Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting heart valves. The method comprises projecting an actual image of a heart valve onto an image receiver, providing target data corresponding to a desired heart valve, comparing the actual image to the target data using a microprocessor, and determining whether the actual image matches the target data. The apparatus comprises a light source, a image receiver, a holder adapted to support a heart valve between said light source and the image receiver such that an actual image of the heart valve is received at the image receiver, a microprocessor in electronic communication with the image receiver. The microprocessor has access to target values for the regions of interest and compares the actual values in each region of interest to the target values to produce an output pass/fail signal.

Abstract: A method for intracardially mapping a condition such as an electrical or mechanical property of a chamber of a heart uses a catheter having a distal tip and at least one condition sensor contained therein or proximate thereto. The at least one sensor is capable of sensing condition information in the chamber and provides the three-dimensional position of the catheter tip in a positional frame of reference. The method includes the steps of acquiring first and second images of the chamber. The images are acquired from different projections and contain topological information of the chamber. The chamber images are registered with the positional frame of reference. The catheter distal tip is advanced into the catheter and is navigated to acquisition points under the guidance of topological information contained in or derived from the images.

Abstract: There is provided a contact failure inspection system and method for semiconductor devices and a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices. Using digitized values for electron signals detected using a scanning electron microscope, contacts can be inspected to identify failures such as non-open contact holes. The contact failure inspection is performed by comparing the electron signal value detected from a unit area including at least one contact hole with values representative of the electron signal corresponding to a normal contact.

Abstract: A document image tilt detection unit extracts a set of elements forming a character from a document image, extracts candidates for horizontal and vertical lines based on the character elements, estimates the reliability of each candidate for a line, and extracts a set of probable lines. Then, it estimates the tilt of the document image based on the arrangement of the character elements belonging to the line elements in the set of probable lines. A layout analysis unit extracts a set of lines in a fixed line direction from a set of basic elements forming the document image, and reciprocally performs the extraction of a column based on the correlation between lines and the extraction of a line based on the restrictions of the column. By providing the document image tilt detection unit and the layout analysis unit, the tilt of the document image containing both vertical and horizontal character lines can be detected, and lines and columns can be extracted at a high speed with high precision.

Abstract: A method for analyzing image data is disclosed that will find defects on a multi-layer device having solder pads, such as a semiconductor computer chip. The method provides a device template image, a theoretical image created from data from several real images, for comparison to an image of a device to be tested after the solder pad data is segmented. The parameter values of the device to be tested are recorded and compared to the parameter values of the device template, forming a difference image. The difference image and the solder pad data are then run through a series of tests, wherein the device is determined defective or not defective.

Abstract: In a projection means black pixel histograms of a binary stationary image are generated in both the vertical and the horizontal direction. In a text type judgment means, in accordance with these histograms, a determination is made of whether the image is vertical text or horizontal text. Based on the result of this determination, a pattern block extraction means extracts either a column or a row from the image. The block is further projected and divided into smaller blocks. Then projection is again applied to these divided blocks and patterns are extracted by a pattern extraction means. A judgment is made as to whether or not joining of the extracted patterns is to be performed and, if joining is required, they are joined by a pattern joining means and finally the offsets of all the extracted patterns are calculated, whereupon data (of extracted patterns) are sent to a pattern matching process.

Abstract: A method for determining the boundaries of a symbol or word string within an image, including the steps of determining page orientation, isolating symbol strings from adjacent symbol strings, establishing a set of boundaries or references with respect to which measurements about, or further processing of, the symbol string may be made.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transforming an image for classification or pattern recognition. At least two distinct projections are carried out in order to define boundaries and shadows of the transformed image. The transformed image is the basis for further analysis such as the calculation of parameter values to be verified.

Abstract: An image processor which receives an image and assigns position of an arbitrary pixel in the image. An image block is extracted from the received image, and start and end positions of a designated area of the received image are acquired. A designated image block in the extracted image block is designated for processing in accordance with the start and end positions of the designated area of the received image.

