Abstract: A plurality of PCS values are determined for a document having an area of interest containing critical data and a background image. Reflectance values distributed across the document are obtained and PCS threshold values corresponding to a plurality of locations on the document are stored in memory. Respective PCS values of a plurality of target portions of the surface are determined, each respective PCS value based on a reflectance value of the corresponding target portion and a reflectance value of a corresponding region located adjacent to the target portion, each of the regions being different for each target portion, each PCS value assigned a location representative of the location of the target portion, the size of the region being greater than the size of the target portion. The stored PCS threshold values are compared with the calculated PCS values to determine the acceptability of the background image.

Abstract: The boundaries of a scanned digital document are determined by identifying the largest connected component in the received digital document and assigning the boundaries of the largest connected component as the boundaries of the received digital document or by using a row by row and column by column analysis of the received digital document to identify horizontal and vertical bands in the digital image having pixels with a value opposite to the value of pixels of a background of the received digital document and assigning the horizontal and vertical bands to be the boundaries of the received digital document. These processes may be performed in series or parallel by a processor associated with a scanner that creates the digital document.

Abstract: A composite repair system and method for assisting in the repair of a cured composite part in which a damaged portion has been cut out and removed, exposing a plurality of composite plies and their corresponding composite ply edges. The composite repair system may comprise a light source to illuminate the ply edges, an image capturing device to obtain an image of the ply edges, and a computing device for processing the image of the ply edges and creating a map of the ply edges based on the image. The map may be used to manufacture filler plies having peripheral edges shaped to correspond with the composite ply edges for replacing the damaged portion of the composite part.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus to read image of rectangle shape document set on a setting board, is supplied capable of assigning correct edge image to an output image. In the image reading apparatus, a image data storing section stores image data reading area lager than the rectangle shape document; an edge feature extracting section extracts edge feature according to the image data; a rectangle feature extracting section extracts edge feature of side regions respectively corresponding to each side of the rectangle shape document according to the edge feature; a region selecting section selects two regions from the side regions; a coordinates calculating section calculates coordinates specifying position of straight lines representing four sides through using inclination information of the selected respective two regions; and a compounded-image outputting section replaces the feature region with frame image according to the coordinates, compounds the frame image with image data, and outputs the compounded image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for creating 3D content for an Oriental painting. The apparatus includes a 2D image analysis unit, a 3D information extraction unit, a content creation unit, and a 3D content conversion unit. The 2D image analysis unit receives previous knowledge information, and analyzes 2D information about at least one of an empty space, light and shading, and a composition of an image of the Oriental painting based on the previous knowledge information. The 3D information extraction unit extracts 3D information about at least one of a distance, a depth, a viewpoint, and a focus of the Oriental painting image. The content creation unit creates content for the Oriental painting image based on the analysis information and the 3D information. The 3D content conversion unit converts the content for the Oriental painting image into 3D content based on the 3D information.

Abstract: Provided is a smoke detecting apparatus capable of detecting occurrence of smoke at high sensitivity while suppressing an effect of disturbance. The smoke detecting apparatus for detecting occurrence of smoke by subjecting an image captured by a monitoring camera to image processing includes: an image memory (10) for storing a plurality of images captured by the monitoring camera in a time series; and a smoke detection area selecting portion (20) for calculating a luminance histogram of the same pixel for each predetermined pixel a plurality of times in a past predetermined period based on the plurality of images stored in the image memory (10), detecting presence or absence of a luminance value that has been newly generated due to occurrence of one of an intrusive object and smoke based on the luminance histogram, and identifying candidate regions to be subjected to the image processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an image analysis system for detecting compliance with requirements for using personal protective equipment (PPE). An image capturing device may be used to acquire an image of an individual requesting entry into a restricted area. In turn, a PPE analysis tool may be configured to analyze the image to detect the presence of the PPE, e.g., by recognizing markings made using UV fluorescent dye, reflective ink, or other marking materials visible in the captured image and/or the physical shape of the PPE. The image analysis tool may be further configured to demine not only whether the required PPE is present, but also determine whether the PPE is being worn correctly by the individual requesting access to the restricted area.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a first camera image of a 3D object having sensor markers, captured from a first location, at a first instance, receiving a second camera image of the 3D object from a second location, at a different instance, determining points from the first camera image representing sensor markers of the 3D object, determining points from the second camera image representing sensor markers of the 3D object, determining approximate correspondence between points from the first camera image and points from the second camera image, determining approximate 3D locations some sensor markers of the 3D object, and rendering an image including the 3D object in response to the approximate 3D locations.

