Method for determining reproducibly if visual features of objects are known to a person

• US 6,567,569 B1
• Filed: 08/12/1999
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Object Software Modules N.V.
• Original Assignee: Verify International N.V.
• Inventors: Claessens, Dominique Paul Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jayanti K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kassa, Yosef
• Application Number:
  US09/308,567
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 382/182, 382/190, 382/191, 382/274, 382/277, 382/278, 382/282, 382/284, 382/287, 382/291, 382/293, 382/294, 382/295, 382/299, 382/302, 382/311, 345/156, 345/173, 345/700, 345/729, 345/733, 348/180, 348/189, 348/191, 705/10, 725/35, 725/36
• US Class Current: 382/311
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method for determining reproducibly if visual features of an object are known to a person. For that purpose, one or more test images are prepared by applying predetermined algorithms so that an image of the respective object is altered such that cognitive perception is in general impossible whereas the global affective impression is not influenced. The test images are presented to a person and it is determined if recognition occurs and if so how certain and how correct. Finally, it is determined which parts of the original images can be reproduced based on information recalled from the memory and if there is confusion or interchange with other images.

Claims

1. Method for determining reproducibly if visual features of an image are known to a person, which method comprises the following steps:

a) preparing a test image by applying a method for transforming images into test images by relocating image elements or groups of image elements by applying a n×

m dimensional image element position transfer function ψ

^n,m(x,y) on n×

m sections of test images, such that the relocated image elements or groups of image elements never cover each other, do not duplicate each other, do not leave an open space and remain unchanged in respect to color, color saturation and brightness,

b) presenting a prepared test image to said person and asking if said person recognize the image,

c) determining whether or not said person recognizes a presented test image or part thereof.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein during step a) the transformation function can be applied repetitively on the whole image or selected parts thereof.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the transformation function may comprise different definitions dependent on the position (x,y).

4. Method for determining reproducibly if and to what extend visual features of a first test image produces also cognitive associations with visual features of a second test image to a person, which method comprises the following steps:

a) preparing said first and second test images by applying for each of them a method for transforming images into test images by relocating image elements or groups of image elements by applying a n×

m dimensional image element position transfer function ψ

^n,m(x,y) on n×

m sections of test images, such that the relocated image elements or groups of image elements never cover each other, do not duplicatev each other, do not leave an open space and remain unchanged in respect to colour, coulor saturation and brightness

b) presenting the first test image to said person,

c) presenting the second test image to said person,

d) determining from the responses of said person if cognitive association concerning the first and second images or parts thereof occurs.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein during step a) the transformation function can be applied repetitively on the whole image or selected parts thereof.

6. Method according to claim 4, wherein the transformation function may comprise different definitions dependent on the position (x,y).