Abstract: A character reader for optically reading and entering characters. The character reader including: an input apparatus for photoelectrically reading characters as an image, creating image data formed by black pixels lying on a white surface, and entering the image data; a tangent detector for generating at least two line segments, each line segment connecting two black pixels within a character string of the image data; and a tilt decider for choosing a representative line segment from the at least two line segments which is representative of the tilt of the character string, on the basis that the distance between two black pixels specifying the representative line segment is longer than the distance between two black pixels specifying another line segment.

Abstract: When an original wherein a plurality of binary image areas in different density or the like coexist is printed by stencil making, tone characteristics of a tone image area are preserved and blur or extinction of a faint letter, or smear of a letter written on a dark background in a binary image area is prevented from occurring and print without incongruity due to density different is obtained.

Abstract: A character extraction apparatus is provided for extracting character data for each character from a text image which is represented by first pixels corresponding to character images and second pixels corresponding to background images. The character extraction apparatus comprises a character row detecting means for detecting character rows from the text image and obtaining position data of each character row; a pixel array extracting means for extracting arrays of continuous first pixels in an area specified by the character row position data and computing position data of each of the arrays of continuous first pixels; a character array linking means for linking the arrays of continuous first pixels in the area based on the position data of the arrays of continuous first pixels; and a character extracting means for recognizing each set of arrays of continuous first pixels linked by the character array linking means as a character and outputting character data.

Abstract: A system and method for permitting a subject to interact with an electronic image. In one embodiment, the present invention obtains a first electronic image of a scene including the subject. An alpha image of the subject is generated. From the alpha image a characteristic of the subject is determined. The first characteristic is compared against a control box. The correlation between the first characteristic and the control box controls the interaction between the subject and the first electronic image. In another embodiment, the subject interacts with a second electronic image that is different from the first electronic image. In another embodiment, the interaction between the subject and the electronic image is the control of a cartoon character added to the electronic image. In a further embodiment, the cartoon character changes its appearance based upon the characteristic of the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying the position of lines in pixel image data comprising the steps of obtaining a horizontal projection of image density across a widthwisely extended portion of the image data, identifying non-empty regions on the basis of the horizontal projection, inspecting the horizontal projection in a vertical direction to locate a first non-empty region having a first height, inspecting the horizontal projection in the vertical direction to locate a next non-empty region having a second height, and connecting the first region and the next region if the first height is less than the second height and if a distance between the first region and the next region is less than the first height.

Abstract: A method for cutting character images from a line segment of pixel image data includes a first cutting layer step in which nontouching and nonoverlapping characters are cut from a line segment, and a second cutting layer step in which touching characters are cut from the line segment.

Abstract: A system to align oriented (unaligned) objects in an image to permit such operations as dimensional gauging or measurements to be performed. Using the angle of rotation of the object in the unaligned image, the system creates a destination image having rows and columns of pixels aligned with a specified axis. The unaligned image is then aligned by finding a first pixel location in a first column in the destination image; locating a first whole pixel location nearest to the first pixel area in the unaligned image; copying the actual pixel value of the first whole pixel location in the unaligned image to the first pixel location in the destination image; locating a next whole pixel location in the unaligned image; copying the actual pixel value of the next whole pixel location to a next pixel location in the destination image until all pixels in a first column of the window have been copied to the first column of the destination image; locating the next column, and continuing until a last column is located.

Abstract: A character line recognition apparatus including an image input section for binarizing an inputted document image so as to output a binarized image, an extracting section for obtaining a combining component of a black pixel from the binarized image so as to convert the combining component into circumscribed rectangular data, a calculating section for calculating out simplified projection information based on a prescribed function into which the circumscribed rectangular data, a calculating section for calculating line direction projection information based on the prescribed function as the simplified projection information, and a detecting section for detecting a character line on the document image based on the line direction projection information.

