Abstract: Switch 141 continuously switches between received signal 2 and a supplemental signal, which is obtained by processing the received signal 2 through filter 145 to use the output of switch 141 in place of received signal 2. Accordingly, adaptive filters 122 and 124 operate sometimes by using received signal 2 as the input signal and sometimes by using the supplemental signal as the input signal, so that it is possible to obtain adaptive filter coefficients by using twice the number of conditional equations as the case of using only received signal 2 as the input signal. Therefore, since the adaptive filter coefficients do not becomes indefinite, it is possible to converge the coefficients to the correct values. Further, since switching period between the original and the supplemental signals is controlled to be longer than the sampling period of the received signal, it is possible to suppress aliasing distortion of the received signal directly supplied to a speaker and to be maintain better sound quality.

Abstract: An adaptive filter estimates a channel weight vector of an echo channel using an affine projection (AP) update. The echo channel receives a send input sequence and a receive input sequence. The channel weight vector has first and second lengths when the adaptive filter operates in a first adaptation mode and a second adaptation mode, respectively. A delay estimator determines a delay in the echo channel using the adaptive filter in the first adaptation mode.

Abstract: An echo canceler provided with a noise detecting section which holds signals showing a presupposed ambient noise such as a horn of a vehicle. The noise detecting section is adapted to monitor a sending signal received through a microphone and, while detecting such ambient noises in the sending signal, an adaptive filter outputs a pseudo echo existing immediately before the ambient noise is detected. Even during the generation of ambient noises, an echo noise can be eliminated and the generation of a foreign voice (noise) can be avoided as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synthesizing a virtual sound source in a system (40) which comprises at least a right and a left channel for transmitting a stereo signal and in which the channels are connected to a filter block (42) for expanding the sound image. In the method, the amplifications of the separated monophonic and stereophonic signal components are optimized according to the stereophony of the signal coming to the system. The method according to the invention can also be applied to producing early room reflections by means of a separate filter block (71). The invention also relates to a device for synthesizing a virtual sound source, which device comprises at least a first and a second channel for transmitting the signal, at least one amplifier and filter and means for estimating the stereophony of the signal, for determining the amplification coefficient of the filtered signal and for controlling the amplifier according to the calculated amplification coefficient.

Abstract: A headphone unit having left and right ear piece units and an input cord having two conductors an end of each of which projects into a housing. Within the housing, the input cord is connected to two equipment cords which terminate in a pair of input plugs. Each of the equipment cords has two lines. The input plugs each have portions for receiving left and right audio signals. The lines carrying left audio signals from the two input plugs are connected to the input cord conductor which leads to the left ear piece unit and the lines carrying right audio signals from the two input plugs is connected to the input cord conductor which leads to the right ear piece unit.

Abstract: The hearing instrument comprises a circuit (12) for transforming an audio signal (11) into an output signal (13). This circuit (12) comprises emphasis means for emphasising in the output signal (13) substantial intensity changes of the audio signal (11). The emphasis means are embodied so as to emphasise the output signal (13) during a period of about 10 ms when an intensity change rate of the audio signal (11) exceeds a predetermined value. In this way, the time domain response of a normal hearing person is approximated.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a housing and a hook, the housing defining a top area and a bottom area, a front end and a rear end, and contains a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver, and a battery for power supply, and the hook is attached to the housing and transmits acoustic signals from the receiver into the ear of the user. The housing is provided by two connectable and detachable parts having lines of separation extending at least partly between top and bottom at both sides of the housing between the front end and the rear end, and means are provided in the front part for holding an amplifier circuitry board at one edge.

Abstract: A nonlinearly tapering transmission line loudspeaker enclosure comprised of a waveguide whose cross sectional area is largest near the loudspeaker driver, and smallest at the terminal end. The transmission line nonlinearly tapers between the one end and the other end. The taper can be exponential or any other type of nonlinear taper.

