Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media are disclosed for accelerating bitmap remoting by extracting patterns from source bitmaps. A server takes a source image, and performs an edge-detection operation on it. From this edge-detected image, connected segments of the image are determined by executing multiple iterations of a small operation upon the image in parallel—for instance, by assigning each non-white pixel a unique value, then assigning each pixel the minimum value among itself and its neighbors until no pixel is assigned a new value in an iteration. Executing these operations in parallel greatly reduces the time required to identify the connected segments. When the segments are identified, they may be cached by the client so that they do not need to be re-sent to the client when re-encountered by the server.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media are disclosed for accelerating bitmap remoting by extracting non-grid tiles from source bitmaps. A server takes a source image, identifies possibly repetitive features, and tiles the image. For each tile that contains part of a possibly repetitive feature, the server replaces that part with the dominant color of the tile. The system then sends to a client a combination of new tiles and features, and indications to tiles and features that the client has previously received and stored, along with an indication of how to recreate the image based on the tiles and features.

Abstract: A barbeque accessory assembly for use with a barbeque grill having an enclosure within which is contained a fire ring positioned over a fire box, with a grill grate positioned in vertically spaced relation above the fire ring. The accessory assembly includes a component bar receiving bracket positioned above the fire box and a pair of arms for supporting a bracket body on the fire box. The bracket body also includes a notch for receiving and supporting one end of a component bar thereon. The bracket body including a slot for receiving an accessory therein.

Abstract: A power converter includes a bypass circuit connected in parallel with a power stage of the power converter. The bypass circuit provides a lower loss current path in parallel with the power stage when an input voltage of the power converter exceeds a predetermined threshold. The power converter may be a boost power converter used in a vehicle to provide power from a main power bus of the vehicle to a subsystem of the vehicle such as an anti-lock brake system.

Abstract: A power converter includes a transient voltage protection circuit connected between an input of the power converter and a power stage of the power converter. The transient voltage protection circuit provides a low resistance connection from the input of the power converter to the power stage of the power converter when the input voltage is less than a predetermined threshold, but blocks the input voltage from the power stage when the input voltage is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold voltage. The power converter may be a boost power converter used in a vehicle to provide power from a main power bus of the vehicle to a subsystem of the vehicle such as an anti-lock brake system.

Abstract: Technology is described for detecting an interest point in an image using edges. An example method can include the operation of computing locally normalized edge magnitudes and edge orientations for the image using a processor to form a normalized gradient image. The normalized gradient image can be divided into a plurality of image orientation maps having edge orientations. Orientation dependent filtering can be applied to the image orientation maps to form response images. A further operation can be summing the response images to obtain an aggregated filter response image. Maxima can be identified in spatial position and scale in the aggregated filter response image. Maxima in the aggregated filter response image can be defined as interest points.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies for generating descriptors for image patches. An image patch can be received, and gradients of pixels in the image patch can be determined. The gradients are normalized based upon an average magnitude of the gradients in a local spatial region with respect to a given pixel under consideration. A four-dimensional histogram is defined that takes into consideration pixel orientation, and normalized gradients are selectively assigned to bins of the histogram. The bins are binarized as a function of a number of gradients assigned thereto, and the binarized bins can be utilized as a descriptor for the image patch.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides for systems and/or methods for identification of instances of an object of interest in 2D images by creating a database of 3D curve models of each desired instance and comparing an image of an object of interest against such 3D curve models of instances. The present application describes identifying and verifying the make and model of a car from a possibly single image—after the models have been populated with training data of test images of many makes and models of cars. In one embodiment, an identification system may be constructed by generating a 3D curve model by back-projecting edge points onto a visual hull reconstruction from silhouettes of an instance. The system and methods employ chamfer distance and orientation distance provides reasonable verification performance, as well as an appearance model for the taillights of the car to increase the robustness of the system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a depth map are provided. The method includes projecting an infrared (IR) dot pattern onto a scene. The method also includes capturing stereo images from each of two or more synchronized IR cameras, detecting a number of dots within the stereo images, computing a number of feature descriptors for the dots in the stereo images, and computing a disparity map between the stereo images. The method further includes generating a depth map for the scene using the disparity map.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating free viewpoint video using an active infrared (IR) stereo module are provided. The method includes computing a depth map for a scene using an active IR stereo module. The depth map may be computed by projecting an IR dot pattern onto the scene, capturing stereo images from each of two or more synchronized IR cameras, detecting dots within the stereo images, computing feature descriptors corresponding to the dots in the stereo images, computing a disparity map between the stereo images, and generating the depth map using the disparity map. The method also includes generating a point cloud for the scene using the depth map, generating a mesh of the point cloud, and generating a projective texture map for the scene from the mesh of the point cloud. The method further includes generating the video for the scene using the projective texture map.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for acceleration techniques for improved image remoting. A rolling 2D hash of a first image sent to a client is computed. When the server has a second image to send to the client, it calculates a rolling 2D hash of the new image. It also calculates “pivot points” for the images based on the rolling 2D hashes. Based on the pivot points, it determines possible matching hash windows between the two images that correspond to window moves or scrolls. Where a match is confirmed, it determines whether a “larger” a larger matching rectangle exists between the two images. It then instructs the client to display the matching rectangle that exists in the first image that the client has in the appropriate location in the second image, thereby saving the bandwidth requirements to re-transmit it to the client.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating in the encoded domain one or more video frames from a compressed still video image wherein image content in the created video frames is translated in location by panning or scrolling or a combination thereof on a non-block basis (i.e. pixel-level). A new block formed from portions of two other blocks is created by processing the original two blocks with identity matrices based upon the shift amount. By performing the creation process in the encoded domain processing power requirements are reduced and image quality is increased.

