Abstract: A security monitoring system including: an alarm system having detectors for detection of an alarm in a structure; at least one camera for capturing image data inside and/or outside the structure; a processor for selecting a subset of the image data upon the occurrence of the alarm based on a predetermined criteria; and a modem for transmitting the subset of image data to a remote location. Preferably, the at least one camera is a video camera, the image data is video image data, and the subset of the image data is at least one video frame of the video image data. Preferably, the processor ranks each video frame from the image data according to how well each video frame meets the predetermined criteria and the modem transmits a predetermined number of video frames having the best rank to the remote location.

Abstract: The system displays on a screen a set of options that are selectable by a user. The user standing in front of the screen points at a desired option and a camera of the system takes an image of the user while pointing. The system calculates from the pose of the user in the image whether the user is pointing to any of the displayed options. If such is the case, that particular option is selected and an action corresponding with that option is executed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that is adapted to detect and display and/or avoid obstacles. In such vacuum cleaners the driving wheels and/or castor wheels that determine the direction of travel may be actively controlled to achieve, at the point in time of obstacle touch or obstacle sensing, a resultant velocity away from obstacles in the path of the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing three-dimensional images using camera-based gesture inputs of a system user. The system comprises a computer-readable memory, a video camera for generating video signals indicative of the gestures of the system user and an interaction area surrounding the system user, and a video image display. The video image display is positioned in front of the system users. The system further comprises a microprocessor for processing the video signals, in accordance with a program stored in the computer-readable memory, to determine the three-dimensional positions of the body and principle body parts of the system user. The microprocessor constructs three-dimensional images of the system user and interaction area on the video image display based upon the three-dimensional positions of the body and principle body parts of the system user.

Abstract: A system and method for permitting three-dimensional navigation through a virtual reality environment using camera-based gesture inputs of a system user. The system comprises a computer-readable memory, a video camera for generating video signals indicative of the gestures of the system user and an interaction area surrounding the system user, and a video image display. The video image display is positioned in front of the system user. The system further comprises a microprocessor for processing the video signals, in accordance with a program stored in the computer-readable memory, to determine the three-dimensional positions of the body and principle body parts of the system user. The microprocessor constructs three-dimensional images of the system user and interaction area on the video image display based upon the three-dimensional positions of the body and principle body parts of the system user.

Abstract: The system displays on a screen a set of options that are selectable by a user. The user standing in front of the screen points at a desired option and a camera of the system takes an image of the user while pointing. The system calculates from the pose of the user in the image whether the user is pointing to any of the displayed options. If such is the case, that particular option is selected and an action corresponding with that option is executed. This known housing has radially resilient clamping limbs arranged in a circle and having radially outward clamping surfaces for engagement in a central opening of a disc-shaped information carrier.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the energy efficiency of a lighting system including a plurality of light sources, which includes the steps of defining a set of parameters for the lighting system, and using a linear programming technique, taking into account the set of parameters, to produce energy allocation output data which satisfies a total energy consumption constraint that the total energy allocated to the lighting system not exceed a target energy consumption level, and which is representative of an optimal allocation of energy to each of said light sources. The lighting system is installed in a building which includes a plurality of rooms each of which is equipped with at least one of the light sources.