Abstract: A visual media viewing system comprises a server (102) and a viewing unit (106), connected via a network (104). The server (102) includes an image processor (108) and a data storage device (110) for storing visual media data. The viewing unit (106) includes a screen (112) for viewing at least a portion of a piece of visual media and a data storage device (120) for storing visual media data. Both of the respective data storage devices (110,120) are arranged to store data (124) corresponding to the same piece of visual media, locally. The image processor (108) is arranged to select a portion of the piece of visual media automatically and to generate a control data set (126) corresponding to the location of the portion of the visual media within the visual media data (124) and any operations performed thereupon.

Abstract: A method of correcting the tilt, or rotation, of a casually captured image is described. Having corrected the rotation of the original image, the image is cropped by determining a crop boundary by applying one or more rules of composition to the image. The resulting image is more satisfactorily composed compared with prior art methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a system having a plurality of video cameras. The cameras are linked to a control unit which has a motion detection apparatus for monitoring the images received from the cameras and detecting motion therein. The cameras are adapted to operate in at least two modes: a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode. Under normal circumstances, cameras will be operating in low resolution mode to minimise use of system resources. If activity is detected within the field of view of one of the cameras, that camera is switched to high resolution, the other cameras remaining in the low resolution mode.

Abstract: Automated camera apparatus comprises a head mounted electronic camera 1 for providing a video signal 3 representative of an image 2 viewed by the wearer, video signal processor 51 arranged to receive said video signal for judging the degree of interest shown by the wearer in a feature in the scene and for providing a related saliency signal 12, the means 51 including image analyser 5 for identifying the presence of features and their locations relative to a reference position (e.g. the centre) in the frame within each of a series of frames in a time window of the video signal, and track analysis means 7 coupled to the output of said image analyser for analysing the movement of at least one said feature over said series of frames to provide the saliency signal.

Abstract: Image capture apparatus whereby a narrow beam infra-red transmitter (10) and a short range radio receiver (12) are mounted within a personal digital camera (14). A push-button mechanism (16) is provided on the outer cover of the camera (14) to activate the transmitter (10) when required. An environmental camera (18) is provided with a narrow beam infra-red receiver (20) and a short range radio transmitter (22). In the case whereby, for example, a user wishes to capture an image of themselves using the environment camera (18), they can simply position themselves within the camera's field of view (26), point the digital camera (14) at the camera (18) and press the push-button mechanism (16) causing the transmitter (10) to transmit an image capture request signal (28) to the security camera (18). The captured image is transmitted via a short range transmitter (22) to the user's personal camera (14) where it is received by the receiver (12).

Abstract: A method of sharing a digital recording between a group of users of digital recording devices (e.g. digital cameras) present at a common event, said method comprising: (a) creating a digital recording (e.g. a digital photograph) using a digital recording device; (b) subjecting the users' digital recording devices to a synchronisation event associated with the common event, the synchronisation event resulting in the transmission of a synchronisation code between the users' digital recording devices, the synchronisation code comprising an address code to uniquely identify a database; (c) establishing a digital communication connection between the digital recording device which created the recording and the database; (d) causing the database to receive the digital recording without input from a user; and (e) enabling a user to access the digital recording from the database.

Abstract: Image capturing apparatus comprises plural image capture devices at spaced-apart intervals along plural routes. A selector selects a navigation path including at least a portion of one or more of the routes. An image processor sequentially combines one or more image frames from each of a plurality of the image capture devices to produce an image sequence which, when viewed at a suitable rate, simulates motion along said selected navigation path. A method for producing an image sequence which, when viewed at a suitable rate, simulates motion along a selected navigation path is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the automated and semi-automated cropping of electronic images, and in particular to an apparatus and a method of using an electronic camera to capture and crop such electronic images. An electronic imaging processing device (1) for cropping an electronic image comprises an image processing means (6,8), the image processing means including an electronic processor (6) and firmware and/or software for processing the electronic image. The device (1) processes the electronic image to identify one or more features relevant to the composition of the electronic image, each such feature having one or more compositionally significant properties from amongst a plurality of different predetermined compositional properties, and each such feature occupying a sub-region of the electronic image.

