Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for associating images. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to capturing an image of image association data, capturing other images to which the image association data is relevant, and associating the other images such that each of the other images will have a file name that is reflective of the captured image association data.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing manufacturing variations in a capsule camera and imperfections in its operating environment to allow images captured by the capsule camera to be compensated for these defects. In one embodiment, a method for characterizing a camera includes: (a) illuminating a field of view of the optical elements under a controlled condition; (b) exposing multiple images onto the image sensor under the controlled condition; (c) extracting parameter values of a model for the image provided on the image sensor from the multiple images; and (d) compensating images taken subsequently in the camera using the parameter values. The objects in the field of view may have a predetermined color, contrast or pattern. In one instance, the controlled condition includes an external light source for illuminating the field of view, and the image sensor is sensitive to a plurality of color components.

Abstract: A face area detector detects a face area of a photographic subject in image data. A particular section detector detects a particular section in the face area. A motion detector extracts a difference between the image data of the particular section in a current frame of the image data and the image data of the particular section in the previous frame of the image data. A face condition determiner determines a face condition of the photographic subject based on the motion information of the particular section.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus can be provided in a system with a workstation computer. In one embodiment, the inspection apparatus can include a user interface enabling the inspection apparatus to initiate, responsively to an action by an inspector, an IP based voice communication connection with an external computer of the system. In one embodiment, the inspection apparatus and the workstation computer can be in communication with a central server that can receive data collected by said the inspection apparatus and can receive data requests from the workstation computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for overlaying AR objects on an environmental image representing the environment. According to said invention, a depth image of the environment is recorded from a point of vision; the representation of an AR object to be placed in the environmental image is modified in terms of how it appears from the point of vision at a pre-defined spot in the environmental image; it is determined how the parts of the AR object facing the point of vision are arranged in relation to an associated image point of the depth image, from the point of vision; at least the representation of parts of the AR object is modified in a pre-determined manner in relation to the apparent depth in the image; and the thus processed AR object is overlayed on the environmental image. The invention also relates to a device for overlaying AR objects on an environmental image displaying the environment, said device comprising corresponding elements for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A fluid flow measurement system including a sheet-shaped light emitting device that emits a sheet-shaped light into a flow field of a fluid containing particles; a CMOS image sensor that captures an image on a sheet emitted by the light-emitting device and that can convert the image signal into digital data; a timing controller that synchronizes the light-emitting device and the CMOS image sensor; and an image processor that compares and analyzes luminance pattern distributions of images on the sheet captured by the CMOS image sensor at various times, for measuring movement direction and movement amount of the particles. As needed, a transmission line is used or the imaging interval is shortened by using two CMOS image sensors and a beam splitter. Thereby, PIV can be used when the light amount is insufficient, the system is in a radiation environment, or flow speed is high.

Abstract: Notification of upload of a fixed point observation image to a server. A response program captures a fixed point observation image upon controlling a camera through a camera control program. An image analysis program analyzes the captured image and sends the result of analysis to the response program that, then, makes the camera control program control and make the camera capture image based on setup data and under timing set in response to the result of analysis; the captured image is then uploaded to an image management server. A response program of the image management server acquires the uploaded image and stores the image in an image database (image DB) while reading out a transmission destination from a setup DB, then controls a mailing program so as to transmit notification of upload of the fixed point observation image to the PC. The present invention may be applied to an image management system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning device with a positioning senor and a processing method to obtain images, comprising a casing, linear contact image sensor (CIS), further comprising a system processor P3 for controlling the work of said CIS by timing signal, the optical coordinate sensors and the displacement processor P1 and P2 for estimating the coordinate increment (8001) and the coordinate increment (8002) of the real-time displacement, an A/D circuit and data buffer; said system processor P3 packets original scanning data with positioning information (8004), and then transfers to the upper machine.

