Abstract: First, a plurality of vertices of a contour of an object or of a design are detected from an image. Then, a predetermined number of division points are generated on each of sides connecting the plurality of detected vertices, so as to divide each side of at least one pair of two opposing sides into unequal parts. Then, a plurality of sample points are determined on the basis of straight lines connecting the division points on the two opposing sides to one another, and on the basis of pixel values of the sample points, it is determined whether or not a predetermined object or design is displayed in an area surrounded by the plurality of vertices in the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus can detect a predetermined target object from image data. The image processing apparatus includes an image zooming unit configured to generate a plurality of pieces of zoomed image data that are mutually different in magnification from the image data input by an image inputting unit, a detection unit configured to extract a partial area from the plurality of pieces of zoomed image data generated by the image zooming unit, and detect the predetermined target object by performing collation to determine whether the extracted partial area coincides with a detection pattern stored in a detected pattern storage unit, and a detected information storage unit configured to store detection information including magnification information of the zoomed image data from which the predetermined target object is detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an attribute selection method for making statistical learning of descriptors intended to enable automatic recognition and/or detection of an object from a set of images, method characterized by the following steps: obtain a mask of the object in each image containing said object to be recognized, define and select at least one set of descriptors as a function of their geometric shape and/or apparent specific physical characteristics, calculate attributes associated with this shape and said specific physical characteristics, sort the descriptors as a function of their respective scores, select descriptors with the highest scores to perform said statistical learning.

Abstract: A method and system for performing gesture recognition of a vehicle occupant employing a time of flight (TOF) sensor and a computing system in a vehicle. An embodiment of the method of the invention includes the steps of receiving one or more raw frames from the TOF sensor, performing clustering to locate one or more body part clusters of the vehicle occupant, calculating the location of the tip of the hand of the vehicle occupant, determining whether the hand has performed a dynamic or a static gesture, retrieving a command corresponding to one of the determined static or dynamic gestures, and executing the command.

Abstract: Large-scale matching of videos is performed by matching a set of probe videos against a set of reference videos to determine if they are visually and/or aurally similar. The visual and audio fingerprints of all probe videos and reference videos are divided into subfingerprints, which are divided into LSH bands. The LSH bands of the probe videos are sorted in one list, and the LSH bands of the reference videos are sorted in another list. Then, the two sorted lists are linearly scanned for matching LSH bands. The matching LSH bands are sorted by probe video ID, and each probe video ID is searched to find matches between probe videos and reference videos. Further, an incremental matching process identifies matches as groups of new probe videos and/or new reference videos are added, without unnecessary repetition of matching old probe videos against old reference videos.

Abstract: Automatically preparing communications for transmission by a mobile terminal device. In one example, this includes storing contact information including personal contacts and associated address and face image information. A face image is extracted from within a still image content to obtain an extracted face image. The extracted face image is linked to a given personal contact among the personal contacts by finding a match corresponding to the extracted face image among previously extracted face images found in the stored contact information. The given personal contact is correlated to address information using the contact information, and a message is automatically prepared for transmission to the given personal contact using the address information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sonar image feature extraction, which fit a parameterized statistical model to sonar image data to extract features that describe image textures for follow-on pattern classification tasks. The systems and methods estimate the parameters of an assumed statistical model from the pixel values in the sonar images. The parameters of the distribution can then be used as features in a discriminant classifier to perform tasks such as texture segmentation or environmental characterization. The systems and methods divide a sonar image into separate overlapping cells. The ACF parameters of each cell are sequentially estimated using various methods. Based on the ACF parameters obtained, each cell is assigned a label via a pattern classification algorithm. The labeled image can be used in target recognition, environmental characterization and texture segmentation.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods, devices, and computer-implemented methods for receiving a modulated signal transmitted from at least one signal emitter. The method can include receiving at least one image that comprises image data representing the modulated signal received as radiation emitted from the at least one signal emitter, wherein the radiation represented in the image data comprises at least one period of the modulated signal and wherein the at least one image was captured by a camera of a computing device while a field of view of the camera was moving relative to the at least one signal emitter; analyzing, by at least one processor, the at least one image; extracting, based on the analyzing, the image data representing the radiation; and determining, from the image data that was extracted, the modulated signal transmitted by the at least one signal emitter.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a line information reception unit, a prediction determination unit, a feature amount calculation unit and a line determination unit. The line information reception unit receives a set of information indicating (i) information on an image having a possibility of being line and (ii) line element being a rectangular pixel lump constituting a line. The prediction determination unit determines whether or not a target line element matches a predicted value based on the received information. The predicted value indicates line element which is predicted when the target line element constitutes a line. The feature amount calculation unit calculates feature amount of the image when the prediction determination unit determines the target line element does not match the predicted value. The line determination unit determines whether or not the image is a line based on the calculated feature amount.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for extracting information from digital documents, including physical documents that have been converted to digital documents. For example, some embodiments are configured to extract information from a field in a digital document by identifying a block of tokens before (i.e., a prior block) and a block of tokens after (i.e., a post block) the field from which the information is to be extracted, where both the prior block and post block are known to be associated with the field type of the field (e.g., name, address, phone number, etc.).

