Abstract: To improve compression efficiency and decompressed image quality, images are decomposed into separate layers each containing a limited number of image element types (text, line art, or photographic). Each layer can then be compressed separately with a process that is optimal for the type of image element included in the layer. Images are decomposed into foreground, background, and mask layers. The value of a pixel in the mask layer designates whether the spatially corresponding pixel of the recomposed image will be selected from the spatially corresponding pixels of either the foreground or the background layer. The present invention provides a method of determining the value of a pixel for a mask layer. The image is partitioned into large and small sub-images or blocks. A sub-image mask is created for each sub-image by sorting pixels of the sub-image into clusters centered on the luminance of pixels of a pair of pixels of maximum luminance gradient.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an object in multi-dimensional imagery data is disclosed.

Abstract: Fingerprint section images of a finger are continuously input by relative movement with respect to a fingerprint sensor, and characteristic shapes such as ridge shapes, edge lines, and portions where changes of tangent directions are large are extracted from the fingerprint section images. Common areas in which character shapes match in two fingerprint section images which are chronologically continuous are searched by correlative calculation of characteristic shapes to detect an amount of movement of images at an overlapping position. Two living body section images which are chronologically continuous are connected to each other on the basis of the amount of movement to generate an entire living body image.

Abstract: A method and system for recognizing and selecting a portion of an image. The method and system employs user-controlled region growing to select a region within an image. The user manipulates a user input device to interactively increase or decrease the number of iterations performed by a region growing routine. The progress of the growth of the region is displayed to the user on a display. In the case of a three dimensional image, the user may select sectional or volume views of the image within which to monitor the growth of the region. Once the user determines an appropriately sized region has been grown, the remainder of the image is scalpelled away and the selected region is displayed on the display. Alternatively, the region is scalpelled away and the remainder of the image is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A system and method in which a user interface is presented to a user that allows the user to crop a selected image. A crop mask is displayed over the selected image. The system can generate the crop mask as a GIF image in which a portion of the crop mask corresponding to a selected portion of the image is transparent and a portion of the crop mask corresponding to a cropped portion of the image has a checkerboard pattern. By displaying the crop mask over the image, the selected portion of the image can be visually indicated. When a user changes the current selected portion of the image (for example, by actuating a control included in the user interface), a new crop mask can be generated based on the changes made by the user. The new crop mask can be displayed over the image in order to visually indicate the new selected portion of the image. The system and method can be implemented using a browser-based system such as the World Wide Web.

Abstract: An electronic watermarking method includes the steps of generating a plurality piece of information with different electronic watermark information, generating a plurality piece of encrypted information through encryption of the plurality piece of information with each independent encryption key, generating a plurality of encrypted encryption keys through encryption of each independent encryption key with each different encryption key, transmitting the plurality piece of encrypted information and the plurality of encrypted encryption keys to a user, the first to fourth steps being executed by a server, and selecting each pair of a piece of the plurality of encrypted information and a corresponding encrypted encryption key, the fifth step being executed by the user, wherein only some of the encryption keys are multiplied by random numbers.

Abstract: A technique for classifying objects within an image is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by identifying a portion of an image, and then filtering the portion of the image based upon an object characteristic and a reference within the image. The image can be a representation of a plurality of pixels, wherein at least some of the plurality of pixels are enabled to represent the identified portion of the image. The reference can be one of a reference plane or a terrain within the image.

Abstract: A method for removing noise regions in a stereo 3D image, which includes a first eye image and a second eye image is achieved by calculating a maximum offset value and turning a horizontal synchronization signal and a display enable signal of the CRT timing parameters.

Abstract: An object is composited digitally from an input image onto a destination image. A background model is created and a frame of an input image containing the object is obtained. An alpha image is created in which each pixel is either a zero, indicating it is not part of the object, or a one, indicating that it is part of the object. The effect of shadows emanating from the object is reduced. A set of templates is then derived to allow holes or gaps in the object created during the compositing process to be filled to a large extent. The object is blended onto a destination image using the alpha image as a blending coefficient.

