Abstract: A device for identifying vehicles traveling in excess of a predetermined speed. The device including: speed measurement detector for measuring the speed of a target vehicle and outputting a signal indicative of the measured speed; a camera operatively connected to the speed measurement detector for capturing image data of a license plate affixed to the target vehicle when the target vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed; and a device for tagging the captured image data with the signal indicative of the measured speed of the target vehicle. The device can further have a recognition system for recognizing the license plate of the target vehicle which controls the camera to provide an enhanced view of the license plate. The device can also have classification and color identification systems for identifying a type and color of the target vehicle. The type and color information can also be tagged to the image data.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering selections and presenting recommendations. A filter that is associated with a media system receives data comprising one or more personal characteristics of a user of the media system. The filter determines at least one recommendation for the user of a selection available on the media system based upon at least one of the personal characteristics of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring the location of one or more viewer(s) and dynamically adjusting the image to compensate for the current location of the viewer(s). The image is adjusted to compensate for a viewing location (pan angle, &THgr;, tilt angle, &PHgr;, or distance, d) outside of a specified range of values. The input image is adjusted so that the output image appears as originally intended, for the current viewing location of the viewer. A linear transformation technique is applied to the original image to generate a modified image. The linear transformation maps the pixels in the original image to a new space that distorts the image, such that when the modified image is viewed from an offset viewing location the image appears as if being viewed from a direct viewing location.

Abstract: A color modeling and color matching process and system is provided that uses the hue and saturation of color pixels, in conjunction with the intensity of gray or near-gray pixels, to characterize targets and images. A target is characterized by a histogram of hues and saturation within the target image, with a greater distinction being provided to the hues. Recognizing that the hue of gray, or near-gray, picture elements is highly sensitive to noise, the gray or near-gray pixels are encoded as a histogram of intensity, rather than hue or saturation. The target tracking system searches for the occurrence of a similar set of coincident color-hue-saturation and gray-intensity histograms within each of the image frames of a series of image frames.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for notifying the completion of a commercial in a channel selected by a viewer. The system includes a segment detector coupled to receive incoming channel signals from a plurality of sources and for determining the beginning and end of commercials within a particular channel; at least one tuner for receiving the incoming channel signals and for decoding them for display in a television unit; and, a controller for notifying the completion of commercials from the channel designated by the viewer. Accordingly, when commercials are ended in one channel while viewing another channel, the viewer is notified of such completion and has an option to switch back to the desired channel.

Abstract: A media player controller is disclosed that monitors user activity and automatically activates a media player in response to predefined events. The disclosed media player controller includes one or more audio/visual mage capture devices focused on one or more users. The captured audio and video information is processed by the media player controller to identify one or more predefined events. A number of rules can be utilized to define various user events suggesting that the media player should be activated, such as when the user enters the room and demonstrates certain behavior. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. Upon detection of a predefined event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the media player controller.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an infant, child, invalid, or other person requiring care uses computer vision and hearing, and inputs of other modalities, to analyze the status of a caretaker and/or cared-for person and its environment. The conditions are classified as normal or alarm conditions and an informative alarm signal is generated which may include records of the vision audio and other inputs. The system also has the ability to solicit responses from the occupants to stimulate a classifiable input to reduce ambiguity in its state signal.

Abstract: Pixels of an image are classified as being stationary or moving, based on the gradient of the image in the vicinity of each pixel. The values of corresponding pixels in two sequential images are compared. If the difference between the values is less than the image gradient about the pixel location, or less than a given threshold value above the image gradient, the pixel is classified as being stationary. By classifying each pixel based on the image gradient in the vicinity of the pixel, the sensitivity of the motion detection classification is reduced at the edges of objects, and other regions of contrast in an image, thereby minimizing the occurrences of ghost artifacts caused by the misclassification of stationary pixels as moving pixels.

Abstract: A vision system that is capable of computing the crowd density at an exhibition-like event provides real-time information to visitors to allow them to avoid crowds or identify the most popular exhibits. Well-known counting techniques may be employed. One type of display that provides crowd information is a map display with an overlay showing density of visitors.

