Abstract: A picture coding apparatus (300) is a picture coding apparatus that codes a difference between picture data (Img) representing an input picture and predictive picture data (Pred) representing a predictive picture for the input picture and generates coded picture data, and includes a picture decoding unit (104) for decoding coded picture data (Img) after the picture data (Img) is coded; inter pixel filters A and B (303 and 304) for performing inter pixel filter operation for decoded picture data (Recon) obtained by the picture decoding unit (104); switches (301 and 302) for selecting one of the inter pixel filters; and an inter picture predicting unit (108) for generating the predictive picture data (Pred) for the input picture data (Img) using filtered decoded picture data (FilteredImg1), as reference picture data (Ref), obtained by the selected inter pixel filter.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods that process images. The invention processes a received signal representing information of texture and information of an image, which has the texture removed from at least one region. The image information is encoded to obtain encoded information of the image. An output signal is generated representing the texture information and the encoded image information. In another embodiment, the invention synthesizes texture based on the received texture information, decodes received image information, which is encoded, to obtain a decoded image, and then maps the synthesized texture onto the decoded image.

Abstract: Prediction-based compression engines are spoon-fed with sequentially efficiently compressible (SEC) streams of input data that make it possible for the compression engines to more efficiently compress or otherwise compact the incoming data than would be possible with streams of input data accepted on a TV-raster scan basis. Various techniques are disclosed for intentionally forming SEC input data streams. Among these are the tight packing of alike files or fragments into concatenation suitcases and the decomposition of files into substantially predictably consistent (SPC) fragments or segments that are routed to different suitcases according to their type. In a graphics-directed embodiment, image frames are partitioned into segment areas that are internally SPC and multidirectional walks (i.e., U-turning walks) are defined in the segment areas where these defined walks are traced during compression and also during decompression.

Abstract: If the processing time of a labeling process performed on a target rectangle found to be an image of a character/line drawing is equal to or longer than a given threshold, an unprocessed region of the target rectangle which has not yet been labeled is analyzed (S401). In accordance with the analytical result, a color reducing process or resolution reducing process is performed on the unprocessed region (S402, S403, S404). A labeling process is performed on the processing result (S302). Vector data is generated on the basis of the labeling process result (S306).

Abstract: Introducing a further prediction stage, namely a prediction of the motion vectors or the prediction error of the first prediction stage, does indeed at first increase the encoding or compression effort and, correspondingly, also the decoding or decompression effort, but the prediction proposed here leads to a significant improvement of the compression gain in relation to the effort in most graphics model sequences due to the uniformity of the motion.

Abstract: An image transmission apparatus comprises an outline extraction processor, a selector, and a transmission module. The outline extraction processor extracts an outline of a specific-type image element in each of the image frames and to create outline data, based on image data representing the image frames. The selector selects the image data or the outline data for each image frame for transmission to an external receiving device. An image processing apparatus in another embodiment comprises an outline extraction processor, a scene change determination module, and a clipping processor. The scene change determination module determines that a scene change is occurred between two image frames when an amount of change between the outlines in the two image frames exceeds a prescribed threshold value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method for amplifying an image signal are provided without reducing an image size and without lowering a sense of resolution. An edge-direction detecting arithmetic section (2) detects an edge minimum direction from extracted Bayer data (BAY). An assigning arithmetic section (4) assigns a coefficient in which weighting is applied in the edge minimum direction of the extracted Bayer data (BAY) at a higher distribution ratio than other directions to a spatial filter kernel. In other words, the coefficient of the spatial filter kernel is changed in accordance with the edge minimum direction. A pixel adding arithmetic section (5) performs a sensitization process of extracted Bayer data (BAY). Therefore, it becomes possible to selectively perform a low-pass filtering process in the edge minimum direction.

Abstract: A method of processing an image reduces the number of pixels constituting the image by sequentially eliminating alternate rows and columns of pixels, the information represented by each pixel being eliminated (a “source” pixel) being redistributed into adjacent “destination” pixel locations. The redistribution is made in proportion to the similarity between the source and each destination pixel, e.g., similarity of color and/or luminance values.

Abstract: A road surface includes lane marking that store digital information. Images of the road surface and lane markings are acquired by a camera. The digital information is decoded from the images, analyzed so that a feedback signal can be generated according to the decoded digital information.

