Abstract: An electronic device including a conductive casing, a conductive sheet, a conductive elastic pad, a circuit board and a sound output unit is provided. The conductive casing has an inner surface and a plurality of through holes extended from the inner surface to the outside of the conductive casing to pass through the conductive casing. The conductive sheet is disposed on the inner surface and covers part of the through holes. The conductive elastic pad is disposed in the conductive casing and contacts the conductive sheet. The circuit board is disposed in the conductive casing and connected with the conductive elastic pad. The sound output unit is disposed in the conductive casing and electrically connected to the circuit board. The sound output unit is adapted to output a sound transmitted to the outside of the electronic device by another part of the through holes. A conductive structure is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic assembly and a loudspeaker use a magnetic assembly are. The magnetic assembly has a pole piece that is designed to form an outer air gap and an inner air gap for coaxial voice coils of the loudspeaker. The same magnet is used for the magnetic circuits of the two voice coils. The pole piece is shaped to split the magnetic circuits into a low frequency magnetic circuit and a high frequency magnetic circuit. A convex dome is attached to the high frequency voice coil.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for categorizing one or more blocks of an image is disclosed. The method includes computing a membership value of each of the one or more blocks for each of one or more categories based on a set of parameters associated with each of the one or more blocks. The one or more categories comprise at least an image category. Each of the one or more blocks is categorized in the one or more categories based on the membership value. A category of at least one block is modified to the image category based on a reference signal and the membership value such that the number of blocks categorized under the image category increases.

Abstract: Disclosed are a valuable-file identifying method and an identifying device thereof. The identifying method and the identifying device store image data of a valuable file using a fast storage method for image data. The fast storage method for image data comprises: compulsively converting collected single-byte image data into long-integer image data; using N data masks which correspond to each other through a “bitwise AND” operation to extract the long-integer image data in such a manner that N points are extracted from M*N points in each line and one point is extracted from L points in each column, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, L and M are all integers greater than or equal to 1; and integrating the data extracted respectively by N data masks through a “bitwise OR” operation to obtain coded image data and store same.

Abstract: A method for face detection is disclosed. The method includes evaluating a scanning window using a first weak classifier in a first stage classifier. The method also includes evaluating the scanning window using a second weak classifier in the first stage classifier based on the evaluation using the first weak classifier.

Abstract: A biometric information input apparatus includes an image capturing section configured to obtain a captured image of a biological object; a pliable part detecting section configured to detect whether there is a pliable part on a surface of the biological object by obtaining a distance to the surface of the biological object from the captured image and comparing the obtained distance with a predetermined distance to be compared set beforehand; and an extracting section configured to extract biometric information from the captured image if the pliable part is not detected by the pliable part detecting section.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking one or more worms or worm-like organisms over a sequence of video frames in virtual real time. The methods and systems can include a robust organism model that accounts for shape changes that occur from one frame to another, such as peristaltic progression, longitudinal deformation, lateral deformation, and bending action. Other features disclosed include: features that allow a user to correct tracking errors, such as splitting a single organism track into two tracks, joining two organism tracks into a single track, switching locations of physical features (such as heads and tails of worms), deleting undesired tracked organisms, and manually tracing organism outlines for model fitting; features that allow a user to set tracking parameters by selecting one or more organisms having desired characteristics; features for automatedly resolving interactions between/among multiple organisms; and features for handling multiple tracking hypotheses, among others.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a setting unit, and a calculator. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image. The setting unit is configured to set a plurality of sampling points in a sampling area of the image, each sampling point being associated with a calculation area. The calculator is configured to calculate feature values of the image in the calculation area. The setting unit is configured to set the sampling points to provide at least one of an arrangement in which distances between the adjacent sampling points change with distances from a center of the sampling area, and an arrangement in which the sampling points exist on circumferences of a plurality of circles different in diameter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a plurality of moving objects is detected from a plurality of frames acquired in time series. Each of the moving objects is corresponded among the frames. A tracklet of each moving object corresponded is extracted and stored. A frame to calculate a position of a moving object is set to a notice frame. The frames are grouped into a first block including at least the notice frame, a second block positioned before the first block in time series, and a third block positioned after the first block in time series. A secondary tracklet included in the second block is acquired from the stored tracklets. The secondary tracklet is corresponded with tracklets included in the first block and the third block, based on a similarity between the secondary tracklet and each of the tracklets. The secondary tracklet is associated with the corresponded tracklets, as a tertiary tracklet.

