Abstract: A system for organizing images includes an extraction component that extracts visual information (e.g., faces, scenes, etc.) from the images. The extracted visual information is provided to a comparison component which computes similarity confidence data between the extracted visual information. The similarity confidence data is an indication of the likelihood that items of extracted visual information are similar. The comparison component then generates a visual distribution of the extracted visual information based upon the similarity confidence data. The visual distribution can include groupings of the extracted visual information based on computed similarity confidence data. For example, the visual distribution can be a two-dimensional layout of faces organized based on the computed similarity confidence data—with faces in closer proximity faces computed to have a greater probability of representing the same person.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically test graphical output. A graphical output is generated in a format that permits automatic comparison with a reference graphic. The reference graphic is created and retained in the test format. The test format reference graphic is compared with the test format output graphic. The results of the comparison are used to generate a report of the discrepancies between the reference graphic and the output graphic.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus is placed on a desk and an object to be captured is presented above the apparatus. An illumination device can emit light of a plurality of wavelengths, and a camera captures an image of an object to be captured using different wavelengths. By processing an image using different wavelengths, the material of the object to be captured can be obtained. The captured image is compared with a recorded image stored in the image capture apparatus and used in image determination.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for searching character image in an image whether the characters are incorporated into an image or separately picked up from a flip card, which are difficult to be detected by the prior art. The invention enables the character strings thereby detected to be searched in a common framework without relying on the language or the character font. An image is chosen, a character region is detected from the frame of the chosen image on the basis of its shape, and a visual feature of the character area is extracted. On the other hand, a character string to be searched for which has been entered by a character input means is drawn as an image, and a visual feature is extracted from the character area image. The visual feature of the obtained character area and the visual feature of the character area image are matched to determine a level of similarity, and the character region containing a character string the level of similarity of which has been determined is outputted.

Abstract: A method for detecting an obstacle by using two cameras, the obstacle being on a reference plane in a field of view common to the two cameras, the method inputting a first image and a second image from the two cameras, respectively, transforming the first image to a transformed image, obtaining a degree of similarity D indicating a similarity between an image in a processing region established in the second image and an image in a corresponding processing region established in the first image, obtaining a degree of similarity P indicating a similarity between an image in the processing region established in the second image and an image in a corresponding processing region established in the transformed image, detecting the obstacle based on of the degree of similarity D and the degree of similarity P on a reference plane region, obtaining a difference K between the degree of similarity D and the degree of similarity P both obtained as being on the reference plane region, judging that the obstacle is at a pos

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects (e.g., bags, vehicles, etc.) left in a field of view are disclosed. A long-term representation and a short-term representation of the field of view are constructed, and a difference between the long-term representation and the short-term representation is calculated. One or more criteria may optionally be applied to this difference to determine whether the difference represents an object that was left in the field of view.

Abstract: A similar image search system includes an image database which stores a number of pieces of image data representing a number of images. Search image data representing the whole and/or a part of an image similar to which in feature is to be searched for is input and the image database is searched for similitude image data. A search report representing result of search is output.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which includes: an imaging device; a reference luminance property storage device that stores a predetermined reference luminance property; a luminance property calculating device that calculates a luminance property of the imaging device from an image obtained by the imaging device; a comparing device that compares the reference luminance property and the luminance property; a displacement determining device that determines whether or not the luminance property has relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property based on a comparison result of the comparing device; and a luminance property correcting device that corrects the luminance property, wherein, when the luminance property is determined by the displacement determining device to have relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property, the luminance property correcting device corrects the luminance property so as to become equivalent to the reference luminance property.

