Abstract: A method for embedding coded information in a coupon with a face value denomination includes encoding that face value denomination value as a plurality of data carrying dot pair patterns where each dot is too small to be visually noticeable. For each page of a document to be rendered, the method includes determining whether the border area is blank. If found not blank the border area is cleared. Each of the plurality of data carrying dot patterns is embedded in the blank border area of the document page. The document page with the embedded data carrying dot patterns is then rendered, where each data carrying dot is too small to be visually noticeable.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing powders and powder behavior in a rotating cylindrical container by image analysis techniques. Powder is placed in a generally cylindrical container with transparent ends. The container is then placed in front of an imaging device and illuminated with a light source so the device can capture images of the powder over time. The container is then rotated at various speeds and the camera captures images of the powder at fixed time intervals. Image analysis algorithms are then used to isolate the powder information in the images and this data is used to calculate several parameters of the powder including the potential energy of the powder, the curvature of the powder, and volume of the powder.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic annotated document including embedding annotation information into an electronic annotation object having image data including an annotation, and producing the electronic annotated document using pixel information from the electronic document and the electronic annotation object. The annotation embedded information may be used to select corresponding pixel information from one of the electronic annotated object and electronic document to be provided in the electronic annotated document. A system and tangible storage medium having machine-readable instructions for producing an electronic annotated document are also disclosed.

Abstract: The path and/or position of an object is tracked using two or more cameras which run asynchronously so there is need to provide a common timing signal to each camera. Captured images are analyzed to detect a position of the object in the image. Equations of motion for the object are then solved based on the detected positions and a transformation which relates the detected positions to a desired coordinate system in which the path is to be described. The position of an object can also be determined from a position which meets a distance metric relative to lines of position from three or more images. The images can be enhanced to depict the path and/or position of the object as a graphical element. Further, statistics such as maximum object speed and distance traveled can be obtained. Applications include tracking the position of a game object at a sports event.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method to identify a candidate object includes receiving an image of the candidate object and projecting the received image onto an image subspace. The image subspace is formed from images of known objects of a class. The method also includes determining whether the candidate object is in the object class based on the received image and the image subspace using a likelihood ratio. The likelihood ratio includes a first probability density indicating a probability an object is in the object class and a second probability density indicating a probability an object is not in the class. The first probability density and the second probability are each a function of a distance of the received image to the image subspace.

Abstract: The optical recognition system determines the position and/or movement of an object (3) on a positioning device (2). The positioning device includes means (20, 21, 22) for driving the object in rotation and/or along a curvilinear or rectilinear path. The optical recognition system includes optical detection means, such as a digital camera (6), for detecting the position or orientation of the object, and a data processing station (7) for data supplied by the detection means. A certain number of different figures or references are distributed over the external surface of the object. The arrangement of each figure on the external surface of the object enables the detection means, associated with the data processing station, to determine the position or orientation of the object on the positioning device. The figures are formed by circular barcodes (10), wherein each circular barcode defines a precise position of the object (3) on the positioning device.

Abstract: A method of tracking an object that appears in a plurality of image frames is provided. The method includes (a) dividing an identified object of one of the plurality of image frames into a plurality of object segments and (b) tracking a location of each of the plurality of object segments in the image frame. The method also includes (c) estimating at least one of scale and orientation of the object using the location of each of the plurality of object segments and (d) obtaining position of the object using the estimated scale and orientation.

Abstract: A method for processing data includes identifying a time signature of an infra-red (IR) beacon. Image data associated with the IR beacon is identified using the time signature.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a digital video sequence of a scene to extract background motion information and foreground motion information, comprising: analyzing at least a portion of a plurality of image frames captured at different times to determine corresponding one-dimensional image frame representations; combining the one-dimensional frame representations to form a two-dimensional spatiotemporal representation of the video sequence; using a data processor to identify a set of trajectories in the two-dimensional spatiotemporal representation of the video sequence; analyzing the set of trajectories to identify a set of foreground trajectory segments representing foreground motion information and a set of background trajectory segments representing background motion information; and storing an indication of the foreground motion information or the background motion information or both in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a lane are disclosed. The lane detecting apparatus includes: a region of ID setup setting a region of ID including a road region of a current lane in an acquired image; a road sign verifier verifying existence of a road sign within the set region of ID; an ROI setup calculating a difference value between a lane prediction result and previous lane information when there exists a road sign and setting an ROI based on the calculated difference value; and a lane detector detecting a lane by extracting lane markings based on the set ROI. Accordingly, a lane can be more accurately detected even in a road environment including a road sign by removing the road sign to extract only necessary lane markings.

