Abstract: A plurality of cameras respectively input an image from different camera positions. The plurality of cameras is on a moving object. An image memory stores a plurality of images input by the plurality of cameras. An image transformation unit transforms one image input by a first camera using each of a plurality of transformation parameters each representing a geometrical relationship among a predetermined plane, the first camera, and a second camera, and generates a plurality of transformed images from a view position of the second camera. A matching processing unit compares each of the plurality of transformed images with another image input by the second camera for each area consisting of pixels, and calculates a coincidence degree of each area between each transformed image and another image. An obstacle detection unit detects an obstacle area consisting of areas each having a coincidence degree below a threshold from another image.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a remote 3-D imaging system which uses a novel illumination source to establish the relationship of the image features to the system, which is displayed by virtue of calculations. In addition to static surfaces, moving surfaces may be studied and corrections due to turbidity and platform position are also easily compensated for. The instant system may also contain a plurality of sensing systems based on light, including traditional reflective or elastic scattering and novel fluorescent or non-elastic scattering still and video imaging systems, including time-gated systems.

Abstract: A method transcodes a compressed multi-layer video bitstream that includes a base layer bitstream and an enhancement layer bitstream. The base and enhancement layers are first partially decoded, and then the partially decoded signals are combined with a motion compensated signal yielding a combined signal. The combined signal is quantized into an output signal according to a quantization parameter, and the output signal is variable length encoded as a single layer bitstream. In a preprocessing step, the enhancement layer can be truncated according to rate control constraint, and the same constraints can also be used during the quantization.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of decoding an encoded video signal that includes a plurality of successive encoded images. The method initially receives an encoded image of the video signal. It then decodes the encoded image. The method next examines the decoded image to determine whether the decoded image satisfies at least one criterion for performing a post-filter operation on the decoded image. Only if the decoded image satisfies the criterion, the method performs the post-filter operation on the decoded image. The criterion in some embodiments is whether the amount of time for applying the post-filter operation exceeds the remaining amount of time that the method has to process the received image. Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of post-filtering a current image that was decoded from an encoded video signal, which includes a plurality of successive encoded images. The current image has several sub-sections. The method selects a sub-section of the current image.

Abstract: A coding and/or decoding system includes: a code-word table for storing therein a plurality of code words, which are capable of being decoded both in forward and backward directions and which are formed so that delimiters of the code words are capable of being identified by a predetermined weight of the code words, so that the code words correspond to different source symbols; an encoder for selecting code words corresponding to inputted source symbols from the code-word table; and a synchronization interval setting part for preparing coded data every predetermined interval using the code words selected by the encoder and for inserting stuffing codes capable of being decoded in the backward direction. Thus, it is possible to decrease useless bit patterns to enhance the coding efficiency by smaller amounts of calculation and storage, and to decode variable length codes both in the forward and backward directions even if the synchronization interval is set every interval using the stuffing bits.

Abstract: A coding and/or decoding system includes: a code-word table for storing therein a plurality of code words, which are capable of being decoded both in forward and backward directions and which are formed so that delimiters of the code words are capable of being identified by a predetermined weight of the code words, so that the code words correspond to different source symbols; an encoder for selecting code words corresponding to inputted source symbols from the code-word table; and a synchronization interval setting part for preparing coded data every predetermined interval using the code words selected by the encoder and for inserting stuffing codes capable of being decoded in the backward direction. Thus, it is possible to decrease useless bit patterns to enhance the coding efficiency by smaller amounts of calculation and storage, and to decode variable length codes both in the forward and backward directions even if the synchronization interval is set every interval using the stuffing bits.

Abstract: There is described a method for providing audio and visual communication between a speaker and at least one hearing impaired person. The method comprises the steps of providing the speaker with a headset frame having a camera attached thereto and positioned to capture images of the speaker's mouth; providing the hearing impaired person with a display; capturing continuous video images of the speaker's mouth using the camera; and transmitting the images in the real-time to the display for the hearing impaired person to view such that movement of the speaker's mouth coincides with sound emitted by the speaker.

Abstract: A motion vector coding unit 117 executes processing including a neighboring block specification step (S100) of specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of a current block; a judgment step (Steps S102, S104) of judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction step (S106, S108) of deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block; and a coding step (S110) of coding the motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector.

Abstract: A method for producing a compressed video bitstream having a plurality of frames from data that specifies a single still image. The still image is encoded into data specifying a single intra (“I”) frame having an amount of data that approaches, but remains less than, storage capacity of a buffer memory included in a decoder. A single copy of the I frame data is then combined in the compressed video bitstream with data for at least one null frame. Decoding of the compressed video bitstream assembled in this way produces frames of decoded video that do not appear to pulse visually.

Abstract: In a packet data processing determination apparatus (DBA1) for respectively and sequentially determining a plurality of packet data (P) composing an inputted transport stream (TS), a packet data storage section (270) stores the packet data (P) for a predetermined time period in the order in which they came. A stored packet data identifying section (270, 260) reads identification information (PIDe) from the stored packet data (P). A target packet data determining section (400) compares the read identification information (PIDe) with predetermined process information (PIDd) to determine whether the packet data (P) is to be processed.

