Abstract: A memory tag is a transponder device with a memory for storing digital content. The memory contains code for generating an order for goods or services from a plurality of order choices.

Abstract: A system for performing instructions determined by received media-based messages, the system including an interface for receiving a media-based message from a system user; a database associating a plurality of specifications of media-based messages with respective stored instructions; a recognition engine for identifying a correspondence between a received media-based message and a stored specification of a media-based message. The system may include an instruction engine for performing an instruction associated with a stored specification of an media-based message for which a correspondence has been identified; an interface for receiving an activation request; and a database manager configured to process the activation request to generate publication data for creating a publication that may be recorded by a user to define a new media-based message and configured to adapt the database to include a specification of the new media-based message.

Abstract: A method of processing image data representing a captured image, the data generated using an image capture element of an image capture device, the method comprising generating state data representing at least one characteristic of motion of the image capture device and a status of at least one setting of the device during a predetermined time period, and processing the image data on the basis of the state data in order to provide a measure of the accuracy of framing of the captured image within a field of view of the device, and corresponding apparatus.

Abstract: A memory tag is a transponder device with a memory for storing digital content. Purchase-related information for a product is stored in such a memory tag. A write capability of the memory tag is disabled.

Abstract: A method of determining a regular grid pattern from a surface coded pattern that comprises the regular grid pattern interleaved with a further data carrying pattern wherein the surface coded pattern is subject to perspective distortion, the method comprising: extracting a set of straight line hypotheses from the coded surface pattern; clustering the straight line hypotheses by orientation; for each cluster, extracting a set of line pencil hypotheses; generating a set of regular grid hypotheses from pairs of the line pencil hypotheses; and determining the best regular grid hypothesis.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing electronic data associated with an item to a user, the apparatus comprising a memory tag scanner arranged to communicate with a memory tag associated with an item, a user profile memory arranged to store user profile data therein, an output interface arranged to provided data to a user, and a data processor arranged to cause data to be selectively read from the memory tag associated with an item and the data to be selectively provided to a user via the output interface in accordance with the stored user profile data.

Abstract: Detectors capable of accurately detecting and tracking moving features of such as faces within a video stream are sometimes too slow to be run in real-time. The present invention rapidly scans video footage in real-time and generates a series of preattemptive triggers indicating the frames and locations within the frames at our deserving of further investigation by a sub real-time detector. The triggers are generated by looking for peaks in a time variant measure such as the amount of symmetry within a frame or portion of a frame.

Abstract: A visual media viewing system comprises a server (102) and a viewing unit (106), connected via a network (104). The server (102) includes an image processor (108) and a data storage device (110) for storing visual media data. The viewing unit (106) includes a screen (112) for viewing at least a portion of a piece of visual media and a data storage device (120) for storing visual media data. Both of the respective data storage devices (110,120) are arranged to store data (124) corresponding to the same piece of visual media, locally. The image processor (108) is arranged to select a portion of the piece of visual media automatically and to generate a control data set (126) corresponding to the location of the portion of the visual media within the visual media data (124) and any operations performed thereupon.

Abstract: An electronic still, video or hybrid camera has a physically or mechanically operable user control receiving an input from a user and generates a binary, continuous or multi-level saliency signal while an image signal is being produced. The user control may be the same as or different from the picture taking control. In real time the saliency signal controls processing of the camera signal, or the camera itself, for example by controlling the frequency of still picture taking, or by optimising image storage in memory. The signal can also be stored with the image signal for later use, as in editing. The user control can be mounted on the camera or remote therefrom and include a movement or pressure sensor.

Abstract: A variable skew correction system comprises a de-skew application executable to transform scanned image data of a document exhibiting a variable skew condition to an output model representing a de-skewed image of the document by transferring pixel data for each of a plurality of raster lines of the scanned image data to the output model, wherein a variable spacing between at least two adjacent raster lines of the scanned image data is modified in the output model to correct non-linear distortion of the scanned image data.

