Abstract: A traffic lane marking recognition apparatus includes a candidate detecting unit, a gap detecting unit, and a recognition reducing unit. The candidate detecting unit detects a lane dividing line candidate which is a candidate for a lane dividing line that defines a traffic lane on a road, based on an image of the road captured by an on-board camera that is mounted in a vehicle. The gap detecting unit detects a gap included in the lane dividing line candidate detected by the candidate detecting unit. When the gap is detected by the gap detecting unit, the recognition reducing unit reduces a probability of recognition of the lane dividing line candidate as a lane dividing line to a first probability that is lower than the probability when the gap detecting unit does not detect the gap, in a region from the gap closest to the vehicle towards a direction away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A biometric notification system compares images or indicia of images and where there is a match provides a notification of the same.

Abstract: In an approach for visual liveness detection, a video-audio signal related to a speaker speaking a text is obtained. The video-audio signal is split into a video signal which records images of the speaker and an audio signal which records a speech spoken by the speaker. Then a first sequence indicating visual mouth openness is obtained from the video signal, and a second sequence indicating acoustic mouth openness is obtained based on the text and the audio signal. Synchrony between the first and second sequences is measured, and the liveness of the speaker is determined based on the synchrony.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention includes a method of determining MSER on a processing system that includes a parallel processor such as a GPU, the method including method steps carried out in parallel. Embodiments of the present invention also include an apparatus that includes a parallel processor and that is operative to carry out the method, and also logic, e.g., executable instructions configured on a non-transitory computer-readable media operative to carry out the method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with such instructions. The method includes assigning to the pixels in an image metapixels of all connected pixels at a level, carrying out watershed in parallel on metapixels to determine catchment basins, and carrying out further steps, including steps executed in parallel to determine the MSER of the image.

Abstract: A system that selects image frames from a video feed for recognition of objects (such as physical objects, text characters, or the like) within the image frames. The individual frames are selected using robust historical metrics that compare individual metrics of the particular image (such as focus, motion, intensity, etc.) to similar metrics of previous image frames in the video feed. The system will select the image frame for object recognition if the image frame is relatively high quality, that is the image frame is suitable for a later object recognition processing.

Abstract: A viewing aid includes a camera, a viewing surface within a field of view of the camera, a memory, a display, and software programmed to track a tracking element within the field of view. Viewing material is placed on the viewing surface. The camera, viewing surface, and material all remain substantially stationary. The camera captures and stores an initial image of the material in the memory. The software then tracks the location of a tracking element within the field of view then maps the location to a portion of the initial image in memory using an X-Y coordinate system, and/or identifies character elements of the material adjacent the tracking element then maps the character elements to corresponding character elements of the initial image in memory. An enhanced image is then displayed on the display corresponding to the mapped portion of the initial image.

Abstract: A method includes receiving image data and performing a non-maximum suppression (NMS) operation on the image data. The method also includes initiating an edge tracking by hysteresis (ETH) operation on a portion of the image data prior to completion of the NMS operation.

Abstract: A method, performed by a computer device, may include receiving a request to set up motion detection for a camera. The method may include generating a selection grid for a field of view associated with the camera, wherein the selection grid includes a plurality of grid elements; selecting one or more grid elements of the plurality of grid elements; and configuring motion detection for a video feed from the camera based on the selected one or more grid elements.

Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking a target includes detecting the target using a plurality of feature cues, fusing the plurality of feature cues to form a set of target hypotheses, tracking the target based on the set of target hypotheses and a scene context analysis, and updating the tracking of the target based on a target motion model.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the quality of a captured digital image depicting a hardcopy document are disclosed. The captured digital image is analyzed to determine a corresponding blurriness, noise, hotspot, and uneven illumination metric representing a quality level of the image data. The blurriness, noise, hotspot, and uneven illumination metrics are then combined to formulate a pass/caution/fail indicator for the user to respond to the captured digital image quality.

Abstract: In aspects, the subject innovation can comprise systems and methods capable of automatically labeling cell nuclei (e.g., epithelial nuclei) in tissue images containing multiple cell types. The enhancements to standard nuclei segmentation algorithms of the subject innovation can enable cell type specific analysis of nuclei, which has recently been shown to reveal novel disease biomarkers and improve diagnostic accuracy of computational disease classification models.

