Abstract: An inputting/designating section inputs a multimedia object or designates a multimedia object previously stored in a database. A feature-value-determining section determines the feature value of the input or designated multimedia object. A weighting-factor-determining section determines the determined feature-value weighting factor of the multimedia object. A similarity-retrieval section retrieves the similarity of the multimedia object previously stored in the database by using the determined feature value and the determined feature-value weighting factor. A displaying section displays a multimedia object similar to the multimedia object designated by the inputting/designating section in accordance with the result of similarity retrieval. A similarity-ranking-changing section changes similarity rankings of the displayed multimedia object.

Abstract: An object retrieval method used is characterized as follows. When a user selects objects, the dispersion between the objects is found with respect to each of a plurality of feature quantities. Within a retrieval range of objects, the dispersion between the objects is found with respect to each of a plurality of feature quantities. Both dispersions are compared for each feature quantity. As a result of the comparison, there may be a feature quantity which causes more converged dispersion in the selected objects. This feature quantity is provided with a weight larger than any other feature quantities to weight each feature quantity. An object is retrieved from the retrieval range based on the weighted feature quantities.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model search method includes a step of producing a plurality of two-dimensional images obtained by observing a three-dimensional model as an object of search from points of view different from one another. In a first value extraction step, the respective feature values of the two-dimensional images are extracted from the plurality of two-dimensional images. In a search key input step, a two-dimensional image as a search key is inputted. In a second extraction step, the feature value is extracted from the two-dimensional image as the search key. In a similarity search step, the feature values extracted in the first and second extraction steps are used to carry out similarity search, and a three-dimensional model which is similar to the search key is outputted.

Abstract: An information presentation system includes a template matching unit which performs template matching between input information and a template group stored, a plurality of associated information search units which search for associated information on the basis of a matching result of the template matching unit, an information processing unit which processes output information in accordance with the input information, the matching result of the template matching unit, and a search result of the associated information search units, an output unit which outputs the information processed by the information processing unit, a template selection unit which causes a user to select a template group, and a template supply unit which transmits, to the template storage unit, the template group selected by the template selection unit from predetermined template groups. The template supply unit is arranged independently of the plurality of associated information search units.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for displaying information in a specific region includes a capturing unit for capturing a desired subject, an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the subject, a position and attitude calculating unit for calculating at least the position and the facing direction of the capturing unit on the basis of the captured image, a determining unit for determining the subject in the image captured by the image capturing unit on the basis of an output of the position and attitude calculating unit, a related information obtaining unit for obtaining at least information related to the determined subject, and a related information superimposition display unit for displaying the obtained information together with the image related to the subject on a display unit.

Abstract: An information presentation method is to photograph an object by use of an image input device and display related information corresponding to the object on the object in a display screen or the periphery of the object in the display screen. The related information of the object is expressed by the contents of expression of a plurality of two-dimensional markers set on the object or the periphery of the object and the plurality of two-dimensional markers correspond to any one of a plurality of information series.

Abstract: An image processing device comprises an image acquisition apparatus configured to acquire an image of an object, a feature extraction unit configured to extract a feature portion from a visual field of the image acquired by the image acquisition apparatus, a weighting section configured to calculate a weight in accordance with extraction conditions of the feature portion extracted by the feature extraction unit to weight the feature portion, and a position orientation obtaining section configured to obtain a position and an orientation of the image acquisition apparatus on a reference coordinate system from the feature portion weighted by the weighting section.

Abstract: A position information management unit estimates position/orientation information, in an object coordinate system, of an image input unit configured to inputs an image, from the image input by the image input unit. A dynamic deformation control unit dynamically controls the deformation of three-dimensional model data arranged in the object coordinate system. A two-dimensional projection image generating unit generates two-dimensional projection image data, in a view field of the image input unit, of the three-dimensional model data deformation-controlled by the dynamic deformation control unit, based on the position/orientation information of the image input unit estimated by the position information management unit. A superposed display unit displays the two-dimensional projection image data generated by the two-dimensional projection image-generating unit, in superposed relation with the image input by the image input unit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position posture relation detection unit detects a relation of relative three-dimensional position and posture between an image input unit and a target object using the image of the target object in a real space input from the image input unit. A difference comparison detection unit compares the detected position and posture of the target object and a value stored in a figuration information storage unit corresponding to a part of the target object so as to detect a difference between an actual position and posture of the input target object and stored figuration information of the target object. A figuration information management unit reflects a value of the detected difference on figuration information stored in the figuration information storage unit. A superposed image generation unit generates an image which is obtained by superposing the image of the input target object and stored figuration information of the target object.

Abstract: A data authoring device sets predetermined relevant information for an information presenting apparatus which outputs the predetermined relevant information by use of spatial orientation information meant by an object of the real world and/or a previously decided marker with respect to the object and/or the marker. A spatial orientation information input section inputs the spatial orientation information of the object and/or the previously decided marker. A relevant information setting section sets a method of displaying the predetermined relevant information. A spatial orientation information display section displays the spatial orientation information of the object and/or the previously decided marker input, and displays the predetermined relevant information in accordance with the displaying method. A data output section outputs data describing display setting of the display by the spatial orientation information display section.