Abstract: Methods are apparatuses are described for identifying a target object using optical occlusion. A head-mounted display perceives a characteristic of a reference object. The head-mounted display detects a change of the perceived characteristic of the reference object and makes a determination that a detected object caused the change of the perceived characteristic. In response to making the determination, the head-mounted display identifies the detected object as the target object.

Abstract: A system and method for character recognition with document orientation determination is shown. The method is a detection of simple page orientation based on a limited version of character recognition. The method includes binairizing an input image which has a plurality of alphanumeric characters with a first orientation. The method continues with extracting the connected components and determining a second orientation where the second orientation is based on a 90° turn clockwise or counterclockwise or, in the alternative, no turn from the first orientation. The second orientation will result in a 180° variance from the proper orientation or it will be the proper orientation. The method continues with implementing a limited version of optical character recognition for an analysis of a character and determining if that second orientation is upside down, based at least in part on the analysis. This method generally uses the character “i” for analysis.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an electronic endoscope that picks up a measurement object and produces a picked-up-image signal; an image-processing unit that produces a image signal based on the picked-up-image signal; and an measurement processing unit that undertakes measurement processing to the measurement object based on the image signal. The measurement processing unit includes: a reference point-designating unit that designates two reference points on the measurement object; an approximate-outline—calculating unit that calculates an approximate outline by approximating the outline of the measurement object based on the reference points; and a loss-composing points-calculating unit that calculates loss-composing points that constitute a loss outline formed on the measurement object based on the reference points and the approximate outline. This enables loss size measurement upon designating two reference points, thereby reducing complex operations and improving operability.

Abstract: Facilitating analysis of one or more mammography images on a review workstation is described. A point or region of interest is identified in a first mammography image of a human breast. The distance between the point or region of interest and a point of reference, preferably the breast nipple, on the first mammography image is determined. A locus of points in a second mammography image of the breast is calculated, the locus of points representing potential locations corresponding to the point or region of interest in the first mammography image, and the calculation being based at least in part on the distance between the point or region of interest and the point of reference. The locus of points is then highlighted a user so as to facilitate a determination by the user of one or more locations in the second mammography image corresponding to the point or region of interest in the first mammography image.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sorting seeds based on identified phenotypes of the seeds. In various embodiments, the system includes an optics and controller station structured and operable to collect image data of a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of side portions of each respective seed in a set of seeds, and to analyze the collected image data to determine whether each seed exhibits a desired phenotype. The system further includes a seed loading, transporting and sorting station structured and operable to singulate each seed of the set of seeds from a plurality of seeds in a bulk seed hopper, transport the set of seeds to the optics and controller station, and selectively sort each seed to a respective one of a plurality of seed repositories based on whether each respective seed exhibits the desired phenotype.

Abstract: Images of items of jewelry having gemstones embedded therein are imaged and analyzed to determine the weights associated with the gemstones and, separately the precious metal in which the gemstones are encased without having to remove the gemstones from the jewelry.

Abstract: There are described methods and apparatus for assessing sediments generated in liquid-based systems. The methods involve optically obtaining information to enable height and, thus, volume data relating to sediments to be measured. Although single samples of liquid-based systems may be processed the methods are particularly suited to processing multiple samples to obtain data relating to sediments at a high rate. The apparatus includes automated handling equipment to enable samples to be moved between workstations and relative to associated optical equipment that is used to obtain information relating to the sediments.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an original image; dividing the original image into a plurality of pixel blocks; forming a scrambled image by rearranging the plurality of pixel blocks; and forming a markup language description to display the original image from the scrambled image. Each pixel block may represent a rectangular region of the original image. The markup language description may be an HTML description.

