Abstract: The invention provide methods and apparatus for effectively identifying the occlusion of objects, such as persons, having a high degree of freedom. In an example embodiment, after initialization, an image is input, and an image region is extracted from image data. The distance is employed that is obtained when the shape of a two-dimensional histogram in the color space is transformed into the feature space. A graph is formed by using, the regions between the frames. A confidence factor is provided and image features are provided as weights to the edges that connect the nodes. Processing is performed, and the confidence factor is examined. A connection judged less possible to be a path is removed. When there is only one available connection for the occlusion point, this connection is selected.

Abstract: A device network to process signals has target devices, selecting devices that are movable relative to the target devices, and controllers. The controllers are in communication with the target devices and the selecting devices. Each of the selecting devices has a position sensor and an orientation sensor to provide spatial and angular co-ordinates of position and orientation when pointing to a target device and upon receiving a user input. Each of the selecting devices also has a signal processor to generate a control signal having the position and orientation data. This control signal is then transmitted by a transmitter, via a radio frequency channel, to a controller. Upon receiving the control signal, the controller determines whether, for example, a target device has been selected by a selecting device by comparison of the orientation data with a derived orientation based on the position data and the known position of the target devices.