What is claimed is:
1. An image retrieval device for retrieving an image being similar to an inquired image from images stored in an image database comprising:
a first coefficient transforming means for transforming a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data accumulated in said image database and then generating a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity;
a second coefficient transforming means for transforming a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data of said inquired image and then generating a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity; and
a similarity calculating means for calculating similarity by comparing said second group of image feature descriptors for each piece of image data generated by said first coefficient transforming means with said second group of image feature descriptors transformed by said second coefficient transforming means.
2. The image retrieval device according to claim 1, further comprising an image feature descriptor storing means and wherein said similarity calculating means compares said second group of image feature descriptors of image data of said inquired image received from said second coefficient transforming means with said second group of image feature descriptors of image data contained in said image database read from said image feature descriptor storing means.
3. The image retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein said first coefficient transforming means and said second coefficient transforming means perform transform of image feature descriptors in a manner that visual similarity between images to be compared is approximated by a distance between an image expressed by said second group of image feature descriptors of image data contained in said image database and an image expressed by said second group of image feature descriptors of image data of said inquired image.
4. The image retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein said first coefficient transforming means and said second coefficient transforming means use, as said image feature descriptor, a transform coefficient obtained by performing specified transforming processing of coefficient on image data.
5. The image retrieval device according to claim 4, wherein said first coefficient transforming means and said second coefficient transforming means perform a transform of coefficient using a transform table selected depending on a kind of transform coefficient to be used as said image feature descriptor and wherein said first coefficient transforming means and said second coefficient transforming means perform retrieval of a similar-image on a trial basis using a plurality of said transform tables each having a differently segmented range of said transform coefficient and select a transform table which has showed a high rate of correctly solved retrieval in said retrieval on said trial basis.
6. The image retrieval device according to claim 4, wherein said first coefficient transforming means and said second coefficient transforming means perform transform of said coefficient in a manner that fine quantization is carried out on a range of a portion of each of said transform coefficients having a small amplitude and that coarse quantization is carried out on a range of a portion of each of said transform coefficients having a large amplitude.
7. The image retrieval device according to claim 4, wherein said first coefficient transforming means and said second coefficient transforming means perform a transform of said coefficient in a manner that fine quantization is carried out on said coefficient having a small power and coarse quantization is carried out on said coefficient having a large power.
8. The image retrieval device according to claim 6, wherein said first coefficient transforming means and said second coefficient transforming means perform a transform of said coefficient in a manner that fine quantization is carried out on said coefficient having a small power and coarse quantization is carried out on said coefficient having a large power.
9. An image retrieval device for retrieving an image being similar to an inquired image from images stored in an image database comprising:
a coefficient transforming means for transforming a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data accumulated in said image database and from image data of said inquired image and then generating a second group of image feature descriptors used to calculate similarity; and
a similarity calculating means for comparing said second groups of image feature descriptors generated by said coefficient transforming means and then calculating similarity between an image accumulated in said image database and said inquired image.
10. An image retrieving method for retrieving an image being similar to an inquired image from images stored in an image database, said method comprising:
a step of transforming a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data accumulated in said image database and then generating a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity;
a step of transforming a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data of said inquired image and then generating a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity; and
a step of comparing said second group of image feature descriptors of image data accumulated in said image database with said second group of image feature descriptors of image data of said inquired image to calculate similarity.
11. The image retrieval method according to claim 10, wherein, in said two steps in which said first group of image feature descriptors is transformed and said second group of image feature descriptors is generated, a transform of said coefficient is performed using a transform table selected depending on a kind of transform coefficient to be used as said image feature descriptor and wherein retrieval of a similar-image is performed on a trial basis using a plurality of said transform tables each having a differently segmented range of said transform coefficient and a transform table is selected which has showed a high rate of correctly solved retrieval in said retrieval on a trial basis.
12. The image retrieval device according to claim 1, further comprising an image size resizing means for resizing image accumulated in said image database andor inquired image in size, and an image feature descriptor producing means for performing an orthogonal transform on an image obtained by said image size resizing means and producing an orthogonal transform coefficient and using said orthogonal transform coefficient as a first group of image feature descriptors.
13. The image retrieval device according to claim 12, wherein said image size resizing means is composed of a block dividing means for partitioning said image data into blocks, a dominant color calculating means for calculating a dominant color of each of blocks obtained by said block dividing means and an image creating means for creating an image using said dominant color of each of said blocks as a pixel.
14. The image retrieval device according to claim 13, wherein said image creating means extracts a color average of entire pixels contained in each of said blocks as said calculated dominant color of each of said blocks.
15. The image retrieval device according to claim 13, wherein said block dividing means partitions said image into 64 blocks.
16. The image retrieval device according to claim 12, wherein said image feature descriptor producing means performs a discrete cosine transform (DCT) on an image obtained by said image size transforming means and extracts an obtained DCT coefficient and uses said DCT coefficient as a first group of image feature descriptors.
