Abstract: A data processing apparatus for extracting, from a set of data having a vector format stored in a database, a first prescribed number of items of data having a high degree of similarity with a query vector includes a list creation unit and a candidate output unit. The list creation unit creates lists of data in each of which data of the database is sorted in order of decreasing strength of respective one component of a vector. The candidate output unit decides the priority of each list, successively selects, from the lists based upon the list priority and ranking in each list, a second prescribed number of items of data not yet output, and outputs one item of data, from the second prescribed number of items of data selected, based upon degree of similarity between each item of the above-mentioned data and the query data.

Abstract: In a pattern recognition apparatus, light from an original on which a pattern to be recognized is depicted is focused by an optical system. The focused image is sampled by a two-dimensional array sensor. The pattern depicted on the original is recognized based on a multiresolution partial image obtained by the sampling. A moving device moves the optical axis of the optical system relative to the original in response to a control signal based on the result of the recognition.

Abstract: A 2D image supplied from an image input unit including a wide view lens is sampled into a discrete form by an array sensor, and then mapped to a multi-resolution space by a 2D filter. The feature of the supplied image is detected, and then the mapped image is transformed to a local pattern about the detected feature, and then the coordinates of the position of the feature and the code word of the local pattern are formed into a set which is then encoded. The code is supplied to each cell of a stochastic automaton. The quantity of visual information is calculated in accordance with the quantity of mutual information between different cells of the stochastic automaton consisting of cells in blocks, the coordinates of the position of the feature and the distance from the feature to the optical axis so as to control the optical axis of the image input unit in such a manner that the quantity of visual information is maximized.

Abstract: A transformation unit 102 transforms an entered image to multi-resolution space. A quantizer 105 performs vector quantization on a local pattern of an image of a multi-resolution representation. A perspective-order calculating unit 107 extracts a plurality of code words, positions corresponding thereto and/or angle of rotation and/or scale, and the perspective-order relationship of a plurality of these representative vectors, from the quantized image. An algebraic encoder 108 encodes the input image based upon the extracted information. As a result, there are provided an image processing apparatus and method for asymmetric encoding without motion in three dimensions and extraction of a three-dimensional structure. Further, a transformation unit 1103 transforms an entered image to vector field, and a singularity detector 1104 detects a singularity in the transformed image.

Abstract: An image information processing apparatus for processing image information includes a total curvature calculating unit, mean curvature calculating unit, a logical product computing unit and a median filter. A total curvature at each pixel of the image information is calculated by the total curvature calculating unit. A mean curvature at each pixel of the image information is calculated by the mean curvature calculating unit. The logical product computing unit executes computation of a logical product of outputs from the total curvature calculating unit and the mean curvature calculating unit. An output from the logical product computing unit is filtered by the median filter.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by two-dimensionally scanning the surface of the recording medium with a probe electrode includes a detector to detect data indicative of the surface information of the recording medium by using a physical interaction which occurs between the probe electrode and the recording medium, another detector to detect predicted data to predict the surface information of the recording medium from the data by using predetermined predictive parameters, and a reproducing unit to reproduce the information recorded on the recording medium by using the data and the predicted data, for example, on the basis of the difference between them. The apparatus also has a learning unit to optimize the predictive parameters on the basis of the data and the predicted data.