Abstract: An encoder includes circuitry configured to receive an input video, select a current frame identify a first sub-picture of the current frame to be encoded using a lossless encoding protocol, and encode the current frame, wherein encoding the current frame includes encoding the first sub-picture using the lossless encoding protocol.

Abstract: A display driver circuit receives externally-encoded image data and processes the data using a memory (graphic RAM), an internal encoder, and an external decoder configured to operate on the externally-encoded image data. The processed data is provided to a display device by a source driver of the display driver circuit. Data is processed through the graphic RAM and an internal decoder or the external decoder depending on whether a slice of the data is a currently received update slice, a recently received standby slice, or a still slice.

Abstract: An electroporation system may include a well plate, a dispenser and a dispenser-well positioning system. The well plate may include wells, each of the wells including an interior, a first electrode adjacent the interior and a second electrode adjacent the interior and spaced from the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are to apply an electrostatic field across the well. The dispenser is to dispense a cell having a diameter into each of the wells. The dispenser-well positioning system is to align each well and the dispenser such that the dispenser dispenses the cell into each well at a location spaced from the first electrode and the second electrode by a distance of at least 5 times the diameter of the cell.

Abstract: A system comprising: an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) carrier comprising a power supply, the UAV carrier connected, via respective wires, to one or more UVs, wherein: (a) each of the UVs is capable of performing maneuvers irrespective of maneuvers of the UAV carrier during performance of a mission; and (b) each of the UVs receives at least one of an electrical current from the power supply or digital data from the UAV carrier through the respective wires, during performance of the mission.

Abstract: A method of optimizing printing is applied to a printing apparatus and has following steps of retrieving an input image, executing a tagging process on the input image for tagging one of an edge tag, a fuzzy tag, and a photo tag on each sub-image of the input image, executing the different printing converting process on each sub-image according to its tag for obtaining a printable image, and printing according to the printable image. The present disclosed example can deepen the object edges in the image being printed, improving the image quality of non-edge regions, and improving the printing quality.

Abstract: A method for extracting and printing a selected area of a document, comprising steps of: receiving an image to select the area for printing, extracting parameters of an outline drawn with a specific colored ink around the selected area, storing one or more of the extracted parameters to create an outline mask to identify the selected area enclosed within the outline, and retrieving the selected area within the outline by performing outline removal using the outline mask and printing the selected area.

Abstract: A method for eliminating one or more outlined sections of a document before printing is described herein. The method comprising receiving an input image of the document including the one or more outlined sections and a user input indicating color information of one or more outlines, identifying the one or more outlines and the one or more outlined sections of the image, obtaining the one or more outlined sections associated with the one or more outlines of the image, and outputting an output image to be printed, wherein the one or more outlined sections are eliminated from the output image of the document.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing and displaying images uses image characteristics of an area of interest of images to optimize or otherwise determine image characteristics of the entire image to be displayed. The area of interest information may be used in computing a System Synchronized Backlight Control (“SSBC”) profile tor the area of interest, and the SSBC profile may be used to adjust the image signal to provide an image in which the image characteristics, e.g., are optimized for the image at the area of interest. The image characteristics and/or SSBC profile information may be provided as metadata included in a video signal data stream. The area of interest may be selected where the image is obtained, where the image is shown or elsewhere, e.g., in an image storage device, image player, etc.

Abstract: A video camera may overlook a monitored area from any feasible position. An object flow estimation module monitor the moving direction of the objects in the monitored area. It may separate the consistently moving objects from the other objects. A object count estimation module may compute the object density (e.g. crowd). A object density classification module may classify the density into customizable categories.

Abstract: Image data may be color graded, distributed and viewed on target displays. Mappings that preserve mid-range points and mid-range contrast may be applied to view the image data for color grading and to prepare the image data for display on a target display. The image data may be expanded to exploit the dynamic range of the target display without affecting mid-tone values.

