Abstract: A method of processing a set of images of a scene is disclosed. The set is represented by a plurality of picture-elements defining an image plane, and the images are characterized by different light intensity spatial distributions but the same viewpoint relative to the scene. The method comprises: for each of at least some picture-elements, independently selecting a direction parallel to the image plane, constructing a weighted vector field based on the selected direction, and calculating a height of a surface in the scene perpendicular to the image plane based on the constructed weighted vector field. The method further comprises reconstructing a three-dimensional spatial representation of the surface based on the heights; and transmitting the spatial representation to a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A method of processing a set of images of a scene is disclosed. The set is represented by a plurality of picture-elements defining an image plane, and the images are characterized by different light intensity spatial distributions but the same viewpoint relative to the scene. The method comprises: for each of at least some picture-elements, independently selecting a direction parallel to the image plane, constructing a weighted vector field based on the selected direction, and calculating a height of a surface in the scene perpendicular to the image plane based on the constructed weighted vector field. The method further comprises reconstructing a three-dimensional spatial representation of the surface based on the heights; and transmitting the spatial representation to a computer readable medium.

Abstract: An optical flow estimation process based on a spatio-temporal model with varying coefficients multiplying a set of basis functions at each pixel. The benefit of over-parameterization becomes evident in the smoothness term, which instead of directly penalizing for changes in the optic flow, accumulates a cost of deviating from the assumed optic flow model. The optical flow field is represented by a general space-time model comprising a selected set of basis functions. The optical flow parameters are computed at each pixel in terms of coefficients of the basis functions. The model is thus highly over-parameterized, and regularization is applied at the level of the coefficients, rather than the model itself. As a result, the actual optical flow in the group of images is represented more accurately than in methods that are known in the art.

Abstract: A method of coloring a plurality of cells using a predetermined fill-color, the cells occupying a region in a grid of cells thereby defining a plurality of region-cells, the method comprising: (a) dividing the grid into a plurality of elementary-regions, each comprising at least one cell; (b) visiting one elementary-region at a time and determining, for each cell of the elementary-region, whether the cell is a region-cell; (c) writing color data in at least one region-cell of each elementary-region using a color selected from a color-space so as to store information in the elementary-region, the information directing a backtracking path in the region, thereby providing a mapped elementary-region; and (d) using the information for visiting all the mapped elementary-regions along the backtracking path and for writing color data using the fill-color in each region-cell of each of the mapped elementary-region along the backtracking path; thereby coloring all the region-cells by the fill-color.

Abstract: A method of coloring a plurality of cells using a predetermined fill-color, the cells occupying a region in a grid of cells thereby defining a plurality of region-cells, the method comprising: (a) dividing the grid into a plurality of elementary-regions, each comprising at least one cell; (b) visiting one elementary-region at a time and determining, for each cell of the elementary-region, whether the cell is a region-cell; (c) writing color data in at least one region-cell of each elementary-region using a color selected from a color-space so as to store information in the elementary-region, the information directing a backtracking path in the region, thereby providing a mapped elementary-region; and (d) using the information for visiting all the mapped elementary-regions along the backtracking path and for writing color data using the fill-color in each region-cell of each of the mapped elementary-region along the backtracking path; thereby coloring all the region-cells by the fill-color.

Abstract: A method and system for watermarking and recovering a watermarked digitized image for subsequent authentication. The digitized image comprises spatial domain data signals reproduced from an original image. A transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals into frequency domain data signals, including respective magnitude and phase data signal components. Information is embedded into the magnitude data signals to develop modified data signals and the modified data signals are converted from the frequency domain to the spatial domain to generate the watermarked digitized image. For recovery, a second transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals comprising the respective original digitized image and watermarked digitized image into respective frequency domain dataset signals. A comparator responsive to the two transformer outputs compares the respective frequency domain dataset signals to identify the watermark and verify the authenticity of the image reproduction.

Abstract: A method and system for watermarking and recovering a watermarked digitized image for subsequent authentication. The digitized image comprises spatial domain data signals reproduced from an original image. A transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals into frequency domain data signals, including respective magnitude and phase data signal components. Information is embedded into the magnitude data signals to develop modified data signals and the modified data signals are converted from the frequency domain to the spatial domain to generate the watermarked digitized image. For recovery, a second transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals comprising the respective original digitized image and watermarked digitized image into respective frequency domain dataset signals. A comparator responsive to the two transformer outputs compares the respective frequency domain dataset signals to identify the watermark and verify the authenticity of the image reproduction.

Abstract: In a communications system, an image to be transmitted is holographically represented in accordance with the invention. Relying on a portion of the holographic representation selected from any part thereof, a receiver can provide an overall version of the transmitted image. This overall version is successively refined as the size of the aggregate portion of the representation received by the receiver increases.

Abstract: Pose estimation of a camera is facilitated by including in the scene a space fiducial, an object that has the property that its appearance as viewed by the camera uniquely determines the direction from which it is viewed.

Abstract: An omnidirectional or panoramic viewer/projector uses a single camera and a mirror with a curved surface. The curved mirror provides a single virtual optical center or viewpoint.