Abstract: The method, system, and apparatus of source statistics based intra prediction type is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes classifying a four-pixel square block in an edge class (e.g., may include a DC edge class, a vertical edge class, a horizontal edge class, a diagonal edge class, and/or a planar edge class) based on an edge classifier, classifying an eight-pixel square block having the four-pixel square block and other four-pixel square blocks as a homogenous class if the four-pixel square block and the other four-pixel square blocks of the eight-pixel square block belong to the edge class, assigning a direction to the edge class of the eight-pixel square block, and determining an optimal intra-prediction type through the classification such that empirical testing of all possible ones of the edge class and the direction is avoided when the homogenous class is identified.

Abstract: Methods and systems for multiple factor authentication combining eye tracking hardware with iris scanning. The resulting multiple factor authentication is a highly secure and highly accurate authentication procedure. Iris scanning provides excellent identification and eye tracking provides the information that the iris is live and provides identification capabilities based on the eye movement itself while enabling gaze-based password entry.

Abstract: Improved correlation techniques employ data from forward (template-to-reference) and reverse (reference-to-template) correlation to identify valid correlation peaks, enforce symmetry in correlation peaks, and/or combine forward and reverse correlation data. In embodiments, these techniques eliminate or reduce rms noise in a recovered signal peak location by enforcing correlation peak symmetry. The forward and reverse correlation methods described herein may be used for validation of correlation peaks, detection of outlier data points and improved interpolation, such as for higher accuracy localization of a peak center with sub-pixel resolution.

Abstract: In order to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method whereby a high quality output image can be consistently obtained, regardless of the order in which an operator sets the parameters for the performance of filtering, (I) a GUI module (9a) stores, in an input value storage area (9p) of a RAM, reference signs that are employed for first to fourth processes for the filtering of reduced image data, and (II) a filtering module (9f) refers to the reference signs in the input value storage area (9p) when performing the first to the fourth processes for the filtering of input image data, and obtains output image data.

Abstract: A method of transferring a code of a structured document including background and at least one set of foreground and mask, to an image reproducing unit which reproduces the structured document code into a document image, includes, for each set of the foreground and mask, performing control to give priority to code of the mask over code of the foreground.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and media for completing images are provided. The computer-implemented method receives images having holes, identifies the holes, and searches an image database to locate images that fill the holes. Also, the computer-implemented method generates a multiscale graph of the image to locate images that fill the holes at different resolutions. A guide image may filter the located images that fill the holes at the different resolutions. The images that fill the holes and match the guide are selected to complete the images.

Abstract: An image processor (24) includes an image processing section (04) which performs a blurring process on a given image data. The image processing section (04) is provided with an image data reduction part (04A), a spatial filter processing part (04B), and an image data expansion part (04C). The image data reduction part (04A) reduces the given image data at a predetermined reduction rate to generate a reduced image data. The spatial filter processing part (04B) performs a spatial filter process on the reduced image data reduced by the image data reduction part (04A) to generate a processed image data. An image data expansion part (04C) expands the processed image data processed by the spatial filter processing part (04B) at an expansion rate inverse of the reduction rate.

Abstract: An input video signal is encoded at a plurality of coding layers exhibiting different spatial resolutions. Decoded is a given signal coded at a lower coding layer lower than a specific coding layer among the plurality of coding layers to generate a decoded signal of the lower coding layer. Spatial interpolation is applied to the decoded signal of the lower coding layer to generate an upscaled decoded video signal. The spatial interpolation is an upscaling procedure to upscale the decoded signal of the lower coding layer into a spatial resolution of the specific coding layer. A spatial high-frequency components estimation and scale up procedure is applied to the decoded signal of the lower coding layer to generate a high-frequency components signal. The upscaled decoded video signal and the high-frequency components signal are subtracted from the input video signal exhibiting a spatial resolution of the specific coding layer to produce a predictive-error signal.

