Abstract: An image processing method for reducing noise of an image to be filtered; the method includes a step of creating shrunken image of shrinking ratio r×r (where r is a natural number) by averaging the pixel values for each pixel in a block for every r pixels, a step of obtaining the pixel value in the shrunken image that correspond to the focus pixel in the source image by performing linear interpolation from the shrunken image pixels, a step of determining the noise reduction filter from the focus pixel and reference pixel in the shrunken image, and a step of computing the compensated pixel value of the focus pixel in the source image by weighted sum of each pixel value applying the filter to the focus pixel in the source image and the corresponding shrunken pixel.

Abstract: An image identification method for classifying block images of input image data into one of the multiple predetermined categories according to feature quantity in each block image; the method includes an image production step of dividing image data into multiple blocks to produce block images, an image feature quantity processing step of processing the feature quantity of each block image by their color space information and frequency component, a separating hyperplane processing step of learning separating hyperplanes that indicate boundaries of each category by reading in training data image that have labeled categories for each block and processing image feature quantity for each block of an training data image, and a category classification step of classifying respective block image to a category according to the distance from the separating hyperplane of each category by executing the block image production step and the image feature quantity processing step for a newly acquired image to obtain the image

Abstract: A method for capturing an image using an image capturing module with multiple pixels configured in a 2-dimensional matrix and a focal plane electronic shutter function which sequentially slides the exposure timing by constant interval by pixel group which is a unit of predetermined number of the pixels while scanning; the method includes an image data input process for detecting shutter operation, obtaining a reference image while skipping one or more of the pixel groups by sequentially sliding the exposure timing by the constant interval, and obtaining a target image while not skipping pixel groups to be captured, a motion data detection process for calculating the motion data of the target image based on the reference image, and a distortion compensation process for compensating for distortion in the target image according to the motion data.

Abstract: An image data processing method for creating a clear blur-compensated image; the method calculates the motion data between a reference image and a target image, calculates difference in pixel value between the reference image and the target image for every block matched by the motion data, calculates, based on the difference in pixel value, the blending ratio between the reference image and the target image for each block, and creates a synthesized image by synthesizing the reference image and the target image according to the motion data and the blending ratio.

Abstract: An image data processing method for sharpening a captured image; the method defines a first transformation equation to change the pixel values of a defocused image into a focused image using the coordinates of the defocused image and the focused image as arguments, calculates a DetailedFocus function from the optimal solution of the first transformation equation by giving the pixel values of the focused image and the defocused image as educational data, extracts a predetermined number of important points on the DetailedFocus function, defines a second transformation equation to change the pixel values of the important points of a defocused image into a focused image using the coordinates of the defocused image and the focused image as arguments, calculates a SmartFocus function from the second transformation equation, and produces a focused image from a defocused image using the SmartFocus function.

Abstract: a panoramic image producing apparatus provides an intensity image production unit which produces intensity images from input source image captured by an imaging device, a reference image data storage unit for storing a reference image which is used to compute the motion data of the intensity image and its absolute motion data, an absolute motion data calculation unit which uses the intensity image of the target image by first computing its relative motion data against the reference image and using its result to compute the absolute motion data against the target image, an image stitching unit to produce a panoramic image by using the absolute motion data computed above to stitch together input source images, and a reference image setting unit which sets target image as the new reference image under certain conditions.

Abstract: [PROBLEM] To enable calculation of motion vectors with a high accuracy by a comparatively simple processing by using a small amount of data without applying a load onto a computer. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A motion vector calculation method includes: processing for calculating multi-resolution data up to a predetermined resolution level L from a plurality of inputted image data; and processing for estimating motion vectors per resolution executing a matching step for temporarily calculating motion vectors minimizing an energy function within a predetermined range of the input motion vectors and a smoothing step for finally calculating the motion vectors by averaging the surrounding data. By using the motion vectors of the resolution level L finally calculated as input motion vectors of a further higher resolution level L-1, the processing for estimating motion vectors per resolution is successively repeated on image data of a high resolution, thereby calculating the motion vectors.

Abstract: Multi-resolution images of a reference image and a target image are generated. Then, whole-range matching is performed on an image of a lower resolution to detect a two-dimensional displacement between the images. Block matching is performed on an image of a higher resolution to detect a displacement at each feature point. The accuracy of motion data is increased by correcting the motion data with an image of a higher resolution by using the previously calculated motion data of the lowest resolution through higher resolutions as an initial value.

