Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a corresponding apparatus for detecting coding artifacts in an image. The proposed apparatus comprises an edge position detector that detects an edge position of an edge in said image, a border position detector that detects a border position of a border between a texture area and a flat area in said image, and an artifact position defining unit that defines the area between said edge position and said border position as artifact area potentially comprising coding artifacts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coding parameter independent method for reduction of blocking artefacts in a compressed image or video signal. For this purpose, the image is analysed in the vicinity of the block boundaries in order to measure the existence and strength of blocking artefacts and to detect image areas. Based on the analysis result map information for each pixel adjacent to a block boundary is generated. The filter mode for each block boundary is adaptively determined dependent on the map information and the image is filtered depending on the chosen filter mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting edges within an image. An edge strength indicator for each pixel within the image is determined and the edge strength indicator is classified into at least three classes to generate a map having one value associated to each class. The classified map is then separated into individual maps depending on the classification. A dilation process is applied to at least a part of the individual maps. The processed and/or individual maps are finally combined by logical operation to obtain a final map indicating edges without nearby texture. The present invention further relates to a system for detecting edges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method. The method comprises a step of generating adaptive temporal filter coefficients. Then a recursive filter is applied at least once to an image frame using the generated temporal filter coefficients. The present invention further relates to an apparatus and a computer program product for performing image processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for motion segmentation in the field of motion detection, whereby an initial motion map is processed to a more accurate final motion map which identifies the non- and the movement of pixels between at least two successive images, said apparatus comprising a processing-segmentation device and a combination-logic device. In this apparatus the initial motion map is processed to three different feature maps, describing static edges, moving edges and moving flat areas between at least two successive images, respectively. The present invention is further directed to a corresponding method adapted for motion segmentation in the field of motion detection.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.