Abstract: A video display system, which enables users to navigate (by panning and zooming) throughout very large digital images. The digital images are stored on a disk drive in a proprietary file format (which is optimized for speed) and then viewed via a VGA connection. The system enables a user's ability to navigate throughout the entire image seamlessly. Instead of requiring a large amount of memory to display these images, the images are essentially transferred directly from the disk drive to video memory.

Abstract: In a method for producing three-dimensionally structured surfaces of objects as a reproduction of an original surface, the topology of the original surface is determined, and the data are used for controlling a machining tool. The determined topology and a random topology of a reproduction surface are brought closer to one another via a series of proximity comparisons until all items of height information of the reproduction surface are successively replaced by items of height information from the original surface, and that once an established similarity between the topologies of the reproduction surface and the original surface is obtained, the items of height information of the reproduction surface are provided for controlling the machine tool serving to machine the surface of the object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image is broken up into multiple regions or segments, where each segment may be of arbitrary shape, and a transform (multi-scale or otherwise) is applied on the set of segments. In another embodiment, pattern adaptive prediction is used when predicting the next finer level of the transform pyramid. The pattern adaptive prediction uses the parent grid to determine what geometry of a filter is to be used when predicting the child grid. At the boundaries of the domain, the pattern adaptive prediction can be coupled with the domain adaptive prediction technique.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an image transform apparatus and an image transform program which can reduce a computation load for transforming a luminance image to a brightness image. The present invention attains the object by performing wavelet resolution of the luminance image first to generate J pieces (J is an integer equal to two or more) of sub band images, transforming a luminance value of each pixel of the sub band images to a brightness impression value based on a predetermined relation between luminance and brightness impression, and then performing wavelet synthesis of K pieces (K is an integer equal to two or more; K?J) of sub band images having been subjected to the transformation of the luminance values to the brightness impression values, to generate a brightness image.

Abstract: A color tone setting window 100 that includes an ink color circle 110 is displayed in order to set a color tone of a monochrome image. By specifying a point Pcc in the ink color circle 110, intensities of color components representing three chromatic primary color inks are specified. The color component intensities representing three chromatic primary color inks are determined as parameters defining the color tone of the monochrome image in accordance with the position of the specified point Pcc in the ink color circle 110. The ink color circle 110 is configured such that the color component intensities representing three chromatic primary color inks can be visually recognized from the position in the ink color circle 110. Alternatively, ink color sliders can be used in lieu of the ink color circle 110.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and machine readable media for pixel transformations. One exemplary method includes: determining a state of a pixel format transformation, wherein a pixel format includes a predetermined number of pixel data components and a predetermined number of bits for each of the pixel data components and wherein the state includes a source pixel format and a destination pixel format and at least one intermediate pixel format; converting pixel data in the source pixel format to pixel data in the intermediate pixel format; and converting the pixel data in the intermediate pixel format to pixel data in the destination pixel format. In certain embodiments, a method includes building and compiling a function, at run-time, for the pixel format transformation based upon the state.

Abstract: A color conversion method of selectively adjusting input colors, and an apparatus to perform the method, the method comprising converting an input color signal to a color signal in a color space that is based on a luminance component and a chromaticity component; determining whether the input color signal of each pixel is in a particular gamut to which the color is converted, within the whole color gamut of a color reproducing apparatus; performing a color conversion of the input color signal according to a shape of the particular gamut using a reference color, which is a reference of a conversion amount of the input color signal and present in the particular gamut, and a target color which is converted from the reference color; and converting the input color signal, which is converted to the color space having the luminance component, to a color signal in a color space displayable on the color reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing system and method, in which an image processing operation is performed on a pixel or pixels by selecting and applying one of a plurality of implementations of the image processing operation. The plurality of implementations is varied from time to time, such that one or more of the implementations is replaced with a different implementation or implementations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for progressive multi-resolution three-dimensional image reconstruction using region of interest information. The method and system significantly reduces the amount of time required to display high quality three-dimensional fluoroscopic images by utilizing progressive multi-resolution image reconstruction techniques. In addition, by employing manual or automated selection of one or more regions of interest in which to focus the progressive image reconstruction, high quality 3D images of region(s) of interest may be obtained soon after image data acquisition.

