Abstract: A system and method facilitating purchase transactions over a computer network, including the purchase of electronically storable items. The embodiments herein encrypt “customer identifier string” in an encryption stream and cause the encryption stream to be transferred from the customer to a merchant in the purchase transaction. A verification entity receives the encryption stream which is sent by the merchant for identity verification and payment authorization. Then, the verification entity verifies the identifiers contained in the encryption stream and transfers an identity verification and payment authorization from the verification entity to the merchant.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for supporting electronic transactions, including transactions that are provided with per-user, per-device and per-domain security across domains of multiple service providers.

Abstract: A method for retrofitting a vending machine with a video communications device includes securing a video communications device with a mounting feature of the video communications device removably coupled with a mounting location on a vending machine. The video communications device includes a video communications module for real-time interactions with a ticket office. The video communications module includes a display, a camera, a speaker, and a microphone. The video communications device includes a video communication device communications interface. The method includes electronically coupling the video communications device with a power supply of the vending machine and communicatively coupling the video communications device with the vending machine such that functions of the vending machine are controllable using the video communications device. The method includes communicatively coupling the video communications device with the ticket office for real-time video communications with the ticket office.

Abstract: A multimedia client receives, over a subscription multimedia network, television content for presentation to a viewer, where the television content includes an advertising break and identifies a keyword associated with the television content. The multimedia client sends, over the subscription multimedia network, the keyword to an advertisement server and receives from the advertisement server, an advertisement corresponding to the keyword. The multimedia client then provides, for display to the viewer, the advertisement within the advertising break.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for isolating variables in a behavior prediction model comprises: identifying a plurality of groups comprising a first group of variables and a second group of variables; building a model, using a computer processor, for capturing an effect of the first group of variables in predicting behavior for customers; building a subsequent stage of the model, using a computer processor, on a second group of variables to neutralize the effect of the first group of variables; displaying results of the model wherein the results minimize the effect of the first group of variables in predicting behavior at a user interface; and identifying a response based on the results for a segment of the customers.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to share media are disclosed. An example system includes an application program distribution interface to download an application program to a user device, the application program to receive user input from a first user. The example system also includes a query interface to receive representative information and an indication of a second user from the user device. The example system also includes a media content recognizer to identify the media content based on the representative information, a media access provider to selectively provide the second user with access to the media content, and an audience-interest interface to credit audience-interest to the media content when the second user is provided access to the media content.

Abstract: A system and method for communication of proximity based content is disclosed between a mobile computing device having a Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a Proximity Short Range Communication (PSRC) device associated with a location or object using near field magnetic induction. The SRC device and/or the PSRC device can include at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. The method comprises defining a proximity boundary with dimensions defined by a magnetic induction diversity communication range of at least one of the SRC and PSRC devices. A proximity signal is communicated in the proximity boundary between the SRC device and the PSRC device. At least one action is performed by the mobile computing device or the PSRC device when the proximity signal is detected between the SRC device and the PSRC device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for determining community gatekeepers in networked systems are provided herein. A method includes identifying a plurality of groups of nodes in a network system, wherein each of the plurality of groups of nodes includes a given node; measuring a marginal contribution made by the given node to a centrality metric associated with each of the identified plurality of groups of nodes in the network system; and deriving a centrality metric of the given node by averaging the marginal contribution made by the given node across each of the identified plurality of groups of nodes in the network system.

Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.

Abstract: A method of selecting a promotional content for media content items. The method comprises providing a database hosting a plurality of uniform resource locators (URLs) each of a web document through which at least one of a plurality of media content items being available for presentation, receiving an ad request for embedding an in stream advertisement in a media content item, analyzing the ad request to extract a video content URL of a certain web document through which the media content item is made available for presentation, matching between the video content URL and at least one of the plurality of URLs to acquire at least one identifier of the media content item, selecting an in stream advertisement based on the at least one identifier, and responding to the ad request with an indication of the in stream advertisement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating an opinion timeline. Users are able to submit ongoing reviews for products and services based on extended use, new revelations, additional features, upgrades and the like. Users can be notified of upgrades or improvements and are requested to provide another review of the product or service which is tied to the original review. Users can also update their review of the product or service based on a change in mind. The opinion timeline can be applied to reviews of products, television shows, music, etc.

