Abstract: A circuit for sharpening a pixel image includes M accumulators which provide a rolling sum for each of a sequence of image pixel values. Each rolling sum comprises the sum of pixel values in the accumulator, all pixel values resident in the M accumulators comprising an array of pixel values, with one such accumulator including a central array pixel value. M inputs apply a sequence of at least N image pixel values to each of the M accumulators. Each sequence of N image pixel values is logically arrayed along a first dimension of the image and each sequence changes as each new image pixel value is input and an oldest image pixel value is removed. Each time a new image pixel is input to an accumulator, the accumulator outputs a new rolling sum of the image pixel values present therein. An arithmetic circuit determines from each set of M rolling sums, an average pixel value of the array of image pixel values, and then derives a difference between the central image pixel value and the average image pixel value.

Abstract: A method for automatic merging two images having overlapped parts for a handy scanner. The method starts from defining a meaningful sample in a first image using fuzzy logic. Then, a two level searches based on A* algorithm are executed thereafter to find a match point in the second image. After the match point is found, the two images are stitched together using linear interpolation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus improves digital reproduction of a compound document image containing half-tone tint regions and text and/or graphics embedded within the half-tone tint regions. The method entails determining a local average pixel value for each pixel in the image, then discriminating and classifying based on the local average pixel values, text/graphics pixels from half-tone tint pixels. Discrimination can be effected by calculating a range of local averages within a neighborhood surrounding each pixel; by calculating edge gradients based on the local average pixel values; or by approximating second derivatives of the local average pixel values based on the local averages. Text/graphics pixels are rendered using a rendering method appropriate for that type of pixel; half-tone tint pixels are rendered using a rendering method appropriate for that type of pixel.

Abstract: A pattern recognition device has a drawing area upon which a user may draw an image with a pen designed for that purpose. In a first option available to the user, a user-drawn image is analyzed and saved in the memory of a computer. In a second option, the image is analyzed and an image in a pre-existing image database of the computer is retrieved which most nearly resembles the drawn image. In both options, the user-drawn image is transformed into a target image which is then subdivided into a plurality of image subdivisions and each image subdivision is then further subdivided into sectors. A first binary value is assigned to each sector to indicate whether or not it has at least some graphical data and a second binary value is assigned to indicate whether or not the graphical data occupies a predetermined percentage of the area of the sector. These binary values are strung together, converted into an integer, and the integers are stored in a computer memory.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an image recognition method which, in recognizing an input image including an object presumable to have continuity like a human figure, enables simultaneously detecting the shape of the object in the input image and cutting-out the object therefrom, and obtaining information on position of the object at the same time, and which also enables recognition of two objects having the same shape but having different sizes.

Abstract: A color image is locally discoloured in the vicinity of edges. The edges extend, for example, between a superposed foreground and a background in a computer-generated image, but also between different regions in natural images which are processed, for example, in a television receiver. Consequently, the edges are perceived as being sharper upon display.

Abstract: Pattern recognition, particularly character recognition, is effected by categorizing a cipher by a unique description using three feature sets identifying the type and location of lines which form the cipher, the location of the endpoints of each of the lines, and the location of the intersections of the lines. In the process according to the invention, lines are located by expanding or contracting the original image of the cipher to fit into a sparse space pixel matrix. The image is then thinned to define lines and so as not to obliterate lines which give the cipher its uniqueness. Once the cipher is thinned, fuzzy logic is used to "locate", that is, define a set of coordinates for, each line relative to an x-y coordinate system. (As each line is located, it is removed from the matrix image to facilitate locating the remaining lines.) After all the lines are located, the endpoints of each line are located and the intersect points are located.