Abstract: Image cropping suggestion using multiple saliency maps is described. In one or more implementations, component scores, indicative of visual characteristics established for visually-pleasing croppings, are computed for candidate image croppings using multiple different saliency maps. The visual characteristics on which a candidate image cropping is scored may be indicative of its composition quality, an extent to which it preserves content appearing in the scene, and a simplicity of its boundary. Based on the component scores, the croppings may be ranked with regard to each of the visual characteristics. The rankings may be used to cluster the candidate croppings into groups of similar croppings, such that croppings in a group are different by less than a threshold amount and croppings in different groups are different by at least the threshold amount. Based on the clustering, croppings may then be chosen, e.g., to present them to a user for selection.

Abstract: A composition model is developed based on the image segmentation and the vanishing point of the scene. By integrating both photometric and geometric cues, better segmentation is provided. These cues are directly used to detect the dominant vanishing point in an image without extracting any line segments. Based on the composition model, a novel image retrieval system is developed which can retrieve images with similar compositions as the query image from a collection of images and provide feedback to photographers.

Abstract: Methods and systems of recognizing images may include an apparatus having a hardware module with logic to, for a plurality of vectors in an image, determine a first intermediate computation based on even pixels of an image vector, and determine a second intermediate computation based on odd pixels of an image vector. The logic can also combine the first and second intermediate computations into a Hessian matrix computation.

Abstract: A method of tomographic imaging the real part of the refractive index of the internal structure of an image volume and a corresponding apparatus for performing the method. The method includes a two-step process of first retrieving phase projections of an image volume from projective intensity measurements through the image volume. The second step of the method includes iterative image reconstruction of an image of the image volume using phase projections taken at multiple projection angles. The first step of intensity measurements and subsequent phase retrieval can use one of many possible phase retrieval methods including the Bronnikov phase retrieval method. The second step of iterative image reconstruction can be performed using the total variation minimization method, the algebraic reconstruction technique method, or any other iterative image reconstruction method.

Abstract: The present invention provides various apparatus and methods for detecting laser beams, locating their origin, recording these events, and alerting law enforcement agencies as the event unfolds. The apparatus includes at least two communicably coupled camera systems coupled to one or more image processors. A method for detecting the laser beam includes the use of optical, temporal and two-dimensional spatial image filtering. A method for computing the location of the laser beam consists of performing geometric computations using triangulation techniques and physical surveying of the cameras. A method for communicating the location of the laser beam in real-time includes the use of wired or wireless communications means, including the coordination with local air traffic control information.

Abstract: A system and method that allows the capture of a series of images to create a single linear panoramic image is disclosed. The method includes capturing an image, dynamically comparing a previously captured image with a preview image on a display of a capture device until a predetermined overlap threshold is satisfied, generating a user interface to provide feedback on the display of the capture device to guide a movement of the capture device, and capturing the preview image with enough overlap with the previously captured image with little to no tilt for creating a linear panorama.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for fast cost aggregation for dense stereo matching are presented. One example method includes the steps of receiving first and second images of a scene; rectifying the images; computing a cost volume based on the first and second images; subsampling the cost volume to generate a subsampled cost volume; for each pixel, p, in the subsampled cost volume, determining one or more local extrema in the subsampled cost volume for each neighboring pixel, q, within a window centered on the pixel, p; for each pixel, p, performing cost aggregation using the one or more local extrema; performing cross checking to identify matching pixels; and responsive to identifying unmatched pixels, performing gap-filling for the unmatched pixels to generate a disparity map; and generate and storing a depth map from the disparity map.

Abstract: Enhanced contrast between an object of interest and background surfaces visible in an image is provided using controlled lighting directed at the object. Exploiting the falloff of light intensity with distance, a light source (or multiple light sources), such as an infrared light source, can be positioned near one or more cameras to shine light onto the object while the camera(s) capture images. The captured images can be analyzed to distinguish object pixels from background pixels.

Abstract: A photographing method that includes: acquiring to-be-photographed first content; after determining a first subject with which a user is concerned in the first content, acquiring an image composition relationship between a second subject in the first content and the first subject, where the second subject is another background subject in the first content except the first subject; matching the image composition relationship between the second subject and the first subject with a preset image composition template to obtain a matching evaluation degree, and providing an image composition adjustment suggestion on the first content for the user according to the matching evaluation degree and the image composition template, where the adjustment suggestion is a tip on how to adjust the image composition relationship in the first content so that the image composition relationship completely matches the preset image composition template.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for conflating a base dataset with a secondary dataset may generally include defining a locker boundary around each of a plurality of base polylines of the base dataset and identifying a plurality of initial matched segments and a plurality of initial mismatched segments for a plurality of secondary polylines of the secondary dataset, wherein each portion of the secondary polylines that is included within a locker boundary is defined as an initial matched segment and each portion of the secondary polylines that is not included within a locker boundary is defined as an initial mismatched segment. The method may also include identifying an offset parameter defined between a first initial matched segment and its corresponding base polyline using a three-vertex approximation and, if the offset parameter exceeds a predetermined offset threshold, defining the first initial matched segment as a mismatched segment.

