Abstract: A path connecting a target sample of an arbitrary N-dimensional vector to a plurality of candidate samples in a sample set in an N-dimensional space having ?-dimensional positions and an ?-dimensional feature quantity is set. On the path, the feature quantity is integrated to obtain an integration value. Using the integration value as a variable value of a preset kernel function, a kernel function value corresponding to the target sample is calculated.

Abstract: An alpha-map encoding apparatus includes a first down-sampling circuit (21) for down-sampling an alpha-map signal which represents the shape of an object and the position in the frame of the object at a down-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information, an up-sampling circuit (23) for up-sampling the alpha-map signal at an up-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information given to restore the down-sampled alpha-map signal to an original size, and outputting a local decoded alpha-map signal, a motion estimation/compensation circuit (25) for generating a motion estimation/compensation signal on the basis of the previous decoded video signal and a motion vector signal, a second down-sampling circuit (26) for down-sampling the motion estimation/compensation signal at the down-sampling ratio, a binary image encoder for encoding the alpha-map signal down-sampled by the first down-sampling circuit to a binary image in accordance with the motion estimation/compensation signal down-sampled by t

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: An apparatus includes unit acquiring, from an image source, an image represented by pixel values indicating brightness levels, unit setting, as a reference frame, one frame, unit sequentially setting, to be target pixels, each of pixels in one or more frames, unit setting target-image regions including the target pixels, unit searching the reference frame for similar-target-image regions similar to each of the target-image regions in a change pattern of pixel values, unit selecting, from the similar-target-image regions, corresponding points corresponding to each of the target pixels, unit setting sample values concerning brightness at the corresponding points to a pixel value of a target pixel corresponding to the corresponding points, and unit computing pixel values in a high-resolution image corresponding to the reference frame, based on the sample values and the corresponding points, the high-resolution image containing a larger number of pixels than pixels in the reference frame.

Abstract: A video encoding apparatus is provided with a resolution converting section, an encoding section, and a transmitting section. The resolution converting section enlarges or reduces a binary picture which represents the shape of an object. The encoding section encodes a binary picture reduced by the resolution converting section. The reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section is encoded, and the transmitting section transmits this encoded reduction ratio along with encoded data on the binary picture. The amount of encoded data produced from the encoding section is controlled by changing the enlargement/reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: An image resolution increasing method includes reducing an input image, calculating a first feature vector having a feature quantity of a first block of a reduced image, extracting a high-frequency component image from the input image, storing pairs each having the first feature vector and a second block of the high-frequency component image that is located at the same position as the first block as a look-up table, enlarging the input image, calculating a second feature vector having a feature quantity of a third block of an object in the input image, searching the look-up table for the first feature vector similar to the second feature vector, and adding a fourth block of the look-up table which pairs with the first feature vector and a fifth block of the temporal enlarged image that is located at the same position as the third block.

Abstract: A resolution enhancing method of a video includes reducing a training video, extracting a high-frequency component from the training video, calculating a first feature vector including a feature amount of a first spatio-temporal box in the reduced video, storing pairs of the first feature vectors and second spatio-temporal boxes in the high-frequency component videos at the same positions as those of the first spatio-temporal boxes, expanding an input video, retrieving a first feature vector similar to a second feature vector including a feature amount of a third spatio-temporal box of an object of the input video to be processed, as an element, and adding a second spatio-temporal box making a pair with the retrieved first feature vector to a fourth spatio-temporal box in the expanded video at the same position as that of the third spatio-temporal box in order to generate an output video.

Abstract: An object extraction method comprising the steps of comparing each portion of first image data obtained by capturing an extraction object with another portion of the first image data or second image data, thereby generating shape data as an image representing a provisional region of the extraction object in the first image data, and matching a contour of the shape data to a contour of the extraction object by using the first image data and the provisionally generated shape data.

Abstract: An object extraction method comprising the steps of comparing each portion of first image data obtained by capturing an extraction object with another portion of the first image data or second image data, thereby generating shape data as an image representing a provisional region of the extraction object in the first image data, and matching a contour of the shape data to a contour of the extraction object by using the first image data and the provisionally generated shape data.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds represented by general formula (I) or pharmacologically acceptable salts or solvates thereof having excellent antimicrobial activity against bacteria causative of severe infections such as pneumonia and septicemia, particularly against MRSA, and also antimicrobial agents comprising these compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds as an active component.

