Abstract: A television program selection system and method that utilize key frame images of each program. The key frame images are extracted from the recorded show as the program progresses. This continuum of key frame images provides the viewer with a condensed story line and scope of each program, thus allowing the viewer to make an intelligent choice of the programs that he or she intends to record and/or watch.

Abstract: A tailgating safety system for a vehicle includes a distance determiner for determining a distance of the vehicle from objects which are leading or following the vehicle. The system also includes a speedometer for determining a speed of the vehicle and an alarm. If the speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed, and the distance of the vehicle from another object is less than a predetermined distance, then the alarm is activated to advise the driver that at the speed the vehicle is traveling, the distance between the vehicle and the object is not a safe traveling distance.

Abstract: A system for providing an interactive interface, wherein a television viewer can create a personal television channel. Such a system has the advantage of eliminating the need to peruse or surf television guides for the programs that an individual television viewer wants to watch. The personal channel contains all of the preferential programs selectable by the television viewer.

Abstract: A camera system comprising a camera, a monitor, an image detector, a touch screen, and a remote control. The monitor displays a field of view of a lens of the camera. The image detector provides a viewer image to the remote control whereby the remote control can determine a desired image within the field of view that the viewer is gazing upon. The touch screen enables a viewer of the monitor to point to the desired image of the field of view and provides signal(s) indicative of the pointing. The remote control is operable to activate various drives to pan and/or tilt the camera, or to zoom and/or focus the lens to the desired image and to follow any movement of the image within the field of view.

Abstract: A method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system. The method including the steps of: displaying video image data of a scene having a target to be tracked; freezing the video image data to display a frame thereof; and selecting a desired target in the frame of the video image data. Also provided is an apparatus for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system and an automated video tracking system employing such methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method that detects and identifies an event from a sequence of images received. The system comprises a control unit that receives and processes the sequence of images from the camera. The control unit identifies at least one stationary image prior to the event and one stationary image subsequent to the event. The control unit compares one or more representations corresponding to one or more edges in the first stationary image with one or more representations corresponding to one or more edges in the second stationary image to determine whether an object has been deposited or removed during the event.

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: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring traffic using vision-based technologies to recognize events and violations. The disclosed traffic monitoring system includes one or more image capture devices focused on a roadway where vehicles travel. The captured images are processed by the traffic monitoring system to identify one or more predefined events or traffic violations. A number of rules can be utilized to define various traffic-related events, including traffic violations. 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 traffic event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the traffic monitoring system.

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 parking advisor images scenes of a parking area and identifies free spaces using image processing techniques. The advisor then makes recommendations as to which areas a driver should go based on the locations of free spaces. One way of outputting the recommendations is to display them on a terminal at an entry gate or to print them on a ticket, receipt, or other piece of paper. An entry terminal may be provided to allow the user to enter a preferred destination served by the parking area. For example, the destination could be a particular airline terminal or department store. The advisor may select, among the free spaces identified, those that are most convenient to the destination and provide corresponding directions.

Abstract: The position of a target lying on a plane is indicated by inputting a pointing direction which is computationally projected onto a plane. If the target is known to lie on a contour, the position is specified unambiguously. Alternatively, the position of a target can be specified by inputting its axial coordinates in successive steps. In another alternative approach, the image containing the target is translated and/or rotated and the target indicated again. The two direction projections are then used to determine the position of the target in 2-space. The direction indications may be input by a camera or other method, such as one or more radio transmitters.

Abstract: A blind spot vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view. The camera is positioned on the vehicle such that the field of view corresponds with at least a portion of an area proximate the vehicle which is not visible to a driver while the driver looks in mirrors that are positioned on the vehicle. The system also includes an object identifier electrically coupled to the camera, a relative speed identifier which determines the relative speed of an object which is in the field of view of the camera, and a display electrically coupled to the camera which displays an image generated by the camera and provides an indication of the type of object identified by the object identifier which is in the field of view of the camera and displayed on the display.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system to aid a driver of a vehicle to determine whether it is safe to change lanes includes a camera having a field of view such that the field of view corresponds to at least a portion of an area proximate the vehicle. The system also includes an object identifier electrically coupled to the camera, a distance determiner which determines a distance of the object which is in the field of the camera, and a display electrically coupled to the camera which displays an image generated by the camera and provides an indication of the type of object which is in the field of view of the camera and the distance of the object from the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring traffic using vision-based technologies to recognize events and violations. The disclosed traffic monitoring system includes one or more image capture devices focused on a roadway where vehicles travel. The captured images are processed by the traffic monitoring system to identify one or more predefined events or traffic violations. A number of rules can be utilized to define various traffic-related events, including traffic violations. 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 traffic event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the traffic monitoring system.

Abstract: A video display device such as a television having a picture-in-picture (PIP) display and a processor. The processor, in response to user input, alters a display characteristic of the PIP with regard to an underlying video image on a primary display area of the television display. The display characteristic of the PIP that is alterable may be a transparency of the PIP, with regard to the underlying video image, and/or a color bias of the PIP. The processor may alter the display characteristic of the PIP by combining a weighted average of a PIP video image with the underlying video image and/or a color or color scheme. The display characteristic may be further alterable in response to user input by varying a relative weighting of the PIP with regard to the underlying video image and/or the color or color scheme.

Abstract: An alarm system having an alarm portion and a portable device. The portable device has a form-factor of a key. The key wirelessly receives alarm status information from the alarm portion and displays an alarm status indication in response to the received alarm status information. The key utilizes a processor connected to a memory, a display, and a status inquiry actuator. The memory stores control/display data. The processor queries the memory to retrieve corresponding control/display data in response to the received alarm status information. The processor utilizes the retrieved control/display data to produce the alarm status indication. The status inquiry actuator enables a user to make an alarm status inquiry. The processor displays the alarm status indication in response to the alarm status inquiry. The portable device utilizes a transmitter to transmit the alarm status inquiry to the alarm portion.