Abstract: A microscope system is constructed by a light guiding optical system 20 having an objective lens 21 and beam splitters 27a and 27b for splitting an optical image of a sample S, a photodetector 31 for acquiring an image of the sample S, and two CCD cameras 33 and 34 for focus control disposed on optical paths split by the beam splitters 27a and 27b. The cameras 33 and 34 are disposed being inclined with respect to the optical path so that the optical paths thereof in the light guiding optical system 20 vary along a z-axis direction in opposite directions to each other. Images acquired by these cameras 33 and 34 are analyzed in a focus controller 37, and the image pickup focal point to the sample S is controlled on the basis of the analysis result, whereby the focus control when an image of the sample is acquired can be suitably performed.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for determining the compression noise present in an image or frame in a video sequence.

Abstract: An image storage device includes a storing unit, a background recognizing unit, an attribute-information generating unit, and an image-data processing unit. The storing unit stores therein image data and first attribute information for each pixel. The background recognizing unit recognizes a background of the image. The attribute-information generating unit generates second attribute information for each pixel based on the background of the image recognized by the background recognizing unit. The image-data processing unit processes the image data based on the second attribute information generated by the attribute-information generating unit.

Abstract: Extracting a luminal or line-like three-dimensional structure from a three-dimensional image of a target object, then generating a projection image by projecting a portion of the entirety of the three-dimensional structure on a cross-sectional image of the target object intersecting the three-dimensional structure, the portion being a portion located within a range of a predetermined thickness from a cross-section represented by the cross-sectional image or a portion located within a range of a predetermined distance from a position where the three-dimensional structure is intersecting the cross-sectional image, and displaying the generated projection image.

Abstract: A method for checking an imprint reads an imprint, forms a data code from the imprint, and compares the data code with a predetermined number of check data codes of a stored data set. During a search for the data code in the data set, the method decides whether the data code is to be classified as acceptable or unacceptably faulty.

Abstract: A method of irregular motion compensation includes using contours of objects in a reference image to tile the reference image into a plurality of irregular shapes, and mapping each irregular shape to a location in a target image by assigning a motion vector to each irregular shape.

Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.

Abstract: A method of controlling depth of field of an image by a computer after the image has been taken based on the data acquired while taking the images including, acquiring multiple images from the same perspective with different focal points, selecting parameters for preparing a displayable image, constructing an image using the data of the acquired multiple images according to the selected parameters; and displaying the constructed image.

Abstract: Video content analysis of a video may include: modeling a background of the video; detecting at least one target in a foreground of the video based on the feature blocks of the video; and tracking each target of the video. Modeling a background of the video may include: dividing each frame of the video into image blocks; determining features for each image block of each frame to obtain feature blocks for each frame; determining a feature block map for each frame based on the feature blocks of each frame; and determining a background feature block map to model the background of the vide based on at least one of the feature block maps.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated and extensible system for the analysis and retrieval of images based on region-of-interest (ROI) analysis of one or more true objects depicted by an image. The system uses a ROI database that is a relational or analytical database containing searchable vectors that represent the images stored in a repository. Entries in the ROI database are created by an image locator and ROI classifier that work in tandem to locate images within the repository and extract the relevant information. The ROI classifier analyzes objects in an image to arrive at the actual features of the true object, instead of merely describing the features of the image of that object. Graphical searches are performed by the collaborative workings of an image retrieval module, and an image search requestor that translates user or agent search requests into a language understood by an ROI query module.

Abstract: A face recognition apparatus and method. The face recognition apparatus includes: a face database (face DB) which stores information of a plurality of registered persons and which stores a plurality of facial images of each registered person; a face retrieval unit which performs a face retrieval of an input facial image with reference to the face DB and outputs confidence values of the stored facial images; a candidate selection unit which determines candidates, which are selected among the facial images stored in the face DB on the basis of the confidence values; and a face verification unit which compares feature vectors of the input facial image and feature vectors of images corresponding to each candidate one by one and recognizes the input facial image.

Abstract: A system and method for providing privacy regions in a picture or video. In one example embodiment, a camera is provided which has a lens system and detector, image processing circuitry, compression and formatting circuitry, and control circuitry. Images or video taken from the camera are preferably corrected for distortion (such as that introduced by an anamorphic lens system) and sent to an operator's workstation, where a privacy region is defined. The privacy region is merged with the rest of the image, whether constant or dynamic, and displayed. Other processing, such as object tracking and alarms, can also be implemented at varying points in the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a digital collage, the apparatus including a sending/receiving unit and a creating unit, the sending/receiving unit receiving contents from a plurality of slave devices, and the creating unit merging the received contents in a predetermined form to create the digital collage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a noise distribution of an image close to a true distribution, and detecting an edge of the image precisely and quickly based on the detected noise distribution without performing a smoothing process for the image, and a computer readable medium processing the method. The method of detecting an edge of an image includes the steps of: detecting a noise distribution of an object image; and detecting an edge of the image based on the detected noise distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for determining the level of expression of one or more candidate objects of interest in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for determining the level of expression of one or more candidate objects of interest using image analysis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a system for determining the level of expression of one or more candidate objects of interest using an automated (computer-aided) image analysis system.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for determining a descriptor, comprising calculating a maximum distance for a plurality of points in a sector between each of said plurality of points and an origin; calculating a minimal distance from one of said plurality of points and a target line, wherein said maximum distance is an initial value; computing a plurality of Fourier coefficients from said minimal distances; and defining an invariant descriptor from said Fourier coefficients, and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.

Abstract: A refined autofocus method provides optimized lighting between iterative autofocus operations, to reliably provide the best possible autofocus Z-height precision. The method includes a quantitative initial focus Z-height determination based on initial focus curve data from initial autofocus images acquired using initial light control parameters. Then, the camera is set at that initial focus Z-height such that well focused images are provided. Refined (optimized) light control parameters are then determined based on at least one respective image acquired using respective light control parameters at that Z-height, such that an image acquired using the refined light control parameters provides a near-optimum value for a contrast-related metric (e.g., a focus metric) at that Z-height. Then, refined autofocus images are acquired using the refined light control parameters and a refined precise Z-height is quantitatively determined base on the resulting focus curve.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing bi-handwriting directional handwriting recognition and correction. A combined handwriting recognizer is provided that supports left-to-right and right-to-left language recognition by using a combined dictionary. The combined dictionary includes a dictionary from a language in a first direction, along with a backwards version of a dictionary from a language in a second direction. The combined recognizer is used with the combined dictionary to generate a most likely recognition result for mixed direction hand written input received from a user. Character by character correction is provided for mixed left-to-right and right-to-left text. The most likely recognition result is displayed in a visual order. The user can correct a particular character to a different character. When recognized text needs to be sent to a separate application, an inverse bi-directional process is performed to convert the text from the visual order to the logical order.

Abstract: A computer system scans image files for pornographic image content by pre-filtering image files to detect the presence in copyright data fields of stored items of copyright information deemed to indicate that the image file is one of acceptable or unacceptable. On detecting such items of copyright information, a signal is output indicating that the image file does or does not contain pornographic image content without the need to analyse the image content of the image file.