Abstract: An image forming apparatus has functions of tilt adjustments to a mirror for reflecting a laser beam and outputting an image after registration of a plurality of images.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic two-dimensional picture includes a display unit having a flat image display screen for displaying a two-dimensional picture containing a stereoscopic image and an image transmitting panel placed parallel to and apart from the image display screen. The image transmitting panel has a microlens array of a plurality of lenses and an effective area larger than that of the stereoscopic image contained in the two-dimensional picture, and a lens frame area surrounding a perimeter of the effective area of the microlens array. The image transmitting panel generates an image-formation plane for displaying a real image of the two-dimensional picture in a space located on an opposite side to the display unit with respect to the microlens array. The apparatus also includes a stereoscopic frame for defining a space for accommodating the image-formation plane.

Abstract: Methods and procedures for improving the performance and reliability of image analysis within an image identification system include a series of image qualification functions designed to quickly process a fraction of available image data and to provide feedback to a system user pertaining to image quality and authenticity. Functions designed to produce image models based on original image data and to catalogue such image models into a searchable database are included in the present invention. The present invention also includes functions for comparing one image model to another. Finally, the present invention provides functions for making a quick determination as to which, if any, of a potential thousands (or more, i.e., millions) of image models within a searchable database exhibit a desired level of similarity, as compared to a target image model.

Abstract: A device for creating a panoramic image from a plurality of images taken by a digital camera. The device comprising: an input for receiving a current image which is updated in real time when a digital image capture mechanism coupled to the input is repositioned. The device further includes a preview generator for warping or mathematically adjusting perspective of a portion of a stored previous image so as to generate an overlap portion for optimal alignment by a user of the overlap portion to the current image therewith. The warped overlap portion of the stored previous image along with the current image is presented to a viewfinder. In an alternate embodiment, a method and computer readable medium corresponding to the above system is described.

Abstract: The positional offset of an image is corrected without performing any processing for the setting of a reference position with respect to a document image, e.g., the setting of markings. Pieces of information about a reference image, including a reference position, are stored in a predetermined storage unit. Information about the input image is extracted from the input image, and a target position on the input image is calculated on the basis of the extracted information. In addition, a reference image with respect to the input image is specified on the basis of the information about the input image from the predetermined storage unit. The positional offset of the target position with respect to the reference position of the specified reference image is calculated. The positional offset of the input image with respect to the reference image is corrected on the basis of the calculated positional offset amount.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is, when transferring a group of character data to an area, if there are the characters which are left since they are more than the area can receive due to the size of the area or the format, to prevent those characters from being left not arranged and to simplify the manipulation therefor. In order to attain the above object, when arranging the character data in the area which is specified in order to output the character data therefrom, any of the characters which are left since they are more than the area can receive is extracted to be stored in another area, whereby it is made possible to display only those characters in another area, an area having an empty display area contained therein, or the like. In addition, it is made possible to discriminate, every area, that there are such overflow characters.

Abstract: An image comparison method and an interpolation method to determine the image offset corresponding to the extreme value of the comparison contributes to systematic errors in estimating the displacement of the surface from the images. The systematic errors are rejected by correlation-based comparison systems and methods which reduce the curvature of the correlation function for offsets that bound the extreme value, and by interpolation systems and methods that are relatively insensitive to the asymmetry of the correlation function value points selected as the basis for the interpolation. These systems and methods allow fast, highly accurate, displacement determinations using relatively simplified calculations and relatively few correlation function value points.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for measuring pitch in data obtained from metrology and imaging systems is provided. A data set from a metrology or imaging instrument is obtained. The data set is converted into digital format if not already in that format. The digitized data set is mapped into a one-dimensional profile data if the digitized data set is not already one-dimensional. The one-dimensional profile data denoted by f(x) is a function of x position values corresponding to equally spaced or nearly equally spaced pixels. A criteria function g(T) is constructed as a one-dimensional data array from the profile data f(x) or any of its derivatives and a translation of the profile data f(x) denote by f(x+T) or any of its derivatives. Here, T represents the amount of translation, and g(T) is a function of T translation values corresponding to equally spaced or nearly equally spaced pixels.

