for a video encoder to select data from a set of image blocks, each block being associated with a frame, a counter value and a cost, the method comprising: calculating, for a target block from among said set of image blocks, the respective counter values and the respective costs of other blocks from among said set of image blocks, said other blocks being associated with the same frame as the target block or with a previous frame; and selecting from said other blocks a reference block having the lowest cost and counter value, according to predefined criteria. The invention also pertains to a computer program product for carrying out the method, and to a video encoder apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus, system or method for aiding the vision of visually impaired individuals having a retina with reduced functionality, which overcomes the drawbacks of the background art by overcoming such reduced and/or uneven retinal function.

Abstract: An imaging system (CM, 100) is provided with: an imaging device (CM) configured to selectively image a first imaging area and a second imaging area, which is larger than the first imaging area, the first imaging area being used to detect eyes of a user (1), the second imaging area being used to detect a body of the user; a detecting device (110, 120, 160) configured to detect trigger operation of the user; and a selecting device (13) configured to select the first imaging area or the second imaging area on the basis of a detection result of the trigger operation.

Abstract: An information processor includes: a similarity data generation portion generating similarity data that represents the calculated similarity to the image in the reference block in association with a position within the search range; a result evaluation portion detecting a position with a maximum similarity value for each piece of the similarity data and screening the detection result by making a given evaluation of the similarity; a depth image generation portion finding a parallax for each of the reference blocks using the detection result validated as a result of screening, calculating a position of a subject in a depth direction on a basis of the parallax, and generating a depth image by associating the position of the subject in the depth direction with an image plane; and an output information generation section performing given information processing on a basis of the subject position in a three-dimensional space using the depth image and outputting the result of information processing.

Abstract: Depth based block partitioning in high efficiency video coding is provided by partitioning a video image block into different partitions using a binary segmentation mask. A determination is made whether to filter pixels at a boundary between the partitions. A particular pixel is not filtered in response to each adjacent pixel in vertical and horizontal planes in relation to the particular pixel having a same value. The particular pixel is filtered in response to any adjacent pixel in the vertical and horizontal planes in relation to the particular pixel having a different value than any other adjacent pixel in the vertical and horizontal planes in relation to the particular pixel. Pixels are filtered pursuant to a filtering process in response to a filtering determination.

Abstract: This invention provides a vision system camera assembly and method for using the same that employs a light-field camera with an associated vision system image sensor and overlying microlens optics to acquire images of a scene. The camera generates a light field allowing object features at varying depths of field to be clearly imaged in a concurrent manner. In an illustrative embodiment a vision system, and associated method of use thereof, which images an object or other subject in a scene includes a vision system camera with an optics assembly and a light field sensor assembly. The camera is constructed and arranged to generate light field image data from light received through the optics assembly. A light field process analyzes the light field image data and that generates selected image information. A vision system processor then operates a vision system process on the selected image information to generate results therefrom.

Abstract: An articulating digital endoscope or borescope which can be bent up to 180 degrees and has a small bending radius, simple structure, and can be operated with one hand. The front end of the bending part is connected to a digital camera, the rear end of the bending part is connected to the main body and the handle of the endoscope. The bending part comprises the upper and lower connecting segments, a number of joint plates and in-between discs connected in sequence. There are concave and convex structures on both sides of the joint plates so that the joint plates can fit to each other and be rotated. A mechanical shutter release cable is used to connect the bending part, the endoscope main body and the handle. When the shutter button is pressed, the inner spring of the shutter pushes forward to bend the bending part.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an omnidirectional imaging unit that captures and generates an image of a visual field all around an axis as omnidirectional image data; an image converter that converts at least a part of the omnidirectional image data, which is generated by the omnidirectional imaging unit, to image data having a rectangular display area and thereby generates conversion image data; and a display unit that displays an image corresponding to the conversion image data, which is generated by the image converter. The omnidirectional image data forms an annular shape.

Abstract: A system for compressing video images while maintaining quality. A codec is used to encode and decode (i.e., compress and decompress) an image in a sequence of images, and the decoded image is used to calculate an error image, which is added to a subsequent image before it is encoded. The compressed image is transmitted to a display device, in which it is decoded and displayed.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus, including an image combination section which connects a plurality of partial images, each of which is an image obtained by imaging a part of a region to be observed, and a connection information generation section which generates connection information of a combined image combined by the image combination section. The connection information is provided, along with the combined image or separately from the combined image, to an image display apparatus capable of displaying the combined image.

Abstract: In a method for ascertaining the heart rate of the driver of a vehicle, the eye position is determined with the aid of a camera, and an image section of the driver's head is acquired. To ascertain the heart rate, successive images which were recorded over time with the aid of the camera are analyzed.