Abstract: A system for managing electric energy exchange devices is disclosed. The system comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive a set of predefined parameters for electric energy exchange for a vehicle using an electric energy exchange device for a time increment. The set of predefined parameters comprises price levels associated with levels of customers. The processor is further configured to receive a set of transaction specific parameters. The processor is configured to determine a price for electric energy exchange based at least in part on the set of predefined parameters and the set of transaction specific parameters. The processor is configured to determine whether a level of a customer meets predefined parameters for free electric energy exchange. The processor is configured to, in the event the level of the customer meets the predefined parameters for free electric energy exchange, provide for free electric exchange.

Abstract: A method and system for populating a software catalogue in software applications which monitor the presence of software products on a plurality of computers. The proposed method aims at populating a software catalogue with a limited manual intervention of an administrator. The present invention reduces the cost of producing and maintaining a comprehensive knowledge base (the catalogue) which contains definitions of software products and the related signature. Information about software products and their related signature is obtained through a process using some special files (e.g. XML files) which contains information and/or pointers to other products.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media that may be used to generate a virtual reality simulation of a shopping environment are provided. One method includes generating one or more smart objects from a set of simulation data describing the shopping environment. The method further includes generating the virtual reality simulation that includes the one or more smart objects and presenting the virtual reality simulation to the simulation participant on a virtual reality display platform. The virtual reality display platform includes one or more touch screen display devices. The method further includes, each time the participant touches the one or more touch screen display devices on an area in which one of the smart objects is displayed, generating a touching record indicating that the participant touched the respective one of the smart objects. The method further includes storing each generated touching record in a memory.

Abstract: A method for providing an item suggested by a retailer to a user prior to an upcoming transaction at a point of sale terminal includes detecting a presence of the user at an item impulse device in a facility of retailer, wherein the item impulse device is located proximate to the point of sale terminal. When the presence of the user is detected at the item impulse device and prior to the upcoming transaction a purchase history of the user and one or more items the user currently possesses are obtained. The item suggested the retailer for the user to purchase is determined based on at least one of the purchase history and the one or more items the user currently possesses. A notification indicating the item suggested by the retailer is generated and provided to the user.

Abstract: Content recommendation includes: determining a plurality of user behavior categories pertaining to a plurality of user behaviors by a plurality of users within a period of time, and a plurality of user behavior frequencies corresponding to the plurality of user behavior categories; determining whether the number of user behavior categories exceeds a preset category threshold; in the event that the number of user behavior categories exceeds the preset threshold, excluding one or more user behavior categories such that the number of remaining user behavior categories does not exceed the preset threshold; determining, based at least on the remaining user behavior categories and corresponding user behavior frequencies, user preference data comprising frequency distribution information of a plurality of pieces of content information targeted by user behaviors in the remaining user behavior categories; and recommending content information to a user based on the user preference data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, selecting, and displaying an image or image set in a network based environment are described. The systems and methods can collect multiple images for any given item from multiple sources, select a desired image (or set of images) that best depicts that item, and then display that selected image (or image set) in the network based environment. The desired image (or image set) that best depicts the item can be selected using any number or combination of pre-selected criteria. By using the pre-selected criteria, the process needs no manual intervention, and can therefore be automated or semi-automated to save both time and cost.

Abstract: A product image depicting a customizable product with one or more annotations is displayed. Each annotation of the one or more annotations identifies an attribute group location upon the customizable product that represents an attribute group comprising one or more attributes of the customizable product that may be customized. A selection of a particular attribute group location of the attribute group location identified by the one or more annotations is received. The particular attribute group location represents a particular attribute group. In response to receiving the selection, information relating to one or more attributes included in the particular attribute group is displayed. An attribute selection shape comprising a plurality of regions, each of which represent an attribute of the particular attribute group may be displayed.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a message-based communication arrangement, an organizational center replication request, and a payment schedule business object.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for detecting, classifying, and/or enforcing policies on social networking activity. The technology can store a content policy, classify content posted to a social network, determine that the classification corresponds to the content policy, and apply an action specified by the content policy to the posted content.

