Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along one of its dimensions. A series of detected reflectance signals are obtained by sampling and digitally processing, under microprocessor control, the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points as a currency bill is moved across an illuminated strip with a preselected dimension parallel to the direction of transport of the bill. The sample data is subjected to digital processing, including a normalizing process, whereby the reflectance data represents a characteristic pattern that is unique for a given bill denomination and incorporates sufficient distinguishing features between characteristic patterns for discriminating between different currency denominations.

Abstract: A pattern inspection method and apparatus, wherein the target area is limited to a line part, having a simplified configuration and capable of detecting a killer defect as a defect candidate and considerably reducing the number of non-killer defects to be detected as defect candidates, have been disclosed. The present invention relates to a pattern inspection method and apparatus for judging non-matching parts to be defects by making a comparison between the same patterns having a line part in which a line extending in the longitudinal or transverse direction appears repetitively at a fixed pitch, wherein an average level of gray level data is calculated for each pixel columns in the direction in which the line extends, a type of the area of each pixel columns is classified into groups, a threshold value is determined for each area according to the statistical processing result of the type and the difference data of each pixel column, and the difference data is judged based on the threshold value.

Abstract: Conventionally, a color-image processing apparatus, such as a computer, or the like, cannot determine whether or not color-image data stored in an image storage device, such as a hard disk, or the like, is an image corresponding to a specific original. According to the present invention, a color-image processing apparatus includes a determination unit for comparing color-image data stored in an image storage device with a pattern stored in a pattern storage device. The color-image data stored in the image storage device is read with a predetermined timing, and determination by the determination unit is performed. The color-image processing apparatus is a computer, and the image storage device is a hard disk.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and system for reducing the storage required for transmitting digital images. The reduction is accomplished by coalescing identical pixels that are adjacent to each other. Accordingly, a determination is made as to whether pixels along a first axis are identical with pixels along a second axis and, if they are identical, they are coalesced together. The process is repeated along a second axis such that an image resulting from the reduction is significantly smaller, especially if the image was originally upsampled. The present invention reverses the upsampling process to create a reduced image. Additionally, the present invention allows for differentiation between upsampled contone data and linework data that may be overlaid over upsampled contone data. Image data that is linework data is treated as wild card pixels in the image and may be coalesced with any adjacent pixel when coalescing adjacent pixels.

Abstract: A compressing method of image data is carried out by a first process of dividing the image data into a plurality of blocks, a second process of linearly scanning the image data within the block by a given scan method defining a pattern of linearly scanning the image data of the block so as to arrange the image data in series, and a third process of compressing the arranged image data so as to reduce an amount of the image data of the block. The second process and the third process are repeatedly applied to the same block with using different scan methods defining different patterns of linearly scanning the image data, then an optimum one of the different scan methods is selected, which succeeds in most reducing the amount of the image data, and the compressed image data arranged by the selected scan method is outputted together with indication of the selected scan method.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of leveling an image of a non-uniform background. The method uses all or a portion of the image data from the original image and mathematical algorithms to construct a model image that reflects the non-uniform background of the original image and subtract the model image from the original image to generate an image with a more uniform background. This invention also provides computer software for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Document processing and understanding can be important for a variety of applications such as office automation, creation of electronic manuals, online documentation and annotation, etc. The first step towards this process can involve the decomposition of a page into separate units describing the text, graphics, pictures etc. Towards that end, a method of page decomposition comprises segmenting an image into a plurality of blocks according to an amount of information contained in each block, classifying each block according to a corresponding frequency spectrum, and refining a classification of each block.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for clustering images of objects seen from different viewpoints. That is, given an unlabelled set of images of n objects, an unsupervised algorithm groups the images into N disjoint subsets such that each subset only contains images of a single object. The clustering method makes use of a broad geometric framework that exploits the interplay between the geometry of appearance manifolds and the symmetry of the 2D affine group.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of deleting data already recorded on a recording medium when information indicative of prohibition of copying is detected from picture signal. Input portion receives an input picture signal, and copy protection information detecting portion detects copy protection information included in the picture signal input from the input portion. Compressing portion compresses the picture signal, and compressed data output portion outputs compressed data obtained by the compressing portion. Specification information output portion generates and outputs specification information specifying a position of the compressed data where the information indicative of prohibition of copying was detected first by the copy protection information detecting portion. A device for recording the compressed data can specify the head of unnecessary compressed information by looking up the specification information, whereby the unnecessary information can be deleted from the recording medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide approaches to start code emulation prevention at a granularity higher than the bit level. In various embodiments, start code emulation prevention can occur at locations other than data boundaries such as byte boundaries and the like. These embodiments can be used in connection with systems that do not always preserve data alignment boundaries in the data that is processed. In some systems, the described techniques can provide a basis from which decoder systems can recover in the event that data boundaries are lost.

