Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, assembling a feature vector for the image file, the feature vector containing information regarding a likelihood that a selected pair of regions of the image file are of a same intrinsic characteristic, providing a classifier derived from a computer learning technique, computing a classification score for the selected pair of regions of the image file, as a function of the feature vector and the classifier and classifying the regions as being of the same intrinsic characteristic, as a function of the classification score.

Abstract: In the last few years, face expression measurement has been receiving significant attention mainly due to advancements in areas such as face detection, face tracking and face recognition. For face recognition systems, detecting the locations in two-dimension (2D) images where faces are present is a first step to be performed before face expressions can be measured. However, face detection from a 2D image is a challenging task because of variability in imaging conditions, image orientation, pose, presence/absence of facial artefacts facial expression and occlusion. Existing efforts to address the shortcomings of existing face recognition systems deal with technologies for creation of three-dimensional (3D) models of a human subject's face based on a digital photograph of the human subject. However, such technologies are computationally intensive nature and susceptible to errors and hence might not be suitable for deployment.

Abstract: A system assists in user interface generation by using scoring and providing viable component options to a developer. The system receives a new user interface that comprises a plurality of components and compares the new user interface against a plurality of repository benchmark user interfaces. The system then determines a score for the new user interface and at least one of the benchmark user interfaces. The score measures a level of deviation between the new user interface and the at least one benchmark user interface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention envisions providing requester with a computer program for a remote computer equipped with a digital photo camera. The computer program controls the camera and prevents alterations to an image taken with the camera. The unaltered image of a photo ID is transmitted from the remote computer to the verifier's server computer. The image of the photo ID may further be used to verify the requester by comparing the image to photographs from other sources.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing stereoscopic imaging. The method may involve obtaining a first image of a scene, at a first time, using a camera disposed on a platform, where the distance between the camera and the scene is changing. The camera may be used to obtain a second image of the scene, at a second time, with one of the first and second images being larger than the other. One of the images that is larger than the other may be resized so that the sizes of the two images are substantially similar. Both of the images may be rotated a predetermined degree so that the images form a stereo pair that may be viewed with a stereoscope viewing component or made into an anaglyph for viewing with an anaglyph viewing component.

Abstract: Method for visualizing and comparing two images or volumes of data of physical quantities or information referable to the same, recorded by means of suitable equipment, comprising the following steps: —defining which of the two quantities will be represented as color variations, and which as brightness variations; —defining a chromatic representation system based on three color coordinates, in which one coordinate represents the brightness and the other two coordinates represent appropriate color attributes; —applying a suitable transformation to the values of the physical quantities to be represented, so that the values of the physical quantities to be visualized are transformed from the original coordinates into the preselected chromatic coordinates; —transforming the values of the quantities to be visualized from the system of pre-selected coordinates into the chromatic coordinates typical of the pre-selected visualization system; —visualizing the image/volume containing the combination of the two quantiti

Abstract: Methods disclosed permit the outlining of difference images associated with an image pair. In some embodiments, an outlined difference image may be generated by selecting at least one non-zero pixel in a thresholded difference image and setting the value of the selected pixel to the maximum value permitted for that color space. In some embodiments, each color component of the selected pixel may be set to the maximum value permitted for that color component. The outlined difference image may also be scaled while preserving thresholded difference information. In some embodiments, the outlined difference image may be rendered using a monitor or a printer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for receiving a plurality of images, saving the plurality of images, and executing image processing includes an identifying unit for identifying a first image and a second image from the plurality of the images, an image recognizing unit for recognizing information on the second image from the first image, and a processing setting unit for setting processing for the second image based on recognition at the image recognition unit, wherein the images are processed based on the setting set at the processing setting unit, thereby automatically processing documents of plural types and greatly reducing work loads on the operator such as operator's setting paper and instructing start operation.

Abstract: A method of updating parameters for pixels associated with a background estimation portion of a video frame is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a group of pixels of an incoming data stream associated with the video frame, each pixel of the group of pixels being characterized by a plurality of parameters; comparing, for each pixel of the group of pixels, the plurality of parameters for a pixel with the plurality of parameters for adjacent pixels; determining, for each pixel of the group of pixels, whether the parameters are similar to the parameters of an adjacent pixel; identifying a region of the group of pixels having similar parameters; and updating parameters for all pixels associated with the region with a single set of parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for a computerized automatic placement of objects in media files in post-production. Embodiments of the present invention enable the automatic placement of objects which appear in a media file, such as a digital video file. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disclosed system and method allow the replacement of a specific pattern which appears in a given video file with a new image, in a fully transparent manner. According to embodiments of the present invention the makers of the media file place a designated pattern in the media file, such as a sticker on an object. Embodiments of the present invention enable the replacing of a new image on the designated pattern on the sticker with a new image.