Abstract: A low-profile biometrics authentication system capable of achieving high security level authentication is provided. A biometrics authentication system 1 includes a light source 10, a light guide section 11A, a diffraction section 11B, a microlens array 12, an image pickup device 13, an image processing section 14, a pattern storing section 15, an authentication section 16, a voltage supply section 17, a light source driving section 181, an image pickup device driving section 182 and a control section 19. When light L0 emitted from the light source 10 propagates through the light guide section 11A by total reflection, and then enters the diffraction section 11B, light L1 diffracted at a different angle from an incident angle is generated.

Abstract: The apparatus for registering face identification features can eliminate time and effort for manually retrieving and preparing face images by being provided with a face image retrieving portion 11 for retrieving a face image of a person via a network using the person's name as a keyword, a face feature extracting portion 12 for extracting features, which greatly influence identification of a person, from the face images retrieved by the face image retrieving portion 11, and a celebrity name, face image and feature database 13 for registering the face images retrieved by the face image retrieving portion 11 and the face features extracted by the face feature extracting portion 12 in a state where they are associated with the person's names.

Abstract: A method and system for image recognition in a collection of digital images includes training image classifiers and retrieving a sub-set of images from the collection. For each image in the collection, any regions within the image that correspond to a face are identified. For each face region and any associated peripheral region, feature vectors are determined for each of the image classifiers. The feature vectors are stored in association with data relating to the associated face region. At least one reference region including a face to be recognized is/are selected from an image. At least one classifier on which said retrieval is to be based is/are selected from the image classifiers. A respective feature vector for each selected classifier is determined for the reference region. The sub-set of images is retrieved from within the image collection in accordance with the distance between the feature vectors determined for the reference region and the feature vectors for face regions of the image collection.

Abstract: Provided is a fingerprint sensor including one or more mechanical devices for capturing the fingerprint. The mechanical devices include a matrix of pillars and are configured to be mechanically damped based upon an applied load. A q factor of the pillars is optimized by adjusting a distance between pillars within the matrix in accordance with a quarter shear wavelength at an operating wavelength.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a memory unit which stores data of a first projection image and data of a second projection image, which are associated with the same object and are captured in different imaging directions, a display unit which displays the data of the first projection image and the data of the second projection image, a designation operation unit which is configured to designate a plurality of points on the displayed first and second projection images, and an operation supporting unit which generates operation supporting information for supporting an operation of designating, by the designation operation unit, the plurality of points on the second image, which anatomically correspond to the plurality of points designated on the first projection image.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a medical image of an object in a reconstruction process, where image data is achieved by a medical imaging system by collecting a real measured projection image data of said object, in which method an antipriori component is deter-mined for modelling artifacts caused by the imaging system and/or reconstruction method. The antipriori component is used for attenuating said artifacts from the medical image of said object to be reconstructed in said reconstruction process.