Abstract: The present invention improves the encoding efficiency, image quality, resolution, and the like of an input image having a special property, for example, an image input from a special camera. The input image is sliced according to a recognized shape and divided into blocks having a size according to a pixel density or an image resolution. Then, an object in the image is defined using a parameter including the numbers of the sliced images and the amounts of shift of the sliced images from a reference position, and the respective blocks are encoded using the movement of the object. Further, when a partial image is cut out from a base image, encoded, and then transmitted, a processing load in the encoding processing is reduced by encoding the partial image making use of preprocessing data.

Abstract: A method to render images is described. The method comprises having an image including a region of interest, and when processing the image, observing parameters associated with the region of interest.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing system and image processing method which allow a user to easily confirm conversion result information when image information is converted into vector data. Image information input from an input device (113) is vectorized by a data processing device (115). Vector data which has successfully been vectorized is converted into image data. The input image information and the converted image data are combined to generate and output combined image data.

Abstract: A compressor for compressing a block of feature vectors representing a feature associated with image elements, includes electronic circuitry for determining the distribution of the feature vectors, electronic circuitry for transforming each point pattern in a predetermined set of point patterns to fit the determined distribution, and a selector for selecting a transformed point pattern that best fits the determined distribution. Furthermore, an encoder represents the block of feature vectors by an identifier identifying the selected point pattern in the set of point patterns, parameters representing the transformation associated with the selected point pattern, and an index for each feature vector representing the nearest point in the transformed selected point pattern.

Abstract: A method of recognizing an object in an image is provided, the method comprises the following steps. The image having the object is provided, and principal traits of the object are encoded in order to generate a first trait code. The first trait code is compared with data stored in a database so as to obtain a plurality of differences. A minimum of the plurality of differences is found. This method can be applied to synthesize human faces.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method, and a program-recorded recording medium perform detecting features of image information for classes which is input for learning, calculating the degrees of belongingness of the detected features to the classes, weighting pieces of the input image information based on the degrees of belongingness, and calculating prediction coefficients for the classes based on the weighted pieces of the image information.

Abstract: A method for transforming Video-To-Text is disclosed that automatically generates text descriptions of the content of a video. The present invention first segments an input video sequence according to predefined semantic classes using a Mixture-of-Experts blob segmentation algorithm. The resulting segmentation is coerced into a semantic concept graph and based on domain knowledge and a semantic concept hierarchy. Then, the initial semantic concept graph is summarized and pruned. Finally, according to the summarized semantic concept graph and its changes over time, text and/or speech descriptions are automatically generated using one of the three description schemes: key-frame, key-object and key-change descriptions.

Abstract: A method for generating data using a data-encoding symbol comprising capturing an image of the data-encoding symbol using an imaging module of a device and generating symbol data therefrom representing the image, using the symbol data to generate a measure for at least one property of the symbol, and generating experience data in the device for determining parameters associated with the capture of the image, and a device suitable for implementing the method.

Abstract: A highly flexible and extensible structure is provided for physically storing tabular data. The structure, is referred to as a compression unit, and may be used to physically store tabular data that logically resides in any type of table-like structure. According to one embodiment, compression units are recursive. Thus, a compression unit may have a “parent” compression unit to which it belongs, and may have one or more “child” compression units that belong to it. In one embodiment, compression units include metadata that indicates how the tabular data is stored within them. The metadata for a compression unit may indicate, for example, whether the data within the compression unit is stored in row-major or column major-format (or some combination thereof), the order of the columns within the compression unit (which may differ from the logical order of the columns dictated by the definition of their logical container), a compression technique for the compression unit, the child compression units (if any), etc.

Abstract: A method for indicating size, shape and location of a region within a digital picture the picture being divided into a set of blocks. A value for at least one size parameter, which is indicative of a number of the blocks within said region is defined, and a value for at least one shape evolution parameter, which is indicative of a selection order of the blocks in said region is selected. Then preferably the values for said at least one size parameter and said at least one shape evolution parameter are encoded into a bitstream of a video sequence in order to indicate size, shape and location of the region within the picture.

