Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method, which can appropriately extract an object even when the focus of a camera having an automatic focus adjustment function shifts from the background to the object. To this end, frame images which are sensed by an image sensing unit and are sequential in the time axis direction are input from an input unit. The input frame images are smoothed by a filter unit. A background image generation unit generates an average image of a predetermined number of smoothed frame images as a background image. An image differential unit generates a differential image between the predetermined smoothed frame image and the background image. An object extraction unit extracts an object region where a predetermined object is sensed, on the basis of the differential image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for enabling accurate registration of virtual information upon real objects in selected environments from the perspective of a moveable observation platform having a position and an orientation within an observation space positioned within the environment, the position and orientation defining the registration of the virtual information within the observation space within the environment, which may comprise: a plurality of at least three tracking fiducials selectively each respectively located in fixed predetermined locations in the observation space; the observation platform including a position sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated position of the observation platform in the observation space and a heading sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated heading of the observation platform within the observation space; the observation platform further including a wide view fiducial detection apparatus mounted on the observation platform and adapted to detect the r

Abstract: Geometrical structures of a human image and a background image picked up by a camera are extracted as difference in pixel value distributions, a statistical model of the appearance of the human image is first constructed to find a discrimination axis, the model is compared with an input image, a score is calculated based on the discrimination axis of the model and a distance value vector of the input image, and when the score exceeds a threshold value, it is determined that a human figure is detected. Thus, highly efficient recognition is possible using a small number of models.

Abstract: For the video recording of a field illuminated by a lamp, especially a surgical lamp, where at least one light beam for illuminating the field emerges from a light exit area of a lamp housing in the direction of a predetermined housing axis, the optical axis of a video camera mounted with freedom to swivel a certain distance away from the exit point of the light beam is shifted automatically by a positioning element until the axis at least approximately intersects the light beam in the area of the illuminated field. The positioning element is driven by signals from a control unit. The video camera is preferably shifted in a stepwise manner. The distance to the illuminated field is determined by the fine focusing of the camera by the autofocus function, and then signals are transmitted from the control unit to the positioning element of the camera to compensate for the parallax between the optical axis of the camera and the light beam or beams emerging from the lamp.

Abstract: An orientation sensor utilizing an inexpensive but relatively slow base orientation sensor, augmented by capture of a video images, identifying reference objects or regions therein, and calculating displacement of those objects to derive supplementary orientation information. Recurrent base orientation sensor results are used to correct drift of the video based technique. Augmenting the slow but accurate base orientation sensor with the consecutive images derived orientation data, provides a fast and inexpensive orientation sensor.

Abstract: An object movement tracking apparatus and its method tracks an object with an unknown initial position and which object is continually moving, the apparatus for recovering a tracking process even when the tracking has failed and includes an observing device such as a video camera for observing a scene at a video frame rate. Time-sequentially acquired image data from the observing device are stored in an image memory device and the data processed in parallel. During data processing, an object recognition module selects a frame memory based on predetermined information. An estimated value of position/posture of the object are calculated from the image data and transmitted. A movement tracking module receives transmitted data from the object recognition module, replacing a current frame with a next frame and waits until image data in the next frame are inputted.

Abstract: A portable phone which is a manual operating apparatus of an image capturing system has an image processing section 340, an operation control section 341 and a communication section 342. The image processing section 340 acquires information regarding view position of a camera from image data 110 received by the communication section 342 and generates view position data 102. Also, it receives from the operation control section 341 information regarding an inputted optical operation command and generates garget position data 111. Furthermore, it performs a necessary process on the image data 110 to display the same on an image display section 32, as well as displays a view position of the camera and a target position of visual field after driving of the camera based on the view position data 102 and the target position data 111.

Abstract: An image system which captures, along with the images, information defining both the position and the orientation of the camera along with the distance to the subject. A video camera is attached to three accelerometers, two gyroscopes, and a rangefinder. Data gathered from these devices and defining the pitch, yaw, and roll of the camera, the camera's acceleration, and the distance to the subject is captured and recorded along with video images. The video images are later stored within a computer's data base along with data defining the position and orientation of the camera and the distance to the subject for each image, this latter data being computed from the captured data. The images may then be presented to the user in a three-dimensional display in which the user can navigate through the images using a joystick device, with the images located in positions corresponding to the positions in space of the objects that were imaged.