Abstract: An interventional roadmap method with optimization of the mask face is proposed. At least two empty images and at least two fill images are recorded in a mask phase A with a matrix-type array of pixels and stored. The empty and fill images are processed such that the gray values of each pixel of the x-ray images from mask phase A are arranged in ascending order. A mask image is computed from the processed empty and fill images such that the smallest gray values are averaged and from which the mask image will be formed. At least one current x-ray image is recorded and subtracted from the mask image to create roadmap images.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product are presented for detecting an image. Ring contour images are created by blurring the image, posterizing the blurred image at a plurality of levels and creating the ring contour images from each of the posterized images. Convex hull images are created by creating a plurality of corner images from corners within the image located by at least two different corner algorithms, finding a bounding rectangle that encompasses the ring contour images, cropping the corner images using the bounding rectangle, applying a threshold to the cropped corner images, and creating the convex hull images by generating a convex hull from the corners in each of the cropped corner images. A plurality of triangles is created by fitting a triangle with an orientation to the ring contour images and the convex hull images. Finally the orientation of the triangle is determined from the plurality of triangles.

Abstract: Character recognition is described. In one embodiment, it may use matched sequences rather than character shape to determine a computer-legible result.

Abstract: An electronic alerting device may include an earpiece adapted to be worn at the driver ear. The earpiece may include a microchip and a sensor located at an outer surface of the earpiece. The sensor may be capable of detecting when the driver eyelid closes and opens by generating and transmitting eyelid detection signals to the microchip when the driver eyelid closes and opens respectively. A transducer may be attached to the earpiece and adapted to be placed in the driver ear. A communication interface may be used to enable the microchip to communicate with the transducer. The microchip may determine a number of continuous occurrences of the eyelid detection signals and thereby generates and transmits control signals to the transducer when the number of continuous occurrences of the eyelid detection signals is above and below a threshold number of continuous occurrences within a unit of time.

Abstract: An information image includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth pixel series which represent first, second, third, fourth and fifth information, respectively. The first and second information are successions of binary numbers 0 or 1. The first and third pixel series are series of pixel lumps arranged continuously as rows in a rectangle. The second and fourth pixel series are series of pixel lumps arranged continuously as columns in the rectangle. The row of the third pixel series is at a predetermined position with respect to that of the first pixel series. The column of the fourth pixel series is at a predetermined position with respect to that of the second pixel series. The fifth pixel series is a series of pixel lumps arranged in an area other than the rows and the columns of the first, second, third and fourth pixel series are arranged.

Abstract: Described herein are tracking algorithm modifications to handle occlusions when processing a video stream including multiple image frames. Specifically, system and methods for handling both partial and full occlusions while tracking moving and non-moving targets are described. The occlusion handling embodiments described herein may be appropriate for a visual tracking system with supplementary range information.

