Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and systems for a styling platform. In one embodiment, a method is implemented in a beauty application of a mobile device. The method includes applying a styling feature to a facial image through the beauty application, the method further includes transmitting a message from a first user to a second user through the beauty application, the message containing a hyperlink to the facial image with the styling feature applied. The method further includes establishing a communication session within the beauty application between the first and second users responsive to receiving a reply from the second user, and exchanging information regarding the styling feature within the beauty application between the first and second users using the communication session.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and systems for a styling platform. In one embodiment, a method is implemented in a beauty application of a mobile device. The method includes applying a styling feature to a facial image through the beauty application, the method further includes transmitting a message from a first user to a second user through the beauty application, the message containing a hyperlink to the facial image with the styling feature applied. The method further includes establishing a communication session within the beauty application between the first and second users responsive to receiving a reply from the second user, and exchanging information regarding the styling feature within the beauty application between the first and second users using the communication session.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to enhance video chatting Includes receiving a live video stream, processing a frame in the live video stream in real-time, and transmitting the frame to another computing device. Processing the frame in real-time includes detecting a face, an upper torso, or a gesture in the frame, and applying a visual effect to the frame. The method includes processing a next frame in the live video stream in real-time by repeating the enhancing, the detecting, and the applying.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to enhance video chatting Includes receiving a live video stream, processing a frame in the live video stream in real-time, and transmitting the frame to another computing device. Processing the frame in real-time includes detecting a face, an upper torso, or a gesture in the frame, and applying a visual effect to the frame. The method includes processing a next frame in the live video stream in real-time by repeating the enhancing, the detecting, and the applying.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to enhance video chatting Includes receiving a live video stream, processing a frame in the live video stream in real-time, and transmitting the frame to another computing device. Processing the frame in real-time includes detecting a face, an upper torso, or a gesture in the frame, and applying a visual effect to the frame. The method includes processing a next frame in the live video stream in real-time by repeating the enhancing, the detecting, and the applying.

Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot performs a cleaning function and determines if an obstacle is in its path while performing the cleaning function. When an obstacle is in its path, the autonomous cleaning robot determines if a height of the obstacle is under a clearance height of the autonomous cleaning robot. When the height of the obstacle is under the clearance height of the autonomous cleaning robot, the autonomous cleaning robot determines if the obstacle is to be avoided. When the obstacle is to be avoided, the autonomous cleaning robot changes its path to avoid traversing over the obstacle.

Abstract: A method to provide privacy protection on a video includes performing people recognition on the video, when a registered person is recognized, determining if a privacy setting is turned on, and, when the privacy setting is turned on, performing privacy protection on the video. Performing privacy protection on the video includes pausing a recording of a live video, obscuring the registered person in the live video or a recorded video, or skipping ahead or deleting part of the recorded video.

Abstract: A method for a client device includes generating a user interface by displaying a field of view of a camera-equipped device and automatically generating one or more detection zones outlining one or more objects in the field of view. Each detection zone remains selected until it is unselected and vice versa. The method further includes transmitting information about one or more selected detection zones to a monitoring device or saving the information locally to memory when the client device is the monitoring device. The monitoring device monitors images or video frames captured by the camera-equipped device and performs an action when an event occurs in one or more portions in the image or the video frame corresponding to the one or more selected detection zones.

Abstract: A method to create a photo diary includes creating an entry for a time period in the photo diary. Creating the entry includes selecting candidate frames from digital videos created or received in the time period. Selecting the candidate frames includes performing people and pet detection on the digital videos, extract frames with people and pets from the digital videos perform people recognition on the frames with people to identify frames with recognized persons. The method further includes sorting the candidate frames with recognized persons and pets into groups based on criteria, selecting representative frames from the groups, and presenting the representative frames in the entry.

Abstract: A method to create a photo diary includes creating an entry for a time period in the photo diary. Creating the entry includes selecting candidate frames from digital videos created or received in the time period. Selecting the candidate frames includes performing people and pet detection on the digital videos, extract frames with people and pets from the digital videos perform people recognition on the frames with people to identify frames with recognized persons. The method further includes sorting the candidate frames with recognized persons and pets into groups based on criteria, selecting representative frames from the groups, and presenting the representative frames in the entry.

