Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method for increasing temporal resolution in Phase Contrast (PC) MR imaging. The increased temporal resolution may be obtained by reusing information encoded into phase of an MRI signal where said reuse occurs prior to the difference reconstruction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correcting saturation banding artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging in which artifact and reference calibration scans are used to create one dimensional or two dimensional correction profiles, which are subsequently applied to actual diagnostic imaging scans to correct the saturation banding artifacts.

Abstract: Techniques and/or systems for generating a two-dimensional projection image of an object under examination from helical data are provided herein. An image plane and a distance, or height, of an examination line lying in a plane parallel to the image plane may be selected with or without user input. Using the selected image plane and examination line, data may be extracted from one or more views indicative of the object. The data that is extracted from the respective views is generally indicative of rays that traverse the examination line and have a trajectory that meets predetermined criteria. Using the extracted data from a plurality of views, one or more projection lines that are substantially parallel to a corresponding image slice are produced and a two-dimensional projection image is generated.

Abstract: Three tier architecture for image-based diagnosis and monitoring application using Cloud is described. The presentation layer is run on the tablet (mobile device), while the business and persistence layer runs on a single cloud or distributed on different Clouds in a multi-tenancy and multi-user application. Such architecture is used for automated data mining application for computing (a) cardiovascular risk, stroke risk using IMT measurement, plaque characterization, (b) computing diagnostic index for benign vs. malignant tissue for ovarian cancer classification (c) benign vs. malignant tissue characterization for prostate cancer and (d) classification of fatty liver disease vs. normal cases. The Architecture is for data mining application.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and devices for analyzing x-ray images. Furthermore, bone condition of a subject can be evaluated by analyzing x-ray images of the subject's bone from a sliding region of interest (ROI), e.g., an ROI that is moved on a pixel-by-pixel basis on the image, and therapies can then be selected or devised for the subject.

Abstract: According to a radiographic apparatus of this invention, an image correcting unit corrects offset for every pixel relative to a detection value outputted from a radiation detector having pixels for detecting radiation arranged in a two-dimensional array. In addition, the image correcting unit corrects the offset while holding noise components contained in the detection value. Thus, upon quantitative evaluation of the noises contained in the detection values outputted from the radiation detector, the noises of not only positive values but also negative values can be considered. Consequently, accurate evaluation may be achieved.

Abstract: A fluoroscopy apparatus includes a light-source device that generates illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence-image generating unit that generates a fluorescence image based on irradiation with the excitation light; a white-light-image generating unit that generates a white-light image based on irradiation with the illumination light; a fluorescence-image correcting unit that generates a corrected fluorescence image by dividing the signal strengths of pixels in the fluorescence image by the signal strengths of pixels in the white-light image; a characteristic-value acquiring unit that extracts the characteristic value of the corrected fluorescence image; a threshold setting unit that sets a threshold for determining a region of interest in the corrected fluorescence image using a history of characteristic values extracted by the characteristic-value acquiring unit; and a pseudo-color-image generating unit that discriminates between a region of interest and another region in the corrected fluor

Abstract: A system for performing high-speed, high-resolution imaging cytometry utilizes a line-scan sensor. A cell to be characterized is transported past a scan region. An optical system focuses an image of a portion of the scan region onto at least one linear light sensor, and repeated readings of light falling on the sensor are taken while a cell is transported though the scan region. The system may image cells directly, or may excite fluorescence in the cells and image the resulting light emitted from the cell by fluorescence. The system may provide a narrow band of illumination at the scan region. The system may include various filters and imaging optics that enable simultaneous multicolor fluorescence imaging cytometry. Multiple linear sensors may be provided, and images gathered by the individual sensors may be combined to construct an image having improved signal-to-noise characteristics.

Abstract: A method for generating a brightfield type image, which resembles a brightfield staining protocol of a biological sample, using fluorescent images is provided. The steps comprise acquiring two or more fluorescent images of a fixed area on a biological sample, mapping said fluorescent image into a brightfield color space, generating a brightfield image, and optionally applying a sharpening transformation correction. Also provided is an image analysis system for generating a brightfield type image of a biological sample using fluorescent images.

