Abstract: A method, apparatus and system identify the location of eyes. Specifically, a 360-degree camera is used to generate images of a face and identify the location of eyes in the face. A first light source on the axis of the 360-degree camera projects light towards the face and a first polar coordinate image is generated from the light that is returned from the face. A second light source off the axis of the 360-degree camera projects light towards the face and a second polar coordinate image is generated from the light that is returned from the face. The first and the second images are then compared to each other and a contrast area is identified to indicate the location of the eyes. The first and second polar coordinate images may be automatically converted into perspective images for various applications such as teleconferencing.

Abstract: An imaging system configured to take panoramic pictures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the imaging system includes a camera, range finder associated with the camera and configured to provide depth information for objects within a field of view of the camera; and a processor coupled to receive information from the camera and depth information from the range finder, and configured to unwrap pictures taken by the camera according to the depth information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system identify the location of eyes. Specifically, structured light is transmitted towards an object from a structured light source off the optical axis of a structured light depth imaging device. The light returned from the object to the structured light depth imaging device is used to generate a depth image. In the event the object is a face, contrast areas in the depth image indicate the location of the eyes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple to use intuitive interface for mobile devices and, in particular, to a method and apparatus to permit the motion of a mobile device to serve as an input to the mobile device. In various embodiments, the relative and/or absolute motion, distance and/or acceleration for instance, of the mobile device may be mapped to correspond to particular commands. In one embodiment, this permits the display screen of the mobile device to serve as a virtual window to view a large data set by modifying the view of the displayed data according to the motion of the mobile device. In another embodiment, the present invention allows the user to navigate a virtual space, displayed on the screen of the mobile device, by the motion of the mobile device in real space. Additionally, the user may also control the different displayed views of virtual objects by the relative and/or absolute motion of the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple to use intuitive interface for mobile devices and, in particular, to a method and apparatus to permit the motion of a mobile device to serve as an input to the mobile device. In various embodiments, the relative and/or absolute motion, distance and/or acceleration for instance, of the mobile device may be mapped to correspond to particular commands. In one embodiment, this permits the display screen of the mobile device to serve as a virtual window to view a large data set by modifying the view of the displayed data according to the motion of the mobile device. In another embodiment, the present invention allows the user to navigate a virtual space, displayed on the screen of the mobile device, by the motion of the mobile device in real space. Additionally, the user may also control the different displayed views of virtual objects by the relative and/or absolute motion of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method allow for the detection, segmentation and analysis of regions of motion. The system and method use a motion history image generated by observing an object over a given period of time. The motion history image contains numerous regions captured at different time intervals. In one method, the most recent region(s) are located and adjacent older regions are labeled with a unique identifier to perform a down fill operation. Each down fill operation can identify a single motion contained in the motion history image. If a down filled region of the motion history image contains more than one movement, separate up fill operations can be performed to help separate the movements. Each up fill operation begins at a set of oldest or lowest value regions and progresses toward the most recent region. The down fill and up fill operations can be combined to provide an image mask(s) to separate the multiple motions from the motion history image.

Abstract: A system and method obtain images of an object and generate a motion region image of the object. The motion region image is processed to obtain normal gradients of the portion of the object that has been moved. The normal gradient data is further processed to remove erroneous data points. The erroneous data can be removed by using either an eroding method or a threshold method. After the erroneous data is removed, the remaining gradient information is used to identify a motion of the object. This can be performed using a histogram recognition operation.

Abstract: A computer system may include a camera to perform various video imaging functions. The camera may also be used to measure ambient light. The brightness of the display screen of the computer system may be adjusted in response to this measurement of ambient light. For example, the display screen brightness may be increased if the ambient light increases, and decreased if the ambient light decreases. In addition, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the position of the user may be determined, and the ambient light may be measured in the vicinity of the user.

Abstract: The generation of control variables for computer vision is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computerized system includes a video camera and a controller. The video camera tracks an object, such as the head of a user of the computer. The controller generates control variables having sensitivity to movement of the object that varies in accordance with movement of the object from a neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple to use intuitive interface for mobile devices and, in particular, to a method and apparatus to permit the motion of a mobile device to serve as an input to the mobile device. In various embodiments, the relative and/or absolute motion, distance and/or acceleration for instance, of the mobile device may be mapped to correspond to particular commands. In one embodiment, this permits the display screen of the mobile device to serve as a virtual window to view a large data set by modifying the view of the displayed data according to the motion of the mobile device. In another embodiment, the present invention allows the user to navigate a virtual space, displayed on the screen of the mobile device, by the motion of the mobile device in real space. Additionally, the user may also control the different displayed views of virtual objects by the relative and/or absolute motion of the mobile device.

Abstract: Synthesizing computer input events is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a sensor, a controller, a utility and an application. The sensor detects external events, such as audio events and video events. The controller generates control variables in response to the external events. The utility synthesizes input events, such as joystick, mouse, and keyboard events, from the control variables. The application then utilizes these input events.

Abstract: A method for interfacing with an electronic system is provided. The method includes receiving images from a camera. A portion of at least one image from the camera is tracked. A pattern in the tracked portion of the at least one image is recognized. And, the electronic system is controlled based on the recognized pattern.

Abstract: The generation of control variables for computer vision is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computerized system includes a video camera and a controller. The video camera tracks an object, such as the head of a user of the computer. The controller generates control variables having sensitivity to movement of the object that varies in accordance with movement of the object from a neutral position.