Abstract: A method and computer program product are provided for evaluating quality of an image. In accordance with the method a digital image is obtained and the digital image is analyzed using a first mental representation based upon a first level of human visual processing of an image to obtain a first perceptual image analysis measure. The digital image is also analyzed using a second mental representation based upon a second level of human visual processing of an image to obtain a second perceptual image analysis measure. An image quality evaluation measure is determined based upon the first perceptual image analysis measure and the second perceptual image analysis measure. The first and second mental representations are based upon different levels of human visual processing.

Abstract: A method of managing a psychological state of an individual using images. The method comprises the steps of: creating a personal profile for an individual wherein the personal profile defines characteristics which are representative of personal experiences or memories of the individual; selecting a first set of images comprising personal images obtained from the individual or the individual's social network which include characteristics that match the characteristics of the personal profile; and displaying the selected first set of images to the individual to manage the psychological state of the individual.

Abstract: A method for classifying images according to features that are relevant to potential therapeutic effect, comprising: providing an image; and classifying said image according to one or more of the following classes, landscapes, people-activity, people-expression, people-type, animals, color (dominant hue(s)), direction of light, type of light, distance, travel/offset(direction of motion/travel).

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a camera system is provided having an image capture system adapted to capture an image of a scene during an image capture sequence and an eye monitoring system adapted to determine eye information including a direction of the gaze of an eye of a user of the camera system. A controller is adapted to store the determined eye information including information characterizing eye gaze direction during the image capture sequence and to associate the stored eye information with the scene image.

Abstract: An image capture method is provided. In accordance with the method, an image of the scene is captured and affective information is collected a capture. The scene image and affective information are transmitted to an image receiver. An imaging system is also provided having an image capture system adapted to capture an image of a scene and a memory which stores the captured image. A set of sensors is adapted to collect affective signals from the user at capture. A processor is adapted to determine affective information based upon the affective signals and to associate affective information with the captured image. A transmitter sends the scene image and the affective information to a receiver.

Abstract: An imaging method is provided. In accordance with this embodiment, an image of a scene is captured. Affective information is collected at capture. The affective information is associated with the image.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining an area of importance in an archival image. In accordance with this method, eye information including eye gaze direction information captured during an image capture sequence for the archival image is obtained. An area of importance in the archival image is determined based upon the eye information. Area of importance data characterizing the area of importance is associated with the archival image.

Abstract: A method for determining affective information for at least one image in an imaging system includes displaying a digital image for viewing by a user; monitoring the facial expression of the user as the user views the digital image; and using the facial expression of the user to determine affective information for the digital image.

Abstract: A method for determining affective information for at least one image in an imaging system includes sequentially displaying a plurality of digital images for viewing by a user; monitoring the viewing time for each of the plurality of digital images; and using the viewing time to determine affective information for at least one of the digital images.

Abstract: A method for collecting and associating affective information for at least one image in an imaging system includes displaying a digital image for viewing by a particular user; automatically collecting affective information for the digital image as the particular user views the image; and associating the affective information with the particular user.

Abstract: A method for providing a retrieval scheme for stored digital images includes providing affective information to classify at least one digital image from a plurality of stored digital images; providing a user identifier; associating the affective information and the user identifier with the at least one digital image; and using the affective information and the user identifier to facilitate retrieval of the at least one digital image.

Abstract: An image file for storing a digital image and information related to the digital image includes digital image data; a user identifier; and affective information which relates to the feelings or emotions of the user toward the digital image.

Abstract: A method of arranging a plurality of visual images in an album, based on affective information which classifies such images includes providing affective information to classify at least one digital image from a plurality of stored digital images; using the affective information to determine the importance of the at least one digital image; and producing an album including visual images of the plurality of stored digital images, wherein the importance of the at least one digital image is used to arrange the visual images.

Abstract: A method of classifying an individual's personal preference for an image, comprising: viewing an image for a period of time; and ranking the image on a scale extending between a “detached” feeling and an “attached” feeling, where “detached” is a feeling of not being able to personally connect to the object or situation depicted in the image, and “attached” is a feeling of a personal connection to the object or situation depicted in their image.

Abstract: A method of classifying an individual's personal preference for an on a scale extending viewing an image for a period of time; and ranking the image on a scale extending between a “detached” feeling and an “attached” feeling, where “detached” is a feeling of not being able to personally connect to the object or situation depicted in the image, and “attached” is a feeling of a personal connection to the object of situation depicted in their image.

Abstract: A method and structure for determining overall lightness contrast of an image includes extracting pixel values from the image, calculating an image edge contrast based on the pixel values, calculating an area contrast based on the pixel values, calculating image range based on the pixel values, calculating relative average lightness based on the pixel values, and calculating the overall lightness contrast of the image by combining the edge contrast, the image range, the area contrast and the relative average lightness.

Abstract: A method of managing a physiological or psychological state of an individual using images comprising: determining an individual's direction or preference for a state management session; based on the determination, deciding whether a current set of images selected through a personal image profile session, will achieve the desired management effect; if the current set are deemed satisfactory, presenting the set of images to the individual to achieve management of the individual's state.

Abstract: A method of determining the physiological reactivity of an individual with respect to images, comprising: measuring at least one physiological parameter of an individual during a baseline calm period of time; measuring the said at least one physiological parameter of said individual during a stress period of time and a succeeding rest period of time; dividing said measured data for each of said periods of time into a plurality of predetermined time segments; computing a histogram or Fourier analysis as appropriate on said predetermined time segments for each said period of time; standardizing said computed data; conducting a principal component analysis, a canonical discriminant analysis, or a neural network, on said data to establish a baseline calm or rest period set of scores and a stress period set of scores; measuring the said at least one physiological parameter of said individual during an image presentation period of time; repeating said time segmenting, said histogram or Fourier analysis, and said st

Abstract: A method of managing a physiological or psychological state of an individual using images comprising: determining an individual's direction or preference for a state management session; based on the determination, deciding whether a current set of images selected through a personal image profile session, will achieve the desired management effect; if the current set are deemed satisfactory, presenting the set of images to the individual to achieve management of the individual's state.

Abstract: A method of generating a personal image profile based on an individual's physiological and cognitive state compromising: presenting a master set of images to an individual wherein each image in the master set is characterized by a set of scene and image related classifiers that are relevant to producing an effect on an individual; measuring and recording one or more of said individual's physiological parameters while viewing a presented image; measuring the individual's cognitive state from cognitive responses to each presented image; and generating a personal image profile of the individual based on combining the physiological and cognitive measures from said measuring steps, said personal image profile including image classifiers for identifying activating or deactivating images for said individuals.