Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate templates from web images for searching an image database are described. In one embodiment, one or more retrieved images (e.g., from the Web) may be used to generate one or more templates. The templates may be used to search an image database based on features commonly shared between sub-images of the retrieved images. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system, method and medium correcting a display image. The system includes a parameter calculation module to calculate a plurality of parameters required for a transform of a first image, based on a plurality of characteristic differences between the first image and a second image, into which the first image is to be transformed to visually match the second image, a first characteristic transform module to transform a first characteristic of the first image using the plurality of calculated parameters, the transformation resulting in an unrelated change to a second characteristic of the first image, and a second characteristic restoration module to restore the second characteristic changed by the transforming of the first characteristic.

Abstract: A method of multi-frame image noise reduction suitable for an image-capturing device includes following steps: obtaining a current frame and multiple reference frames; defining a mask and a target point in the mask; judging whether the target point pixel of the current frame is on an edge according to an edge map of the frame; when the pixel is on the edge, using the pixels in the reference frames on the edge to calculate a replacement result; when the target point pixel is not on the edge, using the pixels in the reference frames surrounding the target point to calculate a replacement result; after that, generating a pixel corresponding to the position of the target point in an output image according to the replacement result; further, moving the mask and going back to judge whether the pixel of the target point of the current frame is on the edge.

Abstract: A method and a device for use in conjunction with an imaging modality (202), for controlling the angular orientation of a needle-shaped object (212) while moving it along a path (214) from a given entry point to a given target point in a body during a percutaneous intervention. The device comprises a support unit (502, 602, 702, 802) for supporting a guiding unit (506, 706), which support unit provides a pair of parallel control planes (604, 606) which are at least partially detectable by the imaging modality. The guiding unit establishes a guiding axis (612, 818) substantially perpendicular to the pair of parallel control planes along which guiding axis the needle-shaped object is translatable. The angular orientation of an imaging plane (204) applied by the imaging modality determines a reference for the angular orientation of the pair of parallel control planes.

Abstract: A method and a device for reference image adapting in the field of fluoroscopy-controlled interventional repair of abdominal aortic aneurisms on angiography systems are proposed. Displacements which can be brought about as a result of introducing instruments, such as when a stent is deployed in an aorta, are automatically corrected. It is also possible to correct such displacements which initially cannot be perceived in the image due to the angle of view.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a difference calculation unit, an intensity calculation unit, and an enhancing unit. The difference calculation unit calculates, for each partial area of an input image, a difference between a depth value of a subject and a reference value representing a depth as a reference. The intensity calculation unit calculates for each partial area an intensity, which has a local maximum value when the difference is 0 and has a greater value as the absolute value of the difference is smaller. The enhancing unit enhances each partial area according to the intensity to generate an output image.

Abstract: A method for correcting a defect pixel includes extracting a pixel value of a central pixel, and pixel values of each of a plurality of neighboring pixels around the central pixel in an image sensor by using a color filter; calculating reference levels by multiplying each the pixel value of the plurality of neighboring pixels by a weight value; calculating a total number of cases where the pixel value of the central pixel is larger or smaller than the reference level as a first comparison value or second comparison value, respectively; determining the central pixel is a defect pixel where the first or second comparison value is larger than a first or second control register value, by comparing the comparison values with the control register values, respectively; and correcting the central pixel determined as the defect pixel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a corresponding apparatus for detecting coding artifacts in an image. The proposed apparatus comprises an edge position detector that detects an edge position of an edge in said image, a border position detector that detects a border position of a border between a texture area and a flat area in said image, and an artifact position defining unit that defines the area between said edge position and said border position as artifact area potentially comprising coding artifacts.

Abstract: A dust detection system, comprising a receiver, a dust extraction block, a memory and an image correction block, is provided. The receiver receives an image signal. The dust extraction block generates a dust image signal on the basis of the image signal. The memory stores an intrinsic-flaw image signal corresponding to an intrinsic-flaw image including sub-images of dust that the dust extraction block extracts in initializing. The image correction block generates a corrected dust-image signal on the basis of the intrinsic-flaw image signal and a normal dust-image signal. The normal dust-image signal corresponds to a normal dust image including sub-image of dust that the dust extraction block extracts after initializing. The corrected dust image is the normal dust image that sub-images of dust in the intrinsic-flaw image are deleted from.

Abstract: A method for eliminating image blur includes: detecting the difference in pixel value between two corresponding pixels in two continuous images to generate a difference value; and adjusting the luminance of the two corresponding pixels according to the difference value, wherein when the difference value exceeds a predetermined value, the luminance of one pixel of the two corresponding pixels is increased and the luminance of the other pixel is decreased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of correcting a chromatic aberration of an image, and in particular, to an apparatus and method of correcting a chromatic aberration of an image that can correct a general chromatic aberration of an edge or an extreme chromatic aberration, such as a purple fringe, in an image. An apparatus for correcting a chromatic aberration of an image according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an edge detection unit detecting an edge of an input image, a level calculation unit calculating a chromatic aberration level of the detected edge, and a correction unit correcting the edge using different weighted values according to the calculated chromatic aberration level.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing method and apparatus, and an image reproducing method and apparatus. The image processing method includes receiving three-dimensional (3D) image data; generating additional information about the 3D image data; and inserting the additional information in a blanking interval of the 3D image data.

