Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus including computer program products for recognizing text in images are provided. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method for recognizing text in an image is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of images. The method also includes processing the images to detect a corresponding set of regions of the images, each image having a region corresponding to each other image region, as potentially containing text. The method further includes combining the regions to generate an enhanced region image and performing optical character recognition on the enhanced region image.

Abstract: A method for detecting a defective image of the present invention includes obtaining an edge image by performing an edge tracking process on an original image, detecting an isolation point whose size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size from a processed image obtained by performing an erosion process after an expansion process on the edge image, and detecting a defective image in the original image based on the isolation point.

Abstract: A technology is provided whereby correction may be carried out appropriately for both a person's face and other portions of an image, when performing color correction for image data of a photographic image in which a person appears. A process such as the following is carried out during color correction of image data of a photographic image. First, the image data of the photographic image is analyzed, and a first region which is part of the photographic image and in which a person's face is present is determined. Then, on the basis of the portion corresponding to the first region of the image data, a first parameter relating to color is calculated. On the basis of part of the image data corresponding to a second region which is part of the photographic image but different from the first region, a second parameter relating to color is calculated. The color tone of the data is then corrected on the basis of the first and second parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides gradient preservation of an input image. A method of providing gradient preservation of an input image, comprises the steps of: computing gradient fields of the input image; computing gradient fields of a remapped image, wherein the remapped image is the input image remapped; comparing a gradient of the remapped image to a predefined range of acceptable values, wherein the acceptable values depend on the input gradient; changing values of the gradient of the remapped image if the values of the gradient of the remapped image are not within the predefined range of acceptable values depending on the input gradient, resulting in x and y components of a modified gradient; and reconstructing the input image using the x and y components of the modified gradient.

Abstract: A method for pixel extraction and replacement is disclosed. In one implementation, the method includes generating a set of pixel values and pixel value frequencies for a pixel presented in a series of digital images of a scene. A digital image of the scene which includes a pixel value for the pixel is received and a comparison is made between the pixel value and the set of pixel values. A determination is performed to decide upon substitution of the pixel value with a different pixel value based on the comparison. Other techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing luggage screening equipment operators is provides. A sequence of images of contents of luggage items derived from a device that scans the luggage items with penetrating radiation are received. The image generation device is characterized by introducing a certain distortion into these images of contents of luggage items. A display device is caused to display images derived from this sequence of images. Occasionally, the display device is caused to show a simulated threat in a luggage item by displaying a combined image derived based at least in part on an image in the sequence of images and a distorted threat image. The distorted threat image was derived by applying a distortion insertion process to a reference threat image wherein the distortion insertion process tends to approximate the certain distortion introduced in the images of contents of luggage items by the device that scans the luggage items with penetrating radiation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to automatically reproduce film grain into a new image. A reference image and new image are obtained. An image of the reference image is subdivided into two or more tiles. A grain simulation tool is then used to automatically determine if an object feature exists in each of the two or more tiles. Response curves are constructed for each of the tiles that does not contain an object feature. Frames of grain are produced/generated based on the response curves and added to the new image.

Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for computer aided processing of dual or multiple energy images includes employing a data source, the data source including a dual or multiple energy image set, defining a region of interest within one or more images from the dual or multiple energy image set, extracting a set of feature measures from the region of interest, and employing a feature extraction algorithm on the feature measures for identifying an optimal set of features. The method may be employed for identifying bone fractures, disease, obstruction, or any other medical condition.

Abstract: An image processing system comprises a processing circuitry operable to receive a digital image and a line buffer circuitry communicatively coupled to the processing circuitry, the line buffer circuitry comprising a plurality of line buffers. The processing circuitry performs cross talk correction on a first pixel during a first pass to generate a first cross talk corrected pixel, wherein said first pixel is received from a first line buffer of the plurality of line buffers. During the first pass, the processing circuitry further stores the first cross talk corrected pixel in the line buffer circuitry, retrieves the first cross talk corrected pixel from the line buffer circuitry, and uses the first cross talk corrected pixel to perform cross talk correction on a second pixel to generate a second cross talk corrected pixel, wherein the second pixel is received from a second line buffer of the plurality of line buffers.

Abstract: Processing of a pixel of a digital image includes sharpening a digital image, while boldening dark features in the digital image as a non-decreasing function of local contrast.

Abstract: System and method for data encryption/decryption are disclosed including method and apparatus that uniquely identifies captured images.