Abstract: A high dynamic range image sensor and a method and medium for measuring charges in a pixel are provided. The high dynamic range image sensor includes a sensor that resets a predetermined pixel when the pixel has reached a saturation level, a storage unit that stores the number of times the pixel has been reset, and a measurement unit that measures the quantity of light received in the pixel using the number of times the pixel has been reset, which is simply referred to as the number of resets, and the quantity of charges remaining after the pixel is finally reset.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising: a first reader that reads a first side of a document; a second reader that reads a second side of the document; a reducer that reduces in the sub-scanning direction image data read out by said first reader from the first side of the document and image data read out by said second reader from the second side of the document; a storage that stores therein the respective image data reduced by said reducer, which originate from the first and second sides of the document; a judger that judges based on the respective image data stored in said storage, which originate from the first and second sides of the document, whether or not the document is a particular document; and a controller that prohibits said respective image data originating from the first and second sides of the document, from being outputted, depending on a judgment result drew by said judger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating a user In dependence upon biometric Input information is disclosed. According to the method when a user is identified, their biometric information or data derived therefrom is automatically stored. The data is then used in subsequent user identification attempts as a template. The original templates are not replaced but those templates that are automatically stored are replaced at intervals.

Abstract: Generating an image includes receiving a light at sensors, where the light is associated with images. A previous matrix is determined, where the previous matrix includes image information associated with an image. For each sensor, a current image data corresponding to a current image is generated and a current matrix is determined using the previous matrix and the current image data. The current matrix includes image information associated with the current image. A fusion matrix is computed according to the current matrix of each sensor, where the fusion matrix initiates generation of a fused image.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a secure sensor chip (1) for recording digital information regarding at least one physical parameter, wherein the recording later can be verified with respect to its authenticity, whether the at least one physical parameter was indeed recorded by the specified chip (1) or not, wherein this is accomplished by providing the sensor chip (1) with a Controlled Physical Random Function (CPUF) in the form of a coating (5) and wherein both the sensor chip (1) and a micro controller (2) controlling all digital inputs (3) and outputs (4) of the sensor chip are both embedded in the CPUF coating (5).

Abstract: An Image sensing apparatus employing a multi-chip system and having a super-parallel circuit structure capable of performing processes such as image processing in real time. A first chip of a first of a first stage has first pixel circuits each having an optical sensor and first processing circuits and arranged in a matrix. A second chip of a second stage has second pixel circuits each having an analog memory for storing analog information from the preceding stage and second processing circuits and arranged in a matrix so as to correspond to the first pixel circuits. In each of the first and the second chip, each of the first and the second processing circuits receives an analog signal from another first and second processing circuit in the vicinity so as to perform first and second analog processing and performs circuit noise compensation by parallel calculation.

Abstract: A graphical user interface system for facilitating the retrieval of information relating to at least one predetermined category of information. The system comprises a computer, a user controlled pointing device and a graphic display, said graphic display comprising a number of pixels for generating an image comprising x times y pixels based on information from said computer. The image comprises a background with a superposed grid defining a number of sectors, each sector comprising a number n of pixels. Furthermore, the system comprises indicating means for indicating in a sector defined by said grid and displayed on said graphic display, the existence of a piece of information for that sector, where said piece of information relates to the background corresponding to that sector. Furthermore, said indicating means indicates that said piece of information relates to said at least one category of information.

Abstract: An edge inspection method for detecting defects on a wafer edge normal surface includes acquiring a set of digital images which captures a circumference of the wafer. An edge of the wafer about the circumference is determined. Each digital image is segmented into a plurality of horizontal bands. Adjacent edge clusters about the circumference of the wafer are combined into edge pixel bins. The edge pixel bins are analyzed via edge clusters analysis to identify defects. The edge pixel bins are also analyzed via blob analysis to determine defects.