Abstract: A highly discreet and accurate voice pickup device includes a standard miniature pressure gradient type microphone element provided and mounted very close to the side of the user's head, preferably near the user's ear. The microphone element is oriented so that its direction of maximum sensitivity is parallel to the side of the user's head, and points toward the user's mouth so that it will pick up the user's speech sounds as the sounds diffract and travel along the side of the user's face and head, to the microphone element. The microphone element can be configured with low pass networks at front and rear ports of the microphone element, which cooperate with air volumes within the microphone to provide additional directional properties that advantageously vary with frequency and further enhance the noise-rejection capability of the microphone element.

Abstract: An acoustic mechanism is provided for a microphone, by which the transmission sensitivity-vs.-frequency characteristic of the microphone can be adjusted by an easy operation. Good communication quality can be thereby invariably secured for radio communications, and a preferred communication sound can also be obtained. Elongated openings 16a and 16b that are long in a periphery direction are formed in the peripheral wall portion of a housing 11 of a microphone main unit 1. Hollow cylindrical packing 2 made of rubber, in which elongated openings 21a and 21b are formed at locations corresponding to the positions of the elongated openings 16a and 16b in the housing 11, is fitted over the housing 11 for securing. A hollow, cylindrical adjustment ring 3 where slits 32a and 32b are formed at locations corresponding to the positions of the elongated openings 21a and 21b is fitted over the periphery of the packing 2.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes: a frame; a vibrating section including a diaphragm having an internal periphery and an external periphery, a voice coil attached to the internal periphery of the diaphragm, a spider which connects the voice coil to the frame, and a dust cap attached to the internal periphery of the diaphragm; and a surround which connects the external periphery of the diaphragm to the frame, wherein the ratio between the weight of the vibrating section and the weight of the surround is 0.9:1 to 1.5:1.

Abstract: A speaker spider arrangement includes a speaker spider and an integral lead wire arrangement which includes at least a pair of lead wires and an attachment member for attaching attachment portions of the lead wires on one side surface of the speaker spider so as to ensure the attachment portions of the lead wires being spacedly extended between an inner rim and an outer rim of the speaker spider and to integrate with the speaker spider to move simultaneously. Thereby, the integral lead wire arrangement provides the speaker spider with an enhanced durability, higher sound quality and improved safety, so as to enable a speaker to be manufactured by less steps in a lower cost while achieving a higher quality in comparison with the conventional speaker structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contrivance for inserting watermark information into a moving image. The watermark information indicative of the ownership of the copyright of the moving image is inserted into the frames of the moving image at irregular intervals, the frames being of such a number that the watermark information is visually unperceivable in the moving image. In addition, the insertion positions of the watermark information in the frames are determined on the basis of random number values. Besides, restrictive information for the copying of the moving image is inserted together with the watermark information. When the moving image has been brought to a standstill into a static image, the watermark information can be visually perceived with ease, so that illegality such as piracy can be readily exposed. Thus, the present invention can provide a simple and inexpensive scheme for the copyright protection of the moving image.

Abstract: To decode a digital watermark from an image notwithstanding geometrical corruption of the image (e.g., scale, rotation, etc.), a Fourier-Mellin transform is advantageously used. In a particular method, an image is transformed to the spatial frequency domain. Transformed components of the image are then pattern-matched to reference frequencies, and the thus-altered image components are transformed back to the spatial image domain to effect registration of the image prior to watermark decoding.

Abstract: An image authentication method by embedding digital watermarks into images, comprising: providing an original image and a watermark image; applying pseudo-random permutations to the watermark image for generating a dispersed watermark image; applying block-based permutations to the original image and the dispersed watermark image in order to form a plurality of original image blocks with each of the watermark blocks dispersed over the corresponding image block only; applying FDCT (Forward Discrete Cosine Transform) on each of the original image blocks independently so that each of the original image blocks is transformed into a DCT coefficient block that corresponds to different frequency ranges; embedding said watermark image blocks into said DCT coefficient blocks, in order to form a plurality of combined DCT coefficient blocks; applying IDCT (Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform) to the combined DCT coefficient blocks to form an embedded watermark image.