Abstract: The position of sheets in a printing press is measured. A problem in transporting sheets through the printing press is how to guarantee the correct orientation and lay of the sheets, which must be guaranteed particularly in the printing operation. There is provided a device for precisely determining and correcting the positions of sheets in printing presses. Margin regions of a sheet are respectively imaged, projection data are transmitted to a computing unit, and the position of the sheet is calculated with the aid of the projection data by way of an image recognition algorithm. Furthermore, the computed positions of the sheet are compared to positions which are stored in the computing unit, and from the comparison, position deviations are computed, which are transmitted to the printing press and corrected by way of a sheet registration device.

Abstract: A method for geometrically analyzing motion having the steps of: choosing a set of points having at least three individual points to define a single realization of a motion; sequentially collecting Cartesian coordinates of the set of points at different times during the motion from a start point to an end point; treating the collection of sets of points as a sample of the motion; and transforming the sets of points at the different times to a common coordinate system thereby defining a trajectory of the motion.

Abstract: A method is provided for the orthocorrection of a satellite-acquired image. This method can be applied even if ground control points are not set. Without propagation of an error throughout the image and also without needing an excessively large amount of calculations, the method makes it possible to correct ground-relief-associated distortions caused by the relief of a ground surface. According to the method, a plurality of control planes of different elevations are set relative to a control plane of a zero elevation of a reference rotating ellipsoidal earth model. A corrected image is divided into blocks by lattices of equal intervals. With respect to each of these blocks, distortion model formulas in the form of bilinear functions are determined for the respective control planes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a picture-processing apparatus and method for finding a point A (xp, yp) on a projection drawing showing a first surface as a point corresponding to a point a (−1/2, ye) on the left side of a square shape forming an expansion drawing of the first surface and a point B (xp′, yp′) on the projection drawing as a point corresponding to a point b (1/2, ye) on the right side of a square shape forming an expansion drawing of a second surface adjacent to the first surface on the basis of a predetermined transformation relation. On the expansion drawings, the point a coincides with the point b. The transformation relation is corrected by finding average coordinates ((xp+xp′)/2, (yp+yp′)/2) as the coordinates of a new point C located on the projection drawing and designated as a point corresponding to the point a (−1/2, ye), and using a pair of the point C and the point a (−1/2, ye) as a base for a new transformation relation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a source raster representation of an image, where the source raster representation of the image has an orientation relative to the source raster. The method includes partitioning the source raster into blocks of pixels based on the orientation, and for each block of pixels, calculating a destination location in a destination raster for the block of pixels and transferring the block of pixels to the calculated destination location in the destination raster, the destination location being calculated from the orientation.

Abstract: A method in a digital camera for image capturing at least two perspective images at a constant focal length from the digital camera, where both images share a common edge portion. The method including: recording a first image from a first perspective; displaying a preview of a second image from a second perspective; simultaneously with displaying the preview, presenting an overlapping edge region of the first image to allow alignment of the first image with the preview of the second image; and correcting the perspective of at least one image in an overlapping edge region. In an alternate embodiment, a digital camera and computer readable medium corresponding to the above method is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique that detects a pointing position, which is pointed with a pointing device having a light emitter, in a display image with a higher accuracy. A pointing position detection apparatus includes: a photographic image capture section that captures a photographic image by shooting the display image including a pointing image generated by light emitted from the light emitter of the pointing device; and a detection processing section that detects the pointing position in the display image according to a luminance property of the captured photographic image. The detection processing section first determines a threshold value, which is used to binarize the photographic image, according to the luminance property of the photographic image. The detection processing section then binarizes the photographic image using the determined threshold value, so as to generate a binary image.

Abstract: A resampling circuit and method where input sample values for samples arranged along a row of a source image are received by a row resampling circuit. The row resampling circuit calculates row output values which are provided to a column resampling circuit that calculates output sample values therefrom. The column resampling circuit includes a shift register that receives the row output values and shifts the row output values through the shift register as the row output samples are calculated. The shift register has a plurality of evenly spaced sample output terminals from which the row output values are sampled by an interpolation circuit for calculation of the output sample values.

