Abstract: An apparatus extracts a first dictionary information associated with a first category from among multiple categories included in a dictionary and second dictionary information associated with a second category from among multiple categories included in the dictionary or another dictionary, calculates a first feature amount and a second feature amount from the first dictionary information and the second dictionary information, respectively, receives an instruction as to whether or not to integrate a name of the first category and a name of the second category in the case where it is determined that a similarity between the calculated first feature amount and second feature amount is greater than a predetermined threshold and that the name of the first category and the name of the second category do not match, and integrates the name of the first category and the name of the second category with the received post-integration name.

Abstract: An image comparing system acquires a pixel value of each pixel in two images, and obtains two groups of relative values corresponding to the two images respectively. The two group of relative values is used for determining whether two images are the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying that information transmitted for display has been displayed. The method utilizes a plurality of algorithms to provide real-time monitoring of digital signage and displays.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to determine the relationship of an image to a set of images. In the context of a method, information about a set of images is received. The method also receives an image from the set of images. The method determines, by a processor, information about a relationship of the image to the set of images. The method also causes storage of the image in conjunction with metadata about the image. The metadata includes the information about the relationship of the image to the set of images. The method may also repeat the above operations until a determined number of images have been stored in conjunction with respective metadata, in which case the information about the relationship of the image to the set of images includes a parameter specifying the number of images in the set of images.

Abstract: A system computes a vectorial representation for each of a set of initial patches in an image and compares the vectorial representation for each initial patch with vectorial representations of nearby patches. Each nearby patch is within a distance from an initial patch. The system applies an ordinal coding algorithm on the comparison results between the vectorial representations for the initial patches and vectorial representations of nearby patches to generate a two-dimensional representation of the image indicating a repeating pattern within the image.

Abstract: A method for selecting important digital images in a collection of digital images, comprising: analyzing the digital images in the collection of digital images to identify one or more sets of similar digital images; identifying one or more sets of similar digital images having the largest number of similar digital images; selecting one or more digital images from the identified largest sets of similar digital images to be important digital images; and storing an indication of the selected important digital image in a processor accessible memory.

Abstract: An image region extracting unit binarizes image data inputted from an image inputting unit and labels the binarized image data based upon a feature value of a pixel to be segmentized into a plurality of image regions. A contour connection determining unit 104 determines whether or not connection points connecting contour lines of the respective image regions extracted by a contour extracting unit each other exist. A contour modifying unit, when it is determined that the connection points exist by the contour connection determining unit, connects the contour lines each other at the connection points to modify the contour line.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software for proposing a resolution to a position conflict between a graphic object within a drawing sharing a portion of, up to all of, the one or more locations of other graphic objects, comprising the steps of: identifying a proposed new location of the graphic object within the drawing that will resolve the conflict; creating a reflection of the graphic object depicting the graphic object as it would appear at the proposed new location without moving the graphic object from its location; and determining whether the proposed new location will clear the conflict by not sharing a portion of the one or more locations, including embodiments directed to the use of reflections, alert/conflict bubbles, modeless drawing windows, and clipping planes.

Abstract: The invention described herein is generally directed to methods for analyzing an image. In particular, crowded field images may be analyzed for unidentified, unobserved objects based on an iterative analysis of modified images including artificial objects or removed real objects. The results can provide an estimate of the completeness of analysis of the image, an estimate of the number of objects that are unobserved in the image, and an assessment of the quality of other similar images.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an image of a document; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image; extracting an address of a sender of the document from the image based on the OCR; comparing the extracted address with content in a first database; identifying complementary textual information in a second database based on the address; and at least one of: extracting additional content from the image of the document; correcting one or more OCR errors in the document using the complementary textual information, and normalizing data from the document prior to determining a validity of the document using at least one of the complementary textual information and predefined business rules. At least one of the aforementioned operations is performed using a processor of a mobile device. Exemplary systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an approximate-surface calculator that calculates multiple approximate surfaces that each approximate the pixel value of a pixel included in an examination-target region of an image; an approximate-surface selector that selects at least one approximate surface from the approximate surfaces on the basis of the relation between the pixel value of the pixel in the examination-target region and the approximate surfaces; an approximate-region setting unit that sets an approximate region that is approximated by at least the selected one approximate surface; and an abnormal-region detector that detects an abnormal region on the basis of the pixel value of a pixel in the approximate region and the value corresponding to the coordinates of that pixel on at least one approximate surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical navigation method, which includes: sequentially obtaining plural images including a first image, a second image, and a third image; choosing a main reference block in the first image; comparing the main reference block and the second image by block matching comparison to determine a first motion vector; resizing the main reference block according to the first motion vector to generate an ancillary reference block having a size smaller than the main reference block; and comparing the ancillary reference block and the third image by block matching comparison to determine a second motion vector.