Abstract: A method of producing a halftoned digital image having an embedded message includes using a digital message and at least one digital carrier image to produce a scrambled message image, and halftoning the digital image employing an error diffusion process where noise is added to the digital image, the noise including the scrambled message image.

Abstract: To improve a reliability of watermark detection, by making it difficult for a user to falsify watermarked image. User terminal extracts the embedded watermark by using an extraction key generated by a detection center, and encrypts it by an encryption key generated by the detection center. The user terminal also encrypts by using the encryption key authentication information which is prescribed. Then, the user terminal outputs toward the detection center a first information which is a random combination of the encrypted watermark and the encrypted authentication information. The first information is decoded and quantized by the detection center. Then, the detection center transmits a second information namely the quantized first information toward the user terminal. Finally, the user terminal authenticates the watermark on the basis of the second information.

Abstract: A digital image signal is watermarked by locally changing geometric features of the image. The watermark consists of a pseudo-random, dense subset of image pixels, e.g., a pattern of lines (20). A number of significant image pixels (21,22,23), i.e., pixels which give the highest response to a predetermined processing operation, is determined and then moved (24) to the vicinity (&dgr;) of the line pattern. As a result of this “warping”, the majority of significant image pixels (21,22) is eventually located within the vicinity of the line pattern. At the receiver end, the most significant pixels of an input image are again determined. The image is a watermarked image if a statistically high percentage lies within the vicinity of the line pattern.

Abstract: The color values in an image data are first modified in accordance with the forward dot gain curve of an offset printing press, next the watermark “tweak” values (i.e. the watermark signal values) are calculated for this modified image data. The calculated “tweak” values are then modified in accordance with the backward dot gain values of the printing press. The modified tweak values are then added to the original image data values. The image is then printed on the offset printing press. The result is that the “effective” watermark tweak on the printed paper is not materially affected by the dot gain curve of the printing press.

Abstract: An image processor that calculates values that are related to distortion between two image parts. The values are detected in a previous calculation. Those values are then used in the next calculation cycle to detect an early exit. That value, called least, divided by the number of accumulators, and its negative is loaded into the accumulators. When the accumulators reach zero, an early exit is established.

Abstract: Methods of collecting and or processing a 2-dimensional image containing image data of a data carrying graphical symbol includes the processing of the image data to determine virtual scan reflectance profile (SRP) signals associated with desired scan paths across the graphical symbol. The virtual SRP signals may then be processed to provide for the evaluation of the print quality of the imaged graphical symbol.

Abstract: An iris registration unit being capable of preventing a double registration of a same person is provided. An iris degree of similarity judging device, when iris data to be newly registered is inputted into an iris data base, is adapted to judge similarity to all registered iris data stored in the iris data base. Only when the result of the judgement shows that no registered iris data having similarity exceeding a degree of predetermined similarity exist, the inputted iris data is allowed to be registered in the iris data base.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed that support automatic tracking of multiple faces in a sequence of digital images. Temporal filtering may be applied to reduce both missed detections and false alarms. Multiple modes may also be implemented to reduce processor load.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, includes a digital x-ray imaging system which, in one embodiment, collects projection data from a plurality of views and reduces artifacts caused by detector residual signals. More specifically and in one embodiment, volumetric images are generated by collecting projection data for a plurality of views. During inactive periods between the collection of projection data for adjacent views, the x-ray emission is stopped and each detector pixel is simultaneously energized to reduce a residual signal of each pixel. As a result, projection data for a subsequent view is not biased by the residual signal from a previous view.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a part sorting system for automatically inspecting a plurality of uninspected parts. The system sorts acceptable parts from defective parts and includes a feed conveyor, a sorting camera, at least one rejection valve and a computer system that includes a processor. The feed conveyor receives a plurality of uninspected parts and distributes and moves the uninspected parts through an inspection area. The sorting camera captures an image of each of the plurality of inspected parts as the plurality of uninspected parts moves through the inspection area. The rejection value functions to direct a defective part such that the defective part is separated from inspected acceptable parts. The processor is coupled to the feed conveyor, the sorting camera, and the at least one rejection valve. The processor executing an inspection routine controls the speed of the conveyor, the scanning rate of the sorting camera and the at least one rejection valve.