Abstract: A system and method for comparing a text image with or without a wildcard character and a character string are provided. The method includes embedding a character string into a vectorial space by extracting a set of features from the character string and generating a character string representation based on the extracted features, such as a spatial pyramid bag of characters (SPBOC) representation. A text image is embedded into a vectorial space by extracting a set of features from the text image and generating a text image representation based on the text image extracted features. A similarity between the text image representation and the character string representation is computed, which includes computing a function of the text image representation and character string representation.

Abstract: A method for pixel mapping between an origin superpixel in a first image and a target superpixel in a second image and an apparatus configured to perform the method. The apparatus comprises a feature vector determining unit, which determines a feature vector of an origin pixel of the origin superpixel and which further determines feature vectors of target pixels of the target superpixel. A mapping pixel selector selects a mapping pixel for the origin pixel among the target pixels based on a comparison of the feature vectors.

Abstract: Various features described herein may include ways of processing multiple images to determine whether any duplicates are among the multiple images. A hashing algorithm may be used to create a hash key of an image. Multiple hash keys corresponding to multiple images may be compared to determine whether those images are duplicate images. A root mean square algorithm may be used to further identify whether multiple images are duplicate images. An image variation engine, which uses intensity coding, may be used to display differences between images. For example, similar areas in images may be drawn with low intensity or high opacity, while different areas in images may be drawn with high intensity or low opacity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring classification functions for facial age identification. For example, a plurality of facial images associated with different ages are acquired; the facial images are assigned into a plurality of facial image collections based on at least information associated with a plurality of first age groups; for a first age group, one or more first facial image collections associated with one or more second age groups older than the first age group are acquired as positive samples; one or more second facial image collections associated with one or more third age groups younger than the first age group are acquired as negative samples; and training is performed based on at least information associated with the first positive samples and the negative samples to determine one or more classification functions for the first age groups.

Abstract: A method is provided for recognition of a ceiling portion, a vertical object portion and a ground portion in an image of indoor scene executed in an electronic system. The image is divided into a plurality of pixel sets. Expected values of each pixel sets with a ceiling distribution function, a vertical object distribution function and a ground distribution function are calculated. The expected values of each pixel set in the ceiling distribution function, the vertical object distribution function and the ground distribution function are compared to determine whether each pixel set belongs to a ceiling object, a vertical object or a ground object.

Abstract: A reconfigurable clear path detection system includes an image capture device and a primary clear path detection module for determining corresponding probability values of identified patches within a captured image representing a likelihood of whether a respective patch is a clear path of the road. A plurality of secondary clear path detection modules each are used to assist in identifying a respective clear path of the traveled road in the input image. One or more of the secondary clear path detection modules are selectively enabled for identifying the clear path. The selectively enabled secondary clear path detection modules are used to identify the clear path of the road of travel in the input image. A fusion module collectively analyzes the clear path detection results of the primary clear path detection module and the selectively enabled secondary clear path detection modules for identifying the clear path in the input image.

Abstract: An event analyzer includes an event log collection module configured to collect an event log, an event log storage module configured to convert the event log into an event matrix and to store the event matrix, an event occurrence-order determination module configured to determine occurrence-order of device events based on the event matrix, a Bayesian network generation module configured to specify device events serving as parent node candidates, to calculate evaluation values corresponding to each specified parent node candidate at a virtual device event obtained by shifting the device event serving as a processing object each unit time, and to select an device event serving as a parent node together with a shift amount, and an analysis module configured to output an device event estimated as a cause of an device event to be analyzed, or an device event estimated to occur later based on the shift amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying transformations to be applied to at least part of a document image for improving the OCR quality. An example method comprises: constructing, by a computer system, an ordered list of transformations to be applied to an image comprising a character string, each transformation corresponding to a hypothesis asserted with respect to one or more characteristics of the image; applying, to the image, a leading transformation on the list to produce a transformed image; evaluating a quality of the transformed image to produce a quality estimate; and updating the list in view of the quality estimate.

