Abstract: The method includes calculating similarities between a plurality of pixel signals of a depth pixel and a plurality of pixel signals of neighbor depth pixels neighboring the depth pixel, calculating a weight of each of the neighbor depth pixels using the similarities, calculating a weight of the depth pixel using the weights of the respective neighbor depth pixels, and determining a denoised pixel signal using the weights of the respective neighbor depth pixels and the weight of the depth pixel.

Abstract: In a digital camera 1, a storing means stores feature quantities of a subject area in an image, and a search point setting means sets a plurality of search points in the subject area. Next, an updating means updates coordinates of the set plurality of search points using random numbers. Then, a weight setting means compares feature quantities of the updated search points with the stored feature quantities, and sets a weight for each search point based on similarity. Next, a sorting means sorts the search points depend on those weight, and a variance acquiring means calculates the variance of the sorted search points. Then, an angle-of-view adjusting means determines the amount of adjustment for the angle-of-view based on the calculated variance.

Abstract: The present invention generates a color template design to format a presentation. According to one aspect, a plurality of template designs are provided on a visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of template designs is received from a user. A plurality of source images that are separate from the plurality of template designs are provided on the visual display. A selection of a color from one of the plurality of source images is received from the user. Colors of the selected template design are automatically adjusted to contrast with the selected the color from the source image. The selected template design may include framing, mat, background, and foreground portions, at least one of which is adjusted. After automatically adjusting the colors, the selected template design may be displayed and/or stored for use as a template.

Abstract: A method for use in functional medical imaging includes adaptively partitioning functional imaging data as a function of a spatially varying error model. The functional image data is partitioned according to an optimization strategy. The data may be visualized or used to plan a course of treatment. In one implementation, the image data is partitioned so as to vary its spatial resolution. In another, the number of clusters is varied based on the error model.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a first and a second eyes-and-mouth detecting units, a first and a second skin model generating units, an inside-of-mouth model generating unit, an eyeball model generating unit, a first and a second deformation parameter generating units, and an output unit. The first and second eyes-and-mouth detecting units detect eye boundaries and a mouth boundary from a first and a second face images, respectively. The first and second skin model generating units generate a first and a second skin models, respectively. The inside-of-mouth model generating unit and the eyeball model generating unit generate an inside-of-mouth model and an eyeball model, respectively. The first and second deformation parameter generating units generate a first and a second deformation parameters, respectively. The output unit output the first and second skin models, the first and second deformation parameters, the inside-of-mouth model, and the eyeball model as animation data.

Abstract: A method of re-locating an object in a sample is provided for a previously-scanned slide having determined objects each with corresponding stored coordinates and a stored image, the objects being mapped relative to each other. The slide is positioned on a microscope stage, stored images of the objects are visually displayed, and a target object is selected. The slide is moved to an estimated coordinate position, corresponding to the coordinates of the target object, and a field-of-view image of the sample is captured for comparison to the stored image of the target. If the target is in the image, an offset between actual coordinates of the located target and the stored coordinates of the corresponding object is determined. The slide is then moved, via the stage, from the estimated coordinate position, according to the offset, to center the target in the image. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An image capture system comprises an image input and processing unit. The image input obtains image information which is then passed to the processing unit. The processing unit is coupled to the image input for determining image metrics on the image information. The processing unit initiates a capture sequence when the image metrics meet a predetermined condition. The capture sequence may store one or more images, or it may indicate that one or more images have been detected. In one embodiment, the image input is a CMOS or CCD sensor.

Abstract: A system for moving robots in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. The system includes: a surface having a position-coding pattern which identifies the surface; mobile robots for moving across the surface, each robot being configured for sensing and decoding the position-coding pattern; and a computer system in communication with the mobile robots. The computer system is configured to send instructions for moving each mobile robot relative to the surface in response to position information corresponding to that mobile robot. Further, the computer system is configured to determine instructions for moving each mobile robot using a predetermined algorithm. The predetermined algorithm is selected on the basis of the identity of the surface.