Abstract: An object is tracked among a plurality of image frames. In an initial frame an operator selects an object. The object is distinguished from the remaining background portion of the image to yield a background and a foreground. A model of the background is used and updated in subsequent frames. A model of the foreground is used and updated in the subsequent frames. Pixels in subsequent frames are classified as belonging to the background or the foreground. In subsequent frames, decisions are made, including: which pixels do not belong to the background; which pixels in the foreground are to be updated; which pixels in the background were observed incorrectly in the current frame; and which background pixels are being observed for the first time. In addition, mask filtering is performed to correct errors, eliminate small islands and maintain spatial and temporal coherency of a foreground mask.

Abstract: A desired template image is selected, and a subject image is synthesized at a predetermined position on the selected template image. Template image data, mask image data corresponding to the template image data, and image information are pre-stored in an image synthesizer. When a user selects a desired template image by the screen of a display, mask image data representing a mask image corresponding to the selected template image and synthesis information are obtained. A subject image which a user has also selected on the screen is then synthesized at a predetermined position on the template image using the template image data, the mask image data and the synthesis information, and a resultant composite image is displayed and printed.

Abstract: The present invention provides extended depth of field or focus to conventional Phase Contrast imaging systems. This is accomplished by including a Wavefront Coding mask in the system to apply phase variations to the wavefront transmitted by the Phase Object being imaged. The phase variations induced by the Wavefront Coding mask code the wavefront and cause the optical transfer function to remain essentially constant within some range away from the in-focus position. This provides a coded image at the detector. Post processing decodes this coded image, resulting in an in-focus image over an increased depth of field.

Abstract: The present invention provides extended depth of field or focus to conventional Amplitude Contrast imaging systems. This is accomplished by including a Wavefront Coding mask in the system to apply phase variations to the wavefront transmitted by the Phase Object being imaged. The phase variations induced by the Wavefront Coding mask code the wavefront and cause the optical transfer function to remain essentially constant within some range away from the in-focus position. This provides a coded image at the detector. Post processing decodes this coded image, resulting in an in-focus image over an increased depth of field.

Abstract: Upon chromakey processing, 4×4 transformation matrix is provided through which a backing color selected is transformed to the original point and monochrome color is transformed to vertically distribute at a spot away from the original point along an axis. Matrix multiplication comprising only addition and multiplication is applied to a foreground image data signal to generate a masked output image and a color-processed foreground output image without requiring complex arithmetic operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a final image from an initial image wherein the final image and the initial image do not have the same aspect ration. The initial image is first resized so that the resized image has one of its dimensions equal to that of the final image. The resized image is placed at a position behind a mask having an opening, wherein the size of the opening is the same as the size of the final image and wherein the opening is substantially filled with a part of the resized image. The resize image is then moved to another position, wherein the opening is again substantially filled with a part of the resized image. The operator then selects the area of the resized image lying within the opening of the mask that he decides is the more pleasing view.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for masking and extracting a foreground portion from a background portion of a digital image. In the method, a first input defining a first border region is received, which includes at least a part of the foreground portion and at least a part of the background portion in a first digital image. A second input defining a second border region is received, which includes at least a part of the foreground portion and at least a part of the background portion in a second digital image. An intermediary border region is interpolated for an image intermediary in time to the first and second digital images and the first, second, and intermediary border regions are used for masking the foreground portion from the background portion in the digital video.

Abstract: In the process of embedding watermark information in one-dimensional source data, first spread one-dimensional data x(t) is generated by subjecting one-dimensional source data s(t) to spectrum-spreading operation using a PN sequence g(t). This first spread one-dimensional data x(t) then undergoes a modified discrete cosine transformation. A specific frequency component value of the MDCT coefficients is modulated to provide association with the watermark information. The modulated frequency component then undergoes inverse transformation to generate second spread one-dimensional data x′(t). Then, using the same PN sequence in the spreading, the second spread one-dimensional data is subjected to spectrum-despreading to produce digitally watermarked one-dimensional data in which watermark data has been embedded.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of extracting the region of a subject image from an input image including the subject image. A subject region mask for masking the region of the subject image is generated, and the contour of the subject region mask is shaped. After local regions for correcting the contour shaped by contour shaping are set on the basis of information of the contour of the subject region mask before and after contour shaping, the contour of the shaped subject region mask is corrected within the set local regions.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that coordinates the printing of a page of photos that match the layout of a pre-existing matte. The matte layout can be created from a physical matte. When creating an electronic layout or template from a physical matte, a digital image of the matte and a reference target is created. The template can then be created by using the relationship in the digital image between the image of the reference target and the image of the physical matte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of extracting a visual feature from a dataset, comprising a storage means for storing said dataset; retrieval means for retrieving said dataset from said storage means; display means for displaying an image of said retrieval dataset; means for defining a block of voxels corresponding to a selected portion of said displayed dataset, said block containing said visual feature therein; means for removing from said block voxels not containing said visual feature, to generate a feature block; means for generating a mask from said feature block; and means for rendering said dataset using said mask. A method of extracting visual features is also provided.