Abstract: A system for performing instructions determined by received media-based messages, the system including an interface for receiving a media-based message from a system user; a database associating a plurality of specifications of media-based messages with respective stored instructions; a recognition engine for identifying a correspondence between a received media-based message and a stored specification of a media-based message. The system may include an instruction engine for performing an instruction associated with a stored specification of an media-based message for which a correspondence has been identified; an interface for receiving an activation request; and a database manager configured to process the activation request to generate publication data for creating a publication that may be recorded by a user to define a new media-based message and configured to adapt the database to include a specification of the new media-based message.

Abstract: A method of processing image data relating to at least one image comprising using data relating to disposition and saliency of selected salient portions of the or each image, generating at least one respective saliency vector for respective said portions, and a device operable in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A method for computing apparatus to create a page with a plurality of information items laid out upon it is described. A plurality of information items and a definition of one or more groups of information items to be formed on the page are received, as is a candidate layout of the information items on the page. Perceptual distances between information items in the candidate layout are determined, the perceptual distances representing both physical distance and graphical variation between relevant information items. It is determined from the perceptual distances whether the candidate layout satisfies predetermined criteria such that the candidate layout is perceived as visually representing the one or more groups. If the candidate layout is not perceived as visually representing the one or more groups, it is modified or regenerated until it does so.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a camera that includes a behaviour controller which controls the output of behaviours from the camera and the input of behaviours into the camera.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an image capture device having a learning function. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises at least one manual control adapted to generate a control signal that controls image capture operation, the control operable by a user of the image capture device; at least one sensor adapted to sense an operating condition during image capture; a first element adapted to analyse inputs from the sensor to learn at least one associated operating condition, and adapted to analyse the control signal to learn a corresponding preference of the user; a second element adapted to predict a value corresponding to the control signal and the associated operating condition; and a third element adapted to compare the predicted value and the control signal, and adapted to determine a confidence level from the compared predicted value and control signal, wherein the confidence level corresponds to a degree of confidence in the predicted value.

Abstract: The user assistance system provides a system and method for capturing images of a document and 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 and at least one subsequent, additional image of the document during an interaction session, the image being mapped to a known co-ordinate system, interaction capture means for capturing the interaction of a user with the document whereby to determine at least one co-ordinate of a pointer used for the interaction relative to the same co-ordinate system defined for the initial captured image, and processing means for determining an appropriate transform that maps the additional image onto the original image.

Abstract: Automatic calibration of an eye tracking system involves capturing a plurality of eye measurements, wherein each eye measurement relates to a corresponding eye gaze position of a human eye; determining a set of statistics data from the plurality of eye gaze measurements; comparing the set of statistics of eye gaze measurements with a set of statistics relating to a plurality of pre-measured eye gaze positions of at least one person; and as a result of the comparison, determining a calibration correction factor which, when applied to the statistics of eye gaze measurements, gives an optimum match between the statistics of eye gaze measurements and the statistics of predetermined eye gaze positions.

Abstract: A captured image of a scene is modified by detecting an inhibit signal emanating from an inhibitor device carried by an object within the scene. In response to receipt of the inhibit signal, identifying a portion of the image corresponding to the object. The image object of the scene is modified by obscuring the image portion of the object.

Abstract: An attention detection system comprises a portable attention detection module for receiving attention clues of a host person. The attention clues are generated from a self perspective of the host. Attention clues of the host person generated from an observer perspective are received. A sensor device generates signals relating to the attention clue signals of the self perspective. At least one sensor generates signals relating to the attention clue signals of the observer perspective. The attention detection module determines a situation of raised attention of the host wearer from the self perspective attention clues and the received observer perspective attention clues.

Abstract: A digital image capture apparatus is provided which is arranged to capture at least two images of a document and combine the images to produce a final image in which the effects of specular reflection and/or ambient light are removed. The apparatus includes a light source and a first image is captured with the source illuminating the document. A second ambient image is captured with the light source switched off, and the images are combined either by subtracting the ambient image from the first image or by replacing areas of the first image by corresponding areas of the ambient image.