Abstract: In a data distribution system, data is divided into a number of application data units. A sequence of keys is generated systematically, and a different key is used to encrypt each data unit at the source. At the receivers, corresponding keys are generated and used to decrypt the data units to gain access to the data. The constructions used to generate the keys are such that an intrinsically limited subset of the entire sequence of keys is made available to the user by communicating a selected combination of one or more seed values.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for encrypting a profile for color matching, generates a table which stores change information of the profile, changes data in the profile on the basis of the generated table, and encrypts the table by a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: A method for encrypting a compressed video stream comprising independent data blocks and differential data blocks includes the steps of encrypting the independent data blocks with a different level of encryption than that used for the differential data blocks. In one embodiment, the differential data blocks are unencrypted. The method allows the reception of a compressed data stream using powerful algorithms on terminals having small cryptographic capacities.

Abstract: Validation of printer cartridges using a unique identifier from an RFID tag, a serial number or identifier from a cartridge, and a seed to generate a reproducible key are described. The key is written to non-volatile memory of the RFID tag. The parameters for generation of the key are retrieved when the cartridge is asked to print in a printer, and a second key is generated, and the keys are compared. If the keys match, the cartridge is validated and printing continues.

Abstract: A wireless cryptographic fill system includes a fill device and a host portion. The fill device is configured to store one or more cryptographic keys and related data in memory therein. The host portion is coupled to a host processor, such as a secure radio configured to perform secure operations utilizing the cryptographic key. The fill device and the host portion are configured to communicate wirelessly with each other. Wireless communications may be accomplished optically, magnetically, inductively, capacitively, via radio frequency, or via bar codes. In one embodiment, the fill device is stylus-shaped, and is inserted into (or positioned proximate) the host portion to achieve wireless communications. In another embodiment, the cryptographic fill device is card shaped, and is inserted (or swiped) into a slot on the host portion to achieve wireless communications.

Abstract: An improved electro-larynx includes a linear transducer and/or an improved waveform generator. The improved electro-larynx sets up a sound wave within the pharynx of the user which closely approximates a normal glottal excitation. The linear transducer preserves the harmonic structure of a glottal source wave generated by the waveform generator and translates it into a vibration. The transducer includes an armature assembly, suspension assembly, and coupler disk coupled together to move in concert. The armature assembly vibrates as a function of the desired and input glottal source wave, which in turn causes an immediate and corresponding vibration of the coupler disk. The suspension assembly constrains armature movement to one dimension and provides additional compliance. The coupler disk includes a substantially flat surface suitable for engaging the surface of a user's throat and vibrates as a linear function of the input glottal source wave.

Abstract: Variable attack and release system and method are disclosed for dynamically modifying the various elements of the system, including modifying compander response time to dynamically adjust for changing parameters such as environmental or input signal changes, to maintain output signals within predetermined limits. The system and method include permitting accurate and quick response to noise sources having a duration which exceeds a predetermined threshold while at the same time ignoring transient or short duration environmental noise.

Abstract: A multi-resonator-based system responsive to acoustic waves includes at least two resonators, each including a bottom plate, side walls secured to the bottom plate, and a top plate disposed on top of the side walls. The top plate includes an orifice so that a portion of an incident acoustical wave compresses gas in the resonators. The bottom plate or the side walls include at least one compliant portion. A reciprocal electromechanical transducer coupled to the compliant portion of each of the resonators forms a first and second transducer/compliant composite. An electrical network is disposed between the reciprocal electromechanical transducer of the first and second resonator.

Abstract: Hearing aid with a microphone system for providing a directional response by generating a fixed forward pointing directivity pattern and a fixed backward pointing directivity pattern and where the forward and backward directivity pattern signals are mixed at a ratio, which ensures energy minimization of the output signal, and where the fixed directivity patterns are set for optimized directivity when the microphone system is located near or at an object.

Abstract: A hearing device has a behind-the-ear microphone arrangement that is not to be placed in the ear canal of the wearer. The microphone arrangement has a first microphone with an output. An electrical/mechanical output converter has a further microphone and a beam former unit with at least two inputs and an output. One beam former input is operationally connected to the output of the first microphone. The second beam former input is operationally connected to the output of the further microphone. The beam former output is operationally connected to an input of the output converter. The beam former unit together with the first and further microphones have a transfer characteristic for acoustical signals impinging on the first and further microphones to an electric signal at the output of the beam former. The amplification of the signal is dependent on the direction with which the acoustical signals impinge on the microphones and on the frequency of the acoustical signals.