Abstract: A technique for use in automated recognition of a media item involves accessing a template that includes multiple segmentation maps that each is associated with one of multiple classes to which the media item might belong. For each of the multiple classes, the segmentation map is applied to an image of the media item to extract a feature set for the image, the feature set is analyzed, and an assessment is made as to whether the media item belongs to the class.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique and novel system for acquiring digital image frames of identification documents such as driver's license, passports, or medical insurance records using a digital camera so as to establish a high resolution image frame and extracting data automatically with machine vision tools so as to acquire accurate data. The present invention teaches also a system that acquires multi-spectral image frames of both sides of the identification document.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a feature extraction method, a recording media, and a program that are adapted to easily and correctly extract features of classes in which a plurality of elements are classified. Of all combinations of metadata for each piece of content belonging to each class subject to feature extraction, a combination extraction block 83 extracts a metadata combination that does not exist in any metadata combinations for each piece of content belonging to another class, as the feature of the class in which a content classification block 81 classifies a plurality of pieces of content as instructed by the user. The present invention is applicable to recommendation systems.

Abstract: A method for detecting a fire flame using fuzzy finite automata is provided. The fire-flame detection method comprises (1) acquiring an image required for the detection of fire-flame, (2) dividing the image into a number of blocks, (3) extracting a fire-flame candidate block using a brightness distortion of a pixel in the block, (4) detecting a fire-flame candidate region from the fire-flame block using a color probability model, and (5) determining whether the fire-flame candidate region corresponds to a fire-flame via fuzzy finite automata. The fire-flame detection method can detect fire-flames in a variety of fire images with relatively high precision, by establishing a probability model using the brightness distortion and wavelet energy in fire-flame regions with continuous and irregular fluctuation patterns and using the upward motion, and applying the model to fuzzy finite automata.

Abstract: A method for propagating user-provided foreground-background constraint information for a first video frame to subsequent frames allows extraction of moving foreground objects with minimal user interaction. Video matting is performed wherein constraints derived from user input with respect to a first frame are propagated to subsequent frames using the estimated alpha matte of each frame. The matte of a frame is processed in order to arrive at a rough foreground-background segmentation which is then used for estimating the matte of the next frame. At each frame, the propagated constraints are used by an image matting method for estimating the corresponding matte which is in turn used for propagating the constraints to the next frame, and so on.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are presented for associating a point of interest with a captured image. In one aspect, metadata associated with a digital image can be accessed, the metadata identifying an image capture location. Further, a depth of field corresponding to the digital image can be determined and one or more points of interest can be identified that are located within the determined depth of field. Additionally, one of the one or more identified points of interest can be selected as an image subject and the metadata associated with the digital image can be edited to include data identifying the selected point of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for objectively grading/rating a display. One embodiment may take the form of a method for grading display quality including capturing an image of the display and computing first and second parameter values from the captured image. The method also includes comparing the first parameter value against a threshold and, if the first parameter value exceeds the threshold, computing a grade wherein the second parameter is given a first weighting. If, however, the first parameter value is below the threshold, the method includes computing a grade wherein the second parameter is given a second weighting which is greater than the first weighting.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for generating and displaying a confusion matrix wherein a data item belonging to one or more actual classes is predicted into a class. The classes in which the data item may be predicted (the “predicted classes”) are ranked according to a score that in one embodiment indicates the confidence of the prediction. If the data item is predicted into a class that is one of the top K ranked predicted classes, then the prediction is considered accurate and an entry is created in a cell of a confusion matrix indicating the accurate prediction. If the data item is not predicted into a class that is not one of the top K ranked predicted classes, then the prediction is considered inaccurate and an entry is created in a cell of a confusion matrix indicating the inaccurate prediction.

