Abstract: An image compression method is provided including separating an image into a plurality of color channel sub-images processing each of the color channel sub-images by sub-sampling the sub-image transform coding the sub-sampled sub-image decoding the transform-coded image forming a plurality of square groupings of pixels in the decoded image predicting a value for a pixel within each of the x-shaped groupings determining a prediction error for each predicted pixel value within each of the square groupings coding the prediction error forming a plurality of at least partly diamond-shaped groupings of pixels in the decoded image predicting a value for a pixel within each of the diamond-shaped groupings and combining each of the processed color channel sub-images with the coded prediction errors, thereby forming a compressed image.

Abstract: In the representation of X-ray images, an atomic number characteristic for an X-rayed sub-object (2, 3, 4) is determined from X-ray beams having different energies and the absorption values determined in that process, to which specific colors and shades are assigned. The representation of the color intensity is influenced so that, when representing objects (3, 4) having the same X-ray absorption on a monitor (8), the colors appear equally bright to the viewer. To that end, while the pre-set color for the objects (3, 4) is maintained, the brightness of the different colors is adjusted to an equal or approximately equal brightness, taking into account the spectral sensitivity of the human eye.

Abstract: A histogram comparison process is provided that compares a histogram-vector of a first dataset to a corresponding histogram-vector of a second dataset. The histogram-vectors of the first and second datasets are formed from the histogram values of a select few of the histogram classes, the select few classes being the classes of the first dataset that contain the highest frequency count. The second dataset is characterized using only the select few classes of the first dataset; data items with values that belong to other classes are ignored. A palette dataset is created, corresponding to the second dataset, wherein the data items in the third dataset correspond to indexes to the select classes of the first dataset, or null indexes for the ignored data items. The histograms corresponding to overlapping regions is determined recursively, based on the third dataset.

Abstract: A pattern inspection method and apparatus are disclosed, the method has the steps of generating a reference digital image signal to be compared with a detection digital image signal detected continuously from the desired band-shaped inspection area on an object to be inspected, determining zero or one or more candidate , matching positions between the detection digital image signal and the reference digital image signal for each block unit area sequentially cut out and calculating a mass of candidate matching positions over the entire band-shaped inspection area, determining an accurate matching position between the detection digital image signal and the reference digital image signal for each block unit area based on the continuity of the block unit areas from the calculated mass of candidate matching positions over the entire band-shaped inspection area, and determining a defect by matching the positions based on the determined accurate matching position for each block unit area and comparing the images.

Abstract: A method of performing variable-length coding for a multilevel image with simple processing, and a processing apparatus for executing this variable-length coding method at a high speed have not been established yet. According to this invention, discrete wavelet transformation processing is performed for multilevel image data to quantize the image data in units of subblocks of respective frequency components. An optimal shift parameter is easily determined at a high speed for each subblock. This realizes high-speed variable-length coding based on the parameter.

Abstract: An image detecting method comprises the steps of: a) searching for a pattern satisfying a predetermined commencement requirement by scanning an input image; b) using the pattern as a starting point, with referring to a dictionary storing therein distances between the center line and an edge of a detection target semicircle, determining for each of a predetermined number of main scan lines along a sub-scan direction whether or not a predetermined edge pattern occurs within a respective range of the distance of the dictionary; and c) determining a detection of the semicircle when the number of error lines on which the predetermined edge pattern does not occur within the respective range of the distance of the dictionary is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An information hiding method with reduced fuzziness, which employs interleaving encoding, convolutional encoding and contrasts among neighboring pixels. Once the information is hidden, it can still be extracted without the original image from the generated image after a certain extent of fuzziness damage.

Abstract: A visual device searches for moving and still objects and counts the moving and still objects. The visual device includes a vibrator for vibrating a frame image by using an array calculating unit, an information unit for creating edge information on the moving and still objects from the frame image, a separator for separating the object region of the moving and still objects from the background of the frame image, a measuring unit for measuring the positions and sizes of the moving and still objects, a normalizer for normalizing the separation object regions segmented by the object regions, and a recognition unit for recognizing the normalized regions.

Abstract: An adaptive entropy coder is coupled with a localized conditioning context to provide efficient compression of images with localized high frequency variations. In one implementation, an arithmetic coder can be used as the adaptive entropy coder. The localized conditioning context includes a basic context region with multiple context pixels that are adjacent the current pixel, each of the context pixels having an image tone. A state is determined for the basic context region based upon a pattern of unique image tones among the context pixels therein. An extended context region that includes the basic context region is used to identify a non-local trend within the context pixels and a corresponding state. A current pixel may be arithmetically encoded according to a previously encoded pixel having the same tone or as a not-in-context element. In one implementation, a not-in-context element may be represented by a tone in a color cache that is arranged as an ordered list of most recent not-in-context values.

Abstract: Adaptive luminance interpolation processing in a signal processing apparatus for acquiring an image signal from an image sensing element having color filters and processing the image signal is described. An adaptive luminance interpolation circuit determines the correlation of the image signal in the vertical and horizontal directions, and interpolates the luminance signal of the image signal in a direction in which the correlation is higher. The chroma signal of the image signal is interpolated regardless of the correlation direction. The chroma signal is processed by a color conversion matrix circuit for performing signal processing of suppressing a false color in the vertical direction or a color conversion matrix circuit for performing signal processing of suppressing a false color in the horizontal direction, switched by a matrix switching circuit based on the interpolation direction.

