Abstract: Systems and methods of producing video data and/or audio-photos from a static digital image are disclosed. One such method, among others, comprises receiving input from a user indicating sequentially, in real time, a plurality of regions of the static digital image. The method also includes processing the user input to determine the visual content of each of a sequence of video frames and generating output data representative of the sequence of video frames. The sequence and composition of the video frames are determined such that the visual content of the video frames is taken from the static digital image. For each region of the static image indicated by the user, a video frame is composed such that the said region occupies a substantial part of the video frame. The sequence of video frames shows the regions indicated by the user in sequential correspondence with the sequence in which the user indicated the regions and substantially in pace with the time in which the user indicated the regions.

Abstract: An apparatus for Internet browsing and other Internet-interactive activities, comprises: a camera focusing on a printed hypertext document for generating video signals representing an image of the printed hypertext document in electronic form: A processor linked to the camera processes images of the printed hypertext document captured by the camera and a finger or other pointing implement within the camera field of view pointing to a region of the printed hypertext document and determines from the image the identity of a linked web page or a linked multi-media, i.e. audio and/or video sequence, data file referred to on that hypertext document in the region pointed to, and then fetches from the Internet or a local cache of web pages data comprising the linked web page or linked multimedia data file referenced in the printed hypertext document. A receiver receives and displays or plays the fetched data.

Abstract: An image capture device (10) incorporates motion sensing means (12a/12b), a controller (16) and setting controls (14) for the image capture device (10), wherein the controller (16) is operable to store a plurality of configurations of the setting controls (14) as preset configurations, wherein each of said preset configurations is associated with a particular output of the motion sensing means (12a/12b).

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a method of processing audio data comprising: characterising an audio data representative of a recorded sound scene into a set of sound sources occupying positions within a time and space reference frame; analysing the sound sources; and generating a modified audio data representing sound captured from at least one virtual microphone configured for moving about the recorded sound scene, wherein the virtual microphone is controlled in accordance with a result of the analysis of said audio data, to conduct a virtual tour of the recorded sound scene.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method for reviewing videos, comprising: deriving at least two video segments from unedited video footage based upon a previously determined unique saliency, each saliency associated with a corresponding one of the video segments; and displaying a display window for each of the derived video segments substantially concurrently.

Abstract: A method of generating an audio signal comprises receiving a plurality of input audio signals from a plurality of microphones forming a microphone array, the plurality of input audio signals being representative of a set of sound sources within the auditory field of view of the microphone array at a given instant in time; receiving a motion input signal from a motion sensor, the motion input signal being representative of the motion of the microphone array; and manipulating the received plurality of input audio signals in response to the received motion input signal to generate an audio output signal that is representative of a set of sound sources within the auditory field of view of a virtual microphone, the apparent motion of the virtual microphone being independent of the motion of the microphone array.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for generating images of a document with interaction of a primary user with the document in an interaction session. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises an image capture means adapted to capture an initial image of the document without interaction by a user and to subsequently capture at least one additional image of the document during an interaction session including interaction from the user during that session, and a processing means adapted to generate a data set representing the interaction session from the initial image and the additional image, the data set containing at least the initial image along with information indicative of the interaction of the user during the session obtained from the additional image.

Abstract: In automatic photographic or electronic camera apparatus, sounds from a person are preferentially received or identified to provide an audio signal, used to produce a saliency signal (indicative of the person's response to circumstances) to control the camera or an image signal produced therefrom. The sounds are detected by a sound conduction microphone, e.g. on the head or throat of the person, or by voice identification circuitry used with a less specific microphone not necessarily mounted on the person, who may or may not be wearing the camera. Control can be in real time, or the sound or saliency signal can be recorded with an image signal for subsequent control of the latter. The audio signal is categorised by waveform analysis, e.g. for the recognition of sounds, such as speech or non-speech vocal sounds, and/or non-vocal sounds; signal amplitude may also be taken into account.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system and method for producing an edited video signal from a plurality of cameras. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method that produces an edited video signal from a plurality of cameras wherein at least the imaging lens of each of the camera being held or worn by a respective one of a plurality of participants simultaneously present at a site, comprising receiving contemporaneous audio streams from at least two participants, selectively deriving from the audio streams a single audio output signal according to a predetermined first set of one or more criteria, receiving contemporaneous video streams from at least two of the cameras, and deriving from the video streams a single video output signal according to a predetermined second set of one or more criteria.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the field of view of a camera are described. The method includes processing at least one collected image so as to calculate at least two positions of at least one body part of a user, and to determine an area defined by said position; and generating a signal suitable for the control of the field of view of a camera in dependence upon said determined area.

