Abstract: A lighting system with a digital micromirror device which forms a digital godo system that is controllable on a pixel level. The device includes a number of sensitive electronic elements. The device is controlled by two different controllers: a digital signal processor which is effectively the number crunching portion, and a controller, which controls the functions of the light. The controller also logs errors into a registery, such as a non-volatile memory. A field programmable gate array is used for a number of purposes, including to form the ports. One of those ports is a tech port, which is used to detect status of the light such as faults.

Abstract: An image correcting method includes: (a) acquiring original image information to be corrected; (b) setting a confirmation range for confirming an effect of a correction; (c) producing corrected image information; and (d) displaying, on an image display section, an original image based on the original image information and a corrected image based on the corrected image information. The confirmation range is set based on the original image information. The corrected image information is produced by correcting the original image information within the confirmation range.

Abstract: In the present invention, an image evaluation method includes: (a) a step of acquiring image information to be evaluated; (b) a step of setting an evaluation area for the acquired image information, the evaluation area being smaller than an area corresponding to the image information; (c) a step of obtaining an individual evaluation on the acquired image information; (d) a step of obtaining another individual evaluation on the acquired image information; and (e) a step of obtaining a comprehensive evaluation based on the individual evaluation and the other individual evaluation. Herein, the individual evaluation is obtained by individually evaluating a predetermined item in the set evaluation area. The other individual evaluation is obtained by individually evaluating another predetermined item.

Abstract: The present method of evaluating image information, includes: extracting, from image information to be evaluated, a plurality of edge pixels located in a boundary of an image expressed by the image information; calculating, for each of the edge pixels, a number of pixels that include the edge pixel targeted for calculation, that exist in the boundary, and that are arranged in a direction intersecting with the boundary; and performing out-of-focus blurring evaluation of the image information on the basis of the number of pixels that exist in the boundary and a number of the edge pixels.

Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.

Abstract: An image capturing device is adapted to capture an object image and to generate an image data. Each of a plurality of image capturers is adapted to perform an image capturing of a part of the object image and to generate a partial image data which constitutes a part of the image data based on the part of the object image. Each of the image capturers has an optical axis. A detector is operable to detect movement of each of the image capturers in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis during the image capturing and to generate movement data based on the detected movement, for each of the image capturers. A processor is operable to correct the partial image data so as to compensate the movement during the image capturing based on the movement data.

Abstract: An evaluating method of image information acquires image information, performs camera shake evaluation of the image information by determining a camera shake direction on the basis of the image information, and performs out-of-focus evaluation of the image information by using information concerning a camera shake direction determined in the camera shake evaluation.

Abstract: A lighting system with a digital micromirror device which forms a digital godo system that is controllable on a pixel level. The device includes a number of sensitive electronic elements. The device is controlled by two different controllers: a digital signal processor which is effectively the number crunching portion, and a controller, which controls the functions of the light. The controller also logs errors into a registery, such as a non-volatile memory. A field programmable gate array is used for a number of purposes, including to form the ports. One of those ports is a tech port, which is used to detect status of the light such as faults.

Abstract: The technique of the invention calculates an edge gradient magnitude a(x,y) at each pixel position (x,y) and an edge width w(x,y) from luminance values of an object image, and computes an out-of-focus evaluation value M(x,y) at each pixel position (x,y) from the calculated edge gradient magnitude a(x,y) and edge width w(x,y). The technique then divides the object image into a preset number of blocks, determines a representative out-of-focus evaluation value Y(m,n) in each block, and compares the representative out-of-focus evaluation value Y(m,n) with a preset threshold value for block classification to categorize each block as an in-focus block or an out-of-focus block. The technique eventually determines the object image as in-focus or out-of-focus, based on the total number of blocks included in in-focus block areas, the total number of blocks included in out-of-focus block areas, and the relative positions of the in-focus block areas and the out-of-focus block areas to the whole image.

Abstract: A method of fractionally resizing an image comprises locating areas of sensitivity in the image. Adjustment lines in the image are selected at least partially based on the location of the located areas of sensitivity. The image is then resized along the adjustment lines. An apparatus for fractionally resizing an image is also provided.

Abstract: An evaluation on image information is indicated before operating a shutter operating section. For example, a method of evaluating image information includes: (a) a step of converting an optical image of an object to be photographed into electrical image information; (b) a step of evaluating the image information that has not yet been stored in a non-volatile memory, wherein the image information is evaluated in a state in which a shutter operating section, on which a predetermined operation is performed when storing the image information in the non-volatile memory, is not being subjected to the predetermined operation; and (c) a step of outputting an evaluation result.

Abstract: A system and method of recognizing characters in a captured image, includes selecting a portion of the image encompassing a string of characters in the captured image to be recognized. The selected portion is examined to identify segments that potentially include the characters of the string. During the examining multiple tests on pixels in the selected portion are performed. The identified segments are then examined to recognize the string of characters.