Abstract: A tool including a frame that includes an aperture and a boundary marker disposed about the aperture. The boundary marker includes a first marker region disposed about the aperture and a second marker region disposed about the first marker region. The color of the first marker region is different from the color of the second marker region. The tool also includes a color correction scale disposed proximate to the aperture. The color correction scale has at least a first color correction region and a second color correction region. The color of the first and second color correction regions each have an LCh value of between L=73.5 C=15.3 h=55.6 and L=32.5 C=11.6 h=48.3.

Abstract: A color identifying apparatus for identifying the color of a reaction surface which has caused a color reaction with a gas to be specified, includes a reference data storage that stores a plurality of associated sets of reference color information represented by the difference between one and the remaining other two of signal intensities of R, G, B signals of RGB bitmap images of a reaction surface which has caused a color reaction with a gas, and identifying information for identifying the reaction surface, an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the reaction surface and generating RGB bitmap images of the reaction surface, an arithmetic unit for generating color information represented by the difference between one and the remaining other two signal intensities of R, G, B signals from the RGB bitmap images generated by the image capturing unit, and an output unit for outputting the identifying information.

Abstract: A photography apparatus includes: an imaging unit configured to image a subject and acquire photographed image data; a display unit configured to perform an image display; and a control unit; wherein the control unit executes reading processing for reading out, from a storage medium which stores template information arranged to fit and display photographed image data imaged by the imaging unit into a target region within display screen data according to a predetermined display format, the template information, wherein instruction information for instructing what sort of image should be photographed as the photographed image data to be fit and displayed in the target region is correlated therewith, and instruction information display control processing for controlling the display unit so as to display the instruction information in a correlated manner with the target region, in accordance with the template information.

Abstract: An image capture system comprises an image input and processing unit. The image input obtains image information which is then passed to the processing unit. The processing unit is coupled to the image input for determining image metrics on the image information. The processing unit initiates a capture sequence when the image metrics meet a predetermined condition. The capture sequence may store one or more images, or it may indicate that one or more images have been detected. In one embodiment, the image input is a CMOS or CCD sensor.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to detect a similar picture at high speed with high accuracy from a large-scale picture archive. Previously, a frame is extracted from each picture in a picture archive at fixed time intervals, an image feature quantity is extracted from each extracted frame, and the extracted image feature quantities are clustered, thereby constructing a clustered feature quantity database. A frames search section performs a similar frame search not only for a leading frame of a query picture but also for a subsequent frame, by using the database. A search result integration section checks whether there is a sequence across a plurality of search results and outputs, as a picture similar to the query picture, a segment which is confirmed to be continuous for a certain length or more.

Abstract: The present invention generates a color template design to format a presentation. According to one aspect, a plurality of template designs are provided on a visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of template designs is received from a user. A plurality of source images that are separate from the plurality of template designs are provided on the visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of source images is received from the user. A processor generates a histogram for the selected source image and analyzes the histogram. The processor automatically adjusts colors of the selected template design based on the analysis of the histogram. The selected template design may include framing, mat, background, and foreground portions, at least one of which is adjusted. After automatically adjusting the colors, the selected template design may be displayed and/or stored for use as a template.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes a read unit to read an original document, a storage unit to store an image file of the original document read by the read unit, a control unit to control storage and readout of the image file into and from the storage unit, and an image formation unit to print the image file read from the storage unit, and the control unit creates a template including one or plural elements, automatically creates an image file name based on the template when the image file is stored in the storage unit, and stores the image file. According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, when a file is stored, an operation burden is low and an easily identified file name can be created.