Abstract: Provided is a method for assessing image quality using quantization codes, which includes: filtering an original image and a distorted image; generating phase quantization codes from the filtering result; calculating a Hamming difference between the phase quantization code of the original image and the phase quantization code of the distorted image; and assessing image quality of the distorted image by using the calculated Hamming difference. According to the present disclosure, since pixel values of the original image and the distorted image are mapped onto a quantized complex plane and then binary code operation is performed, it is possible to easily implement to image quality assessing hardware and also ensure excellent image quality assessing performance.

Abstract: In a digital camera 4, when a shot image is chosen, fractal data expressing structural features of object images in the photographed image is obtained. The fractal data is sent to a search server 2. In the search server 2 are stored plural pieces of fractal data showing structural features of an image of a specific object and keywords expressing specific objects corresponding respectively to the plural pieces of fractal data. The search server 2 searches for images on the Internet 1 using as the keyword corresponding to the fractal data sent from the digital camera 4. Further, the search server 2 obtains fractal data of objects in the searched image, and calculates a degree of coincidence based on the similarity between the obtained fractal data and the fractal data sent from the digital camera 4, and successively sends the digital camera 4 the images whose degree of coincidence is larger than a certain reference.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, apparatus are provided, including an image processor, a unique image processing mechanism, and a unique image processing activation mechanism. The image processor includes the unique image processing mechanism, which processes a certain type of image. The unique image processing activation mechanism causes the unique image processing mechanism to process a given image.

Abstract: Digital media categorization can include receiving information including a plurality of media objects and a metadata tag descriptive of at least a first media object; comparing the first media object with a second media object; and selectively associating the first media object's metadata tag with the second media object based on a result of the comparison. Each media object can include a digital image.

Abstract: A 2D model fitting means 1201 estimates values of parameters optimum to generate a probe model image similar to a probe image and a gallery model image similar to a gallery image with an image variation model 1204. At that time, among a plurality of parameters of the image variation model 1204, the value of a parameter of which sameness between the probe image and the gallery image is to be judged as a target parameter is set to be the same for both images. A model goodness-of-fit evaluation means 1202 computes a model goodness of fit for the probe model image and the gallery model image to the probe image and the gallery image under the estimated parameters. A collation means 1203 compares the model goodness of fit with a threshold value to judge the sameness between the probe image and the gallery image.

Abstract: A coherent phrase model for near-duplicate image retrieval enforces coherency across multiple descriptors for every local region. Two types of visual phrase (FCP and SCP) are employed to represent feature and spatial coherency and can be utilized without increasing the computational complexity. The FCP utilizes the information of different features by enforcing the feature coherency across multiple types of descriptors for every local region, and the SCP utilizes spatial information by enforcing the spatial coherency across the spatial neighborhoods of different sizes around every local region. Moreover, the disclosed model improves the matching accuracy by reducing the number of false matches and preserves the matching efficiency because of the sparsity of the representation.

Abstract: Techniques for determining if two video signals match by extracting features from a first and second video signal, and cross-correlating the features thereby providing a cross-correlation score at each of a number of time lags, then determining a mean magnitude of a difference of average values at each of the lags, and finally determining the similarity score based on both the cross-correlation scores and the mean magnitude difference scores, and optionally then outputting an indication of a degree of match between the first and second video signals.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a region-of-interest detecting unit that detects a region of interest from each of sequence images acquired in chronological order; a region dividing unit that divides a plurality of images temporally neighboring to each other into regions based on region-of-interest detection results obtained from the plurality of images; an inter-image variation calculating unit that calculates an inter-image variation between the plurality of images based on a variation in each region obtained by the division by the region dividing unit; and a display-condition setting unit that sets a display condition for each image based on the inter-image variation.

