Abstract: A virtual whiteboard is disclosed that employs a scanner as an input device of a communications system linking multiple remote participants across an Intranet or Internet in which a user writes directly onto the scanner's platen or on a clear plastic transparency on the scanner's platen with dry erase markers in the same manner a user would write on an overhead projector or a whiteboard. The scanner would then perform the scan and mirror the image from left to right and transmit an electronic signal representative of the scanned image to remote conference participants over the Internet or Intranet or other known signal transmission means.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of: detecting an inclination of image data; storing the image data for one line into a first memory; changing a reading timing when the image data is read from the first memory, according to the detected inclination, whereby correcting a shift in a main scanning direction; storing the image data for not smaller than 2 lines into a second memory; and changing a line position in a sub-scanning direction when the image data is read from the second memory, according to the detected inclination, whereby correcting a shift in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that generates image data from which it can be determined from the processed image what kind of processing has been performed on the image, and that enables bulge correction of the image and transformation of the image to be carried out with ease.

Abstract: Characters read as images at different angles and as mirrored images in accordance with scanning directions are detected by an character recognition procedure, and are converted into erecting images. Such character images have low character recognition rates, therefore, a character image is extracted from the scanned image, a rotated angle and an existence of mirroring in which the recognition rate becomes maximum are detected. Then, the same rotation and mirroring are applied to the scanned image, thereby capable of converting the scanned image into an erecting image.

Abstract: Circuit arrangements and methods for real-time image resizing and image rotation. Line buffers are used for storage of lines of pixel values for both resizing and rotation. A first one of the line buffers receives input pixel values, and the line buffers are coupled in a chain such that line buffer i receives pixel values from line buffer i−1. The lines of pixel values are moved from line buffer i to line buffer i+1 as the pixel values are processed for resizing or rotation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for deriving a digital watermark embedded in an image is provided which has a recognizing unit for recognizing a predetermined characteristic area in the image and a deriving unit for extracting the digital watermark from the image data in the recognized characteristic area.

Abstract: The density unevenness peculiar to a printer unit is corrected in advance in a reader unit regardless of selection of rotative or non-rotative processing of an output image. The counter instructs a pixel address, which corresponds to the rotative or the non-rotative processing of the output image, to a head shading gamma table number designation table. A table number is input from the head shading gamma table number designation table by a head shading gamma conversion table which stores a head shading gamma table corresponding to a characteristic peculiar to the printer unit and multivalue image data is density converted in accordance with the table number.

Abstract: A system and method provides visualization and layout schemes for a circular graphical user interface using global and local polar coordinate systems to display images. The system gives a user of the interface the full capability to relocate, re-orient, scale and layout images in the circular interface. Further, methods are provided to layout images in the Cartesian coordinate system, minimizing overlapping and crowding of images, and supporting users' focus in a group setting for group collaboration around the interface.

Abstract: Image data, for example, image data that was gradation processed and replaced with a raster image is stored in every page of a page memory. The image data stored in this page memory is rotated in the left or right direction by 90° at a specified angle. By this rotation of image data, pixels with positional relation changed from that before the rotation are corrected to come near to the positional relation before the rotation. Then, an image is formed based on image data with the corrected positional relation of pixels.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for improving the appearance of electronic images, and more specifically, to the efficient use of template rotation within a template matching process to enhance such images. The invention reduces the number of entries that are stored in a look up table by eliminating identical patterns that differ only by the angle at which they are output. The appropriate templates are then rotated it by the required angle for output subsequent to their retrieval from the lookup table.

Abstract: There is described image-processing methods, apparatus and programs, which make it possible to accurately determine an oriented direction of an image to be displayed as a single screen image, without requiring operator's assistances. The method includes the steps of: determining whether or not a personal image is included in the image, based on image signals representing the image; recognizing an oriented direction of the image, based on at least one of element-feature quantities with respect to constituent elements constituting the personal image, when determining that the personal image is included in the image in the determining step. The constituent elements include a shape of face, a positional relationship between both eyes, a positional relationship between the face and hair on a head, and a positional relationship between the face and a hand or a leg.

