Abstract: A method implemented in an image processing system for combining multi-exposure images comprises obtaining a plurality of images each having different exposure levels for a same scene. A merged weight map for at least one obtained image is constructed by determining at least one merged weight value for at least one pixel of each obtained image based on characteristics of the pixel, wherein the merged weight map comprises a weight map corresponding to the plurality of images. A Gaussian pyramid and a Laplacian pyramid of each obtained image are generated, and a Gaussian pyramid of the merged weight map is generated. A merged Gaussian pyramid and a merged Laplacian pyramid are generated based on the Gaussian pyramid of the merged weight map. An intermediate pyramid is generated based on the merged Laplacian pyramid, and a resultant image is constructed by blending the merged Gaussian pyramid with the intermediate pyramid.

Abstract: Local contrast enhancement comprises obtaining a first frame as a reference frame and a second frame as a current frame. The reference frame is partitioned into a plurality of reference regions, and a first color mapping function is derived for at least one of the reference regions in the reference frame according to the corresponding color distribution. The first color mapping function comprises, for at least one of a predetermined set of colors, a first source color value and a first contrast-enhanced color value. The current frame is partitioned into a plurality of regions, and a second color mapping function is derived for at least one of the regions in the current frame according to the first color mapping functions of at least two of the reference regions in the reference frame. The second color mapping function is applied to generate a contrast-enhanced frame.

Abstract: A method implemented in a server for sharing video conversion data includes receiving conversion data for a two-dimensional (2D) video and archiving the conversion data. A selection of a 2D video corresponding to the archived conversion data is received from a client, and conversion data corresponding to the selection received from the client is transmitted to the client.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for tracking an object shown as moving in a video. One embodiment is a method for tracking an object in a video that comprises tracking in a first temporal direction an object in a plurality of video frames and generating a first tracking result, evaluating the first tracking result corresponding to tracking of the object in the first temporal direction, and stopping tracking in the first temporal direction upon the occurrence of a predefined event, wherein the predefined event is based on an evaluated tracking result. The method further comprises obtaining data identifying an object outline of the object upon stopping the tracking in the first temporal direction, tracking in a second temporal direction the object based on the data identifying the object outline of the object to generate a second tracking result, and generating a refined tracking result based on at least on one of the first tracking result, the second tracking result, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for performing image inpainting. One embodiment is a method for editing a digital image in an image editing device. The method comprises obtaining a restoration region in the digital image and determining texture information corresponding to the restoration region. Based on the texture information, a texture strength map is generated corresponding to the restoration region. Based on the texture strength map, an inpainting operation is applied to pixels in the restoration region.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for customizing photo presentations. One particular method comprises receiving by the media display system, a plurality of photos depicting individuals and displaying one or more controls for specifying an action to one or more selected individuals. The method further comprises receiving a selection of one or more individuals, generating an action list according to the selection, and customizing the photo presentation comprising photos from among the received plurality of photos according to the action list and according to the analyzed facial regions.

Abstract: A liveness detection method comprising: receiving plural pictures of a video stream comprising a face and an adjacent background; determining motion of the face and the background, the motion determined over the plural pictures; comparing the motion between the face and the background; and determining whether the face corresponds to an actual, live user or an image of the user based on the comparison, the determinations performed by a processor.

Abstract: A method implemented in an image editing device comprises determining a source region in a source image and determining a target region in a target image. At least one image characteristic of each of the source region and a region outside the target region is analyzed. The content in the source region is adjusted according to the at least one image characteristic of the source region and the at least one image characteristic of the region outside the target region. The adjusted content from the source region is inserted into the target region.

Abstract: A method implemented in an audio editing device comprises retrieving, by the editing device, audio content and obtaining from a user via the user interface an effect to be applied to the audio content. The method further comprises determining a target number of samples based on the obtained effect, obtaining the target number of samples of the audio content, and identifying, within the obtained target number of samples, a maximum amplitude and a minimum amplitude. The method further comprises applying the effect to the obtained target number of samples and displaying on the user interface, a graphical representation of the obtained target number of samples with the applied effect, wherein the graphical representation depicts amplitude varying as a function of time, wherein displaying the graphical representation is performed prior to generating an audio output file with the effect applied to the audio content.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image editing method, comprising: defining a region as a foreground object and a remaining region as background; applying an image warping process to a predefined object region, wherein a distortion to at least the remaining region occurs based on the image warping process applied to the predefined object region; responsive to the image warping process, determining a region to be repaired, the region to be repaired comprising a missing background; repairing the region to be repaired based on an inpainting process; and generating a repaired image by combining the predefined object region to which the image warping process is applied, one or more non-distorted regions, and the repaired region.

