Abstract: A structured morphology filtering method is disclosed for filtering an image for high precision machine vision metrology using specifically-determined structuring elements to precisely preserve the location of specific features in the filtered image. A selected structuring element shape generally exhibits geometric similarity with at least a portion of the feature to be preserved in the filtered image. The structuring element may be oriented to corresponds to the orientation of the feature to be inspected. For example, for a linear feature to be inspected, the optimal structuring element is a line or narrow rectangle at the same orientation, while for images of circles, it is a circle. The orientation of the structuring element may be determined or adjusted automatically during a set of automatic inspection operations, based on an automatic determination of the orientation of the feature to be inspected.

Abstract: A system and method for using learned discriminative models to segment a border of an anatomical structure in a three dimensional (3D) image is disclosed. A discriminative probability model is computed for each voxel in the 3D image. Thresholding is performed on each discriminative probability model. One or more two dimensional (2D) slices of the thresholded 3D image along X-Y planes are obtained. Seed regions are selected in the 2D slices. Morphological region growing is performed on the selected seed regions. An initial 3D segmentation is obtained. Boundary evolution is performed on the initial 3D segmentation. The segmented anatomical structure is removed. in the original 3D image.

Abstract: A method for extracting an iris from an image is presented. Edges of an iris are detected in an image. Texture from the image is acquired. The edges and texture are combined to generate an inner boundary and an outer boundary of the iris. Also, to improve the accuracy of the iris boundary detection, a method to select between ellipse and circle models is provided. Finally, a dome model is used to determine mask images and remove eyelid occlusions in unwrapped images.

Abstract: An invention that prepares in advance shading correction value for a plurality of discrete zoom positions is disclosed. For frame images sensed at zoom positions for which shading correction values are not provided, a correction value is obtained from shading correction values provided for zoom position closest to the zoom position in the telephoto direction and in the wide-angle direction at the time the image was sensed and shading correction performed, enabling proper shading correction to be performed on each frame image during zoom image sensing while economizing on memory capacity.

Abstract: An image processing device, method, and program are capable of obtaining processing results which are even more accurate and even more precise as to events in the real world, taking into consideration the real world where data has been acquired. The image processing device includes a data continuity detector and a real world estimating unit.

Abstract: A method for operating a video tool to perform precision edge detection in an image. The method includes determining estimated image intensity values corresponding to positions along a straight line aligned with a defined scan line orientation. The location of an edge point along the straight line is determined based on the estimated intensity values and their positions along the straight line. The method reduces sub-pixel orientation-dependent variations that may otherwise be present in edge measurements. Intensity values may be estimated by interpolating between nearest neighbor image pixel intensity values. When positions along the straight line are chosen to coincide with a pixel row or column, the interpolating may be linear interpolation between the intensities of just two adjacent pixels.

Abstract: A method for automatically recognizing a marker in a radiographic image. The method includes the steps of: accessing the radiographic image in digital form; segmenting the digital image into a plurality of regions; detecting a marker region from the plurality of regions; and recognizing the marker disposed within the marker region to determine the marker's semantic meaning.

Abstract: An identification method and process for objects from digitally captured images thereof that uses data characteristics to identify an object from a plurality of objects in a database. The data is broken down into parameters such as a Shape Comparison, Grayscale Comparison, Wavelet Comparison, and Color Cube Comparison with object data in one or more databases to identify the actual object of a digital image.

Abstract: The present system can perform machine learning of prototypical descriptions of data elements for extraction from machine-readable documents. Document templates are created from sets of training documents that can be used to extract data from form documents, such as: fill-in forms used for taxes; flex-form documents having many variants, such as bills of lading or insurance notifications; and some context-form documents having a description or graphic indicator in proximity to a data element. In response to training documents, the system performs an inductive reasoning process to generalize a document template so that the location of data elements can be predicted for the training examples. The automatically generated document template can then be used to extract data elements from a wide variety of form documents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and device intended to temporally modulate a sequence of source images with a modulation image comprising at least one anti-copy pattern. According to the invention, it is proposed that the modulation image be generated on the basis of the source image to be modulated in such a way as to place the patterns at locations of the image that may hinder the person watching an illicit copy of the video sequence (filmed for example by a camcorder). The modulation image is for example an image of the secondary contours of the image. The patterns are therefore placed in the low-gradient zones of the source image.

