Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device capable of performing high-resolution conversion, enlargement processing, etc. which, even with images including both text images and photographic images, satisfies both sharpness of text areas and smoothness of photograph areas. The image processing device according to the present invention performs frequency conversion, using a frequency conversion device, of partial images which are the objects of processing, resulting in a matrix of frequency-converted coefficients; divides into a plurality of domains, using a plurality of patterns, the matrix of frequency-converted coefficients; and quantifies each such domain by finding a mean value of the coefficients of that domain as a feature quantity for that domain.

Abstract: Image data is processed by identifying a region of substantially constant color within a first image. Color variations, in terms of standard deviation about an average color, are analyzed and a similar level of variation is applied to a second image. The first image may be derived from cinematographic film, with color variations due to film grain. The second image may be a video image or a computer generated image and the application of a similar level of variation may reproduce noise similar to that present within the film due to grain. In this way, it is possible to add grain to non-filmed images so as to match said images to images derived from film.

Abstract: A method for registering a pattern image with a reference image is provided. The pattern image and the reference image differ from each other by a Rotation-Scale-Translation (RST) transformation defined by a scale factor s, a rotation factor &phgr;, and a translation vector (&Dgr;x, &Dgr;y). A Fourier-Mellin invariant is used to perform image registration by isolating the rotation, scale and transformation parameters of the RST transformation between the reference image r and the pattern image p.

Abstract: A data communication unit (1) receives input image data of a first data format which comprises coordinate data of the end points of vectors forming an image and various modifying information of the vectors, and stores them in an input buffer (2). A data analyzer unit (3) converts the input image data into image data of a second data format and stores the data in a storage unit (6). The second data format holds the various modifying information independently of the coordinate data of the end points, decreasing the amount of data compared with the first data format. Based on the image data of the second data format, the data analyzer unit (3) generates, in a band-by-band manner, intermediate codes comprising coordinate data that constitute the contours of the vectors reflecting the various modifying information. The intermediate codes are converted into corresponding raster data in a band-by-band manner, and are printed as an image by a printer unit (10).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus makes it possible to cut off a desired image with a high extraction rate irrespective of whether or not an inputted image has compression hysteresis. With the image processing method therefor, the inputted image data are at first divided into small blocks, and then, frequency transformation is executed. Further, small blocks are detected with respect to those containing character areas. Subsequently, detection is made as to whether or not any non-reversible compression is processed to the frequency transformed image data. In accordance with the result of such detection, data on a table are retrieved to obtain determination threshold values. On the basis of the determination threshold values thus retrieved, the small blocks containing characters are detected for separation.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional representation of an object or scene which minimizes the number of range scans required from different positions to produce an image of acceptable resolution. The technique first produces an initial mesh representation from a predetermined number of scans which is transformed into a solid. Vertices and surfaces in the solid mesh are tagged with either an occluded (unscanned) or imaged (scanned) tag. The occlusion tags allows the technique to select the best view for next scanning iteration by identifying the scanable surface area with the most occlusions. The technique then adjusts the object-scanner positioning so that the targeted view is scanned next. The process is repeated until an acceptable resolution of the object is achieved. The use of occlusion tags with a planning stage decreases the minimum number of scans necessary to complete the process.

Abstract: Black inverted noises in a white background due to resolution correction are reduced by an image processing apparatus which carries out image modification processing to invert at least a portion of a binary converted signal obtained from binary conversion of an image signal. An image signal S1 is respectively input to resolution correction means 201 and 202 using different correction amounts. The signal is then input to selecting means 310 from the both resolution correction means. The signal output from the selecting means is input to binary conversion means 400 and a signal S2 output therefrom is input to image modification processing means 500. when image modification processing has been instructed, a control signal CNT1 is input to the selecting means 310 and the selecting means output a signal with weak resolution correction from the resolution correction means 202 using a small correction amount.

Abstract: A method comprising constructing virtual (Discrete Wavelet Transform) DWT sub-bands; from an image without performing the DWT and then applying an inverse DWT upon the virtual sub-bands, the result of the inverse DWT representing an up-sampled version of the image. Alternatively, an apparatus comprising an interface configured to communicate image data, and an up-sampling unit, the up-sampling unit coupled to the interface to receive the image data, the up-sampling unit configured to construct virtual sub-band input data from the image data, the up-sampling unit configured to perform an inverse DWT upon the input data generating an up-sampled image therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnifying a portion of a digital image on a display screen in either of two ways. The first method includes a two pass scheme, where each of the passes represents an interpolation in x and y direction respectively, cubic interpolation in each direction is approximated using a one dimensional convolution filter followed by linear interpolation. The second method uses a two dimensional convolution filter first, followed by bilinear interpolation. All of the procedures that are used are accelerated using a hardware package which facilitates exceptionally fast execution.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing method and apparatus for converting the processed block of bi-level image data to a block having a size conforming to the magnification of zoom processing and deciding, based upon the pixel pattern of the bi-level image data, output values within the converted processed block. The output values are decided in such a manner that pixel density of the bi-level image data is preserved within the converted processed block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the automatic search for an image sample (f′) in images (f) of a data base. The sample and the images are compressed using their fractal properties, in the form of relations linking their ranges (R) to area or domains (D) of the same image. According to the invention, the comparison relates to indexes registering the geometrical characteristics of these relations. Various means are proposed for permitting a profitable search and in particular a limitation of the distance between ranges and domains of the image (f).

