Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for modeling patterns of behavior of humans or other animate objects and detecting a violation of a repetitive pattern of behavior. The behavior of one or more persons is observed over time and features of the behavior are recorded in a multi-dimensional space. Over time, the multi-dimensional data provides an indication of patterns of human behavior. Activities that are repetitive in terms of time, location and activity, such as sleeping and eating, would appear as a Gaussian distribution or cluster in the multi-dimensional data. Probability distribution functions can be analyzed using known Gaussian or clustering techniques to identify repetitive patterns of behavior and characteristics thereof, such as a mean and variance. Deviations from repetitive patterns of behavior can be detected and an alarm can be triggered, if appropriate.

Abstract: A method and system for the automatic detection of a sleeping person and for adjusting electrical power supplied to a number of electronic devices; it includes a unit for observing the behavior of a person in a predetermined area under surveillance and a unit for analyzing output data from the observing unit to determine whether the observed behavior is associated with predefined sleeping behaviors. Upon recognition that the observed behavior indicates the sleeping state of a person, the electrical power supplied to the plurality of electronic devices is selectively adjusted according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: System and method for adjusting the position of a displayed image of a person. The system comprises a control unit that receives a sequence of images and processes the received images to determine whether the person is positioned at the border of the received images to be displayed. If so positioned, the control unit generates control signals to control the position of an optical device providing the sequence of images so that the person is positioned entirely within the image.

Abstract: A method for aiding a customer in the purchase of clothes on-line. The method including: accessing an Internet web site for the purchase of clothes, the Internet web site having a three-dimensional model of at least one style and size of clothes displayed thereon; providing a three-dimensional model of the customer; selecting the at least one style and size of clothes displayed at the Internet web site; generating a virtual three-dimensional model of the customer wearing the at least one style and size of clothes selected; and displaying the virtual three-dimensional model to the customer.

Abstract: A method for presenting information from telephone messages to a user. The method including the steps of: receiving incoming telephone messages; recognizing speech in the incoming telephone messages by searching the incoming telephone messages for at least one predetermined category of information; and if the at least one predetermined category of information is found in the recognized speech, presenting the at least one predetermined category of information to the user.

Abstract: A camera-based system implements a calibration procedure for determining, for a given system user, calibration information that characterizes the manner in which the user points within the system. The system directs the user to point separately at each point in a set of two or more points at different positions on a display. The system then detects, for each of the points pointed to by the user, a location of a pointing finger of the user in an image generated by each camera in a set of cameras of the system, such that for each of the points the location of the pointing finger and the corresponding point on the display specify a line. The lines associated with the points are then used to compute a reference point or other pointing direction calibration information for the user. The calibration information for the user may be stored with user-identifying information in a database of the system, and is utilized in subsequent pointing direction determinations for that user.

Abstract: When a call is placed to an organization seeking information from a representative of that organization, the call is frequently placed on hold for an extended period of time. After the call is made and the called party's telephone is placed on hold, the caller enters a code signal to place the call on hold. At this instant, both telephones are on hold. At some time after this “Hold On Hold” connection is established when a representative of the organization called answers the telephone and speaks to identify himself, the network identifies the signals as being generated by a live person, and a ring signal is sent to the caller's telephone to alert the caller that the call is no longer on hold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a retail location using vision-based technologies to recognize predefined fraudulent events. Captured images are processed to identify one or more predefined fraudulent events and to initiate an appropriate response, such as sending notice to an employee for further investigation or recording the event for evidentiary purposes. A number of rules define various fraudulent events. For example, rules can be devised to detect when a patron is wearing stolen clothing out of the changing room, or when a patron is fraudulently attempting to return merchandise without a receipt. Each rule contains one or more conditions that must be satisfied and a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. At least one of the conditions for each rule identifies a feature that must be detected in an image using vision-based techniques.

Abstract: Briefly, an alarm system monitors the entry and exit of a fitting room. Various devices, including cameras for imaging, are used to scan customers as they enter and leave. Using image analysis, analysis of the audio signature of footfalls, and other criteria, the system attempts to match the images of customers leaving with stored images of customers entering. If no match can be found, an alarm signal is generated.