Abstract: Systems and methods prevent or restrict the mining of content on a mobile device. For example, a method may include determining that content to be displayed on a screen includes content that matches a mining-restriction trigger, inserting a mining-restriction mark in the content that protects at least a portion of the content, and displaying the content with the mining-restriction mark on the screen. As another example, a method may include identifying, by a first application running on a mobile device, a mining-restriction mark in frame buffer data, the mining-restriction mark having been inserted by a second application, and determining whether the mining-restriction mark prevents mining of content. The method may also include preventing mining when the mining-restriction mark prevents mining and, when the mining-restriction mark does not prevent mining, determining a restriction for the data based on the mining-restriction mark and providing the restriction with the data for further processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relate generally to color science and digital watermarking. A full color visibility model has been developed which has good correlation to subjective visibility tests for color patches degraded with a watermark. A relatively better correlation can be achieved with a model that applies a luminance correction to the contrast sensitivity functions (CSF). The model can be applied during the watermark embed process, using a pyramid based method, to obtain equal visibility. Better robustness and visibility can be obtained with equal visibility embed than uniform strength embed. Of course, other features, combinations and claims are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A method is provided for inserting a digital watermark in an image by an insertion device. Inserting includes: applying a Fourier transform to the image, delivering a 2D Fourier spectrum; inserting the watermark in the Fourier spectrum delivering a modified Fourier spectrum; and applying an inverse Fourier transform to the modified Fourier spectrum delivering a watermarked image. The watermark includes a set of watermarking coefficients each associated with a distinct determined position of a given quadrant among the quadrants of the Fourier domain, the spectral coordinates u and v of which, measured along the two axes of coordinates of the given quadrant and starting from the continuous component and expressed in percentage of the dimensions U and V of the given quadrant, are such that: u>66%×U and v>66%×V. The set of positions associated with the watermarking coefficients defines a convex pattern in the given quadrant.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for processing an image just-in-time, e.g., upon receiving a request for an image (“the technology”). Various embodiments of the technology include processing one or more original images based on a recipe and attributes of the end user device on which the image is viewed to generate a rendered image. A recipe can specify various image processing operations such as a target size, resolution, or color pattern of the image to be rendered, a target portion of the image to be highlighted or cropped etc. In some embodiments, the recipe and the one or more original images can be provided by a client who wishes to publish the rendered image. The end user device attributes such as a type of the end user device, a display size, a display resolution, ambient lighting etc. are also considered for rendering the image.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for tracking and filtering state change methods provided to a graphics pipeline. State shadow circuitry at the start of the graphics pipeline may be configured in different modes. A track mode is used to capture the current state by storing state change methods that are transmitted to the graphics pipeline. A passthrough mode is used to provide different state data to the graphics pipeline without updating the current state stored in the state shadow circuitry. A replay mode is used to restore the current state to the graphics pipeline using the state shadow circuitry. Additionally, the state shadow circuitry may also be configured to filter the state change methods that are transmitted to graphics pipeline by removing redundant state change methods.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes a determination unit configured to classify the input image data into a first image area being a gradation area, a second image area being a non-gradation area, or a third image area being an intermediate area between the gradation area and the non-gradation area; a first pixel interpolation unit configured to generate a first output pixel value interpolated by applying a theoretically calculated coefficient to a pixel value of the input image data; a second pixel interpolation unit configured to generate a second output pixel value interpolated by applying a coefficient obtained by learning to the pixel value of the input image data; and a mixing unit configured to output the first output pixel value, the second output pixel value, or a third output pixel value, obtained by processing the first and second output pixel values, according to a classification result of the determination unit.