Abstract: A method to perform image transformations that are simplistic, conducive to miniaturization, and inexpensive to implement is provided. Transformations of an image stored in system memory are carried out by copying the image data, transforming the image data to a selected orientation, and outputting the transformed image for display, printing, or others. Throughout the transformation process, the image stored in system memory remains unchanged in the original orientation (T0-normal transformation). The transformation process is carried out by accessing in predetermined orders/sequences the image data copied from system memory to a frame buffer that is made up of N memory modules and arranged such that image data are stored serially with the image scan lines running the length of the frame buffer like that of a traditional frame buffer but with each memory module capable of being individually accessed.

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: A method and system for producing digital orthophotos from imagery acquired as full or sparse stereo. The orthophotos can be produced in a variety of map coordinate systems without the need to convert or recompute DEM or photogrammetric solution data. In one embodiment, a two dimensional, planimetric free-network solution, utilizing arbitrary datum definition constraints, is used to provide a transitory coordinate system that is used to facilitate the image measurement process. It is utilized as a preliminary step to refine apriori block layout information to facilitate point picking and to provide general quality control capabilities before undertaking a rigorous 3D photogrammetric adjustment. In place of a general map conversion transformation, an identity transformation can be used, so that map coordinates and world coordinates are identical.

Abstract: An image processing system which includes: a threshold table selecting unit for selecting one of a plurality of threshold reference tables in accordance with an angle of rotation for bit map data having an attribute of rotation to thereby generate a threshold; a gradation modulating unit for performing gradation modulation by use of the threshold generated by the threshold table selecting unit to thereby obtain gradation-modulated data; a buffer unit having a plurality of buffers and for storing the gradation-modulated data of the gradation modulating unit into the plurality of buffers; an addressing unit for designating respective storage addresses for the plurality of buffers of the buffer unit; a rotating unit for rotating the gradation-modulated data; and a storage unit for storing contents of the buffer unit into the addresses designated by the addressing unit and outputting the gradation-modulated data rotated by the rotating unit.

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 parallel, non-iterative, memory efficient method of determining image skew. A document skew angle is determined from a fast scan second order moment data set and a slow scan second order moment data set. A slow scan second order moment data set can be generated by receiving a current scanline of image data, updating columns sums for a set of rotation angles using scanlines within a buffer comprising a band having a predetermined number B of scanlines, and updating the buffer with the current scanline.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, comprises an image reader to read images of a document; a rotation processor to conduct a rotation processing for image data obtained through reading by the image reader in accordance with inclination of the document; a memory in which image data subjected to rotation processing by the rotation processor are stored; and an external inputting device to input arbitrary rotation angles. When the rotation angles are inputted from the external inputting device, the image data obtained through reading by the image reader are subjected to the rotation processing in accordance with the inputted rotation angle and are stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image processing device extracts resolution data from an input image data, and executes resolution converting processing on the input image data to provide longitudinal and lateral resolutions equal to each other when the longitudinal and lateral resolutions are different from each other. An inclination of the image having the longitudinal and lateral resolutions equal to each other is detected, and the image data having the longitudinal and lateral resolutions equal to each other is rotated in accordance with the inclination. Resolution converting processing is executed again on the rotated image data to restore the longitudinal and lateral resolutions to the original resolutions, respectively.

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: A system and method are provided for aligning a scanned document in a digital scanner. The method comprises: scanning a document to create a matrix of pixel information; averaging pixel intensity information into a first plurality of row-mean buffer elements, where each row strip includes information from a second plurality of column elements; and, averaging pixel information into a third plurality of column-mean buffer elements, where each column strip includes information from a fourth plurality of row elements; comparing adjacent elements of matrix row information to generate a first set of edge positions; comparing adjacent elements of matrix column information to generate a second set of edge positions; generating a rotation angle in response to analyzing the first and second edge positions; and, rotating the scanned document by the rotation angle.