Abstract: A rule-based method which detects and tracks the moving objects in video frames in an automated way is invented. The method can be used in object based image sequence compression applications. Motion of pixels between two consecutive frames are estimated using a block based motion estimation method, and the resultant dense motion vector field is segmented. Using the same method, a second segmentation is achieved based on partitioning of the image according to color values of the pixels. The image, which is formed by the translation of the final segmentation results of the previous frame using the estimated motion vectors, is used as the third segmentation. By the help of a sequence of rules, which uses the three different segmentation masks as its inputs, detection and tracking of moving objects in the scene is achieved within accurate boundaries; the problems caused by occlusion or uncovered background are insignificant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital watermarking to resolve multiple claims of ownership is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a first watermark requiring the host data for detection is embedded into the host data. A second watermark is also embedded into the host data. According to another embodiment of the invention, a pseudo-random sequence acting as a watermark is generated based on two random keys. One of the two random keys is related to the author of the host data into which the watermark is to be embedded, whereas the other of the two random keys is dependent on the host data itself.

Abstract: A job ticket generating system for a printing system is provided. The job ticket generating system includes a user interface having a display screen and a job ticket displayed on the user interface. The job ticket includes an original user feedback image, an electronically based scale settable in a plurality of positions, and an image processing subsystem for altering an appearance of the user feedback image in response to a change in the electronically based scale—the electronically based scale is set to one of the plurality of positions. The job ticket generating system further includes a library of masks with one of the masks being selected from the library of masks based on the one of the plurality of positions set with the electronically based scaled. In practice, the image processing subsystem applies the selected mask to the original user feedback so as to obtain an altered user feedback image whose appearance is changed relative to the original user feedback image.

Abstract: An image area extracting method for extracting the desired areas from the image accurately and efficiently. The rough boundary area, in which the boundary area is roughly assigned between the desired area and areas other than the desired area, is divided into a plurality of small areas. The area extracting procedure is executed on each small area and the desired area and areas other than the desired area are detected from each small area. The boundary area mask image is formed based on the detection result and the desired area is extracted based on the boundary area mask image. Thus, the desired area can be extracted from the image accurately and efficiently.

Abstract: A mask process such as smoothing of a graphic or a character drawn into a bit pattern is performed by using only SHIFT, logical NOT, AND, OR operations of bit strings, rather than using conditional branch instructions in the form of “IF THEN ELSE” and “SWITCH” statements that lead to undesirable reduction of processing speed. This results in a substantial increase of the processing speed. Further, in order to process an image that is wider than a bus width or a register length at high speed, adjacent patterns of an original image, which are not necessarily used for a logical operation, are loaded onto left and right sides of a processing object, to form a processing unit for use in a logical operation.

Abstract: An image synthesizer where desired template image is selected, and a subject image is synthesized at a predetermined position on the selected template image. Template image data, mask image data corresponding to the template image data, and image information are pre-stored in an image synthesizer. When a user selects a desired template image by touching the screen of a display, mask image data representing a mask image corresponding to the selected template image and synthesis information are obtained. A subject image which a user has also selected on the screen is then synthesized at a predetermined position on the template image using the template image data, the mask image data and the synthesis information, and a resultant composite image is displayed and printed.

Abstract: A method, in a system for aiding the guidance of a vehicle, for identifying marking stripes of road lanes. A road image is subjected to a convolution operation with a mask matrix so as to identify discontinuities present in the image. The resulting convolved image is compared with a threshold value and a representation of the marking stripes is determined. The mask matrix is set in such a way as to eliminate at least partially the discontinuities which do not correspond to the marking stripes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an image processing system, which includes an image sensor (DD) for introducing image information of an object to detect image data for indicating at least a density of the object. A scanning table memory (TM) is adapted to provide addresses in accordance with horizontal or vertical scanning lines, and provide a horizontal or vertical location information for each address. Also, the memory (TM) is adapted to provide a window on the basis of the location information and in accordance with the object, and store the window in a table memory. And, an image processor (DP) is adapted to provide a desired image on the basis of a logical product of the image data and the window. The memory (TM) is adapted to provide the window for the image which will be used at the next iteration step on the basis of the desired image formed by the image processor (DP).