Abstract: An information presentation system includes a template matching unit which performs template matching between input information and a template group stored, a plurality of associated information search units which search for associated information on the basis of a matching result of the template matching unit, an information processing unit which processes output information in accordance with the input information, the matching result of the template matching unit, and a search result of the associated information search units, an output unit which outputs the information processed by the information processing unit, a template selection unit which causes a user to select a template group, and a template supply unit which transmits, to the template storage unit, the template group selected by the template selection unit from predetermined template groups. The template supply unit is arranged independently of the plurality of associated information search units.

Abstract: A data authoring device sets predetermined relevant information for an information presenting apparatus which outputs the predetermined relevant information by use of spatial orientation information meant by an object of the real world and/or a previously decided marker with respect to the object and/or the marker. A spatial orientation information input section inputs the spatial orientation information of the object and/or the previously decided marker. A relevant information setting section sets a method of displaying the predetermined relevant information. A spatial orientation information display section displays the spatial orientation information of the object and/or the previously decided marker input, and displays the predetermined relevant information in accordance with the displaying method. A data output section outputs data describing display setting of the display by the spatial orientation information display section.

Abstract: An analyzing unit 9 is connected to an inserting-operation information collecting unit 5, an endoscope video output unit 6, and a processing device 2, and receives live inserting-operation information and endoscope image, standard inserting-operation information as stored information, and an endoscope image correlated therewith (endoscope image which is obtained by picking up an image of a sample at the position of a distal-end portion of an inserting portion detected based on the inserting-operation information). The analyzing unit 9 collects in real time the inserting-operation information and the endoscope image from the inserting-operation information collecting unit 5 and the endoscope video output unit 6 under the bronchoscope operation of an operator.

Abstract: An information presentation apparatus comprises a three-dimensional model data recording apparatus. A projection apparatus projects a marker whose three-dimensional position/posture relation with a photography object is known onto the photography object. An image input apparatus inputs the photography object on which the marker is projected. A position detection apparatus uses the position of the marker in an image to detect a relative position relation between the photography object and the image input apparatus. A display apparatus uses the position of the photography object to superpose and display three-dimensional model data of the photography object upon the image of the photography object so that the position of the image of the photography object coincides with the position of the three-dimensional model data.

Abstract: A feature quantity calculation device to calculate a feature quantity for a 3-D object from 3-D object data contained in the 3-D object includes a 3-D object data input module to input the 3-D object data, a 3-D object data analysis module to analyze the input 3-D object data, a volume data conversion module to convert the analyzed 3-D object data to volume data, and a feature quantity calculation module to calculate a feature quantity from the converted volume data.

Abstract: A 3D model similar to the specified 3D model is retrieved from a plurality of 3D models stored as objects to be retrieved in a database by using various feature values calculated from the selected 3D model. At that time, when at least one of the selected 3D model and a subelement which is a part of the selected 3D model is specified as a retrieval key, the feature values of the subelements included in the 3D model specified as the retrieval key and data on information about the relationship between the subelements are acquired. In addition, the feature values of the subelements included in the 3D models stored as objects to be retrieved in the database and data on information about the relationship between the subelements are acquired.

Abstract: A similar image retrieving means has a region of interest setting portion, a feature quantity calculation portion, a similarity calculation portion and an image selection portion. A part of the three-dimensional image of the retrieval object is set as a region of interest. The feature quantity calculation portion calculates the quantity of the region of interest. The similarity calculation portion calculates the similarity between the retrieval object and the three-dimensional image data stored in advance by comparing the feature quantity of the region of interest of the retrieval object which quantity is calculated with the feature quantity calculation means with the three-dimensional image data where the region of interest is set which is stored in advance in the image database, and the feature quantity of this region of interest is calculated. The image selection portion selects similar images in an order of decreasing similarity from the image database.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model search method includes a step of producing a plurality of two-dimensional images obtained by observing a three-dimensional model as an object of search from points of view different from one another. In a first value extraction step, the respective feature values of the two-dimensional images are extracted from the plurality of two-dimensional images. In a search key input step, a two-dimensional image as a search key is inputted. In a second extraction step, the feature value is extracted from the two-dimensional image as the search key. In a similarity search step, the feature values extracted in the first and second extraction steps are used to carry out similarity search, and a three-dimensional model which is similar to the search key is outputted.

Abstract: A system in which various feature values possessed by a multimedia object are used to search for a similar object comprises a feature value calculation section configured to calculate one or more types of feature values from the multimedia object which is registered. The system further comprises a category setting section configured to set a category, which is based on the feature value calculated by the feature value calculation section, on a database storing the multimedia object. Further, the system comprises a registration section configured to associate with the multimedia object which is registered, the feature value calculated by the feature value calculation section and the category set by the category setting section and to register the multimedia object, the feature value, and the category into the database.

Abstract: An automatic index making system for an electronic catalog comprises an object input section configured to enter an image object which enables generation of at least two or more different images by setting a virtual view point to read an image, a generated image specification section configured to output specified information, and a two-dimensional image generation section configured to electronically analyze the image object entered by the object input section, based on the specified information from the generated image specification section to generate a two-dimensional image. The system further comprises an index data creation section configured to create index data by use of the two-dimensional image generated by the two-dimensional image generation section, and an index output section configured to output an index by use of the index data created by the index data creation section.