Abstract: The characteristic variations of a printer largely influence the recognition precision of code information, and the recognition precision of code information appended to printed matter cannot often be guaranteed depending on printers. To solve this problem, a printer forms a predetermined chart, and the image forming characteristics of the printer are detected from the code information recorded on the chart. A generation method of generating code information obtained by encoding information to a regular sequence of a pixel cluster is controlled in accordance with the image forming characteristics.

Abstract: Image-based features may be significantly correlated with click-through rates of images that depict a product, which may provide a more formal basis for the informal notion that good quality images will result in better click-through rates, as compared to poor quality images. Accordingly, an image assessment machine is configured to analyze image-based features to improve click-through rates for shopping search applications (e.g., a product search engine). Moreover, the image assessment machine may rank search results based on image quality factors and may notify sellers about low quality images. This may have the effect of improving the brand value for an online shopping website and accordingly have a positive long-term impact on the online shopping website.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides techniques and systems for determining modeling parameters for a photolithography process. During operation, the system can receive a layout. Next, the system can determine an iso-focal pattern in the layout. The system can then determine multiple aerial-image-intensity values in proximity to the iso-focal pattern by convolving the layout with multiple optical models, wherein the multiple optical models model the photolithography process's optical system under different focus conditions. Next, the system can determine a location in proximity to the iso-focal pattern where the aerial-image-intensity values are substantially insensitive to focus variations. The system can then use the location and the associated aerial-image-intensity values to determine an optical threshold and a resist bias. The optical threshold and the resist bias can then be used for modeling the photolithography process.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a video surveillance system to learn to recognize complex behaviors by analyzing pixel data using alternating layers of clustering and sequencing. A combination of a self organizing map (SOM) and an adaptive resonance theory (ART) network may be used to identify a variety of different anomalous inputs at each cluster layer. As progressively higher layers of the cortex model component represent progressively higher levels of abstraction, anomalies occurring in the higher levels of the cortex model represent observations of behavioral anomalies corresponding to progressively complex patterns of behavior.

Abstract: A dynamic noise filter is disclosed, which includes a noise estimation circuit, a TNR filtering circuit, a SNR filtering circuit, a blending circuit and a motion estimation circuit. By performing noise estimation for each image, the invention dynamically adjusts the strengths of the TNR filter and the SNR filter as well as a blending ratio between the outputs of the TNR filter and the SNR filter, thereby obtaining the best image quality.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a transmitter (24, 25), a receiver (24, 25, 21), and a controller (20) for directing the transmitter and the receiver to scan an object in a volume. The controller determines which sub-volumes of the volume the object is located within and then performs a fine scan in those sub-volumes. This reduces overall scanning time. The controller (20) may compare a received signal sample magnitude from the initial scan with a threshold to make the decision. The initial scan may be performed with a spot size to include only one or more particular volume elements within at least some of the sub-volumes.

Abstract: An edge detection method and apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: calculating a pixel gradient value for each of a plurality of pixels of a digital image, the pixel gradient value representing the difference of a pixel value with respect to at least one neighbouring pixel; for each of a plurality of binarization threshold values, determining a corresponding edge map representing the location of pixel gradient values exceeding the binarization threshold value with respect to a side of the digital image; for each edge map, computing a measure of linearity; determining an optimal binarization threshold value based on the computed measures of linearity; and selecting the edge map corresponding to the optimal binarization threshold value.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first image generation unit configured to scan a document set with one edge aligned with a reference position of a document positioning plate to generate a first image, a second image generation unit configured to scan the document set with a second edge, side opposite to the first edge, aligned with the reference position of the document positioning plate to generate a second image, a detection unit configured to perform matching processing to match image data of the first image with image data of the second image to detect an offset between the first image and the second image, and a determination unit configured to determine a size of the document based on the offset detected by the detection unit. The second edge may be opposite the first. Alternatively, corners may be used instead of edges.