Abstract: One embodiment discloses an image processing apparatus which generates an interpolation frame from consecutive first and second frames, including: a motion estimation section which assigns, to the interpolation frame, motion vectors from the first frame to the second frame; a first degree-of-difference calculation section which extracts calculates a first degree of difference in terms of pixel values; a second degree-of-difference calculation section which calculates a second degree of difference in terms of vectors; and an interpolation frame generation section which generates the interpolation frame by determining a motion vector that should be assigned to a pixel of attention on the basis of combined weights obtained by combining the first degrees of difference and the second degrees of difference, respectively.

Abstract: A defect inspection system is provided for inspection of defects in the surface of a sample. An array of light sources is used, with different light sources providing light to the sample from different directions. A main direction of illumination is defined with highest intensity, and this direction evolves over time. By providing varying directional illumination instead of blanket illumination, it becomes easier to detect defects.

Abstract: A method for image analysis, including recording an image sequence at a vehicle system mounted to a vehicle; automatically detecting an object within the image sequence with a detection module; automatically defining a bounding box about the detected object within each image of the image sequence; modifying the image sequence with the bounding boxes for the detected object to generate a modified image sequence; at a verification module associated with the detection module, labeling the modified image sequence as comprising one of a false positive, a false negative, a true positive, and a true negative detected object based on the bounding box within at least one image of the modified image sequence; training the detection module with the label for the modified image sequence; and automatically detecting objects within a second image sequence recorded with the vehicle system with the trained detection module.

Abstract: An image encoding device includes an encoder that encodes a first field of a specific frame as an intra picture which is predicted by using only an ultra prediction, and that encodes the first field of the above-described specific frame, a second field of the above-described specific frame, a picture whose encoding order is later than that of the first field of the above-described specific frame later and whose display order is earlier than that of the first field, and another picture whose encoding order and also display order are later than those of the first field of the above-described specific frame in order of those pictures, and a multiplexer that multiplexes information showing that the first field of the above-described specific frame is a picture, in a bitstream, at which decoding can be started into the above-described bitstream.

Abstract: A three dimensional [3D] video signal (41) is provided for transferring to a 3D destination device (50). Depth metadata is determined indicative of depths occurring in the 3D video data, which depth metadata includes a near value indicative of depths of video data nearest to a user. The 3D video signal, which comprises the 3D video data, now also includes the depth metadata. The 3D destination device (50) is enabled to retrieve the depth metadata, to provide auxiliary data, and to position the auxiliary data at an auxiliary depth in dependence of the retrieved metadata for displaying the auxiliary data in combination with the 3D video data such that obscuring the auxiliary data by said nearest video data, and/or disturbing effects at the boundary of the auxiliary data, is avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device and to a method for controlling a motorized digital microscope. The control device comprises at least one first module (01) for controlling the hardware, the software and the work flow of the digital microscope during the examination of a specimen. According to the invention, the first module (01) comprises a first input means (02, 16) having force feedback for controlling functions of the digital microscope. In a method according to the invention, data input takes place via a first input means, wherein force feedback is generated via the success or progression of the input.

Abstract: A filtering method according to the present invention is for filtering a plurality of blocks included in an image, and comprises: determining whether each of the blocks is an IPCM block or not; filtering a non-IPCM block that is not an IPCM block among the blocks to generate filtered data; outputting the filtered data as pixel values of the non-IPCM block, and outputting pixel values of the unfiltered IPCM block as pixel values of the IPCM block.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display and an electronic device are provided. The 3D display has a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a plurality of sub-pixel repeating groups, and a cylindrical lens grating including a plurality of cylindrical lenses arranged in parallel disposed on top of the display panel and covering all the sub-pixels in the display panel. The sub-pixels have M number of different colors capable of being mixed to generate a white color. M is a positive integer greater than 2, and M number of successive sub-pixels along a first direction have different colors. Two adjacent sub-pixels form a main pixel, any two adjacent main pixels are different, and each sub-pixel repeating group includes one or more main pixels. The cylindrical lens grating divides all the sub-pixels into a plurality of 3D viewpoints of a 3D image, the 3D viewpoint has same sub-pixel arrangement sequences as the sub-pixel repeating groups.

Abstract: An electronic device able to receive a target frame for tracking a moving target which is included in a search reference sets at least one first detecting region in the target frame. The processor determines similarities between the search reference and the at least one first detecting regions. Then, the processor determines a specific first detecting region in the target frame and determines an actual position of the moving target based on the specific first detecting region.