Abstract: An integrated focal plane provides two co-aligned, overlapping pixel arrays in two formats, one with large pixels and low pixel count, the other with small pixels and high pixel count. Typically, the large pixels are 10 to 100 times larger in area than the small pixels. The dual arrays are disposed in a single detector substrate flip-chip bonded to a single readout circuit. They are sensitive to two infrared colors, one shorter and one longer wavelength band. The dual array focal plane concurrently provides two distinct pixel instantaneous fields of view within the same overall field of view as well as simultaneous fast and slow frame rates. The dual frame rates allow for combined fast sensing with sensitive imaging. Differing spatial and temporal data enables enhanced image processing for improved clutter rejection and detection performance. Differing gains combined with the dual frame rates provide an extended dynamic range.

Abstract: A motion estimation method is provided, including providing first image data, providing second image data, block-matching a source block of the first image data with target blocks of the second image data to determine a motion vector corresponding to the position of the target block that most accords with the source block, and applying a contrast enhancement on source blocks and/or target blocks to improve block-matching. A motion estimation device and video device are also provided.

Abstract: The method is for processing a multiplex image, the multiplex including at least one first view intended to be viewed by a first eye of an observer and at least one second view intended to be viewed by a second eye of the observer. The two views are spatially sub-sampled according to complementary grids and mutually spatially shifted. The method includes a demultiplexing of the multiplex image so as to extract the first and the second views. And, for at least one missing pixel of the first view, there is a determination of a first window of the first view containing the location of the missing pixel and representing a first detail in the first view, a determination of a second window of the second view representing the same first detail in the second view, and a formulation of the missing pixel by using the pixels of the second window.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for encoding content includes receiving source content and encoding the source content into a plurality of content streams. The encoding includes aligning the plurality of content streams at Group of Pictures (GOP) boundaries. The encoding further includes embedding, in each content stream, metadata identifying segmentation points within the content stream, where the segmentation points correspond to one or more of the GOP boundaries.

Abstract: Entropy encoding is performed in the inventive apparatus and method in response to the scanning of transform coefficients following an initial scanning pattern selected on the basis of probability statistics of non-zero coefficients for each block position. These non-zero probability statistics are ranked for a given combination of coding characteristics within the current block to arrive at an initial scanning pattern. The same initial scanning pattern selection is performed in the decoder to allow the transform coefficients to be extracted in their proper order from encoded video data. The pattern selection is applicable to both intra prediction and inter prediction. Transform coefficients are more accurately ordered in response to the invention because in adapting pattern initialization to quantization step size, high-frequency basis functions are properly taken into account.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, a first light path changing unit, and a second light path changing unit, wherein the first light path changing unit is movable from a first state, in which a light flux from the light emitting unit is guided toward a front direction of the image pickup apparatus, into a second state in which a light flux from the light emitting unit is guided toward a front direction and a side direction of the image pickup apparatus, and wherein the second light path changing unit is movable from a first state, in which a light flux from a front direction of the image pickup apparatus is guided to the light receiving unit, into a second state in which light fluxes from a front direction and a side direction.

Abstract: A video processing system (10) for automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) provides an interface between video cameras (14, 16) and a host computer (20) through a single high speed USB connection (18). The system (10) supports four simultaneous composite video channels (28A, 28B, 28C, 28D) with two channels dedicated to an IR monochrome video and two channels dedicated to color video. Compression software incorporates a high speed memory for buffering and stripping unnecessary data from a digitized data stream. Monochrome channel data and color channel data are marked with an incrementing index to tag them with frame identification. As a result, processing software in the host computer can re-align the monochrome and color video information after processing a license plate image, regardless of the order of data arrival. Color overview and monochrome recognition images are provided at the same time, and thus show the same plate or vehicle.

Abstract: For a block of video data, a video encoder can signal to a video decoder, using a context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process, a selected intra-prediction mode using a codeword that is mapped to a modified intra-prediction mode index. The video decoder can perform a context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) process to determine the codeword signaled by the video encoder, determine the modified intra-prediction mode index corresponding to the codeword, determine most probable modes based on a context, map the modified intra-prediction mode index to an intra-prediction mode index by comparing the modified intra-prediction mode index to the mode indexes of the most probable modes, and determine the selected intra-prediction mode used to encode the block of video data based on the intra-prediction mode index.

Abstract: The disclosure reveals a system for detecting one or more persons in a specified zone. A determination is whether there is a person in the zone. A presence determination module may indicate from a current image of the zone compared with a reference image of the zone, whether there is a person in or not in the zone. An illumination controller may assure that the zone is sufficiently illuminated for a current image sufficient for comparison with the reference image to determine a possible presence of a person in the zone. The illumination may be infrared. The system may be used to assure appropriate and adequate face velocity at a fume hood having the presence of a person and having minimal face velocity in the absence of a person at the fume hood.

Abstract: A surveillance system and method that utilize computer vision technology and background subtraction to monitor, recognize, and track objects or unusual activities within user specified boundaries. The system and method comprises at least one camera and at least one computer with a software program showing one or multiple windows of camera's field of views in real time. The program allows users to define one or multiple boundaries within any window. The program further utilizes background subtraction technique to establish normal “home-position” of objects within defined boundaries. The program compares current image of the objects against the normal “home-position” to determine/calculate the difference of pixel intensity values. If the difference is beyond the predetermine threshold, the program will flag the movement of the object and give off alert.

