Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing visual effects rendering on an image are described. User specifications are processed for at least one visual effect for the image. Scene analysis information associated with the image may be accessed, wherein the scene analysis information is based on the user specifications and indicates at least one pixel of the image for coupling with the at least one visual effect. The at least one pixel is accentuated using depth map information, wherein dimensions for the at least one pixel are determined in response to corresponding depth values of the at least one pixel. An output image is generated having at least one visual effect.

Abstract: A Depth Map (DM) is able to be utilized for many parameter settings involving cameras, camcorders and other devices. Setting parameters on the imaging device includes zoom setting, aperture setting and shutter speed setting.

Abstract: A camera and method which selectively applies image content adjustments to elements contained in the image material. By way of example, the method involves registration of user touch screen input and determination of the arbitrary extent of a specific element in the captured image material at the location at which touch input was registered. Once selected, the element can be highlighted on the display, and additional user input may be optionally input to control what type of adjustment is to be applied. Then the element within the captured image material is processed to apply automatic, or user-selected, adjustments to the content of said element in relation to the remainder of the captured image. The adjustments to the image element may comprise any conventional forms of image editing, such as saturation, white balance, exposure, sizing, noise reduction, sharpening, blurring, deleting and so forth.

Abstract: A method for converting a 2D image into a 3D image includes receiving the 2D image; determining whether the received 2D image is a portrait, wherein the portrait can be a face portrait or a non-face portrait; if the received 2D image is determined to be a portrait, creating a disparity between a left eye image and a right eye image based on a local gradient and a spatial location; generating the 3D image based on the created disparity; and outputting the generated 3D image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiview image generation using depth map information is described. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises converting a input image and an input depth map into a projected image and a projected depth map using values from physical pixel locations that map to projected pixel locations, wherein the projected image and the projected depth map are associated with a particular view of the input image, inpainting the projected image and the projected depth map and producing an output image in a direction of the particular view using the inpainted projected image and the inpainted projected depth map.

Abstract: Converting two dimensional images to three dimensional images using Global Positioning System (GPS) data and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) is described herein. DSMs and GPS data are used to position a virtual camera. The distance between the virtual camera to the DSM is used to reconstruct a depth map. The depth map and two dimensional image are used to render a three dimensional image.

Abstract: A display is able to display 3D content in high resolution 2D by utilizing the many views contained in the 3D data and converting the 3D data into 2D data. In some embodiments, the 3D data is converted using shifts in different views of a pixel. In some embodiments, the 3D is converted using shifts in different views of a local pixel and global pixels as well. Displays implementing the 2D high resolution display in addition to a low resolution 3D display are able to display 3D and 2D data depending on a user's preference.

Abstract: A camera or camcorder with a multi-view three dimensional (3D) attachment enables acquisition of 3D images and video which are then able to be displayed to a user without the need for specialized glasses. The multi-view 3D attachment captures at least 3 views of the same image from different angles simultaneously on a sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a two-dimensional image into a stereoscopic three-dimensional image. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method of converting a two-dimensional image into a stereoscopic three-dimensional image including for each pixel within a right eye image, identifying at least one corresponding pixel from a left eye image and determining a depth and an intensity value for the each pixel within the right eye image using the at least one corresponding pixel, wherein the depth value is stored in a right eye depth map and the intensity value is stored in the right eye image and inpainting at least one occluded region within the right eye image using the right eye depth map.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for three-dimensional (3-D) image acquisition can include: (i) first and second lenses configured to receive light from a scene; (ii) first, second, third, and fourth sensors; (iii) a first beam splitter arranged proximate to the first lens, where the first beam splitter can provide a first split beam to the first sensor, and a second split beam to the second sensor; and (iv) a second beam splitter arranged proximate to the second lens, where the second beam splitter can provide a third split beam to the third sensor, and a fourth and split beam to the fourth sensor. For example, the sensors can include charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or CMOS sensors.

Abstract: A method for high dynamic range compression uses a modified cumulative histogram as a compression curve. This curve is computed from the cumulative histogram of the image with constraints that the local derivative on the curve does not exceed a certain limit. The limit is fixed along the curve or the limit is variable, taking into account noise characteristics at various pixel values. To provide appropriate detail preservation, a smoothing filter is used to separate the image into an illumination image, referred to as a base image, and a detail image, and the compression curve is applied to the base image only. The compression method provides high dynamic range compression of the image while preserving the global contrast perception. Conventional global algorithms for high dynamic range compression are not capable of achieving this result. The proposed high dynamic range compression method also minimizes noise amplification while lightening the dark areas during image compression.

