Abstract: An initial candidate foreground region is identified within an infrared image that includes pixels exhibiting infrared intensity values within a pre-defined range. A depth of surfaces within the initial candidate foreground region is estimated based on infrared intensity values the pixels of the initial candidate foreground region. The initial candidate foreground region is expanded to an expanded candidate foreground region based on a body-model estimate. The body model estimate is seeded with one or more of the initial candidate foreground region, the depth of surfaces, and/or a face of a human subject identified by facial recognition. Each pixel of the infrared image is identified as either a foreground pixel or a background pixel based on a distance of that pixel relative to the expanded candidate foreground region. Pixels identified as background pixels may be modified within a corresponding visible light image.

Abstract: A signal encoding an infrared (IR) image including a plurality of IR pixels is received from an IR camera. Each IR pixel specifies one or more IR parameters of that IR pixel. IR-skin pixels that image a human hand are identified in the IR image. For each IR-skin pixel, a depth of a human hand portion imaged by that IR-skin pixel is estimated based on the IR parameters of that IR-skin pixel. A skeletal hand model including a plurality of hand joints is derived. Each hand joint is defined with three independent position coordinates inferred from the estimated depths of each human hand portion.

Abstract: A signal encoding an infrared (IR) image including a plurality of IR pixels is received from an IR camera. Each IR pixel specifies one or more IR parameters of that IR pixel. IR-skin pixels that image a human hand are identified in the IR image. For each IR-skin pixel, a depth of a human hand portion imaged by that IR-skin pixel is estimated based on the IR parameters of that IR-skin pixel. A skeletal hand model including a plurality of hand joints is derived. Each hand joint is defined with three independent position coordinates inferred from the estimated depths of each human hand portion.

Abstract: An initial candidate foreground region is identified within an infrared image that includes pixels exhibiting infrared intensity values within a pre-defined range. A depth of surfaces within the initial candidate foreground region is estimated based on infrared intensity values the pixels of the initial candidate foreground region. The initial candidate foreground region is expanded to an expanded candidate foreground region based on a body-model estimate. The body model estimate is seeded with one or more of the initial candidate foreground region, the depth of surfaces, and/or a face of a human subject identified by facial recognition. Each pixel of the infrared image is identified as either a foreground pixel or a background pixel based on a distance of that pixel relative to the expanded candidate foreground region. Pixels identified as background pixels may be modified within a corresponding visible light image.

Abstract: An example computer-implemented method for following a target comprises receiving digital image information from a digital camera having an adjustable field of view of an environment, displaying via a display device a plurality of candidate targets that are followable within the environment, computer-recognizing user selection of a candidate target to be followed in the image environment, and machine-adjusting the field of view of the camera to follow the user-selected candidate target.