Abstract: A system for and method of displaying non-rectangular images in electronic content on an electronic device in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include identifying, using a template identification computing apparatus, an image shape template associated with a non-rectangular image that is part of electronic content to be displayed on the electronic device, determining, using a boundary region determination computing apparatus, a boundary region of the image shape template, placing, using an image placement computing apparatus, the non-rectangular image inside the boundary region of the image shape template and on the electronic content, flowing, using a text flow computing apparatus, text that is part of the electronic content outside and along the boundary region of the image shape template, and transmitting, using a communication computing apparatus, the electronic content along with the non-rectangular image to the electronic device via a network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for grouping digital media items based on shared features. Multiple digital images are received. Metadata about the digital images is obtained either by analyzing the digital images or by receiving metadata from a source separate from the digital images or both. The obtained metadata is analyzed by data processing apparatus to identify a common feature among two or more of the digital images. A grouping of the two or more images is formed by the data processing apparatus based on the identified common feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods relating to digital image modification using pyramid vignettes. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes receiving a request associated with rendering a photorealistic variation of a master digital image at an original resolution, selecting a digital image template from a number of digital image templates comprising image data associated with the master digital image at various resolutions, the selected image data at a different resolution from the original resolution, and rendering the photorealistic variation of the master digital image using the selected template.

Abstract: A security system useful for monitoring an automated teller machine (ATM) includes a camera that provides images of at least selected portions of the ATM. A controller automatically determines whether a difference between a reference image of the ATM and a subsequently acquired image from the camera indicates an alteration to the ATM. One example provides the ability to detect whether a skimming reader has been placed adjacent a card receiving slot. A disclosed example includes acquiring a plurality of reference images corresponding to different lighting conditions and using an appropriate one of the reference images based upon a lighting condition or time of day associated with a subsequently acquired image.

Abstract: A printing system includes a converter for replacing graphic elements of a color matched document (104). Conversion replaces original elements (2-4) with replacement elements (21-24, 40-42) having modified transparency attributes so that overprinting elements that overlap areas (10-15) appear as intended when subjected to color matching.

Abstract: A single-site color image, such as a Bayer CCD image, is converted to a color space image using the resource of a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). The Bayer image is loaded into the GPU along with commands to cause the texture engine in the GPU to use the Bayer image as a source texture and to compute, for each pixel in a destination image having same dimensions as the single-site color camera image, interpolated neighbor pixel values from the single-site color camera image for the remainder of said colors. A code image can be used to provide, for each pixel in the destination image, a value for each combination of color space image color and each Bayer image color. Each pixel is then computed as a sum of a product of each code image. value and a corresponding value selected from the corresponding source texture pixels and an interpolation of neighboring source texture pixels.

Abstract: This invention consists in an image processing method in which the similarity between a first pixel and a second pixel constituting an image is numerically given by statistical testing, and the values of the first and second pixels are averaged when the similarity numerically given is high, whereas the first and second pixel values are not averaged when the determined similarity is low, whereby an image with noises suppressed is obtained without spoiling a spatial resolution as well as a temporal resolution.

Abstract: An image synthesizing device for synthesizing a second image of an object in a predetermined illumination condition from a first image of the object includes an illumination condition estimation section for estimating an illumination condition from a luminance value of the first image, and a normal information estimation section estimates normal information containing a normal direction of the object, with regard to a predetermined pixel in the first image. An error component information estimation section estimates information of an error component in the predetermined illumination condition, an image synthesizing section synthesizes the second image of the object in the predetermined illumination condition, and the normal information estimation section estimates normal information of a predetermined pixel from information of a plurality of the pixels in the first image.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention describe a method, system and computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for improving the recognition of text present in an image. The image is processed by applying different operators to the image to obtain multiple processed versions of the image. Thereafter, characters and location information of the characters from each of the multiple processed versions of the image are obtained. The location information includes the pixel coordinates of the characters in the text. The text present in the image is edited, based on the relative location of the characters, to improve the recognition of the text in the image.

Abstract: Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.

Abstract: A target recognition system and method. The inventive method includes the steps of first receiving an image of a scene within which a target may be included and second using constrained image segmentation as a basis for target recognition. In the specific embodiment, the segmentation is variable and derived from target geometry models. The constrained image segmentation is adapted to use target geometry models to derive alternative image segmentation hypotheses. The hypotheses are verified using a novel hierarchical adaptive region model matcher. In the best mode, the hierarchical adaptive region model matcher is fully hierarchical and includes the steps of receiving an image and a hypothesis with respect to a target in the image. In the illustrative embodiment, the hypothesis contains the type, location, and/or orientation of a hypothesized target in the image. The hypothesis is received by a model tree generator. A target model library provides a plurality of computer generated target models.