Abstract: In the image monitor apparatus, a plurality of images are respectively inputted through a plurality of TV camera from each view position. An image projection section projects each of the plurality of images onto a predetermined plane in three-dimensional space. A comparison section compares the projected image data of two images by unit of predetermined area on the plane, and extracts the predetermined areas, each of which two projected image data are different, from the plane. An extraction section extracts an existence position of a monitored object from the predetermined areas extracted. An integration section integrates the existence positions of the monitored object extracted for the projected image data of all of two images in the plurality of images as all existence positions of the monitored objects on the plane.

Abstract: A method and system for compositing graphical images, wherein an advanced adjustment layer may be applied during a compositing process to a set of image layers 1 . . . n, or to any subordinate subset of such image layers. One or more adjustment layers are applied to an intermediate merged image, generated by compositing previous image layers, and the adjusted result is stored as a temporary image. The temporary image is then in turn composited with the intermediate merged image. Any remaining image layers are then composited in with the intermediate merged image to generate a final merged image. The invention allows a user to apply a vast array of effects without requiring significant new knowledge on the part of the user. For example, if there are “A” adjustments and “T” transfer modes, the present invention allows A×T effects which leverage existing knowledge of the user of only A+T functions.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image extraction method for extracting, from a subject image that records both the background and the object to be extracted, image data of the object using a mask. An initial mask used for extracting the subject region is generated on the basis of difference data between the subject image and the background image that records the background alone, the region of the initial mask is grown on the basis of the similarity between the features of a first region and its neighboring second region in the subject image corresponding to the initial mask, and the image data of the object is extracted from the first image on the basis of the grown mask region.

Abstract: A technique for processing images is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by obtaining a representation of an image, and then locating an area of interest in the representation. The located area of interest is then classified according to a first characteristic of one or more objects of interest and a reference within the image. If the located area of interest has been classified as an area containing at least one object of interest, the at least one object of interest can be disambiguated from other objects in the located area of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for operating a computer system to minimize the number of disk storage access operations used in creating an inverted database. This method divides a database into several smaller subdatabases. The documents of the subdatabases are decomposed into subdocuments. A postings list for each subdatabase is then created in which all the terms for the subdatabase are associated with the identity of each subdocument of the subdatabase in which the terms occur. The resulting postings lists for the subdatabases are then merged. The merge process sorts the postings of the subdatabases and merges common terms. The non-common terms are merged after the common terms. The process of sorting the postings list and then merging the common terms followed by the non-common terms minimizes the number of disk storage access operations required for creating the inverted database from a series of inverted subdatabases.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing method employing pattern matching, whereby the number of calculations for a normalized correlation factor can be reduced and processing speed can be increased in a pattern matching process, and an image processing system therefor. In the pattern matching processing when an insensitive region is set in a template image, values (the sum and the squared sum) obtained during a previous operation for a prior search target sub-image are employed to perform calculations for a current search target sub-image, relative to coordinate sequence code that indicates the start point and the end point of a sequence of pixels having values of "1.

Abstract: A reference image R is selected and a region of interest (ROI) is interactively selected encompassing a desired structure from a sequence of images of a moving structure. This ROI is cross-correlated with other real-time images by multiplication in the Fourier frequency domain, to determine if the desired structure is present in the image. If the structure is present, this image may be averaged with other images in which the structure is present to produce higher resolution adaptively averaged images. This invention is particularly useful in imaging coronary vessels. In an alternative embodiment, the offset of the desired structure may be calculated in a series of images. The images may then be sorted by this offset, and played back in that order to provide a "movie-like" display of the desired structure moving with the periodic motion.

