Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for employing video in development processes. A new theory of operation for mapping video to formal models is disclosed. The present invention combines a runtime component and an object memory with an transformer component and offers several inputs and outputs. At least one capture device allows input of video. Video is structurally decomposed into shots and annotated following a semiology-based video model and stored in object memory. A runtime component determines the shots that are played back on one or more displays. A spectator may influence the runtime component by changing its state via at least one controller. One or more downstream development processes can access the object memory to extract customary models for requirements specification.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of image processing including decomposing a reflectance spectrum for a test surface into a linear combination of reflectance spectra of a set of test targets. The coefficient vector calculated in this decomposition is used to predict a response of an imaging sensor to the test surface. A plurality of such predicted responses may be used for various applications involving color detection and/or classification, including human skin tone detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus and an image processing program for dealing with inverted characters (outlined characters) constituted by white pixels on a black ground in a tree structure same as that of normal characters constituted by black pixels on a white ground. In the present invention, black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks are sampled recursively from a binary image, tree structure data indicating a positional relation between the sampled black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks is created, an inverted image is created by white-black-inverting the insides of black pixel blocks that can include inverted characters, of black pixel blocks included in the tree structure data, white pixel blocks and black pixel blacks are sampled from the created inverted image, and data regarding the sampled white pixel blocks and black pixel blocs is added to corresponding nodes of the tree structure data.

Abstract: A method may include the steps of segmenting an image into a plurality of tiles, calculating an upper clip limit and a lower clip limit for each tile of the plurality of tiles based upon a user input standard deviation, generating a lookup table for each tile of the plurality of tiles by linearly mapping the pixels of the image based upon the calculated upper clip limit and lower clip limit, processing each tile of the plurality of tiles based upon the generated lookup table, and generating a processed image by combining each of the processed tiles. The method may include the steps of scaling the image between zero and one and/or scaling the image based upon the display type. The method may be stored on a computer readable medium and may be used in an image processing system having memory, a processor, and a display.

Abstract: A method and system for left ventricle (LV) endocardium surface segmentation using constrained optimal mesh smoothing is disclosed. The LV endocardium surface in the 3D cardiac volume is initially segmented in a 3D cardiac volume, such as a CT volume, resulting in an LV endocardium surface mesh. A smoothed LV endocardium surface mesh is generated by smoothing the LV endocardium surface mesh using constrained optimal mesh smoothing. The constrained optimal mesh smoothing determines an optimal adjustment for each point on the LV endocardium surface mesh by minimizing an objective function based at least on a smoothness measure, subject to a constraint bounding the adjustment for each point. The adjustment for each point can be constrained to prevent adjustments inward toward the blood pool in order to ensure that the smoothed LV endocardium surface mesh encloses the entire blood pool.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an input image signal is passed through a plurality of first high pass filters having different passing frequency band to generate level histograms. High frequency component noise reduction processing is applied to the output of one of the first high pass filters selected based on one of the generated histograms that satisfies a predetermined threshold, low frequency component noise reduction processing is applied to a result obtained by subtracting the output of the selected first high pass filter from the input image signal, and outputs obtained by both the noise reduction processing are added.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for using embedded auxiliary signals in documents for copy detection and other applications. In on application, the auxiliary signal is formed as an array of elements selected from a set of print structures with properties that change differently in response to copy operations. These changes in properties of the print structures that carry the embedded auxiliary signal are automatically detectable. For example, the changes make the embedded auxiliary signal more or less detectable. The extent to which the auxiliary data is detected forms a detection metric used in combination with one or more other metrics to differentiate copies from originals. Examples of sets of properties of the print structures that change differently in response to copy operations include sets of colors (including different types of inks), sets of screens or dot structures that have varying dot gain, sets of structures with different aliasing effects, etc.

Abstract: A terminal 102 creates setting data 400 and inputs setting data 400 into an image output apparatus 101. The image output apparatus 101 sets the initial settings, operation settings, equipment settings, etc. based on the setting data, holds the setting data, and performs various processes based on the set settings and the held setting data. In addition, the image output apparatus 101 performs a media identification process, a media reader switching process, and the like using a media detection means 117, a media reader switching means 118, and the like, and allows only the use of the insertion opening of a predetermined media reader.