Abstract: An image measuring apparatus for enhancing an accuracy of an image captured by an optical system and a method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus includes a CCD camera for capturing the object and outputting the captured image, a lamp for generating white light to illuminate a capturing area of the object, an illumination controller for controlling the lamp to be turned on, a piezoelectric actuator for controlling a minute height of the optical system with respect to the object, an image capturing device for acquiring the image captured by the CCD camera, a driving signal generator for outputting a driving signal to the illumination controller and the piezoelectric actuator when an enable signal is generated from the CCD camera, and an image signal processor for estimating height information of the object from data transmitted from the image capturing unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for image analysis and in particular may relate to the detection of cross-fades in film or video sequences. The invention relates in particular to a method of analysing an image of a sequence of images to determine a cross-fade measure based on determined temporal picture information transitions associated with picture elements of the image. In particular, the cross-fade measure may be determined based on the extent to which the temporal picture information transitions are uniform. The method and apparatus of the invention can provide a measure of likelihood of a cross-fade in a single pass. In addition the described method can be accomplished in real-time or close to real-time. In addition the cross-fade detection results are comparable with, or better than, the results achieved by the prior art methods.

Abstract: A claims and repair process including collecting accident information at birth of an accident, electronic communication to a remote site, and posting information for selecting repair and supplier parties, such as by a bid process. Any of a PDA, a mapping system, or a data collection system installed on the vehicle collects accident information at the accident site, on a tow truck, or at a facility. A PDA with a digital camera may be provided for collecting digital images. Wireless communications may be used to transfer accident information for expedited processing. A claims estimate may be made by a claims adjuster or claims wizard. An aggregate database may be employed by the claims wizard to facilitate damage assessment. The claims wizard may work interactively with a PDA device for improved data collection. Tow trucks may be dispatched to transport rental, damaged and repaired vehicles to reduce insured's involvement.

Abstract: The visual line estimating apparatus 200 comprises: an image inputting section 201 operable to take an image of a human; a visual line measurement section 202 operable to measure a direction of a visual line on the basis of the taken image; a visual line measuring result storing section 211 operable to store therein visual line measuring results previously measured; a representative value extracting section 212 operable to extract a previous representative value; and a visual line determining section 213 operable to judge whether or not a difference between the representative value and the visual line measuring result is lower than a predetermined threshold to determine a visual line estimating result from the representative value and the visual line measuring result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and a program that are capable of more appropriately evaluating the image-capture state of an image. A blur degree score calculation unit 23 through to a chroma score calculation unit 27 extract a feature quantity of a pre-specified feature from an input image, and calculate a feature-by-feature score indicating an evaluation for the input image on the basis of the feature. For example, the luminance score calculation unit 24 extracts, as a feature quantity, a luminance value from the input image, and calculates a luminance score indicating an evaluation based on the distribution of the luminance values in the subject portion of the input image. The overall score calculation unit 28 calculates an overall score indicating the evaluation of the image-capture state of the input image from each feature-by-feature score.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the measurement and/or for the specification of the perceptual intensity of a visual image, or the perceptual distance between a pair of images. Grayscale test and reference images are processed to produce test and reference luminance images. A luminance filter function is convolved with the reference luminance image to produce a local mean luminance reference image. Test and reference contrast images are produced from the local mean luminance reference image and the test and reference luminance images respectively, followed by application of a contrast sensitivity filter. The resulting images are combined according to mathematical prescriptions to produce a Just Noticeable Difference, JND value, indicative of a Spatial Standard Observer, SSO. Some embodiments include masking functions, window functions, special treatment for images lying on or near borders and pre-processing of test images.