Abstract: In a device and associated method to extract a tissue sample, spatial coordinates of tissue variations in slice images are determined and tested by a forward projection in projection images in order, with tested spatial coordinates, to create revised slice images with a precise localization of a tissue variation.

Abstract: A stack of a stack of currency bills is received, transported, and imaged. Image data reproducible as a visually readable image of one or more portions of at least one side of each currency bill in the stack is obtained. A serial number and at least one or more additional characters are extracted from the image data for each currency bill. A processor compares the extracted serial number and corresponding extracted one or more additional characters with stored serial number information and corresponding stored additional character information associated with the serial number information of genuine currency bills. The stored serial number information and corresponding stored additional character information uniquely identify a genuine currency bill. Any currency bill that does not have one or more extracted additional characters matching the stored serial number information and corresponding stored additional character information is flagged.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for mobile communication-based verification of the validity of negotiable checks. By verifying the validity of checks on a mobile communication device, the systems and methods provide for on-the-fly check verification regardless of where and/or at what time the check-related transaction occurs. The systems and methods validate the check in terms of insuring that the check is not fraudulent and, in some instances, providing certainty to the payee that the requisite funds currently exist in the related checking account. Additionally, the systems and methods provide for an efficient and readily identifiable means of conveying the outcome of the check verification process.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting duplicate checks during processing. The duplicate detection may be performed by a financial institution, such as a bank. The method may be implemented on a computer based system. The duplicate detection method may be automated. The method may be applied to incoming check files prior to processing of the check data to prevent processing of duplicate checks. The system and method may use a function, such as a hash function, to perform the duplicate detection. Other functions, such as a Bloom filter which may use multiple hash functions, may be used to perform the duplicate detection.

Abstract: A system for acquiring multiple images of objects, the system includes: a lateral transferor that comprises multiple lateral transferor portions adapted to transfer the objects to a lateral imaging area in a lateral manner; wherein each lateral transferor portion comprises a object receiver and a transfer element; wherein the transfer element moves the object receiver towards an imaging area unless encountering a resistance that is above a predefined resistance; and an imager that is configured to obtain images of two opposite sides of the object when the objects are positioned at the lateral imaging area.

Abstract: A method of detecting a defect, including the steps of: illuminating step for illuminating a sample with a light; detecting step for detecting light from the specimen which is illuminated by the light and forming an image by processing the detected light; processing step for extracting a defect candidate by processing the image of the sample formed in the detecting step and determining an inspection condition by using images including the image of the sample acquired in the detecting step, a partial image including the extracted defect candidate and a reference image which corresponds to the partial image including the defect candidate.

Abstract: A method for modeling and tracking a subject using image depth data includes locating the subject's trunk in the image depth data and creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the subject's trunk. Further, the method includes locating the subject's head in the image depth data and creating a 3D model of the subject's head. The 3D models of the subject's head and trunk can be exploited by removing pixels from the image depth data corresponding to the trunk and the head of the subject, and the remaining image depth data can then be used to locate and track an extremity of the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus and method capable of calculating a coordinate transformation parameter without having to utilize a rig are provided. The apparatus and method extract a first feature point based on a plane of first data, project the first feature point onto second data and then extract a second feature point from a part of the second data onto which the first feature point is projected. Then, calibration is performed based on the extracted feature points. Therefore, it is possible to perform calibration immediately as necessary without having to utilize a separate device such as a rig.