Abstract: Physical objects, including still and moving images, are transformed into more compact forms for identification and other purposes using a method unrelated to existing image-matching systems which rely on feature extraction. An auxiliary construct, preferably a warp grid, is associated with an image, and a series of transformations are imposed to generate a unique visual key for identification, comparisons, and other operations. Search methods are also disclosed for matching an unknown image to one previously represented in a visual key database. Broadly, a preferred search method sequentially examines candidate database images for their closeness of match in a sequential order determined by their a priori match probability. Thus, the most likely match candidate is examined first, the next most likely second, and so forth.

Abstract: An image-recording apparatus 1 comprises image recording assembly 60 and a control section 40 having image-processing section 44. The image-processing section divides the image data indicative of the complete image into a plurality of image data pieces indicative of divided images, detects two adjoining divided-images that individually have a joint portion and adjoin each other at the respective joint portions, in the divided images indicated by the divided image data pieces and rotates one of the adjoining divided-images so as to make a recording direction of one of the adjoining divided-images opposite to a recording direction of the other adjoining divided-image. The control section controls the image recording assembly so that a recording medium carries in one direction during recording all divided-images. The divided images are recorded on the respective recording-media one by one to form a plurality of output images. The plurality of output images configure one complete image.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus including a plurality of processors 20, which generates a plurality of candidate status variable values as a candidate of status variable value at which the status of object image is fixed and which selects a status variable value having the highest consistency with the condition from among them, and an influence controller 10 obtains the status variable value from each processor to broadcast the obtained status variable value to all processors at the same time. Since each processor selects a status variable value having the highest consistency with the condition from among the plurality of candidates, an appropriate image can be obtained. Moreover, the processor can generate the status variable value at the next point in consideration of the status variable values of all processors sent from the influence controller so as to obtain an image in which a plurality of objects is influenced each other.

Abstract: A system and method for digitally rendering omni-directional images includes capturing images of a region 360 degrees about an origin point in a single plane, and assembling the images in a digital format to create a complete spherical image surrounding the origin point. The spherical image is projected onto faces of a cube surrounding the spherical image. Images which were projected on the faces of the cube may then be rendered to provide an omni-directional image.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for constructing a digital model of an object. The system includes an imaging system for generating object surface scan data from a plurality of surface scans, the surface scan data having a first resolution and representing the object from a plurality of viewpoints. The imaging system further generates image data having a second, higher resolution than the surface scan data for representing the object from the plurality of viewpoints. The system further includes a data processor for iteratively registering the surface scan data for the plurality of surface scans, using the image data, and for reconstructing substantially seamless surface texture data for the model using weights that reflect a level of confidence in the data at a plurality of surface points.

Abstract: A method of recognizing a character specifies a character in an image. Furthermore, the method of recognizing a character evaluates a symmetrical-ness of a shape of the character. Furthermore, the method of recognizing a character carries out an inclination correction process for the shape when the symmetricalness of the shape is detected.

Abstract: In an image processing method, a direction transforming process is performed on an image signal representing an image and in accordance with information giving specifics about an image recording technique. In cases where a marker pattern, which is represented by a marker signal, is to be appended to the image represented by the image signal, the direction and the appending position of the marker signal are determined in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique. The marker signal is appended to the image signal in accordance with the thus determined direction and the thus determined appending position of the marker signal. The marker signal is thus appended to the image signal in an appropriate state in accordance with the specifics about the image recording technique.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for observing a specimen image on a scanning charged-particle beam instrument in such a way that the original observational position can be automatically resumed after movement of a specimen or its image. When an image is observed at the original position after a specimen or its image is rotated or moved, a keyboard or a pointing device is operated to command reconstruction of the image. In response to this, the CPU of the instrument reads data from a memory that indicates the history of rotations and movements of the specimen and image. For example, if the specimen has been mechanically rotated, the CPU controls a rotational drive circuit according to the data read from the memory, the data indicating amounts and directions of rotations. The specimen stage is rotated through a given angle in a direction opposite to the previous direction. As a result, the specimen can be returned to the position assumed prior to the rotation.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes an original image data input unit 11 for receiving the original low resolution image data; a connection detector 13 for detecting a connection of a target pixel in the original image data and neighboring pixels; a rule application unit 17 for employing a relationship between a coordinate position of a pixel in the original image data and a coordinate position of a resultant pixel in the expansion image data to define a plurality of types into which the relationship can be sorted, and for applying a specific rule for the plurality of types; and a results output unit 19 for determining the value of the resultant pixel in accordance with the rule, and for outputting the expansion image data, wherein, when the connection detector 13 ascertains that the target pixel constitutes a one-pixel width line, the rule application unit 17 applies a rule that will maintain the one-pixel width even in the expansion image data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for automatically scaling an image, comprising initially scanning an original image at an initial scanning resolution, detecting the relative positions of lateral edges of the original image, determining the width of the original image based upon the positions of the lateral edges, making an initial size presumption of the original image based upon the determined width, making a first scanning resolution determination based upon the initial size presumption, and continuing scanning of the original image based upon the first scanning resolution determination.