Abstract: Extracting a branch structure and a surrounding structure area in which a surrounding structure of the branch structure exists from a three-dimensional medical image, setting an attention branch structure in the branch structure, estimating an attention surrounding structure area functionally associated with the attention branch structure from the surrounding structure area based on the branch structure, obtaining an evaluation value in the attention surrounding structure area, and generating a mapped image which is an image generated by mapping the evaluation value in the attention surrounding structure area to a morphological image representing morphology of at least one of the attention branch structure and the attention surrounding structure area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining an image and providing one or more document files to a user. The method may include capturing an image of a target object using an imaging device of an electronic device, analyzing the image to identify a plurality of features and feature locations on the target object with a processor using an image recognition application, accessing a model database to identify an appliance model having features and feature locations that match the identified features and feature locations from the image, retrieving one or more document files that correspond to the identified model from a file database, and providing the one or more document files to a user.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of: reading an original placed on an original platen; executing a filtering process to extract a contour on the read image; extracting a contour group in broken lines from the image having the filtering process executed; forming one contour from the contour group in broken lines; determining an area of the original from the contours obtained in the filtering execution step and the forming step; and extracting an image of the determined original area from the read image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of bit-mapped image analysis that comprises a whole image data representation via its component objects. The objects are assigned to different levels of complexity. The objects may be hierarchically connected by spatially-parametrical links. The method comprises preliminarily generating a classifier of image objects consisting of one or more levels differing in complexity; parsing the image into objects; attaching each object to one or more predetermined levels; establishing hierarchical links between objects of different levels; establishing links between objects within the same level; and performing an object feature analysis. Object feature analysis comprises generating and examining a hypothesis about object features and correcting the concerned object's features of the same and other levels in response to results of hypothesis examination. Object feature analysis may also comprise execution of a recursive X-Y cut within the same level.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting multiple objects in an image is disclosed. A plurality of objects in an image is sequentially detected in an order specified by a trained hierarchical detection network. In the training of the hierarchical detection network, the order for object detection is automatically determined. The detection of each object in the image is performed by obtaining a plurality of sample poses for the object from a proposal distribution, weighting each of the plurality of sample poses based on an importance ratio, and estimating a posterior distribution for the object based on the weighted sample poses.

Abstract: A method of processing data associated with fluorescent emissions from a microfluidic device. The method includes performing an auto-focus process associated with a first image of the microfluidic device and performing an auto-exposure process associated with the first image of the microfluidic device. The method also includes capturing a plurality of images of the microfluidic device. The plurality of images are associated with a plurality of thermal cycles. The method further includes performing image analysis of the plurality of captured images to determine a series of optical intensities and performing data analysis of the series of optical intensities to provide a series of change in threshold values.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for mark recognition in an image of an original document are provided. The method/system takes as input an image of an original document in which at least one designated field is provided for accepting a mark applied by a user (which may or may not have been marked). A region of interest (RoI) is extracted from the image, roughly corresponding to the designated field. A center of gravity (CoG) of the RoI is determined, based on a distribution of black pixels in the RoI. Thereafter, for one or more iterations, the RoI is partitioned into sub-RoIs, based on the determined CoG, where at a subsequent iteration, sub-RoIs generated at the prior iteration serve as the RoI partitioned. Data is extracted from the RoI and sub-RoIs at one or more of the iterations, which allows a representation of the entire RoI to be generated which is useful in classifying the designated field, e.g., as positive (marked) or negative (not marked).

Abstract: A system and method is provided wherein, in one aspect, a processor determines whether multiple street level images have captured a nearly-identical face. If so, the images are processed to determine whether the face appears to be part of an advertisement. Once it is determined that the face is displayed on an advertisement, the boundaries of the advertisement may be determined and the location of the advertisement is stored for future use, e.g., potentially replacing the advertisement in the image with a different advertisement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for control of a personal computing device based on user face detection and recognition techniques.

Abstract: An automated test to tell computers and humans apart is disclosed, comprising displaying on a computer screen an animation comprising of a foreground and a background, one of the foreground comprising a plurality of typographical characters and the other comprising partial obstruction of the typographical characters, and wherein the animation comprises relative motion between the background and foreground. The automated test may comprise displaying on a computer screen an image, and requiring the user to perform operation on the image to resolve an encoded solution. The test may also comprise displaying on a computer screen a video clip, and requiring a user to provide an input corresponding to subject matter presented in the video clip.

