Abstract: Methods of measuring variation across multiple instances of a pattern on a substrate or substrates after a step in a device manufacturing process are disclosed. In one arrangement, data representing a set of images is received. Each image represents a different instance of the pattern. The set of images are registered relative to each other to superimpose the instances of the pattern. Variation in the pattern is measured using the registered set of images. The pattern comprises a plurality of pattern elements and the registration comprises applying different weightings to two or more of the plurality of pattern elements. The weightings control the extent to which each pattern element contributes to the registration of the set of images. Each weighting is based on an expected variation of the pattern element to which the weighting is applied.

Abstract: An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for detecting security vulnerabilities by removing noise artifacts from documents receives a transaction request when a document is inserted into the ATM, where the document contains a noise artifact at least partially obstructing a portion of the document. The ATM generates an image of the document, where the image displays at least one data item comprising a sender's name, a receiver's name, and a number representing an amount. The ATM determines whether the noise artifact obstructs at least partially one data item. In response to determining that the noise artifact obstructs at least partially one data item, the ATM generates a test clean image of the document by removing the noise artifact from the image. In response to determining that the noise artifact is removed, the ATM approves the transaction request.

Abstract: A method for estimating tightly enclosing bounding boxes by a computing system includes: controlling a scanning system including one or more depth cameras to capture visual information of the scene including one or more objects; detecting the one or more objects of the scene based on the visual information; singulating each the one or more objects from the frame of the scene to generate one or more 3D models corresponding to the one or more objects, the one or more 3D models including a partial 3D model of a corresponding one of the one or more objects; extrapolating a more complete 3D model of the corresponding one of the one or more objects based on the partial 3D model; and estimating a tightly enclosing bounding box of the corresponding one of the one or more objects based on the more complete 3D model.

Abstract: An action recognition method and apparatus related to artificial intelligence and include extracting a spatial feature of a to-be-processed picture, determining a virtual optical flow feature of the to-be-processed picture based on the spatial feature and X spatial features and X optical flow features in a preset feature library, where the X spatial features and the X optical flow features include a one-to-one correspondence, determining a first type of confidence of the to-be-processed picture in different action categories based on similarities between the virtual optical flow feature and Y optical flow features, where each of the Y optical flow features in the preset feature library corresponds to one action category, X and Y are both integers greater than 1, and determining an action category of the to-be-processed picture based on the first type of confidence.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of determining lateral edges of an asphalt mat deposited by a paving machine includes obtaining thermal image data of the asphalt mat at a thermal measuring device associated with the paving machine, and determining, on the paving machine, the lateral edges of the asphalt mat based on a threshold temperature value and the thermal image data. Other aspects include a method of generating a thermal map of an asphalt mat formed by paving machine, and a system for determining lateral edges of an asphalt mat deposited by a paving machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are a quantum information transmitter, a quantum communication system including the same, and an operating method of the quantum information transmitter. The quantum information transmitter includes a light source driver, a light source, and a light modulator. The light source driver generates a first light source driving signal having a first level and a second light source driving signal having a second level. The light source generates a first light signal having a first average number of photons in response to the first light source driving signal, and generates a second light signal having a second average number of photons in response to the second light source driving signal. The optical modulator modulates the first light signal to generate a target signal, and modulates the second light signal to generate a decoy signal.

Abstract: A method for estimating tightly enclosing bounding boxes by a computing system includes: controlling a scanning system including one or more depth cameras to capture visual information of the scene including one or more objects; detecting the one or more objects of the scene based on the visual information; singulating each the one or more objects from the frame of the scene to generate one or more 3D models corresponding to the one or more objects, the one or more 3D models including a partial 3D model of a corresponding one of the one or more objects; extrapolating a more complete 3D model of the corresponding one of the one or more objects based on the partial 3D model; and estimating a tightly enclosing bounding box of the corresponding one of the one or more objects based on the more complete 3D model.

