An object of the present invention is to obtain an image photographed with an image-sensing device using a flash, in which the brightness of the image of the subject of the photograph is proper. An integrated value of brightness of a photographed image is obtained; a weighted evaluation value is calculated; contrast of the photographed image is obtained; a gain of an image signal is obtained by using the evaluation value after which, a suppression gain, by which a value of suppressing the gain f...

Contrast in an image is enhanced by mapping an input intensity value to an output intensity value in accordance with a mapping function. A mean intensity value of the image is determined. Co-ordinates of the mapping function are calculated in accordance with the mean intensity value and a plurality of predefined parameters. The mapping function is applied to the input intensity value for determining the output intensity, wherein the mapping function is generated dynamically for each image.

A tracking apparatus including a sensor tracker and a control tracker (60). The sensor tracker is connected to a sensor which senses a scene having at least one object therein, the sensor tracker provides sensor movement instructions to the sensor, enabling it track a selected object. The control tracker is located remotely from and communicates with the sensor tracker. Additionally, the control tracker takes measurements regarding the selected object and provides tracking instructions to the se...

The present invention is embodied in an apparatus, and related method, for sensing a person's facial movements, features and characteristics and the like to generate and animate an avatar image based on facial sensing. The avatar apparatus uses an image processing technique based on model graphs and bunch graphs that efficiently represent image features as jets. The jets are composed of wavelet transforms processed at node or landmark locations on an image corresponding to readily identifiable f...

The present invention relates to methods and systems for an illuminant compensation. In particular, these methods and systems include a method for operations on an image, for example, an image of a human face. In the described methods and systems, it is determined for each pixel in the image whether it is part of the face region. A surface fitting is then determined based on only the pixels that are determined to be part of the face region. Also, described are methods and systems for image norma...

A CPU 200 analyzes inner region pixels IP and outer region pixels OP independently; compares an inner luminance distribution characteristic i.e. a luminance distribution characteristic regarding the inner region pixels IP with a reference inner luminance distribution characteristic regarding image data of a backlit image that is previously stored in a HDD 202; and thereby calculates an inner similarity Si. Similarity, the CPU 200 compares an outer luminance distribution characteristic i.e. a lum...

A markerless method is described for tracking the motion of subjects in a three dimensional environment using a model based on linked kinematic chains. The invention is suitable for tracking robotic, animal or human subjects in real-time using a single computer with inexpensive video equipment, and does not require the use of markers or specialized clothing. A simple model of rigid linked segments is constructed of the subject and tracked using three dimensional volumetric data collected by a mu...

A fire-control riser system that provides a multi-function unitary valve system including providing pressure test, pressure relief, and drain/test fluid flow capability for fire-control sprinkler systems. Furthermore, the fire-control riser system comprises an enclosure that provides for easier installation, pre-assembled components and protects such riser systems from damage during the construction process. Additionally, the fire-control riser system may be substantially comprised of plastic ma...

In an image defect inspection method and apparatus which detects a gray level difference between corresponding portions of two images, automatically sets a threshold value based on the distribution thereof, compares the gray level difference with the threshold value, and judges one or the other of the portions to be defective if the gray level difference is larger than the threshold value, provisions are made to enhance defect detection sensitivity by correcting the threshold value when the dist...

A contrast compensation apparatus and a method thereof utilize a simplified hardware structure and a low contrast distortion. The contrast compensation apparatus includes a pixel value detection unit to detect a distribution of pixel values of respective pixels of an input image signal, a pixel value limit unit having pre-set luminance limit values and re-configuring the distribution of the pixel values of the respective pixels based on the pre-set luminance limit values, and a mapping unit to s...