Abstract: A system and method that performs iterative foreground detection and multi-object segmentation in an image is disclosed herein. A new background prior is introduced to improve the foreground segmentation results. Three complimentary methods detect and segment foregrounds containing multiple objects. The first method performs an iterative segmentation of the image to pull out the salient objects in the image. In a second method, a higher dimensional embedding of the image graph is used to estimate the saliency score and extract multiple salient objects. A third method uses a metric to automatically pick the number of eigenvectors to consider in an alternative method to iteratively compute the image saliency map. Experimental results show that these methods succeed in accurately extracting multiple foreground objects from an image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for screening submissions in a production contest system. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a production competition submission from a contestant, automatically screening the submission with a screening system to verify that the submission meets predetermined requirements, and providing feedback to the contestant and a contest administrator regarding the results of whether the submission meets the predetermined requirements.

Abstract: A system and method that performs iterative foreground detection and multi-object segmentation in an image is disclosed herein. A new background prior is introduced to improve the foreground segmentation results. Three complimentary methods detect and segment foregrounds containing multiple objects. The first method performs an iterative segmentation of the image to pull out the salient objects in the image. In a second method, a higher dimensional embedding of the image graph is used to estimate the saliency score and extract multiple salient objects. A third method uses a metric to automatically pick the number of eigenvectors to consider in an alternative method to iteratively compute the image saliency map. Experimental results show that these methods succeed in accurately extracting multiple foreground objects from an image.

Abstract: A system and method that performs iterative foreground detection and multi-object segmentation in an image is disclosed herein. A new background prior is introduced to improve the foreground segmentation results. Three complimentary methods detect and segment foregrounds containing multiple objects. The first method performs an iterative segmentation of the image to pull out the salient objects in the image. In a second method, a higher dimensional embedding of the image graph is used to estimate the saliency score and extract multiple salient objects. A third method uses a metric to automatically pick the number of eigenvectors to consider in an alternative method to iteratively compute the image saliency map. Experimental results show that these methods succeed in accurately extracting multiple foreground objects from an image.

Abstract: A system and method that performs iterative foreground detection and multi-object segmentation in an image is disclosed herein. A new background prior is introduced to improve the foreground segmentation results. Three complimentary methods detect and segment foregrounds containing multiple objects. The first method performs an iterative segmentation of the image to pull out the salient objects in the image. In a second method, a higher dimensional embedding of the image graph is used to estimate the saliency score and extract multiple salient objects. A third method uses a metric to automatically pick the number of eigenvectors to consider in an alternative method to iteratively compute the image saliency map. Experimental results show that these methods succeed in accurately extracting multiple foreground objects from an image.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for developing an asset by competition includes specifying standards for an asset, receiving from potential contestants indicia of interest in participating in an asset development competition in which the contestants compete to develop an asset, and determining an estimated likelihood that the asset development competition will result in an asset that meets the minimum standards based on historical information about the performance of the contestants from whom the indicia of interest were received. Steps may be taken to increase the estimated likelihood of success, upon a determination that the likelihood is less than desired. Steps may be taken to prevent registration by additional participants, upon a determination that the estimated likelihood is at or above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for distributed testing includes providing a testing framework for the distributed testing of software to a number of clients at least some of which have a different operating environment than other of the clients, transmitting to each testing framework a component for testing, receiving client environment data and testing results from each testing framework, storing the testing results and environment data in a database; and reporting the results of running the tests on the clients.

Abstract: A system and method of developing software includes a configuring a build tool configuration file with instructions to start a server software application, provision the server software application with test data; run unit tests on software that communicates with the server software application using the test data, clean up the test data, and stop the server software application. The build tool may automatically run tasks associated with the configured instructions upon changes to software that interacts with or otherwise depends the server software application.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for developing an asset by competition includes specifying standards for an asset, receiving from potential contestants indicia of interest in participating in an asset development competition in which the contestants compete to develop an asset, and determining an estimated likelihood that the asset development competition will result in an asset that meets the minimum standards based on historical information about the performance of the contestants from whom the indicia of interest were received. Steps may be taken to increase the estimated likelihood of success, upon a determination that the likelihood is less than desired. Steps may be taken to prevent registration by additional participants, upon a determination that the estimated likelihood is at or above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and a system for supporting software. In one embodiment, a method for providing an updated version of a software program includes conducting a first competition for identifying faults in a software program and conducting a second competition for fixing the identified faults.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for developing an asset by competition includes posting a list of competitions, each competition for the development of an asset, each element of the list including a reference to one of a number of workspaces, the one of the workspaces allocated to a respective asset. The method includes providing a draft competition specification in one of the workspaces. The method includes facilitating feedback from potential competitors on the draft competition specification in the workspace for a period of time prior to the competition. The method includes finalizing the draft competition specification based on the feedback from potential competitors, and holding a competition for the development of the asset.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for developing software by contest includes hosting a series of contests for the agile development of a software application by contest. In one embodiment, the method includes holding a contest for the development of a wireframe, holding a contest for the development of a static prototype, and holding a contest for the development of a working prototype. In some embodiments, the contests are repeated so as to iteratively modify the software application to better meet the customer's needs. In some embodiments, the working prototype is the final implementation of the software application. In some embodiments, a competition is held for the development of an application specification based on the working prototype.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for distributed testing includes providing a testing framework for the distributed testing of software to a number of clients at least some of which have a different operating environment than other of the clients, transmitting to each testing framework a component for testing, receiving client environment data and testing results from each testing framework, storing the testing results and environment data in a database; and reporting the results of running the tests on the clients.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing software. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating the distributed development of software components includes conducting one or more contests for the development of computer software, and rewarding contest reviewers based on the performance of the software developed. Reviewers performance may be measured, for example, using a defect statistic associated with the reviewer.

Abstract: A system and method of developing software includes a configuring a build tool configuration file with instructions to start a server software application, provision the server software application with test data; run unit tests on software that communicates with the server software application using the test data, clean up the test data, and stop the server software application. The build tool may automatically run tasks associated with the configured instructions upon changes to software that interacts with or otherwise depends the server software application.

Abstract: A production contest management system enables management of workflow and scoring of projects, for example in a production contest environment. A project is divided into “phases.” Project managers can specify project phases, and for each phase, required timing and deliverables. For phases that involve a review (e.g., screening, review board, peer review), scorecards used to perform the review may be specified. The scorecards are made accessible electronically to one or more reviewers. The scorecards may be available on-line, or may be downloaded, completed, and then uploaded. Once received, scorecards are tallied. In this way, the management system helps coordinate production of a product that is produced using production competitions. The system allows for simultaneous management of multiple projects and production teams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for screening submissions in a production contest system. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a production competition submission from a contestant, automatically screening the submission with a screening system to verify that the submission meets predetermined requirements, and providing feedback to the contestant and a contest administrator regarding the results of whether the submission meets the predetermined requirements.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and a system for compensating contestants for participating in development competitions. In one embodiment, a method for compensating contestants for participating in development competitions includes conducting development competitions in which contestants each submit a development, and for each competition evaluating contestants' submissions; based on the evaluation, assigning a score to contestants' submissions, identifying a number of submissions having a score above a threshold value, designating the contestant who submitted a submission having a score above the threshold value that is the highest score to be the winner of that competition, and awarding performance points to contestants who submitted the identified submissions. The method further includes periodically awarding prizes to the contestants who receive the greatest number of performance points during the period.