Abstract: A model-based object recognition system operates to recognize an object on a predetermined world surface within a world space. An image of the object is acquired. This image is a distorted projection of the world space. The acquired image is processed to locate one or more local features of the image, with respect to an image coordinate system of the image. These local features are mapped a world coordinate system of the world surface, and matched to a model defined in the world coordinate system. Annotations can be arranged as desired relative to the object in the world coordinate system, and then inverse-mapped into the image coordinate system for display on a monitor in conjunction with the acquired image. Because models are defined in world coordinates, and pattern matching is also performed in world coordinates, one model definition can be used by multiple independent object recognition systems.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a data processing method comprising the steps of processing a first sample set associated with first results of tracking a target in a number of image frames using a first object classifier arranged to operate according to a first feature and processing a second sample set associated with second results of tracking the target in said number of image frames using a second object classifier arrange to operate according to a second feature, and using at least one of the first and second tracking results to influence at least one particle filter adapted to influence at least one of subsequent first and second tracking results.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for measuring full field deformation characteristics of a deformable body. The method includes determining optical setup design parameters for measuring displacement and strain fields, and generating and applying a dot pattern on a planar side of a deformable body. A sequence of images of the dot pattern is acquired before and after deformation of the body. Irregular objects are eliminated from the images based on dot light intensity threshold and the object area or another geometrical cutoff criterion. The characteristic points of the dots are determined, and the characteristic points are matched between two or more of the sequential images. The displacement vector of the characteristic points is found, and mesh free or other techniques are used to estimate the full field displacement based on the displacement vector of the characteristic points. Strain tensor or other displacement-derived quantities can also be estimated using mesh-free or other analysis techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides an image identification device uses a separating plane to classify block images into the categories. The image identification device includes a target image input unit inputting a target image, a block image generation unit generates block images, a feature quantity computing unit computes feature quantities of the block images, and a category determination unit determines whether the block images are classified into the categories or not. The feature quantity computing unit uses local feature quantities of the block images and a global feature quantity of the target image as a whole, and also in a feature quantity space using features of the block images as coordinate axes, uses coordinate positions of feature quantity vectors optional areas in the feature quantity space to count the block images and causes the global feature quantity to include the number of the block images thus counted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting visual objects by employing multiple cues include statistically combining information from multiple sources into a saliency map, wherein the information may include color, texture and/or motion in an image where an object is to be detected or background determined. The statistically combined information is thresholded to make decisions with respect to foreground/background pixels.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an analysis result reception unit, an inclination reception unit, a date and time reception unit, a date and time extraction unit, a determination unit, an adjustment unit, an information image generation unit, and an output unit. The analysis result reception unit receives an analysis result of an information image scanned by an information image scan unit. The inclination reception unit receives inclination when the information image scan unit scans the information image. The date and time reception unit receives a date and time when the information image scan unit scans the information image. The date and time extraction unit extracts a date and time when the information image scanned by the information image scan unit is printed. The determination unit determines whether or not to adjust a size of a pixel cluster constituting the information image.

Abstract: A method of locating features of an object, of a class of objects, of a class of objects, within a target image. The method comprises initializing a set of feature points within the target image, each feature point corresponding to a predetermined feature for objects of the class of objects; deriving a set of template detectors, from the set of feature points, using a statistical model of the class of objects, each template detector comprising an area of image located about the location of a feature point for an object of the class of objects; comparing the set of template detectors with the target image; and updating the set of feature points within the target image in response to the result of the comparison.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for capturing text found in a variety of sources and transforming it into a different user-accessible formats or medium. For example, the device can capture text from a magazine and provide it to the user as spoken words through headphones or speakers. Such devices are useful for individuals such as those having reading difficulties (such as dyslexia), blindness, and other visual impairments arising from diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including: a first storage portion that stores patterns used for matching with edge portions of a linear image included in an input image, the patterns having respective different sizes, and each of the patterns being composed of pixels and including a target pixel corresponding to a pixel to be deleted in the linear image; a selection portion that selects a pattern having a size according to a line width of a line thinning process to the linear image, from the stored patterns; a pattern detection portion that matches the selected pattern with the linear image while shifting the selected pattern, and detects whether the selected pattern is matched with the linear image; and a deletion portion that, when the matching result is detected, deletes the pixel in the linear image corresponding to the target pixel in the selected pattern.