Abstract: In order to make it easier to specify the area with a shape other than a rectangle on the image plane of an image pickup device and to analyze an element in the range thereof, a test method of an image pickup device is provided, which comprises the steps of: preparing a plurality of layers in which a rectangular area may be specified; giving a priority for each layer; placing the layers on top of each other so as to divide an image plane of an image pickup device into a plurality of areas; specifying a certain area among the plurality of areas; and performing data analysis on pixels of an image pickup device in a specified area.

Abstract: A method and system for component identification system for electronic board tester to identify the actual defective components in a failed board is disclosed. It uses image captures of the front side and backside of the tested board to extract an outline diagram that is compared to a database of outline diagrams of known boards until a match is found. Each outline diagram in the database is associated with a connection list between the standard connector of the board and the individual components. Test results with errors relating to connections of the standard connector are linked via the associated connection list of the match's outline diagram to the individual components. The outline diagram is displayed and printed with the defective components highlighted. Use of the identification system to select the best test algorithm and test parameter setup is disclosed. Connection to and operation with automatic handler systems is also disclosed.

Abstract: Defects on at least one photomask are detected by patterning alternating dice on a wafer with different process conditions. The different conditions, such as a length of exposure time and an optical focus condition, are configured to highlight and detect defect areas.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) machine-vision involving a method and apparatus for performing segmentation of 3-D objects. Multiple stereo-related sets (left/right, top/left, top/right) of two-dimensional video pixel data are separately processed into sets of edges. Each stereo-related set is then pair-wise processed to convert pairs of sets of edge data into 3-D point data. Multiple sets of pair-wise 3-D data are then merged and used for obtaining 3-D features which are then clustered into discrete 3-D objects that can lie on any arbitrary plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for point cloud assembly are described. In one embodiment, the method includes the obtaining of a data set of a first point cloud and a data set of a second point cloud. Once obtained, a portion of geometry defined by each respective data set is identified, which substantially describes a similar geometric shape. Next, a transformation is computed, such that the portion of geometry in each data set aligns to substantially minimize alignment error. Finally, the computed transformation is applied to the first point cloud to register the first point cloud relative to the second point cloud. In one embodiment, identification of the geometric portion describing a substantially similar geometric shape may be performed utilizing geometric reference point information, image texture information or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An image processing method comprising the steps of: (a) on the basis of image data expressing a single original image recorded on a photographic film, determining an image characteristic value of the original image and, on the basis of the determined image characteristic value, extracting from the image data gray candidate pixels which have a high possibility of being pixels corresponding to gray portions of an object, the determination and extraction being carried out for each of a plurality of original images recorded on the photographic film; and (b) estimating gray balance on the basis of distribution on a predetermined coordinate system of a group of gray candidate pixels which group comprises the gray candidate pixels respectively extracted from the plurality of original images. Accordingly, the gray balance is estimated in an accurate and stable manner from the image data of the original image recorded on the photographic film.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and apparatus for extracting characters from color image data include inputting color image data, separating the input color image data into a plurality of color component data, and converting each of the plurality of color component data into a plurality of bi-level color component data, respectively. Other functions include circumscribing rectangles around linked pixels having identical bi-level values in the plurality of bi-level color component data, respectively; selecting the circumscribed rectangles in the plurality of bi-level color component data, respectively, based on the sizes of the circumscribed rectangles; merging the bi-level color component data inside the selected circumscribed rectangles; and outputting the merged bi-level image data.

Abstract: A method for separating foreground and background image pixels from other pixels. The method determines if a current pixel is an edge pixel, and then selects a window of pixels surrounding the current pixel if it is on an edge. This window is then analyzed to produce a classification of a gradient field within the window, and defines foreground and background image pixel values depending upon the classification. Once foreground and background pixel positions are defined, the process interpolates the value for the current pixel. The accurate designation of foreground and background pixels eliminates or mitigates any color misregistration error in the pixel value.