Abstract: An image processing system includes at least one processor having a plurality of PCI Express channels and at least two application specific integrated circuits. The application specific integrated circuits are communicatively coupled to the at least one processor by a first of the plurality of PCI Express channels and a second of the plurality of PCI Express channels. Multiple threads of execution are split between the at least two application specific integrated circuits.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the invention includes: a plurality of processing units which share image processing; a parameter memory unit which holds a parameter specifying an operation of each of the processing units; and a control unit which controls the plurality of processing units, and the control unit includes: a sequence management unit which activates each of the processing units according to a sequence indicating a sequence of activation of and completion of processing by each of the processing units, and confirms completion of the processing; and a parameter setting unit which, in advance of activation of each of the processing units by the sequence management unit, reads a parameter for each processing unit to be activated, from the parameter memory unit according to a memory map indicating an address of the parameter for the processing unit, and sets the parameter to the processing unit according to the read result.

Abstract: According to the image processing apparatus, method and program of the present invention, images to be used can be automatically selected from inputted images for the number of images designated by a user. Moreover, a user can easily manually add an image to be used so that the number of images to be used is equal to or less than the number previously designated by the user.

Abstract: An image processor includes a memory that stores image layers, ?-layers associated with the image layers, and pointers linking image areas of the image layers with the ?-layer. A method for blending multiple image layers includes obtaining a transparency value for an image area by reading a pointer associated with the image area and blending the image layers using the obtained transparency value.

Abstract: A part object which forms a model object is disposed by receiving a disposition direction for the part object and updating slot state data indicating a disposition state of the part object in a part slot provided corresponding to each part object. When another part object has been disposed in the part slot corresponding to the part object for which the disposition direction has been issued, whether or not to update the slot state data of the part slot is determined based on priority information which determines disposition priority of each part object, and the slot state data is updated based on the determination result.

Abstract: Under the present invention, an image is progressively blurred to yield a set of (progressive) scaling levels. Once blurred, the edges of the image are detected so that each image segment can be identified on each scaling level. Once the segments are identified, like segments (i.e., segments having a like edge/Gaussian operator) on successive scaling levels are linked to yield a lattice structure that represents the perceptual organization of the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of imaging an interior of a turbid medium, a device for imaging an interior of a turbid medium, and a medical image acquisition device. A turbid medium is accommodated in a receiving volume (5), light from a light source is coupled into (10) and out of the receiving volume and detected (15) after which a dataset is obtained from the detected light (20). The dataset is then communicated to an image reconstruction algorithm (30) and an image of an interior of the turbid medium is reconstructed based on the detected light (35). According to the invention the dataset is changed prior to communicating the dataset to the image reconstruction algorithm into a further dataset (25), with a further dataset satisfying an input assumption underlying the image reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: Virtual views of a complex scene are produced for a user to view. The virtual views are substantially free from aliasing even when using a relatively sparse set of images of the scene. In a described implementation, a scene is split into one or more coherent layers. The boundaries of the coherent layers are propagated across a plurality of frames corresponding to the scene. The splitting may be further refined (e.g., in accordance with user feedback) to present a virtual view of the scene.

Abstract: A method for providing real time service of huge and high quality digital image on internet is disclosed, wherein data relevant to a general life such as a general photo, an advertising leaflet, and a pamphlet and professional image data exhibited in an art gallery, exhibition grounds, a pavilion are made into huge and high quality digital image or scanned and photographed to be digital, thereby processing real time service as an interactive browsing form. In the present invention, data are directly made, edited, constructed, and uploaded on internet, thereby providing various additional information with image through hyperlink and processing high quality digital image service on network without speed delay for huge image.