Abstract: In an image extraction system, an extracting part for extracting wide lines, an extracting part for extracting narrow lines and a frame detector detect a frame from a pattern which is extracted by a connected pattern extracting part. An attribute adder adds attributes of a character (graphic and symbol inclusive), frame, and a contact pattern of the character and frame to a partial pattern, and a separating part separates the frame from the contact pattern. An intersection calculator calculates intersections of the character and frame, and the calculated intersections are associated by an intersection associating part. An interpolator obtains a character region within the frame and interpolates this region based on the associated intersections. A connection confirming part confirms a connection of the pattern with respect to the extracted character pattern, and patterns confirmed of their connection are integrated in a connected pattern integrating part to thereby extract the character.

Abstract: A bounding box is generated for a scanned image. A vertical edge of the scanned image is detected. A horizontal edge of the scanned image is also detected. The vertical edge is used as a rightmost edge of the bounding box. The horizontal edge is used as a bottom edge of the bounding box. The vertical edge is detected by, for each scan row, detecting when a first pixel in a substep of pixels of the scan row has a grey value which differs from a grey value of a pixel immediately to the right of the first pixel by at least a first predetermined constant. When such a first pixel is found, any edge from a previous row which is continued by the first pixel is detected. A longest edge in any row continued by the first pixel a length of the longest edge is stored. Also stored is an indication of a rightmost pixel of any edge continued by the first pixel.

Abstract: An image analyzing apparatus includes a display for displaying an image and an image analyzer including a profile data producing section for producing profile data corresponding to a profile of density in a region specified by a figure formed at a desired position in the image displayed on the display, a noise level data producing section for producing noise level data indicating a level of noise contained in the profile, and a peak recognizing section for smoothing the profile data in accordance with the noise level data and producing peak data regarding peaks contained in the profile based on the smoothed profile data. The display is constituted so as to be able to display the profile. According to the thus constituted image analyzing apparatus, it is possible to automatically and properly recognize peaks in a profile irrespective of noise contained in the image.

Abstract: Predetermined recognition units are extracted from an input document image. Histograms are prepared based on the extracted recognition units. By partially collating a 0-1 pattern representation extracted from the prepared histograms of each recognition unit with 0-1 pattern representations of respective recognition target categories, which are prepared in advance, candidates of recognition target categories corresponding to the recognition unit are retrieved.

Abstract: An encoding method is provided with which users can select picture quality and a quantity of data in multiple stages and with which an image of higher picture quality can be regenerated by scalable selection, i.e., by further adding data to compressed data that can be decoded. Image data is compressed using: means (62) for segmenting an original image into a plurality of object regions where each region pixels all correlate with one another and for determining a hierarchical structure of the object regions; means (63) for approximating each of the object regions with at least one polygonal surface so that errors of a intensity of luminance and chrominances in each the pixel are less than a predetermined threshold value; means (64) for obtaining residual images by subtracting the approximated image from the original image or by subtracting a decompressed image of a compressed nth-order residual image from the original nth-order residual image; means (65) for compressing the nth-order residual image (n.gtoreq.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the variations attendant to free-form execution of a signature by providing a delimiting area in which a signature string, and/or portions of a signature string, is/are to be constrainedly transcribed. Also disclosed is a method of signature verification based on analysis of the environs attendant to the signature-string.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus automatically identifying top and bottom of document image based on characteristics with regard to shapes or positions of data, etc. recorded on document. Distribution states of pixel cumulative values in main scanning direction and sub scanning direction of image signals provided by scanning the document, are analyzed and top and bottom of the document image is identified from the result of analysis. Further, it is possible to identify the top and bottom of the document image by analyzing the distribution states the pixel cumulative values in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction of the image signals and identifying letter series regions and line segment regions displaced therefrom.