Abstract: A system and process for combining multiple datasets to provide a composite dataset is described. The system includes a data collection tool, a computation engine and a memory coupled to the data collection tool and computer-readable code embodied on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable code is configured so that when the computer-readable code is executed by one or more processors associated with the computation engine the computer-readable code causes the one or more processors to: (i) accept two or more datasets corresponding to distinct measurements of a subject, (ii) initiate processing of the two or more datasets, (iii) contemporaneously segment and register a combination of the two or more datasets to achieve a combined dataset, (iv) test for convergence of the combined dataset and (v) provide the combined dataset for analysis when the test for convergence indicates that the combined dataset has been registered and segmented.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to improved methods of defining areas or compartments within which biomarker expression is detected and quantified. In particular, the present invention relates to automated methods for delineating marker-defined compartments objectively with minimal operator intervention or decision making. The method provides for precise definition of tissue, cellular or subcellular compartments particularly in histological tissue sections in which to quantitatively analyzing protein expression.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus which performs image processing on a medical input image, includes: a pixel extraction portion for extracting an inappropriate pixel satisfying a predetermined condition in the input image, a replacing pixel information calculation portion for calculating replacing information with which pixel information of the inappropriate pixel is to be replaced, based on pixel information of a predetermined region including the extracted inappropriate pixel or adjacent to the extracted inappropriate pixel and a replaced image generation portion for replacing the pixel information of the inappropriate pixel in the input image with the replacing information and generating a replaced image.

Abstract: A method and system for determining intestinal dysfunction condition are provided by classifying and analyzing image frames captured in-vivo. The method and system also relate to the detection of contractile activity in intestinal tracts, to automatic detection of video image frames taken in the gastrointestinal tract including contractile activity, and more particularly to measurement and analysis of contractile activity of the GI tract based on image intensity of in vivo image data.

Abstract: A method for image reconstruction of moving radionuclide distributions. Its particular embodiment is for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of awake animals, though its techniques are general enough to be applied to other moving radionuclide distributions as well. The invention eliminates motion and blurring artifacts for image reconstructions of moving source distributions. This opens new avenues in the area of small animal brain imaging with radiotracers, which can now be performed without the perturbing influences of anesthesia or physical restraint on the biological system.

Abstract: In one example, a two points on a medical image can be identified. In this example, three or more anatomical features can be identified and labeled. For example, these labels can be displayed with other medical images that show the same anatomical features. For example, points in the L1 and L5 vertebrae can be identified, and labels for the L1-L5 vertebrae can be displayed.

Abstract: A cardiac cavity region is extracted from a three dimensional functional image that represents evaluation index data of cardiac functions, and a cardiac function bulls eye image that represents the functions of the cardiac cavity is generated. Coronary artery image data are extracted from three dimensional anatomical images that represents the structures of the heart and the coronary artery, and coronary article closed surfaces that include the extracted coronary artery image data are calculated. A coronary artery bulls eye image is generated form the extracted coronary artery image data, and distances from the boundary surface of the cardiac cavity region to the coronary artery closed surfaces are calculated. Display output is controlled such that the cardiac function bulls eye image, the coronary artery bulls eye image, and data representing the distances are displayed simultaneously on the screen of a display device.

Abstract: A method including searching image data corresponding to a series of axial image slices with a processor, searching axial image slices from a starting image slice and calculating a confidence score that an image slice includes a cross-section image of an aorta, identifying an image slice containing at least one seed disk, including an ascending aorta seed disk, from candidate image slices identified according to the confidence score, and growing a 3D segmentation of the ascending aorta by stacking ascending aorta image disks included in consecutive image slices beginning from the ascending aorta seed disk.

Abstract: A bill processing apparatus capable of inexpensively performing an authenticity judgment of a bill and a paper sheet on which a bar code is printed is provided. The bill processing apparatus has light emitting parts (80a, 81b) for irradiating an identification object passing through a traveling route with light; a light receiving part (81a) receiving light from the identification object that is irradiated by the light emitting parts (80a, 81b); a determining part (232) determining whether the identification object is a bill or a paper sheet on which a bar code is printed based on the light received by the light receiving part (81a); and a light emission control part controlling the light emission of the light emitting parts (80a, 81b). The light emission control part changes the lighting interval according to the object determined by the determining part (232).