Abstract: A method for scaling a binary image by a non-integer factor with quality enhancement. The method includes the steps of: selecting a pel in an input bitmap which represents the image; selecting a neighborhood centered about the selected pel; comparing the selected neighborhood with a set of preselected image feature patterns representing typical image features; and when the selected neighborhood matches an image feature pattern, writing a block of bits to the output bitmap. The block of bits to be written is obtained by subsampling an image enhancing tile that corresponds to the matched image feature pattern. The size and shape of the block and its destination within the output bitmap are determined by the location of the selected pel within the input bitmap. The process is repeated for each pel within the input bitmap resulting in an output image bitmap which represents a non-integer scaled version of the input bitmap with image quality enhancement.

Abstract: An image input device includes an image reader capable of realizing conversion of image resolution. The image input device includes a scanner driving unit provided with a resettable resolution arithmetic unit, a resolution interpolating process change-over unit and a resolution interpolating unit. The presettable resolution arithmetic unit sets at a scanner unit a resolution designated by a user unless the designated resolution exceeds a maximum presettable resolution of the scanner. If the user designated resolution exceeds the maximum presettable resolution, the presettable resolution arithmetic unit sets at the scanner a predetermined resolution which does not exceed the maximum presettable resolution. The resolution interpolating processing unit interpolates the image data outputted from the scanner unit for generating the image data of the resolution designated by the user.

Abstract: An image editing apparatus for laying out a plurality of images input from an image input unit to a plurality of pages includes an input unit for inputting the number of images to be laid out on one page, a determination unit for determining images to be laid out on each page in accordance with the number input from the input unit and the number of input images, and a layout unit for laying out the images to each page in accordance with the determination made by the determination result.

Abstract: A method for performing parametric image alignment, which when given any local match-measure, applies global estimation directly to the local match-measure data, without first going through an intermediate step of local flow estimation. The method can utilize any local match-measure, such as, correlation, normalized-correlation, squared or absolute brightness differences, statistical measures such as mutual information, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated cell analysis of biological specimens automatically scans at a low magnification to acquire images which are analyzed to determine candidate cell objects of interest. The low magnification images are converted from a first color space to a second color space. The color space converted image is then low pass filtered and compared to a threshold to remove artifacts and background objects from the candidate object of interest pixels of the color converted image. The candidate object of interest pixels are morphologically processed to group candidate object of interest pixels together into groups which are compared to blob parameters to identify candidate objects of interest which correspond to cells or other structures relevant to medical diagnosis of the biological specimen. The location coordinates of the objects of interest are stored and additional images of the candidate cell objects are acquired at high magnification.

Abstract: A separable, general affine transformation according to the invention permits an image to be concurrently rotated, scaled, translated, skewed, sheared, or otherwise transformed via a sequence of one-dimensional transformations. A general affine transformation of an image in two dimensions is achieved by generating an “intermediate” image via affine transformation of the source along a first axis. The intermediate image is then subjected to affine transformation along a second axis, e.g., perpendicular to the first. The resultant image may be used in place of that which would be produced by a single two-dimensional transformation of the source image (e.g., in a single pass).

Abstract: A method of processing a digital radiographic image comprising the steps of: providing a digital radiographic image having a plurality of radiation fields and collimation regions defined by collimation blades at least partially bounding the radiation fields; detecting and classifying pixels of the digital radiographic image as collimation boundary transition pixels; line-level delineating of a plurality of candidate collimation blades from the collimation boundary transition pixels; estimating the most likely partitioning; and determining at a region level the radiation field from the results of the partitioning estimating step.

Abstract: A method of making digital colored prints by a particular printer operated by enabling software, the original images being provided on a colored film original includes scanning the colored film original to produce a digital image file of a digital image; adjusting the code values of the digital file to produce a color adjusted digital file, such adjustments including density and color balance correction adjustments; transferring both the color adjusted digital file and printing enabling software to a digital memory; and coupling the printer to the digital memory and causing the printer in response to the printing enabling software to operate on the color adjusted digital file to produce a transformed digital file and a print produced using such transformed digital file.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided for the analyzing of data files derived from fluorophore emissions detected during observation of fluorophore labeled nucleotide polymers such as is done during the sequencing of bases in nucleotide polymers. The analysis steps of the method depend upon a key step of quantifying features of the emission peaks whereby subsequent steps as base calling can be performed and whereby individual emission spectra within the data files of two or more samples can be automatically synchronized, compared, and differences detected and signaled. The quantified peak information provides for the use of fuzzy logic and the assignment of truth values or scores to be assigned to the base calls. optimally, individual peaks within the data file are corrected by distortions, the peaks enhanced, and the overall data file information augmented to further improve the accuracy of the analysis of the data and reduce manual labor requirements.