Abstract: An image analyzer (120) aggregates image samples (140) into a cluster (170) based on the image samples (140) being classified from a subset of image metrics applied to a reference sample (130). The image analyzer (120) generates an image quality output (150) by analyzing a distance (180) from the cluster (180) relative to another cluster.

Abstract: A method of defining data patterns for object handling includes obtaining an image of an input data area, processing the image to obtain image data, and comparing the image data with a pattern, wherein the pattern identifies spatial information of corresponding pattern fields of the pattern. The method further includes determining a confidence level of the comparison of the image data according to a success in matching the image data with the pattern fields, comparing the confidence level with a confidence threshold associated with the pattern, and selecting the pattern. A pattern output associated with the selected pattern is identified, wherein the pattern output corresponds to a canonical return format, and the pattern output is applied to the image data.

Abstract: A method for visual recognition of an object in an electronic image includes extracting unique points of an object to be learned and/or a target object. The unique points are obtained by cross-correlating the image with a structure. Generally, the structure and/or the size of the structure may vary to detect extremum information associated with the learned object and/or target object. An icon corresponding to each of the unique points is extracted. The size of the icon corresponds to the scale of the unique point. After extraction of the various icons, an object becomes a collection of icons. Each of these icons is un-rotated and normalized or resized to a constant size so it can be compared with other icons.

Abstract: A method for searching in a large-scale database of images for images that are visually similar to query images is provided using a processor to perform the following steps: computing visual features for the database images; constructing an Image Anchor Graph that contains a plurality of anchors corresponding to a subset of images in the database, according to the computed visual features; computing visual features for the query images; and retrieving database images similar to one or more user query images using a ranking algorithm that uses the anchors in the Image Anchor Graph according to the computed visual features of both the query images and the database images on the Image Anchor Graph.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for generating sequences of face and expression aligned images are presented. An embodiment includes determining a plurality of candidate images, computing a similarity distance between an input image and each of the candidate images based on facial features in the input image and the candidate images, comparing the computed similarity distances, selecting a candidate image based on the comparing, and adding the selected candidate image to an image sequence for real-time display. Embodiments select images from the image sequence as they are being added to the image sequence and scale, rotate and translate each image so that a face appearing in a selected image is aligned with a face appearing in a subsequently selected image from the image sequence. In this way, embodiments are able to render arbitrarily large image collections efficiently and in real time to display a face and expression aligned movie.

Abstract: A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided by providing a difference signal between an input signal and the delayed input signal. An alternative embodiment includes providing frequency coefficients from one or more video frames along a curve, or from a region of the video frame. In another embodiment a filter bank provides a real time or near real time frequency analysis of a video signal to provide identification. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include DVS/SAP information, time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures.

Abstract: Registration and classification of non-textual information, such as digital images and video is described. Image searching and comparison of the images is also described. The digital images are indexed (i.e., each image is assigned a unique numerical parameter and/or a plurality of numerical parameters). The resulting index files are stored in a database that can be quickly searched because the index files are universal numerical files that are significantly smaller in size than their source images. Image search queries are also indexed to generate an index file, which is then compared with the stored index files. A similarity score is also calculated to rank the similar images based on the index file-to-index file comparison.

