Abstract: An individually isolated wafer adapted to a semiconductor chip is subjected to inspection in which an infrared ray is irradiated onto the backside of the wafer whose surface is sealed with a resin layer such that the optical axis thereof perpendicularly or slantingly crosses the surface of the wafer, whereby an image clearly showing cracks formed in lie wafer is produced based on the reflected ray.

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus includes a first unit configured to acquire an optical image of pattern, a second unit configured to generate a reference image to be compared, a third unit configured to calculate elements of a normal matrix for a least-squares method for calculating a displacement amount displaced from a preliminary alignment position, a forth unit configured to estimate a type of the reference image pattern, by using some of the elements of the normal matrix, a fifth unit configured to calculate the displacement amount based on the least-squares method, by using a normal matrix obtained by deleting predetermined elements depending upon the type of the pattern, a sixth unit configured to correct an alignment position between the optical image and the reference image to a position displaced by the displacement amount, and a seventh unit configured to compare the optical image and the reference image.

Abstract: A method for separating an original circuit pattern to be printed on a wafer, into multiple circuit patterns is disclosed. Simulation to obtain an image log-slope (ILS), normalized image log-slope (NILS), or any other characteristic of an image quality on edges of polygons in the circuit pattern obtained from circuit pattern data is performed. Properly printed edges and not-properly printed edges are identified according to a criterion of an ILS level. The original circuit pattern is separated into multiple circuit patterns such that each of the multiple patterns does not have any not-properly printed edges.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method extensible for performing, in real-time, stereo snatching for calculating depth images with a result of searching for points of similarity by using images taken with two cameras. The system includes a coordinate creating module, a census transform module, a delay XOR calculation module, a stereo matching module, and a control module. Accordingly, by using the system extensible for performing stereo matching, depth information of corrected images can be acquired in real-time without using computer systems or software programs for special purposes. Furthermore, since the system extensible for performing stereo matching can be simply realized by hardware, the system and the method of the present invention can be easily applied to actual intellectual-type robots, industrial settings, etc.

Abstract: An image generation system includes a first image generation section for generating images IL1 and IR1 for the left eye and the right eye, a second image generation section for generating images IL2 and IR2 for the left eye and the right eye by performing correction processing to remove perspective of images in the IL1 and IR1 at a base surface, and a stereoscopic image generation section for generating a stereoscopic image based on the IL2 and IR2.

Abstract: A video quality measurement (VQM) system for a video stream includes a neural network VQM module having a constructed architecture to calculate a video quality metric based on a hybrid of image metric and packet metric of the video stream. An image metric measuring module receives the video stream and calculates the image metric of the video stream. A packet metric measuring module obtains information about packet-level characteristics of the video stream to calculate the packet metric. The image metric and the packet metric are inputted to the neural network VQM module to calculate the video quality metric. The VQM system further includes a VQM test-bed that determines and validates the architecture of the neural network VQM module. Furthermore, a video quality measurement (VQM) method based on a hybrid of image metric and packet metric is also described.

Abstract: A method for non-rigid multi-modal registration of digitized images includes providing a reference image and an alignment images acquired from different imaging modalities to a graphics processing unit (GPU), initializing a deformation field for registering said reference image and said alignment image, computing marginal and joint intensity histograms of the reference image and the alignment image as registered by said deformation field, computing gradients of the reference and registered alignment images and of their respective marginal and joint intensity histograms, smoothing said histograms and gradients using Gaussian filters, calculating a new deformation field using said smoothed gradients, and registering said alignment image to said reference image using said deformation field.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and a method of providing a high quality image are provided. The image display apparatus includes an image signal processing unit which analyzes an input image signal and outputs an average picture level (APL) and histogram information of one frame; and a controlling unit which calculates contrast control information and average signal level (ASL) information corresponding to the APL and the histogram information. The image signal processing unit enhances the contrast of the input image signal based on the contrast control information output from the controlling unit, and outputs a resulting image signal. Accordingly, a high quality image can be provided to users.

Abstract: Provided is an image display device, more particularly, an apparatus and method that can reduce power consumption and prevent image characteristics from being degraded in an image display device using a multicolor light source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contrast control is provided. The apparatus includes a cumulative density function which provides a second cumulative density function modified from a first cumulative density function based on a first luminance histogram of an input image; a transformer function provider which provides a transform function based on the first cumulative density function and the second cumulative density function; a compensation unit which compensates the transform function based on a predetermined illumination level; and a transform unit which transforms a luminance distribution of the input image based on the compensated transform function.