Abstract: In a human detection device 1, an edge extractor 11 carries out edge extraction processing to an input image 21 and produces a horizontal edge image 22. A shoulder detector 12 detects a shoulder center and a shoulder width of a person included in the input image 21. A foot detector 13 detects a foot position of the person based on the detected shoulder center and shoulder width. A top detector 14 detects a top position of the person based on the detected shoulder center and shoulder width. A size determiner 15 determines a horizontal size of the person based on the detected shoulder width and determines a vertical size of the person based on the detected foot position and top position. The size determiner 15 produces human range data 28 including the determined sizes, the shoulder center position, the foot position, and the top position.

Abstract: A Method and System For Recognizing and Assessing Surgical Procedures from a video or series of still images is described. Evaluation of surgical techniques of residents learning skills in areas such as cataract surgery is an important aspect of the learning process. The use of videos has become common in such evaluations, but is a time consuming manual process. The present invention increases the efficiency and speed of the surgical technique evaluation process by identifying and saving only information that is relevant to the evaluation, process. Using image processing techniques of the present invention, an anatomic structure of a surgical procedure is located on a video, timing of predefined surgical stages is determined, and measurements are taken from frames of the predefined surgical stages to allow the performance of a surgeon to be assessed in an automated and efficient manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus caused to acquire information indicating a measured magnetic field vector and information relating to an uncertainty measure of the measured magnetic field vector in at least one known location inside the building, wherein the indicated magnetic field vector represents magnitude and direction of the earth's magnetic field affected by the local structures of the building, and to generate the indoor magnetic field map for at least part of the building on the basis of at least the acquired information and the floor plan.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are herein provided for enabling hand gesture recognition using an example infrared (IR) enabled mobile terminal. One example method may include determining a hand region in at least one captured frame using an adaptive omnidirectional edge operator (AOEO). The method may further include determining a threshold for hand region extraction using a recursive binarization scheme. The method may also include determining a hand location using the determined threshold for the extracted hand region in the at least one captured frame. The method may also include determining a fingertip location based on the determined hand location. Similar and related example apparatuses and example computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method for a six degree of freedom position and orientation determination of a known shape in a scenery is disclosed. The method includes taking a range image with a range imaging camera and a visual picture with a digital camera. The range imaging camera includes a sensor array with a first number of pixels. Determining a 3D cluster of points from range information collected from the sensor array to a point of the scenery. The digital camera comprises an image sensor having a second number of pixels, resulting in a 2D picture. A stored 3D digital representation of the known shape may be fitted in a virtual space to match the reproduction of the known object in the 2D picture and the 3D cluster of points and determining the six degree of freedom position and orientation of the known shape according to the virtual match.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a measurement device includes an image acquisition unit, a time acquisition unit, and first and second calculators. The image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a reference image that is of an object captured at a first viewpoint as well as a plurality of asynchronous images of the object each captured at a second viewpoint at a time different from when the reference image is captured. The time acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image capture time of the reference image and an image capture time of each asynchronous image. The first calculator is configured to calculate a difference in the image capture times between the reference image and each asynchronous image. The second calculator is configured to calculate a spatial position of the object based on the reference image, the asynchronous images, and a plurality of the differences in the image capture time.