Abstract: A method for detecting, in single time-point, in-vivo imaging data related to artifacts in the imaging of objects, includes acquiring at least one in-vivo image with imaging apparatus. A background image corresponds to imaged air of the in-vivo image. The background image is obtained in two steps. A first step includes establishing an object-air boundary and a second step is an atlas-based refinement of a background volume of interest. A histogram reflects an intensity distribution of the background image. The background image is formed of a set of voxels where artifacts are detected. Intensities above a definable intensity value provide an initial estimate of a range of artifacts intensities. A modified morphological opening operation is executed, formed of an erosion of a set of voxels and a dilation, performed iteratively and constrained to voxels intensity above the intensity value, so that the opening operation provides natural definition of artifacts regions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for characterization of background regions of substantially-uniform color in a digital image. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a histogram of the first-channel values of a plurality of image pixels may be formed, and a peak region in the first-channel histogram may be detected. Subsequently a histogram of image values of a second channel may be formed accumulating second-channel values for only those image pixels with first-channel values within the peak region of the first-channel histogram, and a peak region in the second-channel histogram may be detected. An image characteristic may be associated with image pixels with first-channel and second-channel values within the first-channel peak and the second-channel peak regions, respectively.

Abstract: A method for automatically producing a new digital image from a first digital image that includes regions of interest, includes obtaining a main subject belief map including an array of belief values indicating the location and relative importance of subject matter in the first digital image; producing a mask for each privileged object in the first digital image, each such mask including margins around its corresponding privileged object; overlaying the mask(s) onto the belief map; and producing a first convex hull that includes the mask(s) with margin(s) and regions of the highest belief values from the belief map.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imager performing images of a patient imager includes imaging coils. The imager includes receiver coils The imager includes a computer that causes the imaging coils to produce a first steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a first position regarding a target of the patient during a first repetition time, and a second steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a second position different from the first position regarding the target during a second repetition time; and forming a first 3-D dataset of the target associated with the first excitation slab and a second 3-D image dataset of the target associated with the second excitation slab from information received from the receiver coils. The first 3-D image dataset and the second 3-D image dataset, together defining a series of 3-D image datasets for each repetition time; and producing an image of the target from the series of 3-D image datasets. A method for analyzing a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for defining the lumen-intima interface and media-adventitia interface of a blood vessel, for example the carotid artery, comprises a means for acquisition of a two-dimensional representation, generated by an ultrasonographic machine, of a longitudinal or transverse cross section of the vessel. In the two-dimensional representation a region of interest (ROI) is defined comprising the interface lumen-intima and the interface media-adventitia of the vessel. In the ROI N search paths are then defined from the inside to the outside of the vessel. Along each search path i the values f(n, m) are taken of the two-dimensional representation, which are then subject to filtering obtaining filtered values. This allows retrieving discontinuity points of the two-dimensional representation and then localizing the lumen-intima and media-adventitia interfaces through further logical operations.

Abstract: The present invention executes color correction that improves the feeling of depth of a 2D image with ease and by using a preexisting device. Input image data is first converted into brightness information by a brightness information calculation portion. The interest level within the image is then estimated by an interest level estimation portion based on that information. The vanishing point is then estimated by a vanishing point estimation portion. Next, a depth estimation portion estimates the degree of depth based on the distance from the vanishing point to a pixel i and the interest level of the pixel i, and calculates a depth correction gain value. A corrected image, obtained by controlling a depth correction image process based on the depth correction gain value, is converted to a predetermined image format and outputted by an output portion.

Abstract: A watermark information embedding apparatus generates a document image from electronic document data that has been input thereto, modifies the electronic document data based upon the document image and embeds information in the electronic document data. The apparatus includes a document image generator for generating a document image from the electronic document data; a document analyzer for detecting layout information of each constituent image in the generated document image; a normalization information calculation unit for calculating normalization information, which is for normalizing placement of each constituent image, based upon the detected layout information; a modification unit for modifying the electronic document data; and an embedding unit for embedding information in the modified electronic document data.