Abstract: A method of coding an original image, including: partitioning (S110) the original image into blocks; determining (S120) a coding condition for a current one of the blocks; and coding (S130) the current block according to the determined coding condition, wherein the determining (S120) of the coding condition for the current block includes calculating (S210) a first spatial-activity value indicating complexity of at least a part of regions of the current block; comparing (S220) the first spatial-activity value with a first predetermined threshold value; determining (S230), as the coding condition for the current block, a first coding condition for small partitioning size, when the first spatial-activity value is smaller than the first predetermined threshold value; and determining (S240), as the coding condition for the current block, a second coding condition for large partitioning size, when the first spatial-activity value is equal to or larger than the first predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for compressing a video signal are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes transforming at least a portion of the video signal to produce matrices of transform coefficients, dividing the transform coefficients by at least one quantizer value to generate matrices of quantized transform coefficients, and identifying an encoding context including the transformed portion of the video signal. The method may further include determining a cost to entropy encode a non-zero value occurring within the encoding context, determining a first range including zero and having a width that is a function of the determined cost to entropy encode a non-zero value, and setting to zero at least one transform coefficient that falls within the first range.

Abstract: An image decoding method of decoding encoded data per unit included in units that are included in a picture is provided. The image decoding method obtains, from an encoded bitstream including the encoded data, a first flag indicating whether or not a removal time of the encoded data from a buffer for storing the encoded data is set per unit. The image decoding method further obtains, from the encoded bitstream, a second flag indicating whether an interval between removal times of the units is constant or arbitrary when the removal times are set per unit. The image decoding method removes the encoded data from the buffer per unit and at a constant or arbitrary interval according to the second flag, and decodes the removed encoded data.

Abstract: A system for computing one or more calibration parameters of a camera is disclosed. The system includes a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to provide a first object either marked with or displaying three or more fiducial points. The fiducial points have known 3D positions in a first object reference frame. The processor is further configured to provide a second object either marked with or displaying three or more fiducial points. The fiducial points had known 3D positions in a second object reference frame. The processor is further configured to place the first object and the second object in a fixed position such that the fiducial point positions of the first and second objects are non-planar. The processor is further configured to compute one or more calibration parameters of the second camera using computations based on images taken of the fiducials.

Abstract: A double-layer switchable stereo liquid crystal display includes a timing controller, a microprocessor, a backlight module, a first liquid crystal panel, a controller, and a second liquid crystal panel. The timing controller receives an image signal and generates a left/right eye signal and a two-dimensional/three-dimensional control signal. The microprocessor outputs the image signal, and generates a control signal and a backlight control signal according to output timing of the image signal. The first liquid crystal panel receives and displays the image signal. The controller outputs a voltage control signal according to the control signal. The second liquid crystal panel rotates liquid crystal within the second liquid crystal panel according to the voltage control signal. A period for the second liquid crystal panel rotating the liquid crystal to a second angle is longer than a period for the second liquid crystal panel rotating the liquid crystal to a first angle.

Abstract: An alignment method for assembling substrates in different spaces without fiducial mark and its system are provided, and the alignment method has steps of: pre-defining partially standard character regions of two substrates; capturing at least two partially actual images of two substrates in different waiting spaces, respectively; comparing to obtain at least two partially actual character regions of the two substrates, respectively; building actual coordinate systems of the two substrates, respectively; comparing the actual coordinate systems of the two substrates with each other to obtain a set of offset values; moving the two substrates from the different waiting spaces to an alignment-and-installation space based on the set of offset values and a predetermined movement value, respectively; and stacking the two substrates with each other to finish the alignment and installation in the alignment-and-installation space.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus, including, a header information production section configured to produce, regarding each of divisional code streams obtained by dividing a code stream having a structure of a progression order produced by coding image data, header information at a start and an end of the divisional code stream, the header information including a characteristic amount of an image of the image data, and a packet production section configured to convert each of the divisional code streams into a packet using the header information produced by the header information production section.

Abstract: The present principles provides a method and apparatus for jointly adjusting the rounding offset and the quantization step size on a macroblock level to improve the perceptual quality of the fine details of the encoded image. In one implementation, the content of the pictures is analyzed and the smooth regions are identified. A quantization step size value for the picture is initially defined and a rounding offset is adaptively assigned to each macroblock based on the content characteristics. The quantization step size is then calculated for the a particular macroblock according to another content characteristic of the macroblock such that the encoding of the particular macroblock is performed in response to the calculated quantization step size and the rounding offset value of the first block.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus employing both a CPU and a chip or circuit dedicated to the encoding is disclosed. The encoding apparatus includes a hardware encoder and a software encoder. The hardware encoder is configured by hardware dedicated to the encoding and encodes a portion of AV data. The software encoder encodes another portion of the AV data in parallel to the encoding process of the hardware encoder by the use of a CPU. A position detector detects a switching position of an allocation destination in the AV data. A data allocator allocates sections of the AV data divided by the switching position to both encoders. A synthesizer arranges the encoded AV data in a predetermined sequence to synthesize a series of encoded AV data. An output unit outputs the series of encoded AV data.

Abstract: A method for performing local motion vector derivation during video coding of a coding unit includes: processing a plurality of sub-coding units in the coding unit; and performing motion vector prediction of each of the sub-coding units. More particularly, the step of performing motion vector prediction of each of the sub-coding units further includes: deriving a motion vector of a specific sub-coding unit of the sub-coding units by utilizing at least one motion vector of at least one other sub-coding/coding unit. Thus, the method performs motion compensation on the specific sub-coding unit according to the motion vector of the specific sub-coding unit. An associated apparatus is also provided.