Abstract: A demosaicing unit interpolates mosaic image data of each pixel of interest so as to reproduce colors missing at each pixel by interpolation using neighboring pixels. In the demosaicing unit, an interpolation unit performs an interpolation process in a plurality of prescribed directions using neighboring pixels in the prescribed directions. An evaluation unit evaluates image data in each prescribed directions interpolated by the interpolation unit. A spurious resolution area judgment unit judges whether a pixel is in a spurious resolution area, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, based on a saturation detected from image data subjected to an interpolation process performed so as to preserve an edge component. An image generation unit selects image data to be interpolated for each pixel based on a result of the evaluation by the evaluation unit and a result of the judgment by the spurious resolution area judgment unit, and generates interpolated image data.

Abstract: An image providing system includes: a terminal to run at least one application, to request an image from a service device, to determine whether the application supports all screen densities, to extract and transmit a resolution value of an area for displaying the image when all screen densities are supported, and to extract and transmit screen density information supported in the application when not all screen densities are supported; a service device to resize the image to match at least one resolution, to check a resolution value of the terminal and provide the image resized to match the checked resolution value to the terminal when the image is requested from the terminal, and when only screen density information is transmitted from the terminal, to calculate a resolution value from the screen density information and provide the image resized to match the calculated resolution value to the terminal.

Abstract: A method for identifying and extracting a linear object from an image is disclosed. The method comprises: acquiring an original image to be processed, wherein the original image is taken by a camera, received through network transmission or copied from a compact disc or a removable disk; preprocessing the original image to obtain an enhanced image; extracting an edge information image from the enhanced image; then extracting linear features by performing, on the edge information image, a linear feature extracting transform improved with a cluster operator; finally; identifying and extracting the linear object by distinguishing the linear object from other linear features by considering characteristics of the linear object to be identified and extracted.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a quality of a 3 dimensional (3D) image includes classifying an input 3D image into a plurality of sub-areas based on noise characteristics of the plurality of sub-areas of the input 3D image, denoising each of the plurality of sub-areas of the input 3D image by using different denoising methods according to noise characteristics of each of the classified plurality of sub-areas and obtaining a second 3D image after the denoising, and enhancing a contrast ratio of the second 3D image after the denoising.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the perceived sharpness of an image by controlling a spatial interpolation process. A pixel value spatial gradient measure is formed and used to generate a map of modified pixel positions. In this map, the pixel spacing is reduced when the gradient measure is high. By using this map of modified pixel positions to control an otherwise conventional interpolation process, an output image is formed having a perceived sharpness which is greater than that of the unmodified output of the interpolation process.

Abstract: A method is described to increase the efficiency of the removal of defects from document images by reorienting the conceptual framework within which an image is filtered. Rather than arbitrarily applying a filter to an entire landscape of a document image, the disclosure describes a methodology by which a document image is separated into regions of darkness and regions of light, or viewed alternatively, regions of darkness and regions of lack of darkness. Filtering is then adaptively applied to each region to remove defects.

Abstract: A computing device and a method for correcting color distortion are provided, in particular for correcting purple flare. A digital image has an array of pixels each represented by a green (G), a red (R) and a blue (B) primary color, and for each pixel, the computing device establishes a minimum value between the R and B intensity values, and compares the minimum value and the G intensity value. The original R, G and B intensity values are maintained if the G intensity value is equal or greater than the minimum value. The R and B intensity values are attenuated by an adjustment value if the G intensity value is less than the minimum value. The adjustment value is calculated as the difference of the minimum value and the G intensity value.

