Abstract: A game apparatus provided with a touch panel that a player can use to enter an instruction by touching a touch panel with a stick or a finger. A touch panel image, including multiple button switch images, is displayed on the touch panel, and the player can enter a desired instruction by touching a button switch image associated with the desired instruction. Thus, the player is able to provide an instruction concerning the action of a selected character with a simple operation.

Abstract: A system for navigating an image-guided object through an imaged subject supported on table in relation to an image acquired by an image detector is provided. The system includes a first tracking element attached to the patient, and a second tracking element attached at the table. The first and second tracking elements define first and second coordinate systems. A controller is operable to register the second coordinate system with a third coordinate system defined by the image detector, measure a spatial relation between the first tracking element and the second tracking element, register the first coordinate system with the third local coordinate system defined by the image detector based on the spatial relation between the first and second tracking elements, and generating a composite image comprising a virtual image of the object in spatial relation to the image of the imaged subject acquired by the image detector.

Abstract: A game apparatus selects one of a plurality of characters as a selected character. The game apparatus also sets a position of a virtual camera in accordance with the position of the selected character and thus causes a display apparatus to display an image of a game space, and also causes the display apparatus to display a cursor for designating a predetermined position in the game space. When a predetermined operation by the player is performed in the state where one of the non-selected characters is designated by the cursor, the game apparatus sets the non-selected character designated by the cursor as a newly selected character. When the selected character is changed in a first change step, the position of the virtual camera is moved in accordance with the position of the newly selected character.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for acquiring images of electric transmission line tower structures, equipment attached to said tower structures, and transmission lines suspended from said towers. The system uses a fixed wing aircraft and an arrangement of at least one still camera, means for detecting a tower structure, a data storage unit, and a central processing unit containing operational software. The central processing unit is connected to the camera, the means for detecting a tower structure, and the storage unit. The detection means is a laser altimeter or a combination of preset longitude/latitude coordinates for tower locations and a GPS unit which supplies continuous longitude/latitude coordinates for the aircraft location for comparison to those preset coordinates. The aircraft is flown along the transmission line at a predetermined altitude above the tops of said towers (60–100 feet).

Abstract: A display device including a camera is used by inserting it in the direction of a user's gaze. Alternatively, an image of the same area as that of a scene from a windshield of an automobile may be obtained and the image may be displayed by using an information providing apparatus installed in the automobile. A system provides information to the user by adding a two-dimensional or three-dimensional computer graphics object to an image taken by the camera. The information is directly added to a scene in the direction of the user's gaze and is displayed to the user. Thus the user can easily understand the relationship between the information and the position to which the information is added.

Abstract: An automatic control system for directional control of an aircraft moving on the ground utilizing computer vision methods and camera sensing methods (visible, infrared or microwave) to optically recognize and track taxiway navigation features thereby providing pilot television picture steering cues or force inputs to the nosewheel steering system to maintain the aircraft on the centerline.

Abstract: A system for obtaining, recording, displaying, storing, transmitting and receiving maintenance and other information is provided. The system, which may include an electronic maintenance apparatus that may be in the form of a hand-held digital computer, allows a user to capture and store images, sound, and/or error codes and related text or voice data and other information concerning the system or object being maintained. The information can be stored locally and/or transmitted to remote locations. Retrieval of the images and other data at a later date provides an historical perspective of the object, enabling one using the maintenance apparatus to compare and contrast the condition of the object over time. Instruction on how to accomplish a job at hand, diagnostic information and/or support information may also be transmitted to and from the maintenance apparatus.

Abstract: An image system which captures, along with the images, information defining both the position and the orientation of the camera along with the distance to the subject. A video camera is attached to three accelerometers, two gyroscopes, and a rangefinder. Data gathered from these devices and defining the pitch, yaw, and roll of the camera, the camera's acceleration, and the distance to the subject is captured and recorded along with video images. The video images are later stored within a computer's data base along with data defining the position and orientation of the camera and the distance to the subject for each image, this latter data being computed from the captured data. The images may then be presented to the user in a three-dimensional display in which the user can navigate through the images using a joystick device, with the images located in positions corresponding to the positions in space of the objects that were imaged.