Abstract: A progressive mesh decoding apparatus, a progressive mesh decoding method and a computer readable recording medium using the same are provided. In the progressive mesh decoding method, a first desired resolution mesh is progressively reconstructed from a base mesh through vertex addition. Vertex level information indicating a resolution level of a mesh corresponding to a predetermined process of the first desired resolution mesh reconstructing process is recorded for respective vertices added at the predetermined process. In response to a second desired resolution mesh having a second desired resolution level lower than the first desired resolution level being requested, the second desired resolution mesh is reconstructed by deleting vertices from the first desired resolution mesh, wherein vertices to be deleted in a predetermined process of the second desired resolution mesh reconstructing process are determined based on the vertex level information.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding key value data of a coordinate interpolator used in a three-dimensional graphic animation are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for encoding and decoding key data and key value data of a coordinate interpolator and a recording medium, on which a bitstream, into which a coordinate interpolator is encoded, is written, are provided. The bitstream includes key data encoding/decoding information, into which key data and information necessary to decode the key data are encoded, and key value data encoding/decoding information, into which key value data and information necessary to decode the key value data are encoded. The key data encoding/decoding information includes inverse DND operation information including the order of inverse DND indicating a predetermined number of cycles of inverse DND to be performed on differential data generated by entropy-decoding the bitstream in order to extend the range of the differential data.

Abstract: Image normalization examines the pixels of two frames, most commonly sequentially obtained sub-images, and mathematically determines the displacement of those pixels from the first frame to the second based on pixel data. The pixel data is obtained from a scanning device, and may be for example grayscale value. The image may be for example that of a user's fingerprint, and the image normalization used to form a computed image of the fingerprint from a plurality of sub-images obtained from a fingerprint scanner. The computed image may be stored, compared to a reference frame or otherwise processed, for example for identifying the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a device, that includes a programmed data processor, to process image data. The method includes, for a plurality n of files each containing image data representing one of n images, selecting one file as a base file; selecting as a target file an image data file that is contextually-related file to the base file; comparing the target file and the base file to determine differences therebetween; and storing the target file as a reduced file that is a representation of differences between the image data of the target file and the image data of the base file. An image data file is selected as being contextually-related to the base file based on at least an image capture location, and/or on an image capture time, or based on a user input. Storing can be performed in a memory device that is a part of a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone or a personal communicator that includes a digital camera, such as a camera phone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accurate compression and decompression of data. More specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for compressing three dimensional spatial points (so called “point cloud”) and decompressing such data to produce an accurate point cloud. In one embodiment of the present invention, a level set based method is used to reconstruct a surface to approximate the surface of the point cloud. This reconstructed surface is defined implicitly as the zero level set of a function, which can be computed on a regular three-dimensional rectangular grid. Furthermore, the three-dimensional grid may be rearranged into a two-dimensional grid where the data are compressed and stored in a form of gradient. In order to recover the point cloud, the three-dimensional grid is rebuilt from the two-dimensional data and an interpolating algorithm on the implicit function is utilized to compute the points on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for image processing. The apparatus for image processing comprises an encoding circuit, which can select two reference pixels according to two reference pixels and produce a maximum pixel value and a minimum pixel value according the two reference pixels. The present invention further comprises a color-difference operational unit for selecting a plurality of color pixels as a basic pixel, a first color pixel, and a second color pixel. When encoding the basic pixel, a first color difference, and a second color difference, respectively, first encoding data corresponding to the basic pixel, second encoding data corresponding to the first color difference, and third encoding data corresponding to the second color difference are produced, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for encoding, transmission and decoding of vectorized input data, for example, video or audio data. A convex invariance learning framework is established for processing input data or a given data type. Each input vector is associated with a variable transformation matrix that acts on the vector to invariantly permute the vector elements. Joint invariance and model learning is performed on a training set of invariantly transformed vectors over a constrained space of transformation matrices using maximum likelihood analysis. The maximum likelihood analysis reduces the data volume to a linear subspace volume in which the training data can be modeled by a reduced number of variables. Principal component analysis is used to identify a set of N eigenvectors that span the linear subspace. The set of N eigenvectors is used a basis set to encode input data and to decode compressed data.

Abstract: A method for compressing image data having pixels arranged like a matrix in a line direction and a sub scan direction orthogonal to the line direction is provided herein. The disclosed method allows for a reduction in memory capacity necessary for the expansion of the data. The method includes the steps of dividing the image data in the line direction and in the sub scan direction into blocks covering a plurality of lines, determining a representative value about density of pixels included in each of the blocks, determining additional information for each line in each of the blocks or for a plurality of lines whose number is smaller than the total number of lines of the block and creating compressed data by using the representative value and the additional information.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating document image compression utilizing a mask separating a foreground of a document image from a background is provided. The invention includes a pixel energy analyzer adapted to partition regions into a foreground and background. The invention further provides for a merge region component adapted to attempt to merge regions if the merged region would not exceed a threshold energy. Merged regions are partitioned into a new foreground and new background. Thereafter, a mask storage component stores the partitioning information in a binary mask.