Abstract: A camera assembly for a commercial vehicle with a cargo compartment, which comprises a camera, and a movement apparatus, wherein the movement apparatus displaces the camera, at least partially outward, from the interior of the cargo container, in such a manner, that the camera, by an energized movement apparatus can survey a definite field of view in the rearward area of the commercial vehicle. The movement of the camera may be through an opening in the rear closure of the cargo container. In this way, it becomes possible, even with a downward, closed, rear to observe the area lying behind the commercial vehicle by means of the camera during the backing up of the commercial vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for sensing disappearance of the previously detected logos in noisy digital video signals. When a video program starts, a short period of time is allowed to initially detect the existence and the location of the logo within the incoming video frames. Once the logo is detected and a logo map is generated, logo tracking senses whether the logo remains in, or disappears from, the video frames. If the logo moves or (partially) changes its intensity, color, pattern, etc., it will be sensed as having disappeared altogether.

Abstract: A surveillance system using an array of detectors onto which energy from the scene under surveillance is focused can indicate the direction of an event that has been recognized. The invention uses two or more arrays to locate events in three dimensions, and to define regions within the three dimensional space being surveyed. The events are located by detecting which elements from the respective arrays are stimulated by the occurrence of an event, and determining the location of the event to be at the intersection of the fields of view of the stimulated elements.

Abstract: An MPEG video decoding system with a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) function is disclosed. By applying the PVR function to an MPEG-2 decoder chip, which is the standard recommendation of the digital video transmission field, diverse high-performance PVR services such as video storage and search using an HDD application in the video decoder chip can be used, and two HD-class displays can simultaneously be supported. Also, the features of the video TS bitstream stored through the video decoding chip having a proposed PVR engine can be extracted in real time, and the playback or trick play of the stored video contents can be diversely and easily performed. According to the PVR-support video decoding system, an improved storage and search function of a video bitstream, and diverse video services can be provided, and the added value of the digital video recorder can be heightened.

Abstract: The process is characterized in that, the zoomed image being defined by its horizontal and vertical homothety ratio with respect to the coded image, it performs the following steps: calculation of the horizontal and vertical sizes of an initial display rectangle from which would be obtained the sizes of the target display rectangle as defined by the profile and level information by applying the horizontal and vertical homothety ratios, storage in the display_horizontal_size and display_vertical_size fields of an MPEG2 video data stream of the horizontal and vertical sizes of the initial display rectangle.

Abstract: The method for producing road or street section data for a digital map includes providing a vehicle (7) with an image producing device (1) for generating image data of surroundings of the vehicle and a position determining device (4) for generating vehicle position data; driving the vehicle over at least one road or street section (8) and at the same time simultaneously collecting the image data with the image producing device (1) and acquiring the vehicle position data with the position determining device (4); analyzing the image data with an image processing device (2), in order to assemble a road or street section description; and correlating the vehicle position data and the road or street section description with a correlation device, in order to produce the road or street section data for the digital map. The invention also includes an apparatus for producing the road or street section description according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method to estimate the absolute coarse pose of a rigid body, and more specifically of an individual's head as captured by overhead wide-angle cameras, by integrating position and pose information. Position information ideally includes three-dimensional position information provided by range finders or derived from images captured by multiple cameras. The three-dimensional position information can additionally be employed to determine the anchored viewing ray for the object.

Abstract: The surveillance system is configured of multi-camera including rotating cameras controllable for panning, tilting and zooming in and out, intruding object recognizing means for processing image signals from the rotating cameras and keeping track of a position of the intruding object, camera function determining means for allocating a tracking function to a first camera whose field of view is in a predetermined direction of the object of monitoring according to a state of the object of monitoring and allocating a wide angle shooting function for shooting a monitored space in a wide angle to a second camera, and camera control means for controlling the multi-camera according to actions of the camera function determining means.

Abstract: A plurality of cameras respectively input an image from different camera positions. The plurality of cameras is on a moving object. An image memory stores a plurality of images input by the plurality of cameras. An image transformation unit transforms one image input by a first camera using each of a plurality of transformation parameters each representing a geometrical relationship among a predetermined plane, the first camera, and a second camera, and generates a plurality of transformed images from a view position of the second camera. A matching processing unit compares each of the plurality of transformed images with another image input by the second camera for each area consisting of pixels, and calculates a coincidence degree of each area between each transformed image and another image. An obstacle detection unit detects an obstacle area consisting of areas each having a coincidence degree below a threshold from another image.

Abstract: A television display cover for covering the screen of a plasma or LCD screen when the television is not in use. The cover can be converted from existing frames, framed art, or mirrors already contained in a users' home or wall or panel for attachment of the display cover. Support brackets are secured to a wall or recessed surface. The support brackets are secured to the display cover via some attachment means. The cover can then be pivoted to an open or closed position to either expose the television display or cover it up.