Abstract: First, a binary image is generated by binarizing an image. Next, a binary pixel ratio, that is a ratio of a binary pixel quantity that is a quantity of dotted pixels included in a specific area of the binary image to a total quantity of pixels included in the specific area of the binary image, is found. Then, a thin-line image is generated by performing a line-thinning process on the specific area. After that, a thin-line pixel ratio that is a ratio of the quantity of dotted pixels included in the generated thin-line image to the binary pixel quantity is found, and the specific area is determined to be a map area or a photograph area based on the calculated binary pixel ratio and the calculated thin-line pixel ratio.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for generating a representation of a symbol. The method includes receiving a base image symbol. The base image symbol is distinguished into a plurality of initial image components. The initial image components are mapped to a first plane defined by two perpendicular axes, a third axis being normal to the plane. A noise function is selected. A plurality of views are generated, each by applying the selected noise function to each initial image component to provide an adjusted image component, each adjusted image component offset from initial image component. The adjusted image components are collectively orthogonally projected into a viewing plane angled relative to the first plane. The plurality of views are output such as to a database or a display. An associated system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The display of images comprising animated microstructures can be used to create beautiful information and publicity sites attracting the attention of clients. Especially for clients visiting Web sites, images with animated microstructures are capable of forwarding a message incorporated into the animated microstructure (e.g. an advertisement). The present invention discloses a method for creating, respectively, displaying a target image with an animated microstructure, where the target image is made of a succession of target image instances which differ from each other by an embedded microstructure which evolves over time. An animated microstructure image requires the definition of an original image, an embedded microstructure, a transformation describing how the microstructure evolves over successive image instances, possibly a warping transformation mapping the target image space into the animated microstructure and possibly a set of basic colors for rendering target image instances.

Abstract: A color determination device sections a hue plane, in which unit data constituting determining image data is mapped, into partial regions by a color determination boundary, and carries out a color determination according to a number of unit data belonging to each partial region. A gradient of a hue boundary line is a rational number. For example, an affine conversion or the like is executed on the hue plane, and the color determination boundary line is matched with an axis of the hue plane. Accordingly, a calculation amount is reduced in a determination processing for determining in which partial region the unit data belongs.

Abstract: An image display system is disclosed that enables users to navigate very large digital images quickly and seamlessly. The system is optimized to transmit image data from a disk drive to a display at high data rates. The image data is stored on the disk drive in a file format optimized for high speed retrieval, display, and seamless navigation. The image display system can be cascaded for showing two or more contiguous images on multiple displays.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating effects in a webcam application are provided. The method includes identifying a first object and a second object in a video image. The method also includes adding a first user-created object to the video image to create an altered video image and adding a second user-created object to the altered video image to further alter the altered video image. Other steps included are associating the second user-created object with the second object; identifying a movement of the second object; and moving the second user-created object in the altered video image in accordance with the association of the second user-created object with the second object. The first object is a static object, and the first user-created object is manually movable. The movement of the second user-created object in association with the second object is independent of a movement of the first user-created object.

Abstract: In order to allow an arbitrary combination of image processing function blocks and an arbitrary processing order to be executed with a single command and avoid calculation loads on a host CPU even when image processes in varying output image sizes are combined, the image signal processing apparatus of the present invention includes an individual processing sub program that operates image processes in page units or with an arbitrarily specified number of lines for each image processing function block and an individual processing parameter table that determines the individual processing contents and also provides a composite processing parameter table including image processing order information and image size related information and when an individual image processing command is issued, the image signal processing apparatus sets an individual processing parameter table in an image processing function block and executes the individual processing sub program.

Abstract: An image editing technique employing a layered representation of the image is presented. The image representation includes a main pixel color layer, a secondary pixel color layer, an alpha layer and a noise layer. Generally, the pixel values of one or more pixel locations of one or more of the layers of the image representation are manipulated to effect a change. Once changed, the layers are combined to produce a revised image.