Abstract: A method implemented in a delegating server for binding a device identity to a software application comprises receiving registration data from a client device executing a software application and assigning a device identifier to the client device and registering the client device with the delegating server based on the registration data. The method further comprises facilitating communication between the client device and the service provider based on the device identifier, wherein the delegating server is located between the client device and the service provider.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for facilitating automatic media editing. Media content is obtained and semantic analysis is performed on text in at least a portion of the media content to obtain at least one semantic textual segment each corresponding to a text section of the media content, wherein the text section comprises at least one word in the text in the at least a portion of the media content. At least one context token corresponding to the at least one semantic textual segment is generated. The text section is visually accentuated according to the context token.

Abstract: To protect device keys, an optical media recording device capable of performing AACS encryption on data does not have any device keys, and the optical media recording device performs AACS encryption by activating recording software stored in a memory the optical media recording device, and utilizing a pre-calculated media key stored in the memory of the optical media recording device to perform AACS encryption on the data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing secure playback of media content are described. One embodiment, among others, is a method for performing secure playback of video in a hardware protection module. The method comprises receiving media content from a media player comprising video data, audio data, and navigation data. The method further comprises receiving digital rights management (DRM) information relating to the media content, removing a portion of the video data from the media content, forwarding the audio data, navigation data, and a remaining portion of the video data to the media player for decoding, and decoding, in the hardware protection module, the portion of the video data.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for editing a video sequence. One embodiment, among others, is a method for editing a video in a video editing system. The method comprises obtaining a video sequence and identifying objects in the video sequence with corresponding depth information, displaying the video sequence in a display panel in a user interface, and facilitating insertion of an object into the video sequence by displaying in the user interface, a timeline and a control panel including a graphical representation for each of the identified objects with corresponding depth information. The graphical representations are arranged relative to the timeline and based on the corresponding depth information. The method further comprises obtaining input from a user positioning the object into the video sequence relative to the identified objects with corresponding depth information.

Abstract: A system for editing a digital image comprises a low pass filter for receiving a source image and for filtering high spatial frequency components of the source image to generate a smoothed image. An arithmetic operator unit subtracts color values of the smoothed image from color values of the source image to produce a first image value on pixel-by-pixel basis. A gradient reversal analyzer compares gradient values of the smoothed image to gradient values of the source image and generates a control signal. A boost controller generates a new value for each pixel of a boost parameter map according to the control signal. The boost controller applies the boost parameter map to modify the first image value to generate a second image value. The arithmetic operator unit is further configured to generate an edge enhanced image according to color values of the source image and the second image value.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for facilitating media management. A method for managing digital content comprises obtaining a media file and generating a primary identifier unique to the media file and obtaining at least one storage destination for the media file, wherein the at least one storage destination comprises one of: at least one user-specified storage destination and at least one storage destination automatically determined by an analyzing component. Based on the at least one storage destination, a secondary identifier unique to the at least one storage destination is generated. The method further comprises generating a media identifier based on primary identifier and the secondary identifier, storing the media identifier, and performing batch processing of media files based on corresponding media identifiers.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for generating depth maps. One embodiment is a method implemented in an image processing device. The method comprises retrieving, by the image processing device, a (2D) image; and determining, by the image processing device, at least one region within the (2D) image having a high gradient characteristic relative to other regions within the (2D) image. The method further comprises identifying, by the image processing device, an out-of-focus region based on the at least one region having a high gradient characteristic; and deriving, by the image processing device, a color model according to the out-of-focus region. Based on the color model, the image processing device provides a depth map for (2D)-to-stereoscopic conversion.

Abstract: Methods of preventing private information, which is hidden within data of a private domain reserved by an application program, from being easily accessed by a CPU and other devices, both where the data of the private domain is decrypted and the access to said data are restricted are disclosed, where the mentioned other devices do not include a decryption module utilized in the methods. Therefore, as long as agreements related to encryptions and decryptions are made in advance between the application program and the decryption module, private information can be well protected.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for automatic image editing. One embodiment is a method for editing an image in an image editing device that comprises obtaining the image and analyzing attributes of the image, wherein the attributes correspond to facial attributes of at least one individual shown in the image. The method further comprises retrieving from a database a modification previously obtained by the image editing device, wherein retrieving the modification is performed based on the analyzed attributes of the image. The retrieved modification is applied to the image based on the attributes of the image.