Abstract: A defocus estimation algorithm is described herein. The defocus estimation algorithm utilizes a single image. A Laplacian of Gaussian approximation is determined by computing a difference of Gaussian. Defocus blur is able to be estimated by computing a blur difference between two images using the difference of Gaussian.

Abstract: A defocus estimation algorithm is described herein. The defocus estimation algorithm utilizes a single image. A Laplacian of Gaussian approximation is determined by computing a difference of Gaussian. Defocus blur is able to be estimated by computing a blur difference between two images using the difference of Gaussian.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for estimating defocus direction from a single image obtained, such as in a digital camera apparatus, are presented. To determine defocus direction, point spread function (PSF) differences for the image are evaluated in the frequency domain, with frequency pairs being found having largest difference in their Fourier transform magnitudes, from which a direction estimate feature is extracted, and defocus direction estimated based on relation of estimated feature and statistics derived from camera image tests. The method can be applied for controlling autofocus mechanisms in cameras, or other applications requiring rapid determination of defocus directions, such as from a single image.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for estimating defocus direction from a single image obtained, such as in a digital camera apparatus, are presented. To determine defocus direction, point spread function (PSF) differences for the image are evaluated in the frequency domain, with frequency pairs being found having largest difference in their Fourier transform magnitudes, from which a direction estimate feature is extracted, and defocus direction estimated based on relation of estimated feature and statistics derived from camera image tests. The method can be applied for controlling autofocus mechanisms in cameras, or other applications requiring rapid determination of defocus directions, such as from a single image.

Abstract: A system and method of operation of an imaging system includes: an image sensor for capturing a source image having image metadata; a segment image calculated from the source image; a compass angle calculated for producing a maximum value of an a posteriori probability of the compass angle, the a posteriori probability of the compass angle based on the segment image and the image metadata; an x-axis vanishing point, a y-axis vanishing point, and a z-axis vanishing point calculated based on the compass angle and the image metadata; and a display unit for displaying a display image, the display image based on the source image, the x-axis vanishing point, the y-axis vanishing point, and the z-axis vanishing point.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation device comprising an electrode array designed to provide enhanced charge injection capacity necessary for neural stimulation. The electrode array comprises electrodes with high surface area or a fractal geometry and correspondingly high electrode capacitance and low electrical impedance. The resultant electrodes have a robust surface and sufficient mechanical strength to withstand physical stress vital for long term stability. The device further comprises wire traces having a multilayer structure which provides a reduced width for the conducting part of the electrode array. The cochlear prosthesis is attached by a grommet to the cochleostomy that is made from a single piece of biocompatible polymer. The device, designed to achieve optimum neural stimulation by appropriate electrode design, is a significant improvement over commercially available hand-built devices.

Abstract: A method for generating a depth map for a 2D image and video includes receiving the 2D image and video; defining a plurality of object classes; analyzing content of the received 2D image and video; calculating probabilities that the received 2D image belongs to the object classes; and determining a final depth map based on a result of the analyzed content and the calculated probabilities for the object classes.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation device comprising an electrode array designed to provide enhanced charge injection capacity necessary for neural stimulation. The electrode array comprises electrodes with high surface area or a fractal geometry and correspondingly high electrode capacitance and low electrical impedance. The resultant electrodes have a robust surface and sufficient mechanical strength to withstand physical stress vital for long term stability. The device further comprises wire traces having a multilayer structure which provides a reduced width for the conducting part of the electrode array. The cochlear prosthesis is attached by a grommet to the cochleostomy that is made from a single piece of biocompatible polymer. The device, designed to achieve optimum neural stimulation by appropriate electrode design, is a significant improvement over commercially available hand-built devices.

Abstract: A method for converting a 2D image into a 3D image includes receiving the 2D image; determining whether the received 2D image is a portrait, wherein the portrait can be a face portrait or a non-face portrait; if the received 2D image is determined to be a portrait, creating a disparity between a left eye image and a right eye image based on a local gradient and a spatial location; generating the 3D image based on the created disparity; and outputting the generated 3D image.