Abstract: A binary image compression apparatus and method. The apparatus to compress a binary image includes a symbol extraction unit to extract symbols from a binary image, a symbol dictionary including a plurality of representative symbols registered therein and to register one or more of the extracted symbols when the one or more extracted symbols do not match the registered representative symbols, a symbol matching unit to perform a matching operation of the extracted symbols with the representative symbols using a plurality of thresholds to determine an index of the extracted symbols, and an encoding unit to compress symbols registered in the symbol dictionary and corresponding indexes, to compress indexes of the symbols extracted from the binary image and position information of each of the extracted symbols, and to generate a final bitstream from the compressed symbols, indexes, and position information.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for determining whether an input mage is a film image. The method includes (a) receiving a predetermined number of similarity values of two adjacent fields of the same kind from an image having interlaced fields, (b) classifying the received similarity values into a first group and a second group, (c) converting the similarity values classified in the first group and the second group into values different from each other, and (d) determining whether the image is a film image according to a period of the converted values. Since input similarity values are classified using a grouping, a film image can be detected without setting a threshold value.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding device for determining nominal mechanical data for an electronic device by automatic image processing of a digital image of a specimen of said electronic device. In the method, an object in said digital image, which object corresponds to said specimen, is identified and appearance data for the appearance of the identified object are determined. Then, at least some of the determined appearance data are compared with a stored set of nominal appearance data, which nominal appearance data are based on a prior knowledge of appearances of electronic devices, and at least some nominal appearance data of the set of nominal appearance data are selected. Finally, the nominal mechanical data of the electronic device is determined in accordance with the selected nominal appearance data and at least some of the determined appearance data.

Abstract: A method for recognizing an object in a target image using model primitives comprising an additive primitive and a subtractive primitive; weights are assigned to the additive and subtractive primitives; a target primitive is derived for the object; associations are determined between the target primitive and the model primitives; a similarity score is computed for the target primitive with respect to the model primitives; the similarity score is increased for each association between the target primitive and the additive primitive and decreased for each association between the target primitive and the subtractive primitive; the weights determine an amount by which the similarity score is increased or decreased for each of the associations.

Abstract: Image data containing the face image of a person is retrieved from a plurality of images, the retrieved image data is displayed, face image data, which is for image retrieval, is extracted from the displayed image data, and the extracted face image data is registered as reference face image data. Specified reference face image data in the registered reference face image data is designated and image data that contains the reference face image data is retrieved.

Abstract: A method of measuring a similarity between images is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) computing a statistical dissimilarity between the images; (b) computing a perceptual dissimilarity between the images; and (c) computing a dissimilarity between the texture features of the images based on the statistical dissimilarity and the perceptual dissimilarity. When images perceptually similar to a query image are searched and retrieved according to the above measuring method, the possibility that the retrieved images are not perceptually similar to the query image is small. Accordingly, the image searching performance can be improved when searching images having texture features similar to that of a query image.

Abstract: A target recognizing device that creates a template concerning a target by itself is provided. The device comprises a robot camera for creating continuous images showing a target and an arithmetic operation unit for controlling the robot camera. A robot camera acquires continuous image information by means of a camera rotatable by a motor. The arithmetic operation unit comprises a template management section for allowing an update part to update a template stored in a template storage part and a target recognition section having an image storage part where the acquired image information is stored, a recognizing part for recognizing a target by using the template, and a motion command part for rotating a camera according to the result of recognition.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer software product for correlating medical images, comprising: obtaining first image data representative of a first medical image including a first abnormality; obtaining second image data representative of a second medical image including a second abnormality; determining at least one feature value for each of the first and second abnormalities using the first and second image data; calculating, based on the determined feature values, a likelihood value indicative of a likelihood that the first and second abnormalities are a same abnormality; and outputting the determined likelihood value.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which allows a user to execute image processing, such as extraction and elimination of a portion common to a plurality of images therefrom, with a simple operation. An image of a document is read by a scanner, and when the document is a first one, the image of the document is stored from input means into storing means. When an image of a second document is read, comparing means compares the read image with the image stored in the storing means to judge whether or not a difference in pixel values between the first document image and the second document image is smaller than a threshold value set through setting means.

Abstract: A repetitive surface detector includes an image capture device capturing an image. An autocorrelator receives the image and generates a signal indicative of a repetitive background of the image. A controller determines a maximum and minimum value in the auto-correlated signal. An adder determines the signed difference between the maximum and minimum value. A comparator compares the signed difference with a threshold and generates an output that indicates when the image includes a repetitive background.