Abstract: A color image processing method for retrieving a color feature descriptor for describing color features of an image is provided. The color image processing method includes the steps of (a) obtaining color vectors of an input image, (b) classifying the color vectors to obtain dominant colors of the input image and the ratios thereof, and (c) representing the dominant colors and the ratios thereof as a color feature descriptor of the input image. The color image processing method is applied to an object-based image processing method, thereby allowing fast search and retrieval of multi-media contents.

Abstract: A video image processing system includes an image sensor for sensing an image and generating an image signal therefor; and a histogram computation mechanism for generating, on-line, a histogram from said image signal. A method of analyzing a video image includes sensing an image; generating an image signal therefor; and computing, on-line, a histogram for the image from the image signal.

Abstract: Ringing artifacts in digital images are predicted by determining a number of pixels of a block of pixels exhibiting luminance exceeding a luminance threshold adequate for detecting a ringing artifact and a number of these higher luminance pixels having sufficient contrast with neighbor pixels to be a likely source of a ringing artifact.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of processing a digital image that is initially represented by digital data indexed to represent positions on a display. The digital data is indicative of an intensity value Ii(x,y) for each position (x,y) in each i-th spectral band. The intensity value for each position in each i-th spectral band is adjusted to generate an adjusted intensity value for each position in each i-th spectral band in accordance with ? n = 1 N ? W n ? ( log ? ? ? I i ? ( x , y ) - log ? ? [ I i ? ( x , y ) * F n ? ( x , y ) ] ) , i = 1 , … ? ? , S where Wn is a weighting factor, “*” is the convolution operator and S is the total number of unique spectral bands. For each n, the function Fn(x,y) is a unique surround function applied to each position (x,y) and N is the total number of unique surround functions. Each unique surround function is scaled to improve some aspect of the digital image, e.g.

Abstract: A method for accessing a pre-approved image associated with a user which is stored in a first memory by an authorizing agency and is assigned a particular identification code which is linked to the pre-approved image and for making a document having such pre-approved image, including the steps of the user transferring his or her identification code for the pre-approved image to a receiving agency; the receiving agency accessing the stored pre-approved image using the transferred identification code and transferring such pre-approved image to a second memory; the receiving agency viewing the pre-approved image from the second memory so the receiving agency can verify that the viewed image is authentic; and printing the pre-approved authenticated image, text or graphics from the second memory at the receiving agency as part of a document.

Abstract: A region data describing method for describing, over a plurality of frames, region data about the region of an arbitrary object in a video, the method specifying the object region in the video with at least either of an approximate figure approximating the region or characteristic points of the regions, approximating a trajectory obtained by arranging position data of the representative points or the characteristic point in a direction in which frames proceed with a predetermined function and describing the parameter of the function as region data. Thus, the region of a predetermined object in the video can be described with a small quantity of data. Moreover, creation and handling of data can easily be performed.

Abstract: A method and a system in a computing environment which are capable of accurately pointing to any desired position in displayed images of various shapes. Pointing to a desired position on a displayed image is performed by using position correction information (position information of a hot spot) and an associated image as a template. A hot spot is an arbitrary point specified in advance in a template image, and a hot spot position in the template image is used as correction information of a pointing position. First, an image in the vicinity of a display coordinate obtained from a pointing device is compared with at least one template image. A closest matching template image and its position on an image are determined, and a final pointing position is calculated from the position on the image and position correction information (position information of a hot spot) associated with the template image.

Abstract: A flying sphere is photographed twice at a predetermined time interval and two static images thus obtained are used to measure a rotation of the sphere through an image processing based on a recognition mark of a surface of the sphere. The recognition mark includes a central mark having a directivity and a rotating angle calculating mark provided to surround the central mark. The central mark includes a rectangle and a circle provided apart from the rectangle adjacent to one of short sides of the rectangle. Three or more rotating angle calculating marks are provided. Respective center positions of the rotating angle calculating marks are present in a region provided apart from a center position of the central mark by 13 mm to 17 mm.

Abstract: The method adjusts an output image area for producing an output image from a recorded area of an original image within the recorded area of the original image so as to produce output image data that complies with a predetermined output image size. The method extracts the recorded area of the original image, extracts at least one region of a principal subject, a finger image and a fog region from the extracted recorded area of the original image to obtain an extracted region. The method adjusts the output image area automatically in accordance with the extracted region and obtains output image data from the image data in the adjusted output image area. Alternatively, the method issues information for urging an adjustment of the output image area when it is determined as a result of the extracted region that the adjustment of the output image area is necessary.

Abstract: A movable-vehicle security system includes a facial-recognition system including a scanner such as a television or infrared camera directed at the face of a person in the driver's seat, which system produces output control signals that are applied to enable or disable operation of the vehicle, with or without a key or other supplemental security system. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a camera mounted on the “third taillight” assembly (which is preferably mounted below the roof and inside the rear window), directed at the rear-view mirror, and coupled to a facial-recognition computer, which in turn is coupled (with appropriate security precautions) to an enabling element for the vehicle, such as a starter motor. In a further embodiment, the system can be coupled to various elements of the motive system to create an auto-starting car.