Abstract: The invention teaches correlation analysis of the stochastic relationship between video images for use in motion estimation. On the basis of the method of analysis of correlation values as temporal series, a method was created for the analysis of the dynamics of the objects in the scenes, the isolation of quasi-static fragments of the images and the use of the obtained information for the construction of optimal procedures for making decisions in the control of motion estimation and the isolation of different types of motion of the objects. The dynamics of motion of objects or blocks in a video scene can be predicted, and the results of the predicting permit the isolation in motion of each element of the scene—the following components: camera motion, object motion, object distortion thereby allowing the possibility of isolating groups of blocks for which a given coding strategy has maximum effectiveness.

Abstract: An image decoding method is utilized to obtain high quality images without error accumulation. Such an image decoding method comprises receiving an encoded bitstream including information of P and B frames, and executing motion compensation by synthesizing a predicted image of a current frame using motion vector information included in the encoded bitstream and a reference image which is a previously decoded image. The motion compensation includes calculating intensity values at points where no pixels actually exist in the reference image by interpolation performed according to information specifying a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method when the current frame is a P frame, and using a predetermined rounding method which is a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method when the current frame is a B frame.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a gradation quantization processing in a case of performing a region dividing processing in the animation of a moving picture and in an object extraction, in which frequency histograms are created for each frame, a judgment is performed whether a quantization reference value is re-calculated by comparing the frequency histograms, in the case of performing the re-calculation, and a quantization reference value is successively obtained in accordance with the product of the frequency histograms and the error coefficient, thereby realizing a high-speed high-quality image process.

Abstract: A method of compressing an image is described in which digital data signals in a 2-dimensional images are formed into an image data pyramid with a number of layers and each layer is processed to give a compressed encoding in an ordered list. The encoding with the largest quality gain factor is selected first and added to a compressed representation of the data array. This is repeated for the next largest gain factor and so on until a predetermined maximum is reached. Each layer of the image data pyramid corresponds to different frequency bands, the vector quantizations of these layers will only minimally interfere with one another. This allows a simple ordering of all possible gain contributions made by the compressed encodings, to the compressed representation. This in turn allows a straightforward selection of the compressed encodings having the largest quality gain factors, for compiling the compressed representation of the image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing systems and techniques for adjusting images. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: receiving input defining an adjustment to be applied to a differential representation of a source image, calculating the differential representation of the source image, producing a structural representation of the source image, the structural representation corresponding to multiple types of contrast in the source image, modifying the differential representation based on the structural representation and the input defining the adjustment, and generating a modified image from the modified differential representation by solving a Poisson differential equation.

Abstract: A data diffusion processing technique includes the steps of a) dividing a zone into a number of positions and giving a respective default value to each of the positions; and b) assigning one of the positions to be the triggering position and then using the assigned triggering position as the initial position to diffusely transfer data from the triggering position to at least one target position in a diffusion direction, for enabling each of the at least one target position to receive the diffusion data from the triggering position and then to diffusely transfer the diffusion data to at least one next target position after a relation operation of the default value the respective target position with the triggering value of the triggering position to convert the default value of the respective target position into a finished value.

