Abstract: This invention provides an alarm system and method for adjusting the wake-up signals. The system includes a means for tracking the behavior of a person in a predetermined area under surveillance after the activation of an alarm clock, and a means for determining whether the person is motionless for a predetermined time period. Upon recognition that the observed behavior indicates the person is still sleeping, the wake-up signals are gradually increased. At the same time, the electrical power supplied to a plurality of electronic devices may be increased to assist the person to wake up.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is disclosed suitable for displaying selectable time orderable options, such as television programs available for viewing on a television, using a tunnel interface. The tunnel interface displays concentric rings where each ring represents a different set of option data whose attributes are modified to reflect a user's preferences. The modified option data are further arranged such that each concentric ring is ordered by time. Additionally, choices within each ring are visually distinguishable by user preference. Users can navigate within and between the concentric rings and select one or more of the available options using the concentric rings.

Abstract: A method and system for the automatic detection of a sleeping person and for adjusting electrical power supplied to a number of electronic devices; it includes a unit for observing the behavior of a person in a predetermined area under surveillance and a unit for analyzing output data from the observing unit to determine whether the observed behavior is associated with predefined sleeping behaviors. Upon recognition that the observed behavior indicates the sleeping state of a person, the electrical power supplied to the plurality of electronic devices is selectively adjusted according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Cameras and image processing techniques are applied to the problem of spill detection. Fixed background data may be removed using a technique based on image subtraction. The remainder of one or more images may be segmented. The segments may then be tested to identify and remove from further analysis segments corresponding to non-spill foreground objects, for example by forming luminance and/or chrominance profiles to detect the presence of a high rate of specular albido that would be associated with a wet spill. Further testing may be done, for example by determining if a segment corresponds to a planar object lying in the plane of the floor using planar projection transforms and multiple cameras. If a segment is likely to indicate a spill, a notification may be generated.

Abstract: A lighting controller is disclosed that automatically adjusts a lighting device based on user activity. The disclosed lighting controller processes at least one of audio and video information to identify predefined user events that suggest that a lighting device should be activated or adjusted. In one implementation, a number of behavior rules define various user activities or events that suggest that the user would like to activate or adjust a lighting device. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied to activate or adjust the lighting device. Upon detection of a predefined event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the lighting controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for updating web page access. Initially, a hit list containing a plurality of hypertext links in response to a user's search request is generated. The user begins selecting one of the hypertext links to access a corresponding website and other links that may be available in the selected website. A history of hypertext links that the user accessed is monitored, and upon W backtracking to the page containing the hit list for further search, the hit list is updated by removing the hypertext links that are previously accessed by the user. The hit list also may be updated according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recommending items of interest to a user, such as television program recommendations, before a viewing history or purchase history of the user is available. A third party viewing or purchase history is processed to generate stereotype profiles that reflect the typical patterns of items selected by representative viewers. A user can select the most relevant stereotype(s) from the generated stereotype profiles and thereby initialize his or her profile with the items that are closest to his or her own interests. A clustering routine partitions the third party viewing or purchase history (the data set) into clusters using a k-means clustering algorithm, such that points (e.g., television programs) in one cluster are closer to the mean of that cluster than any other cluster.

Abstract: A signal processing system processes a signal using a hidden Markov model (HMM) having a number of states determined at least in part based on application of an iterative algorithm to the model. The iterative algorithm adjusts the number of states of the model, based at least in part on closeness measures computed between the states, until the model satisfies a specified performance criterion. The model having the adjusted number of states is then utilized to determine a characteristic of the signal, and an action of the signal processing system is controlled based on the determined characteristic.

Abstract: An interaction simulator, such as a chatterbot, is connected with an external database, such as an electronic program guide. The information gathered during interaction, particularly conversational, is parsed and used to augment the database data. The interaction simulator may be guided by the data residing in the database so as to help fill in recognizable gaps by, for example, intermittently asking questions relating to the subject data requirement. The interaction simulator may be provided with specific response templates based on the needs of the database and a corresponding set of templates to extract the information required by the database. Another example database may be for recording and indexing by key word stories or other free-form verbal data uttered by the user. The interaction simulator may be programmed to help the user develop the story using templates designed for this purpose.

Abstract: A method for classification of objects in video image data. The method including the steps of: detecting moving objects in the image data; extracting two or more features from each detected moving object in the image data; classifying each moving object for each of the two or more features according to a classification method; and deriving a classification for each moving object based on the classification method for each of the two or more features. Also provided is an apparatus for classification of objects in video image data.

Abstract: The appearance of a cabinet for a device (e.g., a television) is dynamically controlled. One way of controlling the appearance of the cabinet is by providing a display panel on the cabinet. At least one input is obtained from an input device and processed by a controller. Based on these inputs, the controller sends signals to the display panel to change the appearance of the display panel. Lamps and heat-sensitive materials may be used to effectuate the desired change in appearance. The cabinet display features may be controlled to give the device the appearance of having a persona or of being an independent animate being. For example, lights in the cabinet could flash to suggest the device is laughing in response to the detection of a laugh track in a sitcom being displayed on the device. Patterns and colors can be generated to reflect moods according to the preferences of an interaction-design programmer.