Abstract: A digital still camera (10) receives and digitizes visible radiation (17) and sound waves (32) from a scene (12). When an operator actuates a shutter release (46), the camera detects and evaluates digitized information (22, 38) from the scene in a continuing manner, until a point in time when information representative of a human facial characteristic satisfies a specified criteria set by the operator through use of switches (47, 48) and a display (51). The camera then records in a memory (59) a digital image of the scene, which corresponds to the point in time. The stored image is a high-quality image, which can avoid characteristics such as eyes that are closed or a mouth that is open.

Abstract: An image tracking system for generating digitized image frames of a moving object using an image capture device and a position control device. The image capture device and determining a location value for an object image within each of the digitized image frames. The position control device is coupled to the image capture device to receive the location value of the object image and generates a plurality of control signals which are sent to the position manipulating device. The position control device also uses the plurality of control signals and generates a plurality of rotational movements which position the image capture device, such that the location value of the object image remains within a center region of each of the digitized image frames and such that rotation along different rotation axis occurs independently.

Abstract: A surveillance system featuring a camera that is directed to focus on a location where a noise has been generated and display an image of the location. The system includes an omnidirectional camera having a lens for viewing a 360° field of view, a visual memory for storing visual data at addresses representing the field of view, an omnidirectional audial detector for detecting the direction of location of a source of a signal, a display selection means for selecting visual data from one of said addresses in said visual memory corresponding to said direction of location and a monitor for displaying said selected visual data. In one embodiment, the audial detector is a plurality of detectors arranged on a circle. A register stores the address of the detector closest to the source and this address is transmitted to the display controller which conditions a system monitor to display an image representing the selected visual data.

Abstract: A motion image processing method and device for authenticating a user using a specific device, using motion information of an object. Time series monochrome images, obtained by photographing an object, using a camera, are input. An object is detected from an initial frame of the input time series images, using a basic shape characteristic, and a plurality of reference points to be tracked are automatically determined in the object. Then, corresponding points of the respective reference points are detected in an image frame other than the initial frame among the input time series images. Subsequently, motion information of a finger is calculated, based on the result of tracking the respective reference points and an assumption of limited motion in a 3D plane. Based on the calculated motion parameter, a solid object is subjected to coordinate conversion, and displayed if necessary. As a result of the tracking, a reference point in each frame is updated.

Abstract: A precision motion platform carrying an imaging device under a large-field-coverage lens enables capture of high resolution imagery over the full field in an instantaneous telephoto mode and wide-angle coverage through temporal integration. The device permits automated tracking and scanning without movement of a camera body or lens. Coupled use of two or more devices enables automated range computation without the need for subsequent epipolar rectification. The imager motion enables sample integration for resolution enhancement. The control methods for imager positioning enable decreasing the blur caused by both the motion of the moving imager or the motion of an object's image that the imager is intended to capture.

Abstract: A video processing system tracks a moving person or other object of interest using a combined audio-video tracking system. The audio-video tracking system comprises an audio locator, a video locator, and a set of rules for determining the manner in which settings of a camera are adjusted based on outputs of the audio locator and video locator. The set of rules may be configured such that only the audio locator output is used to adjust the camera settings if the audio locator and video locator outputs are not sufficiently close and a confidence indicator generated by the audio locator is above a specified threshold. For example, in such a situation, the audio locator output alone may be used to direct the camera to a new speaker in a video conference. If the audio locator and video locator outputs are sufficiently close, the system determines if a confidence indicator generated by the video locator is above a specified level, and if so, the video locator output may be used to adjust the camera settings.

