Abstract: A method for robust human face tracking in the presence of multiple facial images includes taking a frame from a color video sequence as a current input image; filtering the current input image to form a filtered image; estimating the locations and sizes of faces in the filtered image based on a projection histogram of the filtered image; estimating face motion in the filtered image; and outputting the location and size of the tracked faces within the filtered image.

Abstract: A method for color registration in a image capturing device includes arranging multiple rows and multiple columns of pixel capturing elements in a sensor array; capturing a luminance component of the image and generating a luminance output signal therefrom; capturing in another row and in alternate columns thereof, a first color component, capturing a luminance component in the remaining columns thereof, and generating a first color-luminance output signal therefrom; and capturing, in another row and in alternate columns thereof, a second color component, capturing a luminance component in the remaining columns thereof, and generating a second color-luminance output signal therefrom.

Abstract: A system for providing a voice response to an EMail message, wherein the voice response is generated by a thin client device and transmitted to a cellular, or similar, service and then to a world-wide communications network, includes a conversion mechanism co-located with the cellular service for converting the voice response into a voice data file which is transmitted over the world-wide communications network; an EMail server connected to the world-wide communications network for receiving conventional EMail and voice data files; an EMail-to-voicemail gateway for identifying voice data files; a voicemail interface for receiving voice data files from said EMail-to-voicemail gateway and converting said voice data files into voice streams; a voicemail system, including recipient voicemail boxes; for directing said voice streams into a recipient's voicemail box.

Abstract: A system and method of encoding and decoding a dynamic mesh includes encoding and decoding a mesh geometry of a set of node points and encoding and decoding a mesh node motion vector for each node point.

Abstract: A system and method of determining representative frames of a video sequence to form a visual table of contents for a video tape is disclosed. A representative frame is identified on the occurrence of an event, such as the beginning of a recording sequence, which may follow a record command, a pause-release command, some form of special effect command, or a user-initiated marking command. The representative frame, and location data associated therewith, may be marked along the length of a video tape in a camcorder or VCR, or, the representative frame may be identified and stored, along with the location data therefor, on a MIC. In the case where the representative frame location data is stored on the tape, a scanning mechanism is provided for scanning the recorded video tape to locate the representative frames.

Abstract: A method of hierarchical digital video summarization and browsing includes inputting a digital video signal for a digital video sequence and generating a hierarchical summary based on keyframes of the video sequence. Additional steps may include computing histograms for the digital video sequence; detecting shot boundaries within the digital video sequence; determining the number of keyframes to be allocated within each shot; locating the actual position of each keyframe within each shot; identifying keyframe locations by the largest consecutive difference criteria; pruning keyframes for an shot without meaningful action; extracting keyframes efficiently in the case of compressed video; and browsing the shots using the hierarchical keyframe summary.

Abstract: A vinyl gate structure includes a frame which has spaced-apart upright members and top and bottom cross-piece members extending there between. Each upright member includes a cross-piece receiver for the cross-piece members. Vinyl cross-piece covers, or cross-piece members, are provided, and vinyl web members generally extend between the cross-piece covers to provide a web for the fence. A typical fence is held together with four fasteners, located in the corners thereof, which fasteners secure the upright members, the cross-piece members and the vinyl cross-piece covers, thereby forming a solitary unit.

Abstract: A method of vertex-based hierarchical shape representation and coding includes selecting an image of interest, defining a boundary about an object of interest within the image of interest, wherein the boundary is defined by a set of contour points, selecting a number of layers, each layer having a predefined saliency parameter associated therewith, wherein the saliency parameter defines a range of layers from a most salient layer to a least salient layer, identifying the most salient contour points in the boundary and placing the most salient contour points in the most salient layer, identifying the next most salient contour points in the boundary and placing the next most salient contour points in the next most salient layer until all of the selected layers have contour points placed therein, and hierarchically storing the layers in a database.

Abstract: The apparatus is designed to adjust the zoom magnification control of a camera having a variable-magnification device, and includes a camera optical system for converting a scene into an image, a view finder for displaying said image to a user, a zoom control for changing the focal length of the lens, a detector coupled to the view finder for detecting a zoom condition of the user's face, and an analysis system for analyzing the detected zoom condition and for generating an input signal to the zoom control to change the focal length of the lens as a function of the zoom condition of the user's face.The method includes the steps of converting a scene into an image using a camera optical system; displaying the image to a user; detecting a zoom condition of the user's face with a zoom-condition detector; analyzing the detected zoom condition of the user's face; and generating an input signal to a zoom control for changing the focal length of the lens as a function of the zoom condition of the user's face.

Abstract: A method of assembling a model railroad truck includes placing a truck spring on a spring retainer which is carried on either of a truck bolster or a truck side frame, resting the free end of the truck spring on the other element of the truck, pushing the end of the truck bolster into the upper portion of the bolster receiver, such that the end of the truck bolster travels along truck radii of the bolster receiver, compressing the truck spring while simultaneously pushing the end of the truck bolster through the bolster receiver, and decompressing the truck springs to allow the bolster to be retained in the side frame.

Abstract: A ride-on, human-powered vehicle a frame, which is integrally formed with the body of the vehicle. A front axle includes spaced-apart, steerable axle elements located on either side of the front end of the frame, each steerable axle element having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon A steering/power mechanism is mounted on the frame for oscillating motion relative to the frame that includes a steering shaft for steering the front wheels having a handle bar located at the upper end thereof. Foot rests are located at the lower end of the steering/power mechanism. A chain extends from the steering/power mechanism to the rear axle. A combination of the handle bar and the foot rests allow the rider to power the vehicle through the use of arms and legs simultaneously.

Abstract: A collapsible sign (20) includes a frame (26) having a hub (30) and plural arms (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) extending therefrom. A web (28) is disposed over the frame (26) and is secured thereto. A support (52) for the sign is attached to at least one of the arms of the frame. At least some of the arms (42, 44, 46, 50) include a hinge element (42H, 44H, 46H, 50H) which is rotatably mounted about a pivot point (38P, 40P) on the hub. The arms may be divided into web-support arms (46, 48, 50) and sign-support arms (42, 44), wherein the sign-support arms may be fixed to a handle (53) or other standard for support the sign. The sign-support arms may also double as web-support arms in aiding to support the web in an expanded condition. In some instances, one of the arms (48) may be fixed to the hub in a non-rotatable condition. The web may be either fully-attached to the frame, or may be partially attached thereto.