Abstract: Data transmission from a bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes obtaining a scan from multiple scans forming a downhole data log of a borehole within a subterranean formation. The scan includes a sequence of data items from a sensor in the BHA located in the borehole. Each data item corresponds to an azimuth angle of the sensor. Further, compressed scan data is generated from the sequence of data items on a per-scan basis, and transmitted, using a pre-determined borehole telemetry, to a surface unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing a subterranean formation traversed by a wellbore including collecting data from the formation using a tool wherein the tool collects data to form an azimuthal image, characterizing a section of the formation comprising data and images acquired in a high angle wellbore section or horizontal wellbore section using a parametric model, and performing an inversion using apparent densities and volumetric photoelectric factor images to build a formation model wherein the inversion is tailored for high angle wellbore sections and/or horizontal wellbore sections.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for estimating physical parameters using three dimensional representations. In one aspect, predetermined light patterns are projected onto an object and light patterns resulting from an interaction of the projected light patterns and portions of the object are detected. Three dimensional locations of multiple light elements in the detected light pattern are determined, and physical parameters of the object, for example, weight, are estimated based on the locations.

Abstract: A blood vessel image taking device including a finger presentation area configured at a surface of a cabinet, plural light sources arranged at the finger presentation area for irradiating a presented finger with a light ray, a light quantity controlling unit for controlling light quantities of the plural light sources, an opening portion configured at the finger presentation area, and an image taking unit for taking an image of the light ray from the light source portion passing through the opening portion and irradiated to the finger, in which portions of the finger presentation area are a tip end presentation area for presenting a tip end side of the finger, and a root presentation area for presenting a root side of the finger.

Abstract: Image data, such as from a mobile phone camera, is analyzed to determine a colorfulness metric (e.g., saturation) or a contrast metric (e.g., Weber contrast). This metric is then used in deciding which of, or in which order, plural different image recognition processes should be invoked in order to present responsive information to a user. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for organizing digital media, particularly digital photos, using face recognition. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a computer-based method for organizing digital photos comprises: extracting objects of interest from a plurality of photographs; cropping said plurality of photographs to generate images of isolated objects of interest; applying a recognition algorithm to determine the similarity of isolated objects of interest with a reference; displaying a plurality of objects arranged as a function of the determined similarity; and receiving user input to associate said objects with a particular classification.

Abstract: A method for an optical fingerprint recognition, the method includes scanning a fingerprint image separately using a multiple exposure which allows alternating a short exposure and a normal exposure; determining whether there is an inflow of external light depending on a darkness level of a fingerprint image derived from the normal exposure; and performing a fingerprint recognition using a fingerprint image derived from the short exposure or the fingerprint image derived from the normal exposure in accordance with the determination result as to the inflow of external light.

Abstract: A method for an optical fingerprint recognition, the method includes scanning a fingerprint image using a multiple scan which allows alternating a first scan condition and a second scan condition different from each other; determining whether an input fingerprint is a dry fingerprint depending on a darkness level of a fingerprint image derived from the first scan condition; and performing a fingerprint recognition using a fingerprint image derived from the first scan condition or a fingerprint image derived from the second scan condition in accordance with the determination result as to the dry fingerprint.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a fingerprint image, the apparatus includes a noise information estimation unit configured to estimate information for a noise removal from at least two or more images recognized for a first section before a point of time when a fingerprint contact is initiated. The apparatus includes a fingerprint image acquiring unit configured to correct at least one image recognized for a predetermined time period after the completion of the fingerprint contact using the estimated information to acquire the fingerprint image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to fingerprint scanning. Specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-sided fingerprint scanning device on a card (e.g., credit card, smart card, etc.), an associated energy-efficient method for attaining accurate fingerprint information using a multiple charge-coupled biometric sensor array. In a typical embodiment, a scanning device will be provided that includes a scanning area comprised of a set (e.g., at least one) of imaging pixel electrodes (e.g., arranged adjacent to one another in a grid-like or other fashion). As a user presses his/her finger against the scanning area, a portion of the finger will contact a plurality of electrodes. When this occurs, a voltage source of the device will apply a first voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes. A meter of the device will take a first electrical measurement (e.g., resistance and/or charged skin voltage) of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a fake fingerprint, the apparatus comprising: a prism having a fingerprint contact surface with which a fingerprint comes in contacted; an internal light source configured to irradiate light from the inside of the prism; an external light source configured to irradiate light from the outside of the prism; an image sensor configured to acquire diffused light image by the internal light source and transmitted light image by the external light source; and a controller configured to compare the diffused light image and the transmitted light image acquired by the image sensor to determine whether the fingerprint is a fake fingerprint or not.