Abstract: A portable backscatter advanced imaging technology scanner with automated threat or target recognition including: a floor assembly having a cantilever drive assembly for rotating the floor assembly, the floor assembly being able to be partitioned into multiple parts for reassembly; at least one x-ray tube oriented towards selected sides of a test subject; a detector assembly oriented on the circumference of the floor assembly, the detector assembly being able to partitioned into multiple parts for reassembly; a storage unit to store images from detected scattered photons on the detector assembly; and a processing unit to detect, identify and classify concealed objects on the test subject.

Abstract: To handle static text and logos in stabilized images without destabilizing the static text and logos, a method of handling overlay subpictures in stabilized images includes detecting an overlay subpicture in an input image, separating the overlay subpicture from the input image, stabilizing the input image to form a stabilized image, and merging the overlay subpicture with the stabilized image to obtain an output image.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyze the physical structure of text rows in a document image, including the positions of one or more alignments of one or more character blocks in one or more text rows of the document image. The systems and methods determine one or more groups of text rows that are placed into a class based on the structures of the text rows, such as the positions of the one or more alignments of the one or more character blocks in each text row.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for extracting a target related to an algorithm separating the target and a background by using statistical characteristics of the target and the background among target extracting methods required in a weight value center tracking method, and recording media storing a program performing the method. According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively separate the target region and the background region from each other and it is possible to improve reliability in target extracting performance.

Abstract: A display device configured to display a list of programs stored in a storage device includes: a cutout image acquiring section which acquires a cutout image obtained by cutting out a scene in a program; a distribution date-time acquiring section which acquires distribution date and time when the program is distributed; and a three-dimensional display section which displays a three-dimensional space applying axes respectively of a time, a day of the week, and a week, and which arranges the cutout image acquired by the cutout image acquiring section in a position corresponding to the distribution date and time acquired by the distribution time-date acquiring section in the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collision avoidance apparatus and method employing stereo vision applications for adaptive vehicular control. The stereo vision applications are comprised of a road detection function and a vehicle detection and tracking function. The road detection function makes use of three-dimensional point data, computed from stereo image data, to locate the road surface ahead of a host vehicle. Information gathered by the road detection function is used to guide the vehicle detection and tracking function, which provides lead motion data to a vehicular control system of the collision avoidance apparatus. Similar to the road detection function, stereo image data is used by the vehicle detection and tracking function to determine the depth of image scene features, thereby providing a robust means for identifying potential lead vehicles in a headway direction of the host vehicle.

Abstract: An image processing system and the like capable of improving recognition accuracy of a lane mark are provided. According to the image processing system of the present invention, a first processing unit (110) recognizes a lane mark candidate on the basis of the luminance of each pixel in a road image. Moreover, there are evaluated a first index which represents continuity of an edge of the lane mark candidate, a second index which represents conformance between the width of the lane mark candidate and a lane mark standard width, and a third index which represents uniformity of the luminance of pixels contained in the lane mark candidate. According to the first, second, and third indices, a second processing unit (120) recognizes a lane mark candidate most likely to be a true lane mark as a lane mark.

Abstract: In a computer system in which information represented by digital data is output to plural pages of recording medium, and then information on the plural pages of recording medium is read to use digital data representing the read information, authentication information is embedded in information of a start page selected by the computer system; a page number of the start page embedded the authentication information is notified to a user; information on the plural pages of recording medium is read, wherein the start page is positioned so as to be read first; digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is authenticated based on the authentication information embedded in the start page; and a process for the digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is controlled in accordance with a result of the authentication.

Abstract: The present invention provides two-scale tone management of an input image. A method of providing two-scale tone management contains the steps of: separating the input image into a base layer and a detail layer; separating a model image into a base layer and a detail layer; analyzing the input image globally for global contrast; analyzing the input image locally for local contrast; and performing detail preservation of the input image. A system contains a memory and a processor, where the processor is configured by the memory to perform the steps of: separating the input image into a base layer and a detail layer; separating a model image into a base layer and a detail layer; analyzing the input image globally for global contrast; analyzing the input image locally for local contrast; and performing detail preservation of the input image.

