Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for integrating video production over a network of video production sites. The video production sites may each provide a video production function as part of a distributed video production process across the network. An integration server may receive production quality metrics from at least a first video production site and a second video production site. Each production quality metric may be indicative of quality of a corresponding sequence of video frames produced at a corresponding video production site. The video production integration server may dynamically control selection or merging of video frames from the first and second video production sites to generate an integrated video production, by comparing production quality metrics received from the first and second video production sites that correspond to a same sequence of video frames, against a threshold value or against each other.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for improving quality in video production. A video production device receives inputs from a user for only a subset of image frames presented for use in producing a video. Each of the inputs indicates a point of interest (POI) in a corresponding image frame, indicative of a region of interest for inclusion as a scene in the video. A video processor evaluates a spatial path of the indicated POIs relative to a bounding scene of interest (BSI), which represents an extent of a field of view of a corresponding camera, and dynamically adjusts the field of view to steer subsequently acquired image frames to be within the BSI. The video processor produces the video with all scenes arranged successively at a periodic interval. Use of the spatial path for scene or camera-viewpoint selection is designed to optimize quality of the produced video.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for authorization. The method may include accessing, by an authorization engine for a transaction by a user, an activity pattern model of the user from a database. The activity pattern model of the user may be indicative of a geospatial behavior of the user over time. The authorization engine may determine a set of sensors available for facilitating the transaction, each of the sensors assigned with a usability value prior to the transaction. The authorization engine may access an activity pattern model of the sensors, the activity pattern model of the sensors indicative of geospatial characteristics of one or more of the sensors over time. The authorization engine may determine a convenience metric for each of a plurality of subsets of the sensors, using the activity pattern model of the user, the activity pattern model of the sensors, and usability values of corresponding sensors.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for managing risk in a transaction with a user, which presents to the user, with sufficient detail for inspection, an image of the user blended with information about the transaction. A processor of a biometric device may blend an acquired image of a user of the device during a transaction with information about the transaction. The acquired image may comprise an image of the user suitable for manual or automatic recognition. The information may include a location determined via the device, an identifier of the device, and a timestamp for the image acquisition. The system may include a display, for presenting the blended image to the user. The presented image may show purposeful integration of the information about the transaction with the acquired image, to comprise a record of the transaction to be stored if the user agrees to proceed with the transaction.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for selective identification of biometric data for efficient compression. An evaluation module operating on a biometric device may determine if a set of acquired biometric data satisfies a quality threshold for subsequent automatic or manual recognition, while satisfying a set of predefined criteria for efficient compression of a corresponding type of biometric data, the determination performed prior to performing data compression on the acquired biometric data. The evaluation module may classify, decide or identify, based on the determination, whether to retain the acquired set of acquired biometric data for subsequent data compression.

Abstract: A scalable method and apparatus is described to provide personalized interactive visualization of a plurality of compressed image data to a plurality of concurrent users. A plurality of image sources are digitally processed in the compressed domain to provide controllable enhanced user-specific interactive visualization with support for adjustment in viewing parameters such frame-rate, field of view, resolution, color format, viewpoint and bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and tracking a moving object. First, robust change detection is applied to find initial candidate regions in consecutive frames. These initial detections in consecutive frames are stacked to produce space-time bands which are extracted by Hough transform and entropy minimization based band detection algorithm.

Abstract: A system for tracking at least one object is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of communicatively connected visual sensing units configured to capture visual data related to the at least one object The system also includes a manager component communicatively connected to the plurality of visual sensing units. The manager component is configured to assign one visual sensing unit to act as a visual sensing unit in a master mode and at least one visual sensing unit to act as a visual sensing unit in a slave mode. The manager component is further configured to transmit at least one control signal to the plurality of visual sensing units, and receive the visual data from the plurality of visual sensing units.