Abstract: An image synthesis apparatus includes: an image selection section adapted to select two or more three-dimensional images to be synthesized from among a plurality of three-dimensional images; an order determination section adapted to determine, based on parallax amounts of the selected three-dimensional images, a synthesis order representative of an order in which the selected three-dimensional images are to be synthesized; an image synthesis section adapted to synthesize the selected three-dimensional images in accordance with the synthesis order; and a control section adapted to control the image selection section, the order determination section and the image synthesis section in response to an operation of a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for hierarchically matching a building image. The method includes the steps of: matching a wall of a specific building in the building image inputted as a query with a wall(s) of a building(s) in at least one panoramic image by using a technology of matching a building's shape or repeated pattern; selecting a candidate panoramic image(s) which includes a building(s) recognized to have the same or similar wall to the specific building in the panoramic image(s) as a result of matching its wall with others; matching at least one local region, if containing a recognizable string or figure, in the specific building with local region(s) in the building(s) of the candidate panoramic image(s) by using a technology of recognizing a string or a figure; and determining top n panoramic image(s) as the result of matching the local region.

Abstract: A system for generating disparity results comprises an interface, a first memory, a second memory, and a processor. The interface is for receiving a first element of a first set of image data and a first element of a second set of image data. The first memory is for storing the first element of the first set of image data. The second memory is for storing the first element of the second set of image data. The processor is for generating a disparity result for a first element before all elements of the first data set and the second data set have been received. The disparity result is generated using a low latency image processing system that processes a plurality of elements of the first set of image data and a plurality of elements of the second set of image data.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus which measures the relative position and orientation of an image-capturing apparatus capturing images of one or more measurement objects with respect to the measurement object, acquires a captured image using the image-capturing apparatus. The respective geometric features present in a 3D model of the measurement object are projected onto the captured image based on the position and orientation of the image-capturing apparatus, thereby obtaining projection geometric features. Projection geometric features are selected from the resultant projection geometric features based on distances between the projection geometric features in the captured image. The relative position and orientation of the image-capturing apparatus with respect to the measurement object is then calculated using the selected projection geometric features and image geometric features corresponding thereto detected in the captured image.

Abstract: A background model learning system for lighting change adaptation for video surveillance is provided. The system includes a background model estimation unit that estimates a background model for a scene of interest; a foreground map construction unit that constructs a reference foreground map of the time instance; and a lighting change processing unit that revises the reference foreground map by reducing false foreground regions resulting from lighting changes. The revised foreground map is then sent back to both the background model estimation unit and the lighting change processing unit as feedbacks for model learning rate tuning in background model estimation and map integration in lighting change processing, respectively, for the next time instance.

Abstract: A method for removing color noise on a slowly varying component contained in color difference component image data of image data which is imported from an image sensor and converted to brightness and the color difference component image data, includes the steps of: sampling pixels of said color difference component image data by thinning out according to a first defined sampling format when not performing a color noise removal process on the slowly varying component; determining if the color noise removal process is necessary to be performed or not; producing the color difference component image data, corresponding to a compressed image data size smaller than an image data size without said color noise removal process, by thinning out according to a second defined sampling format when performing said color noise removal process; and recording the color difference and brightness component image data.

Abstract: Automatic stacking based on time proximity and visual similarity is described, including a method, comprising analyzing a time proximity of a plurality of electronic images, performing a visual similarity analysis on the plurality of electronic images, and stacking the plurality of electronic images based on a result of the time proximity analysis and the visual similarity analysis.