Abstract: A device and method for filtering out the noise generated due to coding of image data signals. The device has a threshold determining unit, a binary index unit, a filter selecting unit, and an adaptive filtering unit. The threshold determining unit 4 divides each pixel of the input image data into two gray levels. The binary indexes defined by the gray level are checked by a window with a prescribed size. If the region in the window is determined to be a homogeneous region, a heterogeneous region, or an impulse noise region (block 5), the filter selecting unit selects a filter corresponding to the determined region, and the image data is processed by the selected filter.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention locates facial features in an image by bandpass filtering the image and then performing morphological operations followed by a thresholding operation. This initial processing identifies candidate areas where facial features may be located. The candidate areas are evaluated by classifiers to determine if a facial feature, such as an eye or mouth, has been located.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a matrix for an arbitrary pixel (to be an observed pixel) on the original image is set up so that the density of the observed pixel and that of a target pixel which is located in the direction along which shadows are formed are compared to determine a maximum value of density of the two. If the density of the observed pixel is greater than that of the target pixel or pixels, the density of the target pixel is converted into a predetermined level of density, whereas if the density of the observed pixel is less than that of the target pixel, no conversion of density is made. This procedure is repeatedly performed for the entire image information to thereby create shadows having a designated length and complete a shadowing image. Then, the shadowing image is combined with the original image, whereby a shadowed image is complete.

Abstract: In an image segmentation system that processes image objects by digital filtration, a digital filter is defined. The digital filter includes a neighborhood operator for processing intensity values of neighborhoods of pixels in a pixel array. A first pixel array is received defining a pixelated image including one or more objects and a background and a second pixel array is received that defines a reference image. The reference image includes at least one object included in the pixelated image in a background. In the reference image, pixels included in the at least one object are distinguished from pixels included in the background by a predetermined amount of contrast. Pixels of the first and second images are compared to determine a merit value; the merit value is used to compute neighborhood operator values; and, the neighborhood operator is applied to images in order to create or enhance contrast between objects and background in the images.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus comprises a photoelectric conversion section that converts image information including the characters to be recognized into multi-valued image information according to image density, an edge extracting circuit that creates edge image information indicating the outline of image density on the basis of the multi-valued image information from the photoelectric conversion section, and a recognition circuit that computes a distribution of a direction component so as to create a feature vector and recognizes characters on the basis of the direction feature vector.

Abstract: A method for high speed morphological processing in a computerized image processing system starts by acquiring a binary image and selecting feature and height values corresponding to a desired morphological processing of an image. The image is scanned in a raster scanning sequence so as to produce a scanned image including a plurality of pixels. A sequential labeling transformation is performed on each of the plurality of pixels of the scanned image so as to produce a transformed image. A thresholding operation is performed on the transformed image. The resultant image is translated.

Abstract: A position recognition method wherein the photographic image of an object having a concavity or convexity defined therein is converted into specified feature space data; detection is performed to determine whether the specified feature space data possessed by each elementary area of the converted image has a symmetric relation with one possessed by another elementary area with a virtual center of the concavity or convexity being the center of symmetry; and the position of the concavity or convexity of the object is recognized based on the detection.

Abstract: A software/firmware based method for determining gray level values to be assigned to a binary pixel image initially creates a linked list of templates, each template associated with a gray level value to be assigned to an image pixel value. Each template may include a central pixel value and plural neighbor pixel values or just plural neighbor values. However, each template is a listing of entries of template pixel values that are generally arranged in increasing concentric circles about the central pixel value. Each template entry includes a field for a template pixel value, a field for a template pixel address and a link field for a next template entry, in the event of a non-match determination between the associated template pixel value and an image pixel value. The method selects an image pixel window from the binary image and compares a central image pixel in the window with a logically, correspondingly located template pixel value.

Abstract: An imaging device for imaging an object is situated above the object. A downward-illumination device for emitting light to the object is situated as one unit with the imaging device. A background-illumination device for emitting light to the object is situated below the object. An image obtained by the imaging device is stored in a memory unit of an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a processing unit for logically processing the image. The illumination devices are connected to power supplies. The image processing apparatus and the power supplies are controlled by a controller. Thus, a bonding position is recognized easily with simple structure, the reliability of test results is enhanced, and the cost for testing is reduced by a decrease in the processing time.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of generating multivalue image data to be reproduced by a laser printer and the like as a hard copy having high visual quality. A first character/line drawing data is separated from an input multivalue image data to be subjected to an image data processing for removing jaggies appearing in curved or straight lines of characters and lines, and then is synthesized with a patter data having data indicative of edge directions to generate an output multivalue image data, so as to provide the hard copy having high visual quality.

