Abstract: Described is a technology in which a low resolution image is processed into a high-resolution image, including by a two interpolation passes. In the first pass, missing in-block pixels, which are the pixels within a block formed by four neighboring original pixels, are given values by gradient diffusion based upon interpolation of the surrounding original pixels. In the second interpolation pass, missing on-block pixels, which are the pixels on a block edge formed by two adjacent original pixels, are given values by gradient diffusion based upon interpolation of the values of those adjacent original pixels and the previously interpolated values of their adjacent in-block pixels. Also described is a difference projection process that varies the values of the interpolated pixels according to a computed difference projection.

Abstract: In the last few years, face expression measurement has been receiving significant attention mainly due to advancements in areas such as face detection, face tracking and face recognition. For face recognition systems, detecting the locations in two-dimension (2D) images where faces are present is a first step to be performed before face expressions can be measured. However, face detection from a 2D image is a challenging task because of variability in imaging conditions, image orientation, pose, presence/absence of facial artefacts facial expression and occlusion. Existing efforts to address the shortcomings of existing face recognition systems deal with technologies for creation of three-dimensional (3D) models of a human subject's face based on a digital photograph of the human subject. However, such technologies are computationally intensive nature and susceptible to errors and hence might not be suitable for deployment.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for recognizing cursive and non-cursive handwriting. The invention comprises capturing a handwritten character as an image of pixels, partition the image into a plurality of segments each having a pixel ratio of the number of pixels in the segment divided by the total number of pixels in the image, and compare the pixel ratio for each segment to a value range associated with a corresponding segment of a reference character. The handwritten character is recognized as the reference character if more than a predetermined number of the segments in the image have the pixel ratios within the respective value ranges of the reference character.

Abstract: In an image conversion method, a value which reflects the mutual relationship between the classes of pixel patterns each formed from a pixel classified as one of a plurality of classes and peripheral pixels is set as a converted value corresponding to each of the plurality of classes, a pixel of interest is sequentially selected from the input image, and a pixel pattern formed from the selected pixel of interest and a predetermined number of pixels around it is classified as one of the plurality of classes in accordance with a neighboring pattern obtained based on the relationship between the value of the pixel of interest and the values of peripheral pixels located at predetermined relative positions with respect to the pixel of interest. The value of the pixel of interest is converted into a converted value set for a class to which the pixel of interest has been classified.

Abstract: In a pixel interpolation apparatus for interpolating pixels, an edge pixel detection unit detects edge pixels constituting an edge among pixels on lines positioned above/below the interpolation pixel. A continuous edge detection unit detects edge pixels in which two pixels or more consecutively line up among edge pixels detected by the edge pixel detection unit as a continuous edge. A continuous edge pair detection unit determines the combination of the continuous edges detected on each of the lines above and below the interpolation pixel among the continuous edges detected by the continuous edge detection unit. An edge direction determination unit determines the edge direction of the interpolation pixel on the basis of the positional relation of one set of continuous edges determined by the continuous edge pair detection unit. An interpolation pixel calculation unit calculates an interpolation pixel using the edge direction determined by the edge direction determination unit.

Abstract: Markers are laid out to express a predetermined code string by a plurality of continuous markers. The markers which form a marker string include at least two types of markers having different features which can be identified by image processing. Markers detected in the captured image are converted into numerical information, and are collated based on the numerical information and the predetermined code string. Using information associated with the markers, the coordinate information of each collated marker is calculated. The position and orientation of an image capturing device are calculated using the coordinate information. With a simple arrangement, the position and orientation of an image capturing device can be calculated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting “Object Portraits” (photographs or images with a stand-out object of interest or a set of stand-out objects of interest) is described. A set of tools has been developed for object of interest detection, including “Sunset-like” scene detection, pseudo-color saturation-based detection and object of interest isolation, block intensity based detection and object of interest isolation. By effectively integrating these tools together, the “Object Portrait” images and “Non-Object Portrait” images are successfully identified. Meaningful object of interest areas are thereby successfully isolated in a low complexity manner without human intervention.

Abstract: To provide an update region detection device capable of accurately detecting an update region from plot data on a computer screen. In an update region detection unit (125), a pixel comparison unit (601) compares a difference between values of pixels at the same position in each of a reference frame and a current frame, with a first threshold and a second threshold, the second threshold being a value greater than the first threshold. An update region extraction unit (602) extracts, an update region, a group including a pixel where a difference greater than the second threshold has been detected, from among a group of pixels where a difference greater than the first threshold has been detected.

Abstract: Biographic data associated with a user is received. Biometric data associated with the user is also received. External data associated with the biographic data and the biometric data is received and a determination is made as to a level of access to grant the user based on the external data. One or more settings associated with a smartcard are configured based on the level of access.