Abstract: The result of detection processing by abnormal pattern detection processor means 30 is stored in a server 40. In addition, the output image on an image output device 440 is read for pattern, and the supporting contents, such as the result of judgment by a doctor (which, when differing from the result of detection processing, corresponds to the corrected result), the comment, and the assessment category, are stored in the server 40 in conformity with the BI-RADS proposed by the ACR. The result of pathologic assessment corresponding to the abnormal pattern is related to the supporting contents and stored in the server 40. The statistical processing in conformity with the follow-up method of the BI-RADS is performed to find the specificity, the cancer detection rate, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for extracting structure from multiple images of a scene by representing the scene as a group of image layers, including reflection and transparency layers. In general, the present invention performs layer extraction from multiple images containing reflections and transparencies. The present invention includes an optimal approach for recovering layer images and their associated motions from an arbitrary number of composite images. The present invention includes image formation equations, the constrained least squares technique used to recover the component images, a novel method to estimate upper and lower bounds on the solution using min- and max-composites, and a motion refinement method.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for viewing microscopic images include transmitting tiled microscopic images from a server to a client. The client assembles the tiled images into a seamless virtual slide or specimen image and provides tools for manipulating image magnification and viewpoint. The method and apparatus also provides a virtual multi-headed microscope function which allows scattered viewers to simultaneously view and interact with a coherent magnified microscopic image.

Abstract: Plural pieces of frame data are generated and held based on image data obtained by capturing images while moving a plurality of capture devices for capturing images in different directions. A frame data group containing consecutive pieces of frame data determined to have been captured at practically the same position can be extracted from the plural pieces of held frame data. Frame data is deleted from the extracted frame data such that one piece of frame data can exist as the data captured at one position. Thus, when the frame data corresponding to a plurality of positions on a map is stored, thinned frame data is stored after being associated with the corresponding position on the map. Therefore, when virtual space in a walk-through system is designed using an IBR technology, panoramic images for reproduction of the virtual space can be efficiently generated and held.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imagery using images acquired via any known Electro-Optical (EO) system. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a first frame of data is selected as a template frame (e.g., a given frame). A second frame of data can be captured using the EO system. At least a portion of the second frame can be correlated with the template frame to generate a shift vector. The second frame can then be registered with the template frame by interpolating the second frame using the shift vector and re-sampling at least a portion of the second frame to produce a registered frame. The template frame can also be re-sampled. The registered frame and the re-sampled template frame can then be combined to generate an averaged frame. The averaged frame can be spatially filtered to enhance edges within the averaged frame.

Abstract: A method of receiving or sending data. The data includes a chart (i.e., a histogram). The chart may be grouped into categories (i.e., bins). The order of the categories in the chart is according to the categories ability to discriminate.

Abstract: A process for detection of straight-line segments in a stream of digital data that are representative of an image (m, n) in which the contour points of said image each defined by the modulus and the orientation ? of their gradient in relation to a horizontal axis are identified. The stream of digital data is stored in the form of two successive lines, each of n points P(i, j), for each of the lines the n points of said line are extracted successively, and for each point Pc(i, j) extracted, the so-called current point, the three points having inferior coordinates Pa(i?1, j?1), Pb(i, j?1), Pd(i?1, j) directly neighboring said current point are extracted, successively the value of the orientation of the current point Pc is compared with that of the neighboring points Pa, Pb and Pd. The values of the orientations of the points Pb and Pd are compared, the result of a comparison is validated if the points are contour points and if the values of their orientation are close.

Abstract: A method for blurring in signal processing, for example, in digital film processing, is performed with digital artifacts. The digital artifacts are derived, such as by scanning, and include a noisy artifact and a less noisy artifact. The artifacts are subdivided into a plurality of windows, with each window being subdivided into a plurality of squares. The squares of the noisy artifact and of the less noisy artifact have spatial correspondence, as do the respective windows.

Abstract: A photo extraction technique is provided that scans film contained within a holder designed to accommodate that particular size and type of film and generates a low-resolution scan of the film and holder. The low-resolution scan is then processed by detecting the borders of the holder, applying a smoothen filter, detecting edge segments of the image-holding areas in the holder, identifying each of the image-holding areas, determining the orientation of the image-holding areas and correcting the orientation thereof if necessary, and locating each of the individual photos within the image-holding areas. Having identified and extracted the photos, an index page comprising thumbnail images of the photos is generated. From this page, the user can select one or more of the images to be printed or displayed in high-resolution.