Abstract: A processing apparatus configured to output an event according to a result of comparison between a size of an object detected within an object detection region of a video image and a threshold value includes a setting unit configured to set the object detection region, a determination unit configured to determine the threshold value based on a size of the set object detection region, and a display control unit configured to cause a detection region figure indicating the object detection region, and a detection size figure with a size corresponding to the determined threshold value to be superimposed on the video image.

Abstract: A method of re-locating an object in a sample is provided for a previously-scanned slide having determined objects each with corresponding stored coordinates and a stored image, the objects being mapped relative to each other. The slide is positioned on a microscope stage, stored images of the objects are visually displayed, and a target object is selected. The slide is moved to an estimated coordinate position, corresponding to the coordinates of the target object, and a field-of-view image of the sample is captured for comparison to the stored image of the target. If the target is in the image, an offset between actual coordinates of the located target and the stored coordinates of the corresponding object is determined. The slide is then moved, via the stage, from the estimated coordinate position, according to the offset, to center the target in the image. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A device and method for image manipulation is provided. The image manipulation may be performed as a function of a three dimensional user input and image or application specific data regarding the displayed image to be manipulated. The three dimensional input may be in the form of a two dimensional position on a touch screen and a measured force in the third dimension. The image or application specific data may be in the form of a maximum depth value indicating the maximum depth of the displayed image. The system may be configured to adjust the image based on a percentage of the measured user input force and a threshold force. The image may be adjusted based on the percentage and the maximum depth.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing a normal cell from an abnormal cell, such as, for example a cancer cell or diseased cell, of the same tissue type using mitochondrial correlation microscopy.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.

Abstract: A method and system for detection and tracking of osteoporosis is disclosed. A method of characterizing an image of a target vertebra includes building a computer model from a set of sample images of pathological and non-pathological variations of vertebrae representing variations in shape of the vertebrae. The method also includes receiving an image of a target vertebra of a subject and automatically estimating contours of lateral outlines of the superior and the inferior cortical endplates of the image. The parameters of the model are varied to determine a set that represents a model shape that approximates the estimated contours of the outlines of the cortical endplates. The method includes automatically characterizing the target vertebra based on the set of model parameters that are determined and outputting on a display device the characterization of the target vertebra.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: image acquiring means for acquiring an image; search-window-size setting means for setting a size of a search window; search-range setting means for setting a search range in the image in relation to the set size of the search window; scanning means for moving the search window having the set size in the set search range; face-area determination means for determining whether the image in the search window at each scanning position is a face area; and face-information output means for outputting information of the face area obtained from a determination result of the face-area determination means.

Abstract: A method and system for setting image analysis parameters to control image analysis operations. The method and system include collecting set of digital training images including a set of states for the set of digital training images. An objective function is defined to determine a relative quality of plural different parameter sets used for digital image analysis. Values for the plural different parameter sets that maximize (or minimize) the objective function are determined. The method and system increases a usability of high content screening technologies by reducing a required level of expertise required to configure digital image processing.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to generate a visual bookmark for a home design product based on a selection of the home design product from a website and extracting information about the home design product from the website. The method also includes categorizing the home design product based on the information and generating the visual bookmark for the home design product, the visual bookmark comprising an image of the home design product and information related to the home design product.

Abstract: This patent application relates generally to systems, methods, and computer program products for home and/or landscape design. This application also relates to scrapping and extracting information from websites and converting this information into 2D CAD (computer-aided design) drawings and 3D CAD models.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device which is able to reconstruct a high-resolution (HR) picture from low-resolution (LR) pictures, by modifying instability in the pictures due to movement of hands in capturing the images, and also by preventing increase of a circuit size and processing amounts required for motion estimation between the pictures. In the image processing device, a motion estimation unit reads the LR pictures from a memory, and estimates respective motion vectors between the pictures. A stabilization parameter calculation unit calculates a stabilized global motion parameter based on the motion vector. A motion vector compensation unit stabilizes the motion vectors calculated by the motion estimation unit, using the stabilized global motion parameter. A picture integration unit combines (integrates) a target picture and reference pictures with sub-pixel precision, using the stabilized motion vectors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for associating an image with a communication characteristic are disclosed. According to one method, a content characteristic of a first image is identified. A communication characteristic of a communication associated with the first image is identified. The content characteristic is associated with the communication characteristic. The content characteristic of the first image is identified in a second image. The communication characteristic is associated with the second image based on the association between the content characteristic and the communication characteristic.