Abstract: An image management system, image management method and program are provided that can favorably manage images for displaying images that underwent optimization processing or images for creating and displaying difference images in which the generation of artifacts is suppressed. An image from image generator 100 is input to server 109 and stored in storage device 105. The system then determines whether an image including attendant information that is the same as that of the input image is already registered in the system. When such an image is not already registered, attendant information included in the input image is read out and newly registered in association with the input image. In contrast, when an image including attendant information that is the same as that of the input image is registered in the system and the attendant information is registered, information indicating the fact that the image was input is registered.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for red-eye removal techniques using multiple recognition channels. In the following examples, red, golden, and white recognition channels are used. A recognition channel is the monochrome extraction from a color photograph in a manner designed to make one kind of red-eye artifact glow with maximum contrast. Once the red-eye artifact has been characterized by, e.g., size and location, the techniques disclosed herein may then discern whether the red-eye artifact is, for example, a red-, golden-, or white-eye case by examining the configuration and characteristics of prominence bitmasks created for the various recognition channels. Once the type of red-eye case has been discerned, the techniques disclosed herein may then replace the artifact with a photographically reasonable result based on the type of red-eye case being repaired. Specular reflection may also be re-added to the photograph.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining at least one three-dimensional (3D) geometric parameter of an imaging device. A two-dimensional (2D) target image is provided having a plurality of alignment patterns. The target image is imaged with an imaging device to form a captured image. At least one pattern of the captured image is compared with a corresponding pattern of the target image. From the comparison, the geometric parameter of the imaging device is then determined. The alignment patterns include at least one of (i) one or more patterns comprising a 2D scale and rotation invariant basis function, (ii) one or more patterns comprising a 1D scale invariant basis function, and (iii) one or more patterns having a plurality of grey levels and comprising a plurality of superimposed sinusoidal patterns, the plurality of sinusoidal patterns having a plurality of predetermined discrete orientations.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a depth signal generating apparatus includes following units. The calculating unit is configured to calculate a statistic value for pixel values for each of predefined areas in the first image, and calculate, for each of predetermined base depth models, a first evaluation value based on the calculated statistic value. The correcting unit is configured to correct, based on a second evaluation value previously derived for the second image and a first degree of similarity indicating a similarity between the predetermined base depth models, the first evaluation value to derive second evaluation values for the predetermined base depth models. The selecting unit is configured to select a base depth model having the highest second evaluation value from the predetermined base depth models. The generating unit is configured to generate a depth signal based on the selected base depth model.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing image data on a per tile basis in an image sensor pipeline (ISP) are disclosed and may include communicating, to one or more processing modules via control logic circuits integrated in the ISP, corresponding configuration parameters that are associated with each of a plurality of data tiles comprising an image. The ISP may be integrated in a video processing core. The plurality of data tiles may vary in size. A processing complete signal may be communicated to the control logic circuits when the processing of each of the data tiles is complete prior to configuring a subsequent processing module. The processing may comprise one or more of: lens shading correction, statistics, distortion correction, demosaicing, denoising, defective pixel correction, color correction, and resizing. Each of the data tiles may overlap with adjacent data tiles, and at least a portion of them may be processed concurrently.

Abstract: A method of defining model characters of a font. The method includes receiving a string of characters, receiving an image that includes an occurrence of the string, identifying objects in the image, determining, for each respective object, which of the objects satisfies first criteria indicating that the respective object likely corresponds to a character in the string, determining, for each respective object satisfying the first criteria, which of the objects satisfies second criteria indicating that the respective object belongs to a sequence of objects likely to correspond to the string, and defining, for each respective object satisfying the second criteria, a model character for each character of the string based upon a corresponding object of the sequence of objects. The first criteria may include aspect ratio criterion, size criterion, or both, and the second criteria may include alignment criterion, spacing criterion contrast criterion, encompassment criterion, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directional texture generation using image warping. An image warping directional texture generation method may, for example, be used to design hair or hairstyles. The method may obtain one or more user strokes via a provided brush or other user interface element to paint directional texture, such as hair, onto a target image. Primitives, such as strands, wisps, partings, etc., may be used to paint the directional texture. After the user applies a stroke to paint a primitive or a portion of a primitive onto the target image, the primitive may be automatically adjusted to fit the primitive to the stroke, handle distortion artifacts, and blend the primitive into the existing image. The user may continue to apply strokes until satisfied with the overall result.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a subject detecting unit detecting a subject on a material image, a working unit performing a working process on the material image such that a region of the subject puts in the block, an image generating unit clipping a subject-including region of the material image so as to have the same form and size as the block and generating a subject-including clipped image and a replacing unit setting one clipped image which is the most similar to the block in terms of color-related characteristics as the replacement image for each block of the production target image and replacing the block by the replacement image to generate a photo-mosaic image.