Abstract: A technique to ascertain the presence or absence of an object in a three-dimensional volume, such as explosives in the side walls of luggage. The technique involves radiation scanning the three-dimensional volume to determine a property of each of a plurality of voxels representing the three-dimensional volume and to identify voxels having similar values of the property to identify a contiguous group of voxels having the similar values. Then, the contiguous group of voxels is identified as containing the object if a characteristic (such as mass and/or volume) of the contiguous group has a predetermined value.

Abstract: Each of a certain number of sequences of binary pixels chosen according to some prescribed rules from m.times.n matrix of pixcels is referred to vector v.sub.i. A standard character k is represented with m.times.n matrix of binary pixels, from which the vectors g.sub.ki are derived. The reference vectors G.sub.ki are comprised of the vectors g.sub.ki and g.sub.ki which are generated by modification of g.sub.ki. A recognition object is captured to yield m.times.n matrix of binary pixels, from which the vectors v.sub.i are derived for comparison with the reference vectors G.sub.ki. Matching of v.sub.i with one of the reference vectors G.sub.ki adds a count to the standard pattern k corresponding to G.sub.ki. The standard character k with the maximum score of the matching count is recognized as the recognition object.

Abstract: A method, and computer program are provided for adjusting motion estimation video data to remove unwanted data generated by an automatic focusing control (AFC) circuit on the video data recorder. One or more edges or fine points in a sequence of motion compensated images is identified. Difference frames composed of pixel differences are generated from the motion compensated images. The difference frames are examined for evidence of AFC action. In the event AFC action is identified, one or more frames of the sequence of difference frames are filtered to remove the AFC effects. The filtered difference frames are encoded. Identification can be made by detecting a component of oscillation in a comparison of summed pixel differences of a sequence of frames. The difference frames may be filtered by reducing the energy level of one or more of the difference frames or by discarding one or more of the difference frames.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus is provided which, even when there occurs a local positional deviation of a character to be recognized, can stably recognize the character with high accuracy. For each contour point of a character image, a contouring direction code imparting unit 15 obtains a contouring direction code in which a contouring line direction of the character is quantized in four directions. A contouring direction code frequency calculation unit 16 calculates the frequency of each contouring direction code for each subregion of the character image. A contouring direction code density calculation unit 17 calculates the density of the contouring direction codes of each subregion, by using the frequency of the direction codes and the size of the respective subregion.

Abstract: A method for extracting pixels constituting an intensity change formed of a collection of local intensity changes present in a gray image of an object based on a intensity data of each pixel includes the steps of: photographing the object by an image photographing device to obtain the gray image of the object represented by the intensity data of pixels; setting a partial image with a predetermined shape and a predetermined size in the image which has a target pixel whose entire periphery is surrounded by adjacent pixels; calculating intensity data belonging to a specific area composed of the target pixel and peripheral pixels and intensity data belonging to its remaining area for the partial image; obtaining a ratio of the calculating results between the intensity data belonging to the specific area and the intensity data of the remaining area, and comparing the obtained ratio with a threshold value, and then determining suitability of the target pixel as a composing factor of the intensity change based on a

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining an orientation of a line segment in a contour in a local area of a binary contour image. The number of pixels having a predetermined value and located in each orientation in the local area, is obtained, and it is determined that a line segment exists in an orientation in which the number of pixels is large. Further, when it is determined that the number of pixels located in each of a plurality of orientations and having a predetermined value is greater than a sum of the numbers of pixels in orientations adjacent to said each orientation on both sides thereof, it is determined that a line segment exists in said each orientation. Two orientations in which large numbers of pixels are located are detected, and it is determined whether the point is a constituent of a line segment, a line segment of the sub-straight-line form, or a near-corner point, depending on angles made by the two orientations is equal to 180.degree.

Abstract: A digital filter for image processing which permits a reduction in the size of the circuit includes a plurality of bit shifters for multiplying each picture element data of a k.times.k matrix, each by a coefficient which corresponds to the respective picture element. A first adder circuit adds the output data of all of the bit shifters. A first multiplier circuit multiplies picture element data of a center picture element of the k.times.k matrix by a predetermined coefficient. A second multiplier circuit multiplies output data of the first adder circuit by a predetermined coefficient and a second adder circuit adds output data of the first multiplier circuit and that of the second multiplier circuit.