Abstract: A method of determining motion in a set of input images comprises registering the images in the set to identify stationary background content therein and generating difference images based on the registered images. The input images are segmented into regions and local motion within each of the regions is estimated. A determination as to whether the regions include moving content or static content is determined based on the difference images and the estimated local motion within the regions.

Abstract: A method of image segmentation using graph-theory techniques, in which pixels of an image are represented by the vertices of a graph. A minimum spanning tree is generated and edges of the tree are successively removed according to a morphological property to leave a spanning forest, trees of which correspond to segments of the image. Selection of edges for removal may depend on an energy function of a tree and on the energy function of trees created by removal of that edge.

Abstract: An improved method of graph-based segmentation of objects in images uses the property of rectilinear shape classes which optimize the ratio of specific metrics, that can be expressed as Laplacian matrices applied to indicator vectors. A relaxation of the binary formulation of this problem allows a solution via generalized eigenvectors. This segmentation algorithm incorporating shape information requires no initialization, is non-iterative and finds a steady-state (i.e., global optimum) solution. The method is generally applicable to segmentation of rectilinear shapes.

Abstract: An adaptive dilation method receives an image and performs an adaptive background distance transform to create an adaptive background distance transform image. A threshold is applied to the adaptive background distance transform image to generate adaptive dilation image output. An adaptive erosion method receives an image and performs an adaptive foreground distance transform to create an adaptive foreground distance transform image. A threshold is applied to the adaptive foreground distance transform image to generate adaptive erosion image output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reformatting electronic documents is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing layout analysis on an electronic version of a document to locate text zones, assigning attributes for scale and importance to text zones in the electronic version of the document, and reformatting text in the electronic version of the document based on the attributes to create an image.

Abstract: An exemplary method for edge scan of an image is provided. The method includes: setting parameters of an image edge scan; setting parameters for scanning edges of the workpiece; obtaining an image of the workpiece; processing the image and designating a point in the image; searching a first edge point near the designated point in a clockwise direction, wherein there is at least one point adjacent to the first edge point whose color is different with the color of the first edge point; searching other edge points in the manner of searching the first edge point by utilizing a recursive method; calculating coordinates of initial points and end points of scan lines according to the parameters, and searching scanned points according to the initial points and end points on the image that has not been processed; scanning edges of the image based on the scanned points. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A gesture spotting detection method and apparatus employ a shoulder-line algorithm. The shoulder-line detecting method recognizes a GSD calling gesture that occurs in a shoulder-line, head or higher part in a remote distance or a short distance, although a user does not have a fixed posture. In the method, an image of people is received, and skin information of a person in the image is detected to detect a face area. Then, the cloth color information of the person is modeled from the inputted image to detect a cloth area. An external space is defined from the image based on the body space area, and an edge is extracted from the image based on the body space and the external space. Then, shoulder-line information is acquired based on an energy function obtained based on the body space, the external space, and the edge.

Abstract: A computer-aided image comparison, evaluation and retrieval system compares objects and object clusters, or images. User controlled or automatic filtering to enhance object features may be performed prior to object definition/detection. The query image may be substantially continuously displayed during the image filtering and object definition processes. Scoring to suspected biological, medical, chemical, physical or clinical condition may be performed based on retrieved objects or images and their relative similarities to the unknown.

Abstract: A system for automatically classifying an object of a target image is provided. A classification system provides a collection of classified images along with a classification of the dominant object of the image. The classification system attempts to classify the object of a target image based on similarity of the target image to the classified images. To classify a target image, the classification system identifies the classified images of the collection that are most similar to the target image based on similarity between salient points of the target image and the classified images. The classification system selects a classification associated with the classified images that are most similar to the target image as a classification for the object of the target image.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for displaying a list of pieces of image data, includes a data processing section, a display information generating section and a display section. The data processing section classifies the pieces of image data, which are to be displayed in the list, into image groups based on information contained in the respective pieces of image data. The display information generating section generates display information, which represents a list including a representative image of each image group, based on a result of the classification by the data processing section. The display section outputs the display information generated by the display information generating section.

Abstract: An expansion of the construction and organization of the electronic literary macramé (ELM), the knowledge transfer tool (KTT), or any document of similar type to enrich the connections and associations for their readers, providing for manual author- or editor-defined links and directives for hypertext handling and navigation, easy-to-use indexing capabilities, structuring and presentation of information in a visually-organized form such as a table, list, matrix, tree, pyramid, or other two-dimensional arrangement, with all features integrated into an unobtrusive, and enriched referencing mechanism to assist authors, editors and readers of an ELM, KTT, or other electronic document of similar type.