Abstract: The problems of hitching are typically focused on the alignment of the mating components. As a result, assist products tend to offer fragmented solutions and lack universal appeal in the marketplace. The Tru-Hitchin Model using Dual Beam Technology and Triangulation develops a Spatial Triangle with the aid of hardware, as a framework for positioning and alignment of any mating components. The Model transforms two dimensional vehicle movements into a 3rd dimensional beam movement for operator viewing. The operation requires a one-time initialization after which all future hitching is performed safely by one operator with ordinary parking skills. Alignment is complete when the dual functional laser beams are on selected pivot points.

Abstract: A power converter includes a transient voltage protection circuit connected between an input of the power converter and a power stage of the power converter. The transient voltage protection circuit provides a low resistance connection from the input of the power converter to the power stage of the power converter when the input voltage is less than a predetermined threshold, but blocks the input voltage from the power stage when the input voltage is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold voltage. The power converter may be a boost power converter used in a vehicle to provide power from a main power bus of the vehicle to a subsystem of the vehicle such as an anti-lock brake system.

Abstract: A power converter includes a bypass circuit connected in parallel with a power stage of the power converter. The bypass circuit provides a lower loss current path in parallel with the power stage when an input voltage of the power converter exceeds a predetermined threshold. The power converter may be a boost power converter used in a vehicle to provide power from a main power bus of the vehicle to a subsystem of the vehicle such as an anti-lock brake system.

Abstract: A mobile device having the capability of performing real-time location recognition with assistance from a server is provided. The approximate geophysical location of the mobile device is uploaded to the server. Based on the mobile device's approximate geophysical location, the server responds by sending the mobile device a message comprising a classifier and a set of feature descriptors. This can occur before an image is captured for visual querying. The classifier and feature descriptors are computed during an offline training stage using techniques to minimize computation at query time. The classifier and feature descriptors are used to perform visual recognition in real-time by performing the classification on the mobile device itself.

Abstract: The stereo movie editing technique described herein combines knowledge of both multi-view stereo algorithms and human depth perception. The technique creates a digital editor, specifically for stereographic cinema. The technique employs an interface that allows intuitive manipulation of the different parameters in a stereo movie setup, such as camera locations and screen position. Using the technique it is possible to reduce or enhance well-known stereo movie effects such as cardboarding and miniaturization. The technique also provides new editing techniques such as directing the user's attention and easier transitions between scenes.

Abstract: Architecture that guides the freeform drawing of objects by a user to enable the user to produce improved drawings without significant training. As the user draws, the architecture dynamically updates a relevant shadow image proximate (e.g., underlying) the user's strokes. The strokes overlay an evolving shadow image, which shadow image is suggestive of object contours that guide the user during the drawing process. Relevant edge images selected from a large database are automatically blended to construct the shadow image. As the user draws, the strokes are dynamically analyzed using an encoding of overlapping windows for fast matching with the database of images. A top ranked set of matching database edge images are aligned to the drawing, a set of spatially varying weights blend the edge images into the shadow image, and a scoring technique is employed to select the optimum shadow image for display.

Abstract: Technology is described for detecting an interest point in an image using edges. An example method can include the operation of computing locally normalized edge magnitudes and edge orientations for the image using a processor to form a normalized gradient image. The normalized gradient image can be divided into a plurality of image orientation maps having edge orientations. Orientation dependent filtering can be applied to the image orientation maps to form response images. A further operation can be summing the response images to obtain an aggregated filter response image. Maxima can be identified in spatial position and scale in the aggregated filter response image. Maxima in the aggregated filter response image can be defined as interest points.

Abstract: Video signatures are generated when a small change in video information between consecutive frames N?1 and N is followed by a large change in video information between consecutive frames N and N+1. Information from frames N and/or N+1 is used to form a video signature.