Abstract: One of the challenges in video surveillance system is the detection of unwanted intruders in secure zones. These zones may be in large facilities such as airports, train stations, port facilities or warehouses. Because many of these locations are outdoors, the presence of shadows is detected on images. In order to effectively eliminate these shadows which will therefore result in a usable figure, these shadows must be eliminated. This is accomplished by forming a contour box around the image and then reducing the shadows based on preset parameters in the software.

Abstract: An image-based technique for shredded document reconstruction includes the steps of: employing an image processing process to obtain shred images of the shredded document, and then extracting several features of shred images for reconstruction with two similarity measures, and then employing an algorithm using the shred coding scheme and average word length that is insensitive to the shredding noise on image boundaries, and then a weighted digraph is then carried out to derive the optimal shred sorting result for document reconstruction in terms of the shortest path. Experiments are presented for both the synthetic and real data sets. The results show that the proposed method has correctly merged the majority of the shredded document.

Abstract: A method of classifying a scene for each person in a video, the method including: detecting a face within input video frames; detecting a shot change of the input video frames; extracting a person representation frame in the shot; performing a person clustering in the extracted person representation frame based on time information; detecting a scene change by separating a person portion from a background based on face extraction information, and comparing the person portion and the background; and merging similar clusters from the extracted person representation frame and performing a scene clustering for each person.

Abstract: Systems and methods of segmenting images are disclosed herein. The similarity of images in a set of images is compared. A group of images is selected from the set of images. The images in the group of images are selected based on compared similarities among the images. An informative image is selected from the group of images. User-defined semantic information of the informative image is received. The group of images as a graph is modeled as a graph. Each image in the group of images denotes a node in the graph. Edges of the graph denote a foreground relationship between images or a background relationship between images. One or more images in the group of images are automatically segmented by propagating the semantic information of the informative image to images in the group of images having a corresponding graph node that is related to a graph node corresponding to the informative image. Segmentation results can be refined according to user provided image semantics.

Abstract: A method is discussed of tracking objects in a series of n-D images (102) that have objects (106, 108) appearing in a background (110, 112), that method comprises using a probabilistic model of the appearance of the objects and of the appearance of the background in the images, and using an evaluation of whether particular pixels in the images (102) are a part of an object (106, 108) or a part of the background (110, 112), that evaluation comprising determining the posterior model probabilities that a particular pixel (x) or group of pixels belongs to an object or to the background, and further comprising marginalising over these object/background membership probabilities to yield a function of the pose parameters of the objects, where at least the object/background membership is adjudged to be a nuisance parameter and marginalised out.

Abstract: An image converting device includes; a downscaling unit which downscales a two-dimensional image to generate at least one downscaling image, a feature map generating unit which extracts feature information from the downscaling image to generate a feature map, wherein the feature map includes a plurality of objects, an object segmentation unit which divides the plurality of objects, an object order determining unit which determines a depth order of the plurality of objects, and adds a first weight value to an object having the shallowest depth among the plurality of objects, and a visual attention calculating unit which generates a low-level attention map based on visual attention of the feature map.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique of accurately extracting areas of characters included in a captured image. A character extracting device of the present invention extracts each character in an image with compensated pixel values. In more detail, the character extracting device integrates pixel values at each coordinate position in the image along a character extracting direction. Then, the character extracting device predicts the background area in the image based on the integrated pixel value. The compensated pixel values are compensated based on integrated pixel values at the predicted background area from integrated pixel values at each coordinate position.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a fax decoding/re-encoding system for transferring fax images between a sending fax machine and a receiving fax machine includes a decoder responsive to an encoded fax image defined by rows of scan lines. The decoder decodes the scan lines of the encoded fax image and generates run-length representation of the encoded fax image. A scanline manipulation device is responsive to the run-length representation for manipulating the same and generating a manipulated fax image without generating a bitmap of the encoded fax image. The fax decoding/re-encoding system further including a re-encoder responsive to the manipulated fax image and adaptive to generate a re-encoded fax image that is substantially the same as the encoded fax image, wherein the fax decoding/re-encoding system avoids the need for a bitmap for generating a re-encoded fax image thereby substantially reducing re-encoding time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for segmenting images, wherein the image pixels are categorized into a plurality of subsets using one or more indexes, then a log-likelihood function of one or more of the indexes is determined, and one or more maps are generated based on the determination of the log-likelihood function of one or more of the indexes.

