Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced video encoding identify patterns in sequences of raw digital video frames to extract features and identify the type of content represented by the extracted features. The system simulates many outcomes of encoding the sequence of digital video frames by using various different encoding strategies to find the relative best encoding strategy for each sequence of frames. As the encoder processes video, it passes digital video frames to a modeling system which determines whether the video, or video having that same type of content, has been previously observed by the system. The system then selectively applies a saved encoding strategy that had been determined by the system to be particularly suitable for encoding the same sequence of video frames or that same type of content.

Abstract: A security system includes a surveillance device that monitors a predetermined event and captures images in a monitor scene; and a controller that controls the surveillance device and transmits the captured images. The surveillance device adjusts image capture amount, image transmit amount, image transmit order or image resolution when the predetermined event is detected and an object is detected on the captured images.

Abstract: An endoscope processor includes a processor that can be connected to an endoscope including a moving mechanism of a focusing lens included in an objective optical system and an image pickup apparatus. The processor is configured to determine whether or not a transition has been made from a screening state to a proximity state based on positional information of the focusing lens and an image in a proximity determination mode when a variation in an image height in an effective image range with control of the moving mechanism is 1% or less, and when it is determined that a transition has been made to the proximity state, the processor is configured to end the proximity determination mode and control the moving mechanism in an autofocus mode.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imaging array sensor, an imager PCB and a lens holder that includes an elongated lens barrel that houses at least one lens. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. Image data captured by the imaging array sensor is conveyed to electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with a lower housing portion of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion of the camera housing.

Abstract: A financial close automation (FCA) system receives or retrieves account data from one or more enterprise resource planning products (ERPs). The FCA examines the balance sheet for a given account and determines whether the account is auto-certifiable, and whether the unknown balance is below a threshold amount. If the answer to either inquiry is no, the FCA generates a task for the general ledger owner to provide an explanation for the discrepancy. A task is the created for a manager to review the provided explanation. If the manager does not approve of the provided explanation, additional information may be required. Once the manager approves the provided explanation for the discrepancy, the account is certified. If the account is auto-certifiable and the unknown balance is below the threshold amount, the account is auto-certified.

Abstract: Authentication method and systems using RFID-enabled payment cards are disclosed herein where a server receives a request corresponding to authorization of a payment associated with a payment card from an electronic terminal. The server identifies an electronic device of a user associated with the payment card. The server then transmits an instruction to the electronic device to cause an RFID reader of the electronic device to determine whether an RFID tag corresponding to the payment card is located within a predetermined proximity to the electronic device. When the payment card is located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a first authentication protocol. Moreover, when the payment card is not located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a second authentication protocol, wherein the second authentication protocol is more restrictive than the first authentication protocol.

Abstract: Automated storage and retrieval systems for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility include a storage structure with storage locations configured to store containers that contain retail products, and a conveying system that conveys the containers between the storage locations and a product picking station. A processor-based control circuit analyzes one or more business rules governing product merging between the containers being conveyed toward the picking station by the conveying system to identify two containers that are eligible for the product merging therebetween. When the control circuit detects that the two containers identified as product merging eligible arrived at the picking station, these two containers are kept by the conveying system at the picking station until all of the products are removed from a first one of these two containers and merged together with the products stored in a second one of these two containers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for unified significance map coding. An apparatus includes a video encoder (400) for encoding transform coefficients for at least a portion of a picture. The transform coefficients are obtained using a plurality of transforms. One or more context sharing maps are generated for the transform coefficients based on a unified rule. The one or more context sharing maps are for providing at least one context that is shared among at least some of the transform coefficients obtained from at least two different ones of the plurality of transforms.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing cash back to a customer from a linked ATM after a purchase transaction are described herein. A customer initiates the transactions using a payment check. A cash back amount is determined and an authentication passcode is created. Cash back information is then transmitted to the linked ATM. The cash back information includes the cash back amount and the authentication passcode. The authentication passcode is then provided to the customer. A cash back transaction is then authenticated using the authentication passcode, and the customer is provided with the cash back amount from the linked ATM.

Abstract: An encoder that includes memory and circuitry coupled to the memory. The circuitry encodes a slice into one or more data access regions in a variable length encoding process. The circuitry encodes one or more offsets into a slice header, based on a flag written into a sequence header and a total number of the one or more data access regions. The one or more offsets each specify a head position of a corresponding one of the one or more data access regions in a bitstream. When the flag indicates that the one or more offsets are to be encoded and the total number is at least two, the one or more offsets are encoded. The flag switches between encoding and not encoding the one or more offsets regardless of whether the total number is at least two.

Abstract: The present invention includes obtaining block type identification information on a partition of the current macroblock when the current macroblock is intra-mixed specifying a bock type of the current macroblock based on the block type identification information, obtaining an intra prediction mode of the current macroblock according to the block type of the partition of the current macroblock, and predicting the current macroblock using the intra prediction mode and a pixel value of a neighboring block.

