Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus/method characterized by inputting image data, detecting an object in the input image data, measuring the distance from the detected object to a predetermined position, and detecting a predetermined object on the basis of the measurement result.

Abstract: A digital color image to be processed is inputted at a color image input step, image segments are extracted from the input color image at an image-segment extraction step, and the data of the extracted image segments is created. Next, image-segment components in each extracted image segment are discriminated at an image-segment discrimination step, and each extracted image segment is subjected to zoom processing, which conforms to the discriminated image-segment component, at an adaptive zoom step, thereby creating a zoomed image of the input image. The zoomed image that has been created is displayed, outputted as a hard copy or delivered to a transmission line at a color image output step. Accordingly, a color image in which image segments having different characteristics are mixed can be subjected to excellent processing.

Abstract: In a binary search, two storage units are prepared so that when the least significant bit of the search address is “0” and “1”, even and odd address banks respectively are used. The search object data is classified according to data belonging to the odd and even addresses in continuous addresses and allocated to these two storage units. Further, a search tree of the search address is constructed so that two data of object for a next search are stored in different storage units. Upon the binary search, addresses for the two storage units are set according to this search tree. Therefore, simultaneous readout of data is enabled, so that readout and comparison are carried out in parallel. Further, according to multiple division search of the invention, if 2 bits of the least significant bits of the search address are “00”, “01”, “10” and “11”, a search object data is stored in first through fourth banks respectively.

Abstract: A counter counts the frame counts n of a video signal. A delay for generating a delayed video signal delayed by one frame. A motion detector detects a motion from the video and delayed video signals. A circular coefficient generator generates coefficients k and 1−k according to the detected motion. A first circuit generates a first circulation signal from the video signal according to n, k, and a pre-determined value N. A second circuit generates a second circulation signal from the delayed video signal according to k and n. A adder adds the first circulation signal to the second circulation signal. 0≦k≦1. In the first circuit, a first multiplier multiplies (1−k) by N which is a natural number more than one, a second multiplier multiplies an output of the first multiplier by the video signal, and a first switch outputs the video signal when n≦N and outputs an output of the second multiplier when n<N, to generate the first circulation signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out binary search based on a plurality of retrieval conditions. Retrieval object data is classified into higher order bits and lower order bits. A portion of retrieval key data, in correspondence with the higher order bits of the retrieval object data, constitutes first key data and a portion in correspondence with the lower order bits of the retrieval object data constitutes second retrieval key data. A higher order bit comparing circuit 13 is provided for comparing the higher order bits of the retrieval object data with the first retrieval key data and a lower order bit comparing circuit 14 and for comparing the lower order bits of the retrieval object data with the second retrieval key data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polishing method using a grindstone comprising abrasive grains and a bonding resin for bonding the abrasive grains, as well as to a polishing apparatus to be used for the polishing method. By using a resin for bonding abrasive grains, it is possible to obtain a grindstone having a desired modulus of elasticity. With such a grindstone, the surface of a substrate having concave and convex portions can be rendered uniformly flat, irrespective of the size of the concave and convex portions. Further, by first polishing the substrate surface with a polishing tool of a small elastic modulus and thereafter polishing it with a polishing tool of a large elastic modulus, it is possible to obtain a polished surface of reduced damage. The method of the invention is effective in planarizing various substrate surfaces having concave and convex portions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is composed of an image memory comprising a plurality of memory elements, and a processor unit comprising a plurality of processor elements. By suitably engineering the arrangement of the image memory of memory elements, the arrangement of the processor unit of processor elements and the connections among the memory elements and processor elements, it is possible to realize, through a simple construction, high-speed image processing such as image density conversion, image color conversion, image masking, image spatial filtering, image enlargement, image reduction, image rotation, image compression, image extension and image color correction. Also provided are an image processing apparatus for a color image, composed of a plurality of image memories and a plurality of processor elements, and a generalized, multifunctional data parallel processing apparatus capable of processing a large volume of data at high speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out binary search based on a plurality of retrieval conditions. Retrieval object data is classified into higher order bits and lower order bits. A portion of retrieval key data, in correspondence with the higher order bits of the retrieval object data, constitutes first key data and a portion in correspondence with the lower order bits of the retrieval object data constitutes second retrieval key data. A higher order bit comparing circuit 13 is provided for comparing the higher order bits of the retrieval object data with the first retrieval key data and a lower order bit comparing circuit 14 and for comparing the lower order bits of the retrieval object data with the second retrieval key data.

