Abstract: A method for providing depth map information based on image data descriptive of a scene. In one embodiment, after generating an initial sequence of disparity map data, performing a smoothing operation or an interpolation to remove artifact introduced in the disparity map data as a result of segmenting the image data into superpixels.

Abstract: A method for improving accuracy of depth map information derived from image data descriptive of a scene. In one embodiment Mutual Feature Map data are created based on initial disparity map data values and the image data descriptive of the scene. The Mutual Feature Map data are applied to create a series of weighting functions representing structural details that can be transferred to the first disparity values to restore degraded features or replace some of the first disparity values with values more representative of structural features present in the image data descriptive of the scene.

Abstract: A method of image processing within an image acquisition device. In one embodiment an image including one or more face regions is acquired and one or more iris regions are identified within the one or more face regions. The one or more iris regions are analyzed to identify any iris region containing an iris pattern that poses a risk of biometrically identifying a subject within the image. Responsive to identifying any such iris region, a respective substitute iris region, containing an iris pattern distinct from the identified iris pattern to avoid identifying the subject within the image, is determined and the identified iris region is replaced with the substitute iris region in the original image.

Abstract: A method of processing an image comprises: acquiring an image of a scene including an object having a recognizable feature. A lens actuator setting providing a maximum sharpness for a region of the image including the object and a lens displacement corresponding to the lens actuator setting are determined. A distance to the object based on the lens displacement is calculated. A dimension of the feature as a function of the distance to the object, the imaged object size and a focal length of a lens assembly with which the image was acquired, is determined. The determined dimension of the feature is employed instead of an assumed dimension of the feature for subsequent processing of images of the scene including the object.

Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable heterogeneous systolic array is configured to process a first image frame, and to generate image processing primitives from the image frame, and to store the primitives and the corresponding image frame in a memory store. A characteristic of the image frame is determined. Based on the characteristic, the array is reconfigured to process a following image frame.

Abstract: A method of estimating motion between a pair of image frames of a given scene comprises calculating respective integral images for each of the image frames and selecting at least one corresponding region of interest within each frame. For each region of interest, an integral image profile from each integral image is calculated, each profile comprising an array of elements, each element comprising a sum of pixel intensities from successive swaths of the region of interest for the frame. Integral image profiles are correlated to determine a relative displacement of the region of interest between the pair of frames. Each region of interest is divided into a plurality of further regions of interest before repeating until a required hierarchy of estimated motion for successively divided regions of interest is provided.

Abstract: A method of responding to a criterion-based request for information collected from users meeting the criterion while complying with a user-requested privacy requirement. In one embodiment a request is received for data comprising facial or audio expressions for users who meet the criterion. A program monitors activities indicative of user attention or user reaction based on face tracking, face detection, face feature detection, eye gaze determination, eye tracking, audio expression determination, or determination of an emotional state. When a user requests a high level of privacy, the timestream data collected for the user is aggregated with timestream data collected for other users into a statistical dataset by processing the timestreams to ensure the high level of privacy in the statistical dataset which is provided to a content provider without providing data collected for the user who has requested the high level of privacy.

Abstract: A hand-held or otherwise portable or spatial or temporal performance-based image capture device includes one or more lenses, an aperture and a main sensor for capturing an original main image. A secondary sensor and optical system are for capturing a reference image that has temporal and spatial overlap with the original image. The device performs an image processing method including capturing the main image with the main sensor and the reference image with the secondary sensor, and utilizing information from the reference image to enhance the main image. The main and secondary sensors are contained together within a housing.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying a person in a target image are described. According to one of the techniques, identifying a person in a target image involves displaying, within a graphical user interface, an image that depicts one or more faces. One or more faces are automatically detected within the image. A user provides input that selects a face of the one or more faces to be a currently-selected face. A set of images are selected from a collection of images, where the set of images includes images that closely match the currently-selected face. Concurrently with display of the currently-selected face, each image in the set of images is displayed. Within the graphical user interface, a control is provided. The control enables a user to select a target image from the set of images. In response to detecting that the user has selected a target image using the control, the currently-selected face is associated with a person to which the target image corresponds.

Abstract: Methods for detecting, identifying and displaying object information with a multi-camera vision system. In one embodiment presence of an object is detected in a region extending above a surface and positioned beyond a border, the region including at least first and second zones. A frame of image data is acquired which spans a field of view angle corresponding to a portion of a region from a position along the border. Object detection criteria are applied to analyze and classify an image of an object among a set of object types. A determination is made whether the object is present in the first zone based on application of a first series of scan windows varying in size over a first range of window sizes relative to the size of the image frame, this only permitting detection of images limited in size to a first range of image sizes.

