Abstract: A method in one example implementation includes discovering a networking device within a wireless connectivity range from a first computing device. The networking device may be configured for wireless connectivity by sending new network configuration settings to the networking device to be stored in a memory element. The method also includes configuring the first computing device to initiate a wireless connection to the networking device, such that the wireless connection is created without requiring the user to provide any configuration settings associated with the wireless connection. In more specific embodiments, if it is determined that the networking device is unconfigured, then the new network configuration settings are automatically generated. In other more specific embodiments, the new network configuration settings include a new network identifier and a new network password.

Abstract: A method in one example implementation includes discovering a networking device within a wireless connectivity range from a first computing device. The networking device may be configured for wireless connectivity by sending new network configuration settings to the networking device to be stored in a memory element. The method also includes configuring the first computing device to initiate a wireless connection to the networking device, such that the wireless connection is created without requiring the user to provide any configuration settings associated with the wireless connection. In more specific embodiments, if it is determined that the networking device is unconfigured, then the new network configuration settings are automatically generated. In other more specific embodiments, the new network configuration settings include a new network identifier and a new network password.

Abstract: A method for designing a lens system that allows one design tolerance to be relaxed to enhance other lens characteristics where the aberration(s) resulting from the relaxed design tolerance can be corrected by image processing subsequent to the acquisition of the raw image containing the aberration(s). In addition, wide-angle and/or catadioptric lenses so designed can be used with cameras or other image sensors. Further, the raw image can be corrected by an image correction processor within or external to a camera system, comprised of specialized circuitry and/or an appropriately configured general-purpose computer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for defining a view path through at least one wide-angle video stream and for creation of a resultant unwarped video stream responsive to the view path. Aspects of the invention allow an operator to monitor the wide-angle video stream(s) and select which portion of the wide-angle frame to unwarp in real-time. Further, the operator can stop the playback of the wide-angle video stream and dwell within a particular wide-angle frame to create special effects such as camera tilt, pan and zoom operations in a stop action situation.

Abstract: An audio/visual conference station that includes a panoramic lens to capture an image of the panoramic scene surrounding the lens. The station also includes communication mechanisms to compress the panoramic image for transmission to a remote audio/visual conference station for display. Thus, people around the remote audio/visual conference station are able to both hear and see those at the local audio/visual conference station and vice versa. The audio/visual conference stations can also communicate through a server system to increase the number of visual conference stations exchanging or sharing images. In addition the server system can off-load some of the image processing steps from the visual conference stations.

Abstract: A method for designing a lens system that allows one design tolerance to be relaxed to enhance other lens characteristics where the aberration(s) resulting from the relaxed design tolerance can be corrected by image processing subsequent to the acquisition of the raw image containing the aberration(s). In addition, wide-angle and/or catadioptric lenses so designed can be used with cameras or other image sensors. Further, the raw image can be corrected by an image correction processor within or external to a camera system, comprised of specialized circuitry and/or an appropriately configured general-purpose computer.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising a first and second transparent component both rotationally symmetric about an axis of revolution. The first transparent component has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface includes a reflective portion and a refractive portion both about the axis of revolution. The refractive portion extends radially from the axis of revolution to the start of the reflective portion. The second transparent component is attached to the first transparent component at a refractive interface that extends into the upper surface. The second transparent component includes a distal reflective surface. Light from a portion of a surrounding panoramic scene is refracted by a portion of the upper surface, is reflected by the reflective portion of the lower surface through the refractive interface to the distal reflective surface.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising a first and second transparent component both rotationally symmetric about an axis of revolution. The first transparent component has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface includes a reflective portion and a refractive portion both about the axis of revolution. The refractive portion extends radially from the axis of revolution to the start of the reflective portion. The second transparent component is attached to the first transparent component at a refractive interface that extends into the upper surface. The second transparent component includes a distal reflective surface. Light from a portion of a surrounding panoramic scene is refracted by a portion of the upper surface, is reflected by the reflective portion of the lower surface through the refractive interface to the distal reflective surface.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed that allows an immersive video to be transmitted from a first site to a second site using standard television infrastructure. Each frame of the immersive video is packed into at least one standard television frame. The standard television frame is suitable for transmission using standard television infrastructure. Once the standard television frame is received at the second site, the immersive video frame is reconstructed. The reconstructed immersive video frame can then be transmitted, recorded, viewed, or used to generate a view for transmission or recording.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products that provide fast and accurate means of mapping one data space into another by precisely mapping grid points between the data spaces and then by performing a bilateral-bilinear interpolation to map the points bounded by the precisely mapped grid points. The precisely mapped grid points define boundary lines that bound a data region in a source space. Each scan line mapped to the source space is dependent on the slopes of the bounding lines of the data region.