Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for characterizing joint attention. A method includes dynamically obtaining video streams of participants; dynamically obtaining gaze streams; dynamically providing a cue to the participants to view the object; dynamically detecting a joint gaze based on the gaze streams focusing on the object over a time interval; and dynamically providing feedback based on detecting the joint gaze.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for depth estimation in image or video obtained from a distorting medium. In the method, a pixel blurriness map is calculated. A rough depth map is then determined from the pixel blurriness map while assuming depth in a small local patch is uniform. The rough depth map is then refined. The method can be implemented in imaging systems, such as cameras or imaging processing computers, and the distorting medium can be an underwater medium, haze, fog, low lighting, or a sandstorm, for example. Preferred embodiments determined the blurriness map by calculating a difference between an original image and multi-scale Gaussian-filtered images to estimate the pixel blurriness map.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for depth estimation in image or video obtained from a distorting medium. In the method, a pixel blurriness map is calculated. A rough depth map is then determined from the pixel blurriness map while assuming depth in a small local patch is uniform. The rough depth map is then refined. The method can be implemented in imaging systems, such as cameras or imaging processing computers, and the distorting medium can be an underwater medium, haze, fog, low lighting, or a sandstorm, for example. Preferred embodiments determined the blurriness map by calculating a difference between an original image and multi-scale Gaussian-filtered images to estimate the pixel blurriness map.

Abstract: A dual, and possibly multiple, frame approach is used by the invention. Embodiments of the invention include making a decision to use a long term reference frame, which is a frame other than an immediate past reference frame, to conduct INTER coding, or to conduct INTRA frame coding. Other embodiments include use of long and short term reference blocks, and make a decision between two types of INTER coding blocks and INTRA coding. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a long term frame is a high quality frame. The high quality frame may be used as a reference frame under particular conditions.

Abstract: A dual, and possibly multiple, frame approach is used by the invention. Embodiments of the invention include making a decision to use a long term reference frame, which is a frame other than an immediate past reference frame, to conduct INTER coding, or to conduct INTRA frame coding. Other embodiments include use of long and short term reference blocks, and make a decision between two types of INTER coding blocks and INTRA coding. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a long term frame is a high quality frame. The high quality frame may be used as a reference frame under particular conditions.