Abstract: A framing aid for a handheld document capture device such as a digital camera, comprising two pattern generators (10,20) generating convergent patterns (14, 24) that are in register on a target object plane. Triangulation between the two pattern generators (10,20) and using superimposed or complementary patterns (14,24) ensures that the hand held device (1) is correctly arranged at a predetermined range and orientation above a document to be captured, such that the document is accurately framed within the field of view of the capture device (1).

Abstract: A method for modifying a visible object shot with a television camera, in which method the object is marked by one or more marking surfaces disposed in the area of the object or in its vicinity, these marking surfaces being identifiable on the basis of radiation differing from other radiation in the area being shot. At least one of the marking surfaces differs in radiation from the environment on the basis of a property other than the color of visible light. The marking surface is identified using at least one identifying detector which is separate from the detectors of the television camera and by means of which the object is shot substantially from the same shooting direction as the picture shot by the television camera.

Abstract: The location of an object in a physical scene is identified with a stereo camera. A virtual surface is identified in the physical scene, and an approximate disparity set is constructed for the virtual surface. A main and a reference image of the scene are acquired by the stereo camera. The reference image is warped according to the disparity set, and subtracted from the main image to determine a set of depth residual values. Pixels having a substantially non-zero residual are identified with a surface of the object not coincident with the virtual surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for identifying a position of an object in free space using a video image wherein the object is comprised of at least three equidistantly spaced, co-linear beads. The video image is captured on a view plane of a video camera system and represented on a frame memory thereof. Relative positions of the beads on the frame memory are determined and corresponding coordinate positions of the beads in the free space are calculated based upon the determined relative spacings and known camera system geometries. The object may also include an alignment indicator so that the pointing direction of the object can be determined.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure estimation apparatus by which an image of a wide visual field and another image which has a high resolution at part of the visual field are provided and a high resolution three-dimensional structure of an object in the visual field can be estimated is disclosed. A wide visual field image and a narrow visual field image outputted from cameras which have a wide visual field cone and a narrow visual field cone of different visual fields and produce images of different resolutions are converted into images whose pixel units are equal in magnitude by a conversion section. The conversion section includes a sampling section which samples pixels of the narrow visual field image to produce a coincident pixel unit image which has a pixel unit coincident with that of the wide visual field image, and a depth image production section which receives and compares the wide visual field image and the coincident pixel unit image with each other to produce a depth image.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a display for displaying an image of an object and a specifying unit for specifying a plurality of measuring points on the display. An actual area of a region surrounded by the plurality of measuring points specified by the specifying unit are calculated by a calculator.

Abstract: A user may initiate a video conference session by dialing a predefined code on their telephone and thereafter dialing the telephone number of the party with whom it is desired to establish the video conference. An AIN network retrieves pre-stored information regarding the characteristics of the computing systems to be included in the video conference. Thereafter, the network automatically establishes communication between the computing devices.

Abstract: A positioning device for a measuring machine wherein a measuring head is movable in a three-dimensional space with respect to a first reference system, and supports a visual sensor having a television camera and a source of a laser beam. The device displays on a monitor the two-dimensional image picked up by the camera and on which is positionable a pointer movable by manual control to select a point of interest in the displayed two-dimensional image. The device moves the measuring head automatically into a position in which the origin of a second reference system, proper to the visual sensor and having two coordinate axes in the two-dimensional image plane, is located at a point, in the three-dimensional space, corresponding to the point of interest selected on the two-dimensional image.

Abstract: A connector assembly for an endoscope apparatus, which includes a plug removably insertable in a receptacle, is disclosed. The plug has a molded body incorporating a light cable and an electrical connector in a fixed spatial relationship within the molded body.

