Abstract: A system and method for detecting a target in imagery is disclosed. At least one image region exhibiting changes in at least intensity is detected from among at least a pair of aligned images. A distribution of changes in at least intensity inside the at least one image region is determined using an unsupervised learning method. The distribution of changes in at least intensity is used to identify pixels experiencing changes of interest. At least one target from the identified pixels is identified using a supervised learning method. The distribution of changes in at least intensity is a joint hue and intensity histogram when the pair of images pertain to color imagery. The distribution of changes in at least intensity is an intensity histogram when the pair of images pertain to grey-level imagery.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a target in imagery is disclosed. At least one image region exhibiting changes in at least intensity is detected from among at least a pair of aligned images. A distribution of changes in at least intensity inside the at least one image region is determined using an unsupervised learning method. The distribution of changes in at least intensity is used to identify pixels experiencing changes of interest. At least one target from the identified pixels is identified using a supervised learning method. The distribution of changes in at least intensity is a joint hue and intensity histogram when the pair of images pertain to color imagery. The distribution of changes in at least intensity is an intensity histogram when the pair of images pertain to grey-level imagery.

Abstract: A method for detecting multiple Sunshiny markers uses a Hough Transform. At least two vote peaks in the Hough Transform vote plane are associated with a continuous elliptic shape. The Sunshiny pattern can be securely detected in a cluttered background. The detection of multiple Sunshiny patterns provides for various applications, for example, in the field of Kanban monitoring for stocks in a factory or for a local positioning system and other applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote monitoring of an analog meter is set out which employs a Hough Transform on the edge points of the meter scale to obtain the center of the scale. The graduation marks and the needle are detected from the intensity profile along various radii. Thereby, the meter reading can be flexibly adopted to different meter scales during an easy training process. The method can be modified for oblique reading of the scale.

Abstract: A method for reading a bar code digitally records a two-dimensional low resolution image by a camera. A modified Hough Transform obtains vote counts on lines relative to a reference point. The votes are clustered to obtain the bin axis of the bar code. The decoding step of the bar code uses an intensity profile along the bin direction. An apparatus for accomplishing the above method is also set out.

Abstract: An arrangement and method is set out which records a digitised image of a figure with the figure preferably comprising a black disk, which is surrounded by an arrangement of radial line segments. The method extracts edge points from the recorded image and performs a transform on the edge points to obtain a center of the figure. Then, a diameter of the disk is obtained to calculate the conversion factor, which represents the distance between the camera and the figure. The line segments may further comprise at least one bar code defining encoded information. The method provides a reliable calibration even under cluttered background conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote monitoring of an analog meter is set out which employs a Hough Transform on the edge points of the meter scale to obtain the center of the scale. The graduation marks and the needle are detected from the intensity profile along various radii. Thereby, the meter reading can be flexibly adopted to different meter scales during an easy training process. The method can be modified for oblique reading of the scale.

Abstract: An automatic selection system utilizes a computer which automatically localizes the heart and automatically selects the most suitable representative slice among a set of transverse slices, which are reconstructed from the myocardial SPECT projection data, for determination of the left ventricular oblique axis in 3-D space. An intensity profile, which consists of maximum counts of each slice and correlates to the radioactivity of the organs in the reconstructed volume, is analyzed. The heart's left ventricle is localized and the representative slice is selected based upon the local and global extrema of such profile.

Abstract: A computer implemented method provides a representative frame (Rframe) for a group of frames in a video sequence. The method comprises selecting a reference frame from the group of frames and storing the reference frame in a computer memory. The method defines a peripheral motion tracking region along an edge of the reference frame and successively tracks movement of boundary pixels in the tracking region, symbolizing any of the length of the shot and the presence of any caption.