Abstract: A threshold value assigning unit assigns a threshold value corresponding to color information of a considered pixel. A labeling unit compares color information of adjacent pixels and assigns the pixels the same label when the distance between the color information of the pixels is less than a threshold value assigned by the threshold value assigning unit.

Abstract: An image processing method that allows a user to easily make image processing settings. An image processing parameter is set in response to a user inputting an instruction to process an image in accordance with the image processing parameter. An image is processed using a plurality of different image processing parameters and resulting images are output in an array. The relationship between the plurality of different image processing parameters is displayed using graphics.

Abstract: Images may be decomposed into separate layers each containing a limited number of types of image element (text, line art, or photographic). Each layer can then be compressed separately with a process that is optimal for the type of image element included in the layer. Images are decomposed into foreground, background, and mask layers. A method is provided for generating the out-of-layer pixels and, as a result, generating a layer having a limited color palette that is to be compressed with a palette based lossless compression method. A plurality of neighboring pixels is identified for each pixel selected from the image. If the neighboring pixels are out-of-layer pixels, the spatially corresponding pixel in the decomposition layer is assigned a default value. If the neighboring pixels include in-layer pixels, the pixel of the decomposition layer spatially corresponding to the selected pixel is assigned the predominant color of the in-layer neighbors.

Abstract: A document contains zones in which to write at least one character per zone, and directions as to the information that is required in the zones. The directions are printed in the zones such that the written characters constituting the required information overlap the printed directions.

Abstract: The present invention performs a method for matching slides to video comprising, generating keyframes from the video, extracting geometric keyframe features from the keyframes and geometric slide features from the slides, and matching the geometric slide features and the geometric keyframe features.

Abstract: A character string extraction apparatus extracts an aggregate of basic components from a document image, such as a binary image, gray scale image, color image, etc., and judges whether each basic component is a character component using an inclusion relationship between the basic components. Then, the character string extraction apparatus extracts an aggregate of character components based on the judgment result and extracts a character string from the aggregate of character components.

Abstract: A model characterizes an error pattern that is functionally related to first and second patterns and to one or more model parameters, which may be unknown. The error pattern may be derived by deforming one or both of the first and second patterns, such as by applying a generally smooth, non-uniform deformation field. A likelihood for the model that the error pattern is zero, given the second pattern, is determined. If the model parameter(s) is unknown, the likelihood may be used to estimate (or infer) the parameter(s) that tend to maximize the likelihood for a plurality of stored patterns. The estimated parameters may, in turn, be employed to determine the likelihood as a measure of similarity between an observed pattern and the patterns that the model is capable of generating. In addition, the likelihood may be used to classify an observed pattern according to the likelihood that the observed pattern has relative to one or more models.

Abstract: There are provided a window setting means for setting a window in a high resolution picture, the window being smaller than the picture; a window moving means for moving the window set by the window setting means at such a predetermined interval that an area in which the window and at least an adjacent window overlap each other exists; an image cutout means for cutting out an image of an area defined by the window, whenever the window is moved; and a picture generation means for generating a large picture by conducting dynamic image processing on images cut out by the image cutout means. By generating an artificial dynamic image, it is made possible to handle a high resolution dynamic picture having a wide area which can be handled almost as a still picture and a frequently changing area, as a dynamic image.