Abstract: A device for emitting digital video images may include a picture-taking unit for producing the images and a unit for forming at least one signal in the field of vision of the picture-taking unit so that the signal appears in at least some of the images produced by the picture-taking unit. The signal is formed to vary temporally, making it possible to detect any image freeze emitted by the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distance-measuring device has an AF area sensor that includes an image pick up element formed on a semiconductor substrate for receiving two images having a parallax therebetween, and a photo reception signal processing circuit formed on the semiconductor substrate for processing signals corresponding to light received by the image pick up element. On the basis of sensor data (outline data) obtained by integration executed in the AF area sensor in an outline detection mode, the distance-measuring device detects a main subject in a photography screen, sets a distance-measuring area including the main subject, and measures a distance to the main subject.

Abstract: A precision motion platform carrying an imaging device under a large-field-coverage lens enables capture of high resolution imagery over the full field in an instantaneous telephoto mode and wide-angle coverage through temporal integration. The device permits automated tracking and scanning without movement of a camera body or lens. Coupled use of two or more devices enables automated range computation without the need for subsequent epipolar rectification. The imager motion enables sample integration for resolution enhancement. The control methods for imager positioning enable decreasing the blur caused by both the motion of the moving imager or the motion of an object's image that the imager is intended to capture.

Abstract: A surveillance system is formed from two video cameras viewing substantially the same region being monitored. One camera provides high temporal resolution, such as a conventional CCTV camera operating at 30 frames per second with 640 pixels per image width. The second camera provides high spatial resolution, such as a linescan sensor with a mechanical scanning assembly, providing 2 images per second with 5120 pixels per image width. The combination of these two cameras provides a video record of the monitored region with simultaneous high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution.

Abstract: The brightness of the image of a character displayed on a screen is consistently kept optimum even if the view point of a camera is changed, and the image of the character is appropriately shaded and three-dimensional since such shading is characteristic of a game program. The position of a virtual light source is changed with a change of the position of the view point of the camera. The image processing device includes a feature which changes the position of the view point of the camera, a feature which changes the position of the virtual light source with a change of the position of the view point of the camera, and a feature which subjects the image data of when an object is viewed from the view point of the camera to shading of when the virtual light from the light source is projected to the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for generating an image having a high density in the direction of time and having a natural-looking motion blur. The correlation calculators 103 and 104 respectively calculate a correlation between pixel data of a target pixel in a target frame #n from among frames and pixel data of a corresponding pixel in a first frame #n−1 next to the target frame #n and a correlation between the pixel data of the target pixel in the target frame #n and pixel data of a corresponding pixel in a second frame #n+1 next to the target frame #n. The half-side pixel value generator 105 generates first pixel data in a first synthesis frame generated between the target frame #n and one of the first frame #n−1 and the second frame #n+1 containing the corresponding pixel having the pixel data with a larger correlation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods and apparatus for monitoring objects, such as golf balls, in flight. The methods include providing a plurality of cameras with different orientations with respect to the object's flight path. For example, two cameras can be located downstream of the object's initial position on either side of the flight path and a plurality of other cameras can be located upstream of the object's initial position on one side of the flight path. With such an arrangement, data in three-dimensions can be obtained on the object. Furthermore, the methods can include providing an object with a material for emitting light when excited. For example, a phosphorescent material can be used to provide an object with high contrast as compared to a background that the object is imaged against. With such materials, the methods can include filtering so that the cameras use only light emitted by the object to form images of the object that will be analyzed.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an object movement tracking apparatus and its method capable of dealing with an object with an unknown initial position and a continually moving object and capable of recovering a tracking process even when the tracking is failed.

Abstract: An image capture detection system including a short range radio transmitter (13) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (12) installed in or on an image capture device (10). The system further comprises a remote detection unit (14) also comprising a short range radio transmitter (18) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (16). In use, the remote detection unit (14) transmits intermittent query signals (22) which are received by the receiver (12) in the image capture device (10) when the remote detection unit (14) is within a predetermined distance or range thereof. In response to receipt of the query signals (22), the transmitter (13) in the image capture device (10) is arranged to transmit an indicator signal (24) which is received by the remote detection unit (14). The remote detection unit (14) is arranged to generate a warning signal in response to receipt of the indicator signal ((24).