Abstract: A mechanical device is tuned using a tunable damping rod. The tunable damping rod can have its tension increased between its respective engines, to in order to increase the resonant frequency of the mechanical device. Different aspects may also be included; the mechanical device may include a constrained layer damping material, which constraints certain mechanical vibrations. The tuning may tuned the mechanical device to reach that vibration.

Abstract: A frame has an interior side and an exterior side. The frame is configured to extend around the back of a user's head. A first membrane is coupled to at least a portion of the interior side of the frame. In one embodiment, a second membrane is coupled to the first membrane. The first membrane and the second membrane define a receptacle and an opening that communicates with the receptacle. In one embodiment, a speaker is disposed in the receptacle. A first electrical wire has a first end electrically coupled to the speaker and a second end including a connector. The connector can be disposed proximate to the opening of the receptacle. The connector is configured to be electrically coupled to a second electrical wire.

Abstract: The present invention is a wireless headset having a removable compliant polymer sheath that is retained in the ear of a user via friction. The wireless headset is reduced in size to earpiece, in which the comfort and sanitation of the user and the life span of the device may in increased by providing a replaceable compliant polymer sheath for the sound tube which is inserted into the ear canal. In alternative embodiments, the sheath and ear canal may mechanically cooperate to retain the wireless headset in the ear canal. The sheath may be easily removed and replaced so as to adapt the length and diameter of the device for the needs and comfort of different users, allow safe and sanitary use of one wireless device by more than one user, and allow for easy repairs and refurbishments.

Abstract: By having multiple air passage holes 10c in the housing 1 and by creating a clearance G2 between the outer surface of the yoke 20 and the inner surface of the housing 1, the measurement of the clearance being confined to a range exceeding 0% but not exceeding 2.5% of the inner radius of the housing, the amount of air movement is limited by the clearance G2, and by this means the frequency range within which the desired acceleration can be attained is expanded.

Abstract: A sound-driving loudspeaker system is achieved with a simple structure and is capable of easily improving acoustic characteristics. The loudspeaker system emits sound by driving a diaphragm panel by an electromechanical acoustic transducer. The loudspeaker system includes a board, the diaphragm panel whose rim is fixedly attached to the board so as to form a space and which has a stiffness lower than that of the board, and the electromechanical acoustic transducer for emitting sound into the space. With this structure, the diaphragm panel is flexed to be vibrated by the sound emitted from the electromechanical acoustic transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an encoder for forming electronic watermark information which allows detecting tampering of a digital content based on an electronic watermark embedded in the digital content, and limiting said tampered part. This encoder comprises means for dividing a subject digital content into multiple blocks, and means for independently forming the electronic watermark information in the individual blocks.

Abstract: A camera picks-up at least two images of a region where an object is present. A monitoring unit monitors the object and displays the images of the object on a display for a user. The monitoring unit obtains a difference image of the two images, and removes an image of a moving object that may be considered as a background image from the difference image to thereby obtain an image of the object. The monitoring unit determines the image of the moving object as the background image based on an area of the image of the moving object. The monitoring unit determines a state of the object based on barycentric positions of the images of the moving objects in the difference image.

Abstract: A method detects a moving object in a temporal sequence of images. Images are selected from the temporally ordered sequence of images. A set of functions is applied to the selected images to generate a set of combined images. A linear combination of filters is applied to a detection window in the set of combined images to determine motion and appearance features of the detection window. The motion and appearance features are summed to determine a cumulative score, which enables a classification of the detection window as including the moving object.

Abstract: In the present invention, the histogram model used in H-PMHT is extended to treat the problem of tracking using hyper-spectral data. Completely general spectral density functions are handled via the use of non-parametric methods. The present invention is not restricted to derivations based on knowledge of the spectral character of the source being tracked. The source spectrum can be estimated in a non-parametric fashion based on an initial track, and this allows the invention to adapt to the source spectrum in situ. The resulting method has improved crossing track performance on sources that have some degree of spectral distinction and will perform no worse than regular H-PMHT on sources that have identical spectral densities.

Abstract: A camera for imaging the periphery of a vehicle is provided, images imaged by the camera are stored, and a processed image obtained by processing a past image which has been imaged before reaching a current position is overlaid on a part of a current image, which is currently imaged, being a blind spot region by being hidden by a car body or the like so that a combination image is created. A contour line symbolizing the car body is combined with the combination image and the image is displayed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to characterize and measure fruit pieces in food products are provided. A sample is spread on a viewing cell and illuminated. The image is captured by a camera and fed to a computer with imaging software. Information useful for quality control purposes and process control is obtained.

