Abstract: An image retrieval method includes reading from a first database a first image group mapped to an object as a retrieval target, and extracting an image feature quantity of a plurality of images of the first image group. A second image group mapped to an object as a search key is read from a second database and an image feature quantity of a plurality of images of the second image group is extracted. Similarity is determined between the first image group and the second image group, based on the image feature quantity of the plurality of images of the first image group and the image feature quantity of the plurality of images of the second image group. On an output device, as retrieval results, the plurality of images of the first image group are displayed in order of similarity of the object as the retrieval target based on determined similarity.

Abstract: Embodiments describe an image retrieval apparatus. The image retrieval apparatus includes an unlabelled image selector for selecting one or more unlabelled image(s) from an image database; and a main learner for training in each feedback round of the image retrieval, estimating relevance of images in the image database and a user's intention, and determining retrieval results, wherein the main learner makes use of the unlabelled image(s) selected by the unlabelled image selector in the estimation. In addition, the image retrieval apparatus may also include an active selector for selecting, in each feedback round and according to estimation results of the main learner, one or more unlabelled image(s) from the image database for the user to label.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus causes, upon accepting a switching instruction, an event controller to switch a notification destination from a first process to a second process. The first process is run by execution of an application program that is related to a screen image currently displayed on a touch panel. The second process is run by execution of the control program. The information processing apparatus displays, upon being notified of a movement event from the event controller, the screen image at a shifted position on the touch panel. The information processing apparatus transfers, upon being notified of a first touch event from the event controller, a second touch event to the first process. The second touch event is obtained by adjusting the first touch event such that a touch position included in the first touch event is modified based on the movement vector.

Abstract: In an image data processing apparatus, a conversion unit generates first image data of a first image format and second image data of a second image format and supplies the first and second image data on a time division basis with respect to each image taken by using an image sensor. An operating unit acquires the first and second image data produced on a time division basis from the conversion unit, performs a process for displaying the taken image on a display device by using the first image data, and performs a process for storing the taken image in a storage device by using the second image data.

Abstract: A television personal computer 40, when saving video data 43 by recording a video content, extracts a section including a predetermined type of scene from within the video content, then specifies, when accepting a skip instruction from an operator during reproduction of the video content, a resuming point based on a relationship between the section extracted from the video content and the reproducing point, and resumes the reproduction of the video content from the resuming point.

Abstract: A playback apparatus that divides the content into scenes; specifies a scene played back after a fast-forward operation or a rewind; calculates a first feature value of the scene specified by the specifying unit; divides content different from the video content into scenes and calculates second feature values, each of which corresponds to one of the scenes obtained by the second feature-value calculation unit; compares the first feature value with the second feature values and extracts a scene whose second feature value differs from the first feature value by a predetermined threshold or less; and outputs the scene extracted by the extraction unit.

Abstract: A computer readable recording medium stores an information attachment program for attaching meta-information to multimedia data executed by a computer. The program causes the computer to perform an acquisition step of acquiring a search word of a text search done at a search site; a monitoring step of monitoring whether or not a search frequency of the search word acquired in the acquisition step satisfies a predetermined criterion; a determination step of determining whether or not at least a portion of the search word matches a character recognition processing result of the multimedia data when the search frequency of the search word is determined to satisfy the predetermined criterion in the monitoring step; and a registration step of registering the search word as meta-information of the multimedia data when, as a determination result of the determination step, the search word matches the character recognition processing result.

Abstract: A difference emphasizing apparatus aligns a first three-dimensional model and a second three-dimensional model in orientation and position in accordance with a predetermined rule, and gets data of respective apices of the first three-dimensional model and the second three-dimensional model. Based on the gotten data, the apparatus finds a corresponding point on the first three-dimensional model, which corresponds to the apex of the second three-dimensional model in a direction of a particular axis. When the corresponding point is detected, the apparatus calculates a difference between the first three-dimensional model and the second three-dimensional model in the direction of the particular axis based on the corresponding point and the apex of the second three-dimensional model. The apparatus enlarges the difference in the direction of the particular axis, and calculates a position of the apex of the second three-dimensional model after the enlargement.

Abstract: A rule discovery program which enables discovery of a rule by automatically searching for a feature portion which is effective for generation of a rule in multimedia data. When sample data items are inputted, a search unit selects evaluation positions on a data array constituting each of the sample data items so as to generate a selection pattern. Next, an integration unit integrates the evaluation positions in the selection pattern so as to generate a predetermined number of evaluation regions, and a rule-candidate generation unit generates a rule candidate indicating a relationship common to the sample data items. A rule-candidate evaluation unit evaluates the generated rule candidate, and an output unit outputs, as a rule, the rule candidate when the rule candidate satisfies a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to edit an electronic document including a plurality of hierarchically arranged objects. The program makes a computer execute extracting an object from the electronic document including the hierarchically arranged objects representing one of a text, an image, a drawing and a table; determining whether the extracted object is superimposed by a user specified area serving as a masking area of a target document input by a user; and converting, into different information, information included in an area of the object determined to be superimposed by the user specified area.