Abstract: A method of processing image data elements derived from lifting an image of an item to reorient the image data elements comprises the steps of (a) selecting a first portion of the image data elements, (b) reorienting the first portion of the image data elements selected in step (a), (c) selecting a second portion of image data elements after the first portion of the image data elements has been reoriented in step (b), and (d) reorienting the second portion of the image data elements selected in step (c). Preferably, each of the selected first and second portions of image data elements is copied only once into level one cache memory.

Abstract: An improved method and computer program product for detecting an amount of rotation or magnification in a modified image, of the type including the steps of: a) embedding a marker image having a pair of identical features separated by a distance d and oriented at an angle &agr; in an original image to produce a marked image, the marked image having been rotated and/or magnified to produce the modified image; b) performing an autocorrelation on the modified image to produce a pair of autocorrelation peaks corresponding to the location of the features of the marker image in the modified image; and c) comparing the separation d and orientation &agr; of the autocorrelation peaks with the separation d and orientation &agr; of the features in the marker image to determine the amount of rotation and magnification in the modified image, wherein the improvement comprises the step of: d) preprocessing the modified image to have a constant standard deviation over all local regions in the image.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining the rotational orientation of an object. An image of the object is digitally captured. The digital image is filtered through an edge detection operation to enhance the edge information contained in the image. The filtered image is rotated through a series of incremental angles to produce a series of rotated images. Each rotated image is projected onto an x-axis and y-axis defined by pixel grid axes defined by the original image. The projection of the rotated images produces projected pixel counts formed by the summation of pixel value differences of the x-axis and y-axis on the projected image. For each rotated image, a score corresponding to the sum of the difference of gray-scale values for adjacent projected pixels is computed. The scores for the projections of each rotated image are plotted on a score-angle graph. A curve which includes the highest score and the neighboring next highest scores is interpolated to determine the peak score.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for rotating image data using a block-based approach, wherein for each of a plurality of blocks of image data that define an image, a translation vector is applied to the block to translate the block a desired angle of rotation about a rotation point, e.g., to translate an anchor position for the block from a source point to a destination point. In addition, the image data within the block is rotated according to the desired angle of rotation, such that when the rotated image data is stored at the destination point of the block, the image data within the block is effectively rotated to the desired position.

Abstract: A simple and robust method for determining the orientation angle of a scanned image or the angular orientation of an object in an electronic image based on using descriptors of the image and systems that implement the method are disclosed. A system including means for acquiring the electronic image, means for determining image centroid coordinates, means for obtaining second order moments corresponding to the image, and, means for determining an orientation angle of a principal axis of the image implements the method.

Abstract: System, method and program product for creating composite images. A layout template is generated that includes one or more composite image templates. Each composite image template includes at least one image area. An image can be associated with each image area to create the composite image. The composite image can be saved as an image file or the like.

Abstract: A combination automatic document feeder and scanner operates so as to detect automatically an over-sized sheet of media. A linear image sensor detects motion of the oversized document as it is being fed into the scanner in a portrait orientation. A control algorithm responsive to the image sensor functions so those first and second portions of the over-sized sheet are successively registered over the transparent platen of the scanner and scanned.

Abstract: A method for sampling a Bayer image having two dimensional planes of red, green and blue pixels, the method including the steps of: rotating the green plane by 45 degrees; sequentially sampling an m×m pixel block of the rotated image, where m is an integer greater than 1; providing an address for the m2 samples by determining a starting address for a first of the samples and thereafter applying a predetermined fixed sequence of offsets to obtain the addresses of the remaining samples.

Abstract: A method of reducing artifacts in printing a scanned image includes scanning an image using a scanner having a characteristic defect to produce a scanned image having a first characteristic defect direction. In addition, the method includes printing the scanned image using a printer having a second characteristic defect direction generally orthogonal to the first characteristic defect direction.