Abstract: An electronic assistant, incorporates electronic functions in a personal object that the user finds indispensable. Examples of personal objects include a cane, a walking stick, a walker, a wheelchair, a personal transportation vehicle, a purse, a key holder, a watch, a pendant, a hearing aid, an eyeglass frame, or a crutch. Electronics may include a PDA, a cell phone, a navigation module, a biosensor module, and an emergency alert module. The navigation module might include a GPS, an altimeter, an electronic compass, and/or a stored map. Biosensors may be directly incorporated into the personal device or communicate with a receiver therein if the biosensor is required to be attached directly to the user's body or surgically implanted. The emergency alert module may include an emergency button, and an emergency notification sequence stored in the electronic assistant capable of calling for assistance through the cell phone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for tracking an object of interest in a video processing system, using clustering techniques. An area is partitioned into approximate regions, referred to as clusters, each associated with an object of interest. Each cluster has associated average pan, tilt and zoom values. Audio or video information, or both, are used to identify the cluster associated with a speaker (or another object of interest). Once the cluster of interest is identified, the camera is focused on the cluster, using the recorded pan, tilt and zoom values, if available. An event accumulator initially accumulates audio (and optionally video) events for a specified time, to allow several speakers to speak. The accumulated audio events are then used by a cluster generator to generate clusters associated with the various objects of interest. After initialization of the clusters, the illustrative event accumulator gathers events at periodic intervals.

Abstract: A collaborative speed measurement device detection system provides early warning and increased reliability by sharing the responses of multiple detectors through a broadcast radio network. A vehicle with one detector (e.g., radar, laser detector) broadcasts a detection event to any other detectors in its vicinity. The receiving detectors generate a warning signal in response to the broadcast. The receivers can combine the results of multiple detections to generate a reliability estimate. The location of the detection events may be broadcast and used in generating alarms in the receiver as well.

Abstract: A security monitoring system including; an exit and entrance camera located at the exit and entrance of a structure; a detector for detecting the exit or entry of an individual; an image recording system for stroring images from the exit and entrance cameras; and a computer vision system for analyzing the stored images using a predetermined criteria to determine if the exiting and entering individuals are the same. In a preferred implementation, the system also includes a database for storing face image data for each authorized individual of the structure; and a face recognition system for comparing the stored images from the entry and entrance camera with the stored image data in the database and for determining if the exiting and entering individual is one of the authorized individuals.

Abstract: A method for generating a recommendation for a video content not yet broadcast. The method including: remotely accessing a user profile of a viewer; and comparing characteristics of the video content to the user profile to generate a recommendation for the video content. Preferably, the accessing and comparing are repeated for a plurality of viewers, wherein for each of the plurality of viewers a corresponding recommendation is generated for the video content resulting in a plurality of recommendations. More preferably, a statistical analysis is performed on the plurality of recommendations to predict a rating for the video content.

Abstract: In order to recommend items of interest to a user, such as television program recommendations, before a viewing or purchase history of the user is sufficiently developed to generate accurate recommendations, third party viewing or purchase histories are processed to generate stereotype profiles that reflect the typical patterns of items selected by representative viewers. To avoid being limited by the vocabulary of descriptive information associated with viewed programs, image content and/or image content features (mean, standard deviation, entropy) are employed as a basis for evaluating the viewing histories, alone or in combination with the descriptive information. A user can select the most relevant stereotype(s) from the generated stereotype profiles and thereby initialize his or her profile with the items that are closest to his or her own interests, with greater accuracy since the program content is employed directly in generating the stereotype profiles.

Abstract: A tailgating safety system for a vehicle includes a distance determiner for determining a distance of the vehicle from objects which are leading or following the vehicle. The system also includes a speedometer for determining a speed of the vehicle and an alarm. If the speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed, and the distance of the vehicle from another object is less than a predetermined distance, then the alarm is activated to advise the driver that at the speed the vehicle is traveling, the distance between the vehicle and the object is not a safe traveling distance.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of video data stored on a storage device. The method including the steps of: determining whether sufficient storage space remains on the storage device to store a desired video content; if sufficient storage space does not exist on the storage device to store the desired video content, determining whether any video content of the plurality of video data stored on the storage device has been partially viewed; and if video content stored on the storage device has been partially viewed, deleting the partially viewed video content to make room for storage of the desired video content on the storage device.

Abstract: An interaction simulator uses computer vision, and inputs of other modalities, to analyze the user's mental state and/or personality. The mental state and/or personality are classified and this information used to guide conversation and other interaction. In a chatterbot embodiment, the substance of the conversation may be altered in response to the mental state and/or personality class, for example, by changing the topic of conversation to a favorite subject when the user is sad or by telling a joke when the user is in a good mood.