Abstract: An input image signal is coded by an encoder to be outputted as a basic code string, and the basic code string is delayed by a code-string delay circuit for a predetermined period of time to be outputted as an additional code string. The basic code string is synthesized with the additional code string by a code-string synthesizer to be outputted as an output code string. Thus, there is provided an image data coding system which can quickly restore data even if the data is lost due to error and in which the increased code amount is less than the cycle refresh and the error correction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining visually noticeable differences between two input images. A first contrast image is generated from the first input image and a second contrast image is generated from the second input image. A contrast difference image is then formed from the two contrast images. A mean absolute difference is calculated between blocks of pixels of the first and second input image. Pixels in the contrast difference image which exceed a first threshold produce a first threshold signal and if the mean absolute difference exceeds a second threshold so a second threshold signal is produced. A detection signal is produced from the threshold signals.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for compressing a compound image, comprising forming compound image data into a plurality of blocks; obtaining classifying data that designate one from a plurality of classes for each of a plurality of said blocks, based on predominate compression properties of the block; for each of a plurality of said blocks, obtaining transformed data therefor from either a lossy or a lossless transform selected based on the classifying data for the block; and forwarding that transformed data to one entropy encoder. In one embodiment, obtaining transformed data comprises obtaining transformed data from at least one of a lossy transform, a first lossless transform, or a second lossless transform, based on the classifying data for the transform.

Abstract: The present method relates to a method for encoding image data using vector quantization. According to the invention, a small first codebook is determined. Each image vector of the image data is then encoded by determining a codevector within the first codebook that best approximates the image vector within the image data. A first index map is generated by replacing each image vector with an index indicative of the codevector's location within the first codebook. Then difference data are evaluated based on the original image data and the encoded image data. Each error vector of the difference data is then encoded using another small codebook. In another index map the error vectors are then replaced with an index indicative of the codevector's location within the other codebook. Evaluation of the error based on the difference data and the encoded difference data provides new difference data which is used to evaluate the fidelity of the approximation process performed for compression.

Abstract: A pattern matching coding device for conducting coding of a unit pattern based on pattern matching with a library pattern, which device, as to a mark pattern determined to be matching, when the number of match error pixels of the pattern is not more than a prescribed value, codes, without coding the bit map, an identification ID of a matching bit map in a library and an identification flag indicating that the number of match error pixels is not more than the prescribed value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program apparatus and systems, for processing text that includes coded (character based) and noncoded (image based) representations of text. The invention includes deriving a correction factor from a coded representation of a second unit of text and an original noncoded representation of the second unit of text, and modifying a representation of a first unit of text in accordance with the correction factor, where a common font typeface is attributed to both the first and second units. The correction factor can be calculated by rendering a coded representation of the second unit of text in the font typeface to generate a rendered representation, calculating a reference ratio from the rendered representation and an optical density of an original noncoded representation of the second unit of text, and inverting the reference ratio to calculate the correction factor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for calculating a new luminance value of a central pixel to adjust the spatial frequency characteristics of an input image includes a plurality of subfilters, totalizer, and adder. The subfilters are arranged in parallel with each other for a plurality of pixel groups each made up of one or more pixels in a submatrix. The subfilters multiply the sums of the luminance values of pixels included in corresponding pixel groups by predetermined coefficients corresponding to desired spatial frequency adjustment filter characteristics, and output the products for each submatrix made up of M×M (M is an odd number of 3 or more) pixels centered on pixels constituting an input image for a two-dimensional input image made up of many pixels that are arrayed in a matrix and represent luminance values at positions. The totalizer totals outputs from the subfilters, and outputs the sum as the adjustment amount of the spatial frequency characteristics.

Abstract: A digital image processor for a medical imaging system enhances acquired images and corrects the images for non-uniformities in the data acquisition process. The non-uniformity correction includes calculating a non-uniformity correction function h in an iterative process in which two input parameters V and S are adjusted until an optimal correction function h is produced. The acquired image is corrected using the optimal correction function h.

Abstract: A lighting normalisation method, apparatus and computer program product are disclosed. First, lighting parameters are estimated (110) optimally based on a shading model. After applying segmentation (120), each generated region is assigned are liability based on the stochastic model of that object. This reliability is used to distinguish (130) shadow from object detail. Regions are then further split and merged (140) according to these reliabilities. Finally, the lighting parameters of these regions are calculated and the object is reconstructed (150) to a normalised lighting condition. This technique can be used for an object recognition system, i.e., face recognition applications, as well as for image enhancement, image retrieval, machine vision and related regions.