Abstract: A method for focus error corrections. The method includes: determining a focus scheme in response to: a spatial relationship between an upper surface of at least a first portion of a substantially transparent upper layer of an inspected object and between an upper surface of at least a first portion of a reflective layer of the inspected object; wherein the reflective layer is positioned below the transparent upper layer, and a position of at least one height differentiated narrow feature of inspected object; wherein during a scan of each height differentiated narrow feature a focus error signal change rate well exceeds a focus correction rate of a focus error correction unit; and applying the focus scheme while scanning at least a portion of the inspected object.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image sensor package and a method for manufacturing the same. A sealing portion is formed between an image sensor die and a glass substrate to completely isolate the sensing portion of the image sensor die from external environment. Electrically conductive bumps are formed outside of the sealing portion to electrically connect the image sensor die to the glass substrate. The image sensor die can be sealed by a cap while the image sensor die is connected to the glass substrate via the electrically conductive bumps.

Abstract: A controller controls selection of rows of photosensors residing in a photosensor array having at least one row of photosensors with a first sensor size, and at least one row of photosensors with a second sensor size. In a first example embodiment, the controller may select each sensor in a double row of sensors for white light having a smaller area than the sensors in other rows. For the first embodiment, the native input sampling rate for luminance is greater than the native input sampling rate for color information. In a second example embodiment, for every band of wavelengths being sensed, the controller selects one of two rows of sensors, with one row having relatively small sensor areas and the other row having relatively large sensor areas. In the second example embodiment, the rows with relatively small sensor areas are used for high native input sampling rates, and the rows with relatively large sensor areas are used for high color accuracy.

Abstract: An optical object detector including a feed path, a reference pattern facing the feed path, and an optical sensor configured to view the reference pattern through the feed path, absence of the reference pattern from the view of the optical sensor indicating presence of an object in the feed path.

Abstract: A first light source is adapted to illuminate a first object with first light. A first sensor includes a first light receiving element adapted to detect the first light by way of the first object. A second sensor includes a second light receiving element adapted to detect a second light which is externally inputted by way of a second object. A transparent member is disposed on at least one of a first optical path extending from the first object to the first sensor through a first lens and a second optical path extending from the second object to the second sensor through a second lens.

Abstract: A shadow-free 3D and 2D measurement system combining, in one FMI set-up, a Moiré 3D lighting with other simultaneous external illuminations (for example a coaxial one or another). The reconstructed image combines the advantages of these different illuminations. The relative light intensities are selected in order to assure the best 2D detection while maintaining the 3D measurements.

Abstract: An image display method and a device to secure high quality of image are provided. The image display apparatus includes a photo sensitive module having a plurality of sub sensing areas corresponding to a plurality of lens areas, an exposure control module to set exposure starting times of the sub sensing areas to be different from each other, an intermediate image to produce module interpolating a plurality of original images captured by the sub sensing areas to produce a plurality of intermediate images that correspond to the original images, and a final image to produce module rearranging the intermediate images according to the order of the original image to produce final images.

Abstract: Execution commands corresponding to the type of gesture are stored and by acquiring coordinate values of accepted handwriting input including gesture on a display screen, handwriting is displayed. When handwriting input is accepted, display data of handwriting is updated. When handwriting input is not completed, it is decided whether or not handwriting input is gesture input. When it is decided that the handwriting input is gesture input, the type of gesture is decided on the basis of the coordinate values of gesture on the display screen, an execution command corresponding to the type of gesture is read and the fact that the handwriting input is gesture input is displayed. When gesture input is completed, the execution command corresponding to gesture input is executed. Therefore, the user can make handwriting input according to the user's intent without performing mode switching.

Abstract: A finger sensor apparatus may include an integrated circuit substrate for receiving a user's finger adjacent thereto, and a plurality of infrared sensing pixels on the integrated circuit substrate. The infrared sensing pixels are for sensing infrared radiation naturally emitted from subdermal features when the user's finger is positioned adjacent the integrated circuit substrate. The finger sensor apparatus may also include a processor connected to the infrared sensing pixels for generating infrared biometric data based upon infrared radiation naturally emitted from the subdermal features of the user's finger.