Abstract: Described is a system for ordering images. The system receives a plurality of images. Image features are extracted from each image. A set of all possible image pairs are generated for all images. A similarity metric with weights is generated between the images in each image pair in the set, with a net similarity metric thereafter generated by combining the similarity metrics. The images are then ordered according to the net similarity metrics to generate a computer-ordered set of images. The computer-ordered set of images is then displayed to the user, which allows the user to re-order the images to generate a user-ordered set of images. The weights are then optimized to minimize the distance between the computer-ordered set of images and the user-ordered set of images. The similarity metrics are then re-weighted, with the images thereafter being re-ordered according to the new metrics.

Abstract: [Problem] To reduce omission of searched results and improve search efficiency in indexing by means of telop and another text information attached to a video. [Solving Means] A video indexing system has an index generating unit which generate an index, an index accumulating unit which accumulates the index together with attached information such as an index position, an image feature generating unit which generates an image feature, an image feature accumulating unit which accumulates the image feature together with the attached information such as the position, and an image feature checking unit which compares the image feature with past image features, and, when matched, outputs the index at the time of outputting the corresponding past image feature as a current index.

Abstract: A document matching process section calculates feature points (e.g., the centroid) on the basis of an inputted document image, then selects a plurality of feature points from among the calculated feature points, and then calculates a hash value on the basis of the selected feature points. Then, on the basis of the calculated features, the document matching process section determines whether the document image is similar to a preliminary reference format (reference image). When it is determined as being similar, the document matching process section determines whether write-in is present in the document image, and then outputs a determination signal (a determination result indicating the presence or absence of write-in). In the determination of similarity of the document image, permission or non-permission for processing such as copying is determined more accurately than in the prior art.

Abstract: A method for matching an image-form textual string in an image to a regular expression is disclosed. The method includes constructing a representation of the regular expression and generating a candidate string of characters from the image-form textual string. The method further includes ascertaining whether there exists a match between the image-form textual string and the regular expression, the match is deemed achieved if a probability value associated with the match is above a predetermined matching threshold.

Abstract: The method compares a first document 10 and a second document 20. The documents may be scanned in 110,112 or an electronic image formed in other ways 114,116. Each electronic image is then segmented into basic units 14,24 such as words, lines or paragraphs. Differences between the matched basic units 14, 24 are determined and a document 30 representing the differences is created 130 and output 132.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that compares a query image and a model image and provides support information for discriminating a subject of the model image from a subject of the query image is disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes: a feature point extracting unit extracting one or more feature points from the model image; a feature describing unit describing features of the one or more feature points extracted by the feature point extracting unit; and a discrimination capability value calculating unit generating correlation images among the features described by the feature describing unit, the extracted model image, and one or more other model images for the one or more feature points extracted by the feature point extracting unit, and calculating a discrimination capability value indicating the degree of contribution to discriminating the subject of the model image on the basis of the correlation images.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for presenting aspects of change associated with a geographic area that has been captured by high-resolution, remotely sensed imagery.

Abstract: The device facilitates the verification of conformity between an anticipated digital image, or reference image, and a digital image actually obtained. The device implements a method that makes it possible to quickly and effectively distinguish the differences between a reference image and an obtained image. The device comprises receiving an input of two images, reference and obtained, and producing as output a single image, resulting from the merging of the two input images in which the portions common to both images are represented in shades of grey, the differences between the first and the second image being represented in green or red depending on whether they belong to the first or the second image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directional texture generation using flow-guided, sample-based texture synthesis. A texture synthesis directional texture generation method may, for example, be used to design hair or hairstyles. The method may obtain one or more strokes, one or more optional masks, one or more optional user maps, and directional texture samples. A target region and one or more samples may be divided into patches. For each patch in the target region, a matching patch from the samples may be located according to one or more features to generate a similarity map. The patches in the target region may then be replaced with the patches from the samples according to the similarity map. To match sample patches to target region patches based on features such as color and brightness, a procedural directional texture generation method may be used as a pre-processing step.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes an extraction unit extracting predetermined color areas from an input image, a calculation unit calculating each of representative colors of the extracted predetermined color areas, an evaluation unit evaluating whether hue values of the representative colors of the predetermined color areas are distributed in both directions from the hue value of a target color, and a color correcting unit, in which when it is determined that the hue values of the representative colors of the predetermined color areas are not distributed in both directions from the hue value of the target color, color correction is performed on the predetermined color areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) and method for registration of medical image (10,11). Furthermore the invention relates to a computer program (5) for registration of medical images (10,11), when the computer program (5) is executed in a computer (2). In order to provide a more accurate registration transformation of medical images it is suggested to detect insufficiently similar areas (14,14?,25,26) and to exclude them from the registration by means of an exclusion mask (22,24,27) that indicates which pixels/voxels should not be included during the registration process.

