Abstract: A method of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via an interface surface and a sensing device. The interface surface contains information relating to the computer software and coded data indicative of a signature field relating to the computer software. When the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, it senses indicating data indicative of the signature field. The sensing device also generates movement data indicative of the sensing device's movement. The indicating data and the movement data are received from the sensing device, and the signature field is identified. Once the signature has been identified, the computer software is operated in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the signature field.

Abstract: A fingerprint collating device and a fingerprint collating method which can prevent an illicit use of fingerprint. The fingerprint collating device includes fingerprint reader for reading a user's fingerprint to create read fingerprint information, and to create read history information indicating that the read fingerprint information has been created, read history storage for storing the read history information, and collator for collating the read fingerprint information with the registered fingerprint information to effect personal authentication and output a result of authentication when the read history information is stored in the read history storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a crack in a metal surface or the like, and, particularly, to an inspection method and apparatus for nondestructive inspection such as liquid penetrant inspection and magnetic particle testing. The present invention provides a flaw inspection method that essentially comprises the steps of illuminating a surface of a sample to be inspected, obtaining an image of the surface, characterizing a potential flaw on the inspected surface by processing the obtained image, displaying an image of the potential flaw, verifying that the potential flaw is a true flaw, and storing an image of the verified flaw in memory.

Abstract: A surface shape recognition apparatus includes detection circuit, comparison circuit, storage circuit, and control circuit. The detection circuit electrically detects a surface shape pattern in a partial region of the target collation surface of an object using a plurality of sensor elements and outputs detection data representing the surface shape pattern. The comparison circuit compares the detection data from the detection circuit with predetermined collation data and outputs a comparison result. The storage circuit stores template data representing the surface shape pattern of the entire target collation surface, the template data being obtained from the object in advance.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to achieve a small and thin irregular pattern reader comprising: a prism possessing a detection surface on which a subject to be detected having an irregular pattern is put and an incident plane having a first angle of inclination to the detection surface and emitting a light reflected on the detection surface corresponding to an incident light incident upon the incident plane; a first optical system possessing a light source and causing a light from the light source to be incident upon the incident plane of the prism with its optical axis substantially in parallel to the detection surface; and a second optical system for transmitting the emission light emitted from the prism to an image pick-up device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for locating coated cooling holes on parts such as turbine vanes. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a thermal imaging technique is utilized to obtain the locations of the cooling holes on a turbine vane. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a laser scanning technique is utilized to obtain the locations of the cooling holes on a turbine vane.

Abstract: The invention intends, in preparing so-called ID photograph by cutting out an area from the image of a person, to obtain an appropriate area with simple operations. The method the invention comprises a designation step s201 of designating a rectangle circumscribed about a face area on an original image including a human face, an acquisition step s202 of acquiring the vertical length and the horizontal length of the rectangle designated by the designation step, and a determination step s203 of determining a cutout area including the face area, based on the vertical length and the horizontal length.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus which is provided with a fingerprint verification function with a high security and a high operability. When a fingerprint is inputted from a fingerprint reading surface of a display/fingerprint reading unit, a fingerprint data sensing control unit reads fingerprint data and coordinate data, and stores the data into a storage unit. The fingerprint data is verified against fingerprint data previously registered and stored in a storage unit, to determine whether or not there is a matching fingerprint. In an information processing apparatus, a fingerprint verification function is thus implemented. Further, based on the coordinate data related to fingerprint input, the operation of the information processing apparatus is controlled.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.

Abstract: A portable information terminal device comprising: an enclosure of the portable information terminal device, an imaging element provided within the enclosure, a first lens provided within the enclosure for the imaging element, a second lens, which focal length is shorter than that of the first lens, provided within the enclosure for the imaging element, a lens selection means, provided within the enclosure, for selecting one of the first lens and the second lens so that a focal point of a selected lens is at the imaging element, and a transparent plate for pressing a tip of a finger of a user of the portable information terminal device, wherein the imaging element captures a fingerprint of the tip of the finger on the transparent plate by the second lens selected by the lens selection means.

