Abstract: A face feature analysis which begins by generating multiple face feature candidates, e.g., eyes and nose positions, using an isolated frame face analysis. Then, a nostril tracking window is defined around a nose candidate and tests are applied to the pixels therein based on percentages of skin color area pixels and nostril area pixels to determine whether the nose candidate represents an actual nose. Once actual nostrils are identified, size, separation and contiguity of the actual nostrils is determined by projecting the nostril pixels within the nostril tracking window. A mouth window is defined around the mouth region and mouth detail analysis is then applied to the pixels within the mouth window to identify inner mouth and teeth pixels and therefrom generate an inner mouth contour. The nostril position and inner mouth contour are used to generate a synthetic model head.

Abstract: A method and system for visualizing relatively large amounts of data in a limited display space includes segmenting the data, mapping each segment to a node within the display space based on a specified nodal layout, texture mapping each graphical display of each segment of data to its node, and displaying the data in each node of the display space as mapped. This visualization scheme enables a user to map a relation to a specification of an N-dimensional display, by designating how attributes are to be used to get a desired segmentation, layout and presentation and enables a user to explore the data with various exploring features including real time continuous scaling.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analyzing and enhancing a received data signal representing one or more views of a captured scene. The received data signal includes a plurality of data points. Each view includes a plurality of image points. Ones of the plurality of data points are representative of ones of the plurality of image points. A plurality of data sets are identified wherein each one of the data sets includes ones of the plurality of data points. Ones of the identified data sets are compared with one or more standard values and, in response thereto, are enhanced selectively to generate an output signal representing a processed 3-D scene estimate.

Abstract: In a hybrid system for synthesizing a compressed video bitstream from a dynamic 3-D model, the video bitstream represents an image sequence comprised of a plurality of image frames which are sequential in time and in which each image frame is partitioned into a set of regions. Motion vectors are generated for each region within a current image frame which represent the dynamic 3-D model. A prediction error is computed for each region based on the generated motion vectors. The type of encoding to be performed on each region in a succeeding image frame is determined based on the value of the prediction error. Each region in the succeeding image frame is encoded as indicated by the determined encoding type.

Abstract: A method of incorporating an auxiliary signal with an input video signal includes the step of encoding the input video signal to generate a variable bit rate encoded signal having a selected level of distortion. The video signal is applied to a buffer. The level of distortion is selected as a function of the fullness of the buffer. The video signal is read from the buffer and applied to a transmission channel at a predetermined video output rate. Portions of an auxiliary signal are applied to the channel at times when the buffer is in an underflow condition. The selected level of distortion has a flow which corresponds to a predetermined, non-zero level of perceptual distortion in the video signal.