Abstract: An image acquisition system has a computer and one or more imaging devices coupled thereto. Each imaging device has a device memory and is capable of capturing and storing a digital image in its memory. An image device manager is implemented in software on the computer to control imaging device operation. The image device manager presents a user interface (UI) within the familiar graphical windowing environment. The UI has a context space to a particular imaging context (e.g., scanning, photography, and video). The UI also has a persistently-visible imaging menu positioned within the context space that lists options particular to the imaging context. The image acquisition system also includes a set of application program interfaces (APIs) that enable applications to manage loading and unloading of imaging devices, monitor device events, query device information properties, create device objects, capture images using the devices, and store or manipulate the captured images.

Abstract: The color of a surface is determined by tracking the position of the surface using grayscale image sensing and then using captured grayscale image information, position information, and grayscale-to-color conversion information to determine color. In one embodiment, the technique requires establishing grayscale-to-color conversion information and a relationship between position and the grayscale-to-color conversion information. A calibration pattern is printed on a piece of paper and the surface of the paper is illuminated. Grayscale image information and position information related to the surface is generated in response to the illumination. Color-specific portions of the grayscale-to-color conversion information that are to be used in color determination are selected based on the position information.

Abstract: An information reader includes an imaging device that images a subject illuminated with light in a first wavelength region; an information-reading unit that reads information expressed by a site absorbing light in a second wavelength region based on imaging signals from the imaging device; and an information output unit, wherein the imaging device is a stack-typed imaging device that includes a plurality of pixel sections containing stacked two photoelectric conversion devices, with each of the two photoelectric conversion devices receiving light from the same position of the subject and converting it into the imaging signal, the two photoelectric conversion devices are a first photoelectric conversion device and a second photoelectric conversion device, and the information output unit generates the information based on a first imaging signal and a second imaging signal and outputs the information.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a photosensitive element that generates an electrical signal corresponding to light incident thereon and a ramp signal generator that generates a ramp signal. Generation of the ramp signal is initiated in response to activation of a ramp enable signal. An offset adjusting circuit generates a counter enable signal after activation of the ramp enable signal and after initiating generation of the ramp signal. A counter initiates counting responsive to generation of the counter enable signal. A latch latches a counter output responsive to a comparison of the ramp signal and the electrical signal corresponding to light incident on the photosensitive element. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A camera has a single lens and multiple flash units distributed around the lens. A set of images is acquired of a scene with different controlled lighting applied by the flash units, one at the time. The images are stored in a memory, and then combined to produce a single stylized image of the scene from the acquired images.

Abstract: A storage phosphor reader. The reader comprises a first roller pair, a cylindrical scan platen, a guide member, and a holding member. The first roller pair transport a storage phosphor medium along a path in a first direction. The cylindrical scan platen supports the medium as it is scanned by a scanner. The guide member is disposed intermediate the first roller pair and the scan platen for guiding the medium to the scan platen. The holding member is disposed downstream of the scan platen for contacting the medium after it is scanned.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an orienting/positioning system, the orienting system comprises at least one sensor means, an external motion detection device for detecting an externally-caused motion in the environment of the sensor means and actuator means for controlling an orienting and/or positioning action of the sensor means.

