Abstract: A monitoring system according to the present invention includes a camera; a display device for displaying a time-varying image captured by the camera; a switching section for switching a view on the display device from the time-varying image to a still image in response to a user command; a storage section for storing information regarding an object to be monitored, the object being selected by pointing at the object in the still image on the display device; and a detecting section for detecting the object in an image captured by the camera, based on the image and the information regarding the object to be monitored which is stored in the storage section.

Abstract: A first original image and a second original image are input to create a merged image. A superimpose area, which an operator designates using an input device, is set as a superimpose area. A portion of the first original image to be superimposed is determined. A superimposing process is executed by blending the first original image with the merged image with a weighted average. The setting of the superimpose area is to determine an &agr; value indicative of the degree of blend (weight) between the first original image and the merged image. The &agr; value of a portion independently present to the side of the second original image with respect to a center line is forced to be zero. The first original image is superimposed onto the merged image using the determined &agr; value.

Abstract: A moving robot first moves straight in a first forward path. When encountering an obstacle such as shelf, the robot makes a U-turn to move straight in a backward path located with a prescribed distance away from the first forward path. When encountering another obstacle, the robot again makes a U-turn to move straight in a second forward path extending in the same direction as that of the first forward path but located with a distance away from the backward path. When the robot exceeding the point of the U-turn in the first forward path is detected during running in the second forward path, presence of a region where the robot has not run yet is recognized, and running in that region is carried out thereafter.

Abstract: The system provides different ways for users to select an object and an action to be applied to the object in computer applications such as image processing or digital post-production. The user can select an object first and then an action, or vice versa. The user can also use gestural input to designate both an object and action virtually simultaneously. Multiple view, or windows, of an image can be independently sized, zoomed, panned, etc. Any effects performed on the image appear in all of the windows since each window shows (potentially) different portions of the same image content. A navigation window helps a user move within a large image or diagram that does not fit entirely on a single display screen. The navigation window includes an inner box that shows, in miniature, the principal objects in the screen display. A region outside of the screen display is shown in the navigation box, relative to the inner box. Active areas for multiple operations mark in/out points.

Abstract: A resolution converting method, device, and computer-readable recording medium that can improve the quality of a resolution-converted image. The invention converts resolution based on a model generated through statistical processing of multiple images by preparing multiple models having different resolutions, receiving an input image, projecting the input image onto a model to obtain characteristic parameters of the input image, and generating an image by applying the obtained characteristic parameters to a model. Using the characteristic parameters thereby obtained, an image is generated using a model different from the model used to obtain the characteristic parameters. Consequently, the invention is capable of improving the quality of the resolution-converted image.

Abstract: In an image data retrieval apparatus when images stored in an image database are listed and displayed in a listing window or an image search is conducted and as a result an image of interest is displayed in a search result window the user double-clicks an image including a desired figure therein. In response the double-clicked image is enlarged and thus displayed. When the user places a mouse pointer at the position of the face of the figure in the image and then drags the mouse pointer a pixel therearound is analyzed and a face image is cut out. The face image cut out is dragged to the position of a key face entry frame and dropped therein, and thus serves as a retrieval key. Thus a retrieval key image can readily be designated. Consequently, appropriately designating an image serving as a retrieval key can alleviate the user's data entry operation and thus provide an image data retrieval apparatus improved in usability.

Abstract: The invention provides an image connecting method, an image connecting apparatus, and a storage medium on which an image connecting program is stored, for connecting a first image and a second image such that particular connecting areas are determined for the first image and the second image and the first and second images in the connecting areas are combined together thereby connecting the first and second images into a single image including no unnatural parts. The first image and the second image are decomposed into frequency components. The connecting area is determined for each frequency component such that the connecting area becomes narrower with the increase in the frequency of the frequency component, and the first and second images are combined in the connecting area for each frequency component. After that, particular partial images in the first and second images are designated.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain an image of a subject in a desired pose. To attain this object, an image extracting apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an image database in which a plurality of images is stored, detecting means (S104) for detecting the orientation of a subject in an image, and extracting means (S106) for extracting an image including a subject in a predetermined orientation (S102) from the image database based on the result of the detection by the detecting means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a picture-processing apparatus and method for finding a point A (xp, yp) on a projection drawing showing a first surface as a point corresponding to a point a (−1/2, ye) on the left side of a square shape forming an expansion drawing of the first surface and a point B (xp′, yp′) on the projection drawing as a point corresponding to a point b (1/2, ye) on the right side of a square shape forming an expansion drawing of a second surface adjacent to the first surface on the basis of a predetermined transformation relation. On the expansion drawings, the point a coincides with the point b. The transformation relation is corrected by finding average coordinates ((xp+xp′)/2, (yp+yp′)/2) as the coordinates of a new point C located on the projection drawing and designated as a point corresponding to the point a (−1/2, ye), and using a pair of the point C and the point a (−1/2, ye) as a base for a new transformation relation.

Abstract: When an autonomous vehicle detects an interruption in a wall, a plurality of optical distance measurement sensors provided in a driving unit measures the distance to a plurality of points of an object of interest located ahead. The configuration of the object of interest located ahead is recognized from the obtained distance information and from the attached angle of each optical distance measurement sensor to determine the subsequent operation of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In order to improve the quality of the work of a robot that applies wax, a user enters the ambient environment data (temperature, wax concentration, and the like) of the robot via a controller prior to initiation of the work by the robot. According to the input data, the maximum time (drying time) T before another coat of wax is to be applied without degradation in quality is identified. A travel path is generated according to the time T. The travel is actually carried out according to the calculated path.

Abstract: A running member is attached rotatably to a body member, and a working member is attached movably to the body member. Therefore, in a large area, a work can be carried out efficiently even in a corner portion, and a desired work can be implemented even in a narrowed portion by shifting the working member to a working area and directly operating the working member in the narrowed portion.

Abstract: A route making system calculates a route for a mobile robot based on input area information including an attribute of each area. The mobile robot travels along the calculated route and carries out work proper for the attribute of each area while traveling. A mobile robot control system controls traveling and work of a mobile robot based on input area information. The mobile robot carries out work proper for the attribute of each area.