Abstract: Automated camera apparatus comprises a head mounted electronic camera 1 for providing a video signal 3 representative of an image 2 viewed by the wearer, video signal processor 51 arranged to receive said video signal for judging the degree of interest shown by the wearer in a feature in the scene and for providing a related saliency signal 12, the means 51 including image analyser 5 for identifying the presence of features and their locations relative to a reference position (e.g. the centre) in the frame within each of a series of frames in a time window of the video signal, and track analysis means 7 coupled to the output of said image analyser for analysing the movement of at least one said feature over said series of frames to provide the saliency signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying features are described. The presence of one or more predetermined features is determined and details of one or more predetermined features are stored. A unique audible signal is then assigned to the or each of said predetermined features. This unique signal associated with the or each matched feature is then emitted to indicate the presence of the feature.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing method and device for correcting the color of a color image. The color image is composed of at least two sets of image pixels (13,14,15) that have a distinct color value (16,17,18) and a luminance value. For each color value (16,17,18) a low spatial frequency monochrome image (33,34,35) is generated composed of a set of smoothed image pixels, on which the color correction function operates. In one embodiment, a sub-set of the smoothed image pixels (63,64,65) is then selected, and a color correction function is applied to each of these sub-sets to generate corresponding sub-sets of corrected smoothed image pixels (53,54,55). The correction includes a contribution from smoothed image pixels in one or more of the other sets of smoothed image pixels (33,34,35). The sub-sets of corrected smoothed image pixels may then be completed (53,54,55) by interpolation or extrapolation. Each set of corrected smoothed image pixels is then used to generate a corrected color image.

Abstract: Image capture apparatus whereby a narrow beam infra-red transmitter (10) and a short range radio receiver (12) are mounted within a personal digital camera (14). A push-button mechanism (16) is provided on the outer cover of the camera (14) to activate the transmitter (10) when required. An environmental camera (18) is provided with a narrow beam infra-red receiver (20) and a short range radio transmitter (22). In the case whereby, for example, a user wishes to capture an image of themselves using the environment camera (18), they can simply position themselves within the camera's field of view (26), point the digital camera (14) at the camera (18) and press the push-button mechanism (16) causing the transmitter (10) to transmit an image capture request signal (28) to the security camera (18). The captured image is transmitted via a short range transmitter (22) to the user's personal camera (14) where it is received by the receiver (12).

Abstract: An image capture device such as a camera has associated with it a storage device in which is stored pre-programmed information relating to one or more locations, areas or places. The camera may also include one or more position sensors to determine the position of the camera, which information is employed by a processor to select portions of the stored information most pertinent to the user's current position.

Abstract: A portable image capture apparatus comprises an image capture device for capturing still and/or moving images, and a transmitter for transmitting image data representative of captured images directly from said image capture apparatus via a wireless communication path to a remote device which is adapted to display said one or more captured images upon receipt of said image data, the apparatus further comprising an arrangement for enabling a user to remotely select the remote device of their choice. This arrangement is particularly advantageously employed where the image capture device is embedded in eye glasses.

Abstract: Image capturing apparatus comprises plural image capture devices at spaced-apart intervals along plural routes. A selector selects a navigation path including at least a portion of one or more of the routes. An image processor sequentially combines one or more image frames from each of a plurality of the image capture devices to produce an image sequence which, when viewed at a suitable rate, simulates motion along said selected navigation path. A method for producing an image sequence which, when viewed at a suitable rate, simulates motion along a selected navigation path is also provided.

Abstract: An image capture detection system including a short range radio transmitter (13) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (12) installed in or on an image capture device (10). The system further comprises a remote detection unit (14) also comprising a short range radio transmitter (18) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (16). In use, the remote detection unit (14) transmits intermittent query signals (22) which are received by the receiver (12) in the image capture device (10) when the remote detection unit (14) is within a predetermined distance or range thereof. In response to receipt of the query signals (22), the transmitter (13) in the image capture device (10) is arranged to transmit an indicator signal (24) which is received by the remote detection unit (14). The remote detection unit (14) is arranged to generate a warning signal in response to receipt of the indicator signal ((24).

Abstract: An optical assembly is mounted in an aperture of a non-rigid body having first and second faces between which the aperture extends. The optical assembly is placed within the aperture such that a deformable element disposed around the optical assembly is deformed (by heat or otherwise). In response to deformation of the deformable element, the optical assembly fixedly engages the deformable element which in turn engages the second face of the body around the aperture and exerts a force on a flange of the optical assembly.

Abstract: A digital camera 2 provides an infra-red signal 10 and a visible signal 15 from sensors 8, 9, wherein the sensor fields of view overlap or share a common field of view. Analysis of the IR signal 10 provides the location of (20) and information from (13, 14) an active or passive target. Analyser 19 acts on the signal 15 in response to signals 14, 20 for composition control (pan/tilt/zoom/timing) and selection of pictures from signal 15 for storage 18 together with signal 13 providing ancillary information such as personal details of a target wearer. Alternatively the visible and infra-red image signals may be combined to correct for sensitivity of the visible and/or IR sensors to IR and visible wavelengths respectively.

