Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a novel cell phone safety monitoring system that assists a cell phone user to remain aware of areas of concern while the person is dialing, texting, or viewing text messages on the cell phone. The cell phone safety monitoring system works independently of the dialing and texting features of the cell phone and comprises an interactive camera to capture images of the areas of concern and a video safety monitor with adjustable support arms to display the captured images. In some embodiments, the interactive camera is physically separate from the cell phone and the video safety monitor with adjustable support arms. The camera can be placed anywhere suitable to capture video of areas of concern to send to the video safety monitor with adjustable support arms. In some embodiments, the video safety monitor with adjustable support arms and the cell phone are separate devices and are externally connected together by a retractable pedestal the adjustable support arms.

Abstract: A video encoding method for a video encoding device is provided. The method includes: obtaining a current image and a reference image, wherein the current image has a first block; obtaining motion vectors, wherein each of the motion vectors points to a reference block in the reference image; for each of the motion vectors, executing a filter calculation according to the pointed reference block and the first block to generate a first filter block, and calculating an difference value according to the pointed reference block and the corresponding first filter block. The method also includes: obtaining a minimum first difference value among the difference values, and obtaining a second filter block corresponding to the first difference value; encoding the first block according to the second filter block. Accordingly, the video quality and the compression ratio are increased.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a first polarizing unit that has a first polarization region and a second polarization region to transmit different polarized light corresponding to different viewing point images, a second polarizing unit that includes a third polarization region to transmit only transmission light of the first polarization region, a fourth polarization region to transmit only transmission light of the second polarization region, and a total transmission region to transmit the total transmission light of the first polarization region and the second polarization region, an imaging element, and an image processing unit that executes signal processing with respect to an output signal of the imaging element. The image processing unit executes correction processing to generate a two-dimensional image and executes image conversion of the two-dimensional image to generate a left eye image and a right eye image for three-dimensional image display.

Abstract: A video decoder performs a neighboring-block based disparity vector (NBDV) derivation process to determine a disparity vector or performs a NBDV refinement (NBDV-R) process to determine the disparity vector. The video decoder uses the disparity vector as a disparity vector for a current block without using a median filtering process on multiple disparity motion vectors, wherein the current block is coded in either a skip mode or a direct mode. Furthermore, the video coder determines pixel values for the current block.

Abstract: In motion vector prediction encoding, the efficiency of motion vector prediction is improved and the efficiency of moving picture encoding is improved. A motion search is performed for a block to be encoded in a picture to be encoded using an encoded reference picture to calculate a motion vector. A plurality of blocks which include at least one of encoded blocks in the picture to be encoded and encoded blocks in an encoded picture and in predetermined positions relative to the position of the block to be encoded in the picture to be encoded are set as primary candidate blocks, and N primary candidate reference motion vectors are determined from motion vectors used in encoding the primary candidate blocks. The degrees of reliability of the primary candidate reference motion vectors which quantitatively represent effectiveness in motion vector prediction of the block to be encoded is calculated using encoded picture information for each of the primary candidate reference motion vectors.

Abstract: Techniques use multiple lower bit depth codecs to provide higher bit depth, high dynamic range, images from an upstream device to a downstream device. A base layer and one or more enhancement layers may be used to carry video signals, wherein the base layer cannot be decoded and viewed on its own. Lower bit depth input image data to base layer processing may be generated from higher bit depth high dynamic range input image data via advanced quantization to minimize the volume of image data to be carried by enhancement layer video signals. The image data in the enhancement layer video signals may comprise residual values, quantization parameters, and mapping parameters based in part on a prediction method corresponding to a specific method used in the advanced quantization. Adaptive dynamic range adaptation techniques take into consideration special transition effects, such as fade-in and fade-outs, for improved coding performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for coding video information according to certain aspects includes a memory unit and a processor in communication with the memory unit. The memory unit stores video information associated with a reference layer and a corresponding enhancement layer. The processor determines a value of a video unit positioned at a position within the enhancement layer based at least in part on an intra prediction value weighted by a first weighting factor, wherein the intra prediction value is determined based on at least one additional video unit in the enhancement layer, and a value of a co-located video unit in the reference layer weighted by a second weighting factor, wherein the co-located video unit is located at a position in the reference layer corresponding to the position of the video unit in the enhancement layer. In some embodiments, the at least one of the first and second weighting factors is between 0 and 1.

Abstract: A surveillance system and method are provided.

Abstract: A motion estimation apparatus and method are disclosed. The motion estimation apparatus includes processing element (PE) array units, sub-SAD calculation units, motion vector calculation units, and a minimum motion vector selector. The PE array units each perform parallel processing for each of the three types of coding units. The sub-SAD calculation units calculate respective SAD values for the three types of coding units. The motion vector calculation units calculate respective motion vectors for the three types of coding units. The minimum motion vector selector selects a minimum motion vector from among the motion vectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image, and a method and apparatus for decoding an image. The method of encoding an image includes: classifying pixels forming an input image into a first pixel group in which bit depth of original pixel values is maintained, and a second pixel group in which bit depth of original pixel values is changed; generating a changed input image by changing the bit depth of pixel values of pixels in the second pixel group; and performing motion prediction and compensation on the changed input image.