Abstract: A method for determining extrema of an object with respect to a reference frame that is rotated in comparison to that of the image and the equipment that acquired it is characterized by the steps of taking a first projection of the object with respect to an axis of a coordinaate system that is rotated with respect to the reference frame of the acquisition equipment, identifying in that projection locations representing extrema of the object, and outputting those locations as indicative of the extrema with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A semi-automatic method of extracting a contour in a digital image using a combined active contour and starter/guide approach is based on an iterative process of deforming an active contour to obtain a current trace and extending the current trace by a straight line segment. An initial contour is entered into the image to seed the iterative process. Local analysis of the digital image at a point of the initial contour determines a first reference datum. At each iteration this analysis is carried out locally at a plurality of points around the end point of the current trace to determine, by correlation with the first datum, the orientation of the straight line segment extending the current trace.

Abstract: A document to be processed is scanned into a machine readable image. The image is segmented into a plurality of fields. Predetermined characteristics are measured for each field and the set of characteristics is correlated with a predetermined set of characteristics derived from a reference image. The fields with the highest degree of correlation to the characteristics from the reference document are selected for further processing, e.g., optical character recognition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and measuring capillary indentation marks on wire bonded leads by creating a normalized, one-dimensional circumferential projection of a candidate center location in an image of a capillary indentation mark and detecting signals in the one-dimensional circumferential projection that correspond to a predefined pattern. The one-dimensional circumferential projection can be generated and evaluated for a full or a sub-sampled set of candidate center locations according to a number of different methods.

Abstract: An optical character recognition system cuts between touching characters. A first cut is made between touching characters based on white spaces, and the cut characters are subjected to character recognition processing. All characters not recognized are then cut again. A pair of adjacent vertical bars is detected in a vertical histogram of character image data of unrecognized characters, the vertical bars having a vertical component in the histogram that exceeds a predetermined vertical threshold. Horizontal crossings are detected in each of three discrete horizontal bands between the vertical bars. The vertical bars are classified according to the detected horizontal crossings, and, based on the classification, a decision is made whether or not to cut between the vertical bars, and where to cut between the vertical bars.

Abstract: A bar-code field detecting apparatus first differentiates, in X and Y directions, image data of a document including a bar code, the position of which is not determined. It then expands each of the differential images in the direction opposite to the direction in which the image data is differentiated. Expanded images are subjected to bar-code field detection.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating an image from a black frame quickly and precisely wherein corner coordinates for a character field are inferred by using a parameter relative to a character frame layout, and more precise corner coordinates are detected by pel distribution in a partial range. The positions of inner walls of a black frame are then inferred by using the detected corner coordinates and the parameter relative to the character frame, and a detection area is set. The positions of the inner walls are precisely detected by the pel distribution in the detection area, and smoothing process is performed on the detected values by employing the detected values of other adjacent black frames. Sequentially, white lines are drawn along the inner walls to separate the black frame from the character, and noise is removed. In consonance with a skew value, the detection area is divided to change the set range, and data separation is performed by using two white lines with a step difference between them.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for extracting the line of text to be read, and compensating for any inclination or shifting in the column direction of the scanned character images, to improve the recognition ratio of the character recognition process. By extracting the characters at or near the column-direction center of plural meandering lines of scanned character images, the lines intended to be read for character recognition can be extracted based on the extracted characters. When there is shifting in the column direction between character images on the same scanned line, the amount of shifting is determined based on the inclination between the characters to compensate the shifting based on the obtained inclination. When the scanned character images are skewed relative to the column direction, a process minimizing the slope of the inclination is executed to compensate the inclination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cropping an image in digital form. The image to be cropped is represented as a first digital array which is operated on by an edge enhancement transformation to generate a second, binary digital array wherein edges of the image are emphasized. The second digital array is then partitioned into predetermined segments which are typically rows and columns of the array and the pixel values of each row and column are summed to generate brightness sums. The second digital array is then partitioned into a first, brighter, central group of rows and a second, less bright group consisting of upper and lower borders of rows; and a third, brighter, central group of column and left and right borders of columns in accordance with predetermined criteria relating to the brightness sums.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided which is capable of a high-speed process for obtaining a projection histogram. A digitizing unit subjects a video signal, obtained by acquiring an image of a target mark with a camera, to horizontal scanning and slicing to obtain a binary signal. A window signal output unit, coupled to the digitizing unit, outputs a window signal in accordance with a preset window area. An in-window signal output unit is connected to the outputs of the digital unit and the window signal output unit to perform a logical AND operation on the binary signal and the window signal and outputs an in-window binary signal. A histogram creating unit is coupled to the output of the in-window signal output unit to create a projection histogram by successively counting the high- and low-level states of the in-window binary signal generated as the horizontal scanning progresses.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed. The image processing apparatus incorporates an input device which inputs binary image data, a divider which divides the input binary image data into binary text/drawing data and binary photograph/graphics data, a multi-value processor in which the binary text/drawing data is converted to multi-value text/drawing data by a filter which interpolates an edge of an image and the binary photograph/graphics data is converted to multi-value photograph/graphics data by a filter which smooths an image, a mixer which mixes the multi-value text/drawing data and the multi-value photogaph/graphics data together into multi-value data, and an output device which outputs the multi-value data. In accordance with this invention, improved output images can be produced in which, for example, jagged images are reduced and faithful reproductions of an orignal image are achieved.