Abstract: A division unit 22 divides a brain included in a first brain image into a plurality of regions by performing registration between the first brain image including a brain of a subject and a standard brain image divided into a plurality of regions. A registration unit 23 performs registration between the first brain image and a second brain image that includes the brain of the subject and has a different imaging date and time from the first brain image. A change amount acquisition unit 24 acquires the amount of change from a corresponding region in the brain included in the first brain image, for at least one region of the plurality of regions in the brain included in the second brain image, based on the registration result.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a receiver, configured to receive a fisheye image of a bird's eye viewpoint captured by a plurality of monitoring cameras, an image transformer, configured to transform the fisheye image into a rectangular image of the bird's eye viewpoint or a different viewpoint image which is an image of a viewpoint different from the bird's eye viewpoint, and a controller, configured to provide a user interface which arranges a plurality of image windows respectively corresponding to the plurality of monitoring cameras, displays the rectangular image in the image windows, and switches a displayed image to the different viewpoint image for each image window.

Abstract: A background image is acquired by imaging an opening plate as a background of an original document in a state where the original document is not arranged. Next, an original document including background image is acquired by imaging the same range as the background image in a state where the original document is arranged on an upper surface of the opening plate. Next, a difference image is generated by subtracting the background image from the original document including background image. In addition, an inverse difference image is generated by subtracting the original document including background image from the background image. A region of the original document is detected based on the difference image and the inverse difference image.

Abstract: An image processing device for synthesizing a plurality of mutually adjacent and partially overlapping pieces of image data, includes a boundary portion selection unit which, from boundary portions of adjacent image data, selects the boundary portion for calculating an image correction value, a correction value calculator which calculates the image correction value of the boundary portion selected by the boundary portion selection unit, and an image correction unit which, in the boundary portion selected by the boundary portion selection unit, performs image correction of the boundary portion using the image correction value calculated by the correction value calculator, and which, in the boundary portion that has not been selected by the boundary portion selection unit, performs image correction using the image correction value calculated in the past.

Abstract: A method of receiving content in a client is provided. The method may include receiving, from a server, a spatial set identifier (ID) corresponding to a tile group including at least one tile, sending, to the server, a request for first content corresponding to metadata, and receiving, from the server, the first content corresponding to the request.

Abstract: A display image is superimposed and displayed on an outside image in a preferred manner. An optical system superimposes a display image displayed on a display device onto an outside image, and leads the display image to an eye of an observer. A display control unit controls the display size and the display position of the display image on the display device so that the display image is displayed in an image superimposition region (a flat region) detected from the outside image. For example, the display control unit controls the display state of the display image in accordance with the state of the image superimposition region in the outside image. Also, the display control unit performs control to selectively display the display image in a line-of-sight region or outside the line-of-sight region in accordance with the line of sight of the observer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to information processing apparatus and information processing method. The information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing circuitry configured to acquire a first depth image, a second depth image and an intensity image having a pixel correspondence with each other, wherein the second depth image being superior to the first depth image in terms of image quality. The processing circuitry is further configured to perform a training process based on the first depth image, the second depth image and the intensity image to derive parameters of an analysis sparse representation model modeling a relationship among the first depth image, the second depth image and the intensity image. The processing circuitry is configured to output the derived parameters.

Abstract: A method of modifying a font character. An outline of the font character is received, the outline being a vector representation of the character. A slant angle parameter to be applied to the font outline is received, the slant angle specifying an amount of shearing to be applied to the font outline. A modified stroke width is determined for each segment of the font outline according to an initial angle of the segment and the slant angle, the modified stroke width being proportional to ratio of a length of the segment before and after applying the slant angle to the outline. The modified stroke width is used for adjusting an initial stroke width of the segment to compensate for changes to stroke width of the segment caused by applying the slant angle. The font character is rendered using the modified stroke width of the segments.

Abstract: A set of optimized operational parameter values is generated for performing decontouring operations on a predicted image. The predicted image is predicted from a first image mapped from a second image that has a higher dynamic range than the first image. Based on the set of optimized operational parameter values, smoothen operations and selection/masking based on a residual mask are performed on the predicted image. The set of optimized operational parameter values is encoded into a part of a multi-layer video signal that includes the first image, and can be used by a recipient decoder to generate a decontoured image based on the predicted image and reconstruct a version of the second image.