Abstract: A varying command to vary the attitude of a video camera selected from one or more video cameras and a variation speed at which to vary the attitude of the video camera are inputted, the attitude of the video camera is varied on the basis of the inputted varying command and variation speed, the electronic shutter speed of the video camera whose attitude is being varied is calculated on the basis of the inputted variation speed of the attitude of the video camera, and the electronic shutter speed of the video camera whose attitude is being varied is controlled on the basis of the calculated electronic shutter speed of the video camera.

Abstract: This invention intends to optimize a processing for reading a search object data from a storage unit and a processing for data comparison and improve data search processing speed despite use of a memory having the same reading speed as a conventional one, thereby an entire processing time required for data research being reduced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus or an image processing method is arranged to input image data obtained by an image pickup device and an image pickup parameter of the image pickup device used in obtaining the image data, to make a comparison between the image pickup parameter for a target image and the image pickup parameter for another image, and to decide whether or not the target image differs from the other image, according to a result of the comparison.

Abstract: In a contour extraction apparatus and method, states of target pixels and pixels adjacent to the respective target pixels in image data are stored, the target pixel is extracted in the sequence of raster scanning, and a pixel arranging vector in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction is detected according to the state of the target pixel and pixels adjacent to the target pixel. A state of connection between the pixel arranging vectors is determined, and a contour of the image data is extracted according to the determined state of connection between the pixel arranging vectors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is composed of an image memory comprising a plurality of memory elements, and a processor unit comprising a plurality of processor elements. By suitably engineering the arrangement of the image memory of memory elements, the arrangement of the processor unit of processor elements and the connections among the memory elements and processor elements, it is possible to realize, through a simple construction, high-speed image processing such as image density conversion, image color conversion, image masking, image spatial filtering, image enlargement, image reduction, image rotation, image compression, image extension and image color correction. Also provided are an image processing apparatus for a color image, composed of a plurality of image memories and a plurality of processor elements, and a generalized, multifunctional data parallel processing apparatus capable of processing a large volume of data at high speed.

Abstract: A digital color image to be processed is inputted at a color image input step, image segments are extracted from the input color image at an image-segment extraction step, and the data of the extracted image segments is created. Next, image-segment components in each extracted image segment are discriminated at an image-segment discrimination step, and each extracted image segment is subjected to zoom processing, which conforms to the discriminated image-segment component, at an adaptive zoom step, thereby creating a zoomed image of the input image. The zoomed image that has been created is displayed, outputted as a hard copy or delivered to a transmission line at a color image output step. Accordingly, a color image in which image segments having different characteristics are mixed can be subjected to excellent processing.

Abstract: A data transmission method able to maintain the quality of a transmitted image substantially same as that of one's own image and an apparatus using the method and a data transmission system, transmitting image data accommodated in a frame of a preset frame during communication between terminals, comprising capturing an image including a target image to be transmitted, making adjustments so that the target image to be transmitted from the obtained image substantially fully fills the image frame, and compressing and transmitting the adjusted image data in the image frame.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus (method) including an input means (step) for inputting a continuous image signal, a detection means (step) for detecting a frame change in an image by comparing the image signal input by the input means (step) with a reference image signal, and a storage means (step) for updating/storing the image signal input by the input means (step) as the reference image signal in units of frames in accordance with an output from the detection means (step).

Abstract: Semiconductor packages which are prepared by forming circuit substrates, mounting IC chips on the circuit substrates, encapsulating the IC chips on the circuit substrates with resin, and forming electrodes, are attached to a standard member. After this attaching step, the semiconductor packages are subjected to a cutting step where the semiconductor packages are diced into a plurality of circuit substrates.

Abstract: A contour-information extraction system which includes performing raster scanning of a document, detemining a position of an interpixel grid of image data in the document, detecting contour vectors for the interpixel grid in a main scanning direction, and detecting contour vectors for the interpixel grid in a sub-scanning direction. The contour vectors are detected based on a state of a group of pixels in a vicinity of the position of the interpixel grid. The system further includes determining a connection state of the detected contour vectors and extracting contour information for the interpixel grid based on the connection state of the contour vectors.

Abstract: A camera control device is arranged to recognize a relation between a desired state of a camera based on a camera control instruction issued and a current state of the camera, to calculate at least a transmission time required for transmission of information between the camera and the camera control device, and to form a camera control command on the basis of at least the calculated transmission time and the relation between the desired state of the camera and the current state of the camera.

Abstract: The present invention, which achieves these objectives, relates to image processing in which an image resolution of a input image data is compared to information of predetermined standard resolution, and the image data is judged to determine whether it includes specific information related to copy protection, with judging being controlled not to work on the basis of the result of the comparing means. Because the control technique of the present invention controls not to work the judgment on the basis of the result of the comparing means, the control technique according to the invention provides an efficient judging processing, since no judgment is performed on low resolution image data which is not so prone to counterfeiting.