Abstract: Methods for improving and modifying a High Dynamic Range (HDR) scene, captured as a series of images of the scene with different exposure levels and the scene through classification-based image merging, tuning, correction, and replacement. The approach employs mixing images to improve the selection and display of both shadowed and highlighted details. The increased efficiency resulting from improvements in computational resource utilization of image processing hardware can, from the implementation of the improved computational methods herein, significantly reduce the time required to generate and display a tone-mapped HDR image, a gamma-corrected HDR image, and/or a segmented and replaced HDR image.

Abstract: An approach is provided for validating potential points of interest using device and user characteristics. The validation platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of location information associated with at least one device to determine one or more potential points of interest visited by the at least one device. Next, the validation platform causes, at least in part, a tagging of the one or more potential points of interest with one or more characteristics of the at least one device, one or more users of the at least one device, or a combination thereof. Then, the validation platform causes, at least on part, a validation of the one or more potential points of interest based, at least in part, on the one or more characteristics as captured by at least one other device, one or more other users of the at least one other device, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An image acquisition unit that acquires a photographic image showing a hand on which a card of a known size is placed. A card detection unit detects a size of the card in the photographic image. A finger joint measurement unit measures a size of the joint of the finger for the ring in the photographic image. A finger size estimation unit estimates an actual size of the joint of the finger for the ring from a measured value of the size of the joint of the finger of the ring in the photographic image, based on a ratio between the known size of the card and the size of the card in the photographic image detected. A ring size determination unit determines a size of the ring based on an estimated actual size of the joint of the finger for the ring.

Abstract: A method includes, in response to a detected gesture user input, wherein the gesture user input is ambiguous as to which one of a plurality of putative targets the gesture user input is directed, disambiguating the plurality of putative targets using disambiguating data to enable selection of one of the plurality of targets; and performing, in response to the gesture user input, a user input command associated with the selected target.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a panoramic image(s) may include a processor and memory storing executable computer code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including generating a panoramic image(s) based on performing registration on at least two images associated with depth map data and determining an overlap region(s) between the two images within first and second items of depth map data. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to label the overlap region(s) within the first or second item of depth map data based on generating a virtual seam(s) connecting portions of the two images to generate a composite image. The portions correspond to image data within first and second items of depth map data. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to blend the seam of the composite image to obtain the panoramic image. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing faces with different illuminations may include a processor and memory storing executable computer program code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including detecting and extracting face data of a first candidate face of a first image and a second candidate face of a second image. The first image is associated with a first light intensity and the second image associated with a second light intensity different from the first light intensity. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to analyze face data to determine whether the first candidate face corresponds to an area in the first image that is substantially the same as an area of the second candidate face and evaluate data of the first and second areas to determine whether the first and second candidate faces are valid or invalid faces. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate; a plurality of first image sensels supported by the substrate and arranged in rows and columns, wherein the substrate includes one or more apertures.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed. The method includes defining a first privacy setting related to a user. Communicating the first privacy setting using a first radio communication network to a server. Storing the first privacy setting related to the user on the server. Applying the first privacy setting when analyzing an image to determine the user in the image. Determining to apply a second privacy setting related to the user. Defining the second privacy setting related to the user and communicating the second privacy setting to another device of a second user using a second radio communication network.

Abstract: A method comprising reading out first lines of pixels of a sensor, when the first lines are read out in a sequence of the first lines in a first direction along the sensor also reading out different second lines of the pixels of the sensor, when the second lines are read out in a sequence of the second lines in a different second direction along the sensor and interleaving the read outs from the first lines of pixels and the different second lines of pixels.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method includes facilitating capture of at least one image of a scene including a foreground object by at least one rolling shutter sensor. The at least one image includes a pattern in an image region of the foreground object comprising a series of alternate dark and bright pixel regions. The at least one image is captured by setting exposure time of the sensor as equal or less than a read-out time of a set of pixel rows of a plurality of pixel rows, and by facilitating a repeating sequence of ON and OFF of flash such that flash is ON while capturing the set of pixel rows, and OFF while capturing subsequent set of pixel rows. The method includes determining a contour of the foreground object in the at least one image based on the pattern.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a depth-sensing system includes multiple light sources, multiple cameras, a pattern generator and one or more computers. The system measures depth in a scene. The multiple light sources emit light that illuminates a pattern generator. The pattern generator refracts, reflects or selectively attenuates the light, to create a textured light pattern that is projected onto the scene. The multiple cameras capture images of the scene from different viewpoints, while the scene is illuminated by the textured light. One or more computers process the images and compute the depth of points in the scene, by a computation that involves stereoscopic triangulation.