Abstract: A biometric verification system for controlling access is provided that does not rely on a non-biometric discriminator, such as a PIN or magnetic card, to convert a one-to-many verification task to a one-to-one verification task. The system enrolls authorized users by obtaining digitized fingerprint templates from them and storing them in a database. Video cameras and fingerprint sensors are provided for use in authenticating persons seeking access. Software compares a digital representation of a captured human facial image with stored facial images in a database of facial images, generating a match confidence therefrom and rank-ordering the database from highest to lowest match confidence. The software then compares captured human fingerprints with stored fingerprint templates associated with the rank-ordered database to verify the identity of the person and provide an output signal indicative of recognition.

Abstract: Described herein is a technique for creating a 3D face model using images obtained from an inexpensive camera associated with a general-purpose computer. Two still images of the user are captured, and two video sequences. The user is asked to identify five facial features, which are used to calculate a mask and to perform fitting operations. Based on a comparison of the still images, deformation vectors are applied to a neutral face model to create the 3D model. The video sequences are used to create a texture map. The process of creating the texture map references the previously obtained 3D model to determine poses of the sequential video images.

Abstract: A batch processing method for enhancing an appearance of a face located in a digital image, where the image is one of a large number of images that are being processed through a batch process, comprises the steps of: (a) providing a script file that identifies one or more original digital images that have been selected for enhancement, wherein the script file includes an instruction for the location of each original digital image; (b) using the instructions in the script file, acquiring an original digital image containing one or more faces; (c) detecting a location of facial feature points in the one or more faces, said facial feature points including points identifying salient features including one or more of skin, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and hair; (d) using the location of the facial feature points to segment the face into different regions, said different regions including one or more of skin, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, neck and hair regions; (e) determining one or more facially relevant character

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an efficient and accurate system and method are described for detecting a fingerprint from swipe sensor system. A swipe sensor module is coupled to a microprocessor module. The swipe sensor module collects fingerprint image data as a plurality of frames and passes the frames of data to the microprocessor module. The microprocessor module assembles the frames of data into a complete image of the fingerprint that is cropped and processed to remove noise and artifacts. The cropped image is used to generate a template in a first instance and to compare an extracted portion of the cropped image to existing templates in a second instance.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring biological data such as blood pressure of a user has a pulse detector for simultaneously obtaining fingerprint data and a first signal from the user's body such as a pulse wave signal. The fingerprint data are used to check if the user is a registered user. After the user's biological data such as pulse waves are measured and a second signal is obtained from the user, the first and second signals are compared to check if this is the same user from whom the fingerprint data were taken in order to prevent the apparatus from being used by a wrong person. Comparison may be made between the first signal and a pattern of pulse waves extracted from earlier obtained pulse waves stored in a memory. Similar components may be used for an exercising machine to prevent it from being used by a person not preliminarily registered or a person different from the one who passed the fingerprint test on the machine.

Abstract: Imaging apparatuses and methods that capture a low-resolution image of a slide, identify a region of interest, and capture a high-resolution image of the region of interest.

Abstract: A technique is provided for generating scout or navigational images based upon a series of related images. The related images are analyzed to compute pixels of scout images, such as by determining a characteristic of aligned pixels of each of the related images. The scout or navigational images are then projections of the related images and individual rows or columns of the scout images correspond to individual images of the related set. One or more of the related images may then be accessed by review of the scout image or images. The scout images may be referred to in their own right for an overview of features of interest and may be modified by a user. The technique provides for efficient time management by allowing specific images to be identified in large image series, and facilitates intelligent use of bandwidth for accessing specific images in a viewer workstation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the compressed transmission of image data for a three-dimensional representation of scenes and objects. A known method for transmitting video data between an emitter and a receiver according to the method for prioritised pixel transmission, can be advantageously used for transmitting and processing three-dimensional objects and scenes, or the corresponding additional data in that each scene/object is taken from at least two perspectives, one perspective being associated with the actual image array and the at least one other perspective being associated with an offset region of the image array. A larger number of pixel groups are transmitted from the actual image array than from the offset region, the pixels of the missing pixel groups of the offset region being calculated from the already transmitted pixel groups of the image array.

Abstract: A projection array is provided that comprises a plurality of discrete projection elements. An image array is obtained of a scene with the light projected onto it that is coded using the projection array. Correspondence information is determined for each element in the image array, where the correspondence information can be used to determine which of the plurality of elements in the projection array corresponds to a particular image element. The determination of correspondence information for each element in the image array can be made independently of correspondence information for other elements in the image array.