Abstract: System for identifying and marking individual automotive tires including use of a light sheet sensor enabled image processing for the identification of the tire type and the marking spot. The height profile of the raised symbols on the tire sidewall can be measured using the light sheet sensor and matched to a library of reference profiles stored in memory. The light sheet sensor measures the height profile of the tire sidewall for identifying the tire and for selecting the marking spot and where the light sheet sensor and a laser are mounted on a swivel arm. The light sheet sensor can be incorporated into a single- or multi-station system. A marking laser is adapted for engraving markings on a specific spot in rubber on the side of a tire via laser radiation after the type and size of the tire and a marking sport has been identified by image processing.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image photographing apparatus acquires an image that includes shape information and texture information of an object, and acquires a three-dimensional image of the object by utilizing the image that includes the shape information and the texture information. A three-dimensional measuring device measures the three-dimensional shape of the object. An illumination device is disposed fixed at a predetermined position relative to the object and comprises an illumination light source and an optical system to illuminate the object. A texture image photographing device photographs a texture image of the object illuminated by the illumination device from a plurality of viewpoints.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for enabling remote conferencing between conference participants. Employing the invention involves the use of one or more forms which support interaction with a computer system or network. Each form is printed on sheet material such as paper and includes coded data which allows it to be used to interact with the computer system via a sensing device operated by a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting digital data. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving data input by scanning a sheet of paper using a scanner on a machine, identifying the sheet of paper as a form having one or more fields of user entered data to validate, validating the user entered data using a user interface on the machine, and sending the user entered data to a backend system.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image sensor equipped with imaging pixels disposed in a two-dimensional array and focus detection pixels disposed along a specific direction over part of the array of the imaging pixels. The imaging device categorizes an image pattern indicating a pixel output change along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the focus detection pixels are disposed based upon the outputs from the imaging pixels present around each focus detection pixel. Then, it determines an image output at the focus detection pixel based upon the output from the focus detection pixel and the outputs from the imaging pixels present around the focus detection pixel through an arithmetic operation method corresponding to the categorized image pattern.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed. First and second conveying roller pairs are arranged on the conveying path at a predetermined distance from each other. Overlapping conveyance sensing devices are located between the first and second conveying roller pairs and include opposing transmission device and reception device. A distance between the first and second conveying roller pairs is shorter than a length of a minimum size sheet in a conveying direction. In the conveying path between the conveying roller pairs, guide members are disposed to sandwich the transmission device and reception device. The guide members are configured to project upward or downward from a sheet conveying line by a predetermined amount with respect to the conveying path, the sheet conveying line extending through nip points of the first and second conveying roller pairs.

Abstract: For each paper type, a plurality of two-dimensional excitation characteristics tables Ti are provided in one to one correspondence with a plurality of colors i. The excitation characteristics table Ti for each color i contains a plurality of sets of excitation-reflectance data Bi (?0, ?) in a two-dimensional matrix form, for a plurality of combinations of incident light wavelengths ? and reflected light wavelengths ?0. The excitation-reflectance data Bi (?0, ?) indicates the ratio of the amount of the reflected light wavelength ?0 generated in response to incidence of the incident light wavelength ?, with respect to the amount of the incident light wavelength ?. Using the two-dimensional excitation characteristics table Ti corresponding to the user's selected paper type and using the spectral radiation characteristics S(?) of the user's selected light source type, Equations (9)-(11) are calculated to create an output profile, and color conversion is performed by using the output profile.

Abstract: A method and system for inter-processor communication in a pixel array in a CMOS sensor is provided. The system includes a bus for transmitting information between a first processor and a second processor, wherein such information is used for performing image processing operations in the pixel array in an analog domain. The bus may be a pixel read-out bus and/or an access bus. The information is used to perform outlier detection, bad pixel detection, and/or bad pixel correction in the analog domain, or any other image processing operation. The method includes sharing information between a first and a second processor; and using the information to perform image processing operations in an analog domain.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging a fingerprint operates in at least two different modes to provide both finger recognition and finger navigation applications. A light source illuminates a swipe interface having an elongated sensing area upon which a user swipes a finger. Light reflected from the finger is captured by an optical image sensor as image data representing a sequence of images resulting from motion of the digit over the sensing area of the swipe interface. The captured image data is output by the optical image sensor for processing of the data in one of the at least two different modes.

Abstract: According to this invention, a document processing method of documenting image data obtained by double-sided scanning of an original containing a single-sided printed part and a double-sided printed part includes a blank determination step of determining on the basis of the image data whether the lower surface of an original is blank, and a documentation step of, when the lower surface is determined in the blank determination step to be blank, saving image data corresponding to the upper surface of the original as document information together with a single-sided printing attribute, and when the lower surface is determined in the blank determination step not to be blank, saving image data corresponding to the two surfaces of the original as document information together with a double-sided printing attribute.