Abstract: A contents filtering method is capable of allowing use of network resources to be filtered, within a predetermined allowable range. The contents filtering method monitors communications of contents on the network and determining whether the contents are regulated contents satisfying predefined regulatory requirements or not (step S1), and then counts the number of times that the regulated contents are communicated (step S2). The contents filtering method converts a loss caused by communicating the regulated contents into an incurred cost based on the counted number of times that the regulated contents are communicated (step S3), and, if the incurred cost is in excess of a preset permitted cost, inhibits subsequent communications of the regulated contents (step S4).

Abstract: Provided is a pseudo-three-dimensional image generating technique by which a further increased large amount of CG images is generated and drawn. A pseudo-three-dimensional image generating apparatus includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. When moving pictures that contain a three-dimensional object model are generated, the first processing unit generates key frames, selected at certain or varied intervals, of the moving pictures by CG. The second processing unit interpolates these key frames by an image processing, so as to generate intermediate frames. The timing of the key frames and intermediate frames are adjusted in a buffer memory and are then outputted to a display apparatus.

Abstract: A shape analyzer is provided. The analyzer inputs a 3D representation of an object such as merchandise. The structural graph of the object is constructed by defining a continuous function on the surface of the object. The surface is then partitioned into plural areas according to the function values at the points on the surface. The areas are associated with nodes of the graph. By choosing a function that returns values invariant to rotation of the objects, the constructed graph also becomes invariant to rotation. This feature is important when searching for objects by shape from a shape database, as the postures of the objects are unknown when searched for. The analyzer is applicable to search engines for online shopping, where a user seeks goods by designating the general shape of the target.

Abstract: Provided is a pseudo-three-dimensional image generating technique by which a further increased large amount of CG images is generated and drawn. A pseudo-three-dimensional image generating apparatus includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. When moving pictures that contain a three-dimensional object model are generated, the first processing unit generates key frames, selected at certain or varied intervals, of the moving pictures by CG. The second processing unit interpolates these key frames by an image processing, so as to generate intermediate frames. The timing of the key frames and intermediate frames are adjusted in a buffer memory and are then outputted to a display apparatus.

Abstract: A contents filtering method is capable of allowing use of network resources to be filtered, within a predetermined allowable range. The contents filtering method monitors communications of contents on the network and determining whether the contents are regulated contents satisfying predefined regulatory requirements or not (step S1), and then counts the number of times that the regulated contents are communicated (step S2). The contents filtering method converts a loss caused by communicating the regulated contents into an incurred cost based on the counted number of times that the regulated contents are communicated (step S3), and, if the incurred cost is in excess of a preset permitted cost, inhibits subsequent communications of the regulated contents (step S4).

Abstract: Object encoding and decoding methods that encode and decode a surface of an object are provided. The method uses a distance function defined on the surface of the object. In particular, when the object is represented by a polygon mesh, the function outputs a graph distance from a base vertex in the polygon mesh to a specific vertex. The surface of the object is then decomposed into a plurality of shape components on the basis of the graph distance. The shape components are then encoded. The encoded data can include a description indicating that the object is a non-manifold if the shape represented by the polygon mesh is a non-manifold.

Abstract: Keywords obtained by the users and keywords obtained by the advertisers are registered in management tables respectively. When users different from the registered users have retrieved the keyword by making access to the server, retrieved results and advertisement of the advertisers registered in the management tables are posted to these users. When the other users have referred to the advertisement, points are given to the users who have registered the keywords.

Abstract: A general-information storing unit stores general information sets which are managed by a general-information managing unit which is provided in a network. A plurality of sectional-information storing units store respective sectional information sets which are managed by respective ones of a plurality of sectional-information managing units. The plurality of sectional-information managing units are provided in the network. A plurality of personal-information storing units store respective personal information sets which are managed by respective ones of a plurality of personal-information managing units. The plurality of personal-information managing units are provided in the network. An automatic retrieval unit retrieves a predetermined information unit from among the general information sets, sectional information sets, and personal information sets, in response to a relevant retrieval command being input to said information retrieval system.