Abstract: A document processor and method of use are disclosed. In one aspect, a document processor includes a path of travel of a document, a magnetic ink character reader, and an image scanner. The magnetic ink character reader is located along the path of travel and positioned to read magnetic characters printed on a document passing along the path of travel. The image scanner is located along the path of travel and oriented to capture an image of a surface of a document passing along the path of travel. The document processor also includes at least one drive mechanism located along the path of travel and configured to guide a document along the path of travel in a first direction during operation of the magnetic ink character reader, and further configured to guide the document along the path of travel in a second direction opposite the first direction during operation of the image scanner.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a photomask includes directing radiation from a radiation source onto a photomask so that at least a portion of the radiation is transmitted through the photomask. A first photomask image is detected from the transmitted portion of the radiation transmitted through the photomask and perceptible at a second side of the photomask. A second photomask image is created by applying an exposure simulation model to a photomask design. A difference between the first photomask image and the second photomask image is then determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus rating a monitoring element to which is or was applied a dye penetrant procedure and which is fitted with at least one artificial defect in the form of at least one indentation, the apparatus including an image recorder generating an image of at least parts of the monitoring element, said parts comprising at least portions of the minimum of one artificial defect, said apparatus including an image analyzer rating the image generated by the image recorder, and to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method for vision field computing may comprise the following steps of: forming a sampling system for a multi-view dynamic scene; controlling cameras in the sampling system for the multi-view dynamic scene to perform spatial interleaved sampling, temporal interleaved exposure sampling and exposure-variant sampling; performing spatial intersection to the sampling information in the view subspace of the dynamic scene and temporal intersection to the sampling information in the time subspace of the dynamic scene to reconstruct a dynamic scene geometry model; performing silhouette back projection based on the dynamic scene geometry model to obtain silhouette motion constraints for the view angles of the cameras; performing temporal decoupling for motion de-blurring with the silhouette motion constraints; and reconstructing a dynamic scene 3D model with a resolution larger than nominal resolution of each camera by a 3D reconstructing algorithm.

Abstract: A correlation value calculation circuit calculates respective correlation values of each pixel for color image or for gray image in four directions. A selection circuit determines respective correlation values (Cv, Ch, CdA and CdB) in the four directions on the basis of a chroma evaluation value. A first correlation judgment circuit determines a correlation direction of a specified pixel from the correlation values (Cv, Ch, CdA and CdB). A first interpolation circuit performs color interpolation on the basis of the determined correlation direction. A color-interpolated image is enlarged by an enlargement circuit. A correlation direction interpolation circuit performs enlargement and interpolation of the correlation direction determined by the first correlation judgment circuit. A filter performs a filtering process for each of pixels of the enlarged image by using the interpolated correlation direction for enlargement.

Abstract: In order to implement color-reduction processing more suitable, an image processing apparatus includes: a reference pixel determination unit configured to determine a reference pixel by scanning first image data; a color space division unit configured to set a plurality of regions in a hue circle and a plurality of luminance levels, and to determine a plurality of bins; a frequency distribution generation unit configured to generate a frequency distribution; a determination unit configured to select N bins based on the generated frequency distribution and to determine N types of pixel values respectively corresponding to the selected N bins; and a substitution unit configured to substitute each of pixels included in the first image data using the determined N types of pixel values.

Abstract: A method for classifying pixels in an image, e.g. a microscopy image, as being associated with a feature of interest has been described. A color brightfield microscopy image represented by color values for an array of pixels is conventionally obtained. The image is over-segmented based on the color values to provide a plurality of groups of contiguous pixels with related color values, whereby a typical feature of interest will be represented by multiple segments. A list of pairs of segments which are adjacent to one another in the image is generated, and a difference in average color value between the segments comprising each pair is determined. Pairs of adjacent segments are then selectively joined together to form a joined segment to replace the corresponding pair of segments in the list if pre-defined joining criteria are met. The pairs are considered for joining in an order based on their respective differences in average color value.

