US6463176B1 — Image recognition/reproduction method and apparat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

An image recognition method comprising: an extraction step of extracting local feature elements in an input image; a conversion step of assembling the local feature elements extracted at said extraction step and generating array data from the local feature elements on the basis of a predetermined lattice pattern; and a matching step of estimating a resemblance between the local feature elements array data and a reference plurality of local feature elements array data stored in a memory by computing a differential value and selecting model array data for which the differential value is less than a predetermined threshold value.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 99 words

An image recognition method comprising: an extraction step of extracting local feature elements in an input image; a conversion step of assembling the local feature elements extracted at said extraction step and generating array data from the local feature elements on the basis of a predetermined lattice pattern; and a matching step of estimating a resemblance between the local feature elements array data and a reference plurality of local feature elements array data stored in a memory by computing a differential value and selecting model array data for which the differential value is less than a predetermined threshold value.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said extraction step extracts a local feature element with respect to each of a plurality of resolutions of an image.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 130 words

The method according to claim 2 , wherein said conversion step includes the steps of: generating a pair composed of a prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof in which the pair composed of a prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof is scaled at scaling ratios corresponding to respective ones of the resolutions; and selecting a pair composed of a scaled prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof, this pair being such that the distance between a pair composed of the scaled prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof and a pair composed of a local feature element, whose resolution corresponds to the scaling ratio, extracted at said extraction step and position information indicative thereof is less than a prescribed distance.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an L-type intersection.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arc of a prescribed curvature.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arrow-type intersection.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a circle.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a T-type intersection.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is color.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is spatial frequency.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is luminance.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 92 words

An image reproduction method comprising: a reproduction step of reproducing an image; an extracting step of extracting feature elements of a reproduced image and discriminating local feature elements; a structural information extracting step of extracting structural information of the feature elements corresponding to the local feature elements discriminated at said extracting step including a change in motion of an object of interest; and a curve generating step of smoothly interpolating between the local feature elements corresponding to the feature elements extracted at said extracting step on the basis of the structural information.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 92 words

An image reproduction method comprising: a reproduction step of reproducing an image; an extracting step of extracting feature elements of a reproduced image and discriminating local feature elements; a structural information extracting step of extracting structural information of the feature elements corresponding to the local feature elements discriminated at said extracting step including a change in motion of an object of interest; and a curve generating step of smoothly interpolating between the local feature elements corresponding to the feature elements extracted at said extracting step on the basis of the structural information.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said reproduction step further includes a step of combining a prescribed background image and the interpolated image to reproduce an image.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an L-type intersection.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arc of a prescribed curvature.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arrow-type intersection.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a circle.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a T-type intersection.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is color.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is spatial frequency.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is luminance.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 89 words

An image reproduction method comprising: an extraction step of extracting a feature element immediately prior to occurrence of an occlusion in which at least part of a feature element of an object is hidden behind another feature element; a second feature-element generation step of generating a second feature element by using a plurality of feature elements immediately prior to occurrence of the occlusion extracted at said extraction step; and a step of reproducing an image on the basis of the second feature element generated by said second-feature-element generation step.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 89 words

An image reproduction method comprising: an extraction step of extracting a feature element immediately prior to occurrence of an occlusion in which at least part of a feature element of an object is hidden behind another feature element; a second feature-element generation step of generating a second feature element by using a plurality of feature elements immediately prior to occurrence of the occlusion extracted at said extraction step; and a step of reproducing an image on the basis of the second feature element generated by said second-feature-element generation step.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 96 words

An image recognition apparatus comprising: extracting means for extracting local feature elements in an input image; conversion means for assembling the local feature elements extracted by said extracting means and generating array data from the local feature elements on the basis of a predetermined lattice pattern; and matching means for estimating a resemblance between the local feature elements array data and a reference plurality of local feature elements array data stored in a memory by computing a differential value and selecting model array data for which the differential value is less than a predetermined threshold value.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 96 words

An image recognition apparatus comprising: extracting means for extracting local feature elements in an input image; conversion means for assembling the local feature elements extracted by said extracting means and generating array data from the local feature elements on the basis of a predetermined lattice pattern; and matching means for estimating a resemblance between the local feature elements array data and a reference plurality of local feature elements array data stored in a memory by computing a differential value and selecting model array data for which the differential value is less than a predetermined threshold value.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein said extracting means extracts a local feature element with respect to each of a plurality of resolutions of an image.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 126 words

The apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said selecting means: generates a pair composed of a prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof in which the pair composed of a prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof is scaled at scaling ratios corresponding to respective ones of the resolutions; and selects a pair composed of a scaled prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof, this pair being such that the distance between a pair composed of the scaled prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof and a pair composed of a local feature element, whose resolution corresponds to the scaling ratio, extracted at said extraction step and position information indicative thereof is less than a prescribed distance.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an L-type intersection.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arc of a prescribed curvature.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arrow-type intersection.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a circle.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a T-type intersection.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is color.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is spatial frequency.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 23 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is luminance.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 88 words

An image reproduction apparatus comprising: reproducing means for reproducing an image; extracting means for extracting feature elements of a reproduced image and discriminating local feature elements; structural information extracting means for extracting structural information of the feature elements corresponding to the local feature elements discriminated by said extracting means including a change in motion of an object of interest; and curve generating means for smoothly interpolating between the local feature elements corresponding to the feature elements extracted by said extracting means on the basis of the structural information.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 88 words

An image reproduction apparatus comprising: reproducing means for reproducing an image; extracting means for extracting feature elements of a reproduced image and discriminating local feature elements; structural information extracting means for extracting structural information of the feature elements corresponding to the local feature elements discriminated by said extracting means including a change in motion of an object of interest; and curve generating means for smoothly interpolating between the local feature elements corresponding to the feature elements extracted by said extracting means on the basis of the structural information.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said reproducing means further combines a prescribed background image and the interpolated image to reproduce an image.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an L-type intersection.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arc of a prescribed curvature.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of an arrow-type intersection.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a circle.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element having the shape of a T-type intersection.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is color.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is spatial frequency.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said local feature elements include an element which is luminance.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 85 words

An image reproduction apparatus comprising: extracting means for extracting a feature element immediately prior to occurrence of an occlusion in which at least part of a feature element of an object is hidden behind another feature element; second-feature-element generating means for generating a second feature element by using a plurality of feature elements immediately prior to occurrence of the occlusion extracted by said extracting means; and means for reproducing an image on the basis of the second feature element generated by said second-feature-element generating means.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 85 words

An image reproduction apparatus comprising: extracting means for extracting a feature element immediately prior to occurrence of an occlusion in which at least part of a feature element of an object is hidden behind another feature element; second-feature-element generating means for generating a second feature element by using a plurality of feature elements immediately prior to occurrence of the occlusion extracted by said extracting means; and means for reproducing an image on the basis of the second feature element generated by said second-feature-element generating means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-10-07	2006-04-08	2006-10-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-10-07	2010-04-08	2010-10-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-10-07	2014-04-08	2014-10-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Image recognition/reproduction method and apparatus

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