Abstract: A method for automatically inspecting positive and negative polar directions of a polar element on a substrate is provided. Firstly, an image of a standard substrate is retrieved to form a standard sample, and relevant data of the polar elements on a substrate to be inspected is obtained to form the inspected sample. Then, transforming the geometry coordinates to the pixel coordinates, using different shapes of frames to make each polar element be positioned within, and marking the positions, positive and negative polar directions of all the polar elements in the image of the standard substrate. A database is set up to record the relevant data of each polar element as the standard sample for inspecting. The standard sample is compared with all the samples to be inspected to inspect whether the polar directions of each polar element is correct or not.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for measuring quality of an image received via a communication network. The apparatus includes an interface unit, a codec unit, a test image detection unit, and a Mean Opinion Score (MOS) measurement unit. The interface unit receives an image, including a start synchronization image and a test image via a communication network. The codec unit decodes the received image into a color signal. The test image detection unit detects any one value of brightness, saturation and hue information of the color signal input from the codec unit, calculates an average value for each frame, and detects the test image from the received image based on the calculated average value. The MOS measurement unit synchronizes the test image with a corresponding reference image, compares the quality of the test image with the quality of the reference image, calculates an MOS value based on the results of the comparison, and outputs the MOS value.

Abstract: To identify a media item from a database of media items that have common content, a region of interest is defined to include a plurality of frames of a test fingerprint that correspond to different segments of a media item. A media identification system queries a database of reference fingerprints to identify candidate reference fingerprints that contain a frame that matches a frame of the test fingerprint. When a candidate reference fingerprint is found, additional matching frames are determined and the region of interest is reduced to eliminate the matched frames of the test fingerprint. This continues until the region of interest is empty or there are no further matching candidates. Once the set of candidate reference fingerprints are identified, the media identification system compares the test fingerprint to the candidates to determine a closest match, thereby identifying the media item associated with the test fingerprint.

Abstract: According to the pattern search method of the present invention, detection of a detection image region relative to an observation image is performed by a pattern matching. An image whose size is substantially the same as that of the observation image is used as the detection image region. The detection image region is relatively displaced with reference to the observation image, thereby detecting a degree of similarity for a common region which is common to both of the region and the image. Displacement range of the detection image region is set in advance. If area of the common region is larger than a predetermined value, calculating the degree of similarity will be performed.

Abstract: A method of re-locating an object in a sample is provided for a previously-scanned slide having determined objects each with corresponding stored coordinates and a stored image, the objects being mapped relative to each other. The slide is positioned on a microscope stage, stored images of the objects are visually displayed, and a target object is selected. The slide is moved to an estimated coordinate position, corresponding to the coordinates of the target object, and a field-of-view image of the sample is captured for comparison to the stored image of the target. If the target is in the image, an offset between actual coordinates of the located target and the stored coordinates of the corresponding object is determined. The slide is then moved, via the stage, from the estimated coordinate position, according to the offset, to center the target in the image. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: System and method for detecting symmetries of configurations of discrete curves. Configuration characterization information for a configuration of a plurality of discrete curves is received, where the configuration characterization information comprises rotational symmetry groups for each of the plurality of discrete curves. A greatest common divisor of the rotational symmetry groups of the discrete curves is determined, where the greatest common divisor is a maximum possible object-based mutual rotational symmetry group for the configuration. The determined value is stored, and is usable to perform pattern matching between configurations. This value may be compared to that of a target configuration to determine if the two configurations can match.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying images or video on an electronic display. A unique identifier may be embedded within the frames of images or video and detected by a light sensor. The data from the light sensor is analyzed to determine if the proper image or video was actually shown at the display. Some embodiments analyze the data from the light sensor in real time and may stop displaying the image or video if the data is not in the format of a unique identifier. Using this embodiment, the system can prevent unintended images or video from being shown on the display.