Abstract: Color conversion apparatus and methods are provided for converting a first color value, such as an RGB, L*a*b* or XYZ color value, to a second color value, such as an RGB, CMY, CMKY, L*a*b*, L,C1C2, or XYZ color value, without saturation error.

Abstract: The image encoder includes a block arrangement unit configured to chromatically subsample an externally input image signal and to arrange the image signal in units of a plurality of blocks, a plurality of Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) units configured to perform DCT with respect to the image signal divided into the plurality of blocks, a plurality of quantization units configured to quantize the outputs of the plurality of DCT units, a delta modulation unit configured to perform Differential Pulse Code Modulation (DPCM) with respect to the outputs of the plurality of quantization units, a plurality of Huffman encoding units configured to encode the outputs of the delta modulation units using a Huffman encoding method, and a code connection unit configured to reconstruct the signals output from the plurality of Huffman encoding units in constant bit units and to output a compressed image signal. Since the image is encoded in parallel, it is possible to increase encoding speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for encoding and decoding key data are provided.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus encodes an image by tile in a smallest possible size while suppresses segmentation of a specific region in the image into tiles. Vertical lines at left and right ends of n-th face region are defined as boundary candidate vertical lines Lh(n) and Lm(n), and horizontal lines at upper and lower ends of the n-th region, as boundary candidate horizontal lines Lu(n) and Ls(n). A divider determines a horizontal line of another region existing within the range of the horizontal lines Lu(n) and Ls(n) of the n-th region as a line to be deleted. Further, the divider determines a vertical line of another region existing within the range of the vertical lines Lh(n) and Lm(n) as a line to be deleted. This processing is performed to the final region, then image data is divided using horizontal and vertical lines except the lines determined as lines to be deleted.

Abstract: An image compression system and method is described, which makes use of the symmetry found in faces and heads to perform the compression. The image is divided along the line of symmetry, and pairs of corresponding pixels on the two divided sides are determined. A weighted average and a weighted variance of the pixel values of the pairs is computed, and is used to encode the image. A transform such as the Karhunen-Loeve transform is used to compute the weighted averages and variances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to creating and managing electronic documents. In one implementation, a method includes obtaining electronic data corresponding to an application document to obtain a driver's license; analyzing the electronic data to detect steganographic indicia encoded therein, the steganographic indicia comprising a plural-bit identifier; and associating the plural-bit identifier with a plurality of different records associated with an applicant or the application document. Other implementations are provided as well.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the re-sampling of pixel data, with one application being micro-lithography. In particular, it relates to the extraction of modulator pixels from a rasterized image, as a function of how the modulator moves across the rasterized image.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for subpixel-based down-sampling. This invention implements an adaptive filter 140 based on edge detection, which removes visible color fringing artifacts while efficiently retaining sharpness.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) coding for video telephony (VT). The disclosed techniques include a technique for generation of a quality metric for ROI video, which jointly considers a user's degree of interest in the ROI, ROI video fidelity, and ROI perceptual quality in evaluating the quality of an encoded video sequence. The quality metric may be used to bias ROI coding and, in particular, the allocation of coding bits between ROI and non-ROI areas of a video frame.

Abstract: A region of interest is set within an image, the region of interest is tracked along motion of an object marked out within the image, and coding is performed in a manner that image quality differs between the region of interest and a region other than the region of interest. A wavelet transform unit applies a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter in the respective x and y directions of an original image, and divides the image into four frequency sub-bands so as to carry out a wavelet transform. A quantization unit quantizes, with a predetermined quantizing width, the wavelet transform coefficients outputted from the wavelet transform unit. A motion detector detects the motion of an object. A ROI setting unit moves a ROI region according to this motion of an object. In the case of moving images where a viewpoint changes, the background may be separated from the object and then the ROI region may be moved according to the motion of the object and the motion of the background.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a characteristic region detecting section that detects a plurality of characteristic regions in an image, a condition storing section that stores thereon assignment conditions differing in accordance with characters of characteristic regions, so that different compression strengths are assigned in accordance with the characters of the characteristic regions, a compressing section that respectively compresses a plurality of characteristic region images which are images of the plurality of characteristic regions, and a compression control section that controls compression strengths at which the compressing section respectively compresses the plurality of characteristic region images in accordance with characters of the plurality of characteristic regions, with reference to the conditions stored on the condition storing section.