Abstract: In a similarity vector detecting apparatus (2), vector transform units (20), (21) implement transform by sequential matrix, Discrete Cosine Transform, Discrete Fourier Transform, Walsh-Hadamard Transform, or Karhunen-Lueve Transform to registered vector g and input vector f. A hierarchical distance calculating unit (23) performs, in a hierarchical manner, distance calculation between two vectors in order from vector component having high significance, i.e., component having large dispersion or eigen value in the above-described transform operations, or from low frequency component. Further, in the case where it is judged at a threshold value judgment unit (24) that integrated value of distances calculated up to a certain hierarchy is above threshold value S of distance, only output indicating that the integrated value is above the threshold value S is provided to truncate distance calculation.

Abstract: A system for realizing support of safety driving or automatic driving is provided, in which a vehicle-mounted stereo camera is used to detect obstacles on a road surface such as vehicles going ahead and pedestrians with a high accuracy even in a situation in which a reflected image of an obstacle or a surrounding structure is appeared under a wet road condition in rainy weather.

Abstract: In a networked client/server system, media data is streamed from a server to a client. A user of the client can search the media data to identify portions that satisfy certain search criteria, and/or store the media data locally at the client for subsequent playback.

Abstract: An image recognition method comprises the steps of: a) examining as to how much input image parts resemble a predetermined figure comprising a plurality of elements, and giving a first score on each image part as to how much it resembles to the element of the predetermined figure, and giving a second score on the image parts as to much a positional relationship therebetween resembles that of the elements of the predetermined figure; and b) determining as to whether or not the input image parts coincide the predetermined figure by using the first and second scores together.

Abstract: A moving image Vd consists of a plurality of frames F1–F12. A scene change SC of the moving image Vd is detected according to change in each frame regarding to brightness information of image, and the plurality of frames are divided into frame groups FG1 (F1–F8) and FG2 (F9–F12) each having substantially the same scene at the scene change as a boundary. Then, with respect to the frame group FG1, every three frames, F1, F4, F7 are sampled to execute scene determination, and a most frequent scene is determined as a common scene of the frame group. Consequently, scene determination results for sufficiently scene-changed frames F4, F7 interposed between frames F1, F12 of both ends of the frame group FG1 can be utilized, so that it is possible to determine the common scene with high accuracy.

Abstract: A pattern matching engine supports high speed (up to at least 2.4. Gbits per second line rate speeds) parallel pattern matching operations in an unanchored fashion. The engine is preferably implemented as a hardware device. A shift register serially receives a string of data stream bytes which are partitioned into a plurality of multi-byte overlapping adjacent stream chunks. Library patterns of bytes to be searched for are similarly partitioned into multi-byte overlapping adjacent table chunks for storage in a look-up table. The plurality of multi-byte overlapping adjacent stream chunks are applied by the register in parallel to the look-up table, with a result being returned which is indicative of whether each stream chunk matches one of the look-up table stored table chunks. The results of the parallel look-up operation are then logically combined to make a match determination.

Abstract: Various components of the present invention are collectively designated as Analysis of Variables Through Analog Representation (AVATAR). AVATAR offers an analog solution to those problems of the analysis of variables which are normally handled by digital means. The invention allows (a) the improved perception of the measurements through geometrical analogies, (b) effective solutions of the existing computational problems of the order statistic methods, and (c) extended applicability of these methods to analysis of variables. The invention employs transformation of discrete or continuous variables into normalized continuous scalar fields, that is, into objects with mathematical properties of density and/or cumulative distribution functions. In addition to dependence on the displacement coordinates (thresholds), these objects can also depend on other parameters, including spatial coordinates. Moreover, this transformation of the measured variables may be implemented with respect to any reference variable.