Abstract: A method of displaying a digital image comprises the steps of: providing a processor with image data for generating a displayable image, which image data is from a plurality of static digital images, the processor generating a displayable rendered image from the image data, determining a rostrum path to display part of the displayable rendered image and generating a novel viewpoint simulating a different viewing angle. A corresponding computer system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital camera derives an infrared and visible signals from IR and visible sensors. The sensor fields of view overlap or share a common field of view. An analyzer of the IR signal provides the location of and information from an active or passive IR target. The analyzer responds to the location and information signals for visible image composition control (pan/tilt/zoom/timing) and selection of visible image pictures for storage to provide ancillary information, such as personal details of a target wearer. The visible and infrared image signals are combined to correct for sensitivity of the visible and/or IR sensors to IR and visible wavelengths, respectively.

Abstract: An image viewed by a person is recorded in response to the pointing direction of the eyes of the person by using an optical sensor arrangement that simultaneously derives image segments corresponding with images seen by the person looking forward of his head and to both sides of his head. Alternatively, the sensor arrangement includes plural optical sensors for these images. One image of the plural sensors is selected for recording based on rotation of the head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer. The apparatus in one aspect comprises: a printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks, the document being positioned on a work surface; a camera focused on the document for generating video signals representing the document in electronic form; and a processor linked to the camera for processing an image captured by the camera and configured to identify the calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determine from the location of the calibration marks in the image a transformation between co-ordinates of features. In the image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document that compensates for the freely variable positioning of the document on the work surface.

Abstract: A method of displaying digital images comprises the steps of using a processor to determine an extent of similarity between a first image part and a second image part, displaying a first image part from a viewpoint and transitioning to displaying a second image part from a viewpoint, the second image part being selected at least partly based on a determined extent of similarity between the first image part and the second image part, in which the viewpoint of an image part is moved either during the transition or after the transition takes place. An appropriate system is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing composite electronic image of a scene including at least one link to other information comprises a camera for providing an image signal, a link generator responsive to the scene or the immediate environment for generating a link signal, and a combiner which combines the image and link signals to provide the electronic image. As shown, the viewed scene includes a zoo information display with a barcode which is read by the camera to provide the final part of the link information for concatenation onto a first part which is loaded into the camera at entry to the zoo (or preloaded if the camera belongs to the zoo). Clicking on the display on the viewed image provides a link to a zoo web page associated with the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of sharing a digital recording between a group of users of digital recording devices (e.g. digital cameras) present at a common event, the method including: (a) creating a digital recording (e.g. a digital photograph) using a digital recording device; (b) subjecting the users' digital recording devices to a synchronization event associated with the common event, the synchronization event resulting in the transmission of a synchronization code between the users' digital recording devices, the synchronization code including an address code to uniquely identify a database; (c) establishing a digital communication connection between the digital recording device which created the recording and the database; (d) causing the database to receive the digital recording without input from a user; and (e) enabling a user to access the digital recording from the database.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for assisting a reader to read a printed or scribed document that cites, directly or indirectly, other information. A camera focuses down on the document for generating video signals representing an image of the document in electronic form, and a processor linked to the camera processes the image of the document captured by the camera, the processor being configured to fetch information from a database when a user, by pointing to a position on the document, selects a position within the image. The document is placed within the field of view of the camera and finger or pointing implement is placed within the field of view of the camera to a selected position on the document. The camera captures an image of the document and of the finger or pointing implement overlying the document.

Abstract: An attention detection system detects a condition of shared attention of plural persons. The system includes plural body language detectors each associated with a different person for detecting body language of the associated person. An analyzer receives body language information from the body language detectors, analyzes the body language of the persons and determines when said body language information indicates shared attention between the persons. The attention detection system generates a signal that captures an image of the shared attention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an image capture system having an electronic camera for platenless document imaging. The system comprises: an electronic camera with an electronic detector and a lens with a field of view for imaging on the detector a portion of a document; a support by which the camera can be positioned to view the document; an actuator for moving the camera field of view so that a plurality of overlapping image tiles of a document can be captured at predetermined different locations over the support surface, each image tile having an array of tile data points and being subject to some expected perspective and/or camera distortion relative to the support surface; and a processor by which the plurality of image tiles may be joined into a composite image of the document. The processor includes a memory which stores transform data for each image tile, the transform data relating both to the expected distortion and to the predetermined overlap between image tiles.