Abstract: Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus having: a light source; a probe that converts an acoustic wave generated from an object, onto which light is irradiated from the light source, into a detection signal; and a signal processor that obtains characteristic information inside the object based on the detection signal, wherein the signal processor obtains the characteristic information using information regarding a characteristic structure of a measurement target inside the object.

Abstract: A portable reader module includes a housing, a first receptacle configured to removably receive a portable device having an imager, and a second receptacle configured to removably receive a cartridge. The first receptacle includes a first optical entrance for the imager to the internal space of the housing. The second receptacle includes a second optical entrance to the internal space of the housing. A light-deflecting optical element is arranged within the internal space of the housing to define an optical path between the first optical entrance and the second optical entrance. An illuminating path for illuminating the cartridge is defined in the housing. The housing is configured to allow the internal space to be light-shielded.

Abstract: It is necessary to provide a technology for simply and efficiently performing manual adjustment on a 3-dimensional region of interest automatically extracted from volume data. An image processing device includes an extraction process executing unit that extracts a 3-dimensional initial region satisfying a predetermined condition from the volume data; a region correction process executing unit that extracts a 3-dimensional corrected region by performing a correction process on the initial region; and a visualization process executing unit that generates a plurality of cross-sectional diagrams of the 3-dimensional image from the volume data and outputs at least some of the plurality of cross-sectional diagrams.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing image data representing a specimen being imaged using ultrasound includes a processor and memory. The processor is configured to receive input data representing the output from an ultrasound probe, process the input data to produce output image data, and output the output image data.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing image data representing a specimen being imaged using ultrasound includes a processor and memory. The processor is configured to receive input data representing the output from an ultrasound probe, process the input data to produce output image data, and output the output image data.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for determining an image from measurement data from a magnetic resonance tomography a first step can be executed in parallel for multiple subsets of the measurement data in multiple instances, wherein the individual instances each allocate distinct resources. A second step is executed, which allocates predetermined resources and executes a maximum predetermined number of instances from the first step, using the predetermined resources.

Abstract: A medical image display apparatus and method, which divide a screen region into a first region whose length is relatively greater than a width thereof and on which an entire lower-limb image and a division boundary line dividing the lower-limb image in a widthwise direction, and a second region adjacent to the first region, and enlarge and display a part of the lower-limb image including the division boundary line on the second region. Thereby, it is possible to minimize work for image enlargement and repetitive movement in reading a computed tomography image and to reduce the reading time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging of a human or animal heart, particularly imaging of movement of the heart and can be used for imaging function and form in a wide range of research, medical, veterinary and industrial applications. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for imaging a subject heart, the method including the steps of (1) recording at least one in vivo image of a lung of the subject in one or more regions; (2) applying said at least one in vivo image to a 2D or 3D heart model; and (3) reconstructing a 2D or 3D image field of the subject heart.

Abstract: An analyzer (124) includes a quantifier (204) configured to quantify an amount of contrast material representing scar tissue created by ablation for tissue of interest in contrast enhanced imaging data and a recommender (210) configured to generate a signal indicative of a recommendation to further ablate the tissue of interest in response to the quantified amount of the contrast material not satisfying a pre-determined threshold. A method includes obtaining contrast enhanced image data indicative of scar tissue created by ablation of tissue of interest, quantifying an amount of contrast material for the scar tissue in the tissue of interest, and generating a signal indicative of a recommendation to further ablate the tissue of interest in response to the quantified amount of the contrast material not satisfying a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of correcting an image for an image artifact. An initial image is corrected by an image artifact corrector (190). The so corrected sample correction image is compared with the initial image to obtain information on the corrective action. The corrective action is then adaptively reapplied by a controller (140) to obtain an improved corrected image thereby ensuring previously present artifacts are removed and creation of new artifacts are avoided.