Abstract: A method for rendering 3D content in a safe mode includes receiving images to be rendered in a 3D format, and detecting, in the received images, at least one image having a 3D content creation or conversion error that creates an uncomfortable 3D effect to a user. The method may also include transitioning to a safe mode, under which 3D enhancement is performed to the detected at least one image to avoid the uncomfortable 3D effect, and rendering the 3D enhanced image for display.

Abstract: A television set. The television set includes a display, a gesture detector, a transceiver, a processor, and a memory component. The display is operable to render images. The gesture detector is operable to detect gesture interactions, e.g., initiation of gesture control operation. The transceiver is operable to communicate with an electronic device that is separate from the television set. The processor is operable to cause the transceiver to send a request message to the electronic device. The request message is a request to receive a graphical user interface (GUI) of the electronic device for rendering on the display. The transceiver receives the GUI of the electronic device responsive to the request message. The processor generates a command message responsive to gesture interaction with the GUI of the electronic device. The command message is operable to control an operation of the electronic device and is transmitted to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of and system for calibrating an imaging device is described herein. An iterative method that attempts to find the best calibration parameters conditional upon an error metric is used. Regression is used to estimate values in a color space where the calibration is performed based upon a training data set. More calculation steps are required than would be for a regression in raw RGB space, but the convergence is faster in the color space where the calibration is performed, and the advantages using boundary conditions in the color space is able to provide improved calibration.

Abstract: A two dimensional/three dimensional (2D/3D) digital acquisition and display device for enabling users to capture 3D information using a single device. In an embodiment, the device has a single movable lens with a sensor. In another embodiment, the device has a single lens with a beam splitter and multiple sensors. In another embodiment, the device has multiple lenses and multiple sensors. In yet another embodiment, the device is a standard digital camera with additional 3D software. In some embodiments, 3D information is generated from 2D information using a depth map generated from the 2D information. In some embodiments, 3D information is acquired directly using the hardware configuration of the camera. The 3D information is then able to be displayed on the device, sent to another device to be displayed or printed.

Abstract: A method for generating a depth map for a 2D image includes receiving the 2D image; analyzing content of the received 2D image; determining a depth map based on a result of the content analysis; refining the determined depth map using an edge-preserving and noise reducing smoothing filter; and providing the refined depth map.

Abstract: A method for converting a 2D image into a 3D image includes receiving the 2D image; analyzing content of the received 2D image; determining a 2D-to-3D image conversion method based on a result of the content analysis; generating the 3D image by applying the determined method to the received 2D image; and providing the generated 3D image.

Abstract: A three or more dimensional (3+D) graphical user interface (GUI) uses detected three dimensional (3D) hand movements or other input devices to navigate a displayed two dimensional (2D), three dimensional, or 3+D representation of a corresponding menu, document, or data set. Specific hand motions may be used that correspond to navigational commands, including, but not limited to: up, down, left, right, select, exit, back, new search, start, close, and deselect. The GUI displays two initially perpendicular axes, with additional axes sufficiently off angle that their navigation is apparent, rather than hidden. The 3+D GUI may be used for navigating large complex data sets, such as search results, document library storage, or simpler data sets, such as TV menus, music selection, photographs, videos, etc.

Abstract: A signal processing system includes: defining a nonlinear function; defining a set of requirements for an output signal; obtaining an input signal; applying a cubic polynomial fitting to approximate the nonlinear function and provide an approximated nonlinear function; assigning a set of fitted polynomial parameters to the approximated nonlinear function; transforming the input signal with the approximated nonlinear function to provide a transformed signal; modifying the transformed signal by adjusting the set of fitted polynomial parameters to provide a modified signal meeting the set of requirements for the output signal; and outputting the modified signal.

Abstract: A system for and method of calibrating an imaging device efficiently is described herein. The imaging device acquires an image of an object that is more than one color. The information acquired is then transferred to a computing device. The information is then used to generate a set of data which represents information which was not acquired in the image. The set of data is generated based on statistical prediction using a training data set. Using acquired image information and the set of data, an imaging device is able to be calibrated. Since the process of calibration utilizing this method only requires one image to be acquired and a reduced set of image information to be sent to the computing device, the process is more efficient than previous implementations.