Abstract: A method for emphasizing differences in graphical appearances between an original document and a modified document is provided in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The method includes the step of receiving a first bitmap of the modified document, and a second bitmap of the original document. The method includes deriving a set of difference points based upon a comparison of the first bitmap and the second bitmap. The method includes a step of superposing a spatial index onto the set of difference points, and generating polygon vertices from a plurality of adjacent elements of index. Each of the elements has a predetermined density of difference points. The method concludes with generating an annotation from the polygon vertices.

Abstract: A method of transmitting encrypted data, recording medium including the encrypted data, apparatus for reproducing the same using a local storage and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes downloading a data associated with the recording medium to the local storage, constructing a virtual package by binding the downloaded data to a disc package within the recording medium, decrypting an indexing item of an index table within the virtual package using a key within a key file associated with the recording medium, and reproducing the decrypted indexing item, wherein information for solving a mismatch that occurs between the indexing item of the index table and an indexing item of the key file is included in the virtual package. By the present invention, the data associated with the recording medium is downloaded from outside to the local storage while contents provided by a content provider are protected.

Abstract: A method which uses digital image comparison for imaging software development is described. The software under development is used to generate a set of test digital images from print data. The images are stored. The software of a reference system is used to generate a set of reference digital images based on the same print data. The test and reference images are tiled, and image comparison is carried out on a tile-by-tile basis. A difference tile is generated for each test image tile and corresponding reference image tile, and the tiles are stored together in an image file to be displayed to the human user. The test images and reference images are compared using an image comparison program. The result of the comparison is presented to the human software developer for further comparison and evaluation.

Abstract: A method for detecting a linear structure in a digital mammographic image, using a processor or computer at least in part, locates at least one microcalcification candidate cluster in the image data and extracts a first region of interest that encloses the at least one microcalcification candidate cluster. The first region of interest is processed to identify feature points that correspond to geometric structures in the first region of interest. A linear detection algorithm is applied by a repeated process that selects a line model from a predefined set of line models and analyzes the line model to determine whether a linear structure is present in the first region of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining near-duplicate images. The method and system includes performing a Fourier-Mellin transform on each of a plurality of images. For each image of the plurality of images, the method and system includes generating a signature based on the Fourier-Mellin transform. The method and system includes comparing the signature of at least one of the images to at least one of the signatures of the other plurality of images and determining any near duplicate images based on the comparing of the signatures.

Abstract: In a server are stored (i) identification information of a reference image and (ii) a common process rule applied to input image data determined as being similar to the reference image. In a card is stored a merged process rule obtained by merging the common process rule with an individual process rule. Further, when a version of the merged process information is identical to a version of the common process information, a process based on the merged process information corresponding to the reference image determined as being similar to the input image data is carried out, and when these versions are not identical, the process based on the merged process information is not carried out. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the load of the user concerning operation for setting the content of the process for the input image data.

Abstract: In a system for detecting a target object, a similarity determining unit sets a block in a picked-up image, and compares a part of the picked-up image contained in the block with a pattern image data while changes a location of the block in the picked-up image to determine a similarity of each part of the picked-up image contained in a corresponding one of the different-located blocks with respect to the pattern image data. A specifying unit extracts some different-located blocks from all of the different-located blocks. The determined similarity of the part of the picked-up image contained in each of some different-located blocks is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold similarity. The specifying unit specifies, in the picked-up image, a target area based on a frequency distribution of some different-located blocks therein.

Abstract: An image display device that includes: a region-of-interest setting section that sets regions-of-interest respectively for multiple medical images representing a photographed subject; a difference image creating section that creates a difference image representing a difference between images of the regions-of-interest set by the region-of-interest setting section; and an image displaying section that displays the difference image as well as the images arranged side by side.

Abstract: A method of identifying potential phishing abuse images includes: producing a first color map that represents a subset of color values and pixel locations within a base image; producing a second color map that represents color values and pixel locations within a target image; selecting an alignment the first color map with the second color map such that at least some pixel locations of the first color map align with at least some pixel locations of the second color map; determining a measure of color value matching of aligned pixel locations for the selected alignment; and repeating the acts of selecting and determining until a prescribed threshold measure of color value matching is determined for at least one of the selected alignments or until an evaluation limit is reached.