Abstract: A geometrical correction system and method comprising creation of at least one pattern consisting of asymmetric two dimensional waves, embedding at least one pattern consisting of asymmetric two dimensional waves in a real domain, and calculation of at least one geometrical transformation applied by way of extraction of the embedded two dimensional waves. Said creation of at least one pattern consisting of asymmetric two dimensional waves means to calculate a two dimensional wave parameter set for creating at least one pattern adapted for use in the geometrical correction system of this invention. Also, said embedding of at least one pattern consisting of asymmetric two dimensional waves in a real domain means to add the pattern to an original image.

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: According to an image data correction conversion circuit and a skew quantity correction method respectively according to the present invention, image data for predetermined lines is stored, the quantity of skew of the stored image data is measured, the number of blocks into which the image data is divided is operated based upon the quantity of the skew and a control signal for correcting and converting the image data based upon the operated data is output. A selector acquires image data the quantity of skew of which is corrected by selecting and outputting the stored image data for predetermined lines according to the control signal.

Abstract: A method and system are described that generate customizable reference atlases by automatically extracting relevant images from imaging studies of similar patients stored in an atlas database of archived imaging studies. Keying off user input as to the characteristics of the target patient currently under examination, the method and system identify archived volumes of patients images having similar characteristics, identifies relevant images from those collections, and processes those image to equate their intensity, contrast, and/or orientation with relevant target patient images. In addition, the disclosed method and system automatically extract relevant images from the patient's MR and CT imaging studies. Expert rules are used to infer the suspected abnormality and the anatomical location from structured input related to patient presenting condition.

Abstract: A system and method for object inspection that includes an image recognition program stored on a tangible medium for classifying and subclassifying regions of interest on an image. The image recognition program can be used in an image inspection system to determine defects on objects such as printed wiring assemblies. The image recognition program is executable to collect raw image data, segment out rectangular regions of interest that can be component sites defined by CAD data, preprocess each region of interest by scaling, gain and offset correction, and gamma correction, generating a set of image spaces for each region of interest using a set of spatial image transforms, generating features on the image spaces, scoring the features, comparing the feature scores to a knowledge base of feature scores to make a class determination for the features, generating a presence/absence decision confidence for the features, calculating a class determination and decision confidence for each region of interest.

Abstract: An image memory is used for rotation of image data, and to shorten processing time. An image data rotating method uses an image memory capable of storing n×n pixels, and, for consecutive two pages in image data with the same size of a plurality of pages to be rotated, reads image data in a former page written in said image memory from each storage area at each address of said image memory in a predetermined order of reading according to the angle of 90 degrees to be rotated every k pixels for one line and every k lines for all lines; and writes image data in the latter page in the same storage area at the same address of said image memory in the predetermined order.

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: A polar coordinate representation of a template image is projected onto the radius axis and rotation axis. Linear transformation of the radius projection provides multiple templates for rapid one dimensional scale search. Pattern matching of the angular projection onto the rotation axis facilitates rapid one dimensional pattern match for rotation variation. The invention overcomes the speed limitation of the normalized correlation template matching method when the pattern being searched is subject to rotation or size variation. A fast correlation method uses a weighted histogram sum to compute the correlation score.

Abstract: A method for rotating at least two-dimensional image records with non-isotropic topical resolution, in which a rotation of an image record is described using a rotation matrix; the rotation matrix is represented as a product of at least two shear matrices, each having exactly one element that is dependent on the angle of rotation, while their remaining elements are exclusively ones and zeroes; the matrix element, which is dependent on the angle of rotation, of at least one shear matrix is multiplied by a factor; and the rotation of the image record is carried out in Fourier space without interpolations and without forming an isotropic auxiliary record, by exploiting the displacement set of the Fourier transformation by implementing the shear matrices as displacements of line elements of the image record.

