Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for using optical flow to detect objects moving past a camera and to select images of the moving objects. A shopping cart, for example, may be detected by subdividing an image into a plurality of image blocks; comparing the blocks to a preceding image to determine the motion of the portion of the object pictured; associating the most common motion with the shopping cart. The motion of the cart may also be integrated over time for purposes of tracking cart motion and selecting a subset of the captured images for object recognition processing. Detection of the cart and image selection improves computational efficiency an increase merchandise throughput.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting fraudulent identification tags, such as Universal Product Codes (UPC) applied to goods to be purchased. The invention may store in a database images of the goods to be purchased and feature models of these images. When a customer desires to purchase an item containing a UPC, a scanned image of the item about to be purchased may be acquired and a feature model of the scanned image may be created. The system may retrieve from the database the image and feature model previously stored for the item associated with the just-scanned UPC. A variety of image processing techniques may be used to compare the scanned and database images and/or the scanned and database feature models. In one embodiment of the invention, these image processing techniques may include determining a geometric transformation that maps the features of the scanned image onto the features of a database model.

Abstract: A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data provided by the GPS receiver and inertial navigation system. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems.

Abstract: The present invention uses data from several sources to determine lines-of-sight between nodes in a FSO network. The present invention provides a three-dimensional neighborhood modeling system that uses aerial image data, Digital Elevation Models, U.S. street map data and address data to automatically map the placement of nodes within a neighborhood or other geographical area. Method for creating the 3-Dimensional, House and Tree Maps used in the line-of-sight processing are also disclosed. A House Map in the present invention identifies houses in an area of consideration, and a Tree Map in the present invention identifies trees in an area of consideration. A 3-Dimensional Map in the present invention provides an elevation for every pixel for the area under consideration, whereby the elevation is adjusted for the height of trees, houses and other objects.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognizing and identifying items located on the lower shelf of a shopping cart in a checkout lane of a retail store environment for the purpose of reducing or preventing loss or fraud and increasing the efficiency of a checkout process. The system includes one or more visual sensors that can take images of items and a computer system that receives the images from the one or more visual sensors and automatically identifies the items. The system can be trained to recognize the items using images taken of the items. The system relies on matching visual features from training images to match against features extracted from images taken at the checkout lane. Using the scale-invariant feature transformation (SIFT) method, for example, the system can compare the visual features of the images to the features stored in a database to find one or more matches, where the found one or more matches are used to identify the items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognizing and identifying items located on the lower shelf of a shopping cart in a checkout lane of a retail store environment for the purpose of reducing or preventing loss or fraud and increasing the efficiency of a checkout process. The system includes one or more visual sensors that can take images of items and a computer system that receives the images from the one or more visual sensors and automatically identifies the items. The system can be trained to recognize the items using images taken of the items. The system relies on matching visual features from training images to match against features extracted from images taken at the checkout lane. Using the scale-invariant feature transformation (SIFT) method, for example, the system can compare the visual features of the images to the features stored in a database to find one or more matches, where the found one or more matches are used to identify the items.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for using optical flow to detect objects moving past a camera and to select images of the moving objects. A shopping cart, for example, may be detected by subdividing an image into a plurality of image blocks; comparing the blocks to a preceding image to determine the motion of the portion of the object pictured; associating the most common motion with the shopping cart. The motion of the cart may also be integrated over time for purposes of tracking cart motion and selecting a subset of the captured images for object recognition processing. Detection of the cart and image selection improves computational efficiency an increase merchandise throughput.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems.

Abstract: A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data provided by the GPS receiver and inertial navigation system. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognizing and identifying items located on the lower shelf of a shopping cart in a checkout lane of a retail store environment for the purpose of reducing or preventing loss or fraud and increasing the efficiency of a checkout process. The system includes one or more visual sensors that can take images of items and a computer system that receives the images from the one or more visual sensors and automatically identifies the items. The system can be trained to recognize the items using images taken of the items. The system relies on matching visual features from training images to match against features extracted from images taken at the checkout lane. Using the scale-invariant feature transformation (SIFT) method, for example, the system can compare the visual features of the images to the features stored in a database to find one or more matches, where the found one or more matches are used to identify the items.

Abstract: The present invention uses data from several sources to determine lines-of-sight between nodes in a FSO network. The present invention provides a three-dimensional neighborhood modeling system that uses aerial image data. Digital Elevation Models, U.S. street map data and address data to automatically map the placement of nodes within a neighborhood or other geographical area.

Abstract: The present invention uses data from several sources to determine lines-of-sight between nodes in a FSO network. The present invention provides a three-dimensional neighborhood modeling system that uses aerial image data, Digital Elevation Models, U.S. street map data and address data to automatically map the placement of nodes within a neighborhood or other geographical area. Method for creating the 3-Dimensional, House and Tree Maps used in the line-of-sight processing are also disclosed. A House Map in the present invention identifies houses in an area of consideration, and a Tree Map in the present invention identifies trees in an area of consideration. A 3-Dimensional Map in the present invention provides an elevation for every pixel for the area under consideration, whereby the elevation is adjusted for the height of trees, houses and other objects.

Abstract: The present invention uses data from several sources to determine lines-of-sight between nodes in a FSO network. The present invention provides a three-dimensional neighborhood modeling system that uses aerial image data, Digital Elevation Models, U.S. street map data and address data to automatically map the placement of nodes within a neighborhood or other geographical area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.