Abstract: A 3-D coordinate measurement is performed in such a way that an electrooptical distance-measuring device is used to measure a linear distance to a target point set on a surface of a measurement object, an angle measuring device is used to measure shifted angles of an optical axis of the electrooptical distance-measuring device, and a 3-D coordinate of the target point is measured according to a measured distance and a measured angle after the optical axis of the electrooptical distance-measuring device has been aligned to the target point.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for providing an automated imaging system comprising an illumination source, a phosphorescent imaging target, and an optical imaging sensor for receiving luminance information emitted from the phosphorescent imaging target.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a body having at least one marker object with a known dimension parameter. The method utilizes at least one camera unit having a sensor device and an optical element a determinable distance from the sensor device. The at least one camera unit includes an element for retrieving and calculation. The method includes the steps of computing the coordinates of an image of the object reproduced on the sensor device, computing a dimension parameter of the object corresponding to the known dimension parameter of the at least one marker object and calculating the proportion of parameters obtained to determine the position of the object.

Abstract: The outputs from a coordinate detector obtained by irradiating a plurality of predetermined positions on a coordinate input screen are stored in correspondence with each position of the coordinate input screen for a projection display section. The position of the coordinate input screen is designated by a switch. On the basis of output information from the coordinate detector, which corresponds to the designated position, the coordinate values of a light spot on the coordinate input screen are calculated by a coordinate calculation section.

Abstract: A printed circuit board testing apparatus includes a first measuring system for determining a relative position between a circuit board carrying table and a test head with respect to two dimensions and an angular direction, a second measuring system for determining a relative position between the table and a circuit board carried by the table with respect to two dimensions and an angular direction, and a drive system for bringing the table and the test head into a first relative positional relationship for the testing of the circuit board in accordance with the relative positions determined by the first and second measuring systems.

Abstract: A three-dimensional coordinate measuring system which includes first and second towers, first and second viewing devices mounted on the first and second towers, respectively, and a pair of targets mounted on each of the first and second towers a known distance apart. A tilt sensor is mounted on each of the first and second towers to measure the angle of each of the first and second towers with vertical and a host computer is coupled to each of the viewing devices and is programmed to perform photogrammetric algorithms so as to compute the coordinates of unknown points.

Abstract: A system for checking alignment of laser beam projecting instruments, and for enabling accurate calibration of an instrument, includes a high resolution video camera positioned to receive a laser beam from the instrument. The spot from the detected laser beam is compared on a video monitor to a spot or target position showing the location corresponding to accurate alignment of the beam. Multiple orthogonal beams from an instrument may be directed to the same video sensor using mirrors. By use of the described system the need for long beam paths to check beam alignment accuracy is avoided.

Abstract: A method for tracking motion from field to field in a sequence of related video broadcast images. The method uses template correlation to follow a set of predetermined landmarks within a scene in order to provide position information of objects in the current image. The current image object position information is compared to position information of the same objects within a reference array data table. The comparison is accomplished through the use of warp equations that map points in the current image to points in the reference array. Motion is tracked according to a velocity prediction scheme utilizing a weighted formula that emphasizes the weight of landmarks that are closer to their predicted position.

Abstract: The presented invention provides the velocity of a moving target from a remote location. A CCD camera receives the image of the target vehicle and records this information on CCD array. The camera then outputs this information in a standard video format such as RS-170, NTSC, or equivalent to the frame grabber circuit card assembly located in the main computer. Custom software along with commercial frame grabber imaging software operates the computer in a Windows or DOS environment. The system will correlate the image of multiple frames stored in the frame grabber circuit card, along with the overlain reference lines and determine the velocity of the target vehicle in miles or kilometers per hour. The image data will be stored in the computer on removable media, along with all pertinent data of the incident including the time/date/location stamp, along with calibration factors and an image of the vehicle operator.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for providing an elongate linear continuous, uniformed, diffused lighting environment for use in conjunction with an electronic line scanner, a photo-copier or a machine vision system, particularly for inspection and reproduction of specular surfaces such as documents or art work containing highly reflective areas on the surface thereof and other shiny surfaces. The linear illumination device includes at least one elongate source of light, illuminating a primary diffuser, to provide a primary diffused light source and a secondary elongate source of light illuminating a secondary diffuser to provide a secondary diffused light source supplied substantially along an observation plane of the illumination device. The two sources provide uniformly diffused lighting of an elongate strip of an object located at the object observing location to facilitate accurate viewing of a desired elongate portion of the object to be observed.