Abstract: An automatic process for calibrating the optical image exposure value to compensate for changes in machine vision systems to maintain optimal exposure of captured images and adjust for the different characteristics among cameras components, such as imaging sensor sensitivity, LED strength, external lighting, reflective functions of any background material, different external lighting conditions, possible changes or updates of the systems over the years, such as LED changes, and even the aging of camera sensor and LEDs over time. A series of images of a target are captured with a predetermined sequence of exposure values, the saturation exposure percentage of a region of interest is calculated in each of the images, and the saturation exposure percentages are compared to determine the exposure value that has a saturation exposure percentage that varies the least from the saturation exposure value of the preceding and following exposure values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a frame from a mixed content image sequence. In one embodiment, the method, executed under the control of a processor configured with computer executable instructions, comprises (i) generating, by an encoding processor, an image type mask that divides the frame into an unchanged portion, an object portion and a picture portion; (ii) producing lossless encoded content, by the encoding processor, from the object portion and the image type mask; (iii) generating, by the encoding processor, a filtered facsimile from the frame, the filtered facsimile generated by retaining the picture portion and filling the unchanged portion and the object portion with neutral image data; and (iv) producing, by the encoding processor, lossy encoded content from the filtered facsimile.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of segmenting an input image into a plurality of segments. The method comprises the steps of: deriving an image representative of boundary strength of each of a plurality of pixels in the input image; adding a random noise pattern to at least a portion of the derived image; determining a plurality of local minima in the derived image with the random noise pattern added, each of the plurality of local minima comprising a point with a lowest measure of boundary strength within a pre-defined region in the derived image; and associating each of the plurality of pixels in the input image with one of the determined local minima to segment the image based on a geodesic distance transform of the measure between the determined local minima and the pixels.

Abstract: A fingerprint authentication device includes: a fingerprint acquisition section that acquires fingerprint image data; a fingerprint image correction processing section that corrects a pixel value by using a correction coefficient for making a first pixel value of the brightest pixel in a group of pixels at which an integrated value of a number of pixels at a dark portion side in a histogram becomes a predetermined proportion with respect to an integrated value of a number of all pixels, be a brighter second pixel value; a spectral data generation section that generates a spectral data matrix including directions of ridges of a fingerprint and a frequency of the fingerprint; a registered spectral data matrix archive section that archives a registered spectral data matrix; a fingerprint verification section that verifies the spectral data matrix and the registered spectral data matrix; and an authentication results output section that outputs results of authentication.

Abstract: A money transfer authorization method that includes the step of providing transferor biometric information to a party verification processor that verifies an identity of the transferor by comparing the transferor biometric information with previously registered biometric information from the transferor, where the transferor provides transfer identity information to receive the money. The method also includes confirming that the verified transferor has sufficient funds or credit for the money transfer, and providing transferee biometric identification to the party verification processor that verifies the transferee by comparing the transferee biometric information with previously registered biometric information from the transferee. The transferee has to provide transfer identity information before the money is given to the transferee.

Abstract: A content-adaptive edge and detail enhancement method is described for image/video processing. Both 2D peaking and LTI/CTI are used in sharpening pictures. Image analysis is performed to generate a mask to control the use of the two peaking techniques. The strength or likelihood of edges or transitions is measured and such a strength or likelihood measurement will be transformed into a blending factor controlling the blending of the LTI/CTI and peaking outputs.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing method and an imaging device module capable of properly calculating a black level when brightness on the positive maximum value side in a brightness histogram of an optical black region are clipped to an upper limit brightness, that is, when brightness on the positive maximum value side in a brightness histogram of an optical black region exceed an upper limit brightness. An image processing method includes forming a brightness histogram of pixels in an optical black region of an imaging face of an imaging device; shifting the brightness histogram toward where a brightness pixel value is zero until a peak value of the brightness histogram becomes smaller than an upper limit of a pixel value, when the peak value is equal to or larger than the upper limit brightness of the pixel value; and calculating a black level based on a peak value which became smaller than the upper limit.

Abstract: An image processing device specifies the number of pixels m for securing a delay time for preventing an error diffusion process from being performed at pixels of the (N+1)-th line in which diffusion of errors from a pixel of N-th line (N is a natural number) of image data is not completed, performs a control of starting an error diffusion process of the (N+1)-th line of the image data after the error diffusion process of the m-th pixel for the N-th line of the image data, and performs the error diffusion process for each line of the image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image separating unit that separates and creates a plurality of derivative images from an input image based on feature of the input image; a coding unit that codes each of the derivative images separately, couples coded data of the derivative images, and generates multilayer structure data; and a controller that controls a code amount of coded data of at least one derivative image with a low code assignment priority out of the derivative images so that a data amount of the multilayer structure data is equal to or less than a limit amount.