Abstract: A wide range of digital devices either have or are provided with imaging devices which are capable of imaging externally provided information in the form of special codes that contain setup and/or configuration information. Processors within these devices, which include cell phones, cameras, PDAs and personal computers, to name just a few, recognize the image and convert it to the desired configuration and/or setup information.

Abstract: In order to reduce wasteful operation processes by operation units, a data supply unit reads out a plurality of pieces of pixel data from an image memory and temporarily stores the pixel data in registers, and outputs the pixel data while shifting the pixel data in one direction; product-sum operators concurrently perform operation processes based on multiple pieces of pixel data outputted from the data supply unit and filter coefficients in a filter kernel. At this time, a selector within the data supply unit selects the pixel data stored in each register in accordance with the type of the filter operation process, and outputs the selected pixel data to the product-sum operators.

Abstract: A perimeter around a detected object in a frame of image data can be generated in a first coordinate system. The perimeter can be converted from the first coordinate system into a second coordinate system having the same aspect ratio as the first coordinate system. A first metadata entry can include dimensions of image data in the second coordinate system. A second metadata entry can provide a location and dimensions of the converted perimeter in the second coordinate space. Additional metadata can indicate matching objects between frames, position of an object relative to other objects in a frame, a probability that an object is correctly detected, and a total number of objects detected across multiple frames of image data.

Abstract: In stereo images that include occluded pixels and visible pixels, occlusions are handled by first determining, for the occluded pixels, initial disparity values and support for the initial disparity values using an initial support function, an occlusion map and disparities of the visible pixels neighboring the occluded pixels in the stereo images. Then, for the occluded pixels, final disparity values and support for the final disparity values are determined using the initial disparity values, a final support function and a normalization function in an iterative support-and-decision process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating restricted access to feature vectors are described. A method is described for storing and accessing feature vectors relating to individuals in digital images. One or more individuals are identified within photos, and feature vectors are generated for individuals in one or more photos. User profiles are downloaded from a database over a network. The feature vectors and downloaded user profiles are grouped. The face tagging system collects tags for the generated grouped feature vectors for generating enhanced user profiles for the individuals, and the enhanced user profiles are stored in a storage resource.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus and method, and the program and the recording medium according to the present invention can make the coefficient vector into high precision by noise elimination or correction utilizing the mutual correlation of the divided image areas in the intermediate eigenspace, and allows relaxation of the input condition and robustness. The high correlation in the divided image areas in the intermediate eigenspace can reduce the divided image areas to be processed, and actualize reduction in processing load and enhancement of the processing speed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that superimposes additional information on image data, the apparatus sets, in the image data, a main region in which the superimposing intensity for superimposing the additional information is constant, and a superimposing intensity change region in which the superimposing intensity for superimposing the additional information is not constant, sets, the superimposing intensity according to the target pixel in the superimposing intensity change region, and superimposes the additional information on image data using the set superimposing intensity.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable performing height recognition processing by setting a height of an arbitrary plane to zero for convenience of the recognition processing. A parameter for three-dimensional measurement is calculated and registered through calibration and, thereafter, an image pickup with a stereo camera is performed on a plane desired to be recognized as having a height of zero in actual recognition processing. Further, three-dimensional measurement using the registered parameter is performed on characteristic patterns (marks m1, m2 and m3) included in this plane. Three or more three-dimensional coordinates are obtained through this measurement and, then, a calculation equation expressing a plane including these coordinates is derived.

Abstract: Change image detecting devices and methods are disclosed. In one example, a determination unit partially compares a first image and a reference image and determines whether there is a change therebetween. If the determination unit determines no change between the first image and the reference image, the change image detecting unit selects a second image, which is temporally later than the first image and stored in a first storing unit, as a new image to be processed and the determination unit partially compares the second image and the reference image at a different position than previously compared and determines whether there is a change between the second image and the reference image. If the determination unit determines change between the first image and the reference image, a change image detecting unit detects the first image stored in the first storing unit as the change image, and stores the first image in the second storing unit.

Abstract: An image previewing system includes a display unit, a face portion recognition unit, a selecting unit, a comparing unit and a magnifying unit. The display unit comprises a screen configured to show an image. The face portion recognition unit is configured to recognize any human face contained in the image and determine face portions in the image if human face(s) exists in the image. The selecting unit is configured to select one of the face portions in the image. The comparing unit is configured to compare the number of image pixels of the selected face portion with the resolution of the screen of the display unit and generate a result. According to the result, the magnifying unit configured to magnify the selected face portion and display the magnified face portion on the screen.

Abstract: To provide an image display control device capable of displaying a process for switching images in a manner readily recognizable by an observer when sequentially displaying a plurality of images on a display device.