Abstract: A mobile data analysis system is provided that enables mobile device location tracking, secure messaging, and real-time sharing of intelligence information, among other features. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus is provided for creating data objects from one or more digital images captured by a mobile device. A computing device receives a first digital image file comprising first image metadata, wherein the first image metadata includes one or more image properties each having an image property value. The computing device transforms one or more of the image property values of the one or more image properties into one or more particular values. The computing device populates one or more data object property values of a data object with the one or more particular values. The computing device stores the data object in a data repository.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is for generating write data for resizing a write pattern to be written with an energy beam. The method includes connecting vertices of the write pattern with a plurality of vectors, extracting a pair of collinear vectors pointing in opposite directions from the vectors, dividing the write pattern into a plurality of figures with a line passing between two adjacent ends of the extracted pair of vectors and extending in a direction orthogonal to the pair of vectors, and generating write data for each of the figures, the write data containing figure data and resizing information, the figure data indicating a shape, a size, and a position of the figure, the resizing information indicating resizing or non-resizing, resizing directions in the resizing, and an amount of resizing in each of the resizing directions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention includes a method of determining MSER on a processing system that includes a parallel processor such as a GPU, the method including method steps carried out in parallel. Embodiments of the present invention also include an apparatus that includes a parallel processor and that is operative to carry out the method, and also logic, e.g., executable instructions configured on a non-transitory computer-readable media operative to carry out the method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with such instructions. The method includes assigning to the pixels in an image metapixels of all connected pixels at a level, carrying out watershed in parallel on metapixels to determine catchment basins, and carrying out further steps, including steps executed in parallel to determine the MSER of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for bidirectionally inpainting an occlusion area appearing during generation of a virtual viewpoint image, using a foreground area and a background area based on a predicted volume are provided. The method includes receiving an input of a depth image and a color image, the depth image having depth information for a first viewpoint, and the color image having color information for the first viewpoint, generating a virtual viewpoint image at a second viewpoint based on the depth image and the color image, separating the virtual viewpoint image into a foreground area and a background area, based on the depth information and direction information regarding a direction from the first viewpoint to the second viewpoint, predicting a three-dimensional (3D) volume of the foreground area, and inpainting an occlusion area bidirectionally using the foreground area and the background area, based on the predicted 3D volume, the occlusion area being included in the virtual viewpoint image.

Abstract: A system that identifies and recognizes text that offers reduced the computational complexity for processing complex images. Widths of scan line segments within candidate text regions are determined, with the shortest segments selected as being representative of stroke width. Statistical features of the stroke widths are used as part of the process to classify each region as containing or not containing a text character or glyph.

Abstract: A video processing system enhances quality of an overlay image, such as a logo, text, game scores, or other areas forming a region of interest (ROI) in a video stream. The system separately enhances the video quality of the ROI, particularly when screen size is reduced. The data enhancement can be accomplished at decoding with metadata provided with the video data for decoding so that the ROI that can be separately enhanced from the video. In improve legibility, the ROI enhancer can increase contrast, brightness, hue, saturation, and bit density of the ROI. The ROI enhancer can operate down to a pixel-by-pixel level. The ROI enhancer may use stored reference picture templates to enhance a current ROI based on a comparison. When the ROI includes text, a minimum reduction size for the ROI relative to the remaining video can be identified so that the ROI is not reduced below human perceptibility.

