1. A method of embedding information into an image comprising:
obtaining an image data by taking the image by an image input device;
dividing the image data into a plurality of blocks;
determining an area in each of the blocks on the basis of a resolution power of the image input device, where a characteristic value may be modified in accordance with the information, respectively;
comparing the size of the block with the size of the area; and
modifying a characteristic value of each of the blocks in accordance with the information to be embedded when the ratio of the size of the area with respect to the size of the blocks is smaller than a predetermined value.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a first number of the blocks with a second number being calculated on the basis of a size of the image and a predetermined size of the area.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the modifying modifies the characteristic value of each of the blocks when the second number is not less than the first number.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting an error when the size of the area is not smaller than the size of the block.
5. An apparatus for embedding information into an image having an image input device, comprising:
a storage for storing an image data by taking the image by the image input device; and
a processor for dividing the image data into a plurality of blocks, determining an area in each of the blocks on the basis of a resolution power of the image input device, where a characteristic value may be modified in accordance with the information, respectively, comparing the size of the block with the size of the area, and modifying a characteristic value of each of the blocks in accordance with the information to be embedded when the ratio of the size of the area with respect to the size of the blocks is smaller than a predetermined value.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor further comprises obtaining a first number of the blocks with a second number being calculated on the basis of a size of the image and a predetermined size of the area.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the modifying modifies the characteristic value of each of the blocks when the second number is not less than the first number.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the processor further comprises outputting an error when the size of the area is not smaller than the size of the block.
9. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a computer program for embedding information into an image, by controlling an apparatus having an image data input device according to a process comprising:
obtaining an image data by taking the image by an image input device;
dividing the image data into a plurality of blocks;
determining an area in each of the blocks on the basis of a resolution power of the image input device, where a characteristic value may be modified in accordance with the information, respectively;
comparing the size of the block with the size of the area; and
modifying a characteristic value of each of the blocks in accordance with the information to be embedded when the ratio of the size of the area with respect to the size of the blocks is smaller than a predetermined value.
10. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 9, wherein said process further comprises obtaining a first number of the blocks with a second number being calculated on the basis of a size of the image and a predetermined size of the area.
11. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 10, wherein the modifying modifies the characteristic value of each of the blocks when the second number is not less than the first number.
12. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 9, wherein said process further comprises outputting an error when the size of the area is not smaller than the size of the block.
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 gauge system for use with an orthopedic implant and measuring the depth of a hole drilled into bone, comprising:
a) a drill guide having a bore, a side window open to said bore, graduated indicia provided along a side of said window, and a threaded end for engagement with the orthopedic implant; and
b) a gauge removable from said drill guide, said gauge having an elongate shaft provided with a reference mark,
wherein when a hole is drilled through said drill guide and said gauge is through said bore of said guide and into the hole, a depth through or within the hole is measured by the location of the reference mark, as viewed through said window, relative to said graduated indicia.
2. A gauge system according to claim 1, wherein:
said drill guide includes two windows located on diametrically opposite sides of said drill guide.
3. A gauge system according to claim 1, wherein:
said bore has a constant diameter.
4. A gauge system according to claim 1, wherein:
said shaft portion with an has an end portion angled relative to an adjacent straight portion of said shaft, and said reference mark is provided on said straight portion.
5. A gauge system according to claim 4, wherein:
said end portion is angled by an angle relative to said adjacent portion of said shaft.
6. A gauge system according to claim 4, wherein:
said end portion is resiliently bendable relative to said adjacent portion such that said angle is reduced when said gauge is inserted into said bore.
7. A gauge system according to claim 4, wherein:
said angle is 3\xb0 to 6\xb0.
8. A gauge system according to claim 4, wherein:
said end portion includes a rounded tip having an upper catch.
9. A gauge system according to claim 8, wherein:
said end portion tapers in a lateral direction at and adjacent said rounded tip.
10. A gauge system according to claim 8, wherein:
said upper catch comprises a surface obliquely angled relative to a longitudinal axis through said end portion.
11. A gauge for use in a gauge system for measuring the depth of a drilled hole in bone, comprising:
a) a straight shaft portion having proximal and distal ends and including a reference mark between said ends;
b) a handle portion at said proximal end of said shaft; and
c) an end portion at said distal end and obliquely angled relative to said shaft portion, said end portion being resiliently bendable relative to said shaft portion such that when said end portion is radially deformed by a force from its obliquely angled relationship relative to said shaft portion, said end portion returns to the obliquely angled relationship once the deformation force is removed from said end portion.
12. A gauge system according to claim 11, wherein:
said angle is 3\xb0 to 6\xb0.
13. A gauge system according to claim 11, wherein:
said end portion includes a rounded tip having an upper catch.
14. A gauge system according to claim 13, wherein:
said end portion tapers in a lateral direction at and adjacent said rounded tip.
15. A gauge system according to claim 13, wherein:
said upper catch comprises a surface obliquely angled relative to a longitudinal axis through said end portion.
16. A gauge system according to claim 11, wherein:
said surface is angled at approximately 105\xb0 relative to said longitudinal axis.
17. A gauge system according to claim 11, wherein:
said shaft portion further includes graduated indicia spaced apart from said reference mark.
18. A gauge system according to claim 11, wherein:
said reference mark is one of engraved, etched, oxidized, painted, and enameled onto said shaft portion.
19. A gauge system according to claim 11, wherein:
said reference mark is a raised element on a surface of said shaft portion.
20. A gauge for use in a gauge system for measuring the depth of a drilled hole in bone, comprising:
a) a straight shaft portion having proximal and distal ends and including graduated indicia between said ends;
b) a handle portion at said proximal end of said shaft; and
c) an end portion at said distal end and obliquely angled relative to said shaft portion, said end portion being resiliently bendable relative to said shaft portion.
21. A gauge according to claim 20, wherein:
said end portion includes a rounded tip defining an upper catch surface which is obliquely angled relative to said shaft portion and said end portion.
22. A gauge for use in a gauge system for measuring the depth of a drilled hole in bone, comprising:
a) a straight shaft portion having proximal and distal ends and including graduated indicia and a reference mark spaced apart from said graduated indicia;
b) a handle portion at said proximal end of said shaft; and
c) a distal end portion sized for insertion through a hole drilled in a distal fragment of a fractured radius bone, said end portion including a catch.
23. A gauge according to claim 22, wherein:
said end portion has a diameter less than approximately 3 mm.
24. A gauge according to claim 23, wherein:
said end portion has a length between approximately 10 mm and approximately 25 mm.
25. A gauge according to claim 22, wherein:
said reference mark is one of engraved, etched, painted, oxidized, enameled, and raised on said shaft portion.