Abstract: A method of determining the vertices of a character in a two-dimensional barcode symbol image includes tracing a contour around a character. The contour is examined and pixels therealong believed to be vertices of the character are determined. The relative positions of the determined pixels are compared to determine if they satisfy a threshold. If the relative positions of the determined pixels satisfy the threshold, the determined pixels are designated as the vertices of the character. If the relative positions of the determined pixels satisfy the threshold, the determined pixels are designated as the vertices of the character. If the relative positions of the determined pixels do not satisfy the threshold, new pixels along the contour are selected using geometric relationships between the determined pixels to replace determined pixels that are not vertices of the character.

Abstract: The technique of the invention converts an object RGB image into an image in a YIQ color space, calculates a luminance variation at each target pixel from Y channel values of the target pixel and an adjacent pixel adjoining to the target pixel, and computes a smoothness degree of luminance variation at the target pixel as summation of absolute values of differences between luminance variations at the target pixel and adjacent pixels. A block noise evaluation value B is obtained as a ratio of an average smoothness degree ave(psx), ave(psy) of luminance variation for boundary pixels located on each block boundary to an average smoothness degree ave(nsx), ave(nsy) of luminance variation for inner pixels not located on the block boundary. The block noise evaluation value B closer to 1 gives an evaluation result of a lower level of block noise, whereas the block noise evaluation value B closer to 10 gives an evaluation result of a higher level of block noise.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the invention, CXCR4 antagonists may be used to treat hematopoietic cells, such as progenitor or stem cells, to promote the rate of cellular multiplication, self-renewal, proliferation or expansion. CXCR4 antagonists may be used therapeutically to stimulate hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell multiplication/self-renewal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlled rate dispensing of a liquid contained in a flexible bag, said apparatus including a chamber adapted to contain the flexible bag containing the liquid, an outlet from the chamber adapted to receive an outlet conduit communicating with the interior of the flexible bag, a source of gas arranged to apply pressure to at least part of the exterior walls of the flexible bag, and a pressure regulator arranged to control the pressure applied to said exterior walls, whereby pressure applied to said exterior walls causes liquid to be dispensed from the flexible bad through the outlet conduit at a controlled rate. A method of delivering liquid at a controlled rate using the apparatus of the present invention is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of therapeutic uses for CXCR4 antagonists. In various embodiments, CXCR4 antagonists may be used as therapeutically as follows, or to manufacture a medicament for such therapeutic treatments: reducing interferon gamma production by T-cells, treatment of an autoimmune disease, treatment multiple sclerosis, treatment of cancer, inhibition of angiogenesis. The invention provides corresponding methods of medical treatment, in which a therapeutic dose of a CXCR4 antagonist is administered in a pharmacologically acceptable formulation. Accordingly, the invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising a CXCR4 antagonist and a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or carrier. The CXCR4 antagonists for use in the invention may be peptide compounds comprising a substantially purified peptide fragment, modified fragment, analogue or pharmacologically acceptable salt of SDF-1.

Abstract: A method of generating a high-resolution image from a set of source low-resolution images includes estimating a high-resolution image based on the set of source low-resolution images. The estimated high-resolution image is then transformed into a set of estimated low-resolution images. The set of source low-resolution images is compared with the set of estimated low-resolution images to generate a set of low-resolution errors. The set of low-resolution errors is transfomed into a set of high-resolution errors. A high-resolution error image based on the set of high-resolution errors is generated. The high-resolution error image is combined with the estimated high resolution image to yield an updated estimated high-resolution. The above steps are repeated until the updated estimated high-resolution image is of a desired quality.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of therapeutic uses for CXCR4 antagonists. In various embodiments. CXCR4 antagonsits may be used as therapeutically as follows, or to manufacture a medicament for such therapeutic treatments: reducing interferon gamma production by T-cells, treatment of an autoimmune disease, treatment multiple sclerosis, treatment of cancer, inhibition of angiogenesis. The invention provides corresponding methods of medical treatment, in which a therapeutic dose of a CXCR4 antagonist is administered in a pharmacologically acceptable formulation. Accordingly, the invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising a CXCR4 antagonist and a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or carrier. The CXCR4 antagonists for use in the invention may be peptide compounds comprising a substantially purified peptide fragment, modified fragment, analogue or pharmacologically acceptable salt of SDF-1.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of therapeutic uses for CXCR4 antagonists. In various embodiments, CXCR4 antagonists may be used as therapeutically as follows, or to manufacture a medicament for such therapeutic treatments: reducing interferon gamma production by T-cells, treatment of an autoimmune disease, treatment of multiple sclerosis, treatment of cancer, inhibition of angiogenesis. The invention provides corresponding methods of medical treatment, in which a therapeutic dose of a CXCR4 antagonist is administered in a pharmacologically acceptable formulation. Accordingly, the invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising a CXCR4 antagonist and a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or carrier. The CXCR4 antagonists for use in the invention may be peptide compounds comprising a substantially purified peptide fragment, modified fragment, analogue or pharmacologically acceptable salt of SDF-1.