Abstract: A method reconstructs or synthesizes heads from 3D models of heads and 2D silhouettes of heads. A 3D statistical model is generated from multiple real human heads. The 3D statistical model includes a model parameter in the form of basis vectors and corresponding coefficients. Multiple 2D silhouettes of a particular head are acquired using a camera for example. The 3D statistical model is fitted to multiple 2D silhouettes to determine a particular value of the model parameter corresponding to the plurality of 2D silhouettes. Then, the 3D statistical model is rendered according to the particular value of the model parameter to reconstruct the particular head.

Abstract: A statistical formulation estimates two-dimensional human pose from single images. This is based on a Markov network and on inferring pose parameters from cues such as appearance, shape, edge, and color. A data-driven belief propagation Monte Carlo algorithm performs efficient Bayesian inferencing within a rigorous statistical framework. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in estimating human pose from single images.

Abstract: An algorithm identifies a salient video frame from a video sequence for use as a video thumbnail. The identification of a video thumbnail is based on a frame goodness measure. The algorithm calculates a color histogram of a frame, and then calculates the entropy and standard deviation of the color histogram. The frame goodness measure is a weighted combination of the entropy and the standard deviation. A video frame having the highest value of frame goodness measure for a video sequence is determined as the video thumbnail for a video sequence.

Abstract: A color image processing method is provided. The color image processing method includes the step of: (a) indexing a color image by assigning representative colors of an image to a color space divided into a plurality of regions. The color image processing method may be applied to object-based image processing such as MPEG-7, and fast search and retrieval of multimedia content can be made.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically altering an image having pixels is disclosed. An image is segmented into regions and various features of the regions are extracted and used to calculate a confidence factor, or belief value, that a particular region is a main subject of the image. The belief values are assembled into a belief map that is used to define how pixel values are to be altered. Various color and appearance values of the pixel are altered in a predetermined way to emphasize the main subject of the image. The emphasis is applied in a binary fashion or as in a gradient of values. Either the main subject can be emphasized, or the secondary or background subjects can be de-emphasized. The system can be implement on a variety of computer systems.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for the automatic perception of an event. Said device comprises a control unit, a data bus, a back-annotation bus and at least a histogram computing unit.

Abstract: A method for efficiently and accurately inventorying image features such as timber, including steps of segmenting digital images into tree stands, segmenting tree stands into tree crowns, each tree crown having a tree crown area, classifying tree crowns based on species, and analyzing the tree crown classification to determine information about the individual tree crowns and aggregate tree stands. The tree crown area is used to determine physical information such as tree diameter breast height, tree stem volume and tree height. The tree crown area is also used to determine the value of timber in tree stands and parcels of land using tree stem volume and market price of timber per species.

Abstract: A method for extracting a shape variation descriptor from image sequence data for content-based image retrieval is disclosed. The method for extracting the shape variation descriptor from image sequence data for content-based image retrieval, image sequence data representing variation of object through a plurality of frames, the method includes the steps of creating a frame including variation information and shape information by accumulating the plurality of frames, the centroid of object regions in each frame aligned; and extracting shape descriptor from the frame.

Abstract: An image processing method and an image processing apparatus are disclosed, in which curved linear objects and uneven linear objects as well as rectilinear objects can be detected easily and accurately. Edge pixels P1 extracted from a gray-scale image to be processed are sequentially considered to search for an edge pixel having an opposite direction of density gradient to each of the edge pixels P1 within the range of a predetermined length W along the direction orthogonal to the edges. Once an edge pixel P2 meeting these conditions is extracted, a line segment having a length L is set extending in the direction C parallel to the edge of the edge pixels P1 from an intermediate point Q between the extracted edge pixel P2 and the edge pixel P1 under consideration.

Abstract: System and method for characterizing configurations of discrete curves based on detected symmetries in the configuration. A configuration of discrete closed curves is received. A plurality of configuration rotational symmetry sub-groups of the configuration are determined, each associated with one or more of the discrete curves, and based on each curve's distance from a configuration center of mass, equivalence class, rotational symmetry group, and sub-configuration rotational symmetry group.

Abstract: A human face is extracted easily from an image including the face. An image including a human face and a face template comprising data of outlines representing a face shape are displayed on a monitor. A user carries out position matching between the face template and a face area which is an image of the face to be extracted from the image, by moving, transforming and/or rotating the face template through an operation of input means, for example. Extraction means calculates a degree of matching between the face area and the template according to the position matching operation. When the degree of matching exceeds a predetermined threshold value, notice of extraction of the face area is displayed on the monitor. The extracted face area is subjected to processing for converting a color tone thereof.