Abstract: Method for filling a hole-region and a three-dimensional (3D) video system using the same. In order to synthesize an image, a plurality of images each having a different viewpoint may be obtained. By using depth maps of the obtained plurality of images, an intermediate virtual viewpoint image may be synthesized. After synthesizing, a hole-region in the intermediate virtual viewpoint image may be filled using a color image of the intermediate virtual viewpoint image, a mask image indicating the hole-region in the intermediate virtual viewpoint image, and a depth image of the intermediate virtual viewpoint image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adaptation system for adapting a deformable model comprising a plurality of model elements to an object of interest in an image data set, the adaptation system comprising a selector for selecting at least one image- driven model element from the plurality of model elements and an adapter for adapting the deformable model on the basis of optimizing a model energy of the deformable model, the model energy comprising an internal energy of the plurality of model elements and an external energy of the at least one image-driven model element, thereby adapting the deformable model. By enabling the adaptation system to selectively choose the image- driven model elements, the adaptation system of the current invention allows excluding a poorly adaptable model element from interacting with the image data set and thus from being pulled and/or pushed by the image data set into a wrong location.

Abstract: A method for modifying an onscreen rendering of three-dimensional data stored in a voxel cell of a voxel grid to produce an altered visual effect for the cell comprising the steps (a) for each vertex of the voxel cell, determining the data density ratio in neighboring voxel cells, or determining the material type of the voxel cell and or neighboring voxel cells, (b) for each vertex in the voxel cell, and based on the results of (a), determining to change the spatial position of the vertex, and (c) for each vertex in the voxel cell, and based on the decision in (b), generating three vertex location offset coordinates defining a new vertex location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary inventory control system or method utilizes a highly efficient and economical approach to apply suitable imaging parameters for capturing images of a storage drawer being accessed by a user, or for manipulating the captured images of the drawer. An inventory condition of the drawer is determined based on the captured images or manipulated images.

Abstract: A method of determining relief markings on a tire's sidewall surface includes assigning, to each pixel of a three-dimensional image of the surface, a grey-level value proportional to an elevation point corresponding to the pixel, to obtain a starting image. Using linear structuring elements of successively increasing sizes and oriented circumferentially, a series of successive morphological openings is performed iteratively on the starting surface. An image value obtained after a morphological opening using a structuring element is subtracted from an image value obtained after a morphological opening using a structuring element of an immediately lower size, to obtain a succession of images flattened by differencing. A thresholding operation is performed on the images flattened by differencing, to obtain binary images. A set-theoretic union of values of each of the binary images is performed, to obtain a final binary image in which markings appear in relief.

Abstract: A method is based on first projection data, recorded during a relative rotational movement between an x-ray source of a CT device and at least one examination object lying partly outside the field of view of the CT device. Contour data of the surface of the examination object is useable to enhance the reconstruction of the incomplete first projection data. The spatial correlation between the first projection data and the contour data is known. The first projection data is expanded by way of the contour data to modified projection data, so that the modified projection data includes information about the contour of the examination object lying outside the field of view of the CT device. In an embodiment of the inventive reconstruction of image data by way of the modified projection data, fewer or no artifacts occur by comparison with reconstruction of image data from just the first image data.