Abstract: A range map of a visual scene generated by a stereo vision and associate image processing system, and is filtered to remove objects beyond a region of interest and for which a collision is not possible, and to remove an associated road surface. Objects clustered in range bins are separated by segmentation. A composite range map is generated using principale components analysis and processed with a connected-components sieve filter. Objects are identified using one or more of a harmonic profile and other features using an object recognition processor using a combination of inclusive, exclusive and harmonic networks to generate a classification metric.

Abstract: A method for identifying an object in a video archive including multiple images acquired in a network of cameras including a phase of characterization of the object to be identified and a phase of searching for the object in the archive, where the characterization phase consists of defining for the object at least one semantic characteristic capable of being extracted, even in low-resolution images, from the video archive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recognizing characters of an image captured using a camera in a mobile terminal are provided, wherein an image of a signboard is captured, a text area is extracted from the captured image of the signboard, characters are recognized from the extracted text area, similar characters up to a predetermined priority level are generated for each recognized character of the extracted text area, location information of an area within a predetermined range from a current position of a user is acquired, store names are extracted from the location information, text is generated by combining the similar characters according to weights, the text are compared with the extracted store names, and a comparison result is output.

Abstract: A specific color detecting section 1 includes: a comparing section 7 for comparing, with reference thresholds, color densities of color image data of plural colors in input image data, so as to judge whether or not the input image data include color image data of a specific color of an image pattern; and a threshold setting section 51 for setting calculated thresholds or theoretical thresholds as the reference thresholds, wherein the threshold setting section 51 a calculated threshold as a reference threshold if the calculated threshold is within an allowable range of the theoretical threshold, and the threshold setting section sets a theoretical threshold as a reference threshold if the calculated threshold is out of the allowable range of the theoretical threshold, the threshold setting section being configured to calculate out the calculated thresholds for the reference thresholds from reference image data obtained by reading out a reference chart having plural colors in predetermined color densities, and

Abstract: Methods for processing a video stream are provided. One embodiment comprises generating a comparison signature for a frame of a video stream and comparing the comparison signature to a reference signature. In another embodiment, a method comprises generating a reference signature for a frame of a video stream and assigning an action to the frame containing the reference signature. Example system embodiments for implementing the aforementioned methods are also provided.

Abstract: An image-based biomarker is generated using image features obtained through object-oriented image analysis of medical images. The values of a first subset of image features are measured and weighted. The weighted values of the image features are summed to calculate the magnitude of a first image-based biomarker. The magnitude of the biomarker for each patient is correlated with a clinical endpoint, such as a survival time, that was observed for the patient whose medical images were analyzed. The correlation is displayed on a graphical user interface as a scatter plot. A second subset of image features is selected that belong to a second image-based biomarker such that the magnitudes of the second image-based biomarker for the patients better correlate with the clinical endpoints observed for those patients. The second biomarker can then be used to predict the clinical endpoint of other patients whose clinical endpoints have not yet been observed.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for providing augmented reality based on marker tracking are provided. In the method, an image is captured by an image capturing unit, and whether a quadrangle is present in the image is determined. If the quadrangle is found in the image, whether the quadrangle is a marker that complies with a marker definition is determined. If the quadrangle is the marker, an identity of the marker and four vertice coordinates of a marker image are identified. A rotation state of the marker is determined according to the vertex coordinates of the marker image, and a relative displacement between the marker and the image capturing unit is calculated. A three-dimensional object is combined into the image according to the relative displacement, the rotation state, and the identity of the marker, so as to provide an augmented reality image.