Abstract: A method for automatically typesetting patent images extracts a brief introduction of each patent image from a description part of a patent document, and records a keyword of the brief introduction. The method distinguishes an image label of each patent image from an image part of the patent document. The method rotates the patent image by ninety degrees clockwise in response that the image label of the patent image does not contain the keyword, and outputs the rotated image onto a display device.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a weight generating section that generates weight data in which a weight of a first region is larger than a weight of a second region, where the first region has a larger difference between a target image and at least one of a plurality of to-be-selected images than the second region, a calculating section that calculates a degree of similarity between the target image and each of two or more of the plurality of to-be-selected images with a difference between the target image and the to-be-selected image being weighted in each region in accordance with the weight data, and an image selecting section that selects, from the two or more to-be-selected images, one or more to-be-selected images that are more similar to the target image by referring to the degrees of similarity of the two or more to-be-selected images.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern inspection apparatus includes a first inspection data creation section, a first delay section, a first recognition section, a first extraction section, a first and a second level difference calculation section, a first and a second determination section, and a first logic OR calculation section. The first extraction section extracts data of a sub-resolution pattern from the first inspection data and the first delay data. The first and second level difference calculation section calculate differences between an average output level of a surrounding region for a target pixel of the extracted data from the first inspection data or the first delay data and an output level of the extracted data. The first and second determination sections determine presence or absence of a defect. The first logic OR calculation section calculates logic OR of determination results of the first and second determination sections.

Abstract: Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A method of performing an image retargeting quality assessment comprising comparing an original image and a retargeted image in a frequency domain, wherein the retargeted image is obtained by performing a retargeting algorithm on the original image. The disclosure also includes an apparatus comprising a processor configured to perform an image retargeting quality assessment, and compare an original image and a retargeted image in a spatial domain, wherein the retargeted image is obtained by performing a retargeting algorithm on the original image, and wherein comparing the original image and the retargeted image in the spatial domain comprises comparing the original image and the retargeted image to determine an amount of shape distortion between the images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a distance metric. An image manipulation application receives first and second input images. The image manipulation application generates first and second sets of points corresponding to respective edges of a first object in the first input image and a second object in the second input image. The image manipulation application determines costs of arcs connecting each point from the first set to each point of the second set based on point descriptors for each point of each arc. The image manipulation application determines a minimum set of costs between the first set and the second set that includes a cost of each arc connecting each point of the second set to a point in the first set. The image manipulation application obtains, based at least in part on the minimum set of costs, a distance metric for first and second input images.

Abstract: A method of enhancing an image matching result using an image classification technique is disclosed, comprising the steps of acquiring relatively significantly hidden ones of a plurality of high overlapped close-range images; classifying each of the high overlapped close-range images to obtain a set of overall spectrum difference information over a multiple-spectra range; introducing a local gray level to each of the classified high overlapped close-range images to apply an integrated image matching; and evaluating a matching index by a threshold according to at least two similarity indexes to obtain a 3-dimensional point cloud coordinate position of a conjugate point for each of such images.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that discriminates the orientation of a target includes a calculation unit that calculates a distribution of a difference in feature amount between a plurality of learning patterns each showing the orientation of a target, a determination unit that determines, using a probability distribution obtained from the distribution of differences calculated by the calculation unit, a pixel that is in an input pattern and is to be referred to in order to discriminate the orientation of a target in the input pattern, and a discrimination unit that performs discrimination for obtaining the orientation of the target in the input pattern by comparing a feature amount of the pixel determined by the determination unit and a threshold set in advance.

Abstract: A method includes automatically identifying a screen control in a user interface. Optical character recognition is applied to read a text that is displayed on an image of the screen control. The displayed text is automatically compared to a character string that is designated for the screen control. If part of the character string is not included in the displayed text, the displayed text is identified as truncated text.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically identifying famous people and/or iconic images are provided. Object descriptors (or “faceprints”) of the famous people and iconic images are generated and “shipped” with a digital image management application used by an end-user. The digital image management application analyzes a digital image (generated, for example, by a digital camera operated by the end-user) to detect an object, such as a face, and generates a faceprint. The digital image management application compares the faceprint to the faceprints of the famous people and/or iconic images. If a match is found, then data that identifies the corresponding person or object is displayed to the end-user.