Abstract: A process for illuminating an object with a first spectrally distinct area. In the first step of the process, the spectral reflectivity of a first spectrally distinct area is determined, and that wavelength portion(s) of the spectrally distinct area that reflects more light form a light source than absorbs it (and the extent to which it does so) is identified. Thereafter, the maximum reflectivity of such wavelength portion, after illumination by the light source, is identified, and one also identifies that segment of the first wavelength portion which has a reflectivity of less than a specified percentage of the maximum reflectivity. A digitized image is then prepared which is modified to delete the low reflectivity segment of the first wavelength portion. The modified digital image is then fixed onto a medium (which may be, e.g., a color slide), the medium is illuminated with the light source, and the light image thus produced is projected onto the object.

Abstract: A volumetric data set having a high intensity, dominant structure, near smaller, less intense structures is smoothed and segmented to separate the dominant structure. The dominant structure is masked out to result in the smaller, less intense structures which are displayed. For example, dominant structures such as the blood pool in atria, ventricles, and the aorta of a 3D angiography data set is segmented and removed from the data set using mathematical morphology operations to result in an enhanced data set. The enhanced data set is displayed by conventional means such as a maximum intensity projection (MIP) at different views to yield images of coronary arteries.

Abstract: Polygon reshaping methods either add or subtract sides of lines of a polygon around an object of a digitized frame of picture stock. A line may be added by selecting a line of a polygon and adding a point to the line, thereby defining two lines with the point as their vertex. The point may be move along the line and away from the line to create an angle between the two lines on either side of the vertex. A line may be subtracted from a polygon either by selecting a line of the polygon and simply deleting it or by selecting a vertex of the polygon and deleting the two lines which shared the vertex. In the former line-removal case, the now-free endpoints of the lines adjacent to the removed line are moved and connected at a point defined along the removed line. In the latter vertex-removal case, a new line is drawn between the now-free endpoints of the lines which were respectively adjacent the removed lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating region frames from video frames are disclosed which employs an industry standard encoder to lessen the negative impact on the quality of the transmitted video sequence while consuming fewer bits. The invention utilizes image segmentation and color replacement techniques to create the region frames. Each region frame includes a subject region, zero or more previously segmented regions and zero or more non-subject regions. The subject region is defined by the pixels of the original video frame. The previously segmented regions and non-subject regions are assigned replacement pixels P.sub.n,y and C.sub.n, respectively. The replacement pixel C.sub.n is chosen to indicate a color that is not likely to be confused with any color in the subject region R.sub.n. The replacement pixels P.sub.n,y are chosen such that the compression ratio of the region frame data is maximized.

Abstract: A technique for hiding of data, including watermarks, in human-perceptible images, that is, image host data, is disclosed. In one embodiment a method comprises three steps. In the first step, data to be embedded is inputted. In the case of a watermark, this data is a unique signature, and may be a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the case of hidden data to be embedded in the host data, this data is the hidden data itself, or the hidden data as spread against the frequency spectrum by a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the second step, the inputted data is embedded within the host data, in accordance with a perceptual mask of the host data. The perceptual mask determines the optimal locations within the host data to insert the inputted data. In the case of images, these optimal locations are determined by reference to the human visual system. In the third step, the host data, with the embedded data, is further masked by a non-frequency mask. In the case of image data, the non-frequency mask is a spatial mask.

Abstract: A method (30) is provided for the detection and analysis of anomalies (32) in a road surface (36). An image (34) of the road surface (36) is obtained (82) wherein traffic control markings (76) are masked (88). The image (34) is filtered (90) and a pixel map (92) is produced (98). The pixel map (92) is partitioned (112) into a multiplicity of subimages (108). For each subimage (108), anomaly parameters are identified (120) and a status characteristic is determined (124) and assigned (136). A subimage map (138) is produced (142) depicting the subimages (108) and their status characteristics. A determination (156) is made as to which subimages (108) contain anomalies (32). Anomaly-containing subimages (108) are grouped (158) into anomalous objects (152). For each anomalous object (152), an object type (162) is determined (160) and assigned (164). An object map (154) is then produced (166) depicting the anomalous objects (152).

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus comprising image input means for inputting image data, storage means for successively storing the image data input by the image input means, on a input image data basis, feature-extracting means for producing histogram data per input image data which is stored in the storage means, and extracting the features of the respective image data on the basis of the histogram data, image-selecting means for selecting an image to be output, on the basis of the extracted features of the images, and image output means for forming the image selected by the image-selecting means on recording paper.