Abstract: A method to provide privacy protection on a video includes performing people recognition on the video, when a registered person is recognized, determining if a privacy setting is turned on, and, when the privacy setting is turned on, performing privacy protection on the video. Performing privacy protection on the video includes pausing a recording of a live video, obscuring the registered person in the live video or a recorded video, or skipping ahead or deleting part of the recorded video.

Abstract: A method to edit digital videos includes dividing a first digital video into digital video segments, presenting a graphical user interface to select the digital video segments, receiving one or more selections of one or more of the digital video segments through the graphical user interface, and saving a second digital video with the selected digital video segments.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to enhance video chatting Includes receiving a live video stream, processing a frame in the live video stream in real-time, and transmitting the frame to another computing device. Processing the frame in real-time includes detecting a face, an upper torso, or a gesture in the frame, and applying a visual effect to the frame. The method includes processing a next frame in the live video stream in real-time by repeating the enhancing, the detecting, and the applying.

Abstract: A method for merging first and second images includes determining a pixel difference image from the first and the second images, determining first and second locations of the foreground subject from the pixel difference image, determining a minimum path of values from the pixel difference image for a region between the first and the second locations of the foreground subject, forming a merged image by stitching the first and the second images along the minimum path, and adjusting pixels of the merged image within a width of the minimum path.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing minimum coded units (MCUs) in a Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) bit stream representing an image. A data structure is generated for storing MCU block numbers, corresponding MCU block coordinates, and corresponding MCU block editing lists. When an editing operation to the image is received, the editing operation is saved to a group of the MCU block editing lists of a group of the MCUs affected by the editing operation. Later the MCUs are retrieved from the JPEG bit stream one at a time and then processed according to the editing operations in the corresponding MCU blocking editing lists.

Abstract: A method of a user interface for red eye removal in a portable device includes displaying a first screen having an image and a first menu. If a user selects a first icon in the first menu, the method further includes displaying a second screen having the image after automatic red eye removal and a second menu. If the user selects a second icon in the second menu, the method further includes redisplaying the second screen having the image prior to automatic red eye removal. If the user selects a third icon in the second menu, the method further includes displaying a third screen having the image, a visual indicator for the location of manual red eye removal, and a third menu. If the user selects a fourth icon in the third menu, the method further includes redisplaying the second screen with the image after manual red eye removal.

Abstract: A method for merging first and second images includes determining a pixel difference image from the first and the second images, determining first and second locations of the foreground subject from the pixel difference image, determining a minimum path of values from the pixel difference image for a region between the first and the second locations of the foreground subject, forming a merged image by stitching the first and the second images along the minimum path, and adjusting pixels of the merged image within a width of the minimum path.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing minimum coded units (MCUs) in a Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) bit stream representing an image. A data structure is generated for storing MCU block numbers, corresponding MCU block coordinates, and corresponding MCU block editing lists. When an editing operation to the image is received, the editing operation is saved to a group of the MCU block editing lists of a group of the MCUs affected by the editing operation. Later the MCUs are retrieved from the JPEG bit stream one at a time and then processed according to the editing operations in the corresponding MCU blocking editing lists.

Abstract: A method for indexing minimum coded units (MCUs) in a Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) bit stream includes (1) entropy decoding a first MCU to determine a bit offset of a second MCU and a DC coefficient of the first MCU, wherein the first MCU immediately precedes the second MCU in the bit stream, and (2) indexing the second MCU by storing the bit offset and the DC coefficient in an index. The method may further include (3) receiving a request for the second MCU, (4) reading the index to determine the bit offset of the second MCU and the DC coefficient of the first MCU, and (5) entropy decoding the second MCU starting at its bit offset in the bit stream, wherein the entropy decoding the second MCU includes determining a DC coefficient of the second MCU using the DC coefficient of the first MCU.

Abstract: A method for a portable electronic device to operate includes powering on the portable electronic device, displaying a general menu for a user to select one of a plurality of modes for the portable electronic device if an instant mode switch is in a first position, and operating the portable electronic device in a preset mode if the instant mode switch is in a second position.