Abstract: An on-demand, interactive, scalable, image data compressor, data archiving, transmission and presentation system comprising a server, a compression engine, memory and user interface capable of communicating with the server is described. The compression engine provides progressive transmission of a compressed image and provides both a tree based compression method and a context based, code block encoding compression method, either of which are selectable by the user on demand. The compression engine can switch automatically from a lossy compression to a lossless compression to achieve a desired quality of decompressed images.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, a JPEG coding unit makes JPEG data by respectively compressing plural images obtained from an imaging device. A code retention unit retains each JPEG data. A thumbnail data creation unit creates a thumbnail from each of the images. A thumbnail retention unit retains the thumbnail. A feature point detection unit detects a feature point from the thumbnail. A partial image decode unit respectively decodes zones including the feature points from each JPEG data. A displacement amount calculation unit obtains positional information of feature points in the decoded individual zones and calculates a displacement amount of each JPEG data based on the positional information.

Abstract: In this invention, image data expressed by one component is encoded at a high speed by using a color image lossless encoder. To do this, a color conversion unit converts color image data read by a document reading unit into C, M, Y, and K data. In a color reading mode, a switching unit directly outputs the C, M, Y, and K data to an encoding unit. If the reading mode is a monochrome reading mode, the switching unit neglects the C, M, and Y components of the C, M, Y, and K data. Every time four K components are input, the switching unit supplies the four K components to the encoding unit as pseudo data of C, M, Y, and K color components. The encoding unit lossless-encodes the received C, M, Y, and K component data.

Abstract: Even an image in which a gradation character/line image having variations in pixel values to a certain degree and a natural image are mixed can be reproduced with sufficient quality in the gradation character/line image and high encoding efficiency, and further, encoded data can be generated with high encoding efficiency. An extraction unit binarizes pixel values in an input block with a predetermined threshold, thereby generates identification information identifying pixels to be substituted and pixels not to be substituted. An average differential value generation unit calculates a differential value between an average value of the pixels to be substituted and an average value of the pixels not to be substituted. A substitute color generation unit subtracts the differential value from the pixels to be substituted. An encoding unit encodes the identification information, the differential value and pixel values of the block after substitution.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for image processing are provided to perform operations for generating an encoded image, detecting image alteration on the encoded image, and regenerating an original image from the encoded image. The encoded image is generated by an encoding apparatus, which inserts a redundant code into an LSB (least significant bit) bit-plane of the original image. The redundant code can be generated based on bit-planes other than the LSB bit-plane, using a CRC (cyclic redundancy check) method. A decoding apparatus recalculates a redundant code from the encoded image, and checks validity of the encoded image based on the extracted redundant code.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder. The decoder is configured to obtain at least one motion vector of a block other than the current block, and the other block is associated with at least one reference picture indicated by a reference index for a set of multiple reference pictures. The decoder is configured to obtain a difference between picture output order information of the picture to be decoded and picture output order information of the at least one reference picture, and is configured to predict the motion vector for the current block using said at least one motion vector, based on the obtained difference.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder. The decoder is configured to obtain first and second motion vectors of a block other than the current block. The other block neighbors the current block at one of a left, top and top right position. The decoder is configured to determine first and second motion vectors of the current block using the first and second motion vectors of the other block such that the first motion vector of the current block has a same direction as the first motion vector of the other block and the second motion vector of the current block has a same direction as the second motion vector of the other block.

Abstract: An image coding method including the steps of: estimating motion vectors between an input image to be coded and the reference image, synthesizing a prediction image of the input image using the motion vectors and the reference image, and generating a difference image by calculating a difference between the image and the prediction image; and producing coded information of the input image including information related to the difference image and the motion vectors, wherein the prediction image is synthesized by calculating intensity values at points where no pixels actually exist in the reference image by interpolation, wherein the interpolation is done using a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method when the input image is coded as a P frame, wherein the coded information of the input image coded as P frames includes information specifying the rounding method used in the interpolation, and wherein the coded information of the input images coded as I frames does not include information specifyin

Abstract: An image quantization method and apparatus are provided in which a block with a high possibility of having color distortion is more elaborately quantized using a predetermined color distortion removing quantization matrix. The image quantization method includes determining a possibility of color distortion in the block using discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients and pixel values of the block of predetermined size of an image and performing initial quantization on the block using a predetermined color distortion quantization matrix to remove color distortion if the block has a high possibility of color distortion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain quantization information of a first block, obtain a block type of the first block, and compare the quantization information and a threshold value. Loop-filtering is performed by the decoder on a first set of four successive pixels by using at least three successive pixels in a horizontal direction firstly if the quantization information is greater than the threshold value and the type of the first block is intra-coded block type, and loop-filtering is performed by the decoder on a second set of four successive pixels by using at least three successive pixels in a vertical direction secondly if the quantization information is greater than the threshold value and the type of the first block is intra-coded block type.

