Abstract: A method of processing audio signals recorded during display of image data from a media file on a display device to produce semantic understanding data and associating such data with the original media file, includes: separating a desired audio signal from the aggregate mixture of audio signals; analyzing the separated signal for purposes of gaining semantic understanding; and associating the semantic information obtained from the audio signals recorded during image display with the original media file.

Abstract: A video communication system and method for operating a video communication system are provided. The video communication system has a video communication device, having an image display device and at least one image capture device, wherein the at least one image capture device acquires video images of a local environment and an individual therein, according to defined video capture settings, an audio system having an audio emission device and an audio capture device; and a computer operable to interact with a contextual interface, a privacy interface, an image processor, and a communication controller to enable a communication event including at least one video scene in which outgoing video images are sent to a remote site.

Abstract: A digital camera system providing processed audio signals, comprising: an image sensor for capturing a digital image; an optical system for forming an image of a scene onto the image sensor; a microphone for capturing an audio signal; a data processing system; a storage memory for storing captured images and audio signals; and a program memory communicatively connected to the data processing system and storing instructions configured to cause the data processing system to implement a method for providing processed audio signals, wherein the instructions include: capturing one or more digital images of a scene using the image sensor and capturing a corresponding audio signal using the microphone; determining a scene type corresponding to the captured digital images; processing the captured audio signal responsive to the determined scene type; and recording the captured digital images together with the processed audio signal in the storage memory.

Abstract: A method of extracting a voice command produced in an enclosed or partially enclosed environment, includes providing an impulse response signal of the enclosed or partially enclosed environment; recording the voice command and ambient sounds; and using the impulse response signal to extract the recorded voice command.

Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor, where the lenses have different focal lengths. A processing stage uses the sensor output from one of the imaging stages as the captured image signal and uses the images from both imaging stages to generate a range map identifying distances to the different portions of the scene.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor; a first lens for forming a first image on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor; a second lens for forming a second image on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal. A processing stage (a) selects the sensor output from the first imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the second imaging stage to generate the first focus detection signal, (b) selects the sensor output from the second imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the first imaging stage to generate the second focus detection signal.

Abstract: A method of processing audio signals recorded during display of image data from a media file on a display device to produce semantic understanding data and associating such data with the original media file, includes: separating a desired audio signal from the aggregate mixture of audio signals; analyzing the separated signal for purposes of gaining semantic understanding; and associating the semantic information obtained from the audio signals recorded during image display with the original media file.

Abstract: A method of recording audio metadata during image capture: includes providing an image capture device for capturing still or video digitized images of a scene and for recording audio signals; recording the audio signals continuously in a buffer while the device is in power on mode; and initiating the capture of a still image or of a video image by the image capture device, and storing as metadata, audio signals produced for a time prior to, during, and after the termination of the capture of the still or video images.

Abstract: A video communication system and method for operating a video communication system are provided. The video communication system has a video communication device, having an image display device and at least one image capture device, wherein the at least one image capture device acquires video images of a local environment and an individual therein, according to defined video capture settings, an audio system having an audio emission device and an audio capture device; and a computer operable to interact with a contextual interface, a privacy interface, an image processor, and a communication controller to enable a communication event including at least one video scene in which outgoing video images are sent to a remote site.

Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor, where the lenses have different focal lengths. A processing stage uses the sensor output from one of the imaging stages as the captured image signal and uses the images from both imaging stages to generate a range map identifying distances to the different portions of the scene.

Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output; a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal.

Abstract: A method of extracting a voice command produced in an enclosed or partially enclosed environment, includes providing an impulse response signal of the enclosed or partially enclosed environment; recording the voice command and ambient sounds; and using the impulse response signal to extract the recorded voice command.

Abstract: In a method for removing artifacts in a digital image that has been decoded from a compressed representation of the image, the pixels of the digital image are segmented into low detail pixels, high detail pixels, and boundary pixels, and then a single non-linear filtering method, such as a sigma filtering method, is applied to each pixel in the digital image. By selecting separate filter parameters for the low detail, high detail, and boundary pixels, the removal of artifacts is improved over prior methods.

Abstract: In a method for removing artifacts in a digital image that has been decoded from a compressed representation of the image, the pixels of the digital image are segmented into low detail pixels, high detail pixels, and boundary pixels, and then a single non-linear filtering method, such as a sigma filtering method, is applied to each pixel in the digital image. By selecting separate filter parameters for the low detail, high detail, and boundary pixels, the removal of artifacts is improved over prior methods.

Abstract: A method for detecting artifacts produced during film scanning in a scanning device, the method includes the steps of (a) providing film having a plurality of frames with an area of substantially constant density; (b) scanning the area of substantially constant density by the scanning device; (c) generating a profile consisting of the average of substantially all pixels at substantially the same location in the area of substantially constant density; and (d) detecting an artifact based on comparing the profile to a first threshold.