Abstract: A method for automatically editing a plurality of CT image slices to provide a three dimensional view of a selected object located within a patient's body comprises providing at least one slab of CT image slices produced by CT scanning system and computing a top MIP image of the slab. An undesirable object is automatically removed from the top MIP image by first detecting all the pixels having illuminating intensity values which represent the undesirable object. Then all the pixels of the object to be removed are set to a substantially zero illuminating intensity value in order to remove the object from the top MIP image of the slab. After the undesirable object is removed from the top MIP image, the edits made thereto are applied to each CT image slice in the slab. The present invention also includes apparatus for performing a 3D reconstruction of CT angiographic images to visualize a selected object located within a patient's body.

Abstract: A method for representing contents of a video sequence for allowing a user to rapidly view a video sequence in order to find a particular desired point within the sequence and/or to decide whether the contents of a video sequence are relevant to a user, the video sequence having been pre-processed to detect scene changes and to build Rframes, and for allowing a user to scroll through the Rframes and to stop at a selected Rframe for processing, comprises playing the video sequence from a point of the selected Rframe, detecting all Rframes having respective degrees of similarity to the Rframe selected by the user, and presenting the similar Rframes to the user in a size or scale representative of the degrees of similarity.

Abstract: A common application of X-ray fluoroscopy is in monitoring the location of a catheter inside a body. Such catheters may be used for balloon angioplasty, laser ablation, or like procedures that are now often used in place of traditional invasive surgery. Reliable and fast determination of the tip location from the fluoro images using the digital image processing technique is required. The present invention relates to a method for tracking a catheter probe or similar object during a fluoroscopic procedure as may be utilized, for example, in conjunction with apparatus and methods that confine full X-ray dosage to a central area, compensating for the reduced X-ray dosage in the peripheral areas by computer imaging enhancement.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for locating an edge portion of an aperture in an X-ray filter member having at least one aperture formed therethrough, such that X-rays passing through the at least one aperture remain unattenuated and strike a subject body in a common region and wherein the X-rays passing through the filter member are attenuated and strike the subject body in a pattern that surrounds, and is adjacent to, the common region.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for reducing the dosage of X-rays during a fluoroscopic procedure wherein a filter member is used to selectively attenuate the X-ray radiation striking a patient's body. The filter member allows unattenuated X-rays to image an area of interest selected by a physician, thus producing a high intensity, low noise image. However, the areas surrounding the area of interest are imaged with attenuated radiation producing a less intense, more noisy image. A real-time image processing system is used to compensate the image brightness and to potentially filter the compensated region so as to reduce noise. Image quality is thus restored so that a physician can orient the location of a procedure, within a patient's body, and have perspective to the position of area of interest relative to its surroundings.

Abstract: A beam (2) of collimated light is directed towards a printed circuit board (4). The light beam is displaced as reflected from a point of incidence in a path including surfaces having different heights above the printed circuit board when detected at an angle oblique to the surface. From the variation of displacement which is portional to height, the overall profile of the circuit board including components present thereon is determined along the path (56) or line (64) the beam is incident. Various photodetectors (14) are utilized and the addition of a ramp filter (58) enables a single cell integrating photodetector to provide an output intensity indicative of the displacement. An arrangement (FIG. 11) is presented for compensating for variations in surface reflectivity using normalization or feedback.

Abstract: A microprocessor has on-chip hardware for protecting software against unauthorized use. The microprocessor includes a decoder for deciphering software instruction codes prior to their execution by the microprocessor. The instruction codes are enciphered in a unique way so that they can only be executed by the specific microprocessor for which they are intended.

Abstract: The fingerprint sensor derives an electric output signal in accordance with the topographic relief of the finger under investigation. The sensor incorporates a contact body which is formed at least in part by a light-transparent elastic material. The contact body, preferably a flat sensor plate made of said elastic material and attached to a flat supporting plate, has a light receiving surface and a contact surface for receiving a contact pressure by the finger. Before an investigation process is started, the contact surface is smooth. By pressing the finger against the contact surface, the contact surface will attain a shape conforming to the fingerprint pattern of the finger. The sensor also incorporates a light source, a photodetector and an optical system. The light source obliquely passes light to the contact surface which reflects a light beam modulated in accordance with the fingerprint. The optical system passes the reflected light beam to the light sensitive area of the photodetector.