Abstract: Described is a hierarchical filtered motion field technology such as for use in recognizing actions in videos with crowded backgrounds. Interest points are detected, e.g., as 2D Harris corners with recent motion, e.g. locations with high intensities in a motion history image (MHI). A global spatial motion smoothing filter is applied to the gradients of MHI to eliminate low intensity corners that are likely isolated, unreliable or noisy motions. At each remaining interest point, a local motion field filter is applied to the smoothed gradients by computing a structure proximity between sets of pixels in the local region and the interest point. The motion at a pixel/pixel set is enhanced or weakened based on its structure proximity with the interest point (nearer pixels are enhanced).

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a transformation ratio calculation unit which calculates transformation ratio of an image after transformation, the image after transformation being obtained by transforming an original image under predetermined rule; a filter coefficient calculation unit which calculates filter coefficients based on the transformation ratio; and a pixel value calculation unit which calculates the pixel value of each pixel in the image after transformation using the filter coefficients and outputs the pixel value of the image after transformation as image data after transformation.

Abstract: A dual-phase approach to red eye correction may prevent overly aggressive or overly conservative red eye reduction. The dual-phase approach may include detecting an eye portion in a digital image. Once the eye portion is detected, the dual-phase approach may include the performance of a strong red eye correction for the eye portion when the eye portion includes a strong red eye. Otherwise, the dual-phase approach may include the performance of a weak red eye correction for the eye portion when the eye portion includes a weak red eye. The weak red eye may be distinguished from the strong red eye based a redness threshold that shows the weak red eye as having less redness hue than the strong red eye.

Abstract: A method of processing pixels of an image comprises determining the most homogenous region of the image, calculating a threshold (th) according to the content of the determined region, selecting pixels in the image according to the calculated threshold (th), and applying a gain to the selected pixels. The method can also further comprise calculating the gain according to the content of the image.

Abstract: An edge parameter computing method for an image, wherein the image includes a plurality of pixels forming a Bayer pattern. The edge parameter computing method comprises: (a) computing an average grey level of at least one specific type pixels in a specific region of the image; (b) computing each grey level difference value between the average grey level and the specific type pixels in the specific region to generate a plurality of grey level difference values; (c) finding a specific pixel with a maximum grey level difference value according to the grey level difference values; and (d) computing a ratio value between the average grey level and the maximum grey level difference value as the edge parameter.

Abstract: A method for screening of multi-junction solar cells to be operated in a high sun intensity and high temperature (HIHT) environment. An electroluminescence image of a homogeneous pn-junction at a predefined bias current is acquired for each of the solar cells. The spatial intensity distribution in the electroluminescence image is analyzed to determine whether there are local intensity variations that possibly dissipate power in a HIHT environment. The solar cells are sorted such that solar cells having no local intensity variations in their electroluminescence image are put into a first group and solar cells having at least one local intensity variation in their electroluminescence image are put into a second group cells for further screening. The solar cells of the first group are suitable for a HIHT environment and solar cells of the second group are assumed to be potentially critical in a HIHT environment.

Abstract: A method of text extraction in color compound documents is described. The method connects similarly colored pixels of an image of a color compound document into connected components (CCs); classifies each CC as either text or non-text; refines the text CC classification for each text CC using global color context statistics; groups text CCs into text blocks; recovers misclassified non-text CCs into a nearby text block; and removes extraneous CCs from each text block using local color context statistics to thereby provide the extracted text in the text blocks. Also described is a method of locating graphics objects in a color compound document image.

Abstract: Converting images to binary image representations is part of an Optical Character Recognition program in a computer system. The method and system is using a relative threshold level to convert the image to its binary image representation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an edge sharpening method using maximum and minimum filters. In an embodiment of the present invention, the edge region of an input image signal is detected, minimum and maximum signals are generated for the detected edge region, the input signal of the detected edge region is compared with the average signal of the minimum and maximum signals, and the average of the input signal and the maximum signal is output if the input signal is larger than the average signal, the average of the input signal and the minimum signal is output if the input signal is smaller than the average signal, and the input signal is output if the input signal is equal to the average signal. Meanwhile, median filtering, using a window perpendicular to the direction in which the edge sharpening is performed, is performed on the region on which the edge sharpening has been performed.