Abstract: A line projection part provided on a distal-end part of an endoscope for projecting a light of a line toward the side of an object. A plurality of points are assigned on a line which is projected so as to pass through a recess or the like which resides in an object surface, to calculate an approximate line which expresses the line three-dimensionally. Further, a measurement point is assigned onto the line which passes through the recess, to find a three-dimensional coordinate thereof. A distance from the three-dimensional coordinate to the approximate line is found to calculate a depth of the recess or the like.

Abstract: We disclose: (1) a method for tensioning an ID saw blade, which comprises observing position of the cutting edge of the ID saw blade by using a CCD camera, exhibiting the observed position of the cutting edge of the ID saw blade on a display, adjusting tensioning screws while the position of the cutting edge of the ID saw blade exhibited on the display is watched, and disposing the cutting edge of the ID saw blade at a position within a preset allowable range which is exhibited on the display; and (2) an apparatus for monitoring tensioning of an ID saw blade which comprises a CCD camera for observing the position of the cutting edge of the ID saw blade, a display for exhibiting the observed position of the cutting edge of the ID saw blade, and a mechanism for exhibiting on the display an allowable range for the position of the cutting edge of the ID saw blade which is set in advance.

Abstract: An optical position detecting unit which includes: an image pickup device having a pixel array region, an imaging lens for forming an image of a light-emitting point, a converging lens for converging light come from the light-emitting point image formed by the imaging lens onto the pixel array region, a pattern member having a pattern which contains code information uniquely corresponding to the position of the light-emitting point and disposed on a path of light from the light-emitting point and at a position near the light-emitting point image, and a signal processing unit for extracting information of the position of the light-emitting point by using code information contained in an image of the pattern projected onto the pixel array region of the image pickup device on the basis of image data generated by the image of the projected pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining or verifying the depth of cut of a micrometer surgical knife include placing the knife within the viewing field of a video microscope to produce an image on a video monitor, generating cursor lines on the monitor, spacing the cursor lines apart by a distance which, when calibrated to the actual dimensions of the knife, represents the actual, linear cutting depth, zeroing the knife by moving it until the footplate of the knife is aligned with one cursor line and moving the knife blade to extend past the footplate to the second cursor line. Alternatively, the footplate is aligned with the first cursor line and the second cursor line is aligned with the blade tip, and the resulting distance between the first and second cursor lines is correlated to an actual, linear dimension.

Abstract: An image input apparatus has a video camera which photographs an object placed on a stage of the apparatus and which outputs a video signal for reproducing an image of the object on a screen of an external device, such as a monitor. The operator can designate a selected part of the reproduced image by displaying an arrow mark on the image. Display position of the arrow mark is designated by operating cursor keys of a control panel of the image input apparatus while referring to the monitor. The display position is entered in the form of a pair of coordinate values of X-Y coordinates which are defined on the screen. In accordance with the coordinate values, data for displaying the arrow mark as a dot pattern is read from a memory in synchronism with the video signal and mixed with the video signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to input two dimensional points in space into a computer. Such points in space reside within the field of view of a video camera, which is suitably connected to a computer. The operator aims a focus of light at the point whose coordinates are desired and depresses a trigger button mounted proximate to the light source. The trigger actuation signals the computer to capture a frame of video information representing the field of view of the camera, and with appropriate software, identifies the picture element within that frame that has the brightest value by comparison with the field of view without the focus of light. This picture element will be the one associated with the point within the field of view upon which the spot of light impinged at the time the trigger button was depressed. The actual digital coordinates of the point are identified and then calculated based upon a previously established relationship between the video frame and the camera field of view.