Abstract: X-ray CT apparatus and display apparatus are provided such that the executed operation plan can be instantaneously figured out and a desired operation plan can be easily selected from a plurality of the executed operation plans. X-ray CT apparatus of the embodiments performs X-ray scans based on an operation plan including a scan condition for X-ray scanning of a subject. The X-ray CT apparatus includes a creating unit, and a display controller. The creating unit creates a list of plan information indicating individual contents of a plurality of operation plans executed to one subject. The display controller causes a display to display the list created.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of a subject from multi-coil data acquired with an array of radio frequency (“RF”) receiver coils that form a part of a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system without the need for coil sensitivity calibration is provided. A coil data set is acquired for each of the RF receiver coils, for example, by undersampling k-space. A set of image blocks that defines the location and size of each of a plurality of image blocks in the image domain is then selected. The acquired coil data sets and selected image block set are then used to jointly estimate a coil image for each of the plurality of RF receiver coils while promoting locally-low rank structure in the coil images. These coil images are then combined to produce the target image of the subject.

Abstract: The methods, devices, and systems may allow a practitioner to obtain information regarding a biological sample, including analytical data, a medical diagnosis, and/or a prognosis or predictive analysis. The method, devices, and systems may provide a grade or level of development for identified diseases. In addition, the methods, devices and systems may generate a confidence value for the predictive classifications generated, which may, for example be generated in a format to show such confidence value or other feature in a graphical representation (e.g., a color code). Further, the methods, devices and system may aid in the identification and discovery of new classes and tissue sub-types.

Abstract: A method performed by one or more processors, includes: receiving an image to be segmented into one or more representations of one or more biological structures; accessing data representing a set of biological structures that are derived from other biological structures delineated in a training image, wherein the training image is associated with a level of modality that corresponds to a level of modality associated with the image to be segmented; computing a normalized cross correlation of the received image against one or more of the biological structures in the set of biological structures; generating, based on computing, seed data representing an estimate of a spatial organization of the one or more biological structures in the received image; and segmenting, based on a normalized cross correction of the received image to the seed data, the received image into the one or more representations of the one or more biological structures.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detection of low-contrast defects in transparent materials such as plastics or glass. The method relies on the illumination of the material with a light producing a contrasting pattern, which accentuates defects. The method also includes the removal of the contrasting pattern either digitally with a pattern filtering algorithm or by the specific placement of the camera view. The apparatus involves one or many cameras positioned on one side of the material, one or many lights producing the desired pattern and positioned on the other of the material, and a computer or other computing device using an algorithm to process the image.

Abstract: A method and device for estimating a porosity ratio of a sample of material from at least one gray-scale coded image. The method includes: evaluating an intermediate ratio of a sample for each value of a plurality of gray-scale threshold values lying between two determined limit values, the intermediate ratio being equal to a ratio of a number of pixels of the at least one image having a gray-scale value bounded by the threshold value to a total number of pixels of the at least one image; and estimating the porosity ratio of the sample by analyzing variations in the intermediate ratio as a function of the threshold value.

Abstract: A robot system includes: a touchscreen panel; and an image processing apparatus configured to recognize a workpiece in an image of the workpiece acquired by photography, in accordance with a registered image recognition program. The image processing apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store a base program serving as the image recognition program by inputting a plurality of parameters regarding the workpiece, a workpiece registration guiding portion configured to display an input screen to prompt input of the parameters on the touchscreen panel and acquire the parameters via the touchscreen panel, and a registration portion configured to build and register the image recognition program by applying the parameters acquired by the workpiece registration guiding portion to the base program in the storage unit.