Abstract: Embodiments of a color image matching scheme are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pixel intensity count is determined for color components of color images in a database and for a query color image. A fuzzy similarity and/or a fuzzy dissimilarity between the query image and the database images is computed based at least in part on the pixel intensities counts. An image is selected from the database based at least in part on the computed fuzzy similarity and/or dissimilarity, where computing a fuzzy similarity and/or dissimilarity includes computing the matching intensity. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides technologies for narrowing down fingerprints images, which will be used for identity determination, without extracting auxiliary information such as a fingerprint pattern, thereby shortening the time required for fingerprint verification. The device according to the present invention includes a storage means 26 for storing characteristic information extracted from fingerprint images of registered persons, and a collection means 10 for collecting a fingerprint image. First, a extraction means 14 extracts characteristic information from the fingerprint image collected by the collection means 10. Next, a narrowing means 16 calculates a similarity between part of the characteristic information of the person to be identified, which was extracted by the extraction means 14, and corresponding part of the characteristic information of each of the registered persons, which is stored in the storage means 26.

Abstract: A method for choosing visual characteristics of a characteristic space within a region includes calculating a mean characteristic of the region, determining a covariance of the region, inverting the covariance to produce an inverse covariance, estimating a target characteristic, determining a difference between the mean characteristic and the target characteristic transposing the difference to produce a difference transpose, determining a saliency from a product of the difference transpose multiplied by the inverse covariance multiplied by the difference, comparing the saliency to an acceptance criterion to yield one of an acceptance if the saliency satisfies the acceptance criterion and a rejection otherwise, adjusting the target characteristic and repeating the determining a difference, transposing the difference, determining a saliency and comparing the saliency steps if the comparing yields the rejection, and outputting the target characteristic if the comparing yields the acceptance.

Abstract: A method for detecting changes in a viewfield observed by a stationary image capturing device is proposed, in which edge images are calculated and are compared to edge images of reference recordings in order to detect static changes within the observed image range that are independent of image brightness.

Abstract: A text and imagery spatial correlator automatically relates the geographic locations where events referenced in text occur to those same geographic locations appearing in imagery. In the preferred embodiment, the system deploys adaptable, context-sensitive agents for the automatic interpretation of text, and the application of those agents to classify and geolocate textual references. The results are integrated with similar spatial references from imagery in a common data model, accessible by both spatial and non-spatial data correlation. The unique combination of elements enables the system to automatically develop spatial relationships between text and imagery. Although the invention finds utility in numerous applications, the system and method are particularly useful in correlating remote sensor imagery.

Abstract: A template matching method for searching a matching area having the highest correlation with a template including a reference point in a first image from a second image, the template matching method comprising calculating a difference between a corresponding point of the reference point in the second image and an estimated point of the reference point which is calculated by the template matching method, and determining at least one of parameters of the template matching, the parameters comprising the reference point, a size of the template and resolutions of the first and second images based on the difference.

Abstract: The systems and methods of this invention provide a simple classifier suitable for real time use. The classifier adapts to changing system conditions and does not require recalculating the details of the classifier.

Abstract: A method for matching digital images, including regularization of image features of a first digital image, composed of pixels, defining a finite set of candidate values, wherein a candidate value represents a candidate for a possible match between image features of the first image and a second image, establishing a matching penalty function for evaluation of the candidate values, evaluating the matching penalty function for every candidate value, selection of a candidate value based on the result of the evaluation of the matching penalty function, regularization of the first image by segmentation of the first image, comprising assigning at least part of the pixels of the first image to respective segments, determining a certainty parameter for at least part of the pixels of a segment, and establishing the matching penalty function to be at least partially based on the certainty parameter.

Abstract: A similarity determining apparatus is disclosed which determines whether a query signal and a search signal are similar to each other or not. The similarity determining apparatus determines weighting values for elements of a signal characteristic of a first type, which are used in determining the distance between a signal characteristic of a first type of a search signal and a signal characteristic of a first type of a query signal, depending on a second type of signal characteristics. The similarity determining apparatus calculates the distance between the signal characteristic of the first type of the search signal and the signal characteristic of the first type of the query signal, based on the determined weighting values. The similarity determining apparatus calculates the distance between a signal characteristic of a second type of the search signal and a signal characteristic of a second type of the query signal.