Abstract: This character recognition method is capable of determining the direction of row of characters, applicable to a language which can be written in horizontal or vertical direction, such as Japanese. The method takes projections in both directions, by counting black pixels, and compares the obtained counts with a threshold value (or with each other). The text is identified as horizontally or vertically written, respectively, according as the count exceeds the threshold value more in the horizontal or vertical direction. A projection is taken again in the perpendicular direction, after the writing direction is determined, to extract each character, which is subjected to character recognition in known manner. Thus the method can achieve automatic recognition, without instruction of the direction of writing by the operator.

Abstract: A character recognition system or the like in which character identities are stored in accordance with a hierarchical order established during processing to separate text image areas from non-text image areas. To separate text image areas from non-text image areas, blocks of pixels are selected from pixel image data by outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines, and selectively connecting text lines vertically to form text blocks. After blocks of pixels have been so selected, text blocks are segmented into lines of pixel image data, and characters are cut from the lines of pixel image data so obtained. If desired, the characters may be cut by a two-step cutting process in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are first cut out, and touching characters are then cut out.

Abstract: In a character recognition system or the like, method and apparatus for selecting blocks of pixels from pixel image data so as to permit identification and grouping of similarly-typed pixels, such as text-type pixels and non-text-type pixels. Pixel image data is inputted and, if the pixel image data is not binary image data then the pixel image data is converted into binary pixel image data. Blocks of pixel image data are selected by outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text unit or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and selectively connecting text lines vertically to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines. A hierarchical tree is formed based on the outlined connected components.

Abstract: An image processing system segments an object from the background of a scene by controlling a light source to illuminate the object more in one scene image than in another scene image. The two scene images are captured by an image input device and are then compared. The part of the image that experienced an increase in intensity is segmented as corresponding to the object. The image input device and the light source can also be placed in an opaque enclosure with an opening through which the input device can view and the light can illuminate the object. By placing the enclosure the correct distance away from the object, the effects of ambient light on the image are removed. Object glare is removed by a polarizing filter system.

Abstract: An area discrimination system discriminates areas from each other in a binary image. The system includes a reducing unit for reducing a binary image supplied from an external unit, a skew detector for detecting skew of the binary image with respect to a predetermined direction, an extracting unit for extracting black connected components from the reduced image, a block forming unit for forming blocks, each of which includes a plurality of black connected components close to each other, a first merging unit for merging blocks satisfying first conditions into a a character string by using of the skew detected by said skew detector, the first conditions including at least a condition depending on skew of the binary image, and a second merging unit for merging character strings satisfying second conditions into a column by using of the skew detected by said skew detector, the second conditions including at least a condition depending on skew of the binary image.