Abstract: A digital image acquisition device is for acquiring digital images including one or more preview images. A face detector analyzes the one or more preview images to ascertain information relating to candidate face regions therein. A speed-optimized filter produces a first set of candidate red-eye regions based on the candidate face region information provided by the face detector.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus sets respective pixel values of a template block which includes a pixel to be determined for each pixel to be determined set in sequence in an image, arranges a plurality of reference blocks so as to surround the template block, obtains respective block matching errors between the respective pixel values of the plurality of reference blocks and the respective pixel values of the template block, and determines that the pixel to be determined is in an edge area when a smallest value from among the block matching errors is a deviated value from all the block matching errors.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Delivery means are provided to deliver a metered quantity of sample fluid to the sensor array. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a peaking filter for performing peaking processing on an input image signal to generate a peaking image signal; a selection circuit, coupled to the peaking filter, for selecting a plurality of pixels within the peaking image signal; and a median filter, coupled to the selection circuit, for filtering the plurality of pixels within the peaking image signal to generate a filtered image signal.

Abstract: The invention discloses an image processing apparatus for adjusting lightness of an input image. The image processing apparatus includes a first processing module, a second processing module, a third processing module, and a fourth processing module. The first processing module is used for generating a lightness histogram with reference to the input image and determining a maximum lightness and an average lightness according to the lightness histogram. The second processing module is used for determining a first gain and a second gain according to the maximum lightness and a look-up table. The third processing module is used for selecting a lightness adjusting curve according to the average lightness. The fourth processing module is used for generating an output lightness corresponding to the input image.

Abstract: In a process for enhancing contrast of an image having pixels in different brightness intensities, a histogram in discrete bins is generated. Each bin represents a pixel population of at least one pixel brightness intensity. A peak and a peak region of the histogram is then identified, wherein the peak region is a range of discrete bins around the peak. An average pixel population within the peak region is computed, and the pixel populations of the discrete bins within the peak region that exceeds the average pixel population are distributed. A transfer curve for mapping onto the image is then generated. The process can be used in an image processor for enhancing contrast of an image having pixel. Still further, a display having a receiver and a screen can include the foregoing image processor.

Abstract: To interpolate a value for a pixel, multiple patterns are selected. Each pattern is used to determine a pixel angle. One of the determined pixel angles is then selected based on the reliability of the pixel angles. The selected pixel angle can be selected based on its reliability irrespective of the reliability of other pixel angles. The selected pixel angle can then be used to interpolate a value for the target pixel. Dynamic thresholds can be computed for use in either determining a pixel angle for a given pattern, or to select the pixel angle from the available determined pixel angles.

Abstract: A method of encoding a digital image signal comprising a plurality of samples. The method comprises the following steps, applied during the encoding of each sample with a view to its storage in a buffer. The level of occupancy of the buffer is determined, and the level of occupancy is compared with a predetermined threshold. An encoding mode is determined from among a plurality of encoding modes when the level of occupancy is above the predetermined threshold, and encoding the sample according to the determined encoding mode, and the sample is encoded according to a default encoding mode when the level of occupancy is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: There is provided an exposure determining device that determines whether exposure of an image represented by image data is appropriate. The exposure determining device includes a first evaluation value deriving unit that derives a maximum luminance reference value for each of blocks obtained by dividing the image into a plurality of blocks of the image data on the basis of luminance values of pixels constituting each block, and derives a first evaluation value for the image on the basis of the derived maximum luminance reference values for the blocks, and an exposure determining unit that determines whether exposure of the image is appropriate, on the basis of the derived first evaluation value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing uneven brightness in an image from a particle based image system. This uneven brightness is most often seen as regions of shadow, but may also be seen as regions of over brightness. In cases where the uneven brightness is in the form of shadowing, the method corrects for the shadowy regions by first identifying the area of shadow, obtaining brightness information from a region near the shadow, where the brightness is optimal, applying statistical methods to determine the measured brightness as a regression function of the optimal brightness, and number and proximity of shadowy objects, then correcting the shadow area brightness by calculating the inverse of the function of the shadow brightness. With this method, the brightness within the shadowy or over brightness regions are corrected to appear at a substantially similar level of brightness as the region of optimal brightness in the image.

Abstract: A method for compressing image data includes a first step for dividing image data into predetermined areas and determining a representative value about density of pixels in each area, a second step for determining density of pixels included in each area by using the representative value of the area and an interpolation rule, a third step for determining reproducibility of an image obtained, on the basis of the density of pixels determined in the second step, by using the image data and a dither pattern that is used for a pseudo gradation process performed on the image data, and a fourth step for encoding, on the basis of the representative value determined in the first step, for areas that are determined to have a good reproducibility in the third step.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.

Abstract: A method for diffusing errors in a display device. Each frame of an input video signal is separated into at least two independent subframes. An error diffusion process is applied to each subframe of at least two independent subframes. The errors transmitted reciprocally from subframes are partially mixed, and the error diffusion process is applied to the mixed errors at each independent subframe.