Abstract: A sentient system combines detection, tracking, and immersive visualization of a cluttered and crowded environment, such as an office building, terminal, or other enclosed site using a network of stereo cameras. A guard monitors the site using a live 3D model, which is updated from different directions using the multiple video streams. As a person moves within the view of a camera, the system detects its motion and tracks the person's path, it hands off the track to the next camera when the person goes out of that camera's view. Multiple people can be tracked simultaneously both within and across cameras, with each track shown on a map display. The track system includes a track map browser that displays the tracks of all moving objects as well as a history of recent tracks and a video flashlight viewer that displays live immersive video of any person that is being tracked.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and tracking a moving object. First, robust change detection is applied to find initial candidate regions in consecutive frames. These initial detections in consecutive frames are stacked to produce space-time bands which are extracted by Hough transform and entropy minimization based band detection algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and tracking a moving object. First, robust change detection is applied to find initial candidate regions in consecutive frames. These initial detections in consecutive frames are stacked to produce space-time bands which are extracted by Hough transform and entropy minimization based band detection algorithm.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a system for providing immersive surveillance a site has a plurality of cameras each producing a respective raw video of a respective portion of the site. A processing component receives the raw video from the cameras and generates processed video from it. A visualization engine is coupled to the processing system, and receives the processed video therefrom. The visualization engine renders real-time images corresponding to a view of the site in which at least a portion of the processed video is overlaid onto a rendering of an image based on a computer model of the site. The visualization engine displays the images in real time to a viewer. The processing component comprises first and second filter modules. The second filter module processes video received as output from the first filter module. A controller component controls all transmission of data and video between the first and second filter modules.

Abstract: A unified approach, a fusion technique, a space-time constraint, a methodology, and system architecture are provided. The unified approach is to fuse the outputs of monocular and stereo video trackers, RFID and localization systems and biometric identification systems. The fusion technique is provided that is based on the transformation of the sensory information from heterogeneous sources into a common coordinate system with rigorous uncertainties analysis to account for various sensor noises and ambiguities. The space-time constraint is used to fuse different sensor using the location and velocity information. Advantages include the ability to continuously track multiple humans with their identities in a large area. The methodology is general so that other sensors can be incorporated into the system. The system architecture is provided for the underlying real-time processing of the sensors.

Abstract: A scalable method and apparatus is described to provide personalized interactive visualization of a plurality of compressed image data to a plurality of concurrent users. A plurality of image sources are digitally processed in the compressed domain to provide controllable enhanced user-specific interactive visualization with support for adjustment in viewing parameters such frame-rate, field of view, resolution, color format, viewpoint and bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting suspicious activities is disclosed. In one embodiment at least one low-level feature set is detected in a plurality of frames of a sequence of scene imagery. The frame-to-frame associations of the detected low-level feature set are determined, and suspicious activities is identifying on the bases of these frame-to-frame associations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing a personalized interactive experience to view a scene to a plurality of concurrent users. A plurality of image sources with different attributes such as frame-rate and resolution, are digitally processed to provide controllable enhanced user-specific visualization. An image source control method is also described to adjust the image sources based on collective requirement of a plurality of users.

Abstract: Method for tracking an object recorded within a selected frame of a sequence of frames of video data, using a plurality of layers, where at least one object layer of the plurality of layers represents the object includes initializing layer ownership probabilities for pixels of the selected frame using a non-parametric motion model, estimating a set of motion parameters of the plurality of layers for the selected frame using a parametric maximization algorithm and tracking the object. The non-parametric motion model is optical flow and includes warping the mixing probabilities, the appearances of the plurality of layers, and the observed pixel data from the pixels of the preceding frame to the pixels of the selected frame to initialize the layer ownership probabilities for the pixels of the selected frame.

Abstract: A scalable architecture for providing real-time multi-camera distributed video processing and visualization. An exemplary system comprises at least one video capture and storage system for capturing and storing a plurality of input videos, at least one vision based alarm system for detecting and reporting alarm situations or events, and at least one video rendering system (e.g., a video flashlight system) for displaying an alarm situation in a context that speeds up comprehension and response. One advantage of the present architecture is that these systems are all scalable, such that additional sensors (e.g., cameras, motion sensors, infrared sensors, chemical sensors, biological sensors, temperature sensors and like) can be added in large numbers without overwhelming the ability of security forces to comprehend the alarm situation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and tracking a moving object. First, robust change detection is applied to find initial candidate regions in consecutive frames. These initial detections in consecutive frames are stacked to produce space-time bands which are extracted by Hough transform and entropy minimization based band detection algorithm.

Abstract: A method and system for performing surveillance includes receiving location information for a detected object via a first sensor and slewing a second sensor to the detected object in accordance with the location information provided by the first sensor. In one embodiment, the first sensor detects the presence of the object (which may or may not be moving), and the second sensor provides more refined or specific information about the detected object, such as a higher-resolution image of the detected object.