Abstract: A method of combining height profiles of adjacent sections of a test surface to produce a composite profile of the surface consists of taking successive measurements of adjacent sections of the surface of the test sample by sequentially placing them within the field of view of the instrument and profiling them by phase shifting or vertical scanning. The x-y translation of the microscope between successive measurements from one section to the next adjacent section of the surface being profiled is carried out by overlapping such sections, so that spatial continuity is maintained between measurements. The height data generated for each section are then combined to form a larger image corresponding to the entire surface tested and discontinuities and/or errors introduced by the x-y translation process are corrected by normalizing the overlapping portions to a common reference plane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of scratch removal from digitized images wherein a "scratched" portion of a digitized image which requires repair or noise removal, is identified and a binary mask is generated which distinguishes the defined "scratched" portion from the other portions of the digitized image. A repair window is defined which delineates the portion of the digitized image desired to be repaired of scratches or other noise. A sample window having the same dimensional attributes as the repair window, and preferably free of any scratch or other noise, is then defined. The sample window is preferably selected so as to be as close in resemblance to the repair window as possible.

Abstract: A method and system for compositing graphical images, wherein an advanced adjustment layer may be applied during a compositing process to a set of image layers 1 . . . n, or to any subordinate subset of such image layers. One or more adjustment layers are applied to an intermediate merged image, generated by compositing previous image layers, and the adjusted result is stored as a temporary image. The temporary image is then in turn composited with the intermediate merged image. Any remaining image layers are then composited in with the intermediate merged image to generate a final merged image. The invention allows a user to apply a vast array of effects without requiring significant new knowledge on the part of the user. For example, if there are "A" adjustments and "T" transfer modes, the present invention allows A.times.T effects which leverage existing knowledge of the user of only A+T functions.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for visually monitoring a scene and detecting motion of an intruder within the scene. A camera (C) continually views the scene and produces a representative signal. A processor (12) processes the signal and produces an image (f2) represented by the signal. This image is compared with a similar image (f1) of the scene from a previous point in time. Segments of the later image which differ from segments of the earlier image are identified. A discriminator (14) evaluates these segments to determine if the differences result simply from lighting changes, or the movement of an intruder within the scene. If caused by an intruder, an appropriate indication is provided. An algorithm is employed by which differences from one image to another caused by lighting changes, the effects of motion of objects established within the scene, noise, and aliasing effects are identified so as not to produce false alarms.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic image analysis method in which two images which have been recorded at different instants are analyzed and a transformation function is determined on the basis of the shifts of image sections, which transformation function describes the shift from one image to another. In order to enable exact determination of this shift, corresponding image sections are determined in the two images by histogram analysis.

Abstract: A method for combining a first digital image and a second background digital image, both images including pixels having color values, wherein the first digital image includes both a foreground region having foreground color values and a key color region characterized by a key color, as well as a mixed region where the pixel color values are a mixture of the foreground color value and the key color, includes determining a first control signal that indicates the relative proportions of the foreground color value and the key color for pixels in the first digital image; and segmenting the first digital image into a key color region and a non-key color region in which the non-key color region includes pixels in the first digital image that are not in the key color region.

Abstract: An image processing system and method for laser-printing a composite image containing a monotone image and a multi gradation-level image in a superposed fashion such that the contours of characters in the monotone image are well smoothed without degrading the multi gradation-level image. The multi gradation-level image remains a faithful reproduction of the original and the resultant composite image is improved.When receiving a composite image 2, an image processing system binarize the pixel values of the composite image 2, to reproduce a mono-tone image 8. At the same time, the system generates a multi gradation-level, N-fold density image 10 from the composite image 2. The mono-tone image 8 is subjected to a smoothing process to smooth the contours of characters. The pixels corresponding to a corrected pixel area 17 in the mono-tone image 8 of the N-fold density image 10 are converted into white pixels by masking the corrected pixel area.

Abstract: For encoding and decoding images of the luminance and the opacity which constitute the layer images divided by the front and back relations in the direction of eyes at high efficiency, the apparatus has a deformation analyzer to take the correlation of plane expressing the luminance plane and the opacity, and extract a deformation parameter which is expressed by the affine transformation and the block movement, and a deformation synthesizer which forms a predicted image from the decoding result of the previous frame and the result of the deformation analyzer, the predicted image being composed of the luminance plane and plane, respective difference being subjected to the error coding, and the output bit stream including the affine transformation parameter, the block movement parameter, the luminance plane error code and the plane error code.