Abstract: A system for efficiently generating device-dependent anaglyph images includes a display device for presenting anaglyph images in a three-dimensional format. An anaglyph converter includes a conversion manager that interacts with system users to perform configuration procedures for generating anaglyph images. The configuration procedures are utilized to define one or more imaging parameters that are dependent upon imaging characteristics of said display device. The imaging parameters may include ghosting reduction parameters and color adjustment parameters. A processor device typically controls the conversion manager to perform the anaglyph image generation procedures.

Abstract: A technique for estimating background motion in monocular video sequences is described herein. The technique is based on occlusion information contained in video sequences. Two algorithms are described for estimating background motion: one fits well for general cases, and the other fits well for a case when available memory is very limited. The significance of the technique includes: a motion segmentation algorithm with adaptive and temporally stable estimate of the number of objects is developed, two algorithms are developed to infer occlusion relations among segmented objects using the detected occlusions and background motion estimation from the inferred occlusion relations.

Abstract: A method for converting a 2D image into a 3D image includes receiving the 2D image; analyzing content of the received 2D image; determining a 2D-to-3D image conversion method based on a result of the content analysis; generating the 3D image by applying the determined method to the received 2D image; and providing the generated 3D image.

Abstract: A method for generating a depth map for a 2D image includes receiving the 2D image; analyzing content of the received 2D image; determining a depth map based on a result of the content analysis; refining the determined depth map using an edge-preserving and noise reducing smoothing filter; and providing the refined depth map.

Abstract: A method for generating a depth map for a 2D image and video includes receiving the 2D image and video; defining a plurality of object classes; analyzing content of the received 2D image and video; calculating probabilities that the received 2D image belongs to the object classes; and determining a final depth map based on a result of the analyzed content and the calculated probabilities for the object classes.

Abstract: A method of determining the point-spread function (PSF) of an imaging system includes the steps of capturing image data, establishing an idealized source spot, establishing a functional form model, subtracting the captured image from the estimated image equation and determining a metric that measures the fit of the estimated image to the captured image. The functional form model may include both diffraction and aberration and stray light. The functional form model may be optimized to reduce the metric to an acceptable level.

Abstract: A method for converting a 2D image into a 3D image includes receiving the 2D image; determining whether the received 2D image is a portrait, wherein the portrait can be a face portrait or a non-face portrait; if the received 2D image is determined to be a portrait, creating a disparity between a left eye image and a right eye image based on a local gradient and a spatial location; generating the 3D image based on the created disparity; and outputting the generated 3D image.

Abstract: A method for rendering 3D content in a safe mode includes receiving images to be rendered in a 3D format, and detecting, in the received images, at least one image having a 3D content creation or conversion error that creates an uncomfortable 3D effect to a user. The method may also include transitioning to a safe mode, under which 3D enhancement is performed to the detected at least one image to avoid the uncomfortable 3D effect, and rendering the 3D enhanced image for display.

Abstract: A method for generating a depth map for a 2D image includes receiving the 2D image; analyzing content of the received 2D image; determining a depth map based on a result of the content analysis; refining the determined depth map using an edge-preserving and noise reducing smoothing filter; and providing the refined depth map.

Abstract: A method for converting a 2D image into a 3D image includes receiving the 2D image; analyzing content of the received 2D image; determining a 2D-to-3D image conversion method based on a result of the content analysis; generating the 3D image by applying the determined method to the received 2D image; and providing the generated 3D image.

Abstract: A method of determining the point-spread function (PSF) of an imaging system includes the steps of capturing image data, establishing an idealized source spot, establishing a functional form model, subtracting the captured image from the estimated image equation and determining a metric that measures the fit of the estimated image to the captured image. The functional form model may include both diffraction and aberration and stray light. The functional form model may be optimized to reduce the metric to an acceptable level.