Abstract: A method of identifying motion within a field of view includes capturing at least two sequential images within the field of view. Each of the images includes a respective array of pixel values. An array of difference values between corresponding ones of the pixel values in the sequential images is calculated. A sensitivity region map corresponding to the field of view is provided. The sensitivity region map includes a plurality of regions having different threshold values. A presence of motion is determined by comparing the difference values to corresponding ones of the threshold values.

Abstract: Image analysis techniques, including object recognition analysis, are applied to images obtained by one or more image capture devices deployed within inventory environments. The object recognition analysis provides object recognition data (that may include one or more recognized product instances) based on stored product (training) images. In turn, a variety of functionalities may be enabled based on the object recognition data. For example, a planogram may be extracted and compared to a target planogram, or at least one product display parameter for a product can be determined and used to assess presence of the product within the inventory environment, or to determine compliance of display of the product with a promotional objective. In yet another embodiment, comparisons may be made within a single image or between multiple images over time to detect potential conditions requiring response. In this manner, efficiency and effectiveness of many previously manually-implemented tasks may be improved.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the processing of graphical rating images.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a recognizer configured to recognize a predetermined part of a body of a person from an input image including the person; an evaluator configured to evaluate a difference between a recognized input part and a reference part serving as a basis; and a notifying unit configured to notify information relating to the difference of the input part from the reference part based on an evaluation result.

Abstract: Corresponding points corresponding to each other between each of a plurality of images photographed from different positions are searched for. When a plurality of corresponding points is searched out in a second image of the plurality of images for one target pixel in a first image of the plurality of images, at least partial subject shape around the target pixel is calculated based on distance values of a plurality of pixels around the target pixel, then a target distance value, which is a distance value of the target pixel, is calculated with respect to each of the plurality of corresponding points based on the target pixel and each of the plurality of corresponding points, and a valid corresponding point is determined from the plurality of corresponding points having a smallest difference from the subject shape.

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: Systems and methods of recognizing a business document and creating a document signature. In one embodiment, a business document is scanned and a business document image is created. The business document image is compared to a template database. If a matching template is found, document fields are defined and extracted. If no matching document template is found, the document image is compared to a skeleton database. If a matching document skeleton in found, document fields are defined and extracted. A document skeleton is generated and then stored in the template database. If no matching document skeletons are found in the skeleton database, document fields are manually extracted. A document skeleton is then generated from the identification of static and variable strings and stored in the skeleton database. Document fields are validated after all document fields have been extracted.

Abstract: A method for correcting results of OCR or other scanned symbols. Initially scanning and performing OCR classification on a document. Clustering character/symbol classifications resulting from the OCR based on shapes. Creating super-symbols based on at least a first difference in the shapes of the clustered characters/symbols exceeding a first threshold. A carpet of super-symbols, emphasizing localized differences in similar symbols, is displayed for analysis testing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a data obtaining section for obtaining input image data; a memory in which reference image data or features of a reference image is stored; and a similarity determination process section for performing a determination process in which it is determined whether the input image data is image data corresponding to the reference image or not. The similarity determination process section changes the determination process in accordance with related information of the input image data. Consequently, it is possible to realize an image processing apparatus capable of determining a similarity between input image data and a reference image and restricting a process on the input image data in accordance with the result of the determination.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing system, which can reduce calculation time by alleviating a calculation load in assessing the occurrence of tampering of an image. For example, the image processing system of the present invention first identifies a type of a form of an image to be assessed in assessing the occurrence of tampering. Next, a characteristic amount of a certain region (flexible region) corresponding to the identified type of a form is extracted as a characteristic amount of the image to be assessed. Then, the extracted characteristic amount of image to be assessed and the characteristic amount extracted from a certain region in an original image are compared and the compared result is notified as the assessment result. A flexible region, to which a user writes, is preferably specified as said certain region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that augments the traditional Phase Plane Correlation (PPC) approach incorporates image structure into the correlation process. In so doing, the energy in spurious peaks that can occur in the phase plane correlation surface are dramatically reduced.

Abstract: To obtain more accurate image recognition results while alleviating the burden on the user to check the image recognition results. An image recognition unit recognizes a predetermined structure in an image representing a subject, then a recognition result judging unit measures the predetermined structure on the image recognized by the image recognition unit to obtain a predetermined anatomical measurement value of the predetermined structure, automatically judges whether or not the anatomical measurement value falls within a predetermined standard range, and, if it is outside of the range, judges the image recognition result to be incorrect.