Abstract: The pattern-collating device includes as feature point pairs, among feature points which are portions indicating respective features of an examination target graphic which is the graphic to be compared and a model graphic which is the reference graphic, those which mutually correspond in said examination target graphic and said model graphic and a similarity determination section which calculates the similarity between the examination target graphic and the model graphic based on correspondence of the feature points by the feature point pair formation section, wherein the similarity determination section calculates the similarity between the examination target graphic and the model graphic based on a probability that the number of the feature point pairs between an arbitrary graphic and the model graphic, is not less than the number of the feature point pairs between the examination target graphic and the model graphic previously obtained by the feature point pair formation section.

Abstract: A model is used to represent a set of structured data objects that include elements at defined positions. The model includes distributions of vectors, each distribution corresponding to particular positions in the respective structured data objects, each of the vectors comprising values for the particular positions; and comparing a given set of structured data objects to the model to determine a likelihood that the given set is represented by the model. At least some of the distributions of the model differ such that different states of matching are indicated. Distributions of the model can indicate: dissimilarity between the structured data objects at defined positions; similarity between the structured data objects at defined positions; or similarity to a reference structure data object at defined positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a color-texture distance and a method and apparatus for sectioning an image into a plurality of regions using the measured color-texture distance are provided.

Abstract: A method for compressing a sequence of digital images includes: comparing a reference image of the sequence of digital images to a subsequent image of the sequence of digital images. In response to the reference and subsequent images being the same within a predetermined threshold, 1) a count of a number of images discarded is incremented, 2) the subsequent image is discarded, and 3) the comparing step is repeated with a next subsequent image. In response to the reference and subsequent images not being within the predetermined threshold, 1) the count is initialized and 2) the comparing step is repeated using the subsequent image as the reference image. Rather than comparing whole images corresponding portions of the images can be compared and compressed independently.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate pattern recognition or matching between patterns are disclosed that is substantially invariant to small transformations. A substantially smooth deformation field is applied to a derivative of a first pattern and a resulting deformation component is added to the first pattern to derive a first deformed pattern. An indication of similarity between the first pattern and a second pattern may be determined by minimizing the distance between the first deformed pattern and the second pattern with respect to deformation coefficients associated with each deformed pattern. The foregoing minimization provides a system (e.g., linear) that may be solved with standard methods.

Abstract: Conventionally, a color-image processing apparatus, such as a computer, or the like, cannot determine whether or not color-image data stored in an image storage device, such as a hard disk, or the like, is an image corresponding to a specific original. According to the present invention, a color-image processing apparatus includes a determination unit for comparing color-image data stored in an image storage device with a pattern stored in a pattern storage device. The color-image data stored in the image storage device is read with a predetermined timing, and determination by the determination unit is performed. The color-image processing apparatus is a computer, and the image storage device is a hard disk.

Abstract: It is controlled by a non-transformation coefficient calculated by a non-transformation calculation section, whether feedback is performed or not. When the feedback is ended, a collation value calculation section calculates a collation value (coincidence coefficient×non-transformation coefficient). A display process section compares the collation value with a predetermined threshold value. When the collation value is a threshold value or more, a signature is decided as a true signature, and the transformation-corrected image and the reference image are displayed such that these images overlap.

Abstract: Forms such as business forms used in banks and post offices are automatically classified using a form search apparatus and method. The method of classifying forms comprises extracting features from the image data of the input form and comparing the extracted features with stored features of a set of template forms corresponding to a set of known classifications of forms. The comparing step compares extracted features which comprise attributes of tables contained in the template forms and the input form respectively. The attributes of tables may be the number of tables in the form, or the number of cells comprising the tables. An approximate matching step is used to reduce the number of candidate template forms.

Abstract: To provide a document format identification apparatus capable of correctly identifying a document format even in an environment where a number of types of scanners are used. The document format identification apparatus includes: an extraction unit for extracting a feature for a document the format of which to be identified; a generation unit for generating, based on the feature extracted by the extraction unit, document format data containing identification data for identifying a document format and correction information for correcting a feature difference produced by a difference in type of the image input apparatus; and an identification unit, for correcting document format data stored in a storage unit and document format data generated by the generation unit based on the correction information and for identifying a document format of a document to be identified by comparing the corrected document format data.

