Abstract: A lighting controller is disclosed that automatically adjusts a lighting device based on user activity. The disclosed lighting controller processes at least one of audio and video information to identify predefined user events that suggest that a lighting device should be activated or adjusted. In one implementation, a number of behavior rules define various user activities or events that suggest that the user would like to activate or adjust a lighting device. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied to activate or adjust the lighting device. Upon detection of a predefined event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the lighting controller.

Abstract: A computer-based assisted parking system and method for parking a vehicle into a parking space includes at least one sensor arranged to sense a position of the vehicle to be parked in a predetermined area adjacent the vehicle; a sensing system for at least two-dimensional reconstruction of feedback received from the one sensor; a path planning system for determining whether positions of other vehicles adjacent the parking space provide sufficient clearance for the vehicle to be parked and providing a planned path indicating how the vehicle to be parked will be maneuvered; a control system for controlling maneuvering of the vehicle to be parked based on the planned path determined by the path planning system, and the control system controls vehicle steering, direction, speed, and application of brakes, so that the vehicle to be parked is maneuvered into the parking space. Alternatively, directions may be given as the vehicle is parked under the control of the driver.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention can be configured to demultiplex an asynchronously multiplexed video signal, which comprises images from a number of different cameras. Image matching techniques are used to assign input images with states. After a period, the number of states will generally equal the number of input cameras. The states may be modeled through any number of techniques, such as histogram analysis, clustering, and hidden Markov model analysis. Input images are assigned to states, and the input images are output as being associated with the states. Zone surveillance may be performed on a series of images from one or more of the states. Any events that occur can be distinguished and reported.

Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed that provides automatic face or skin blurring for images. All faces or skin can be blurred, or specific faces can be blurred. In one aspect of the invention, a particular face is blurred on an image or on a series of images in a video. Faces are determined in an image, and face matching is performed to match a particular face to faces in the image. If a match is found, the face or a portion of the face is blurred in the image. The blurring is performed on a portion of the image containing the particular face. Blurring may be performed through a variety of techniques. In another aspect of the invention, voice processing is used as an adjunct to or in place of face analysis to determine if a face in an image or series of images should be blurred. In another aspect of the invention, all faces or human skin in an image or series of images is blurred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing an automatic zoom lens, and more particularly to a zoom lens that is controlled by a processor that is linked to a gaze tracking system. As a user looks onto an object through the device, the gaze tracking system collects data relating to the position of each eye of the user. This eye position data is input into the processor where the focal point of the user is determined. The processor then adjusts the zoom lens to zoom in or out onto the object based on either a predetermined or user input zoom factor.

Abstract: Generally, techniques for analyzing foreground-segmented images are disclosed. The techniques allow clusters to be determined from the foreground-segmented images. New clusters may be added, old clusters removed, and current clusters tracked. A probabilistic framework is used for the analysis of the present invention. A method is disclosed that estimates cluster parameters for one or more clusters determined from an image comprising segmented areas, and evaluates the cluster or clusters in order to determine whether to modify the cluster or clusters. These steps are generally performed until one or more convergence criteria are met. Additionally, clusters can be added, removed, or split during this process. In another aspect of the invention, clusters are tracked during a series of images, and predictions of cluster movements are made.

Abstract: A visual user interface provided on a display. The display provides a plurality of selection options to a user. A processor is operatively coupled to the display for sequentially highlighting each of the plurality of selection options for a period of time. The processor, during the highlighting, receives one or more images of the user from an image input device and determines whether a selection gesture from the user is contained in the one or more images. When a selection gesture is contained in the one or more images, the processor performs an action determined by the highlighted selection option.

Abstract: An appliance controller is disclosed that monitors the operation of an appliance and automatically adjusts the appliance in response to predefined audio activity. The disclosed appliance controller includes one or more microphones to capture audio information associated with an appliance. A number of exemplary appliance adjustment rules define various audio features that suggest when an appliance setting should be adjusted. Each rule contains one or more audio features and a corresponding appliance adjustment that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. The appliance adjustment rules can be predefined or dynamically determined from observed user behavior.

Abstract: This invention provides an alarm system and method for adjusting the wake-up signals. The system includes a means for tracking the behavior of a person in a predetermined area under surveillance after the activation of an alarm clock, and a means for determining whether the person is motionless for a predetermined time period. Upon recognition that the observed behavior indicates the person is still sleeping, the wake-up signals are gradually increased. At the same time, the electrical power supplied to a plurality of electronic devices may be increased to assist the person to wake up.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and recording an image of an impact to an object. The system comprises a sensor located to detect an impact at a corresponding surface region of the object and provide an output in response to detection of such an impact. The system further comprises an optical device having a field of view. The space adjacent the surface region corresponding to the sensor is located within the field of view of the optical device. The output provided by the sensor in response to detection of an impact initiates image capture by the optical device of the space adjacent the surface region corresponding to the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing an automatic zoom lens, and more particularly to a zoom lens that is controlled by a processor that is linked to a gaze tracking system. As a user looks onto an object through the device, the gaze tracking system collects data relating to the position of each eye of the user. This eye position data is input into the processor where the focal point of the user is determined. The processor then adjusts the zoom lens to zoom in or out onto the object based on either a predetermined or user input zoom factor.

Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed that allows a user to participate in a given content selection or to substitute any of the actors or characters in the content selection. A user can modify an image by replacing an image of an actor with an image of the corresponding user (or a selected third party). Various parameters associated with the actor to be replaced are estimated for each frame. A static model is obtained of the user (or the selected third party). A face synthesis technique modifies the user model according to the estimated parameters associated with the selected actor. A video integration stage superimposes the modified user model over the actor in the original image sequence to produce an output video sequence containing the user (or selected third party) in the position of the original actor.

Abstract: A device for identifying vehicles traveling in excess of a predetermined speed. The device including: speed measurement detector for measuring the speed of a target vehicle and outputting a signal indicative of the measured speed; a camera operatively connected to the speed measurement detector for capturing image data of a license plate affixed to the target vehicle when the target vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed; and a device for tagging the captured image data with the signal indicative of the measured speed of the target vehicle. The device can further have a recognition system for recognizing the license plate of the target vehicle which controls the camera to provide an enhanced view of the license plate. The device can also have classification and color identification systems for identifying a type and color of the target vehicle. The type and color information can also be tagged to the image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring the location of one or more viewer(s) and dynamically adjusting the image to compensate for the current location of the viewer(s). The image is adjusted to compensate for a viewing location (pan angle, &THgr;, tilt angle, &PHgr;, or distance, d) outside of a specified range of values. The input image is adjusted so that the output image appears as originally intended, for the current viewing location of the viewer. A linear transformation technique is applied to the original image to generate a modified image. The linear transformation maps the pixels in the original image to a new space that distorts the image, such that when the modified image is viewed from an offset viewing location the image appears as if being viewed from a direct viewing location.

Abstract: A media player controller is disclosed that monitors user activity and automatically activates a media player in response to predefined events. The disclosed media player controller includes one or more audio/visual mage capture devices focused on one or more users. The captured audio and video information is processed by the media player controller to identify one or more predefined events. A number of rules can be utilized to define various user events suggesting that the media player should be activated, such as when the user enters the room and demonstrates certain behavior. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. Upon detection of a predefined event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the media player controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing an automatic zoom lens, and more particularly to a zoom lens that is controlled by a processor that is linked to a gaze tracking system. As a user looks onto an object through the device, the gaze tracking system collects data relating to the position of each eye of the user. This eye position data is input into the processor where the focal point of the user is determined. The processor then adjusts the zoom lens to zoom in or out onto the object based on either a predetermined or user input zoom factor.

Abstract: A system having a video display screen that provides video to a user. The position of the display screen is adjustable based upon the location of the user with respect to the display screen. The system includes at least one image capturing device trainable on a viewing region of the display screen and coupled to a control unit having image recognition software. The image recognition software identifies the user in an image generated by the image capturing device. The software of the control unit also generates at least one measurement of the position of the user based upon the detection of the user in the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a video conferencing system using an array of two microphones and a stationary camera to automatically locate a speaker and electronically manipulate the video image to produce the effect of a movable pan tilt zoom (“PTZ”) camera. Computer vision algorithms are used to detect, locate, and track people in the field of view of a wide-angle, stationary camera. The estimated acoustic delay obtained from a microphone array, consisting of only two horizontally spaced microphones, is used to select the person speaking. This system can also detect any possible ambiguities, in which case, it cam respond in a fail-safe way, for example, it can zoom out to include all the speakers located at the same horizontal position.

Abstract: A media player controller is disclosed that monitors user activity and automatically controls a media player in response to predefined events. The disclosed media player controller includes one or more audio/visual mage capture devices focused on one or more users. The captured audio and video information is processed by the media player controller to identify one or more predefined events. A number of rules can be utilized to define various user events, such as when the user has left the room, is on the telephone or is otherwise paying attention to the media player. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. Upon detection of a predefined event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the media player controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing an automatic zoom lens, and more particularly to a zoom lens that is controlled by a processor that is linked to a gaze tracking system. As a user looks onto an object through the device, the gaze tracking system collects data relating to the position of each eye of the user. This eye position data is input into the processor where the focal point of the user is determined. The processor then adjusts the zoom lens to zoom in or out onto the object based on either a predetermined or user input zoom factor.