Abstract: An image processor having an image compression unit to generate first compressed image data by dividing input image data into blocks of M×M pixels with regard to at least luminance signals (Y) of the input image data, wavelet-converting the image data in units of blocks, and reducing the number of bits by quantization, a memory to store the first compressed image data, a coordinate calculator to calculate coordinates to deform images by coordinate conversion and output coordinate information, a compressed image deforming unit to generate compressed deformed image data by reading out the first compressed image data stored in the memory while conducting coordinate conversion based on the coordinate information from the coordinate calculator, and a first image decompression unit to decompress the compressed deformed image data to obtain decompressed image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which corrects color balance of an image in image data captured by an image capturing apparatus having a color balance correction function, the apparatus comprises a light source estimation unit configured to estimate a capturing light source of the image based on a color value of an object; a first color conversion unit configured to perform first color conversion of converting, based on the capturing light source and the color value, the image into an image in which color balance correction applied depending on the image capturing apparatus that has captured the image data containing the image is weakened; and a second color conversion unit configured to perform second color conversion for the image having undergone the first color conversion, by using an adaptation rate corresponding to a color value defined based on chromatic adaptation of a man under the capturing light source.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed involving contrast adjustment for images. For example, an input image is classified based on its pixel value characteristics, as expressed in an input brightness histogram. From such a classification, a target histogram distribution for a corresponding output image (i.e., a contrast-adjusted transformation of the input image) may be specified. With the target histogram of the output image specified, a transformation function may be derived that maps input image values to output image values. Moreover, transitions of such transformation functions may be smoothed. Such smoothing may provide advantages, such as a reduction in flickering associated with video data.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of archiving and optimizing lectures, presentations and other captured video for playback, particularly for blind and low vision individuals. A digital imaging device captures a preselected field of view that is subject to periodic change such as a whiteboard in a classroom. A sequence of frames is captured. Frames associated with additions or erasures to the whiteboard are identified. The Cartesian coordinates of the regions of these alterations within the frame are identified. When the presentation is played back, the regions that are altered are enlarged or masked to assist the low vision user. In another embodiment of the invention, the timing of the alterations segments the recorded audio into chapters so that the blind user can skip forward and backward to different sections of the presentation.

Abstract: A method of utilizing data extracted from an electronic image includes receiving an electronic image associated with a subclient and receiving a plurality of data extracted from the electronic image and organized into predefined fields associated with the subclient. The method also includes displaying the electronic image in a first portion of a user interface and, in a second portion of the user interface, a field table containing the plurality of data and associated field names.

Abstract: A system and method for information retrieval comprises a computing device with a client and a progressive feature server coupled by a network. The client includes a feature extraction module, a progressive sending module, a sampling module and a feedback receiver. The progressive sending module divides the features into groups and sends them to the server. The progressive sending module is also responsive to commands from the feedback receiver to terminate the transmission of additional features if a match is found. The progressive feature server is coupled for communication with the client and includes a progressive receiving module, a feedback generator, an image recognizer and a result delivery module. The image recognizer progressively processes the groups of extracted features received from the client and provides results and hints for improved recognition.

Abstract: In a pose estimation for estimating the pose of an object of pose estimation with respect to a reference surface that serves as a reference for estimating a pose, a data processing device: extracts pose parameters from a binarized image; identifies a combination of pose parameters for which the number of cross surfaces of parameter surfaces that accord with surface parameter formulas, which are numerical formulas for expressing a reference surface, is a maximum; finds a slope weighting for each of cross pixels, which are pixels on each candidate surface and which are pixels within a prescribed range, that is identified based on the angles of the tangent plane at the cross pixel and based on planes formed by each of the axes of parameter space; and identifies the significant candidate surface for which a number, which is the sum of slope weightings, is a maximum, as the actual surface that is the reference surface that actually exists in the image.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving an image of a product's packaging and extracting information (e.g., a set of facts) associated with a product from the image. The extracted information associated with the product may be stored in an attribute data store and used to populate an online catalog. In addition, one or more labels (e.g., certification logos or identifiers) may be extracted from the image and added to the attribute data store.

