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US6404920B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System for generalizing objects and features in an image

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-11-13
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2017-11-13
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention features the use of the fundamental concept of color perception and multi-level resolution to perform scene segmentation and object/feature extraction in the context of self-determining and self-calibration modes. The technique uses only a single image, instead of multiple images as the input to generate segmented images. Moreover, a flexible and arbitrary scheme is incorporated, rather than a fixed scheme of segmentation analysis. The process allows users to perform digital analysis using any appropriate means for object extraction after an image is segmented. First, an image is retrieved. The image is then transformed into at least two distinct bands. Each transformed image is then projected into a color domain or a multi-level resolution setting. A segmented image is then created from all of the transformed images. The segmented image is analyzed to identify objects. Object identification is achieved by matching a segmented region against an image library. A featureless library contains full shape, partial shape and real-world images in a dual library system. The depth contours and height-above-ground structural components constitute a dual library. Also provided is a mathematical model called a Parzen window-based statistical/neural network classifier, which forms an integral part of this featureless dual library object identification system. All images are considered three-dimensional. Laser radar based 3-D images represent a special case.

Inventors

  • 👤 Shin-yi Hsu

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 10:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/10; G06T7/11; G06T7/143; G06T7/187; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; G06V10/255; G06V10/70; G06V10/74; G06V10/75; G06V10/754; G06V20/00; G06V20/10; G06V20/13; G06V20/60; G06V20/64; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10048

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 78 words
A self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image, the steps comprising: a) retrieving an original image in pixel form; b) generating groups having a set of values indicating a number of regions in each segmented image; c) monitoring a slope and slope change of a scene characteristic (SC) curve; d) establishing at least one stopping point; and e) generating at least one segmented image corresponding to each of said at least one stopping point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 78 words
A self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image, the steps comprising: a) retrieving an original image in pixel form; b) generating groups having a set of values indicating a number of regions in each segmented image; c) monitoring a slope and slope change of a scene characteristic (SC) curve; d) establishing at least one stopping point; and e) generating at least one segmented image corresponding to each of said at least one stopping point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The self calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said at least one stopping point occurs when the slope or slope change of said SC curve is greater than zero.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 41 words
The self calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 1 , the steps further comprising: f) processing said segmented images, if necessary; and g) analyzing regions in said segmented images to identify objects.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
The self calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 3 , the steps further comprising: h) coordinating said segmented images with independently-generated information to identify features and objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 51 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 1 , the steps further comprising: f) providing a library comprising data representative of full images or a combination of portions thereof; and g) matching said original image with said data stored in said library.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said data stored in said library comprises geo-coded information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 6 , wherein said geo-coded information comprises socio-economic data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 51 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 3 , the steps further comprising: h) providing a library comprising data representative of full images or a combination of portions thereof; and i) matching said original image with said data stored in said library.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said data stored in said library comprises geo-coded information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said geo-coded information comprises socio-economic data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 35 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 7 , the steps further comprising: h) coordinating said segmented images with independently-generated information to identify features and objects.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 35 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 8 , the steps further comprising: j) coordinating said segmented images with independently-generated information to identify features and objects.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 35 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 1 , the steps further comprising: f) coordinating said composite image with independently-generated information to identify features and objects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 36 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 8 , the steps further comprising: j) updating said library with models and real world data from an independent source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 28 words
The self-calibrating, self-determining method of generalizing objects or features in an image in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said data from an independent source comprises rule-based information.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5640468A Cited
US6151424A Cited

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3.5 Years (Year 4) 2005-06-10 2005-12-10 2006-06-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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