Abstract: An image generation method for distinguishing a shape of a component includes: a color image taking step (S101) of taking an image of the component in color, and a conversion step (S102, S104) of converting the color image taken in the color image taking step (S101) into a black-and-white grayscale image in which the shape of the component is shown in black-and-white grayscale.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a setting section and an image processing section. The setting section sets a process condition of electrophotographic image formation suited to reading of an information image that represents data by a pattern. The image processing section performs an image process for preventing degradation, in image quality, of an image other than the information image under the process condition set through the setting section.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an image transform apparatus and an image transform program which can reduce a computation load for transforming a luminance image to a brightness image. The present invention attains the object by performing wavelet resolution of the luminance image first to generate J pieces (J is an integer equal to two or more) of sub band images (S2), transforming a luminance value of each pixel of the sub band images to a brightness impression value based on a predetermined relation between luminance and brightness impression (S4), and then performing wavelet synthesis of K pieces (K is an integer equal to two or more; K?J) of sub band images having been subjected to the transformation of the luminance values to the brightness impression values, to generate a brightness image (S5).

Abstract: A block noise removal device calculates a block boundary correction value. This correction value indicates a correction amount for a pixel sample value immediately before a block boundary position and a correction amount for a pixel sample value immediately after the block boundary position for each block boundary position in a pixel sample value sequence. Each pixel sample value represents a level of each pixel in a video signal. The block noise removal device obtains the block boundary correction value based on at least two consecutive pixel sample values immediately before the block boundary position and at least two consecutive pixel sample values immediately after the block boundary position.

Abstract: A method of coding a moving picture is provided that reduces blocking artifacts. The method can include defining a plurality of defining pixels SO, Si, and S2, which are centered around a block boundary. If a default mode is selected then 5 frequency information of the surroundings of the block boundary is obtained. A magnitude of a discontinuous component in a frequency domain belonging to the block boundary is adjusted based on a magnitude of a corresponding discontinuous component selected from a pixel contained entirely within a block adjacent the block boundary. The frequency domain adjustment is then applied to a spatial domain. Or, a DC offset mode can be selected to reduce blocking artifacts in smooth regions where there is little motion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, loop-filtering is performed by a decoder on four successive pixels if obtained quantization information for a first block is greater than the threshold value and the type of the first block and a second block is intra-coded block type. Two pixels of the four successive pixels are in the first block and two pixels of the four successive pixels are in the second block, which is adjacent the first block. The decoder is also configured to perform additional filtering on two successive pixels on the block boundary based on a comparison result of the quantization information and a second threshold value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain a pixel value difference between two successive pixels. The two successive pixels are on a block boundary. The decoder is configured to calculate the filtering coefficient based on the pixel value difference, weight the filtering coefficient, and obtain a filtered pixel value based on the weighted filtering coefficient.

Abstract: In a process for enhancing contrast of an image having pixels in different brightness intensities, a histogram in discrete bins is generated. Each bin represents a pixel population of at least one pixel brightness intensity. A peak and a peak region of the histogram is then identified, wherein the peak region is a range of discrete bins around the peak. An average pixel population within the peak region is computed, and the pixel populations of the discrete bins within the peak region that exceeds the average pixel population are distributed. A transfer curve for mapping onto the image is then generated. The process can be used in an image processor for enhancing contrast of an image having pixel. Still further, a display having a receiver and a screen can include the foregoing image processor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a target-area setting unit that sets, in image data, an area around a target pixel as a target area, and an overshoot-undershoot suppressing unit that corrects a pixel value of the target pixel in the image data after processing based on pixel values of pixels in the target area.

Abstract: Image data is scaled, rotated and/or otherwise manipulated. Diffusive effects of associated interpolation and/or re-sampling are compensated for, or corrected, by applying an adaptive packing form of error diffusion to output data of one or more manipulating transforms. For example, rank order error diffusion is applied to output data of a manipulating transform, thereby restoring compaction to otherwise diffuse halftone structures (e.g., halftone dots, lines, etc), saturated text and/or other small, high contrast image elements.