Abstract: A method for brightness and contrast enhancement includes computing a luminance histogram of a digital image, computing first distances from the luminance histogram to a plurality of predetermined luminance histograms, estimating first control point values for a global tone mapping curve from predetermined control point values corresponding to a subset of the predetermined luminance histograms selected based on the computed first distances, and interpolating the estimated control point values to determine the global tone mapping curve. The method may also include dividing the digital image into a plurality of image blocks, and enhancing each pixel in the digital image by computing second distances from a pixel in an image block to the centers of neighboring image blocks, and computing an enhanced pixel value based on the computed second distances, predetermined control point values corresponding to the neighboring image blocks, and the global tone mapping curve.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting and labeling places recognized in a video stream using change-points detection. The system includes a segmentation module and a label learning module. The segmentation module is configured to receive a video stream comprising multiple digital representations of images. The video stream is represented by a measurement stream comprising one or more image histograms of the video stream. The segmentation module segments the measurement stream into multiple segments corresponding to place recognized in the videos stream. The segmentation module detects change-points of the measurement stream and computes probability distributions of the segments over multiple pre-learned place models. The label generation module is configured to generate place labels for the places recognized by the place models.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a run-length encoding unit for performing run-length encoding processing on input data and outputting a data value of each element constituting the data and a frequency of the element having the data value, a pixel frequency information extraction unit for extracting pixel frequency information representing frequencies of the background pixel and the outline pixel constituting the target region from among output values of the processing target region processed by the run-length encoding unit, and a pixel frequency information dividing unit for dividing the pixel frequency information extracted by the pixel extraction unit into frequency information about the background pixel and frequency information about the outline pixel, wherein the run-length encoding processing is further performed on the frequency information about the outline pixel.

Abstract: In a method of displaying an image from an image store to a display device, each pixel has a color represented by pixel values which define a position within color space. A plurality of regions are defined within the color space, and each pixel value used within the image is allocated to one of these regions within the color space. Then, one or more areas of the image are selected, and for each of the selected areas, one of the defined regions within the color space is selected. For each selected area of the image, pixels which have been allocated to the selected region within the color space are identified and added to the image store. Different areas of the image and regions of the color space are selected in succession until all pixels of the image have been added to the image store for display.

Abstract: A general purpose method to segment any kind of lesions in 3D images is provided. Based on a click or a stroke inside the lesion from the user, a distribution of intensity level properties is learned. The random walker segmentation method combines multiple 2D segmentation results to produce the final 3D segmentation of the lesion.

Abstract: A method and a device for segmenting a digital image of biological cells, a method and a device for analyzing the dynamic behavior of biological cells and a method and a device for visualizing the dynamic behavior of biological cells.

Abstract: A backlight image determining apparatus includes: (A) a histogram data generation section that, based on data of pixels constituting an image to be determined, generates data of histograms for respective colors, the histograms representing a distribution of the number of pixels in respect to density values of the respective colors of those pixels; (B) an attribute information obtaining section that obtains, for each color, attribute information relating to a first small region and a second small region by partitioning regions given by the histograms for the respective colors into at least three small regions according to the magnitude of the density values, based on the data of the histograms for the respective colors generated by the histogram data generation section, selecting for each color at least one small region from the at least three small regions as the first small region, and selecting, from the at least three small regions, for each color at least one small region whose density values are larger t

Abstract: Techniques for creating a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image within a consumer grade digital camera from a series of images of a scene captured at different exposure levels, and displaying the HDR image on the camera's built-in display are provided. The approach employs mixing images of the series to incorporate both scene shadow and highlight details, and the removing of “ghost” image artifacts appearing in the mixed HDR image resulting from movement in the scene over the time the series images are captured. The low computational resource utilization of the image mixing and ghost removal processing operations, along with the ability to commence image mixing and ghost removal prior to the acquisition of all series images, can significantly reduce the time required to generate and display a tone mapped HDR image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for recording and digitizing intensity profiles (IP) of the papillary structure of the skin with high intensity resolution using sensors S with low intensity resolution. For this purpose, a plurality of digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2) of an identical subarea e.g. of a fingerprint are recorded, whereby the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint is scanned in different intensity resolutions, and/or different portions (A1, A2) of said continuous intensity domain (KI) are mapped to discrete intensity domains of the single digital image signals (DS, D1, DS2). By the pixelwise combination of all digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2), a digital fingerprint image signal (PS) is finally produced whose discrete intensity domain (DI) represents a larger portion of the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint and/or has a higher resolution intensity than each single one of the digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2).