Abstract: A method for choosing an image from a plurality of three-dimensional models which is most similar to an input image is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for providing owners, potential buyers and other users of autographed items such as sports and other entertainment memorabilia visual evidence for verifying the authenticity of the autograph are described. A method of the present invention involves capturing an image of the signature as it is being placed on the item. The image so captured is then stored on a computer readable medium. In addition to the item itself, the owner of the item may be provided with a computer readable medium containing computer readable instructions for accessing the image and other information about the item, the signing process, the autographer, etc. The image may be captured by a camera mounted on a pen or other writing instrument.

Abstract: A system for evaluating optical proximity corrected (OPC) designs is provided. The system includes an analysis system for performing measurements relating to a segment of a feature. The analysis system is configured to determine a first image for the segment of the feature based upon the measurements. The analysis system determines a second image to facilitate analysis of the first image and evaluates OPC designs based upon comparisons of the first and second image.

Abstract: A method of collating and using captured semiconductor-wafer image data in an automated defect analysis. The method includes the steps of receiving image data and, if necessary, converting it to a digital format. Once the data is in pixel-by-pixel form, each pixel is assigned a slope value derived from the direction of the structure edge, if any, on which it lies. The pixel-slope data is then evaluated to determine whether a photo-resist anomaly is present. The method may also include evaluated an average pixel slope value for each inspected wafer. Dependant claims further define the invention to claim an inspection system for employing the method.

Abstract: A system and process for recognizing an object in an input image involving first generating training images depicting the object. A set of prototype edge features is created that collectively represent the edge pixel patterns encountered within a sub-window centered on each pixel depicting an edge of the object in the training images. Next, a Hough kernel is defined for each prototype edge feature in the form of a set of offset vectors representing the distance and direction, from each edge pixel having an associated sub-window exhibiting an edge pixel pattern best represented by the prototype edge feature, to a prescribed reference point on a surface of the object. The offset vectors are represented as originating at a central point of the kernel. For each edge pixel in the input image, the prototype edge feature which best represents the edge pixel pattern exhibited within the sub-window centered on the edge pixel is identified.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a gate control device which controls the passage (e.g., entry, exit, etc.) through a passageway of both authorized persons and unauthorized companions of authorized persons into a protected room. The device may be configured such that the unauthorized companions may be permitted or denied passage if the unauthorized companions are with an authorized person. For example, the device may be configured to allow an entire group of persons to enter a room if only one authorized person is present. In another example, the device may deny passage to the entire group if it contains even one unauthorized person.

Abstract: An iris authentication apparatus performs authentication based on data generated from a human iris in which camera section and a signal processing section detect an iris state in the form of data. By using a database section, an iris data processing section detects whether the iris state is in a living body state. When the iris data processing section has detected that the iris state is in a living body state, it is judged that the detected data is effective. In this manner, the iris authentication apparatus can reliably prevent a third person from being authenticated by pretending to be a registered person by forging an iris pattern that is a non-living-body iris.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely locating radioactive sources. A pair of visual cameras are oriented in directions so that they have all or part of their field of vision in common. The apparatus also includes an intermediate camera which is sensitive to the radiation to be measured. The visual cameras make it possible to define the position of the details of the environment by a triangulation method and another triangulation is carried out in order to know the position of the sources after having moved the apparatus. Photogrammetry software is used to accomplish these tasks easily.

Abstract: The image processing method sets an image processing condition of an image using either image data of an image clipping area corresponding to the image or extended image data which is image data of an extended image area that is wider than the image clipping area in a direction in which a plurality of images is continuously recorded; represents an image obtained by processing the extended image data in accordance with the image processing condition and the image clipping area or only an image within the image clipping area obtained by processing said extended image data in accordance with said image processing condition; judges whether the represented image clipping area is appropriate or not; and modifies the image clipping area in accordance with a result of the judging. Even when a frame clipping error occurs in a photoprinter, the method can consistently output an appropriate image preventing decrease of work or production efficiency or keeping it to a minimum.

Abstract: A mechanism to produce projection images 40A-40G representing a model extraction region and an image sensing region is incorporated in an image sensing unit 1 of an image processing apparatus. A control unit 2 receives an image from image sensing unit 1 to calculate density deviation within the model extraction region. The calculated result is output to a level display unit 27. When the operator determines the position of image sensing unit 1 so that projection images 40A, 40B and 40C representing the model extraction region are projected distinctly on the pattern of the subject to be registered and a high level value is displayed by level display unit 27 and depresses a teach button switch 30, image data within the current model extraction region is registered as the model image.