Abstract: A method of providing composition evaluation of an image comprises analyzing an composed image in accordance with one or more predefined composition rules and providing a report or warning signal if one or more of those compositional rules have been contravened. The analysis includes identifying regions of compositional significance within the image and applying the composition rules to those regions. The compositional rules may include well known photographic composition rules such as the “rule of thirds”, ensuring that there are no large expanses of foreground or background with little or no regions of significance within them, and ensuring that the edge of the composed image does not bisect any regions of significance.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus for use with a tag 5 providing information comprises an electronic still or video camera 1 for providing an image signal 6, tag detecting means 8 for detecting the location of the tag and tag reading means 9, 10 for deriving the predetermined information from the tag, and image signal control means 11 to 13 for controlling the image signal in response to the output of the means 8 to 10 to provide a selected picture signal. As shown when a visitor enters a site details from a keyboard 16 are stored in a central computer 15 and printed 17 as a visible bar code tag 5 which is recognised 8 and provides a tag identity 9 and picture signal instructions 10. The latter act in conjunction with an image decision circuit 11 for judging picture composition, e.g. pan, tilt, zoom, and with an event detector 12 for picture timing (e.g.

Abstract: A digital camera 2 provides an infra-red signal 10 and a visible signal 15 from sensors 8, 9, wherein the sensor fields of view overlap or share a common field of view. Analysis of the IR signal 10 provides the location of (20) and information from (13, 14) an active or passive target. Analyser 19 acts on the signal 15 in response to signals 14, 20 for composition control (pan/tilt/zoom/timing) and selection of pictures from signal 15 for storage 18 together with signal 13 providing ancillary information such as personal details of a target wearer. Alternatively the visible and infra-red image signals may be combined to correct for sensitivity of the visible and/or IR sensors to IR and visible wavelengths respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing composite electronic image of a scene including at least one link to other information comprises a camera 1 for providing an image signal, link generating means responsive to the scene or the immediate environment for generating a link signal, and means for combining the image and link signals to provide said electronic image. As shown, the viewed scene includes a zoo information display 7 with a barcode which is read by the camera to provide the final part of the link information for concatenation onto a first part which loaded into the camera at entry to the zoo (or preloaded if the camera belongs to the zoo). Clicking on the display 7 on the viewed image provides a link to a zoo web page associated with the enclosure 4.

Abstract: A computer system 1 comprises a processor 3 connected to a memory 5. The processor 3 receives image data, representing a displayable static photograph, through an input port 7, generates a set of video data by means of an application program 11 and outputs the video data to a display 9. The video data generated by the application program 11 provides a displayable video programme representing a displayable moving viewpoint over the static photograph. The application program 11 initially analysis the displayable content of the photograph and identifies characteristics, such as regions of interest or dominant lines, curves or edges, and depending on the characteristics, identifies the photograph as belonging to a particular image class. The video data is generated in accordance with rules for that particular image class.

Abstract: A camera 1 comprises first and second camera systems 3, 5. The first camera system 3 is a high resolution camera which captures images (so-called ‘key frames’) at a relatively low rate, whilst the second camera system 5 is a low resolution camera which captures images (so-called ‘video frames’) at a higher rate. Accordingly, a plurality of video frames are captured between each key frame. An application program is provided, either in a PC 13 to which the frames are downloaded, or in the camera 1 itself. The main purpose of the application program is to decide which of the captured frames should be stored, and which should be discarded (i.e. by a deletion or replacement operation) thereby freeing-up memory.

Abstract: A face recognition and information system comprises a headset bearing a camera 10 which is used to capture images in the direction of a user's gaze. The images are processed and any faces in those images are identified from a database which may be held in control means 16. Once the face has been identified information relating to that person will be outputted through a visual display 14 or an earpiece 18 to unobtrusively provide information relating to the person identified.

Abstract: Target viewing apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced electronic viewing cameras 15-18 for viewing a predetermined region 5 and for providing respective image signals, the field of view of at least two viewing cameras overlapping in at least a part of said region, identification means for identifying or detecting a target object within said part of said region, and control means (FIG. 6) responsive to said identifying means for selecting an image signal from a selected one of said at least two cameras, wherein said control means includes means for assessing the pose (attitude) of the target and selection means arranged for selecting the said one camera at least partly upon the assessed pose. The selected camera may be the one seeing a pose nearest to a predetermined pose, or to a pose determined by other parameters associated with the target and/or other parts of the region 5 whether or not determined in conjunction with a predetermined pose.