Abstract: A method of automated videography, in which video images of at least one subject in a local environment are acquired using an automated videography system to capture video images using one or more cameras during a videography event of one or more video scenes; applying current video capture settings which define subject framing and camera parameters; analyzing the video images of a current video scene to assess image quality relative to changes in subject activity and current subject framing; determining a need to change subject framing to improve video image quality based on the assessment of image quality; determining whether the changes in subject activity, relative to the subject framing, correspond to an intra-scene transition or an inter-scene transition; determining new subject framing and new video capture settings for a scene-transition, whether intra-scene or inter-scene; and automatically modifying video image capture in accordance with the newly determined video capture settings.

Abstract: A method for framing subjects captured on video includes receiving video of a subject and determining a current shot framing of the subject. A magnitude and a direction of movement of the subject is determined, relative to the current framing and a level of motion threshold. The subject movement is analyzed relative to the determined magnitude, direction of subject movement, and the current framing, to determine that the subject is properly framed by the current shot framing or whether modifications of the current shot framing are required to capture the moving subject, or to determine a new shot selection and new shot framing. The camera re-frames the subject if the subject is determined not to be properly framed, in accordance with the determined modifications of the current shot framing, the new shot selection and new shot framing. Video images are provided to a remote viewer.

Abstract: A method of producing a digital stereoscopic image using a processor is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of digital image files which include digital images and the time of capture of each image and using time of capture to identify candidate pairs of images. The method further includes using the processor to analyze the image content of the candidate pairs of images to identify at least one image pair that can be used to produce a stereoscopic image; and using an identified image pair to produce the digital stereoscopic image.

Abstract: Video communication systems and methods for operating the same are provided with the method determining privacy settings for a video communication event; establishing a video communication link with a video communication system at a remote site; capturing video images of a field of view of at least one image capture device; determining a video context based at least in part upon a determined contextual classification for the communication event; analyzing the captured video images to identify privacy sensitive areas in the captured video images, using a scene analysis algorithm which examines a content of the video images and image context characteristics of the video images based upon the determined privacy settings; modifying the image characteristics in identified privacy sensitive image areas of captured video images, to control the image and image context characteristics to an extent consistent with the determined privacy settings; and transmitting the modified video images.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a user subject interest is based at least upon an analysis of a user's collection of digital image records and is implemented at least in part by a data processing system. The method receives a defined user subject interest, receives a set of content requirements associated with the defined user-subject-interest, and identifies a set of digital image records from the collection of digital image records each having image characteristics in accord with the content requirements. A subject-interest trait associated with the defined user-subject-interest is evaluated based at least upon an analysis of the set of digital image records or characteristics thereof. The subject-interest trait is associated with the defined user-subject-interest in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: A method for producing a slide show video from a collection of hardcopy media, the method includes digitizing the media and detecting handwritten information and estimating the age of the media; determining an order of presentation for the slide show video based on the detected handwritten information and estimated ages; and producing a slide show video from the hardcopy media using the determined order of presentation.

Abstract: An appeal estimation system for estimating a personal appeal of a candidate individual to an observer including a digital image capture device and a soft-copy display.

Abstract: A method for estimating a personal appeal of a candidate individual to an observer, comprising: designating a set of proxy individuals; providing one or more digital images for each proxy individual; determining personal appeal values of each proxy individual to the observer; providing one or more digital images for the candidate individual; determining image similarity metrics between the digital images for the candidate individual and the digital images for each proxy individual; determining similarity values between the candidate individual and each proxy individual responsive to the determined image similarity metrics; and estimating the personal appeal of the candidate individual to the observer by determining a weighted combination of the personal appeal values for the proxy individuals, wherein the weighted combination uses weighting coefficients that are determined responsive to the similarity values between the candidate individual and the corresponding proxy individual.

Abstract: A method for detecting, scaling, and positioning handwritten information from hardcopy media, the method includes the steps of digitizing the media and detecting handwritten information; analyzing the media to determine an available location in the digitized image for placement; determining the orientation of the media and handwritten information; and orienting, scaling, and positioning the detected handwritten information. The method further includes storing or using the digitized image side with the handwritten information.

Abstract: Pre-image-acquisition information is obtained by a digital camera and transmitted to a system external to the digital camera. The system is configured to provide image-acquisition settings to the digital camera. In this regard, the digital camera receives the image-acquisition settings from the external system and performs an image-acquisition sequence based at least upon the received image-acquisition settings. Accordingly, the determination of image-acquisition settings can be performed remotely from the digital camera, where data-processing resources can greatly exceed those within the digital camera.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to determining presentation effects for a sequence of digital content records based at least upon a comparison of environmental conditions in which the digital content records were captured. Examples of such environmental conditions include time-date of capture, geographic location of capture, direction of capture, altitude of capture, etc. By determining presentation effects based upon environmental conditions, such presentation effects can be quickly and intelligently determined, with reduced user interaction as compared to conventional schemes.

