A method and apparatus for segmenting bitmaps in a bitmap index is provided. A segmented bitmap includes a plurality of bitmap segments that are used to indicate which records in a body of records that is associated with the segmented bitmap satisfy a particular criteria. Each bitmap segment contains a string of bits that correspond to a corresponding range of records in the body of records. There may be gaps between the ranges represented by the bitmap segments when, for example, the body of re...

A segmentation method segments selected objects from other objects within a video image frame. The objects may be of arbitrary configuration and preferably represent distinct image features in a display image. An interior outline is formed within the interior of the object perimeter. The interior outline is expanded automatically to form an exterior outline. Pixels between the interior outline and the exterior outline are classified according to predefined attributes as to whether they are withi...

The present invention relates to the management of voice data. Voice messages left on a recipient's answerphone or delivered via a voicemail system are a popular form of person-to-person communication. Such voice messages are quick to generate for the sender but are relatively difficult to review for the recipient; speech is slow to listen to and, unlike inherently visual forms of messages such as electronic mail or handwritten notes, cannot be quickly scanned for the relevant information. The p...

A method and apparatus for segmenting bitmaps in a bitmap index is provided. A segmented bitmap includes a plurality of bitmap segments that are used to indicate which records in a body of records that is associated with the segmented bitmap satisfy a particular criteria. Each bitmap segment contains a string of bits that correspond to a corresponding range of records in the body of records. There may be gaps between the ranges represented by the bitmap segments when, for example, the body of re...

A signature verification method is based on a comparison of the dynamics of a reference and a sample signature. Acceleration and pressure signals produced by a known person when writing his or her signature are stored and used as a reference signals. Then, at a later time, a person whose signature is to be verified writes his or her signature to produce acceleration and pressure signals that are compared to the reference signals. The process of comparison involves segmenting the two sets of sign...

A method and apparatus for segmenting bitmaps in a bitmap index is provided. A segmented bitmap includes a plurality of bitmap segments that are used to indicate which records in a body of records that is associated with the segmented bitmap satisfy a particular criteria. Each bitmap segment contains a string of bits that correspond to a corresponding range of records in the body of records. There may be gaps between the ranges represented by the bitmap segments when, for example, the body of re...

An image encoder or other image processing apparatus includes a segmentation apparatus for assigning image pixels to regions, in accordance with predetermined criteria. The segmentation apparatus provides a temporally consistent segmentation throughout a motion picture sequence, and comprises: a motion compensation processor for predicting the segmentation for a current frame (F0) upon the basis of the segmentation (S1) of the preceding frame and estimated motion vectors (M); and a pixel identif...

An image encoder or other image processing apparatus includes a segmentation apparatus for assigning image pixels to regions, in accordance with predetermined criteria. The segmentation apparatus provides a temporally consistent segmentation throughout a motion picture sequence, and comprises: a motion compensation processor for predicting the segmentation for a current frame (F0) upon the basis of the segmentation (S1) of the preceding frame and estimated motion vectors (M); a pixel identifier ...

A method of segmenting a selected region from a multi-dimensional dataset, which method comprises the steps of setting up a shape model representing the general outline of the selected region and setting up an adaptive mesh. The adaptive mesh represents an approximate contour of the selected region. The adaptive mesh is initialized on the basis of the shape model. Furthermore, the adaptive mesh is deformed in dependence on the shape model and on feature information of the selected region.

A method of segmenting chromatin particles in a nucleus of a cell by locating regional minima in an image, computing a zone of influence (ZOI) around each regional minimum, and segmenting a single chromatin blob within each ZOI using a region growing procedure. The method can be used as the basis of a method of qualitatively characterizing the distribution of nuclear chromatin by computing features for individual chromatin particles. Chromatin features can be synthesized from the features of ind...