Abstract: In order to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method whereby a high quality output image can be consistently obtained, regardless of the order in which an operator sets the parameters for the performance of filtering, (I) a GUI module (9a) stores, in an input value storage area (9p) of a RAM, reference signs that are employed for first to fourth processes for the filtering of reduced image data, and (II) a filtering module (9f) refers to the reference signs in the input value storage area (9p) when performing the first to the fourth processes for the filtering of input image data, and obtains output image data.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for storing, retrieving and otherwise handling two and/or three dimensional image data forming a picture or image. The picture is defined by a plurality of levels, each level including a plurality of subpicture areas corresponding to a different level of image data resolution relative to image data resolution levels corresponding to subpicture areas in other levels. The method and system include selecting a subpicture element having image data for inclusion in the picture and identifying a subpicture area in which the subpicture element may be placed. The method and system further include placing the image data of the subpicture element in the identified subpicture area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores image information on which additional information is to be overlaid; a change unit that changes pixels, within a predetermined range of respective pixels constituting the image information, among pixels constituting the additional information, to pixels having a different density or color tint from a density or color tint of the image information and the additional information; and an overlay unit that overlays the additional information changed by the change unit on the image information held in the storage unit.

Abstract: A method for processing digital photographs is provided. It includes the steps of: selecting a digital photograph; selecting a template, which defines plural grid cells arranged in a checkered pattern; dividing the digital photograph into non-overlapping image cells; processing each image cell of the digital photograph in a mosaic way; and respectively filling the average color of each image cell of the digital photograph to the corresponding grid cell of the template. Digital photographs can provide attraction and amusement by applying this method.

Abstract: It is required to provide an automated process for forming a visually appealing digital collage (also referred to as a tapestry or photomontage) from a plurality of input images. Input images and a collage are labeled. Labels in the collage specify which regions of the input images are used to form those collage regions. An energy function is created for the labeling which contains terms that take into account various criteria to produce a collage. For example, those criteria may relate to the amount of information in the images, similarity of the images, entropy in the images or object class information. A multi-stage optimization process is applied to the energy function which is fast and enables large numbers of input images to be used to produce a collage.

Abstract: A system for cleaning up and preparing an image for segmentation is disclosed. An image transmitting device is configured to transmit a first image to an image receiving device. The image receiving device is configured to: receive the first image; apply a Dual Tree Complex Wavelet transform to the first image to form a plurality of sub-images; generate a high pass image based on the plurality of sub-images; generate a rotational invariant resultant image based on the high pass image; generate a low pass image based on the plurality of sub-images; and combine the rotational invariant resultant image and the low pass image to form a pseudo-fluorescent image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for annotating electronic background maps adapted in particular to navigation aid systems for vehicles. Projection parameters and geodesic parameters are associated with the said background map. Display references are associated with the display of at least part of the said background map. After at least one annotation has been acquired, it is displayed on the said background map. The said at least one annotation is then transformed to at least one vectorial object characterized by at least one point having geometric coordinates defined in the display system of the said at least one annotation and of the said background map. The said geometric coordinates of the said at least one point of the said at least one vectorial object are then converted to geographic coordinates according to the said projection parameters and the said geodesic parameters associated with the said background map and according to the said display references.

Abstract: Under the present invention, an image is progressively blurred to yield a set of (progressive) scaling levels. Once blurred, the edges of the image are detected so that each image segment can be identified on each scaling level. Once the segments are identified, like segments (i.e., segments having a like edge/Gaussian operator) on successive scaling levels are linked to yield a lattice structure that represents the perceptual organization of the image.

Abstract: An image processing system processes images via a first processing layer adapted to perform object-independent processing, a second processing layer adapted to perform object-dependent processing, and a third processing layer adapted to perform object composition, recognition and association. The image processing system performs object-independent processing using a plurality of processors each of which is associated with a different one of the pixels of the image. The image processing system performs object-independent processing using a symmetric multi-processor. The plurality of processors may form a massively parallel processor of a systolic array type and configured as a single-instruction multiple-data system. Each of the plurality of the processors is further configured to perform object-independent processing using a unified and symmetric processing of N dimensions in space and one dimension in time.

