Abstract: In a system for stereo vision including two cameras shooting the same scene, a method is performed for determining scattered disparity fields when the epipolar geometry is known, which includes the steps of: capturing, through the two cameras, first and second images of the scene from two different positions; selecting at least one pixel in the first image, the pixel being associated with a point of the scene and the second image containing a point also associated with the above point of the scene; and computing the displacement from the pixel to the point in the second image minimizing a cost function, such cost function including a term which depends on the difference between the first and the second image and a term which depends on the distance of the above point in the second image from a epipolar straight line, and a following check whether it belongs to an allowability area around a subset to the epipolar straight line in which the presence of the point is allowed, in order to take into account errors

Abstract: There is provided an image analysis system which captures image data of an arbitrary pair of a first image RI and a second image LI among images obtained by color-photographing a single object from different positions into an analysis computer, wherein the computer includes corresponding point extraction means for assigning a weighing factor to a pixel information value based on the contrast size of the pixel information value in each of a first local area ROI1 set around an arbitrary reference point in RI and second local areas ROI2s at which scanning is performed on LI, calculating the similarity between ROI1 and ROI2s, and extracting a corresponding point which corresponds to the reference point from a ROI2 having the highest similarity, and depth information calculating means for calculating depth information of the object based on coordinates of the reference point and the corresponding point.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the recovery of characters entered into at least one data entry zone of a data entry window. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: storing a first image of the data entry window during data entry; subtracting a reference image from the first image to obtain a delta image, wherein the reference image is an image of the data entry window without data entered; identifying at least one non empty zone of the delta image and the location of the at least one data entry zone on the data entry window from the location of the at least one non empty zone on the delta image; extracting at least one character by applying optical character recognition to the least one non empty zone; and inputting the at least one character into the location of the at least one data entry zone.

Abstract: An image processing method includes receiving an image including a writing, detecting a position of the writing in the received image, detecting a position of a character image in the received image, performing character recognition on the detected character image, comparing the position of the detected writing with the position of the detected character image to associate the writing with a result of the character recognition, translating the result of the character recognition so as to be recognizable as a translation of the result of the character recognition associated with the writing, generating an image of the translation result associated with the writing, so as to be output in a format different from a format of an image of a translation result that is not associated with the writing, and outputting the image of the translation result associated with the writing.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for finding images from a large corpus of images that at least partially match a query image. The present method makes use of feature detectors to bundle features into local groups or bundles. These bundled features are repeatable and much more discriminative than an individual SIFT feature. Equally importantly, the bundled features provide a flexible representation that allows simple and robust geometric constraints to be efficiently enforced when querying the index.

Abstract: An object recognition system performs a number of rounds of dimensionality reduction and consistency learning on visual content items such as videos and still images, resulting in a set of feature vectors that accurately predict the presence of a visual object represented by a given object name within an visual content item. The feature vectors are stored in association with the object name which they represent and with an indication of the number of rounds of dimensionality reduction and consistency learning that produced them. The feature vectors and the indication can be used for various purposes, such as quickly determining a visual content item containing a visual representation of a given object name.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing digital photos are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for organizing digital photos includes receiving a set of digital photos, analyzing the set of digital photos to create tags that identify content information in the set of digital photos, tagging the set of digital photos in accordance with their corresponding content information, categorizing the set of digital photos in accordance with their corresponding tags, and displaying the digital photos and their corresponding tags with a display device.

Abstract: A method for identifying an object within a container is provided. The method includes acquiring image data representing an image, applying a morphological operator to the acquired image data to generate morphed image data, calculating a histogram based on the morphed image data, and classifying the image using the calculated histogram. A classification of the image may be displayed and/or stored in a computer-readable memory.

Abstract: A method for assisting in the creation of a logical structure model, which stores, from an image in which character strings associated respectively with a plurality of logical elements constituting a logical structure are described, the logical elements, character strings associated with the logical elements, and the logical structure, wherein character strings in an input image and the logical structure among the character strings in the input image are extracted, a logical element is selected among the plurality of logical elements according to the degrees of similarity between the extracted character strings and the character string associated respectively with the plurality of logical elements stored in the logical structure model, a character string associated with the selected logical element and a character string in the input image associated with the logical element based on the logical structure among the extracted character strings in the input image are extracted.

Abstract: A machine vision system is configured to facilitate placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to an associated vehicle. The machine vision system is configured to utilize images of optical targets received from one or more cameras to guide the placement of the vehicle service apparatus relative to the associated vehicle.