Abstract: Noisy images of graphical or pictorial records, such as hand-written postal addresses, are cleaned by a method of analyzing the shapes of pixel clusters. According to such method, a set of structuring kernels is used to extract primitive shapes. The outcome of this extraction process is used to determine whether each pixel, in turn, is to be treated as part of a image element such as an alphanumeric character.

Abstract: Each pixel of a density reference area of a reference image is assigned a predetermined coefficient value in accordance with whether the pixel is located within a peripheral boundary of a to be detected shape, external the peripheral boundary of the to-be-detected shape, or on the peripheral boundary of the to-be-detected shape. An actual image of an object containing the to-be-detected shape is then obtained, and after setting a target pixel of the resultant image, the image density of each pixel is multiplied by the coefficient values of the density reference area of the reference image. The resultant products are transformed into a density correlation value for the target pixel. The location of the target pixel is then scanned to determine the location of a target pixel at which a maximum or a minimum density correlation value is obtained. The thus determined location is detected as the location of the to-be-detected shape within the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining an orientation of a line segment in a contour in a local area of a binary contour image. The number of pixels having a predetermined value and located in each orientation in the local area, is obtained, and it is determined that a line segment exists in an orientation in which the number of pixels is large. Further, when it is determined that the number of pixels located in each of a plurality of orientations and having a predetermined value is greater than a sum of the numbers of pixels in orientations adjacent to said each orientation on both sides thereof, it is determined that a line segment exists in said each orientation. Two orientations in which large numbers of pixels are located are detected, and it is determined whether the point is a constituent of a line segment, a line segment of the sub-straight-line form, or a near-corner point, depending on angles made by the two orientations is equal to 180.degree.

Abstract: Feature grouping of moving rigid bodies in an image is accomplished by processing a sequence of two-dimensional orthogonal projection of a three-dimensional scene containing a plurality of such independently-moving rigid bodies.

Abstract: The pattern edge direction in reference image data of an object to be examined is detected, the reference image data is differentiated using a differential operator in a direction along the pattern edge direction, and inspection image data obtained by picking up an image of the object to be inspected is differentiated using the differential operator in the direction along the pattern edge direction. The differential data obtained by the differential processing are compared with the inspection image data, and a pattern defect on the object to be inspected is detected based on the difference between these data.

Abstract: An image processing device in which each pixel data of a gray-scale image, which data is obtained by scanning an original, is converted into a binary image-signal. The device comprises a matrix preparing unit for preparing a 3*3 pixel matrix comprising a focus pixel positioned in the center of the matrix and bordering pixels surrounding the focus pixel, a determining unit for determining whether or not the focus pixel is an edge pixel by comparing an intensity of the focus pixel with intensities of each of three bordering pixels consecutively arranged around the focus pixel, the comparison using the focus-pixel signal and bordering pixel-signals supplied by the matrix preparing unit, and the determining unit also being for outputting a control signal indicating the determined condition of the focus pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for differentiating and extracting handwritten annotations and machine printed text in an image. The method provides for the use of morphological operations, preferably at reduced scale, to eliminate for example, the handwritten annotations from an image. A separation mask is produced that, for example, converts all the image pixels corresponding to machine printed text, and none of the image pixels corresponding to handwritten or handprinted annotations. The separation mask is used in conjunction with the original image to produce separate handwritten annotations and machine printed text images. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for identifying the location of specialized type styles such as bold and italic is disclosed. The method erodes a binary image utilizing structuring elements which provide a relatively large number of hits in regions containing the specialized type styles.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a digital image by comparing the value of a pixel in the digital image with neighboring pixels in an L-shaped pattern of pixels, and modifying the value of the pixel when it is located at a stair step, thereby reducing the appearance of jaggies.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus for generating a font with contour lines expressed with gradations comprises a font ROM for storing a binary font data. An output port is provided for reading a target pixel with ambient pixels arranged in 3.times.3 matrix of the binary font data stored in the font ROM. A shift register produces an address data based on the binary data read from the font ROM. A look-up table has 2.sup.3.times.3 elements in which multilevel values in commensurate with the pixel patterns included the 3.times.3 matrix. One data of the multilevel data is output from the look-up table by designating one element by said address data, and is used as a gradation data of the target pixel. Thus, pixel of font can be expressed with a gradation, the jagged contour of the font is reduced.