Abstract: A collaborative speed measurement device detection system provides early warning and increased reliability by sharing the responses of multiple detectors through a broadcast radio network. A vehicle with one detector (e.g., radar, laser detector) broadcasts a detection event to any other detectors in its vicinity. The receiving detectors generate a warning signal in response to the broadcast. The receivers can combine the results of multiple detections to generate a reliability estimate. The location of the detection events may be broadcast and used in generating alarms in the receiver as well.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and recording an image of an impact to an object. The system comprises a sensor located to detect an impact at a corresponding surface region of the object and provide an output in response to detection of such an impact. The system further comprises an optical device having a field of view. The space adjacent the surface region corresponding to the sensor is located within the field of view of the optical device. The output provided by the sensor in response to detection of an impact initiates image capture by the optical device of the space adjacent the surface region corresponding to the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for switching a commercial for a user. Accordingly, the present invention obtains a user's profile or monitors a user's viewing history of various commercials to determine the type of commercials that are not watched or not liked by the user. Thereafter, commercials between television programs are detected during a commercial break and compared with the user's profile or the user's past viewing information to determine whether the detected commercial is liked by the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing an automatic zoom lens, and more particularly to a zoom lens that is controlled by a processor that is linked to a gaze tracking system. As a user looks onto an object through the device, the gaze tracking system collects data relating to the position of each eye of the user. This eye position data is input into the processor where the focal point of the user is determined. The processor then adjusts the zoom lens to zoom in or out onto the object based on either a predetermined or user input zoom factor.

Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed that allows a user to participate in a given content selection or to substitute any of the actors or characters in the content selection. A user can modify an image by replacing an image of an actor with an image of the corresponding user (or a selected third party). Various parameters associated with the actor to be replaced are estimated for each frame. A static model is obtained of the user (or the selected third party). A face synthesis technique modifies the user model according to the estimated parameters associated with the selected actor. A video integration stage superimposes the modified user model over the actor in the original image sequence to produce an output video sequence containing the user (or selected third party) in the position of the original actor.

Abstract: A windshield wiper is moved across a windshield by a linear motor employing an induction effect. A stator is attached to a vehicle and a driver or truck attached to a wiper blade. Either the stator or driver has coils that are actuated to move the driver across the windshield carrying the blade with it. The blade is swept back and forth with the driver.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying persons who are authorized to activate one or more vehicle mechanisms uses both an implicit identification of a face and an explicit identification of speech or a gesture. This system and method enables identification to be performed where a single identification is otherwise unable to perform the identification for some reason and improves the reliability and accuracy of an identification so that only authorized persons can activate the vehicle mechanisms. Vehicle mechanisms that can be activated using this multimodal identification system and method include, for example, automatic locks, automatic windows, a trunk lock, a vehicle engine, outdoor or interior lights, and a vehicle alarm.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture suitable for automatically generating recommendations of a set of entertainment options from a larger set of entertainment options based on user preferences for those options. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of automatically generating recommendations for viewing television programs based on past viewing patterns and preferences of a plurality of television viewers, all of whom do not need to be physically present in front of the television. The present invention creates a composite user profile based on individual profiles for each user detected who is to be used in the composite user profile, some of whom need not be present in front of the television. Each user's preferences may be weighted the same as each other user's or users may have differing weights assigned to their preferences.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is disclosed suitable for displaying selectable time orderable options, such as television programs available for viewing on a television, using a tunnel interface. The tunnel interface displays concentric rings where each ring represents a different set of option data whose attributes are modified to reflect a user's preferences. The modified option data are further arranged such that each concentric ring is ordered by time. Additionally, choices within each ring are visually distinguishable by user preference. Users can navigate within and between the concentric rings and select one or more of the available options using the concentric rings.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a driver's attention to driving a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view wherein a driver's face is positioned in the field of view of the camera. The system also includes a gaze and facial pose determiner coupled to the camera which receives signals corresponding to images of the driver's face for analysis. The gaze and facial pose determiner determines whether the gaze and facial pose of the driver are oriented in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The system also includes an alarm responsive to the gaze and facial pose determiner for advising the driver that his gaze and facial pose are not oriented in the forward direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an emergency/law enforcement vehicle from a secondary vehicle. The apparatus includes: at least one camera mounted on the secondary vehicle; a display surface mounted inside an interior of the secondary vehicle for displaying video image data from the at least one camera; at least one of a pan, tilt, and zoom motor operatively connected to the at least one camera for providing an enhanced view of an emergency/law enforcement vehicle displayed on the display surface; and a controller for controlling the at least one pan, tilt, and zoom motors to provide the enhanced view. The apparatus alternatively also has the capability to detect, track and/or classify an emergency/law enforcement vehicle in the video image data.