Abstract: A television personal computer 40, when saving video data 43 by recording a video content, extracts a section containing a predetermined type of scene from within the video content, and displays, when instructed to reproduce the video data, a picture framing area and a time line. The time line includes blocks specifying the section containing the predetermined type of scene together with this type of scene, and an indicator indicating a reproducing point is displayed on the time line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional model retrieval apparatus and method.

Abstract: In an image data processing apparatus, a conversion unit generates first image data of a first image format and second image data of a second image format and supplies the first and second image data on a time division basis with respect to each image taken by using an image sensor. An operating unit acquires the first and second image data produced on a time division basis from the conversion unit, performs a process for displaying the taken image on a display device by using the first image data, and performs a process for storing the taken image in a storage device by using the second image data.

Abstract: A multimedia integrated retrieval apparatus includes a feature value extracting unit calculating a feature value of single media data; a media information storage unit storing the feature value and storing composite media data in association with the single media data; a retrieval processing unit identifying other pieces of single media data corresponding to the single media data; a retrieval controlling unit, generating structural body data that includes a first node indicative of the single media data, a second node indicative of the another piece of single media data, a first link connecting the first node to the second node, a third node indicative of another composite media data, and a second link connecting the third node to the second node, if the another piece of composite media data including the another piece of single media data is present; and a display unit displaying the structural body data.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for searching image data representing an image from a database by using a query image, the image data including information indicative of a shape of a contour of the image, comprising: obtaining a query image data representing the query image; extracting information indicative of a shape of a contour of the query image; and determining the image data in the database on the basis of correlation of the topological characteristics of the shapes of the contours of the images and the query image.

Abstract: A design support apparatus extracts feature data corresponding to design data to be searched upon receiving the design data to be searched. The apparatus checks the extracted feature data against the feature data associated with the feature associated information, ordering the design data associated with the feature associated information in descending order of similarity to the design data to be searched, retrieving one piece of the ordered design data. The apparatus generates a classification hierarchy consisting of pieces of classification data obtained by classifying a set of the retrieved design data based on a degree of feature similarity using the feature data associated with the feature associated information. The apparatus selects the design information closely associated with the classification data by fetching the design information corresponding to the design data contained in the classification data from the design associated information associating the design data and the design information.

Abstract: This invention is to enable retrieving of a content the searcher imagines in mind. The search method includes: obtaining a query brain image representing a brain activity state of a searcher when perceiving or imagining the content to be retrieved; identifying the content corresponding to the query brain image by using a structure associating a content with a brain image representing the brain activity state when perceiving the content; and outputting the content corresponding to the query brain image. Thus, by using the query brain image, without specifically indicating the content such as a drawing, the searcher can extract the pertinent content only by imaging the content.

Abstract: A playback apparatus that divides the content into scenes; specifies a scene played back after a fast-forward operation or a rewind; calculates a first feature value of the scene specified by the specifying unit; divides content different from the video content into scenes and calculates second feature values, each of which corresponds to one of the scenes obtained by the second feature-value calculation unit; compares the first feature value with the second feature values and extracts a scene whose second feature value differs from the first feature value by a predetermined threshold or less; and outputs the scene extracted by the extraction unit.

Abstract: A pattern retrieving unit includes an acquiring unit that acquires a representative pattern image; a setting unit that sets a use condition of a type of shape feature of the representative pattern image; a receiving unit that receives a query pattern image used as a query; a determining unit that determines the type of shape feature of the representative pattern image to be the type of shape feature of the query pattern image, based on the use condition; a retrieving unit that retrieves a pattern image identical or similar to the query pattern image, using determined type of shape feature; and an output unit configured to output a result of retrieval by the retrieving unit.

Abstract: This invention discloses an image retrieval apparatus. The image retrieval apparatus comprises an unlabelled image selector for selecting one or more unlabelled image(s) from an image database; and a main learner for training in each feedback round of the image retrieval, estimating relevance of images in the image database and a user's intention, and determining retrieval results, wherein the main learner makes use of the unlabelled image(s) selected by the unlabelled image selector in the estimation. In addition, the image retrieval apparatus may also include an active selector for selecting, in each feedback round and according to estimation results of the main learner, one or more unlabelled image(s) from the image database for the user to label.