Abstract: A method and system render rasterized data by receiving non-rasterized page description language data and a corresponding transformation matrix representing transformation operations to be performed. The non-rasterized page description language data is rasterizing to create rasterized data. The corresponding transformation matrix is decomposed into a plurality of individual transformation operation matrices and a discrete transformation operation value, from each corresponding individual transformation operation matrix, is generated for each transformation operation to be performed upon the rasterized data. The transformation operations are performed upon the rasterized data based upon the generated discrete transformation operation values.

Abstract: A method and system render rasterized data by receiving non-rasterized page description language data and a corresponding transformation matrix representing transformation operations to be performed. The non-rasterized page description language data is rasterizing to create rasterized data. The corresponding transformation matrix is decomposed into a plurality of individual transformation operation matrices and a discrete transformation operation value, from each corresponding individual transformation operation matrix, is generated for each transformation operation to be performed upon the rasterized data. The transformation operations are performed upon the rasterized data based upon the generated discrete transformation operation values.

Abstract: A method for the dynamic printing process calibration of a printing press includes determining a calibration dataset for the colored halftones of the process colors, determining a calibration dataset for the gray halftones of the process colors, determining a weighting factor for the two calibration datasets as a function of the original print and calculating a combined calibration dataset from the two determined calibration datasets, with reference to the weighting factor. The calculated combined calibration dataset is applied to the calibration of the printing process of a printing press.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether rendering positions of two pieces of rendering data, each representing a semitransparent state by including pixels that are to be rendered by a rendering unit and pixels that are not to be rendered, overlap, and a control unit configured to, if it is determined by the determination unit that the rendering positions of the two pieces of rendering data overlap, perform control such that one of the two pieces of rendering data is not rendered by the rendering unit. Based on the level of the overlap between a plurality of semitransparent objects, the apparatus converts each hatch pattern so that image quality deterioration does not occur.

Abstract: The numbers of pages making up respective records are acquired as individual page counts by analyzing page description data used for variable data printing. The maximum page count among the acquired individual page counts is determined as a common page count. Imposition data representing a common and single page layout made up of the determined common page count are generated.

Abstract: Spectral characteristics for printing fluids are obtained. Reflectance values for computing a gamut in spectral space are determined. A tessellation of the gamut is performed. The gamut provides a mapping of reflectance to Neugebauer Primary area coverages for a printing device. The printing device can print an image using the Neugebauer Primary area coverages.

Abstract: Methods for forming an identifying mark in a structure are described. The method is used in conjunction with an additive manufacturing method and includes the alteration of a process parameter during the manufacturing process. The method can form in a unique identifying mark within or on the surface of a structure that is virtually impossible to be replicated. Methods can provide a high level of confidence that the identifying mark will remain unaltered on the formed structure.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments concern computer systems, methods, and programs for extracting information from an asset tag that can be used to monitor the corresponding asset. An operator, e.g. employee of an enterprise, logs into an application executed by a mobile device that includes a camera. A tag template can then be manually selected by the operator or automatically selected by the application. The tag template is used during scanning to locate and identify machine-readable elements, human-readable elements, structural elements, or some combination thereof. Once the application registers a successful scan of the asset tag, the operator can review and confirm the information was extracted correctly. Generally, the extracted information is transmitted to an asset management system, which creates a database entry that allows the asset to be continually monitored by the enterprise, e.g. each time the asset tag is subsequently scanned.

Abstract: A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators, a barcode indicator reader and a product type responsive indication interpreter, each of the barcoded quality indicators including a first barcode including at least one first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable.

Abstract: An electronic transaction card communicates with an add-on slot of an intelligent electronic device. The add-on slot may be a memory card slot. The intelligent electronic device may be a mobile phone or other device with or without network connectivity. The electronic transaction card may have magnetic field producing circuitry compatible with magnetic card readers, smartcard circuitry, other point-of-sale interfaces, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an RFID sensor assembly comprises an RFID chip, an antenna, a sensor, a substrate, and a laminated layer. The RFID chip is in electrical communication with the antenna and the sensor. The RFID chip, antenna, and sensor are secured to the substrate. The laminated layer is arranged as to create a generally airtight pouch between the substrate and the laminate layer. The laminated layer is further arranged to facilitate a post manufacturing method for exposing the contents of the pouch to the environment surrounding the RFID sensor assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining an intra-oral X-ray image of a patient. The system includes an information carrier plate having an affixed NFC/RFID tag. The NFC/RFID tag includes a memory. A primary tagging device reads and writes temporary information into the tag's memory over a first communication channel. A scanner is in communication with a secondary tagging device to read and write the temporary information saved in the tag's memory over a second communication channel.