Abstract: A technique is provided for classifying images in a library (1) for subsequent selective retrieval. Each library image is segmented (2) into a plurality of coherent regions. Each of the regions is analysed in respect of a plurality of visual properties, each of which is ascribed a number according to the value of the visual property. The property numbers are then compared (4) with bands of the available property range and a computer-readable character, such as a letter of the alphabet, is ascribed to each of the property values. The characters are then arranged (5) in a predetermined order to form a region character string. The strings for each region are then indexed (7) to form an index (8) of the images by region character string. For image retrieval, a target image (10) is analysed in the same way to form region character strings which are then supplied to a text retrieval system (12) for detecting matches with entries in the index (8).

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for decoding compressed data. Compressed data is received and decoded. An error is detected while decoding a first location in the compressed data. A reentry data set is accessed having a pointer to a second location in the compressed data following the first location and decoding information that enables decoding to start from the second location. The second location in the compressed data is accessed and the decoding information in the accessed reentry data set is used to continue decoding the compressed data from the second location.

Abstract: A method for imaging includes directing a plurality of radio frequency (RF) beams (206, 207) toward a target organ from a plurality of angles. The RF beams include one or more first pairs of the RF beams, each first pair including two of the RF beams that impinge on the target organ from opposite directions. RF signals reflected from the target organ are received responsively to the RF beams, the RF signals including one or more second pairs of the RF signals engendered respectively by the one or more first pairs of the RF beams. Local tissue parameters at multiple points in the target organ are extracted by jointly processing the RF signals in each of the second pairs. Images of the target organ are produced using the extracted local tissue parameters. Other embodiments described herein include methods for passive imaging, motion vector analysis, ablation, local heating and application of electromagnetic pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing real-time video surveillance of crowded environments. The method consists of several object detection and tracking processes that may be selected automatically to track individual objects or group of objects based on the resolution and occlusion levels in the input videos. Possible objects of interest (OOI) may be human, animals, cars etc. The invention may be used for tracking people in crowded environments or cars in heavy traffic conditions.

Abstract: Fast transforms that use early aborts and precision refinements are disclosed. When to perform a corrective action is detected based upon testing the incremental calculations of transform coefficients. Corrective action is then performed. The corrective action includes refining the incremental calculations to obtain additional precision and/or aborting the incremental calculations when the resulting numbers are sufficient.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of and apparatus for compressing and uncompressing image data. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method of compressing a color cell comprises the steps of: defining at least four luminance levels of the color cell; generating a bitmask for the color cell, the bitmask having a plurality of entries each corresponding to a respective one of the pixels, each of the entries for storing data identifying one of the luminance levels associated with a corresponding one of the pixels; calculating a first average color of pixels associated with a first one of the luminance levels; calculating a second average color of pixels associated with a second one of the luminance levels; and storing the bitmask in association with the first average color and the second average color.

Abstract: Methods, media, and a system provide image sharpness management for electronic images. Pixel values for an unmodified image are processed relative to spatial frequency bands for that image. An average pixel value is acquired for each of the spatial frequency bands and used to alter the corresponding pixel value of the image. A resulting modified image exhibits enhancement of sharpness, based on adjustments for each of the spatial frequency bands. In one embodiment, the average pixel value is adjusted based on an expected viewing distance of an observer. In another embodiment, the average pixel value is adjusted based on the ability of a display device to reproduce spatial frequencies in the image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of reducing brightness variations in a panorama comprises calculating a gamma plane based on the panorama, blurring and normalizing the gamma plane and then applying the blurred and normalized gamma plane to the panorama thereby to reduce brightness variations therein.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying defects in a workpiece are provided. The system includes a sensor for non-destructive testing. The system also includes a movable arm carrying the sensor and being pivotally attached to a base. The movable arm includes at least one pivotable joint between the base and the sensor, and is capable of being moved such that the sensor acquires data indicative of a workpiece as the sensor travels proximate to the workpiece. A data acquisition system is capable of communicating with the sensor to create an image of at least a portion of the workpiece based on the data acquired by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for processing video data are described. The invention provides a representation of video data that can be used to assess agreement between the data and a fitting model for a particular parameterization of the data. This allows the comparison of different parameterization techniques and the selection of the optimum one for continued video processing of the particular data. The representation can be utilized in intermediate form as part of a larger process or as a feedback mechanism for processing video data. When utilized in its intermediate form, the invention can be used in processes for storage, enhancement, refinement, feature extraction, compression, coding, and transmission of video data. The invention serves to extract salient information in a robust and efficient manner while addressing the problems typically associated with video data sources.