Abstract: A method and device of feature enhancement for digital image processing. A predefined feature in one dimension of the image is searched to obtain several peaks, and each peak is either a local maximum or local minimum. Each peak is enhanced by adding an offset to increase the local maximum or decrease the local minimum. The offset of each peak is computed by calculating the difference between each peak and the preceding peak, then multiplying by a preset ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. In an exemplary embodiment, an imaged scene is split into an array of zones. The minimum and maximum sharpness score for each zone is determined over a plurality of lens positions. A histogram of the lens positions of the corresponding maximum sharpness score for each zone is created. The peak of the histogram is determined to be the best focus position for a given scene.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an image encoding method and an image apparatus which do not request change on a decoder and can give effects on many applications by having an encoder carry processing for reducing occurrence of noise. A pixel whose tone value is 255 and corresponds to white is changed to a value outside of an extent of the tone value in the inverse direction for black, in other words to a value more than the whitest tone value 255. When an image for which this tone shifting processing is performed is encoded and decoded, a ripple 31 having a larger tone value than 255 occurs in a white portion of the image. Abnormal condition of the image in a shape of ripple on the decoded image existing prior to clipping is centered in a tone value larger than 255. Accordingly, mosquito noise occurs in a portion with a tone value larger than 255 and outside of an extent of the tone value. When this image is clipped by the tone value 255, the mosquito noise can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus obtains an image of a proper brightness in various scenes in which it is difficult to appropriately determine the brightness of an image. The apparatus includes a unit which extracts luminance components from image data, a unit which obtains on a predetermined scale the distribution of the extracted luminance components, a unit which sets a middle luminance value for the image data, corrects a luminance value larger than the middle luminance value in the converted luminance distribution to decrease a luminance value before scale conversion that corresponds to the larger luminance value, and corrects a luminance value smaller than the middle luminance value to increase a luminance value before scale conversion that corresponds to the smaller luminance value, and a unit which reproduces the image data by using the enhanced luminance distribution as a new image luminance distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the broadband noise content of a digital image comprising the following: a means of automatically identifying regions of originally constant color in the image by analysis of the variance of pixel values of regions of the image; a means of automatically detecting and discarding regions deemed to be unrepresentative of the true noise content of an image, including under- and over- exposed regions; a means of allowing the user to manually select some or all required constant color regions if desired; and, a means of analyzing such constant color regions to generate a parametric or non-parametric model of the noise in the image, including frequency characteristic within and between channels and other characteristics such as phase which might describe structured noise.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an abnormal pixel detection device configured to examine a value of standard white image data, which is acquired by reading a white image to be a standard for a shading correction, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, to determine whether or not pixels are abnormal, wherein a previously specified value is stored for use as the standard white image data for pixels which are determined to be abnormal by the abnormal pixel detection device. As a result, costs of the image reading apparatus can be reduced because a special memory device for memorizing the positions of abnormal pixels is not required.

Abstract: To interpolate a value for a pixel, multiple patterns are selected. Each pattern is used to determine a pixel angle. One of the determined pixel angles is then selected based on the reliability of the pixel angles. The selected pixel angle can be selected based on its reliability irrespective of the reliability of other pixel angles. The selected pixel angle can then be used to interpolate a value for the target pixel. Dynamic thresholds can be computed for use in either determining a pixel angle for a given pattern, or to select the pixel angle from the available determined pixel angles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. An imaged scene is split into an array of zones. The minimum and maximum sharpness score for each zone is determined over a plurality of lens positions. A histogram of the lens positions of the corresponding maximum weighted sharpness score for each zone is created. The peak of the histogram is determined to be the best focus position for a given scene.

Abstract: A light is irradiated on a wafer including a plurality of pixels. Image information corresponding to each pixel is measured by sensing the light reflected by the wafer surface. A raw datum is calculated by subtracting the image information of a corresponding pixel from the image information of a target pixel. The target pixel is a subject pixel for detecting a defect. The corresponding pixel is a pixel located in a first device unit and corresponds to the target pixel. The first device unit is located adjacent to a second device unit that includes the target pixel. The threshold region is preset to have at least one pair of upper and lower limits. The target pixel is marked as a defective pixel when the raw datum thereof is included in the threshold region. Accordingly, the killer defect can be detected separate from the non-killer defects that are usually detected together with the killer defects.