Abstract: A method of creating an affinity group Image for application to an affinity group transaction means, the method comprising: displaying at least one image for application to a transaction means associated with the affinity group; receiving instructions to manipulate an image selected from the at least one image; processing the selected image by applying the received manipulation instructions to the selected image to produces a personalised image; and saving the personalised image for selection by a member of the affinity group.

Abstract: Indices in an image of a physical space on which a plurality of indices are allocated are identified, and the positions and orientations, on the physical space, of all or some identified indices are calculated (S142).

Abstract: This invention detects an area where image quality greatly changes upon resolution conversion. For this purpose, a block segmentation unit extracts a tile having Tw×Th pixels from a buffer, and stores the tile in a tile buffer. A two-colors ratio calculating unit counts the number of times the number of colors included in a surrounding pixel group positioned near a pixel of interest becomes two during raster scanning of the tile buffer, and calculates a two-colors ratio Cr. A continuous pixel ratio calculating unit calculates, as a run ratio Rr, a ratio at which pixels having the same color continue during scanning of the tile buffer. A difference calculating unit calculates a resolution conversion error Dt when an image of the tile is converted to ½ the resolution. A determination unit determines based on Cr, Rr, and Dt whether a tile of interest is suitable for resolution conversion.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes: a data input section for receiving input of a plurality discrete data arranged at predetermined time intervals; a first-derivative adding section for adding a first derivative to each input discrete data; using a plurality of the discrete data with the additional first derivative, when a difference between one or a plurality of discrete data interposed between two discrete data and a value on a curve passing through the two discrete data points generated on the basis of the two discrete data, the first derivative, and time interval information of the two discrete data is within an allowable error, a homogeneity/heterogeneity conversion section for obtaining a plurality of discrete data having heterogeneous time intervals and the additional first derivative by thinning one or a plurality of the discrete data interposed between the two discrete data; and a heterogeneous-data generation section for generating the heterogeneous data.

Abstract: An image interpretation apparatus including a registration section, an image search section, and an image interpretation section is provided. The registration section registers an object image in an object database. The image search section searches a type, an attribute, and an arrangement, or a combination of the object images included in an input image. The image interpretation section interprets semantics of the input image based on the arrangement, the combination, or the like. Due to this configuration, plural pieces of semantics can be given to a single image, and a complex subsequent-stage process can be performed according to an image interpretation result.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the influencing of the state of polarization of optical radiation by an optical system under test, wherein radiation with a defined entrance state of polarization is directed onto the optical system, the exit-side state of polarization is measured, and the influencing of the state of polarization is determined by the optical system with the aid of evaluation of the exit state of polarization with reference to the entrance state of polarization. An analyser arrangement which can be used for this purpose is also disclosed. The method and the apparatus are used, e.g., to determine the influencing of the state of polarization of optical radiation by an optical imaging system of prescribable aperture, the determination being performed in a pupil-resolved fashion.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes a horizontal inversion section 6 for horizontally inverting at least a third one of first to third pixels signals to be outputted from individual CCD units 2a to 2c corresponding to R, G, and B, and a CCD actuation control section 9 capable of controlling the first to third CCD units 2a to 2c so that pixels, 2n+1 (n=0, 1, 2, . . . ) in each set, in a horizontal direction are subjected to the pixels addition set by set. The CCD actuation control section 9 performs control such that the second pixel signal is subjected to the pixel addition at timings delayed by n pixels with respect to timings for the first pixel signal, and the third pixel signal is subjected to the pixel addition at timings delayed by n pixels with respect to the timings for the second pixel signal. With this image pickup device, a high-sensitivity image can be obtained with the resolution impairment being suppressed.

Abstract: An adjustable carrying bag having an open upper end and a closed lower end and being formed of a front panel and a rear panel. The panels are foldable about a vertically variable horizontal axis to close the bag such that by varying the vertical elevation of the fold, one varies the volumetric area of the bag. Attachment members are provided for releasably securing the front and rear panels in a folded and vertically adjustable disposition. A handle is slidably mounted on the rear panel such that upon folding the front and rear panels, securing the panels in a folded disposition and lifting the bag by the handle, the handle will slide to the top of the folded bag for carrying irrespective of the vertical elevation of the fold along the bag.

Abstract: An additive tank for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the tank including a flexible bag which contains the additive and is connected to a device allowing the flexible bag to be pressurized in order to meter the additive.