Abstract: In a method for the correction of video signals whose processing is distributed between a plurality of segments having different transfer characteristics, it is provided that, from values in each case of a predetermined number of pixels before the boundary of two segments, the value of at least one pixel lying after the boundary is estimated in each case, and that correction values are derived from differences between the at least one estimated value and the actual value of the at least one pixel of the following segment that lies after the boundary.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing apparatus and method. In this apparatus and method, high-frequency components are converted by multiple-frequency transformation in accordance with tone conversion used to change the dynamic range, thereby obtaining a high-quality image. For example, an original image undergoes tone conversion on the basis of a tone conversion curve, and the converted image then undergoes discrete wavelet transformation. After that, subbands obtained by discrete wavelet transformation undergo a conversion process in correspondence with the slope of the tone conversion curve.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a signal-to-noise ratio dependent image processing system. The method includes computing at least one SNR for at least one region of an image, determining a filter parameter for at least one region based on the at least one SNR, and processing at least one region of the image based on the filter parameter. In addition to SNR, a filter parameter may be determined using user preferences. The system includes a signal-to-noise ratio processor for determining a signal-to-noise ratio for an image. The system also includes a parameter selection unit for selecting at least one filter parameter based on the signal-to-noise ratio. The system further includes an image filter for filtering the image based on the filter parameter(s). In an embodiment, the SNR processor determines signal-to-noise ratio(s) for region(s) in the image.

Abstract: An object information processing apparatus is provided for obtaining object information from input image data comprising pixels. The object information processing apparatus comprises an object determination section for determining whether or not each pixel is a part of an object to be extracted by comparing color information indicating a color of the pixel with a predetermined reference value for the object, and an object information retaining section for retaining coordinate data of the pixel as the object information if the pixel has been determined by the object determination section to be a part of the object to be extracted.

Abstract: A system for enhancing images from an electro-optic imaging sensor and for reducing the necessary focal length of a sensor while preserving system acuity. This system uniquely reduces the necessary focal length and enhances images by collecting a video sequence, estimating motion associate with this sequence, assembling video frames into composite images, and applying image restoration to restore the composite image from pixel, lens blur, and alias distortion. The invention synthetically increases the pixel density of the focal plane array. Thus it reduces the necessary size of the projected blur circle or equivalently it reduces the minimum focal length requirements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for converting binary image data at a first resolution to binary image data at a second resolution, the methods including detecting the edges of the binary image data, sampling a corresponding point on or substantially near each of the edges, fitting a curve between the sampled points, and re-sampling the curve at the second resolution.

Abstract: To enable a necessary image data to be easily found out based on image sizes of a plurality of index images displayed in a list format and to enable contents of original images displayed as index images to be easily understood, in the case of generating an index image of an image data having an original image size larger than a standard size, a rate of reduction to the original image is increased so that the entire index image is accommodated in an index image display area while maintaining a relative dimensional relationship with index image sizes of image data having other original image sizes.

Abstract: A scanner, which reads machine readable information on an item and determines its location on the item, also includes one or more video cameras for determining dimensions of features on the item. A computer uses the machine readable information to find a record within a data structure. The record includes dimensions of one or more visible features of an item corresponding to the machine readable information and identified according to their location relative to the machine readable information. These dimensions of features are then compared to the dimensions of features of the item being scanned to determine whether the machine readable information read by the scanner matches the item being scanned.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus consisting of more than one diode laser having select lasing frequencies, a multiplexer optically coupled to the outputs of the diode lasers with the multiplexer being further optically coupled to a pitch side optical fiber. Multiplexed laser light is transmitted through the pitch side optical fiber to a pitch optic operatively associated with a process chamber which may be a combustion chamber or the boiler of a coal or gas fired power plant. The pitch optic is oriented to project multiplexed laser output through the process chamber. Also operatively oriented with the process chamber is a catch optic in optical communication with the pitch optic to receive the multiplexed laser output projected through the process chamber. The catch optic is optically coupled to an optical fiber which transmits the multiplexed laser output to a demultiplexer.