Abstract: A method and system for calculating oblong-shape rotation angles from image data of arbitrary size using running sums is described without the need of eigenvector routines and storage of the image data. The oblong shape may be of arbitrary size and location and need not be precisely elliptical. A few running sums are calculated and stored throughout each scan, and the results are obtained in closed form by simple post-scan computation. An algorithmic embodiment can execute on one or more hardware processors with limited or otherwise constrained computation power, available instruction cycles, available memory, etc. Hardware processors may CPUs found in desktops, laptops, tablets, or handheld computing devices. The resulting arrangement may be used for touch or optical user interfaces, real-time image recognition, real-time machine vision, and other purposes.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns hyperspectral and multispectral image. The disclosure concerns the computation of a descriptor for such an image. The descriptor can be used in a range of image post-processing applications, such as classification, recognition, tracking and localization. Aspects of the invention include a computer implemented method and a computer system. To computer the descriptor for a set of wavelength indexed bands, a band representation of the radiance measurements for that band based on a probability distribution function is computed 300. Then a wavelength-dependent cross-correlation between the band representations is computed 302. Finally, a descriptor based on the computed cross-correlation between the band representations is computed 304. It is an advantage that the descriptor captures a discriminative and descriptive representation of scene captured in the hyperspectral or multispectral image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an interface unit for acquiring a readout image produced by capturing an image formed on a medium; a storage unit for storing a plurality of templates generated by superimposing different amounts of blurring on a prescribed pattern contained in the image, and for storing the amounts of blurring superimposed on the respective templates; and a processing unit adapted to detect a pattern region where the prescribed pattern is located on the readout image, calculate the degree of matching between the pattern region and each of the plurality of templates and, based on the degree of matching, identify a template that most closely matches the prescribed pattern located on the readout image, and estimate that the amount of blurring corresponding to the most closely matching template represents the amount of blurring superimposed on the readout image.

Abstract: A method for comparing videos includes detecting local features in frames of a video and determining the positions of detected local features in a first frame compared to their respective positions in a succeeding second frame. For at least some of the detected local features, a movement indicator is generated representing the position of a local feature in the first frame relative to the position of that local feature in the second frame, the movement indicator including an orientation, to obtain a plurality of movement indicators. Movement indicators are grouped by orientation ranges. The number of grouped movement indicators in an orientation range are summed to obtain a value for that orientation range. A time series of values for at least one given orientation range is obtained by determining the positions of detected local features in a first frame compared to their respective positions in a succeeding second frame for a plurality of pairs of frames.

Abstract: A product identification service uses image analysis and user interaction. The product identification service includes functionality to compare a first portion of a retail product image to a plurality of candidate retail product images. The retail product image includes a pictorial likeness of a plurality of manufactured retail products. The first portion of the retail product image corresponds to a first retail product. The product identification service also includes functionality to generate a candidate product set comprising candidate retail product images satisfying image comparison criteria. Each candidate retail product image is representative of a retail product having a plurality of product characteristics. The product identification service also includes functionality to determine, based on at least one candidate retail product image in the candidate product set, one or more product identity queries configured to solicit additional product identity information from a user.

Abstract: Described is a hierarchical filtered motion field technology such as for use in recognizing actions in videos with crowded backgrounds. Interest points are detected, e.g., as 2D Harris corners with recent motion, e.g. locations with high intensities in a motion history image (MHI). A global spatial motion smoothing filter is applied to the gradients of MHI to eliminate low intensity corners that are likely isolated, unreliable or noisy motions. At each remaining interest point, a local motion field filter is applied to the smoothed gradients by computing a structure proximity between sets of pixels in the local region and the interest point. The motion at a pixel/pixel set is enhanced or weakened based on its structure proximity with the interest point (nearer pixels are enhanced).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for classifying different parts of a sample into respective classes based on an image stack that includes one or more images.

Abstract: A system and method for generating groups of cluster spines for display are provided. One or more concepts for each cluster in a set of clusters are generated. Spines are formed from at least a portion of the clusters based on the concepts. At least one spine unique from all other spines is placed. One or more spine groups are generated by positioning at least one unplaced spine in relation to one of the placed unique spines. The spine groups are displayed.

Abstract: An image processing device comprises a region dividing unit which divides a captured image obtained by a camera unit into a plurality of regions, and an image compressing unit which compresses each of region images obtained by the division by the region dividing unit while changing the compression rate according to the distance from a predetermined point in the captured image to each of the region images and the distance from the camera unit to a target included in each of the regions. For example, the image compressing unit compresses the region image having a larger angle from the optical axis at a larger compression rate, thereby achieving compression in which the amount of data in low-quality regions is greatly reduced and the quality of high-quality regions is maintained.