Abstract: From input document data there are detected the features of the document, such as the top, bottom, left and right margins, the character space, the line space, the word space, the column space, the size and coordinates of each character, and the like. Values by which the spaces thus detected, including the character space and the line space, are to be adjusted, and a ratio at which to reduce or enlarge the characters are calculated from the features of the document and the minimum margins, the minimum character size and the like preset based on the size of the medium used in an output device such as laser printer. The coordinates of each character on the document is changed in accordance with these values and the character-reducing or -enlarging ratio. The size of the input image is changed based on the original and changed coordinates of each character.

Abstract: A method of recognizing a character including the steps of reading sample characters and generating an image corresponding to the sample characters. Then calculating density projections of each sample characters. A primitive characteristic vector is then extracted from each density projection. Compression then occurs so that an optimal distinction vector and a corresponding characteristic space can be determined. A character to be recognized is then read and an image corresponding to said character to be recognized is generated. A density projection is then made from the image of the character to be recognized. A primitive characteristic vector is then made from the density projection of the character to be recognized. A secondary characteristic vector is then produced by projecting the primitive characteristic vector of the character to be recognized into the compressed characteristic space.

Abstract: In a character segmenting apparatus the extracting section extracts the character segment pattern on the basis of the connection data imparted to the segment pattern. The character size calculating section calculates a histogram of a lengthwise or crosswise character size of a circumscribed rectangle circumscribed with the extracted character segment pattern and also calculates an average character size and its variance value on the basis of the histogram of the character size. The character pitch calculating section calculates a histogram of a pitch between the circumscribed rectangles and also calculates an average character pitch and its variance value on the basis of the histogram of the character pitch. The integrating section integrates the character while changing character integrating conditions in accordance with the average character size, the size variance value, the average character pitch and the pitch variance value.

Abstract: A method for detecting the location of a human being in three dimensions from a spatial image of an area that is generated using a lens. Portions of the image having density values within a predetermined range are labeled, those density values corresponding to brightness levels of the pixels in the image. A labeled portion corresponding to a part of the head is selected when the top region of that portion forms the shape of an arch. The width of the selected portion is then determined. Assuming that the part of the head having hair on all persons has a constant horizontal width, the distance from a lens to a human being is calculated based on the determined width of the selected portion. The coordinates of the person are determined based on that distance.

Abstract: A method for reducing an image of a character or word string to one or more one dimensional signals, including the steps of determining page orientation, isolating character strings from adjacent character strings, establishing a set of references with respect to which measurements about the character string may be made, and deriving a plurality of measurements with respect to the references in terms of one dimensional signal, amenable to identification processing techniques.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for executing the method, for processing digitized image data representative of a page. The method includes the steps of (a) processing the image data on a scanline by scanline basis to partition the image data into a plurality of rows and columns of N.times.M arrays (14a) of image pixels. The step of partitioning includes the steps of, for each row of an N.times.M array of image pixels, (b) detecting occurrences, if any, along any scanline of an image pixel having a foreground value; for a non-zero number of detected occurrences within one N.times.M array of image pixels, (c) incrementing a corresponding array row count and a corresponding array column count; and (d) for at least one detected occurrence, adjusting the boundary of a bounding box so as to enclose the at least one detected occurrence and substantially all previously detected occurrences.

Abstract: The shadow contrast sensitivity of the human vision system is simulated by configuring information obtained from an image sensor so that the information may be evaluated with multiple pixel widths in order to produce a machine vision system able to distinguish between shadow edges and abrupt object edges. A second difference of the image intensity for each line of the image is developed and this second difference is used to screen out high frequency noise contributions from the final edge detection signals. These edge detection signals are constructed from first differences of the image intensity where the screening conditions are satisfied. The positional coincidence of oppositely signed maxima in the first difference signal taken from the right and the second difference signal taken from the left is used to detect the presence of an object edge. Alternatively, the effective number of responding operators (ENRO) may be utilized to determine the presence of object edges.