Abstract: Methods for correcting for thermal drift in microscopy images are described. One such method includes receiving an original image for correction, the original image having been generated using microscopy, receiving information indicative of a feature selected from within the original image by a user, the selected feature including an edge, storing the original image in a database including a plurality of images, each having one or more features, correlating the selected feature with one of the one or more features stored in the database to identify a first plurality of points defining the edge, removing one or more points of the first plurality of points using an outlier rejection technique, generating a smoothing spline approximation for a second plurality of points defining the edge, and generating a corrected image by shifting points of the original image in accordance with the smoothing spline approximation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically retrieving information regarding optical properties of a scattering medium including receiving a first digital image and a first image quality value associated with the first digital image and sharpness of an edge of the first digital image, producing an optimized image, transforming the optimized image into an optimized optical transfer function, receiving a second digital image and a second image quality value associated with the second digital image and sharpness of an edge of the second digital image, identifying either the first or second digital image as an optimized digital image, and transforming the optimized optical transfer function into an optimized value of the optical parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing at least one digital photographic image is presented, the system and method comprising at least one capturing device and at least one receiving device disposed in a communicative relation with one another via at least one wireless network. In particular, the capturing device is structured to capture the at least one digital photographic image via, for example, a capture assembly, whereas the receiving device is cooperatively structured to receive the digital photographic image via, for example, the at least one wireless network. In addition, the capturing device(s) and receiving device(s) may be disposed in a selectively paired relationship via one or more common pre-defined pairing criteria. Further, the at least one digital photographic image may be filtered via at least one pre-defined transfer criteria disposed on the capturing device and/or receiving device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing heart mechanical activity at a region of interest of a patient's heart are provided. The method comprises acquiring a time sequence of 2-dimensional X-ray images of a region of interest over at least part of a cardiac cycle; detecting coronary vessels in the X-ray images; tracking the coronary vessels through the sequence of images to identify movements of the coronary vessels; and analyzing the movements of the coronary vessels to quantify at least one parameter characterizing heart wall motion in the region of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing video transport is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to predict visibility to a viewer of packet loss impairment for communicated video content based at least in part on scene information for one or more packets of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a display apparatus and a control method of the same. The display apparatus includes: a display unit, an image processing unit; an image receiving unit which receives an image from an image source; and a controller which controls the image processing unit to crop the image such that an aspect ratio of the received image becomes a preset reference aspect ratio and scale the cropped image in correspondence to a resolution of the display unit. With this configuration, an image with no distortion can be displayed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, includes: a transforming area setter, operable to set at least a part of an area of a target image as a transforming area; a transforming area divider, operable to arrange a plurality of dividing points in the transforming area and to divide the transforming area into a plurality of small areas by using a line connecting the dividing points; and a transforming processor, operable to move a position of at least one of the dividing points to transform at least one of the small areas, thereby transforming an image in the transforming area.

Abstract: A character region extracting apparatus and method which extract a character region through the calculation of character stroke widths are provided. The method includes producing a binary image including a candidate character region from an original image; extracting a character outline from the candidate character region; acquires character outline information for the extracted outline; setting a representative character stroke width and a representative character angle in each of the pixels forming the outline, based on the character outline information; and determining a character existing region in the candidate character region by confirming the ratio of effective representative stroke widths and effective angles as compared to the entire length of the outline. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently determine whether one or more characters exist in the candidate character region.

Abstract: An urban scenes reconstruction method includes: acquiring digital data of a three-dimensional subject, the digital data comprising a 2D photograph and a 3D scan; fusing the 3D scan and the 2D photograph to create a depth-augmented photograph; decomposing the depth-augmented photograph into a plurality of constant-depth layers; detecting repetition patterns of each constant-depth layer; and using the repetitions to enhance the 3D scan to generate a polygon-level 3D reconstruction.

Abstract: In general, in one embodiment, low-light noise is removed from an image by separately filtering luma and chroma components of the image, by adaptively filtering the image based at least in part on a Gaussian distribution of the image, and/or by dividing the image into separate regions and filtering each region separately.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate identifying objects in a document (e.g., a PDF document) for automatic image enhancement (AIE). A PDF document is “chunked” or segmented into chunks, and boundaries between chunks are identified as real or imaginary. Chunks sharing imaginary boundaries are combined, while real boundaries are retained, to generate “de-chunked” objects. These objects are then classified, and an AIE application is executed on objects meeting pre-specified classification criteria. In this manner, objects of r which AIE is not desired are not subjected to the AIE application, thereby saving time and processing resources associated with enhancing the document.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for constructing a virtual microscope slide. The method encompasses the construction of a data structure by digitally scanning a specimen and acquiring digital image data of a series of digitized adjacent image segments of the specimen. The image segments are useable to provide an overall magnified image of the specimen as well as higher magnification images of selected points on the specimen. The scanned digital image data can be stored and transferred over an Internet or intranet communication channel. A control program is provided for the data structure for viewing the overall magnified image and higher magnification images of selected points on the specimen. The control program allows for the selection of a point on the overall magnified image, and display from the stored digital image data a corresponding higher magnification image of the selected point.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing at least one digital photographic image is presented, the system and method comprising at least one capturing device and at least one receiving device disposed in a communicative relation with one another via at least one wireless network. In particular, the capturing device is structured to capture the at least one digital photographic image via, for example, a capture assembly, whereas the receiving device is cooperatively structured to receive the digital photographic image via, for example, the at least one wireless network. In addition, the capturing device(s) and receiving device(s) may be disposed in a selectively paired relationship via one or more common pre-defined pairing criteria. Further, the at least one digital photographic image may be filtered via at least one pre-defined transfer criteria disposed on the capturing device and/or receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system and a method of forming an elastic image, which are capable of preventing the distortion of the elastic image. The persistence of the previous frame and the present frame is performed after moving the boundary pixels set up in the previous interest frame to the boundary pixels in the present interest frame. This is so that the distortion of the elastic image may be reduced and the signal to noise ratio may be increased.