Abstract: An antenna circuit for a device of transmission/reception by inductive coupling, including a first inductive element in parallel with a capacitive element and, between each node of the parallel association and two terminals of a switch, a second inductive element.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a chip card is provided, having a first contact area and a second contact area, a measuring circuit that is configured to measure an impedance between the first contact area and the second contact area and a control circuit that is configured to take the measured impedance as a basis for configuring a function of the chip card.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for an electrical-mechanical interface associated with a miniature RTLS tag, wherein a mechanical shock absorption comprises a protective antenna enclosure and a potting material to secure the electronics to printed circuit boards. A polyester cup seal prevents the potting material from interacting electrically with an RF antenna. A signal processor is electrically isolated from the antenna by a RF shield or metal can. The cup seal is vacuum-sealed about the RF shield. Flexibility in radiation patterns for the antenna is made possible by eliminating the electrical interactions of the dielectric materials associated with mechanical shock absorption and the antenna. The antenna is approximately circular, with a coaxial center feed through the antenna aperture, and is perturbed by purposeful metal and dielectric adjustments to generate nearly omni-directional radiation patterns in elevation and azimuth.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for attaching an RFID tag such as an AK module or QFP package to a flexible surface such as textile or fabric. The process comprises providing a heat fusible label including at least a first layer having a first adhesive layer, a substrate layer including a secondary antenna structure, a heat activated second adhesive layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer for holding the RFID tag. The process further includes positioning the RFID tag on the PSA layer, pressing the tag against the PSA layer such that the PSA layer holds the tag against the heat fusible label at least temporarily, positioning the heat fusible label with the RFID tag on the flexible surface and applying heat and pressure to the heat fusible label to melt the heat activated layer and to fuse the label to the flexible surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a wireless chip which can secure the safety of consumers while being small in size, favorable in communication property, and inexpensive, and the invention also provides an application thereof. Further, the invention provides a wireless chip which can be recycled after being used for managing the manufacture, circulation, and retail. A wireless chip includes a layer including a semiconductor element, and an antenna. The antenna includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a dielectric layer sandwiched between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and has a spherical shape, an ovoid shape, an oval spherical shape like a go stone, an oval spherical shape like a rugby ball, or a disc shape, or has a cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape in which an outer edge portion thereof has a curved surface.

Abstract: RFID tags are used for many purpose including tracking. RFID interrogators are used to retrieve information from tags. In many applications, a plurality of RFID interrogators are required. Synchronization between interrogators in the same theatre of operation is critical to ensure that their broadcasts do not interfere with each other. In fixed RFID interrogator applications, RFID interrogators can be wired together allowing a channel to synchronize the transmissions of the RFID interrogators. Methods described herein can ensure that synchronization is maintained in the event of the failure of a synchronizing master. Furthermore, additional methods for synchronizing RFID interrogators in wireless applications are described allowing synchronization in the absence of wired connections between interrogators.

Abstract: A frangible RFID tag includes a substrate having at least one weakened area, an RFID chip and an antenna. The RFID chip and the antenna are located on the substrate and the antenna is electrically connected to the RFID chip. The RFID tag also includes a plurality of adhesive areas applied to the underside of the substrate. The adhesive areas allow the RFID tag to be secured to an object. The adhesive areas may be spaced from one another to form at least one gap between the adhesive areas. The gap(s) may be located under the at least one weakened area.

Abstract: A method for training a deep neural network (DNN), comprises receiving and formatting speech data for the training, performing Hessian-free sequence training (HFST) on a first subset of a plurality of subsets of the speech data, and iteratively performing the HFST on successive subsets of the plurality of subsets of the speech data, wherein iteratively performing the HFST comprises reusing information from at least one previous iteration.

Abstract: An approach is provided to train a question answering (QA) system using answer keys based on forum content. In the approach, a question is selected from a post in a threaded discussion. An answer to the selected question is automatically identified from crowd-based sources, with the identified answer having a confidence level greater than a threshold. An answer key is built using the selected question and the identified answer. The QA system is automatically trained using the answer key.