Abstract: An apparatus/method for producing fabric-like electronic circuit patterns created by methodically joining electronic elements using textile fabrication-like methods in a predetermined arrangement.

Abstract: A design method and a design device can design an optimal optoelectronic circuit in a relatively short period of time by exploiting the performance of hardware. They have a step of generating a connection list to be carried by electric circuits (electric nets) and a connection list to be carried by optical connections (optical nets), a step of designing the layout of electric circuits and subsequently designing optical connections and a step of evaluating the designs.

Abstract: A method for implementing a truly hitless tunable filter for use in adding and/or dropping channels in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network is disclosed. An exemplary method for filtering an optical signal may include providing a composite optical signal having several wavelengths including a first wavelength, a second wavelength and other wavelengths. The method may include passing the first wavelength through a filter and reflecting the second wavelength and the other wavelengths with the filter. The method may include making the first wavelength available to a drop port, and making the second wavelength and the other wavelengths available to an output port.

Abstract: In controlling an optical switch that includes an incoming light deflection section to deflect incoming light from a predetermined input port in an arbitrary direction, and an outgoing light deflection section to deflect outgoing light from the incoming light deflection section in an arbitrary direction and couple the outgoing light to a predetermined output port, a monitoring section monitors optical coupling efficiency of the outgoing light into the output port and controller controls deflection characteristics of the deflection sections so that the monitored optical coupling efficiency is maximized. Therefore, even when optimal controlled variables for the optical switch are displaced due to temperature drift and/or drift over time, the time taken to find the optimal controlled variables can be significantly reduced and rapid switching of optical paths can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical switch fabric with an input stage, an output stage, and a center stage coupled in a cascaded manner. The center stage includes (1) a minimum number of center switches greater than one that cause the optical switch fabric to be strict-sense nonblocking and (2) at least one additional center switch to provide redundancy for the optical switch fabric. A module is described that includes optical input and output switches coupled to an optical center stage of an optical switch fabric. The module includes an interior cavity that contains free space beams from both the optical input switch and the optical output switch. A method is described for reconfiguring a redundant optical switch into a multilevel optical switch without interrupting operation of the signals carried by the optical switch by adding additional switch components and reconfiguring the fiber interconnection between switch elements.

Abstract: A device for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, in which the first unit is supported to be rotatable or movable linearly relative to the second unit, comprises a light guide extending along a given track on the first unit, a first light coupler for coupling light into and out of the light guide, and a second light coupler disposed on the second unit and movable relative to the light guide for coupling light into and out of the light guide. A coupling slide is provided for supporting the second light coupler, and is mechanically loosely connected to the second unit via a take-up unit so that the coupling slide is moved along the given track together with the second unit by a movement of the second unit.

Abstract: A multi-mode optical fiber link is described. The multi-mode optical fiber link includes a first spatial mode converter that is coupled to a first single mode optical fiber. The first spatial mode converter conditions a modal profile of an optical signal propagating from the single mode optical fiber to the first spatial mode converter. A multi-mode optical fiber is coupled to the first spatial mode converter. A second spatial mode converter is coupled to an output of the multi-mode optical fiber and to a second single mode optical fiber. The second spatial mode converter reduces a number of optical modes in the optical signal. Both the first and the second spatial mode converters increase an effective modal bandwidth of the optical signal.

Abstract: This application describes optical resonators substantially free of hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals and related fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A light guide plate that eliminates haze while obtaining a desired uniformity of luminance to enhance light efficiency. The light guide plate can be used with a backlight unit using the light guide plate and an LCD using the backlight unit. The light guide plate includes an incidence face to allow light emitted from a light source to be incident to the light guide plate, an outgoing face to allow the incident light to exit the light guide plate, a backside face opposite to the outgoing face, and mirror patterns provided at the outgoing face or backside face, and adapted to increase an exiting rate of the light at a low luminance region defined in a vicinity of the light source.