Abstract: A video coding device generates a motion vector (MV) candidate list for a prediction unit (PU) of a coding unit (CU) that is partitioned into four equally-sized PUs. The video coding device converts a bi-directional MV candidate in the MV candidate list into a uni-directional MV candidate. In addition, the video coding device determines a selected MV candidate in the merge candidate list and generates a predictive video block for the PU based at least in part on one or more reference blocks indicated by motion information specified by the selected MV candidate.

Abstract: In some embodiments of a video coder, if some prediction information is not available for a first block in a current layer, the video coder uses corresponding information (e.g., intra prediction direction and motion information), if available, from the first block's co-located second block in the base layer as if it were the prediction information for the first block. The corresponding information can then be used in the current layer to determine the prediction information of succeeding blocks in the current layer.

Abstract: The present invention is to solve a problem that, at the time of high-speed reproduction using compressed video data, an audio distribution bandwidth increases simply in proportion to a high-speed reproduction rate. An encoding device includes: an audio encoding part configured to encode an audio signal; a video encoding part configured to encode a video signal; and a multiplexing part configured to multiplex audio data outputted by the audio encoding part and video data outputted by the video encoding part. The multiplexing part is configured to, at the time of high-speed reproduction, multiplex by locating audio data within a predetermined range into a picture configuring video data, the picture being distributed at a speed equal to or less than a predetermined reproduction speed but being not distributed at a speed more than the predetermined reproduction speed.

Abstract: An image display device and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which a 3D stereoscopic image are more comfortably appreciated in consideration of appreciation environment. In a mobile terminal including a display unit configured to variably display a 2D (2-dimensional) image and a 3D stereoscopic image of a parallax barrier type, the controlling method includes determining a play mode of a source image including a left eye image and a right eye image for implementation of the 3D stereoscopic image, if the determined play mode is a 3D play mode, determining a brightness of the source image, and enhancing an output brightness of the source image in accordance with an output brightness of the source image.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a microscope apparatus, a pigment content converter, a property information adding unit, and a communication unit. The microscope apparatus acquires, by using a microscope, a pathology specimen image of a pathology specimen stained with a predetermined pigment. The pigment content converter converts, by using pigment spectral data, pixel values of the pathology specimen image to the pigment content at corresponding sample points on the pathology specimen. The property information adding unit generates conversion image data by adding the pigment spectral data, which is used for the conversion, to the pigment content of each pixel that is converted by the pigment content converter. The communication unit transmits the conversion image data to a terminal device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional stereo display, and a system and method are provided for controlling the three-dimensional stereo display. The three-dimensional stereo display includes backlight, a first polarizer, a first liquid crystal panel, a second polarizer and a second liquid crystal panel which are sequentially arranged on the backlight source. The second liquid crystal panel switches the polarizing angle of the light travelling through and exiting from said second liquid crystal panel between a horizontal and vertical polarization. Due to the polarization direction of light could be changed by the liquid crystal panel, and makes the light for the left-eye image and the right-eye image are mutual perpendicular. The polarization direction of the light for the left-eye image is the same as that of the left lens, and the polarization direction of the light for the right-eye image is the same as that of the right lens.

Abstract: A method for tracking a target object utilizing a binocular system includes capturing first and second images, the first image captured from a first camera device and the second image captured from a second camera device. A plurality of image patches are applied to the first and second images and a plurality of detection costs each associated with respective ones of the image patches applied to the first and second images is determined. A plurality of matching costs each corresponding to respective ones of selected matching pairs of image patches between the first and second images is determined. At least one cost flow path is determined from a source vertex of the first image to a sink vertex of the second image based on the detection costs and the matching costs and the target object is tracked based on the at least one cost flow path.

Abstract: An exemplary imaging system operates by capturing image information as a lens moves within a defined focal length range during image exposure, where a focused image having an extended depth of field can be generated by using a profile of lens motion in processing the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for testing heart valve leaflets. The system includes a leaflet support assembly with a support post for receiving and supporting a leaflet to be tested, the post being disposed in a target region of the support assembly. The system also has a transmitter assembly that includes a light source and is configured and arranged to direct light from the light source onto the target region. The system further includes a receiver assembly that has an image sensor configured and arranged to sense an image of the target region and generate image information indicative of the sensed image, such as leaflet droop.

Abstract: Surface segmentation from RGB and depth images is described. In one example, a computer receives an image of a scene. The image has pixels which each have an associated color value and an associated depth value representing a distance between from an image sensor to a surface in the scene. The computer uses the depth values to derive a set of three-dimensional planes present within the scene. A cost function is used to determine whether each pixel belongs to one of the planes, and the image elements are labeled accordingly. The cost function has terms dependent on the depth value of a pixel, and the color values of the pixels and at least one neighboring pixel. In various examples, the planes can be extended until they intersect to determine the extent of the scene, and pixels not belonging to a plane can be labeled as objects on the surfaces.