Abstract: A wearable camera arranged to be worn on a user's clothing comprises a lens section 28 which is disguised in a piece of jewellery 30. The piece of jewellery is connected to a rear electronics portion 26 by means of an electrically conducting pin 29. The rear electronics portion 26 houses control means including a semi-conductor memory 26a, power supply 26b, control circuitry 26c and circuitry 26d for controlling the gain setting of a CMOS sensor 28a in the lens section 28.

Abstract: A face recognition and information system comprises a headset bearing a camera 10 which is used to capture images in the direction of a user's gaze. The images are processed and any faces in those images are identified from a database which may be held in control means 16. Once the face has been identified information relating to that person will be outputted through a visual display 14 or an earpiece 18 to unobtrusively provide information relating to the person identified.

Abstract: Voice-controlled apparatus is provided which minimises the risk of activating more than one such apparatus at a time where multiple voice-controlled apparatus exist in close proximity. To start voice control of the apparatus, a user needs to be looking at the apparatus when speaking. Preferably, after the user stops looking at the apparatus, continuing voice control can only be effected whilst the user continues speaking without breaks longer than a predetermined duration. Detection of whether the user is looking at the apparatus can be effected in a number of ways including by the use of camera systems, by a head-mounted directional transmitter, and by detecting the location and direction of facing of the user.

Abstract: Apparatus for restricting and/or prohibiting the use of a portable camera within a predetermined area, the apparatus comprising a first unit (10) mounted in or on a portable camera (not shown). The unit (10) includes a receiver (12) for receiving periodic radio signals (14) from one or more transmitters (16) located remote from the camera within the predetermined area. When the receiver (12) receives a signal (14), it activates a disable module (18) which disables one or more of the functions of the camera while it is within the predetermined areas. The apparatus may also include a GPS tracking system (20) for tracking the location of the camera and/or an alarm module (22) for emitting an alarm in response to receipt of a signal (14) from a transmitter (16).

Abstract: A tracking system comprising a plurality of cameras (10,12,14,16) at each of a plurality of locations within a predetermined area in which a movable subject (20) may be located. The outputs of the cameras (10,12,14,16) are monitored by an attention controller (18) which identifies the presence of the subject (20) in the view of one of the cameras (10,12,14,16) and links the output of that camera to a single remote access point where an image of the subject (20) can be viewed on a screen (22). If the subject (20) moves out of the view of a first camera into the view of a second camera, this is identified by the attention controller (18), which then breaks the link between the remote access point and the first camera and instead links the output of the second camera to the remote access point. Thus, a plurality of moving subjects can be tracked from location to location, said subjects being viewable via separate remote access points.

Abstract: An optical device packaging technique involves an optical sensor that is formed on a first substrate and flip chip bonded to a second substrate. The second substrate includes a through hole or a transparent section that is aligned with the optical sensor in order to allow light to contact the optical sensor. An embodiment of an optical device structure includes an optical sensor, a first substrate, a second substrate, and a circuit board. The optical sensor is formed on or within the first substrate and the individual sensors or pixels of the optical sensor are electrically connected to contact pads that are exposed on the first substrate. The first substrate is flip chip bonded to the second substrate. The second substrate is flip chip bonded to a circuit board. Another embodiment of an optical device structure includes an optical sensor, a first substrate, and a circuit board as the second substrate.

Abstract: PORTABLE INFORMATION CAPTURE DEVICES A portable information record capture device having: an information record capturer; a device memory adapted to have a library of stored information records; a controller adapted to evaluate the space available in the device memory and if the available space is insufficient, to accommodate a new information record to compress one of: either the new information record; or one or more of the pre-existing stored information records in the device memory to a size where there is freed-up enough device memory to accommodate the new information record, or its compressed form if the controller requires it to be compressed, the controller being adapted to record a new information record, or its compressed form if it is to be compressed, to the freed-up device memory.

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens housing 24, an objective lens 21 mounted in the lens housing, and a stop 22 located in the lens housing. The stop 22 has a first surface 25 facing towards the objective lens 21, and this first surface is adapted to present information to a user viewing the first surface through the objective lens. The information presented is therefore visible to the user, but not exposed to wear and tear or tampering.

Abstract: A method, and a kit, for mounting an optical assembly in an aperture of a body is provided. The body 56 has a first face and a second face between which the aperture 56A extends. The optical assembly 51 is placed within the aperture such that a flange of the optical assembly abuts the first face of the body around the aperture. A deformable element 55 is disposed around the optical assembly, and deformed (by heat or otherwise) such that the deformation of the deformable element causes a fixed engagement to be made between the optical assembly and the second face of the body around the aperture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a screen (16) for reflecting a projected image (18), in particular to an active screen (16) for reflecting a projected image (18) having improved contrast. The screen (16) has an active layer (24) whose optical properties in the visible region of the spectrum can be changed under the influence of an electric field; a first electrode (28) and a second electrode (26) for applying an electric field across the active layer (24),; and a photosensitive layer (30). The photosensitive layer is arranged such that the electric field across a localized area of the active layer (24) is dependent on the illumination incident on the photoconductor in that area, with the result that the local reflectance of the projection screen (16) is dependent on the intensity of light incident upon it. In one embodiment, the reflectance of the screen (16) will increase with increasing light intensity, which produces a reflected image (18) with improved contrast.