Abstract: Provided are a temperature-insensitive polymeric optical AWG device and method of manufacturing the same. The temperature-insensitive polymeric optical AWG device includes: polymeric grating channel waveguides interposed between free propagation slab regions on a substrate between the input and output waveguides and having different lengths; a plurality of hollow trenches formed by selectively etching a surface of the substrate under the polymeric grating channel waveguides and allowing the polymeric grating channel waveguides to freely thermally expand from the substrate depending on a temperature variation; and a shield layer shielding entrances of the hollow trenches so that the polymeric grating channel waveguides do not flow into the hollow trenches.

Abstract: A wavelength division coupler capable of dividing and coupling at least three wavelengths is provided. The wavelength division coupler includes a first waveguide having a first end and a second end, a second waveguide having a third end and a fourth end, in which a section between the third end and the fourth end is located adjacently to one end of the first waveguide to form a mode coupling section for dividing or coupling an input light, and a Bragg zone having a Bragg grating in the mode coupling section formed in portions of die first waveguide and the second waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface interaction type multimode optical fiber coupler. A representative embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of optical fibers with at least one having an expanded core section. Sections of the optical fibers including at least a portion of the expanded core sections are fused together forming a fused section. At least one of the optical fibers is suitable for multimode operations. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabrication an optical fiber coupler comprises: providing a plurality of optical fibers with at least one having an expanded core section; and maintaining sections of the optical fibers including at least a portion of the expanded core sections in contact and simultaneously heating at least a portion of the sections that are in contact to form a fused section until a predetermined end condition is reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an optical interconnection module for vertical optical coupling and a method of manufacturing the optical interconnection module. The optical interconnection module includes an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes substrate on which electrode pads and a predetermined circuit pattern are formed; a light source unit provided on the substrate and configured to generate an optical signal and emit the signal to an outside; an optical detection unit for receiving the optical signal from the light source unit and converting the optical signal into an electric signal; drive units provided on the substrate and configured to drive the light source unit and the light detection unit in response to electric signals supplied through the electrode pads; and a cladding layer, a core layer layered on the cladding layer, and an elliptical reflecting mirror surface placed on an end of the core layer facing the light source unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical fiber bundles that can be configured to yield beams of radiation having tailored polarization and/or intensity properties. According to one embodiment of the invention, an optical fiber bundle includes a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fibers, each of the polarization-maintaining optical fibers having an input end, an output end, an interior portion connecting the input end to the output end, and a polarization axis, wherein the input ends of the polarization-maintaining optical fibers are grouped in a first arrangement, and the output ends of the polarization-maintaining optical fibers are grouped in a second arrangement, and wherein the relative orientations of the polarization axes in the first arrangement is different than the relative orientation of the polarization axes in the second arrangement.

Abstract: The invention provides a photonic structure comprising a first region (3) formed from a material having a first refractive index; and an array of sub-regions (5) formed in the first region, each sub-region having a refractive index different to the first refractive index; wherein the array of sub-regions (5) can be defined by a plurality of rows and columns, wherein the position of each sub-region relative to adjacent sub-regions in each row and the properties of the sub-regions across each row are defined by parameters of a first type, and the position of each row relative to adjacent rows, and the properties of the sub-regions along each column are defined by parameters of a second type; and wherein at least one parameter of a first type and at least one parameter of the second type is varied systematically and independently across the array. The present invention gives rise to structures with photonic band structures that can be tailored to a particular application.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is constructed so as to comprise a non-solid core layer surrounded by a solid-state material and a nanopore or micropore in fluid communication with the core. The non-solid core layer has an index of refraction which is lower than the index of refraction of the surrounding solid-state material, and light can be transmitted with low loss through the non-solid core layer. In an exemplary application, the non-solid core layer comprises a sample material whose light transmission, absorption, and/or interference characteristics are to be measured. In addition, a perpendicular waveguide portion may be included for use in injecting light into the core for measuring fluorescence characteristics associated with the sample material.