Abstract: An output apparatus determines pixels that form an area equal to or greater than a predetermined size and whose pixel values are not different from pixel values of neighboring pixels, and pixels that form an area not equal to or greater than the predetermined size. The apparatus reduces the pixel values of the determined pixels and outputs a binary image formed by the determined pixels with the reduced pixel values.

Abstract: A computing device in a system for motion detection comprises an image processing device to determine a motion of an object of interest, and a graphical user interface (GUI) module to drive a virtual role based on the motion determined by the image processing device.

Abstract: Representing high-resolution media content in a lower resolution system is disclosed. For a first portion of a high-resolution media content which is associated with a content boundary that does not align with an interval boundary of the lower resolution system, a new media content file that includes at least said first portion of the high-resolution media content is created. The new media content file and a second file comprising at least a second portion of the original media content file, which second portion begins at a first interval boundary and ends at a second interval boundary of the lower resolution system, are provided to the lower resolution system.

Abstract: A method of processing image data, to obtain image data for printing a junction area connecting a circular pad having a radius R with a linear line pattern by forming ink blots having a radius r in an overlapping manner, includes: setting a base pitch P as a base distance between adjacent ink blots; arranging image data of the pad, line pattern, and junction area, which is defined by an extension of the line pattern, in an x-y coordinate system; selecting a first determination point, which corresponds to one side of the junction area; comparing a distance from a center of the pad to the first determination point with a value of (R?r+P); and storing coordinates of the first determination point as print data if the distance from the center of the pad to the first determination point is greater than or equal to the value of (R?r+P).

Abstract: A logic arrangement, system and method for segmentation using magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are provided. For example, as an end product, an image associated with at least one portion of an anatomical structure is generated. In particular, first data associated with the at least one portion of the anatomical structure is received. Second data can be associated with at least one edge of at least one of the at least one portion is obtained based on the first data. The image can be generated based on the first data and the second data. In addition or as an alternative, it is also possible to generate the image using connected voxel components. Such components are created by processing information associated with an erosion of surface voxels of an image.

Abstract: A method of performing eyebrow shaping on an image containing a face with eyebrows visible on the face includes loading the image into a computing device having a processor. The processor selects a mask from a predefined list of masks, the mask having a desired eyebrow shape to be used for shaping the eyebrows shown in the image. The processor then adjusts the mask according to a shape of the face to produce an adjusted mask. Next the processor simultaneously superimposes the adjusted mask over the eyebrows and thins the eyebrows by changing an overall vertical height of the eyebrows in order to produce shaped eyebrows. The processor then outputs an enhanced image having the shaped eyebrows.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an image processing apparatus and method capable of analyzing a character image to detect a blur, and reducing the blur on a printed product. According to the method, a scanner reads an original character image, generating image data. A blur and deterioration of a character image represented by the image data are detected. Portions corresponding to the detected blur or the deterioration are removed from the image data. The image data from which the portions corresponding to the blur or the deterioration are removed is output to an image output unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a volume-of-interest segmentation system for use with molecular imaging quantization, which includes: a set of template for segmentation of organ/anatomical region-of-interest, an animal size/weight/location calculator, an animal spine position calculator, and a texture analyzer. It can be used for saving time and reducing cost for segmentation of interested regions and increasing the precision of molecular image quantization.