Abstract: A histogram comparison process is provided that compares a histogram-vector of a first dataset to a corresponding histogram-vector of a second dataset. The histogram-vectors of the first and second datasets are formed from the histogram values of a select few of the histogram classes, the select few classes being the classes of the first dataset that contain the highest frequency count. The second dataset is characterized using only the select few classes of the first dataset; data items with values that belong to other classes are ignored. A palette dataset is created, corresponding to the second dataset, wherein the data items in the third dataset correspond to indexes to the select classes of the first dataset, or null indexes for the ignored data items. The histograms corresponding to overlapping regions is determined recursively, based on the third dataset.

Abstract: A monocular input image is transformed to give it an enhanced three dimensional appearance by creating at least two output images. Foreground and background objects are segmented in the input image and transformed differently from each other, so that the foreground objects appear to stand out from the background. Given a sequence of input images, the foreground objects will appear to move differently from the background objects in the output images.

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 vision system that is capable of computing the crowd densities, shopper movement speed and direction, and queue lengths at different locations in a shopping center makes recommendations for least-cost path through a set of destinations. Well-known person-counting techniques may be employed. One type of output display is a map display with an overlay an optimal route through a shopping venue.

Abstract: A motion-estimation scheme is provided that employs a combination of motion estimation and compensation techniques. Low resolution images are computed from two consecutive image frames, and feature points are determined and matched between the two low resolution images. Statistical methods are used to estimate the motion in terms of a translation and rotation of the image plane. Corresponding feature points in the original images are matched, based on the estimated motion of the low-resolution images. Statistical techniques are then applied to determine a homography matrix that describes the motion between the corresponding feature points in the original images, and this matrix is used to align the original images. Differences between the aligned images are identified, to indicate the movement of one or more objects in the image.

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: 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 ball-throwing machine includes a camera connected to a computer vision unit and a microphone connected to a speech-processing unit. The computer vision unit processes images from the camera to determine a user's position, and to detect user gestures from a predetermined repertoire of gestures. The speech-processing unit recognizes user vocal commands from a predetermined repertoire of commands. A computer receives information from a control panel, from the computer vision unit, from the speech-processing unit, and from a file describing the ballistic properties of the ball to be thrown. The computer accordingly determines a ball trajectory according to the user's position and parameters indicated by a combination of control-panel settings, user gestures, and user vocal commands. The computer then adjusts the direction, elevation, ball speed, and ball spin to conform to the determined trajectory, and initiates throwing of a ball accordingly.

Abstract: A method for reacquiring a target in an automated video tracking system is provided. The method includes the steps of: selecting a desired target to be tracked; switching the automated video tracking system to an automatic mode to initiate a tracking sequence to automatically track the selected desired target; switching the automated video tracking system from an automatic mode to a manual mode if the automated video tracking system encounters a period of difficulty in tracking the desired target; reacquiring the desired target in manual mode; and switching the automated video tracking system to the automatic mode for automatic tracking of the reacquired desired target without initiating a new tracking sequence. An apparatus and automated video tracking system for carrying out the methods of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A selective noise canceling device is disclosed that evaluates an external audio signal and determines whether a given external audio signal should be suppressed or reproduced. A selective noise suppression circuit processes the external audio signal to classify the external audio signal as noise to be suppressed or as a desired audio signal to be reproduced. An external audio signal, or a desired portion thereof, is reproduced if a portion of the external audio signal is likely to be of interest to the user. The desired external signal may optionally be amplified over the primary selected audio signal for emphasis and the selected audio signal may optionally be suppressed entirely when the desired external signal is reproduced.

Abstract: A media player controller is disclosed that monitors user activity and automatically controls a media player in response to predefined events. The disclosed media player controller includes one or more audio/visual mage capture devices focused on one or more users. The captured audio and video information is processed by the media player controller to identify one or more predefined events. A number of rules can be utilized to define various user events, such as when the user has left the room, is on the telephone or is otherwise paying attention to the media player. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. Upon detection of a predefined event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the media player controller.