Abstract: A hand gesture from a camera input is detected using an image processing module of a consumer electronics device. The detected hand gesture is identified from a vocabulary of hand gestures. The electronics device is controlled in response to the identified hand gesture. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Techniques for spatial semantic attribute matching on image regions for location identification based on a reference dataset are provided. In one aspect, a method for matching images from heterogeneous sources is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) parsing the images into different semantic labeled regions; (b) creating a list of potential matches by matching the images based on two or more of the images having same semantic labeled regions; and (c) pruning the list of potential matches created in step (b) by taking into consideration spatial arrangements of the semantic labeled regions in the images.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method is provided for image categorization. Here, images are displayed. In turn, a user input that describes a characteristic shared between the images from a comparison between the images is received. The user input may then be classified into categorization data.

Abstract: Image search techniques are described. In one or more implementations, images in a search result are ordered based at least in part on similarity of the images, one to another. The search result having the ordered images is provided in response to a search request.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and method and program whereby composition can more readily be confirmed. An imaging unit 432 receives light from a lens 431 and images an imaging image; an extracting unit 435 extracts an extracted image which is an image having a different size from the imaging image and which includes a subject having a high degree of focus; a synthesizing unit 436 synthesizes the extracted image so that the positions of the subject match to the imaging image; and a display unit 438 displays the imaging image of the portions corresponding to a predetermined region having the same size as the extracted image in the display region wherein the entire imaging image can be displayed, and displays the extracted image that has been synthesized with the imaging image. The present invention can be applied to a digital camera, for example.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for comparing products in a marketplace. An image or video of the products may be captured using a camera associated with a mobile device. User input may be received to select two or more products within the image. Machine vision techniques may be applied to specifically identify the selected products. Product features associated with each of the identified products may be retrieved and formatted into a comparison of product features. The comparison may be presented to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automatic event recognition and photo clustering. In one aspect, methods include receiving, from a first user, first image data corresponding to a first image, receiving, from a second user, second image data corresponding to a second image, comparing the first image data and the second image data, and determining that the first image and the second image correspond to a coincident event based on the comparing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes an analyzer, an image selector, an effect selector and a generator. The analyzer is configured to analyze an attribute of each of a plurality of images. The image selector is configured to select, from the plurality of images, a first image which comprises a target and a second image which does not comprise the target, based on the attribute. The effect selector is configured to select a first effect, and to select a second effect. The generator is configured to generate a moving picture by compositing a third image obtained by applying the first effect to the first image, and a fourth image obtained by applying the second effect to the second image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing patch size adaptation for patch-based image enhancement operations. In one embodiment, an image manipulation application receives an input image. The image manipulation application compares a value for an attribute of at least one input patch of the input image to a threshold value. Based on comparing the value for the to the threshold value, the image manipulation application adjusts a first patch size of the input patch to a second patch size that improves performance of a patch-based image enhancement operation as compared to the first patch size. The image manipulation application performs the patch-based image enhancement operation based on one or more input patches of the input image having the second patch size.

Abstract: A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.

Abstract: A computer receives a first image of a plurality of lamps. The computer receives a second image of a plurality of lamps. The computer transforms the second image so a location depicted in a plurality of pixels of the first image is depicted in a corresponding plurality of pixels in the second image. The computer determines a brightness variation exists between a pixel of the plurality of pixels of the second image and a corresponding pixel of the plurality of pixels of the first image. The computer identifies a location corresponding to the pixel of the plurality of pixels of the second image where the brightness variation exists.

Abstract: A method of computerized searching for visual objects on an electronic document is disclosed. After receiving a selection of a template visual object, a template raster image is generated therefrom. The template visual object is comprised of one or more template object components. A document raster image is generated from the document, which includes document object symbols comprised of one or more document object components. A broad match candidate subset of document object symbols is generated based upon comparisons to the template object symbol. Then, a narrowed match candidate set is generated from those document object symbols of the broad match candidate subset based upon a comparison of the template object component to the document object components.