Abstract: A two-dimensional bit image generated by the input device is processed by a four-layer neural network and recognized. The neurons in the second layer are connected only to the neurons of the first layer aligned in a specific direction, thereby enabling the second layer to extract line components in specific directions. The second layer is further divided into plural regions, and all neurons in each region are connected to one corresponding neuron in the third layer. The output of the third layer neurons thus express the position and degree of the extracted line component in the image. All of the neurons in the third layer are connected to all of the neurons in the fourth layer, and image recognition is possible by learning.

Abstract: This invention provides a feature extracting circuit including a shift register section arranged to store an image for a predetermined number of lines, the image consisting of a predetermined number of bits, and then to shift the image; a look-up table section for transforming a set of partial image data for a predetermined number of pixels supplied from the shift register section into a direction index and then for outputting the direction index; and a counter section for counting the direction index output from the look-up table section. The feature extracting circuit receives a binary digital image and extracts, as a feature of the image, a direction index which indicates the direction in which the boundary between adjacent black and white pixels extends.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to make it possible to generate a window automatically without requiring troublesome manual operations, and by using the window to make it possible to perform a highly accurate inspection for burrs, chips, or the like. The image processing device consists of a TV camera and an image processing unit. Contained in the image processing unit is a window generator unit, which generates a window using a standard image captured from a normal sample. A mask scanning circuit in the window generator unit is used to establish a mask of 3.times.3 pixels horizontally and vertically in the standard image, to scan the raster, and to output the pixel data for all pixels within the mask to an expansion circuit and shrinkage circuit simultaneously. The expansion and shrinkage circuits perform expansion and reduction processes on the reference image and outputs both results to an exclusive-OR circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for compressing digitized color video data by generating codes into a pattern of tables for regions in frames of the video data exhibiting certain patterns. An image frame in a video data stream has a plurality of pixels assigned digitized color and luminance data. The image frame is divided into a plurality of non-overlapping elementary units, with each elementary unit comprising a plurality of pixels. For elementary units exhibiting change from the prior frame in time, elementary units having pixels with differing digitized color and luminance data are selected for pattern matching. Each pixel of an elementary unit selected for pattern matching is mapped to a pattern value. A pattern value is the same for all pixels sharing the same color and luminance data in an elementary unit. The pattern values are then grouped based on relative position in the elementary unit into offsets into associated sets of pattern match tables and error condition tables.

Abstract: A plurality of successive pixels of a template and corresponding pixels of an input image inputted into a general purpose image processing hardware. A summation of differences is calculated by the hardware between the corresponding pixels of template and input image, and written into a work memory. An image verification is performed by integrating successive results of the summation for the total area to be verified in high speed utilizing a general purpose image processing hardware, without using a special purpose image processing hardware.

Abstract: A method of detecting defects (14, 16, 17, 44, 47, 49, and 51) in objects is presented. A first grey level image (18) of a first object (10) is formed and a second grey level image (19) of a second object (12) is formed. The first (18) and second (19) grey level images are converted to a first (21) and a second (22) edge feature image, respectively. The first edge feature image is dilated (26) and the second edge feature image is skeletonized (27). The dilated (26) and skeletonized images (27) are compared. An alternate method includes forming a grey level image (40) of an object. A principal axis of the grey level image is identified, and a shifted grey level image is formed by shifting the grey level image a distance along the principal axis. The grey level image (40) is then compared to the shifted grey level image.

Abstract: Digital image data compression apparatus includes a controller circuit for receiving digital image data and for processing the image data into blocks. The controller circuit supplies processed image data to a plurality of transform circuits and to a feeder circuit. The transform circuits receive data from the controller circuit and the feeder circuit, and provide parallel processing to compare blocks of image data and generate fractal transform values representing the image data in a compressed form.