Abstract: A multi-level image data structure (called a multi-level image stack) containing a single image at each level and a method for generating the same. Images at each level contain the same number of pixels. The multi-level image stack defines a set of levels emanating from an original image having a number of pixels. Each successive level of the multi-level image stack contains a single image. Each single image contains the same number of pixels as the original image. Successive levels encode progressively filtered information of the original image, but without subsampling. This retains the fine-scale resolution of the original image. A variety of filter techniques can be used, including a Gaussian filter and a box filter. The multi-level image stack is particularly well-suited for use in texture synthesis applications, where its fine-scale resolution at all levels has the advantage of reducing artifacts and spatial quantization.

Abstract: An apparatus for video digital color pixel filtering and digital image processing that eliminates the need for Furrier Transforms, thus eliminating time-consuming multiplication and additions. It utilizes a new distributed computer architecture that operates in conjunction with First In First Out memories, utilizing simple software for each processor to minimize latency issues of real time interactive digital image processing. The distributed processing architecture is set up to operate in a manner similar to factory assembly lines, wherein FIFO's carry semi processed data from one processor to another. A unique memory based system is used to measure motion vectors including distances and rotational vectors, of moving objects moving in a six degree of freedom.

Abstract: The sense of contrast perceived by a viewer of an image is quantified and adequate image processing is carried out on image data based on the sense of contrast. Contrast-sense quantification means generates unsharp image data of the image data and then generates a histogram of the unsharp image data. Since the histogram of the image data includes lightness information of details of the image, a distribution width thereof does not represent the contrast perceived by the viewer of the image as a whole. However, since the histogram of the unsharp image data excludes information of the details, a distribution width of the unsharp image data represents the contrast of the overall image. The distribution width of the histogram of the unsharp image data is found as the sense of contrast and input to processing means. In the processing means, tone conversion processing is carried out on the image data by changing a tone conversion LUT based on the sense of contrast, and processed image data are obtained.

Abstract: In image processing carried out by means of repeated execution of process set which includes N unit processes (where N is an integer equal to 3 or greater), prior to execution of the process groups, the N unit processes are assigned to a number M (where M is an integer equal to 2 or greater, but less than N) of processing modules for executing the unit processes. First, on the basis of execution results of unit processes included in the process group executed immediately prior, there is estimated an estimated load of unit processes of each class in the next process group. Then, on the basis of the estimated load, the N unit processes are assigned to the processing modules. During this process, a selected unit process which is one of the unit processes not yet assigned to a processing module, is assigned to one of the processing modules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion. The system and method includes receiving an image and masking the objects in the image using segmentation layers Each segmentation layer can have weighted values for static and dynamic features. Iterations are used to form the final image which, if desired, can be formed using less than all of the segmentation layers. A final iteration can be run with the weighted values equal for static and dynamic features.

Abstract: An efficient way to perform rendering operations in an image processing environment includes a warping engine having a warping module and a domain of definition (DOD) module. When an object is warped, a new DOD for the image is determined by the warping engine by comparing the location of certain pixels in the warped image with their corresponding locations in the original image. By maintaining a DOD for the warped images, only that portion of the DOD that intersects with a region of interest is computed, thus resulting in optimized performance.

Abstract: Copying of visual images by electronic devices is discouraged by metamerically altering the relative weights of the color components forming the visual images in a manner that is not perceptible to the human eye but which is perceptible in the copy. In a preferred technique, the visual images are represented by more than three primary color components whose relative values are varied in this manner. A primary application is to discourage copying by video cameras of movies displayed on theater movie screens, by causing the copies to contain unacceptable spatial or temporal variations in colors perceived by the human eye.