Abstract: There is provided an inspection method capable of classifying defects detected on a production layer of a specimen. The method comprises: obtaining input data related to the detected defects; processing the input data using a decision algorithm associated with the production layer and specifying two or more classification operations and a sequence thereof; and sorting the processed defects in accordance with predefined bins, wherein each bin is associated with at least one classification operation, wherein at least one classification operation sorts at least part of the processed defects to one or more classification bins to yield finally classified defects, and wherein each classification operation, excluding the last one, sorts at least part of the processed defects to be processed by one or more of the following classification operations.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data are provided. One computer-implemented method for binning defects detected on a wafer includes comparing portions of design data proximate positions of the defects in design data space. The method also includes determining if the design data in the portions is at least similar based on results of the comparing step. In addition, the method includes binning the defects in groups such that the portions of the design data proximate the positions of the defects in each of the groups are at least similar. The method further includes storing results of the binning step in a storage medium.

Abstract: In automatic defect classification, a classification recipe must be set for each defect observation device. If a plurality of devices operate at the same stage, the classification class in the classification recipes must be the same. Problems have arisen whereby differences occur in the classification class in different devices when a new classification recipe is created. This defect classification system has a classification recipe storage unit; an information specification unit, the stage of a stored image, and device information. A corresponding defect specification unit specifies images of the same type of defect from images obtained from different image pickup devices at the same stage. An image conversion unit converts the images obtained from the different image pickup devices at the same stage into comparable similar images; and a recipe update unit records the classification classes in the classification recipes corresponding to the specified images of the same type of defect.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a position of inspection data with respect to a stored high resolution die image are provided. One method includes aligning data acquired by an inspection system for alignment sites on a wafer with data for predetermined alignment sites. The predetermined alignment sites have a predetermined position in die image space of a stored high resolution die image for the wafer. The method also includes determining positions of the alignment sites in the die image space based on the predetermined positions of the predetermined alignment sites in the die image space. In addition, the method includes determining a position of inspection data acquired for the wafer by the inspection system in the die image space based on the positions of the alignment sites in the die image space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for segmenting a medical image are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving an image acquired from at least a portion of a subject's anatomy, selecting a first point within a target structure identified on the image, and determining a second and a third point associated with extents of a target biological tissue, the first, second and third points defining a sector described by the first point, a central angle and a subtended arc. The method also includes determining a plurality of arc points along the subtended arc, and extending a plurality of linear segments along directions determined by the first point and the plurality of arc points. The method further includes determining an intensity profile along each linear segment to identify boundaries of the target biological tissue, and generating a contour of the target biological tissue using the identified boundaries.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method of operating the same. A method of operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes displaying an ultrasonic image in a first region of a display unit, selecting a region of interest (ROI) in the ultrasonic image, displaying a scan conversion image and a certain magnification in a second region, and acquiring a measurement value of the ROI on a basis of the scan conversion image. The scan conversion image is generated by enlarging or reducing an image corresponding to the selected ROI at the certain magnification. A resolution of the scan conversion image is equal to or higher than a resolution of the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: An imaging tomosynthesis system, in particular a mammography system, includes a computer system which generates x-ray projections of an examination object from a plurality of projection angles. The system further reconstructs a stack of tomosynthetic slice images, generates at least one overview image of density values of an examination object from the tomosynthetic image data, selects characteristic density values in the stack at at least one plane position, and determines the geometric level of the at least one selected characteristic density value. The overview image is then displayed with a color value correlated to the geometric level of the at least one characteristic density value.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products to perform multi-modality vertebrae recognition are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure disclosed and described herein enable a multi-modality vertebrae recognition engine that recognizes vertebrae by using a three-stage recognition approach: landmark detection, global shape registration, and local pose adjustment. These stages cover the matching from local to global spine structures. The three stages are implemented by three modules in the hierarchical deformable model, the local appearance module, global geometry model, and local geometry model. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the overall workflow can be understood as a three-stage top-down registration. The goal of the registration is: 1) to align the global shape of the spine model, and 2) to align the vertebrae poses with the local image structures around identified landmarks.