Abstract: A method for processing geo-location information associated with a digital image file, the method implemented at least in part by a data processing system and comprising receiving a digital image file having at least associated geo-location information relating to the digital image file; providing a venue database that stores geographic boundaries for a plurality of venues; identifying a venue where the digital image file was captured, the venue being identified by at least comparing the geo-location information to the geographic boundaries stored in the venue database; and adding a metadata tag to the digital image file, the metadata tag providing an indication of the identified venue.

Abstract: In a computer-mediated method for providing representative images, image records are classified spatio-temporally into groups. In each group, image records are partitioned into clusters and the hierarchically highest cluster is ascertained. The partitioning is between a hierarchy of feature clusters and a remainder cluster, based on a predetermined plurality of saliency features. Feature clusters each have one or more of the saliency features. The remainder cluster lacks the saliency features. Feature clusters are each exclusive of the saliency features of any higher clusters in the hierarchy and non-exclusive of the saliency features of any lower feature clusters in the hierarchy. A representative image of each group is designated from respective image records based on: the respective saliency feature of the highest cluster when the highest cluster is a feature cluster and independent of the saliency features when the highest cluster is the remainder cluster.

Abstract: A method for dating photographic prints comprising scanning a front side of a photographic print forming an image scan; scanning a back side of the photographic print forming a back scan; defining a database of photographic print watermarks, each photographic print watermark comprising a representation of a watermark pattern and an associated date range; analyzing the back scan using a cross-correlation process between the back scan and the watermark patterns in the database of photographic print watermarks to identify a matching photographic print watermark; determining a date range for the image scan responsive to the identified matching photographic print watermark; and associating the determined date range with the image scan.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system that automatically analyzes digital images containing people or objects to generate derived data from the images including non-imaging numerical data and text data. The image content of the digital image can then be destroyed and the derived data can be stored along with any associated capture metadata for use and/or analysis. By converting images containing people to derived data and associated capture metadata, which does not include images of people or likenesses of people, the privacy of the individual is maintained. The method is useful for security monitoring and advertising.

Abstract: A method for framing subjects captured on video includes receiving video of a subject and determining a current shot framing of the subject. A magnitude and a direction of movement of the subject is determined, relative to the current framing and a level of motion threshold. The subject movement is analyzed relative to the determined magnitude, direction of subject movement, and the current framing, to determine that the subject is properly framed by the current shot framing or whether modifications of the current shot framing are required to capture the moving subject, or to determine a new shot selection and new shot framing. The camera re-frames the subject if the subject is determined not to be properly framed, in accordance with the determined modifications of the current shot framing, the new shot selection and new shot framing. Video images are provided to a remote viewer.

Abstract: A method of automated videography, in which video images of at least one subject in a local environment are acquired using an automated videography system to capture video images using one or more cameras during a videography event of one or more video scenes; applying current video capture settings which define subject framing and camera parameters; analyzing the video images of a current video scene to assess image quality relative to changes in subject activity and current subject framing; determining a need to change subject framing to improve video image quality based on the assessment of image quality; determining whether the changes in subject activity, relative to the subject framing, correspond to an intra-scene transition or an inter-scene transition; determining new subject framing and new video capture settings for a scene-transition, whether intra-scene or inter-scene; and automatically modifying video image capture in accordance with the newly determined video capture settings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods that provide enhanced eye safety for image projection systems. In particular, the instant invention provides enhanced eye safety for long throw laser projection systems.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to the organizing of digital content by events, so that retrieval of such digital content in a manner meaningful and logical to users is achieved. In this regard, an event may be defined at least by event boundaries, such as a span of time, a geographic area, an acquirer of digital content, or a subject of digital content. Digital content that can be deemed to accord with the event boundaries may be associated with the event and made available for access and retrieval.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a user subject interest is based at least upon an analysis of a user's collection of digital image records and is implemented at least in part by a data processing system. The method receives a defined user subject interest, receives a set of content requirements associated with the defined user-subject-interest, and identifies a set of digital image records from the collection of digital image records each having image characteristics in accord with the content requirements. A subject-interest trait associated with the defined user-subject-interest is evaluated based at least upon an analysis of the set of digital image records or characteristics thereof. The subject-interest trait is associated with the defined user-subject-interest in a processor-accessible memory.