Abstract: A method (100) of processing clinical 3D imaging of blood vessels in order to enable an analysis of the shape of blood vessels of a person, a statistical analysis of the shape and properties of blood vessels in a group of individuals, and the detection and quantification of blood vessel diseases.

Abstract: A control method of an image reading apparatus for transferring image information obtained by reading an original to a server apparatus has: a reading step of reading the original; a forming step of forming electronic data corresponding to the original read in the reading step; a designation step of designating an attribute of the original; a decision step of deciding a page whose electronic data is to be formed in the forming step in accordance with the designated original attribute; and a transmission step of transmitting the electronic data formed in the forming step to the server apparatus.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for image facial detection employing skin tones. Image data comprised of a plurality of pixels encoded in at least a three dimensional component space is received and sub-sampled region data is generated from the received image data. A percentage of pixels having a low chroma value below a threshold value is then calculated and tested against a predetermined percentage threshold value. Each pixel is then classified in accordance with a skin tone model. Skin tone map data is then generated based on classification and a skin tone mask is output form the map data.

Abstract: A system storing digital templates for an image display. The template has a plurality of digital openings for displaying digital images and each opening has at least one corresponding required attribute that is digitally stored in association with its corresponding opening. At least one designated image for display in at least one of the openings is identified and stored. The designated image has image attributes that are used to select complementary images from a database to be stored in other openings of the template.

Abstract: A template representative of an image of a human face is provided. At least one of the template and image data is rotated to adjust a relative angle between an original orientation of the template and an original orientation of the image data, so as to exclude an angle range including 180 degrees. It is examined a matching between a part of the image data and the template to identify a region in the image data containing an image of a human face. The image data is corrected in accordance with a condition of the image of the human face.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes a read unit to read an original document, a storage unit to store an image file of the original document read by the read unit, a control unit to control storage and readout of the image file into and from the storage unit, and an image formation unit to print the image file read from the storage unit, and the control unit creates a template including one or plural elements, automatically creates an image file name based on the template when the image file is stored in the storage unit, and stores the image file. According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, when a file is stored, an operation burden is low and an easily identified file name can be created.

Abstract: A system and method for indexing and retrieval of document images in an MMR system having repeated content is described. The system provides one or more hierarchical shared content indices that produce faster and/or more accurate search results. The system is also advantageous because the number and configuration of the hierarchical shared content indices is automated, scalable and efficient for processing documents with partially repeated content. In particular, the MMR matching unit includes a hierarchical shared content index (HSCI) and associated methods of use for processing images where the MMR system includes repeated content.

Abstract: To enable a rapid and safe automatic recognition of the position of the catheter, particularly for an electrophysiological examination with an automatic control system of an electrode catheter, a two-stage image evaluation of an x-ray fluoroscopy image is provided. In the first analysis step, frequency polygons are herewith developed as potential locations of the catheter with the aid of structures contained in the image. In the second analysis step, only the previously identified potential catheter positions are investigated with the aid of a template method and the actual catheter position is identified.

Abstract: A method of product recommendation includes receiving an image taken of a tool, disposed against a target substrate and including a frame with an aperture in which the substrate is visible and a color correction scale disposed proximate to the aperture, the scale having at least a first color correction region and a second color correction region, the color of the first region being different than the color of the second region. The method also includes locating a color correction scale region of the image corresponding to the scale and a target substrate region of the image corresponding to the substrate visible in the aperture, analyzing the scale region to determine a color correction, correcting the image according to the color correction, extracting a set of substrate region values from the substrate region of the image, and generating a product recommendation according to the set of substrate region values.

Abstract: The present invention generates a color template design to format a presentation. According to one aspect, a plurality of template designs are provided on a visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of template designs is received from a user. A plurality of source images that are separate from the plurality of template designs are provided on the visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of source images is received from the user. A processor automatically adjusts colors of the selected template design based on the selected source image. The selected template design may include a framing portion and a mat portion, at least one of which is adjusted. The colors may be adjusted to match, contrast with, or be a predetermined variation of a color of the source image at a cursor placed on a source image.