Abstract: Method for locating anomalous features in medical images in which medical images are supplied by an external source. A sequence of specific measurements is executed on the supplied data to obtain image-related metrics. The metrics are compared to corresponding values in a database resulting in an anomalous/not anomalous determination. Anomalous determinations are presented to the test operator for analysis along with supplemental historical data. In application to all types of medical imagery, potential anomalies are located resulting in an efficient and accurate diagnosis. For a body part having symmetrical properties, as a pre-screening stage, a line of symmetry for the body part is determined and symmetric regions of the body part on opposite sides of the determined line of symmetry are analyzed for differences. The metric comparison using the database is performed between both symmetric regions only when differences between the symmetric regions of the subject medical image are present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a spanning tree, a method and apparatus for stereo matching, a method and apparatus for up-sampling, and a method and apparatus for generating a reference pixel are disclosed, in which a spanning tree may be generated by reference pixels, stereo matching or up-sampling may be performed based on the generated spanning tree, and a reference pixel may be generated based on a stereo video.

Abstract: A first size adjusting unit adjusts a size of a first clothing image which is an image of a first piece of clothing worn on an upper half of a body based on a width of a shoulder part of the first piece of clothing in the first clothing image. A second size adjusting unit adjusts a size of a second clothing image which is an image of a second piece of clothing worn on a lower half of a body based on a width of a waist part of the second piece of clothing in the second clothing image. A display control unit causes a display to display a screen on which the first piece of clothing and the second piece of clothing are vertically displayed, based on the first clothing image and the second clothing image.

Abstract: A positioning method continuously determines the spatial position of an auxiliary measuring instrument having several auxiliary-point markings in a fixed, known spatial distribution relative to one another. Camera images of the auxiliary-point markings are continually recorded using a camera having a surface sensor that includes pixels, and read-out processes are continually performed by reading out the pixels with regard to a respective current exposure value. Image positions of the imaged auxiliary-point markings in the respective current camera image are determined, with which the current spatial position of the auxiliary measuring instrument is derived. Respective current areas of interest on the surface sensor are continually set using image positions determined in at least one previously recorded camera image.

Abstract: A system includes a visual data collector for collecting visual information from an image of one or more features of an object. The system also includes a physical data collector for collecting sensor information provided by at one or more sensors attached to the object. The system also includes a computer system that includes a motion data combiner for combining the visual information the sensor information. The motion data combiner is configured to determine the position of a representation of one or more of the feature in a virtual representation of the object from the combined visual information and sensor information. Various types of virtual representations may be provided from the combined information, for example, one or more poses (e.g., position and orientation) of the object may be represented.

Abstract: Cluster centers of an image are initialized. The image includes a plurality of pixels. Pixels of the plurality of pixels in a pattern are labeled. The cluster centers are recomputed based on the labeling of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate scene segmentation from focal stack images. The method may include receiving a set of focal stack images, calculating a focal measure for each of a plurality of pixels of the set of focal stack images, and grouping each of a plurality of pixels for which the focal measure was calculated into a plurality of super pixels. The method may also include calculating a focal measure for each of the plurality of super pixels, segmenting a respective focal stack image based on the focal measure of each of the plurality of super pixels, calculating a color probability for each of the plurality of super pixels, and segmenting each focal stack image based on color probability of each of the plurality of super pixels.

Abstract: A method and system for video-based road departure warning for a vehicle on a road, is provided. Road departure warning involves receiving an image of a road in front of the vehicle from a video imager, and detecting one or more road markings in the image corresponding to markings on the road. Then, analyzing the characteristics of an image region beyond the detected markings to determine a rating for drivability of the road corresponding to said image region, and detecting the lateral offset of the vehicle relative to the markings on the road based on the detected road markings. A warning signal is generated as function of said lateral offset and said rating.

Abstract: A moving object detection method according to an embodiment performs a stacking process step of: dividing captured images into p groups each including m successive images; and for each group, applying a stacking method to the m images. Subsequently, for each group, the method extracts a candidate for space debris based on an evaluation value for space debris detection, which is obtained from pixel values at the same pixel positions overlapping one another across the m images superposed one another. Thereafter, the method judges whether the extracted candidate for the space debris in each group is chosen as a final candidate for the space debris based on the coincidence or proximity in terms of the movement direction and the moving velocity.