Abstract: To provide a sign authentication system and method for authenticating the originality of an object having a sign such as a seal or a signature or a pattern which can be deemed as a sign, making counterfeit very difficult even if the mechanism of authentication is revealed, obviating the need for being additionally provided with a special device such as an IC chip used for authenticating the originality. A sign authentication system provides reading a sign such as a personal seal impression as color information for each mesh division, extracting feature points from the color information and storing them, and creating a code for authentication from the feature points. The sign is made with an ink containing color material particles smaller than the mesh division. The feature points on the basis of variation of color information caused are extracted when the mesh division is shifted.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for correcting the exposure of a digital image. An exposure predictor may be generated based on a set of images for which ground truth data are known. After identifying an optimal set of features, the exposure of the digital image may be corrected by extracting values of the selected optimal features from the image, using the predictor to predict a desired exposure correction for the image, and correcting the exposure of the image by the predicted desired amount. Exposure correction is based on a model that relates intensity of light in the world to the RGB digits of the digital image. The model comprises a gamma function that models the response of a typical monitor and a S-shaped curve that compresses the large dynamic range of the world to the small dynamic range of the RGB digit space.

Abstract: When a small block area enters a first two-dimensional code during a scan and features of the image within the area of a position in the first two-dimensional code coincide with a two-dimensional code, the block area is specified as containing a code and a recognition process is performed in the nearby areas. When the recognition of the two-dimensional code has been successful, the area of the first two-dimensional code is further extracted. When the extraction of the area of the first two-dimensional code has been successful, the scan using the small block area is further continued to search for a second two-dimensional code. With an already recognized entrance to the area of the first two-dimensional code, the area is skipped to continue the search. The second two-dimensional code is detected at a high speed by repeating the operation.

Abstract: An encoding device includes: a color-difference signal encoding unit for encoding a color-difference signal for each processing block in multiple color-difference signal encoding modes to generate multiple color-difference signal bit streams; a color-difference mode selecting unit for selecting a color-difference signal encoding mode from the multiple color-difference signal encoding modes; a luminance signal encoding unit for calculating luminance target code amount by subtracting the code amount of the encoded color-difference signal bit stream from fixed code amount, and encoding a luminance signal to generate a luminance signal bit stream; a color-difference reselecting unit for selecting the color-difference signal encoding mode corresponding to the color-difference signal bit stream having the code amount not greater than the fixed code amount, and small deterioration as to the color-difference signal; and a multiplexing unit for multiplexing the luminance signal bit stream, and the encoded color-differ

Abstract: A portable reading machine detects poor image conditions for performing optical character recognition processing. The portable reading machine receives an image of sufficient resolution to distinguish lines of text but not necessarily of sufficient resolution to distinguish individual characters and processes the image to determine imaging conditions from the image. The reading machine reports imaging conditions to the user.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a device for performing horizontal analysis filtering, a device for performing vertical analysis filtering, and a device for horizontal control. The information processing apparatus also includes a first control device. This device allows the device for horizontal control to repetitively perform the horizontal control until the horizontal analysis filtering is performed on all of columns of a processing object line. The information processing apparatus further includes a device for vertical control and a second control device that allows the device for vertical control to repetitively perform the vertical control until the vertical analysis filtering is performed on all of lines.

Abstract: An image contrast enhancement apparatus and method thereof are provided. The image contrast enhancement apparatus includes an image analysis module, a histogram separation unit, and a histogram adjustment unit. The image analysis module statistically analyzes pixels of an original image to produce a plurality of histogram bins and combines the histogram bins into a sub-histogram. The histogram separation unit separates each sub-histogram in every separation level into two sub-histograms in the next separation level, increases or decreases a base width of each sub-histogram such that the respective group density of two sub-histograms corresponding to the same separation point are substantially identical. The histogram adjustment unit re-distributes histogram bins of each sub-histogram or merges a portion of histogram bins of each sub-histogram in every separation level.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for efficient encoding and rendering of remote graphic displays by applying one or more of the following: (1) field encoding for identifying fields of a graphics set such that commonalities of various fields across different graphics languages are identified; (2) resource caching, which treats heterogeneous resources in a homogeneous way when it comes to storing them; (3) determining the type of encoding for remoting items within a graphics set based upon the types of compression mechanisms supported by a remote device; (4) improving responsiveness by rendering with partially sent resources; (5) a mechanism for determining what portions (if any) of a graphics set should be sent to a remote device and in what order; and (6) use of dedicated resources already on a remote device in order to eliminate the transfer of a resource between a local device and the remote device when rendering such resource.

Abstract: A progressive JPEG image decoding method is provided. In the decoding method, a non-zero history table and a sign table of each variable length decoding (VLD) result are recorded and used as a reference for decoding the next scan layer. The decoded coefficients are no longer directly stored in a memory so as to save the memory space. Accordingly, an image can be decoded and displayed correctly even with limited memory space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for color image restoration and enhancement. In at least one embodiment, color signals for individual channels of an image (e.g., red, green, or blue) are adjusted based on a weighted set of averages (e.g., of the entire image, the center portion, the surrounding portion, or other portions). In one example, pixels with extreme values of color signals (e.g., pure black or white pixels) are ignored for the purposes of restoring color; and, the different averages are weighted according to the pixel location (e.g., the distance from the pixel to a center point). In one example, after color restoration for individual channels, the luminance of each pixel is adjusted back to their original levels; and the range of luminance of the image is further adjusted to provide improved brightness and contrast, where in determining the luminance the red, green and blue color channels are given an equal weight.