Abstract: A background color of a document is detected based on image data of a colormetric system in which brightness and color components are separated. A color plane is divided into color areas, and the number of elements of image data belonging to each color area is counted. The number of elements of image data belonging to each area of a multiple area constituted of mutually adjacent color areas is then counted. A color area in which the number of elements of image data exceeds a first threshold is extracted and given a positive evaluation. A multiple area in which the number of elements of image data exceeds a second threshold is extracted and a positive evaluation is given to each color area in the multiple area. A color area receiving a positive evaluation both individually and as part of a multiple area is specified as a background color.

Abstract: A method for interactive image segmentation includes receiving an image to be segmented, performing an offline computation of eigenvectors of a Laplacian of the image without using seed points, receiving seed points, and performing an online segmentation taking the seed points and the eigenvectors of the Laplacian as input and outputting a partition of the image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying device models or accounts exhibiting outlying behavior are disclosed. For a method of identifying a device model exhibiting outlying behavior, a processor may receive a color impression count, a monochrome impression count and either a device model for each of a plurality of devices. A proportion of color revenue may be determined for each device based on the color impression count and the monochrome impression count. The processor may determine, for each device model, a distribution of the proportion of color revenue for the one or more devices having the device model and may automatically identify one or more distributions of the proportion of color revenue exhibiting outlying behavior. Each distribution is associated with a device model.

Abstract: An image processing method includes segmenting a series of obtained images, calculating a central point of each segment, and obtaining a target object based on movement variance of the central points of segments in the series of images.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes: a moving object image generation unit which receives, on a frame-by-frame basis, an overall image captured by a camera and performs inter-frame differential processing on the overall image or background differential processing between the overall image and a background image that is previously prepared; a density calculation unit which transforms the differential processed image into one-dimensional information and calculates a density indicating a degree of density of moving objects or of a crowd through frequency analysis; a model generation unit which calculates a reference density of the moving objects or of the crowd based on the density of a predetermined date and time; and a situation determination unit which compares between the density at the current time and the reference density, determines whether or not the density at the current time is different from the reference density, and generates a determination result.

Abstract: An integrated image capture apparatus for use in a two-way communication with a remote display, includes an image capture device for capturing still or video images including a system for sending the captured still or video images to the remote display and for receiving and displaying images from a remote location, a face recognition system provided in the integrated image capture device for detecting faces in the captured image; and an indicator responsive to face detection for indicating that a face has been captured by the image capture device.

Abstract: A homogeneous region detector of an image using an adaptive threshold, and a method of the same. The homogeneous region detector includes a global region standard deviation calculation part to calculate a global region standard deviation of a whole region of an input image, a local region standard deviation calculation part to divide the input image into a predetermined number of local regions and to calculate a local region standard deviation of the each local region, and a homogeneous region determination part to separate the homogeneous region from a feature region in the input image using an adaptive threshold calculated based on entropy of the input image. Accordingly, the homogeneous region can be precisely detected by effectively separating the homogeneous region from the feature region of the input image by using the threshold adaptively calculated based on the entropy of the input image, so that the homogeneous region can be applied to various fields of image processing.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first oxide film is formed in a convex shape on a field insulating film, a polycrystalline silicon film is formed on the first oxide film, and impurities are introduced into the polycrystalline silicon film. The polycrystalline silicon film into which the impurity is introduced is patterned so that a portion above the convex-shaped first oxide film becomes a resistance region of the resistor. A second oxide film is then formed on the patterned polycrystalline silicon film followed by the formation of a third oxide film on the second oxide film. The third oxide film and parts of the second oxide film and the polycrystalline silicon film are then removed to form a planarized surface including surface portions of the second oxide film and the polycrystalline silicon film.