Abstract: A data-compressed audio waveform is temporally modified without requiring complete decompression of the audio signal. Packets of compressed audio data are first unpacked, to remove scaling that was applied in the formation of the packets. The unpacked data is then temporally modified, using one of a number of different approaches. This modification takes place while the audio information remains in a data-compressed format. New packets are then assembled from the modified data, to produce a data-compressed output stream that can be subsequently processed in a conventional manner to reproduce the desired sound. The assembly of the new packets employs a technique for inferring an auditory model from the original packets, to requantize the data in the output packets.

Abstract: The invention automatically evaluates the quality of the visual images in a collection of visual images and selects one or more visual image(s) from the collection based on the evaluation of the quality of the visual images.

Abstract: The invention identifies a blank segment (i.e., a segment that does not correspond to recorded visual content) in a set of visual recording data. The invention identifies a blank segment using a blank frame detector that is adapted to evaluate a frame of visual recording data to determine whether the frame of visual recording data is a blank frame, and a blank segment detector that is adapted to evaluate a characteristic of a group of frames of visual recording data to determine whether the group of frames of visual recording data is a blank segment comprising a plurality of blank frames. Identification of a blank segment can be used to, for example, decide whether to terminate digitization of a set of analog visual recording data.

Abstract: A method for displaying interactive advertisements on a television having a controller connected thereto and configured for receiving input from a viewer of the television is disclosed. The controller has a receiver operable to receive advertisements and a processor operable to modify the advertisements. The method generally comprises requesting action by the viewer of the television, modifying an advertisement based on the action of the viewer, and displaying the modified advertisement on the television.

Abstract: A given point of interest in an image is defined by two properties, a local attribute, such as color, and a neighborhood function that describes a similarity pattern. The color value is not influenced by nearby background regions of the image, and functions as a descriptor for each location. The neighborhood function distinguishes locations of similar color from one another, by capturing patterns of change in the local color. The neighborhood function measures the similarity between the local color and colors at nearby points, and reduces the measured similarity values that lie beyond contrast boundaries. Through the computation of such a transform for points of interest in an image, corresponding points in other images can be readily identified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of finding a reference object within a coded object having a plurality of regions. Each region has a plurality of subregions, and at least a majority of a first one of the subregions has a different color from a second one of the subregions. The reference object has a known relative position to other objects within the coded object so that the reference object is utilizable to locate the other objects within the coded object. A first one of the subregions within a selected one of the regions within the coded object is selected. A first region and a second region within the coded object are also selected. The selected first and second region form a plurality of subregion pairs. Each subregion pair includes a subregion from the seleced first region and a subregion from the selected second region. Luminosity values of the subregions within each subregion pair are compared.