Abstract: A system modifies an image consisting of a plurality of pixels from a first scale to a second scale. The system determines an integer matrix that is independent of the values of the plurality of pixels of the image. The system also determines a first vector for a region of the first scale representative of a surface based on the coordinates of the first scale. Also, the system interpolates pixel locations in the second scale by scaling the coordinates of points of the first scale and computing a scaled second vector. A third vector is determined based, at least in part, upon the product of the first vector and the second vector, where the third vector has uneven scaling of its terms. A plurality of the terms of the third vector based upon a fractional scaling factor related to said uneven scaling and summing the components of the third vector.

Abstract: An image processing method is capable of generating an image containing graphics that are transformed without carrying out multiplying/dividing operations. Image data of a transformed graphic is generated from image data of a source graphic stored in an image memory, and also stored into a frame buffer. Coordinate values of points of the graphic being transformed are determined utilizing digital differential analysis (DDA) algorithm-based processes. Image data of a location specified by the horizontal and vertical coordinate values of each point on the source graphic is read out from the image memory, and written into the frame buffer as image data of each point on the horizontal line segment.

Abstract: A reference image for pattern recognition tasks is produced. Overlapping individual images are combined to form an overall image and the overall image is used as the reference image. This allows the size of reference images for fingerprints, for instance, which has hitherto been governed by the sensor area, to be increased. The recognition rate can thus be improved.

Abstract: A method for image stabilization of at least two digital images is disclosed. In such an embodiment, a first digital image having a plurality of pixels and at least a second image having a plurality of pixels are provided. Each pixel has an associated address for display and is representative of a color. Either a user of the system provides a color match range or the system provides a predetermined color matched range. A pixel is selected within the first digital image. Preferably the pixel is one that represents an item within the image that is either blurry due to movement of the item or appears jittery due to camera movement. Due to the vast number of available colors a pixel selected in a first image can be matched to a pixel in a second image within a range. The range allows for compensation due to lighting changes. Once the pixel in the first image is selected it can be compared to all pixels within the second image.

Abstract: An image processor containing an EPROM (38) stored with coefficient data for image enlargement and reduction, coefficient read controllers (40-44) for reading out coefficient data from the EPROM (38) according to an enlargement/reduction selection signal, a variable horizontal characteristic filter (16) for executing either image enlargement or image reduction according to the coefficient data, a variable vertical characteristic filter (18) also for executing either image enlargement or image reduction according to the coefficient data, a frame memory (20), a contour correcting circuit (14), and selectors (22-30). When image enlargement is selected by selectors (22-30), input video signals are processed by the contour correcting circuit (14), the frame memory (20), and the filters (16,18) in this order while, when image reduction is selected, input video signals are processed by the same in the reverse order.

Abstract: In an apparatus performing object-by-object coding by using coordinate position information (FMJpos) which indicates the positional relationship between a composite image coordinate system and an object coordinate system, and area position information (OBJpos) which indicates the position of a rectangle area in the object coordinate system, position disturbance information (pos offset) the value of which varies from frame to frame is generated, and the position disturbance information (pos offset) is superposed on the coordinate position information (FMpos) and the area position information (OBJpos) so that the position of the rectangle area corresponding to each object, which position is decided on the composite image coordinate system in accordance with these position information, does not change. Therefore, it is possible to make illegal reuse of an image signal corresponding to each object difficult, without degrading the image quality.