17. The image retrieval device according to claim 9, further comprising an image size resizing means for resizing image accumulated in said image database andor inquired image in size, and an image feature descriptor producing means for performing an orthogonal transform on an image obtained by said image size resizing means and producing an orthogonal transform coefficient and using said orthogonal transform coefficient as a first group of image feature descriptors.
18. The image retrieval device according to claim 17, wherein said image size resizing means is composed of a block dividing means for partitioning said image data into blocks, a dominant color calculating means for calculating a dominant color of each of blocks obtained by said block dividing means and an image creating means for creating an image using said dominant color of each of said blocks as a pixel.
19. The image retrieval device according to claim 18, wherein said image creating means extracts a color average of entire pixels contained in each of said blocks as said calculated dominant color of each of said blocks.
20. The image retrieval device according to claim 18, wherein said block dividing means partitions said image into 64 blocks.
21. The image retrieval device according to claim 9, wherein said image feature descriptor producing means performs a discrete cosine transform (DCT) on an image obtained by said image size transforming means and extracts an obtained DCT coefficient and uses said DCT coefficient as a first group of image feature descriptors.
22. The image retrieval method according to claim 10, further comprising an image size resizing process of resizing image accumulated in said image database data andor inquired image in size, and an image feature descriptor producing process of performing an orthogonal transform on an image obtained by said image size process and producing an orthogonal transform coefficient and using said orthogonal transform coefficient as a first group of image feature descriptors.
23. The image retrieval method according to claim 22, wherein said image size resizing process is composed of a block dividing process of partitioning said image data into blocks, a dominant color calculating process of calculating a dominant color of each of blocks obtained by said block dividing process and an image creating process of creating an image using said dominant color of each of said blocks as a pixel.
24. The image retrieval method according to claim 23, wherein said image creating process is to extract a color average of entire pixels contained in each of said blocks as said calculated dominant color of each of said blocks.
25. The image retrieval method according to claim 23, wherein said block dividing process is to partition said image data into 64 blocks.
26. The image retrieval method according to claim 22, wherein said image feature descriptor producing process is to perform a DCT on an image obtained by said image size resizing process and to extract an obtained DCT coefficient and to use said DCT coefficient as a first group of image feature descriptors.
27. A storage medium storing a similar-image retrieval program to cause a computer to carry out retrieval of an image being similar to an inquired image from images stored in an image database, wherein said similar-image retrieval program includes a step of transforming a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data accumulated in said image database and then generating a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity, a step of transforming a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data of said inquired image and then generating a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity; and a step of comparing said second group of image feature descriptors of image data accumulated in said image database with said second group of image feature descriptors of image data of said inquired image to calculate similarity.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A modular bingo system comprising:
a first ball console module at which an operator is stationed to conduct a first bingo game, said first ball console module having opposing left and right sides and including:
first bingo ball chamber into which a first plurality of numbered bingo balls are loaded and from which the first bingo balls are dispensed in an unpredictable order;
a first ball tray into which the operator places first bingo balls dispensed from the first ball chamber, the first ball tray having a plurality of ball receiving locations corresponding to the plurality of first bingo balls, each receiving location designated for one specific numbered first bingo ball;
a first switch matrix that identifies where bingo balls have been placed in the first ball tray; and,
a first ball console computer that monitors the first switch matrix and transmits data regarding its state from the first ball console module; and,
a primary console module separate and distinct from the first ball console module, said primary console module arranged to be selectively positioned on either side of the first ball console module, said primary console module receiving the data regarding the state of the first switch matrix from the first ball console module and including:
a main computer distinct from said first ball console computer and operatively connected thereto, said main computer programmed to conduct a bingo game;
an input device by which the operator enters commands into the main computer;
a local display operatively connected to said main computer; said local display displaying game information under the control of said main computer;
a holder upon which the local display is supported, said holder providing a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement for selectively adjusting the position of the local display relative to the primary console; and,
a data router operatively connected to the main computer, said data router providing communications links for the exchange of data between the main computer, the first ball console computer and a remote display indicating gaming data, wherein the data router monitors the communications link with the main computer such that if the communications link with the main computer fails, then in response thereto the data router: (i) produces a signal sent to the first ball console computer to automatically place the first ball console module in the manual play mode; and (ii) routes data regarding the state of the first switch matrix from the first ball console module to the remote display wherein the data router also provides power from the primary console module to the first ball console computer, wherein the data router comprises:
a central processing unit that controls operation of the data router under the direction of programming stored in a memory;
a plurality of interfaces providing connectivity to the main computer, the first ball console computer and the flashboard; and,
a data bus upon which the interfaces are operatively supported.