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: Pixel-level monitoring and reconfiguring of both text inter-word spacing and individual character widths minimizes undesirable moire′ channels and moire′-glyphs, and more particularly relates to operator-selected automatic intra-word space manipulation and automatic intra-character width manipulation to achieve a pleasing overall page effect with maximized freedom from moire′-maze and moire′-glyph visual effects, both in proportional spaced fonts and fixed-character-width fonts. Selective scrolling may be by black-spot instead of actual characters, to make the white moire′-effects stand out more clearly. The typesetter may alternate positive and negative, which is another way to emphasize the moire′-effects. A further sub-variant, called “blush,” causes graying of spaces which are so surrounded by characters that they cannot participate in moire′-effects. This emphasizes the actual moiré-effects.

Abstract: The present invention is in the area of gridlocking or sensor registration. Embodiments encompass systems of process and/or equipment to format tracks from more than one sensor to be compared or correlated by statistical and/or optical correlation techniques to provide coordinate transformations between one or more of the sensors based upon the objects or a subset of the objects tracked by each sensor. Embodiments may take into account determinations or calculations regarding tracks describing the same object by different sensors and may take into account errors in those determinations by comparing pairs of tracks associated with more than one object at the same or substantially the same time. Further, many embodiments comprise software that can execute on a laptop, desktop, or similar computer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing a source image that is output in a rotated or skewed orientation to a raster buffer. The source image includes a plurality of source samples arranged in source rows having a source direction. The raster buffer is oriented in a destination space and receives the rotated or skewed image as a series of samples in rows defined by a destination direction. The raster buffer provides rows of samples to a rendering device for rendering scan lines for output on a raster device. The method includes determining an angle between the source direction and the destination direction and adjusting the organization of the source samples to align source samples in scan rows where each scan line can be rendered from the raster buffer using at most a predetermined small number of scan rows.

Abstract: A method of correcting the tilt, or rotation, of a casually captured image is described. Having corrected the rotation of the original image, the image is cropped by determining a crop boundary by applying one or more rules of composition to the image. The resulting image is more satisfactorily composed compared with prior art methods.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing a size of an image. The invention comprises a system for rotating the image in a first direction using a rotation algorithm to generate an intermediate reduced image; a system for rotating the intermediate reduced image in a direction opposite the first direction using the rotation algorithm to generate a final reduced image; and wherein the rotation algorithm uses weighted sums of neighboring pixels in the image prior to rotation to calculate new pixel values. The invention may also comprise an enhancement system for boosting contrast of the final reduced image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for transforming image data from a present format to a requested format. A request for the image data is received wherein the request includes a requested format, the requested format includes a first plurality of parameters. A present format for the image data is determined in response to receiving a request for the image data, wherein the present format includes a second plurality of parameters describing the image data. The first plurality of parameters within the requested format is compared to the second plurality of parameters within the present format describing the image data, wherein each parameter within the first plurality of parameters corresponds to a parameter within the second plurality of parameters. Parameters from the first and second plurality of parameters are identified, wherein a match between a parameter within the first plurality of parameters and a corresponding parameter within the second plurality of parameters is absent.

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: The invention relates to a coding apparatus for embedding second data into first data without deterioration of the first data, and a decoding apparatus for decoding the coded data to the original first data and the second data without deterioration. The invention provides the coding apparatus which includes a memory for storing at least partial data of the first data and embeds the second data into the first data by performing rotation of the at least partial data stored in the memory in accordance with the second data; and provides the decoding apparatus in which at least partial data of the coded data embedded with the second data is rotated and a correlation with respect to peripheral data is calculated, so that the original first data and the second data are decoded in accordance with a rotation amount determined on the basis of the correlation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rotating images on a computer system is disclosed. The system includes a processor for accessing an image frame buffer using a set of CPU addresses, a memory for storing the frame buffer, a controller for directing the pixel data of the frame buffer to a display device using a set of controller addresses. The two sets of addresses are not necessarily the same. In fact, numerous advantages could be had from manipulating those two sets of addresses resulting in image rotation operations for the display device.