Abstract: An image processing system is provided which receives image data of a user and generates a set of appearance parameters representative of the appearance of the user in the received images. These appearance parameters may then be transformed either to change the identity of the user in the images or to change the resolution of the image of the user. Synthesised images of the user can then be generated from the transformed parameters. The system can be used as a stand alone image processing system or may form part of an image transmission and reception system. It may also be used for streaming data over limited bandwidth communication channels such as the Internet. A system is also provided for animating a single image from a set of image deviations obtained from a source video sequence. A system for changing the lighting conditions in the single image is also provided.

Abstract: A telephone system is described in which subscriber telephones store appearance models for the appearance of a party to the telephone call, from which it synthesises a video sequence of that party from a set of appearance parameters received from the telephone network. The appearance parameters may be generated either from a camera associated with the user's phone or may be generated from text or speech signals input by that party.