Abstract: A pattern matching method which is capable of selecting a suitable measurement object pattern, even on a sample containing a periodic structure, and a computer program for making a computer execute the pattern matching. In a pattern matching method which executes matching between the design data-based first image of an object sample, and a second image, whether or not a periodic structure is included in a region to execute the matching is determined, so as to select a pattern, based on distance between an original point which is set in said image, and the pattern configuring said periodic structure, in the case where the periodic structure is included in said region, and to select a pattern based on coincidence of the pattern in said image, in the case where the periodic structure is not included in said region, and a computer program product.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating depth-of-field effects includes receiving information specifying an input image rendered using a pinhole camera. A first set of circles of confusion associated with portions of the input image are determined based a set of parameters associated with the pinhole camera. The first set of circles of confusion are then associated with heat conductivity of a medium. The portions of the input image are blurred according to heat diffusion in the medium to generate a first output image having a first depth-of-field effect.

Abstract: There is a need for providing a finger vein image inputting device that can miniaturize and thin a finger vein authentication apparatus and provide high authentication accuracy. The finger vein image inputting device according to the present invention includes a body, a band pass filter for transmitting only light of a specific wavelength, a light source for applying light to a finger placed over the band pass filter, and an imaging means for imaging transmitted light from the finger. A gradient index lens is provided between the band pass filter and the imaging means and causes refractive-index distribution around an optical axis. A polarizing filter is provided at least one of between the light source and the finger and between the finger and an imaging device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for moving information between computing devices includes capturing a digital image of a display of a first computing device using a camera of a second computing device, transmitting, to the first computing device, data that corresponds to the digital image; analyzing the transmitted data on the first computing device to determine whether the digital image matches a current display of the first computing device, and using the analysis to cause one of the first or second computing devices to invoke an application and match a state of an application that is executing on the other of the first or second computing devices.

Abstract: There is provided a biometric authentication system including a plurality of information processing devices divided to a first group for performing a primary authentication based on feature quantity information unique to a biological pattern of a user associated with biological information, and specifying an identification number assigned to the user, and a second group for performing a secondary authentication on the biological information that succeeded in the primary authentication based on the identification number and registered biological information registered in advance.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for defect detection, the method includes: (i) retrieving a second pixel of a second image that corresponds to a tested pixel of a first image of the object; wherein the first and second images were obtained using different acquisition methods; (ii) searching a third pixel of the second image such that a neighborhood of the second pixel is similar to a neighborhood of the third pixel; (iii) retrieving a fourth pixel of the first image that corresponds to the third pixel; and (iv) comparing between the tested pixel and the fourth pixel.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of displaying data is provided. The method comprises obtaining projection data of an object by exposing an object to radiation at a plurality of view angles and detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form the projection data, operating a computer to reconstruct the projection data at a reconstruction resolution to form image data comprising a plurality of voxels representing locations within the object, each of the plurality of voxels being assigned an associated intensity indicative of a density of the subject matter at the respective location, determining a maximum resolution for display, above which variation in intensity between adjacent voxels is not supported by information in the projection data, the maximum resolution being less than the reconstruction resolution, and displaying the image data at or below the maximum resolution.

Abstract: A document processing method comprises adding document markers to predetermined locations of an electronically stored document. These are printed with the document. The document is scanned and the scanned document markers are used to process the scanned image. This processing comprises at least pixel threshold setting, and determination of the locations of the scanned image which are to be processed to derive the pixels of a digital version of the document. This enables local deformations in the paper document to be corrected, and enables correct thresholds for the printing and scanning operations to be applied. The electronically stored document can be processed to derive a set of document properties which can be used when constructing the digital version.

Abstract: A method of matching a pose of a synthesized representation of a human or animal body to a captured image of that human or animal body is provided, which can be used to generate a graphical model of the body when disposed on a plane, such as a synthesized model of a football player on a field of play. The method includes receiving the captured image data, determining from the captured image data a plurality of limb position estimates, each position estimate corresponding to an amount by which limbs of the body are separated with respect to each other and deriving from the plurality of limb positions an estimated gait phase of the body. The estimated gait phase is then applied to a basis gait model in order to provide an estimated pose of the body, the basis gait model comprising data which defines a displacement of the limbs or parts thereof with respect to a gait cycle period. The estimated pose is then matched to that of the synthesized representation of the body.

Abstract: A method related to data capture from forms involving optical character recognition comprises detecting data fields on a scanned image; generating a flexible document description based on the detected data fields, including creating a set of search elements for each data field, each search element having associated search criteria; and training the flexible document description using a search algorithm to detect the data fields on additional training images based on the set of search elements.