Abstract: A red-eye detection and correction method includes computing a first difference image based on a difference between red pixel intensity and green pixel intensity of a set of pixels. The set of pixels are associated with a first eye region of an image. The method further includes processing the first difference image for computing at least one gradient and at least one projection associated with the at least one gradient. Furthermore, the method includes determining at least one central point based on the at least one projection; and thereafter computing the first eye color defect region based on the at least one central point and a plurality of red pixels of the set of pixels. The method also includes mapping an eye color defect location information computed from a low resolution image to be applicable on the original high resolution image, thereby avoiding recomputation.

Abstract: An approach is provided for updating or validating information associated with potential points of interest using crowd sourcing methods. The validation/updating platform determines at least one query from at least one device for location information associated with at least one point of interest. Next, the validation/updating platform determines at least one next location visited by the at least one device. Then, the validation/updating platform causes, at least in part, an updating of the location information associated with the at least one point of interest based, at least in part, on the at least one next location.

Abstract: An array of light emitters is arranged single-file along an emitting surface of a transmitting device and emits light in a z-direction normal to the emitting surface. The array of light emitters is aligned along a y-direction normal to the z-direction. A lens assembly is optically coupled to the array of light emitters. The lens assembly includes at least one cylindrical lens and at least one aspherical lens. The lens assembly emits the light in free-space along the z-direction and has a first focal length in the y-direction and a different, second focal length in an x-direction. An encoder is coupled to apply a data signal to the array of light emitters. The data signal causes the array of light emitters to illuminate in a pattern that switches at a rate corresponding to a rolling shutter of a receiving sensor array.

Abstract: An example approach is provided for presenting content in a user interface associated with social networking messages based on gaze tracking information. A content presentation platform determines a rendering of a user interface presenting one or more social networking messages. The content presentation platform further determines a selection of at least one of the one or more social networking messages based, at least in part, on gaze tracking information. The content presentation platform also causes, at least in part, a presentation of content at the user interface based, at least in part, on the selection.

Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate; a plurality of first image sensels supported by the substrate and arranged in rows and columns, wherein the substrate includes one or more apertures.

Abstract: An approach is provided for validating potential points of interest using device and user characteristics. The validation platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of location information associated with at least one device to determine one or more potential points of interest visited by the at least one device. Next, the validation platform causes, at least in part, a tagging of the one or more potential points of interest with one or more characteristics of the at least one device, one or more users of the at least one device, or a combination thereof. Then, the validation platform causes, at least on part, a validation of the one or more potential points of interest based, at least in part, on the one or more characteristics as captured by at least one other device, one or more other users of the at least one other device, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method including in response to a detected gesture user input, wherein the gesture user input is ambiguous as to which one of a plurality of putative targets the gesture user input is directed, disambiguating the plurality of putative targets using disambiguating data to enable selection of one of the plurality of targets; and performing, in response to the gesture user input, a user input command associated with the selected target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical field communication, wherein incident light is spread on the surface of an image sensor with a diffuser element; a conventional digital image is captured with high exposure pixel rows of the image sensor; and the light intensity on two successive low exposure pixel rows of the image sensor is recorded. The recorded light intensities of the two successive low exposure pixel rows are compared; and in response to comparing the recorded light intensities of the two successive low exposure pixel rows, a value of a bit received via optical field communication is determined.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided. The method includes detecting a face portion in a frame of a plurality of frames of a multi-media content. The method further includes tracking the face portion in at least one subsequent frame of the frame. A color-tracking of the face portion is performed on losing a track of the face portion in the at least one subsequent frame. The color-tracking is performed for re-tracking the face portion in the at least one subsequent frame.