Abstract: In order to implement color-reduction processing more suitable, an image processing apparatus includes a reduced-scale image generation unit configured to generate a reduced-scale image of first image data; a color space division unit configured to determine a plurality of bins by dividing predetermined color space; a first frequency distribution generation unit configured to generate a first frequency distribution for all pixels; a detection unit configured to detect an edge region from the first image data; a second frequency distribution generation unit configured to generate a second frequency distribution for pixels included in the edge region; a determination unit configured to select N bins, and to determine N types of pixel values respectively corresponding to the selected N bins; and a substitution unit configured to substitute each of pixels included in the first image data using the determined N types of pixel values.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that corrects an image signal constituted by a plurality of color signals, includes a separation unit that separates the image signal into two or more subband signals; a selection unit that selects a correction processing subject color signal from the plurality of color signals; an S/N estimation unit that estimates an S/N ratio in relation to the subband signal of the color signal selected by the selection unit; a coefficient setting unit that sets a coefficient on the basis of the S/N ratio; and a correction unit that performs correction processing on the subband signal of the selected color signal by adding the subband signal of the correction processing subject color signal to the subband signal of another color signal not subject to the correction processing on the basis of the coefficient.

Abstract: Based on an input operation by an operator, a line drawing processor sets a designated region and sets identification points in the designated region to generate first and second identification data, each data representing a colored pixel cluster linked to each of the identification points. The line drawing processor further extracts at least one closed region that is not colored in the second identification data and makes a comparison in area between each closed region and the pixel cluster colored in the second identification data to determine whether the closed region requires coloring or not. For line drawing data, the line drawing processor then applies the same color to the pixel cluster identified in the second identification data and the closed region determined to require coloring.

Abstract: A Y histogram creation processing unit detects the signal level (luminance level) of the Y signal component of each pixel of a frame on the basis of YUV signals, and creates a histogram by totaling the number of pixels for each signal level. In this processing, a histogram is created by adding values weighted depending on whether a region in a predetermined range around each pixel includes a monotonous pattern. A histogram shape processing unit shapes the histogram. An input/output correction characteristic creation processing unit performs normalization by cumulative addition. A correction lookup table creation processing unit creates a lookup table on the basis of the input/output correction characteristic obtained by the input/output correction characteristic creation processing unit. A Y correction processing unit corrects a Y signal on the basis of the table.

Abstract: A method, system, and product for separating an image into a set of layers (background, foreground, and selector) and processing those layers to produce an output image of reduced size with improved compression and greater image quality. Each pixel of image data is processed based on signals produced from the set of layers and their attributes. The method includes determining values for signals being processed based on a look-up table or template, as well as changing values based on each pixel and its neighboring pixels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the absence or presence of one or more instances of a predetermined pattern in an image, and for determining the location of each found instance within a multidimensional space. A model represents the pattern to be found, the model including a plurality of probes. Each probe represents a relative position at which a test is performed in an image at a given pose, each such test contributing evidence that the pattern exists at the pose. The method further includes a comparison of the model with a run-time image at each of a plurality of poses. A match score is computed at each pose to provide a match score surface. Then, the match score is compared with an accept threshold, and used to provide the location any instances of the pattern in the image.

Abstract: A wordspotting system and method are disclosed for processing candidate word images extracted from handwritten documents. In response to a user inputting a selected query string, such as a word to be searched in one or more of the handwritten documents, the system automatically generates at least one computer-generated image based on the query string in a selected font or fonts. A model is trained on the computer-generated image(s) and is thereafter used in the scoring the candidate handwritten word images. The candidate or candidates with the highest scores and/or documents containing them can be presented to the user, tagged, or otherwise processed differently from other candidate word images/documents.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the certainty of a silhouette matching process, where the process is being used for attitude determination of an object of interest, for example an aircraft. The method involves using one or more mask images that include structure or features that may or may not always be associated with the object of interest, and overlaying the mask image(s) onto a library image of the aircraft. Each pixel of the library image is compared against corresponding pixels of the mask image(s) to determine which pixels represent ambiguous areas of the library image. Those pixels are eliminated from consideration in determining a Fit score, where the Fit score represents a percentage value indicative of a certainty of the matching process in identifying the attitude of the aircraft. The method and system is applicable to a wide ranging variety of object detection applications.