Abstract: Imagery from two or more users' different smartphones is streamed to a cloud processor, enabling creation of 3D model information about a scene being imaged. From this model, arbitrary views and streams can be synthesized. In one arrangement, a user of such a system is at a sports arena, and her view of the sporting event is blocked when another spectator rises to his feet in front of her. Nonetheless, the imagery presented on her headworn display continues uninterrupted—the blocked imagery from that viewpoint being seamlessly re-created based on imagery contributed by other system users in the arena. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: An image processing method includes: receiving a plurality of images, the images being captured under different view points; and performing image alignment for the plurality of images by warping the plurality of images, where the plurality of images are warped according to a set of parameters, and the set of parameters are obtained by finding a solution constrained to predetermined ranges of physical camera parameters. In particular, the step of performing the image alignment further includes: automatically performing the image alignment to reproduce a three-dimensional (3D) visual effect, where the plurality of images is captured by utilizing a camera module, and the camera module is not calibrated with regard to the view points. For example, the 3D visual effect can be a multi-angle view (MAV) visual effect. In another example, the 3D visual effect can be a 3D panorama visual effect. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, for training a classifier that classifies local regions of an object, includes a feature amount setting unit, a selection unit, and a training unit. The feature amount setting unit sets a feature amount to be used by the classifier. The selection unit selects a local region of the object based on a predetermined selection condition based on positions for obtaining the feature amount set by the feature amount setting unit. The training unit trains the classifier using the feature amount set by the feature amount setting unit and the local region selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: A MacBeth color checker chart automatic detection system includes an imaging unit that provides an image and a processing unit that applies an edge detection operation to the image and performs a flood-fill operation on the image to provide a flood-filled image. Additionally, the MacBeth color checker chart automatic detection system includes a testing unit that tests the flood-filled image to provide a modified flood-fill image, wherein a set of heuristic tests are employed to automatically determine quantity and location of MacBeth color checker charts. Generally, the set of heuristic tests are employed to automatically reject regions that are unlikely to belong to a MacBeth color checker chart and to cluster the remaining regions that are likely to belong to a Macbeth color checker chart. A MacBeth color checker chart automatic detection method is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include an image manager that provides for image compression by rearranging an order of blocks from one or more images and then sorting and writing those blocks into one or more different images. This technique enables using a high-level of image compression to reduce a relatively large amount of pixels to a common subset of values than would ordinarily be possible with the original image(s). This can include extracting a plurality of blocks from a graphical digital image file. Each block from the graphical digital image file can be a group of pixels. The image manager analyzes each block to produce a corresponding variation value for each of the blocks, indicating a level of variation of pixel data within a respective block. The image manager sorts blocks according to the variation values, and can apply a level of image compression to each respective block, based on the variation value and/or average color of each respective block, to compress each respective block.

Abstract: The present technique includes: an area-characteristic detector configured to calculate a maximum value, an average value, and a minimum value of signal levels of pixels around a certain pixel; a first gain creating part configured to calculate a first calculation value for the certain pixel; a second gain creating part configured to calculate a second calculation value for the certain pixel; and an adjustment part configured; to perform enhancement by multiplying the difference between the average value and the signal level of the certain pixel by the first calculation value when the signal level of the certain pixel is equal to or higher than the average value, and to perform enhancement by multiplying the difference between the average value and the signal level of the certain pixel by the second calculation value when the signal level of the certain pixel is lower than the average value.

Abstract: An image-processing device stores computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the image-processing device to perform identifying an object in a target image represented by target image data. The object includes object pixels. The processor further performs setting frame regions for the object pixels and counting an intersection number. The partial object region is positioned within frame regions and has object pixels consecutively arranged. The processor performs calculating a ratio of first object pixels to the object pixels as a first ratio. Each first object pixel is an object pixel whose intersection number is 2. The processor performs judging whether the first ratio is greater than or equal to a first reference value and determining that the object is an encircling line that encloses a part of the target image if the first ratio is greater than or equal to the first reference value.