Abstract: The disclosed method uses empirically derived image quality data in order to determine an image resolution for a particular zoom and/or crop operation performed on an image. An acceptability value is specified for the image, e.g., a specific % acceptable, where the acceptability value relates to empirically derived image quality as perceived by a human viewer. Given selected input and output devices, an image resolution is then generated from a combination of the particular zoom and crop and the specified acceptability value. This resolution is specified as the image resolution, e.g., a minimally acceptable resolution, to produce the desired zoom and crop.

Abstract: In a method and system for calibrating a multiple cameras, a calibration object is placed on a turntable while a set of images is acquired with each camera while rotating the turntable. Vertices of a calibration pattern are located in each set of images, and intrinsic parameters for each camera are determined from the vertices. An orientation of a rotation axis of the turntable relative to a position of each camera is estimated from the intrinsic parameters of each camera. A dependency of each orientation on a global geometry of the calibration pattern is minimized. Then, one camera is selected as a fixed camera, all other cameras are designated as floating cameras. A translation vector between the fixed camera and each floating camera is determined, and the translation vectors are used to place the cameras in a common coordinate frame according to the translating vectors.

Abstract: It is possible for the present invention to carry out the inclination correcting by adding a simple constitution of shifting an image only in the main-scanning direction to that of the conventional image processing apparatus. The first line shifting means 65 shifts the image data in the main scanning direction by specific number of lines in the shifting amount corresponding to the inclined angle detected by the inclined angle detecting means 66. The first rotating means 85 rotates the image data stored in the first image memory 88 by 90 degree or 270 degree, and then interchanges the main-scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The second line shifting means 91 shifts the image data rotated by the first rotating means 85 in the main-scanning direction.

Abstract: A method of automatically positioning one or more images within a region. The method comprises of computing (101) a field at each image due to every other image, wherein the field at any image due to any other image is a function of the distance between any image and any other image and the surface area of that any other image. The method then computates (102) a net force exerted on each image by every other image, wherein the net force acting on any one image is a function of the field acting on the said any one image and a characteristic of the said any one image. The method then moves (104) each image a distance, which is a function of the net force acting on the image, in the direction of the net force.

Abstract: A method of doing meaningful modifications on an image is presented. These modifications can then be used in variety of applications related to image shape manipulation and similar shape retrieval. The method extracts macrofeatures and microfeature from a given shape. Deformations are done on the macrofeatures only. These deformations are either predefined, or are taken from a deformation library, or are calculated from the shape itself, The microfeatures are then added to the deformed macrofeatures to get a deformed shape. The shape deformations then allow user's perception of shape similarity to be learned, which is reflected in the values of parameters in a parameterized shape similarity metric. The user can use one of the deformed shapes as the initial query point, instead of the shape he or she started with.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pre-selecting pixels in data structures which demonstrate significant intensity and/or color gradients with respect to surrounding pixels, (tyically the result of depicted-object-edge-effects in the data structure), in “X” and/or “Y” and/or “Z” direction(s), and utilizing the pre-selected pixels in data structure characterizing spatial first and second central moment calculations, to the end that data structure characterizing vector(s) are constructed.

Abstract: This patent describes a print roll for use in an instant camera device, the print roll having a ink return tray for collecting excess waste ink from the printing process. The return tray can comprises a sponge-like strip affixed to a leaf portion of the print roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing plural pictures to generate a synthesized picture, in which plural images are synthesized by application of a geometrical model. An image processing apparatus 10 extracts feature points from each of two or more images. Feature points of one of the images and those of the other image or images are compared to each other to effect matching. Based on the results of this matching, computations are conducted to change the relative position of the one and the other images to synthesize the two or more images.

Abstract: An image fusion is carried out using a look-up table. The look-up table is addressed by the different kinds of images that will be used to carry out the fusion. Each address in the look-up table contains a precomputed image fusion between the two different kinds of images.