Abstract: The creation of accurate geometric description-based models of objects in a machine vision system can be performed in a computer-assisted process. A rough model of an image of an object forms the basis of the model. The model is refined through the application of machine vision tools and techniques so as to provide a model including a geometric description. The model can be used in machine vision applications that may be used, for example, to compare images of objects under inspection to the model.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing an information signal stored on a first storage medium (4). The apparatus comprises a reading unit (2) for reading the information signal from the first storage medium, an output unit (6) for supplying the information signal to a display unit, an user controllable input unit (8) for receiving commands to enable an user to access the information signal. The user controllable input unit is adapted to receive a first command at an instant. The apparatus further comprises a unit (10) for controlling the reading unit to start reading the information signal from said storage medium at a second position in the information signal in response to said first command, the information signal at said second position having features showing a similarity with features of the information signal at a first position read at said instant of receiving said first command, or a features of an information signal read prior to said instant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a predetermined mark embedded in an image. The mark (29) comprises a predetermined arrangement of a plurality of elements (30), each element having a predetermined colour characteristic and predetermined shape. The method processes (20) the image to provide an encoded representation of the image at a predetermined resolution (eg. 200 dpi). The coordinate positions for substantially each of the elements of the mark embedded in the image are detected (22), wherein the detection is characterised by applying at least one mask (80) to substantially each pixel of the encoded representation. From the coordinate positions, a set of spatial features representing a spatial arrangement of the detected elements are then determined (23). The determined set of spatial features is then compared (24) to a known set of spatial features to provide a confidence level measure for a degree of matching between the known set and the determined set of spatial features.

Abstract: The most significant features in visual scenes, is identified without prior training, by measuring the difficulty in finding similarities between neighbourhoods in the scene. Pixels in an area that is similar to much of the rest of the scene score low measures of visual attention. On the other hand a region that possesses many dissimilarities with other parts of the image will attract a high measure of visual attention. A trial and error process is used to find dissimilarities between parts of the image and does not require prior knowledge of the nature of the anomalies that may be present. The use of processing dependencies between pixels avoided while yet providing a straightforward parallel implementation for each pixel. Such techniques are of wide application in searching for anomalous patterns in health screening, quality control processes and in analysis of visual ergonomics for assessing the visibility of signs and advertisements.

Abstract: An image's pixels are initially segmented into pixels of the image foreground and background by comparing the pixels of the image to updated models of background reference pixels. Pixel structures are identified in the image. The probability that a pixel is in the background or foreground is refined by considering the initial segmentation of the pixel's neighbors and the pixel's membership in a pixel structure. If a pixel is identified as a background pixel it is replaced by a pixel of a new background.

Abstract: A method of measuring machine alignment offset of an optical machine having an alignment system, so that subsequent processing of substrates on set of optical machines can be performed in a machine-independent manner. The optical machine forms overlayed images of first and second patterns formed on either one or two reticles onto a substrate at respective first and second levels. The method of the invention includes forming a virtual zero-offset alignment pattern and a virtual zero-offset metrology pattern and imaging first and second metrology patterns on the substrate at the first and second levels, respectively. The second metrology pattern is aligned to the first metrology pattern using the zero-offset alignment pattern so that the exposures are performed in an overlayed manner. The first and second metrology patterns are based on the virtual zero-offset metrology pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting parts. The apparatus includes an x-ray source for illuminating a part from a plurality of locations with respect to the part and an imaging detector for forming a plurality of measured x-ray images of the part, one such measured x-ray image corresponding to each of the illumination locations. A controller compares each of the measured x-ray images with a corresponding calibration image. The controller provides a defective part indication if one of the measured x-ray images differs from the corresponding calibration image by more than a threshold value in part of the measured x-ray image. The controller localizes defects on the part by comparing two or more of the measured x-ray images with two or more corresponding calibration images. The calibration images can be constructed from measured images of defect free parts.