Abstract: An alpha-map encoding apparatus includes a first down-sampling circuit (21) for down-sampling an alpha-map signal which represents the shape of an object and the position in the frame of the object at a down-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information, an up-sampling circuit (23) for up-sampling the alpha-map signal at an up-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information given to restore the down-sampled alpha-map signal to an original size, and outputting a local decoded alpha-map signal, a motion estimation/compensation circuit (25) for generating a motion estimation/compensation signal on the basis of the previous decoded video signal and a motion vector signal, a second down-sampling circuit (26) for down-sampling the motion estimation/compensation signal at the down-sampling ratio, a binary image encoder for encoding the alpha-map signal down-sampled by the first down-sampling circuit to a binary image in accordance with the motion estimation/compensation signal down-sampled by t

Abstract: An alpha-map encoding apparatus includes a first down-sampling circuit (21) for down-sampling an alpha-map signal which represents the shape of an object and the position in the frame of the object at a down-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information, an up-sampling circuit (23) for up-sampling the alpha-map signal at an up-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information given to restore the down-sampled alpha-map signal to an original size, and outputting a local decoded alpha-map signal, a motion estimation/compensation circuit (25) for generating a motion estimation/compensation signal on the basis of the previous decoded video signal and a motion vector signal, a second down-sampling circuit (26) for down-sampling the motion estimation/compensation signal at the down-sampling ratio, a binary image encoder for encoding the alpha-map signal down-sampled by the first down-sampling circuit to a binary image in accordance with the motion estimation/compensation signal down-sampled by t

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a capturing unit that captures a motion picture at one of a plurality of frame rates; a buffer that temporary stores the motion picture captured by the capturing unit; a signal generation unit that generates a signal used for specifying a core frame that is to be subjected to a resolution enhancement processing, while the capturing unit captures the motion picture at a first frame rate; a capturing control unit that controls the capturing unit to capture the motion picture, after the core frame specified by the signal, at a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate; a reference frame determination unit that determines a frame stored in the buffering unit at the second frame rate as a reference frame; and an image processing unit that performs the resolution enhancement processing by converting the core frame into a high-resolution frame by reference to the reference frame determined by the reference frame determination unit.

Abstract: A video encoding apparatus is provided with a resolution converting section, an encoding section, and a transmitting section. The resolution converting section enlarges or reduces a binary picture which represents the shape of an object. The encoding section encodes a binary picture reduced by the resolution converting section. The reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section is encoded, and the transmitting section transmits this encoded reduction ratio along with encoded data on the binary picture. The amount of encoded data produced from the encoding section is controlled by changing the enlargement/reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section.

Abstract: Target-region detection apparatus includes unit receiving image frame, unit detecting a position of first target in the image frame, unit acquiring at least one combination of reference image as image of reference frame and a position of second target in the reference frame, unit selecting the reference frame from the combination, based on estimation criterion for reducing overlapping area of the first target and the second target, unit detecting from the reference frame at least one difference region in which pixel value of the selected reference frame included in the combination differs from pixel value of the image frame, unit specifying target region of the image frame, in which the first target exists, based on the difference region, and unit storing, as reference frame information, the image frame and the position of the first target in the image frame.

Abstract: An alpha-map encoding apparatus includes a first down-sampling circuit (21) for down-sampling an alpha-map signal which represents the shape of an object and the position in the frame of the object at a down-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information, an up-sampling circuit (23) for up-sampling the alpha-map signal at an up-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information given to restore the down-sampled-alpha-map signal to an original size, and outputting a local decoded alpha-map signal, a motion estimation/compensation circuit (25) for generating a motion estimation/compensation signal on the basis of the previous decoded video signal and a motion vector signal, a second down-sampling circuit (26) for down-sampling the motion estimation/compensation signal at the down-sampling ratio, a binary image encoder for encoding the alpha-map signal down-sampled by the first down-sampling circuit to a binary image in accordance with the motion estimation/compensation signal down-sampled by t

Abstract: A method to detect a given pattern in an image, as for obtaining, by a computer, transformation parameters that facilitate transformation of a template as to be overlapped with the object, comprising: inputting the template having contour points and region distinguishing information for each points; inputting contour candidate points and region distinguishing information for each points; transforming a position or a shape of the template by using each of transformation parameter set candidates; obtaining an evaluation value, or similarity of a distribution of the object and background regions, on each overlapping pair between one of the contour candidate points in the image and one of the contour points of the template; obtaining sum of the evaluation values only for those not smaller than a threshold evaluation value, for the each of the transformation parameter set candidates; and outputting a transformation parameter set having largest sum of the evaluation values.