Abstract: An expanded-image generating apparatus is provided for original image data, in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, so as to obtain expanded-image data partitioned into a plurality of blocks, each of which is composed of a plurality of pixels When the magnifying power regarding at least one of a direction along width and a direction along length in the original image data is set, a pixel arranging processor arranges each pixel in the original image data at a position corresponding to a center position of each of the plurality of blocks in accordance with the magnifying power. The expanded-image data corresponding to the magnifying power is generated at pixel generating positions corresponding to the each block by applying a fluency transform to each pixel in the original image data at the position.

Abstract: In a method for aligning a spatial array of pattern pieces comprising a marker, a work material processing apparatus defining a support surface adapted to carry work material is provided and at least one layer of work is spread thereon. Images of said work material at a reference point and match point are captured and superimposed over one another these superimposed images being projected onto a display. One of said images of said work material at said reference point in said image of said work material at said match point is moved relative to the other to substantially align the images. The position of a matching pattern piece contained within the marker is then moved in accordance with the amount of relative movement to align the pattern of the sheet material within a boundary defined by the matching pattern piece with that defined by the reference pattern piece.

Abstract: The connected elements of an input image are obtained and grouped based on the relative positions of the connected elements and the similarity in thickness. Then, the character recognition level of a group is obtained by performing a character recognizing process. The obtained character recognition level is weighted by the area of a rectangular area. Using a total of the weighted values as an evaluation value of the group, the evaluation value is obtained for all combinations in all groups. The combination of the groups having the highest evaluation value is extracted as a character string.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing and registering a video image in multiple video fields of a video sequence provides accurate determination of the image change in magnification, rotation and translation between video fields, so that the video fields may be accurately corrected for these changes in the image in the video sequence. In a described embodiment, a key area of a key video field is selected which contains an image which it is desired to stabilize in a video sequence. The key area is subdivided into nested pixel blocks and the translation of each of the pixel blocks from the key video field to a new video field is determined as a precursor to determining change in magnification, rotation and translation of the image from the key video field to the new video field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing video data. The apparatus is composed of a plurality of reducers. A block is received, corresponding to a plurality of color space components and having a width defined by a plurality of pixels digitally represented by bytes. The video data is first reduced by performing power of two reduction. This is followed by fine scale reduction to achieve the final reduced image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shifting perspective in a composite image derived from a plurality of images including a first image as a center of projection, and a modified version of a second image that is corrected for perspective distortion relative to the first image. A user input specifies a change in perspective to make the second image the center of projection. In response, a transformation is determined for mapping reference points in the modified version of the second image to reference points in the original, uncorrected second image. The transformation is applied to each of the plurality of images in the composite image, and the transformed images are merged to form a second composite image that has the second image as its center of projection. The methods and apparatus can be implemented as an interactive tool capable of changing perspective based on a single user input.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention carries out specific image processing that emphasizes articulation of display with a varying degree of emphasis for respective sites of an image projected by a projector. A typical example of such image processing is sharpness adjustment. The degree of emphasis in sharpness adjustment at each site is specified, based on an elevation angle of the projector and a focalized position of the projected image. The technique of the invention thus readily prevents deterioration of the image quality due to out-of-focus state of the projected image.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a central control section, an image analysis section, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external memory section and a user operation input section. The central control section is connected to the image analysis section, the RAM and the external memory section via a bus. Based on image data prepared by an image input section, the image analysis section performs a process of specifying where on the display screen of a display section a portion specified by the image input section lies.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately mapping between camera coordinates and geo-coordinates, called geo-spatial registration. The system utilizes the imagery and terrain information contained in the geo-spatial database to precisely align geographically calibrated reference imagery with an input image, e.g., dynamically generated video images, and thus achieve a high accuracy identification of locations within the scene. When a sensor, such as a video camera, images a scene contained in the geo-spatial database, the system recalls a reference image pertaining to the imaged scene. This reference image is aligned very accurately with the sensor's images using a parametric transformation. Thereafter, other information that is associated with the reference image can easily be overlaid upon or otherwise associated with the sensor imagery.