Abstract: According to some embodiments a system is provided. The system comprises a remote monitoring computing system that is configured to receive an alarm signal from a premises monitoring system that is configured to monitor a premises where the alarm signal is associated with an alarm event at the premises, in response to the alarm signal, obtain, from a content storage computing system, metadata corresponding to video provided by a camera at the premises, in response to the metadata, store the video in a data store of the remote monitoring computing system, and enforce an access control policy on the video in the data store where the access control policy restricts access to the video in the data store based on time and a plurality of roles of a plurality of users of the remote monitoring computing system.

Abstract: A method of encoding a video stream in a video encoder is provided that includes computing an offset into a transform matrix based on a transform block size, wherein a size of the transform matrix is larger than the transform block size, and wherein the transform matrix is one selected from a group consisting of a DCT transform matrix and an IDCT transform matrix, and transforming a residual block to generate a DCT coefficient block, wherein the offset is used to select elements of rows and columns of a DCT submatrix of the transform block size from the transform matrix.

Abstract: An article information deduction apparatus (10) includes an acquisition unit (110) and an output unit (120). The acquisition unit (110) acquires data based on a change in a detected value of a weight sensor (30) (hereinafter described as weight change data). For example, the acquisition unit (110) determines data acquired by chronologically arranging data acquired from the weight sensor (30) as weight change data. Further, the acquisition unit (110) acquires data indicating a movement of a hand of a person positioned in a shelf-front space (hereinafter described as movement data). For example, the acquisition unit (110) acquires data acquired by chronologically arranging data output from a depth sensor (40) to the article information deduction apparatus (10) as movement data. The output unit (120) outputs article determination information of the article deduced to be taken out by the hand of the person positioned in the shelf-front space, by using the weight change data and the movement data.

Abstract: A security system can be configured to mount to a power outlet. The security system can include an outwardly facing portion configured to face away from the power outlet and an inwardly facing portion having a first electrical prong and a second electrical prong that protrude into the power outlet to mount the security system to the power outlet. The security system can also include a detection system comprising a camera and a motion detector.

Abstract: The present specification relates to image capture. More specifically, it relates to selective image capture for sensor carrying devices or floats deployed, for example, on the open sea. In one form, data is generated on the sensor carrying devices or floats by an on-board Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and is used to automatically predict the wave motion of the sea. These predictions are then used to determine an acceptable set of motion parameters that are used to trigger the on-board camera(s). The camera(s) then capture images. One consideration is that images captured at or near the peak of a wave crest with minimal pitch and roll will contain fewer obstructions (such as other waves). Such images provide a view further into the horizon to, for example, monitor maritime sea traffic and other phenomenon. Therefore, the likelihood of capturing interesting objects such as ships, boats, garbage, birds, . . . etc. is increased.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide transaction validation systems and methods for use in self-checkout at a retail establishment. An exemplary system may include a scale sized to support and weigh a shopping basket thereon. At least one image sensor is arranged to capture at least one image of the weighed shopping basket. A processor receives a weight measurement of the shopping basket from the scale and determines, based on information received from a wireless communications device of a customer, a record of products in the shopping basket and an expected cumulative weight associated with the products in the shopping basket. The processor determines a discrepancy between the weight measurement of the products in the shopping basket and the expected cumulative weight and reconciles the determined discrepancy using the at least one captured image of the shopping basket by the at least one image sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide transaction validation systems and methods for use in self-checkout at a retail establishment. An exemplary system may include a scale sized to support and weigh a shopping basket thereon. At least one image sensor is arranged to capture at least one image of the weighed shopping basket. A processor receives a weight measurement of the shopping basket from the scale and determines, based on information received from a wireless communications device of a customer, a record of products in the shopping basket and an expected cumulative weight associated with the products in the shopping basket. The processor determines a discrepancy between the weight measurement of the products in the shopping basket and the expected cumulative weight and reconciles the determined discrepancy using the at least one captured image of the shopping basket by the at least one image sensor.

Abstract: Doorbells often include a button to enable visitors to ring a chime to summon building occupants. In some embodiments, doorbells include a camera to take pictures of visitors. In several embodiments, doorbells include covers that are light filters. These light filters can cover infrared light sources such as infrared light emitting diodes. The light filters can pass infrared light while blocking visible light. In several embodiments, a front portion of a camera assembly fits through a hole in a light filter. Light filters can help secure camera assemblies and can form a portion of a doorbell's outer housing.

Abstract: A brick-and-mortar (BAM) store control system uses sensors and wireless transceivers to track customers, merchant representatives, devices, and/or objects within a BAM store area. The system can identify and track product and/or service inventory within the BAM store area and/or in individual's personal inventories, for instance by detecting movements of objects by individuals in sensor data. The system can generate inventory replenishment schedules, for instance based on inventory quantity patterns. The system can provide recommendations to customers and/or merchants, for example recommending products that customers have interacted with. The system can identify individuals and/or objects using a machine learning algorithm, which can learn based on feedback. The system can generate temporary identifiers for unrecognized individuals or objects, which it can merge or convert into long-term identifiers as more information is received.