Abstract: Colorant recipes for spot colors, or colors associated with vector graphic objects, are transformed to compensate for spatial variation in a rendering device. Inverted Jacobians of color production performance can be used to transform color deviations into colorant recipe changes. The colorant recipe changes are applied to original colorant recipes to provide the transformed colorant recipes. Jacobians can be determined by exercising a system model according to perturbations of the colorant recipes. Alternatively, test patches or strips based on perturbed original colorant recipes can be rendered and measured and the Jacobians can be based on such measurements. Alternatively, spatially dependent tone reproduction curves can be used to transform the colorant recipes associated with the vector graphic objects. Image processing systems can include a spatial variation information determiner, a spatial compensation information determiner and a colorant recipe transformer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for compressing and decompressing electronic image data, in particular texture data, are provided. The compressed data includes at least two sets of reduced size data, modulation data and modulation and discontinuity flags. The modulation and discontinuity flags determine how the modulation data is used, in combination with the reduced size data sets, in a decompression process. The apparatus allows for data decompression of textures including large color discontinuities.

Abstract: Pixels from an image are sampled for gray world statistics. To avoid the effect of saturated regions, the pixels are pruned. If a predetermined percentage of the pixels are included in the gray world statistics, color channel gain is calculated and applied to the image. As a result, color balance is achieved in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: In order to process image data including a plurality of pixels, a plurality of pixel groups, each of which includes a plurality of pixels, are extracted from the image data sequentially. Next, it is judged whether each of the pixel groups includes only at least one of a white pixel and a black pixel. At least one first pixel group in the pixel groups is binarized in accordance with an arrangement of the at least one of the white pixel and the black pixel therein, in a case where it is judged that the first pixel group includes only at least one of the white pixel and the black pixel, thereby generating at least one first data item. A first resolution of at least one second pixel group in the pixel groups is reduced to a second resolution, in a case where it is judged that the second pixel group includes at least one pixel other than the white pixel and the black pixel, thereby generating at least one second data item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing data size of at least one bitmap image, wherein the bitmap image comprises a plurality of image components, wherein each image component is associated with a distinct color plane. The plurality of color planes may be ranked using a dominance rank, wherein the dominance rank for a color plane is based on data in its associated image component. The data size of the at least one image component may be reduced based on the dominance rank of the color plane associated with the image component.

Abstract: An image extracting method includes: acquiring a scan image; generating a binary image of the acquired scan image and detects connected pixels in the generated binary image; setting up a circumscribed rectangle for the detected connected pixels; performing, in each side of a circumscribed rectangle, scan in a direction perpendicular to the side so as to detect edge pixels, wherein the scan starts at a plurality of points on a line, and the line extends to one vertex of the side, from a contacting point at which the connected pixels and the side contact; determining whether the detected edge pixels are located in a contour part of the object reproduced in the scan image; setting up a rectangular region based on the edge pixels determined as being located in the contour part of the object; and extracting an image from the set-up rectangular region.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus reduces the discontinuation or elimination of thin lines during a transform process including rounding of coefficient data generated by a frequency transform, thereby enabling the ready acquisition of a high-quality reduced image. The image encoding apparatus includes a frequency transform unit configured to frequency-transform an image to generate coefficient data having a low-frequency component and a high-frequency component; a dynamic range control unit configured to add a bit on a least significant bit end of a portion of pixel data of the image that is used for generating the coefficient data of the low-frequency component on a pixel by pixel basis, thereby increasing a dynamic range of the pixel data; and an encoding unit configured to encode the coefficient data generated by the frequency transform unit.

Abstract: In a liquid-crystal-driving image processing circuit that encodes and decodes image data to reduce the frame memory size, the present invention has the object of providing a liquid-crystal-driving image processing circuit capable of correcting image data accurately and applying appropriately corrected voltages to the liquid crystal without being affected by encoding or decoding errors, even when moving images are input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for retrieving a digital image through document image decomposition is provided. A stored digital image is retrieved. Generic visual features are extracted. The features are grouped into a primitive layer including word-graphs that each include words and features. The words are grouped into a layout layer including zone hypotheses that each include one or more of the words. Causal dependencies between the word-graphs and the zone hypotheses are expressed through zone models that include a joint probability defining a pair of probabilistic models generated through a learned binary edge classifier. Each pair of probabilistic models is expressed as an optimal set selection problem including a set of cost functions and constraints. The optimal set selection problem is evaluated through a heuristic search of the cost functions and constraints and a non-overlapping optimal set of the zone hypotheses is provided that characterize the stored digital image.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus performs focusing using a first automatic focusing method in which lens drive control is performed based on a focus signal so that a focus lens is moved to an in-focus point, and a second automatic focusing method in which lens drive control is performed based on information corresponding to an object distance so that the focus lens is moved to an in-focus point. The direction in which the focus lens is moved to the in-focus point according to the second automatic focusing method is compared with the direction in which the focus lens is moved to the in-focus point according to the first automatic focusing method. Based on the result, it is determined whether to perform the lens drive control according to the second automatic focusing method.