Abstract: Inserting images into documents. An image source device is made active with an application used to create text in a document. An application programming interface (API) module is accessed from within the application. The API interfaces the application with a TWAIN module used for acquiring an image with the image source device. The API module is separate from the TWAIN module and isolates users from directly interacting with the TWAIN module. The application uses the API module for negotiating with the image source device to determine a set of image capture parameters that control the image source device when acquiring the image. Data representing the image is communicated from the image source device into the memory of a computer hosting the application used to create text so that the data representing the image is a portion of a document stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image acquisition system has a computer and one or more imaging devices coupled thereto. Each imaging device has a device memory and is capable of capturing and storing a digital image in its memory. An image device manager is implemented in software on the computer to control imaging device operation. The image device manager presents a user interface (GI) within the familiar graphical windowing environment. The GI has a context space to a particular imaging context (e.g., scanning, photography, and video). The GI also has a persistently-visible imaging menu positioned within the context space that lists options particular to the imaging context. The image acquisition system also includes a set of application program interfaces (APIs) that enable applications to manage loading and unloading of imaging devices, monitor device events, query device information properties, create device objects, capture images using the devices, and store or manipulate the captured images.

Abstract: The pages of a children's book are marked in a machine-readable manner (e.g., by imperceptible digital watermark technology). When such a page is shown to a camera-equipped computer device, the watermark is decoded, and the story text from that page is read aloud to a child. A number of variants are contemplated, including using book pages as entry points to corresponding videos; using books to link to corresponding interactive web sites or multi-player games; incorporating the camera in a plush toy; evoking different responses from the system by using the book to convey gestures to the camera; providing such functionality in cell phones, set top boxes, and Bluetooth-equipped devices; customizing read-aloud stories using words provided by the child or a parent; etc.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for synthesizing high-resolution images are described. Using as input hybrid high- and low-resolution images (110, 120), processing techniques including three-dimensional image warp-based (160) rendering may assist in developing the high-resolution output images. Enhanced results may in some instances be obtained by creating a high-resolution images of one member of a pair of stereo images by utilizing multiple frames of the other member of the pair.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital image pickup apparatus. The digital image pickup apparatus reads digital image data from a main memory in a horizontal direction. The digital image pickup apparatus corrects an optical distortion component in the horizontal direction in the digital image data. The digital image pickup apparatus writes the digital image data into the main memory in the horizontal direction, so as to store it without changing the direction. The digital image pickup apparatus further reads the digital image data from the main memory in a vertical direction. The digital image pickup apparatus corrects an optical distortion component in the vertical direction in the digital image data. The digital image pickup apparatus writes the digital image data into the main memory in the vertical direction, so as to store it without changing the direction.

Abstract: An integrated image sensor for acquiring and processing electrical signals representative of an object comprising a photosite array configured to convert light into the electrical signals, an A/D converter configured to convert the electrical signals into digital data, and logic integral with the image sensor configured to scale the digital data by a non-integer-scaling factor. A method for acquiring and processing image data with an integrated image sensor comprising the steps of capturing, via the image sensor, the image data representative of an image, scaling, via the image sensor, the image data by a non-integer value, and outputting from the integrated image sensor scaled image data.

Abstract: A discrete linear space sampling method and system for generating digital 3D models comprising. A plurality of digital images are acquired of a subject from a respective plurality of image sensor positions near the image sensor location. Candidate 3d-spels are identified, each 3d-spel being an image pixel corresponding to a common point on said subject. Candidate 3d-spels are rejected based on a differential analysis of the candidate 3d-spels, the remaining 3d-spels forming a set of accepted 3d-spels. 3D coordinates are calculated for each accepted 3d-spel, thereby forming a point-cloud of the subject.

Abstract: The optical biometric sensor apparatus and methods for analyzing images of biometric features such as fingerprints are adapted to distinguish between live body members and inanimate objects, and to detect spoofing devices applied to live body members. Live body members are detected by transmitting IR light from a first IR light source through an object to an image sensor. The IR transmission characteristics of a live body member vary with the human heartbeat, and multiple images are analyzed to verify whether the object is a genuine live body member. A visible light source illuminates the object for obtaining a detailed image from the sensor for conventional biometric analysis. Transmitted IR images and reflected visible light images are also processed to detect the presence of spoofing devices applied to live body members. Multiple IR and visible light sources of different wavelengths may be used for this purpose.