Abstract: A method for processing a target pattern comprises the following steps: providing a to-be-processed image; matching the to-be-processed image is with a reference template to select at least one region of suspicion from the to-be-processed image, wherein the region suspicion comprises a target pattern and a background pattern; transforming the region of suspicion to a grayscale image; and transforming the grayscale image to an optical density image to enhance the target pattern with respect to the background pattern. A method for generating a classification system of target patterns and a method for classifying detected target patterns are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system derives and associates tag information with an image supporting image feature search. The system receives arrangement search information used for searching for one or more images including a target object associated with a specific arrangement of tag information. The system analyzes the tag information of the images, and searches for an image having the arrangement information which satisfies the arrangement search information.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including: a characteristic amount extracting unit extracting a plurality of characteristic amounts, which are information expressing characteristics of a video, from the video; a labeling unit associating the extracted characteristic amounts with a person or a background; a matching degree judging unit judging a degree of matching between the associated characteristic amounts and the characteristic amounts of at least one other video; a comparing unit comparing the plurality of characteristic amounts of one scene in the video from which the characteristic amounts have been extracted and the plurality of characteristic amounts of one scene in the at least one other video; and a relationship inferring unit inferring a relationship between the one scene in the video and the one scene in the at least one other video based on a comparison result of the comparing unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic detection of disaster relief assets from a satellite image can include a satellite and a processor, which can contain non-transitory written directions that perform a method, which includes the step of defining spectra of interest (SOI). A reference spectral profile that is based on the SOI is built. The reference spectral profile can extend into the near infrared range to eliminate false positive indications. A satellite image of the spatial region of interest (ROI) is taken. For each pixel in the ROI, test spectra of the spatial region can be extracted and compared to the reference spectral profile using a spectral angle mapper (SAM) tool. When the comparison meets predetermined parameters, that pixel of the ROI can be deemed to be indicative of a disaster relief asset, and the geo-reference data for that pixel can be transmitted to a remote user.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium storing an image processing program that causes a computer to execute a process includes acquiring the same object identification information included in a plurality of image data items by referring to a storage unit that stores each of the image data items, object identification information that identifies an object included in the image data item, and a location information item that identifies a location of the object in the image data item in association with one another; acquiring the location of the object identified by the acquired object identification information in each of the image data items by referring to the storage unit; computing a difference between the acquired location information items; comparing the difference between the location information items with a predetermined location threshold value; and determining whether the image data items are to be in the same group.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to electronic image object or logo recognition.

Abstract: Computing pose and/or shape of a modifiable entity is described. In various embodiments a model of an entity (such as a human hand, a golf player holding a golf club, an animal, a body organ) is fitted to an image depicting an example of the entity in a particular pose and shape. In examples, an optimization process finds values of pose and/or shape parameters that when applied to the model explain the image data well. In examples the optimization process is influenced by correspondences between image elements and model points obtained from a regression engine where the regression engine may be a random decision forest. For example, the random decision forest may take elements of the image and calculate candidate correspondences between those image elements and model points. In examples the model, pose and correspondences may be used for control of various applications including computer games, medical systems, augmented reality.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biometric information measurement apparatus using a user terminal. The biometric information measurement apparatus includes a light-emitting control unit, a camera, an image analysis unit, and a biometric information measurement unit. The light-emitting control unit controls the output of an optical signal from at least one light emitting element which outputs the optical signal to a part of a body of a user. The camera is to be placed to face the part of the body, and configured to capture light generated in such a way that the optical signal passes through the part of the body or the optical signal is reflected off of the part of the body. The image analysis unit analyzes an image captured using the camera. The biometric information measurement unit measures biometric information about the user based on the results of the image analysis.

Abstract: A document template for classifying documents is created for each document class. The document template includes a set of keywords and the spatial relations of the keywords. A document to be classified is received. The spatial relations of the template keywords of a template are compared with the spatial relations of corresponding words in the document. If the spatial relations are the same, the document may be classified in the document class of the template.