Abstract: An image acquisition system for acquiring iris images for use in biometric recognition of a subject includes an optical system comprising a cluster of at least 2 lenses arranged in front of a common image sensor with each lens optical axis in parallel spaced apart relationship. Each lens has a fixed focus and a different aperture to provide a respective angular field of view. The lens with the closest focus has the smallest aperture and the lens with the farthest focus has the largest aperture so that iris images can be acquired across a focal range of at least from 200 mm to 300 mm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a biometric device using a trusted coordinating smart device in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A technique of generating a stereoscopic panorama image includes panning a portable camera device, and acquiring multiple image frames. Multiple at least partially overlapping image frames are acquired of portions of the scene. The method involves registering the image frames, including determining displacements of the imaging device between acquisitions of image frames. Multiple panorama images are generated including joining image frames of the scene according to spatial relationships and determining stereoscopic counterpart relationships between the multiple panorama images. The multiple panorama images arc processed based on the stereoscopic counterpart relationships to form a stereoscopic panorama image.

Abstract: A method of estimating motion between a pair of image frames of a given scene comprises calculating respective integral images for each of the image frames and selecting at least one corresponding region of interest within each frame. For each region of interest, an integral image profile from each integral image is calculated, each profile comprising an array of elements, each element comprising a sum of pixel intensities from successive swaths of the region of interest for the frame. Integral image profiles are correlated to determine a relative displacement of the region of interest between the pair of frames. Each region of interest is divided into a plurality of further regions of interest before repeating until a required hierarchy of estimated motion for successively divided regions of interest is provided.

Abstract: A hand-held or otherwise portable or spatial or temporal performance-based image capture device includes one or more lenses, an aperture and a main sensor for capturing an original main image. A secondary sensor and optical system are for capturing a reference image that has temporal and spatial overlap with the original image. The device performs an image processing method including capturing the main image with the main sensor and the reference image with the secondary sensor, and utilizing information from the reference image to enhance the main image. The main and secondary sensors are contained together within a housing.

Abstract: A method operable by a computing device for configuring access for a limited user interface (UI) device to a network service via a local network access point is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining from the limited UI device a device identifier via a first out-of-band channel. The device identifier is provided to the network service via a secure network link. A zero knowledge proof (ZKP) challenge is received from the network service. Configuration information is provided to the limited-UI device via a second out-of-band channel, the configuration information including information sufficient to enable the limited-UI device to connect to the local network access point. The ZKP challenge is provided to the limited-UI device via the second out-of-band channel.

Abstract: An optical system for an image acquisition device comprises a filter comprising a central aperture arranged to transmit both visible and selected near infra-red (NIR) wavelengths and a peripheral aperture arranged to block visible wavelengths and to transmit the NIR wavelengths. An image sensor comprises an array of pixels including pixels sensitive to visible wavelengths and corresponding pixels sensitive to the NIR wavelengths. A lens assembly is axially located between the filter and the image sensor and comprises a plurality of lens elements. The lens elements are arranged to simultaneously focus NIR light received from a given object through central and peripheral apertures of the filter and visible light received from the object through the central aperture onto the sensor surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a biometric device using a trusted coordinating smart device in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for viewing images on an interactive computing device comprises displaying an image from a stack comprising a display image and at least one compressed sub-image of nominally the same scene, each of the sub-images of the stack having been acquired at respective focal distances. Responsive to a user selecting a portion of the displayed image, the selected portion is mapped to a corresponding mapped portion of a sub-image within the stack according to the difference in focal distances between the displayed image and the sub-image. At least one row of compressed image blocks of the at least one sub-image extending across the mapped portion; and a reference value for a point in the compressed image stream of the sub-image preceding the row of compressed image blocks is determined.

Abstract: An embodiment of a vision system wearable by a user provides enhanced awareness of activities in a surrounding scene. A helmet permits a direct view of portions of the scene with unaided, natural vision. System components include a processing and control unit, multiple cameras positioned along an outside surface of the helmet, sensors providing signals indicative of velocity or acceleration, and a pair of displays. Based on image frames derived from the cameras, the processing and control unit provides images for presentation on the displays based on programmably adjustable fields of view, enabling simultaneous viewing on the displays of selectable fields of view while the user continues to receive direct views of the scene with unaided, natural vision. In an embodiment of a related method, frames of video data from different fields of view are monitored for detection of a potential threat based on a criterion for classifying an object.