Abstract: A method of processing the contents of an image which are digitized and formatted into macro blocks (MB) of information. The method involves flagging for further use those macro blocks whose contents satisfy a first criteria. Further processing of the method is performed only using the status of each macro block, either flagged or unflagged, and ignoring the contents. Unflagged blocks adjacent flagged blocks are investigated using a testing protocol and using a second criteria to determine if they should also be flagged. The status of an unflagged block meeting the second criteria is changed from unflagged (“O”) to flagged (“1”). The method converts unflagged orphan macro blocks which should have been identified using the first criteria into flagged macro blocks. These are combined with the original set of flagged macro blocks to determine the entire set of macro blocks whose contents are to be used in subsequent processing.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer readable medium are described that compress and/or decompress a digital image in a lossless or a lossy manner. In some embodiments, a display controller may compress a digital image by generating a symbol for each pel of the digital image. In particular, the symbol may represent a pel via a match vector and a channel error vector. The match vector may indicate which quantized channels of the pel matched quantized channels of a previous pel. Further, the channel error vector may comprise a lossless or lossy channel for each quantized channel of the pel that did not match a corresponding quantized channel of the previous pel. The channel error may also comprise a lossless or lossy channel error for each quantized channel of the pel that matched a corresponding quantized channel of the previous pel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a coder and a coding method that raise the possibility of improving the compression ratio of multivalued image data in which one pixel consists of a plurality of bits and are accordingly effective to increase the amount of image that is stored in a recording medium with a certain capacity. The coder according to the present invention includes an obtaining unit for obtaining a predetermined amount of image data in which one pixel consists of a plurality of bits, a developing unit for developing on the virtual plane each piece of the bit data in the obtained image data, and a coding unit for performing the entropy coding on the developed bit data.

Abstract: A method of retrieving an image for display is disclosed. The image is stored in a compressed wavelet-based format having blocks encoded substantially independently. Initially, a representation (1300) of the image is provided at a first (low) resolution (1302). The user can then select a portion (1308) of the representation for reproduction at a predetermined, generally a second (higher), resolution. A first set of blocks is then identified (1322) corresponding to the selected portion(1310), which are then retrieved, decompressed and rendered to display. A second set of blocks (associated with the first set of blocks) is then identified (1326–1340), retrieved and decompressed. The rendered first set of blocks is then modified using the decompressed second set and displayed at the predetermined/second resolution.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compressing data representing a set of symbols such that each symbol of the set can be separately accessed and decompressed. Each symbol of the set of symbols is encoded in the form of a two-part code wherein a first part of the code is common for all encoded symbols and a second part of the code encodes the data representing a symbol. An identifier is given for each symbol for permitting each encoded symbol to be separately accessed and decompressed. The invention is particularly useful for storing large fonts such as a Chinese or Japanese character set.

Abstract: Provided are an image compression method and apparatus for differentially encoding digital image signals based on a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) image compression standard. RGB image signals are converted to luminance and chrominance data. Pixels of converted chrominance components are compared, difference values between the compared pixels are obtained, and representative pixel values are determined by comparing the obtained difference value and an allowable error. The representative pixel values are encoded. A data compression ratio can be improved by discrete-cosine-transforming only portions of an image having different colors from a background color.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to encode a series of quantized coefficients of a transform of a block of image data. The transform is such that 0 is the most likely coefficient amplitude and 1 is the next most likely coefficient amplitude. The method includes forming symbols (called events) from the series of quantized transform coefficients. An event is a run of none or more zero-valued coefficients followed by a run of one of a predefined set of sequences, each sequence in the set being either a single coefficient of amplitude greater than one, or a sequence of 1's and 0's starting with a coefficient of amplitude 1. The method includes forming a codeword for each formed event. Relatively short codewords are formed to represent events that are relatively more likely to occur, and relatively long codewords are formed to represent events that are relatively less likely to occur.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing measurement of a bar code or other object includes storing a pixel image containing a bar code; determining bar code orientation relative to the stored pixel image; determining a scan track through the pixel image in a succession of pixel to pixel scan paths; determining the angle of each scan path relative to the bar code orientation; and adjusting the number of virtual pixels added to each scan path as a function of the scan path angle and the bar code orientation for equalizing the lengths, measured in pixels, of the scan paths though they are of different actual lengths due to differences in scan path angles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for image complexity estimation and selective complexity-based image processing.