Abstract: In some embodiments, image spam is identified by comparing color histograms of suspected spam images with color histograms of reference (known) images. The histogram comparison includes comparing a first color content in a query image with a range of similar color contents in the reference image. For example, a pixel count for a given color in the query image may be compared to pixel counts for a range of similar colors in the reference image. A histogram distance between two images may be determined according to a computed pixel count difference between the given query histogram color and a selected color in the range of similar reference histogram colors.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing image information regarding image data pieces each having retrievable information including shooting time and a shooting interval includes a grouping unit configured to group the image data pieces, which are arranged in order of the shooting time, by sequentially carrying out grouping steps that each divide or merge the image data pieces into groups according to the shooting intervals, an evaluation unit configured to calculate a score for each of the grouping steps according to one or a plurality of predetermined evaluation items, and a determination unit configured to determine a specific one of the grouping steps according to the calculated scores.

Abstract: A pixel block (300) is losslessly compressed into a candidate compressed block. If the bit length of the candidate block exceeds a threshold value, the property values of the pixels (310-317) in the block (300) are quantized and the quantized values are losslessly compressed into a new candidate compressed block. The procedure is repeated until a candidate compressed block having good image quality and a bit length below the threshold value is found. A compressed representation (400) of the block (300) is determined based on the found candidate compressed block (420) and an identifier (410) of the used quantization parameter.

Abstract: An image encoding device includes: an image division section for dividing one frame of image into a plurality of image fragments, grouping the plurality of image fragments into N sets (N: an integer of 2 or more), and outputting the N sets of image fragments as N partial images; an image swapping section for swapping at least one image fragment with another between the N partial images to thereby output N partial images each having shuffled image fragments; and an encoding section for encoding the N partial images output from the image swapping section.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a method for performing streak compensation on compressed digital image data. The method comprises generating the compressed digital image data using a compression method employing a discrete cosine transform (DCT) and recovering a zero frequency component (DC coefficient) of the discrete cosine transform (DCT) for each of a plurality of compressed unit blocks of image data wherein each unit block includes N pixel columns. The method further comprises applying spatially varying compensating tone reproduction curves (TRC) to the DC coefficients of each of the plurality of unit blocks on a block-column basis wherein each block-column receives compensation from a given TRC, re-compressing the compensated image data, and subsequently decompressing all of the compensated units to produce decompressed compensated image data.

Abstract: An image coding apparatus is mainly characterized by (i) dividing each of fields into an I-slice and P-slices, and determining the position of the I-slice in each of a predetermined number of first fields such that a current I-slice is sequentially shifted from the first end of a starting first field to the second end of an ending first field and such that a similar shift is repeated for each predetermined number of first fields, when a current field is a first field, and further (ii) determining, when the current field is the first field, that each P-slice located closer to the first end than a corresponding I-slice can refer to only a first field coded immediately before, and determining, when the current field is the second field, that at least one second field in the predetermined number of fields can refer to only a first field coded immediately before.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to improve the Bezier approximation accuracy with relatively high speed processing so far as data amount permits, and to provide an image processing device and image processing method thereof which improves the Bezier approximation accuracy within the predetermined processing time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of depth of field rendering which simulates larger apertures for images captured at a smaller aperture. The depth of field rendering provides selective simulation of out-of-focus effects which are attainable with cameras having a larger aperture when capturing images at a smaller aperture. A blur function model is created based on the relationship between the blur change and the aperture change. This model is used to determine the blur difference which would arise between two images taken at two different apertures. Then the out-of-focus effect is generated by blurring the image in a rendering process based on the blur difference.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of exerting a noise reduction effect corresponding to a pixel value of a target pixel. An image processing apparatus that reduces a noise included in a target pixel while reflecting a surrounding pixel located on a surrounding of the target pixel, comprises a selecting section that selects a pixel width tolerable with reference to a true value of the target pixel as a pixel value of the target pixel and correcting section that extracts either one or both pixel values, namely, a pixel value of the surrounding pixel and the pixel value of the target pixel, as a correction value for correcting the pixel value of the target pixel depending on the pixel width selected by the selecting portion.