21932761
An interactive approach to image retrieval using multiple seed images
The concept, procedure and tools for interactive image retrieval with multiple seed images are investigated in this research. Specifically, we consider an interactive query process in which the query can be refined so that the meaning of "similarity": defined by a specific user for a particular application can be approached gradually. This idea is implemented by performing adaptive filtering with multiple low level indexing features based on user's feedback. The proposed approach is demonstrated by a testbed with flexible query formation, efficient initial guess and further refinement tools.
2490163
Cartoon animation and morphing by using the wavelet curve descriptor
Proposes a framework for cartoon animation and morphing by using a hierarchical planar curve descriptor based on the wavelet transform. To facilitate the animation task, the authors first model the motion of curves with the Lagrangian dynamic equation where the multiscale curve is driven by internal and external forces. The spatial and frequency localization property of the wavelet representation results in a virtually decoupled Lagrangian equation and, as a result, the computation is greatly simplified. The motion parameters, which contain the kinematic information of the control points, are extracted from motions of real video images. They are then used to generate motion sequences of similar nature. The authors also examine a highly automatic algorithm for non-self-intersecting contour morphing. Experiments of the proposed algorithms are conducted to demonstrate their performance.<<ETX>>
1584599
Embedded coding of 3D graphic models
A progressive compression method which encodes a 3D graphic models into an embedded bit stream is investigated. The coder first encodes the coarsest resolution of the model, and then includes the information of finer details gradually. A rate-distortion model is used in the integration of different types of bit streams into a single embedded bit stream to optimize the overall coding performance. This embedding property can be applied to progressive transmission, multi-resolution editing and level-of-detail control. Numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the excellent rate-distortion performance of the proposed method.
28495632
Iterative signal extrapolation algorithms with wavelets
A generalized Papoulis-Gerchberg (PG) algorithm for signal extrapolation based on the wavelet representation has been recently proposed by Xia, Kuo and Zhang. In this research, we first show that the generalized PG algorithm converges to the minimum norm solution when the wavelet bases are semi-orthogonal (or known as the prewavelet). However, the generalized PG algorithm converges slowly in numerical implementation. To accelerate the convergence rate, we formulate the discrete signal extrapolation problem os a two-step process and apply the steepest descent and conjugate gradient methods for its solution. Numerical experiments are given to illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithms.<<ETX>>
448363
A multiscale error diffusion technique for digital halftoning
A new digital halftoning technique based on multiscale error diffusion is examined. We use an image quadtree to represent the difference image between the input gray-level image and the output halftone image. In iterative algorithm is developed that searches the brightest region of a given image via "maximum intensity guidance" for assigning dots and diffuses the quantization error noncausally at each iteration. To measure the quality of halftone images, we adopt a new criterion based on hierarchical intensity distribution. The proposed method provides very good results both visually and in terms of the hierarchical intensity quality measure.
14807272
Progressive compression of 3D graphic models
A progressive coding method which encodes a 3D graphic model into an embedded bit stream is investigated in this research. The coder first encodes the coarsest resolution of the model, and then includes the finer details gradually. The embedding property allows the decoder to terminate the decoding at an arbitrary position in the compressed bit stream, and a more accurate model can be obtained when more bits are decoded. Numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the excellent rate distortion performance and progressive compression performance of the new method.
12709015
Motion-compensated frame interpolation scheme for H.263 codec
A fast block-based motion-compensated frame interpolation (FMCI) scheme was proposed in our previous work. FMCI does not require any motion search in the decoder so that the complexity is low enough to achieve frame rate increase in real time. To further improve the visual quality, we propose two add-on schemes to enhance FMCI in this research. They are the adaptive frame skip (AFS) scheme applied at the encoder and the hybrid frame interpolation (HFI) scheme which incorporates both frame repetition and FMCI at the decoder. By adopting these two add-on features, the enhanced FMCI method is made more robust to allow smooth playback.
12549772
Designing an evaluation method for security user interfaces: lessons from studying secure wireless network configuration
: / 28 Ten or 20 years ago, evaluating security products was not as much of a problem as it is today. Systems were managed by people able—and willing—to master the complexities. However, with the proliferation of personal computing devices and network connectivity in the home, systems are now regularly managed by nonexperts. Each system needs to be secured by each user in each home. Therefore designing effective, unbiased evaluation methods for consumer products is one of the first steps in improving both users’ experiences and their security practices. Evaluating the usability of security is a challenge. A common question evaluators face is: “How do I test whether users will configure and use a product securely?” In this article, we outline problems we encountered in evaluating secure wireless network configuration and examine the assumptions many user study methods make, but which may not hold for security.