Abstract: An image (e.g., a sprite) having at least three textures is compressed by generating a map which represents boundaries separating regions in the image, and generating pointers that associate each of the regions with one of the textures. The resulting data structure may be used in decompressing the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method generate a coded block pattern (CBP) of an alpha channel image. An apparatus and a method encode or decode the alpha channel image using the method. The alpha channel image encoding apparatus includes a CBP generator generating a CBP of a first block corresponding to an encoding unit in the alpha channel image by allocating CBPs to a plurality of second blocks that includes the first block; and a bitstream generator generating a bitstream by encoding the CBP or the CBP and pixel values of the second blocks based on the CBP of each of second blocks.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for applying magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) technology to enable the embedding of coded information within text characters of a document.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the dynamic video equalization of images. Face tracking is used to identify a portion of an image corresponding to a human face. Those areas of the image identified as corresponding to a human face are optimized as compared to other areas of the image. Optimization is performed by allocating a greater number of image parameters to the area of the image corresponding to a human face than are allocated to other areas of the image. Accordingly, the portion of an image containing the human face is of higher quality as compared to other portions of the image.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of changing a quality of audio data according to a degree of significance of an image. The image processing apparatus includes an image encoding unit for encoding image data inputted, an audio data encoding unit for encoding audio data inputted together with the image data, a significant scene setting unit for setting to encode a part of region of the image with a high image quality, and an audio data encoding setting unit for setting to process the audio data with a high quality in accordance with the setting by the significant scene setting unit.

Abstract: A screen data transmitting device for transmitting screen data to a screen display terminal through a network. A generation device generates a display image data. A storage device stores compression properties information associating a plurality of compression schemes with a plurality of classes of graphical user interface (GUI) components. A selection device selects one of the compression schemes with respect to a GUI component that is present in a region of the display image data. A compression device compresses the region of the display image data according to the selected compression scheme. Then, a transmission device transmits the screen data including the compressed display image data to the screen display terminal.

Abstract: When image data to which attribute bits indicating attribute information of each pixel of an image has been attached is compressed, replacement bits for replacing the attribute bits are determined in accordance with the attribute bits. If total size of the attribute bits and image data exceeds a predetermined value, the attribute bits are replaced with the replacement bits and the replacement bits and image data are compressed. A bit string having a compression rate higher than that of the attribute bits before the replacement thereof is used as the replacement bits.

Abstract: Provided is an image re-encoding method which simultaneously satisfies reduction of block distortion and reduction of a memory when re-encoding image data encoded by a first encoding method, by a second encoding method. An image re-encoding method comprises the steps of decoding image data encoded per block by the first encoding method; and encoding the image data decoded in the step of decoding, per block by the second encoding method. The step of encoding the image data includes the steps of: performing boundary detection to detect a block boundary of the image data encoded by the first encoding method, with the use of the image data encoded by the first encoding method; and deblocking to perform a deblocking filter process to the block boundary detected in the step of performing boundary detection.

Abstract: A method of adjustable spatial and/or temporal compression of an image including a face includes identifying a group of pixels that correspond to a face within a digitally-acquired image. A first compression portion of the image including the group of pixels is determined. A second compression portion of the image other than the group of pixels is also determined. The first compression portion may be automatically compressed with higher-grade compression than the second compression portion to generate a compressed image including the face, or an option to provided the compressed image including the different grade compressions may be provided.

Abstract: An image compression method is provided. First, an image including a plurality of blocks is received and each block includes a plurality of pixels. Next, an order dithering array within a preset range is generated, which includes a plurality of elements. Then, values of the elements in the order dithering array are respectively mapped to a plurality of mapping values according to a gray scale range of each block. In each block, each pixel value is quantized to a first digital value or a second digital value according to a result of comparing each pixel value with the corresponding mapping value. Hence, a bit rate of the image is efficiently compressed, and features of the original image are preserved inside the compressed image.