2. The modular bingo system of claim 1, wherein the first ball console is operative in a manual play mode and further includes:
a manual ball reset switch by which the operator selectively resets the status of a single bingo ball indicated on the remote display; and,
a manual board reset switch by which the operator selectively resets the status of all the bingo balls indicated on the remote display.
3. The modular bingo system of claim 2, wherein the manual reset switches are inoperative when the first ball console is not in the manual play mode, and they further include:
an indicator that indicates when the manual reset switches are operative and the first ball console is in the manual play mode.
4. The modular bingo console system of claim 1, wherein the primary electronics console is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply that powers the primary electronic console in event of a power failure from a line source of power, said uninterruptible power supply having enough power to run the primary electronics console until an orderly shut down of the main computer is completed.
5. The modular bingo console system of claim 1, wherein each ball console further includes:
a memory in which is maintain a history of numbers drawn in a bingo game being conducted on that ball console module.
6. The modular bingo console system of claim 1, wherein the main computer has an optical drive.
7. A modular bingo system comprising:
a first ball console module at which an operator is stationed to conduct a first bingo game, said first ball console module having opposing left and right sides and including:
a first bingo ball chamber into which a first plurality of numbered bingo balls are loaded and from which the first bingo balls are dispensed in an unpredictable order;
a first ball tray into which the operator places first bingo balls dispensed from the first ball chamber, the first ball tray having a plurality of ball receiving locations corresponding to the plurality of first bingo balls, each receiving location designated for one specific numbered first bingo ball;
a first switch matrix that identifies where bingo balls have been placed in the first ball tray; and,
a first ball console computer that monitors the first switch matrix and transmits data regarding its state from the first ball console module; and,
a primary console module separate and distinct from the first ball console module, said primary console module arranged to be selectively positioned on either side of the first ball console module, said primary console module receiving the data regarding the state of the first switch matrix from the first ball console module and including:
a main computer distinct from said first ball console computer and operatively connected thereto, said main computer programmed to conduct a bingo game;
an input device by which the operator enters commands into the main computer;
a local display operatively connected to said main computer; said local display displaying game information under the control of said main computer; and,
a data router operatively connected to the main computer, said data router providing communications links for the exchange of data between the main computer, the first ball console computer and a remote display indicating gaming data, wherein the data router monitors the communications link with the main computer such that if the communications link with the main computer fails, then in response thereto the data router: (i) produces a signal sent to the first ball console computer to automatically place the first ball console module in the manual play mode: and (ii) routes data regarding the state of the first switch matrix from the first ball console module to the remote display, wherein the data router also provides power from the primary console module to the first ball console computer, wherein the data router comprises:
a central processing unit that controls operation of the data router under the direction of programming stored in a memory;
a plurality of interfaces providing connectivity to the main computer, the first ball console computer and the flash board; and,
a data bus upon which the interfaces are operatively supported.
8. The modular bingo system of claim 7, further comprising:
second ball console module for conducting a second bingo game simultaneously with the first bingo game, said second ball console module including:
a second bingo ball chamber into which a second plurality of numbered bingo balls are loaded and from which the second bingo balls are dispensed in an unpredictable order;
a second ball tray into which the operator places bingo balls dispensed from the second ball chamber, the second ball tray having a plurality of ball receiving locations corresponding to the plurality of second bingo balls, each receiving location designated for one specific numbered second bingo ball;
a second switch matrix that identifies where bingo balls have been placed in the second ball tray; and,
a second ball console computer distinct from said main computer and said first ball console computer, said second ball console computer monitoring the second switch matrix and transmitting data regarding its state from the second ball console to the primary console;
wherein said second ball console module is separate and distinct from the primary console module and the first ball console module, said data router also providing communication links between the main computer, the second ball console and the remote display, and wherein said main computer controls the remote display to reflect at least one of the first bingo game being conducted at the first ball console or the second bingo game being conducted at the second ball console.
9. The modular bingo system of claim 8, wherein the first ball console further includes a first digital video camera arranged to view bingo balls dispensed from the first ball chamber, said first camera relaying first digital images to the main computer; and said second ball console module further includes a second digital video camera arranged to view bingo balls dispensed from the second ball chamber, said second camera relaying second digital images to the main computer.
10. The modular bingo system of claim 9, wherein the main computer processes the first and second digital images and routes that corresponding game operative digital image to a video output port that supplies it to an external television monitor.
11. The modular bingo console system of claim 7, wherein the primary console module is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply that powers the primary console module in event of a power failure from a line source of power, said uninterruptible power supply having enough power to run the primary console module until an orderly shut down of the main computer is completed.
12. The modular bingo system of claim 7, wherein the data router further translates communications between the main computer, the first ball console computer and the flashboard when the communication protocols are different for any two that are communicating.
13. The modular bingo system of claim 7, wherein the first ball console further comprises:
a memory in which the current state of the first switch matrix is maintained.
14. The modular bingo system of claim 7, wherein the main computer is equipped with an optical drive for storing game data.