Abstract: A flexible optical waveguide having a core in which light propagates; and a cladding portion with a smaller refractive index than the core, that surrounds the core, wherein the flexible optical waveguide has a flexible portion between both end portions thereof, and at least one end portion of the both end portions is more solid than the flexible portion, is provided, which flexible optical waveguide, while assuring flexibility, can be mounted with high accuracy.

Abstract: Formation, through etching, of structures whose minimum width is less than can be achieved by optical means alone has been achieved by inserting a layer of sandwiching material between the photoresist (or hard mask if used) and the structure. By adjustment of the relative etch rates of this layer and the structure, a uniform lateral width reduction and surface smoothing of the structure is achieved.

Abstract: A router includes tubular segments interconnected to one another. Each tubular segment surrounds an interior which accommodates fiber optic jumpers within the tubular segment. A latch of a first one of the tubular segments connects to a connector hole of a second one of the tubular segments to interconnect the first and second tubular segments.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a CCD light-receiving element. An image signal of an object captured by the light-receiving element is stored on an image memory via a signal processing circuit, and subsequently compressed by an image compression/expansion circuit. An image file including a compressed image signal is recorded on a hard disk via a temporary storing memory. Data area of the hard disk is divided into a plurality of clusters, and the image file is recorded into each cluster. Link information indicating a link state of each cluster is recorded in a management area of the hard disk. Herein, a size of the image file is equal to or smaller than 1/N of that of the cluster.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording on a multi-user personal video recorder, including recording a first show, displaying at least a portion of the first show, creating displayed space, freeing displayed space, making available free space, and recording at least part of a second show in free space made available by freeing displayed space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect content skipping by a consumer of a recorded program are disclosed. In a disclosed method, a plurality of recording times of sections of a recorded program are stored in association with playback times of the recorded program. Playback intervals between sequential pairs of the playback times are compared with corresponding recording intervals between sequential pairs of the recording times to determine if any portion of the recorded program was not played back in real time.

Abstract: A video editing system uses simple heuristics and parameters on video footage to provide a condensed version of the footage. The editing system automatically provides either a finished condensed version of the footage or selects a plurality of clips based on the heuristics and parameters. The clips are optionally further edited by a user to produce a condensed version. The condensed version is transferable to any desired media suitable for storing video. A user interface enables the user to select heuristics to identify video clips from the footage. Parameters are also be set to automatically edit the clips in a desired manner. Temporal combinations of heuristics and parameters form templates, which are used to assemble desired clips for selected types of events.

Abstract: Timecoding systems, methods and data structures are described which, in some embodiments, permit a true time to be ascertained from media samples whose timecodes contain an amount of drift which can arise from having non-integer frame rates. Inventive methods incorporate the use of an offset parameter that describes a time difference between a timecode and a true time associated with a media sample. The inventive approaches can be incorporated with and used compatibly in connection with current timecoding paradigms such as SMPTE timecode and the like. Further embodiments permit timecoding to take place at the field level of a frame. This can permit true-time calculations to be done to ascertain the true time associated with individual fields of a frame. In addition, other embodiments provide novel counting compensation methods that are directed to reducing the drift that can be associated with media samples that are sampled at non-integer frame rates.

Abstract: A reproducing device has an input means for inputting an MPEG transport stream from a hard disk; and reproducing means for reproducing the inputted MPEG transport stream, in case of reproducing a special reproduction image, the input means extracts an MPEG transport stream from an arbitrary position to another arbitrary position in the inputted MPEG transport stream to output the special reproduction image used for special reproduction, and the reproducing means reproduces the special reproduction image while detecting whether a plurality of pieces of picture data exist in one of MPEG transport packets constituting the outputted special reproduction image.