Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for modeling patterns of behavior of humans or other animate objects and detecting a violation of a repetitive pattern of behavior. The behavior of one or more persons is observed over time and features of the behavior are recorded in a multi-dimensional space. Over time, the multi-dimensional data provides an indication of patterns of human behavior. Activities that are repetitive in terms of time, location and activity, such as sleeping and eating, would appear as a Gaussian distribution or cluster in the multi-dimensional data. Probability distribution functions can be analyzed using known Gaussian or clustering techniques to identify repetitive patterns of behavior and characteristics thereof, such as a mean and variance. Deviations from repetitive patterns of behavior can be detected and an alarm can be triggered, if appropriate.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling systems and devices in a local environment, such as a home. The system comprises a control unit that receives images associated with one or more regions of the local environment. The one or more regions are each serviced by one or more servicing components. The control unit processes the images to identify, from a group of known persons associated with the local environment, any one or more known persons located in the regions. For the regions in which one or more known person is identified, the control unit automatically generates a control signal for at least one of the servicing components associated with the region, the control signal reflecting a preference of at least one of the known persons located in the respective region.

Abstract: A video conferencing system and method which automatically determines the appropriate preset camera parameters corresponding to participants participating in the video conference. A camera zooms out or pans the video conference space and looks for participants based on their faces. When a participant is detected, the preset camera parameters for that participant are calculated for when the center of the participant is in the center of the camera's view. This is continued for all the participants in the room. The optimal position for each participant and corresponding camera parameters are determined based on cultural preferences. Updates in the presets can be made periodically by the camera zooming out or panning the room. Multiple cameras can be used to continually update the presets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for predicting events using acoustic and visual cues. The present invention processes audio and video information to identify one or more (i) acoustic cues, such as intonation patterns, pitch and loudness, (ii) visual cues, such as gaze, facial pose, body postures, hand gestures and facial expressions, or (iii) a combination of the foregoing, that are typically associated with an event, such as behavior exhibited by a video conference participant before he or she speaks. In this manner, the present invention allows the video processing system to predict events, such as the identity of the next speaker. The predictive speaker identifier operates in a learning mode to learn the characteristic profile of each participant in terms of the concept that the participant “will speak” or “will not speak” under the presence or absence of one or more predefined visual or acoustic cues.

Abstract: A home control system for automatic detection and warning of abnormal behavior includes a unit for observing behavior in a predetermined area under surveillance, a unit for processing an output of observed behavior from the unit for observing, and a pattern recognition module for recognizing whether the observed behavior is associated with predefined normal behaviors. The detection of predetermined normal behavior in progress leads to a provision of an anticipatory action. Upon recognition that the observed behavior is abnormal, an alarm signal is triggered to remind the user.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling systems and devices in a local environment, such as a home. The system comprises a control unit that receives images associated with one or more regions of the local environment. The one or more regions are each serviced by one or more servicing components. The control unit processes the images to identify, from a group of known persons associated with the local environment, any one or more known persons located in the regions.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a person of interest in a scene, the method comprising: capturing image data of the scene; detecting and tracking the person of interest in the image data; analyzing features of the person of interest; and detecting at least one of an event and behavior associated with the detected person of interest based on the features; and informing a third party of the at least one detected events and behavior.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for modeling patterns of behavior of humans or other animate objects and detecting a violation of a repetitive pattern of behavior. The behavior of one or more persons is observed over time and features of the behavior are recorded in a multi-dimensional space. Over time, the multi-dimensional data provides an indication of patterns of human behavior. Activities that are repetitive in terms of time, location and activity, such as sleeping and eating, would appear as a Gaussian distribution or cluster in the multi-dimensional data. Probability distribution functions can be analyzed using known Gaussian or clustering techniques to identify repetitive patterns of behavior and characteristics thereof, such as a mean and variance. Deviations from repetitive patterns of behavior can be detected and an alarm can be triggered, if appropriate.

Abstract: A method for delivering an audio and/or video message to an individual. The method includes the steps of: receiving the message; detecting the presence of an individual; and if an individual is detected, delivering the message to the individual. Preferably, the message is recorded when received and associated with either a group of individuals, such as a family, or a particular individual whose facial image data is stored in a memory. If a facial recognition system detects someone from the group of individuals or the particular individual, the message is delivered to the individual by way of a video monitor and/or speaker. The method also preferably locates an individual who is associated with a message in a room in a structure and delivers the message to the room in which the individual is located.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for predicting events using acoustic and visual cues. The present invention processes audio and video information to identify one or more (i) acoustic cues, such as intonation patterns, pitch and loudness, (ii) visual cues, such as gaze, facial pose, body postures, hand gestures and facial expressions, or (iii) a combination of the foregoing, that are typically associated with an event, such as behavior exhibited by a video conference participant before he or she speaks. In this manner, the present invention allows the video processing system to predict events, such as the identity of the next speaker. The predictive speaker identifier operates in a learning mode to learn the characteristic profile of each participant in terms of the concept that the participant “will speak” or “will not speak” under the presence or absence of one or more predefined visual or acoustic cues.