Abstract: A system for performing a three dimensional stereo measurement that uses a sensor for obtaining a sensor image of a scene, and a database for providing first and second reference images of the scene that are a stereo pair of images. At least one processing system is responsive to an output of the sensor and in communication with the database. The processing system registers the sensor image with the first reference image, and also selects a point of interest from one of the sensor image and the first reference image. The processing system performs a stereo point measurement from the selected point of interest and the first reference image to determine a point in the second reference image that represents a stereo mate of the selected point in the first reference image.

Abstract: An image processing device is provided where it is possible to determine a reproduction form of preview moving images in an expression form which does not currently exist which is determining the reproduction form of the preview moving images using a comic which are elements of the base moving images in two dimensions by arranges panel images of base moving images in a comic region and determining the reproduction form of the preview moving images according to the comic panels arranged in the comic region, and it is possible to impress expressiveness.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter describes a novel technique to measure the beam profile using an area detector. In one embodiment, a set of one-dimensional beam profile measurements is performed by taking two images under the same source conditions but at two different positions of the detector, with each position of the detector shifted by a certain distance in the direction corresponding to the direction of the one-dimensional profile measurement. In further embodiments, a set of two-dimensional beam profile measurements is achieved by determining a second set of one-dimensional profiles from the same sampling points in a second direction and building a two-dimensional map of the beam profile by correlating the first one-dimensional profile measurement with the second one-dimensional profile measurement.

Abstract: A method of detecting generally rectangular objects in an image comprises determining candidate rectangles in the image based on detected corners in the image, ranking the candidate rectangles on the basis of a set of differentiating factors and detecting objects in the images based on the ranked candidate rectangles.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that determines tilt angles of an image, coordinates of points in the image are each transformed into a distance ? and an angle ?, and votes are cast to a vote table having the distance ? and the angle ? as headers. A predetermined number of points having numbers of votes ranked high are extracted from the vote table, and an extraction angle ?x is determined to achieve maximum consistency with angles ? at the predetermined number of points, and the tilt angles of the image are determined based on the determined extraction angle ?x.

Abstract: A driving method used for a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes: imaging an object for a first storage time when a shutter is open, in a first state that is a state where either at least a part of the peripheral circuitry is suspended or a consumption current of the peripheral circuitry is limited; imaging, in the first state, a dark output signal image including only a dark output for a second storage time when the shutter is closed; converting the dark output signal image to correspond to the image obtained for the first storage time and subtracting, from the signal image of the object, the converted dark output signal image or converting the dark output signal image to correspond to the image obtained for the second storage time and subtracting, from the signal image of the object, the converted dark output signal image.

Abstract: The present system combines image morphing technology, exercise programming, supplement sales, and motivational techniques into one product. Users begin by entering their current measurements, measurement goals and current picture into the system, preferably via a Web site. The picture is segmented into body components, and each affected segment is morphed based upon the measurements, goals, and the segment's responsiveness to weight loss in order to create a modified image representative of the user in a post-regimen condition. This system helps health and fitness businesses obtain new members and retain existing members by showing the members how they will look after following a specific regimen of diet and/or exercise. The system also predicts health risks of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke associated with the user's pre-regimen and post-regimen conditions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an addition intensity calculation unit which calculates an addition intensity on the basis of a difference between first image data included in a plurality of pieces of image data obtained through sequential shooting and second image data included in the plurality of pieces of image data; and an addition processing unit which performs addition processing of the first image data and the second image data on the basis of the addition intensity.