Abstract: A pattern matching system, comprising a receiver, a comparison block, a calculation block, an output block, a ratio reading block, and a controller, is provided. A likeness value indicates how much a first and second image accords to each other. The receiver receives first and second image signal corresponding to the first and second images as an area signal. The comparison block compares the signal levels of the area signals corresponding to the pattern areas at the relatively same location of the first and second images. The calculation block calculates the likeness value. The ratio reading block reads a amplification ratio by which the first and second image signals are amplified. The controller changes the type of the signal components of the area signal used for the comparison by the comparison block and the calculation of the likeness value by the calculation block.

Abstract: A wireless fingerprint attendance system comprises at least one fingerprint scanner and a computer server. First templates of fingerprint related data are stored on the server, and similar templates are stored on the scanner. When a fingerprint is scanned, the fingerprint data is transmitted wirelessly to the server, where a comparison is made. The server directs the scanner to display an indication whether or not a match was found. If available, an updated list of templates of fingerprint related data is transmitted from the server to the scanner and is added to the first templates. If a connection is not made, the scanned data remains on the scanner, which makes the comparison using the scanner templates. At periodic intervals the scanner and server attempt to connect. At a successful connection, the scanned fingerprint data is wirelessly transmitted to the server, and the scanned fingerprint data is purged from the scanner.

Abstract: A system for duplicate text recognition includes a first means for dividing an electronic text into a plurality of phrase segments; a second means for converting each of the phrase segments into a unique and fixed-length bit string; a third means for storing a plurality of groups of the bit strings, each group of bit strings (string group) including a plurality of bit strings respectively corresponding to the phrase segments in a particular electronic text; and a fourth means for determining whether a predefined similarity between any two string groups in the third means reaches a first threshold, and for determining the two electronic texts corresponding to the two string groups are duplicate texts if the predefined similarity between the two string groups reaches the first threshold.

Abstract: Structural content filtration to reduce the number of hypotheses for the location of an active object in a recorded image generated by a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application program may be accomplished by transforming the recorded image and a corresponding playback image, determining a sub-image from the transformed recorded image which corresponds to an object to be searched for in the transformed playback image, determining a set of points on the transformed playback image which have appropriate values for matching the sub-image, and filtering hypotheses on the playback image which are more than a selected distance from any one of the subset of points.

Abstract: A color information creating part calculates the average color of captured image data in units of macro blocks, and determines to which color index the average color of each macro block corresponds. Color arrangement information formed by associating color information with the macro blocks is stored in a color index memory. A histogram creating part creates color histograms representative of the distribution of macro blocks added with color information corresponding to aimed color indexes. Based on the color arrangement information and the color histograms, a color application execution part recognizes objects, surroundings, or the situation of a driver's own vehicle without performing area splitting (shape acquisition) of an image.

Abstract: An authentication system includes: a measuring portion that radiates terahertz waves to a portable medium for authentication including materials having a characteristic oscillation frequency in a terahertz frequency band, measures a spectrum, and outputs a measurement spectrum that is a measurement result; a characteristic spectrum database which stores a characteristic spectrum of the materials; a discriminating portion that discriminates the materials that are included in the portable medium for authentication based on the measurement spectrum and the characteristic spectrum, and outputs a discrimination result.

Abstract: A method for illumination-independent change detection in a pair of original registered gray images based on blob extraction. Blobs are extracted from the two original images and their negatives, using an enhanced blob extraction algorithm based on connectivity analysis along gray-levels. Blobs extracted from the first original and negative images are compared with blobs extracted from the second original and negative images to determine whether each blob has a corresponding blob, i.e. whether it is a matched or unmatched blob. All unmatched blobs are tested for significance as “blobs of change” using a fitness measure based on either a ratio of saliency gradients, or a product of this ratio and a gradient distribution measure.