Abstract: A scalable method and apparatus is described to provide personalized interactive visualization of a plurality of compressed image data to a plurality of concurrent users. A plurality of image sources are digitally processed in the compressed domain to provide controllable enhanced user-specific interactive visualization with support for adjustment in viewing parameters such frame-rate, field of view, resolution, color format, viewpoint and bandwidth.

Abstract: An intraprediction/inter prediction method and apparatus is provided. In a method of intrapredicting an image processing unit of a current picture, the image processing unit including a plurality of sub blocks, a first prediction value of the image processing unit is generated by intrapredicting each of the sub blocks using pixels neighboring each of the sub blocks. A second prediction value of the image processing unit is generated by intrapredicting each of the sub blocks using pixels neighboring each of the sub blocks included in the first prediction value. Accordingly, an intrapredicted value or an intrapredicted motion vector can be more accurately obtained, so that the compression rate of image encoding is improved.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an 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: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for processing and coding image data. In one embodiment, image data is coded using a first image coding process. If a bit rate constraint is satisfied, the image data is output. If the bit rate constraint is not satisfied, the image data is coded using a second different coding process. In one embodiment, the second coding process is a layered coding process. In another embodiment, if the constraint is satisfied, quantization data may be included in the output, and may be coded using layered coding. Variable length coding processes and hardware implementations are further disclosed for efficient image processing.

Abstract: Dynamic adjustment of noise filter strengths for use with dynamic range enhancement of images is performed to produce better quality images by adapting dynamically to the image noise profile. Global and local brightness and contrast enhancement (GLBCE) is performed on a digital image to form an enhanced image. The GLBCE applies local gain values to the digital image based on local intensity values. A GLBCE gain versus intensity curve is determined for the enhanced image. A set of noise filter thresholds is adjusted in response to the GLBCE gain versus intensity curve to form a set of dynamically adjusted noise filter thresholds. The enhanced image is noise filtered using the set of dynamically adjusted noise filter thresholds to form a noise filtered enhanced image.

Abstract: Rollover for a part generated by virtual fine blanking is predicted and determined prior to producing the part. A digital image, in particular the cutting contour of the part, is generated, provided as an image file and subjected to image analysis in an image processing device. The image analysis provides individual color gradations of the cutting contour. The gradations are associated with a residual thickness in the region of the cutting contour, so as to be indicative of rollover.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes a calculation unit, a band limiting unit, a reduction processing unit, and an edge enhancement unit. The calculation unit calculates a reduction ratio of an input image. The band limiting unit applies a low-pass filter to the input image. The reduction processing unit produces a reduced image by performing reduction processing with respect to the input image which has undergone an application of the low-pass filter by the band limiting unit using the reduction ratio calculated by the calculation unit. The edge enhancement unit sets a frequency characteristic of a bandpass filter based on a cutoff frequency used by the band limiting unit to apply a low-pass filter to the input image, and performs, using the frequency characteristic, edge enhancement processing with respect to the image reduced by the reduction processing unit.

Abstract: A computerized system for up-scaling a source input video from a lower, first resolution to a desired output video having a higher, second resolution, using fractal zooming techniques to replace each individual source pixel of each respective frame of the source input video with a multiple of proposed replacement pixels in the vertical and horizontal dimensions having similar characteristics as the individual source pixel, converting each of the proposed replacement pixels into a desired color space for the desired output video, using low-pass filtering to reduce noise associated with each respective frame of the desired output video, down-sizing the output video to its desired resolution, and outputting each zoomed replacement frame to generate the desired output video.

Abstract: A correlation judgment part judges a correlation direction on each pixel. In a case where a correlation direction of a specified pixel is a vertical direction and the correlation thereof is small in any other direction, it is judged that the specified pixel is a pixel on an edge in the vertical direction. Then, a noise removal filtering operation is performed on the specified pixel by using pixels on a line in the vertical direction and an edge enhancement operation is performed by using pixels on a line in a horizontal direction.