Abstract: The present invention relates to pattern recognition and classification, more particularly, to a system and method for meta-recognition which can to predict success/failure for a variety of different recognition and classification applications. In the present invention, we define a new approach based on statistical extreme value theory and show its theoretical basis for predicting success/failure based on recognition or similarity scores. By fitting the tails of similarity or distance scores to an extreme value distribution, we are able to build a predictor that significantly outperforms random chance. The proposed system is effective for a variety of different recognition applications, including, but not limited to, face recognition, fingerprint recognition, object categorization and recognition, and content-based image retrieval system.

Abstract: A method and system for accurately imaging scenes having large brightness variations. If a particular object in the scene is of interest, the imager exposure setting is adjusted based on the brightness of that object. For high dynamic range imaging of an entire scene, two imagers with different viewpoints and exposure settings are used, or the exposure setting of a single imager is varied as multiple images are captured. An optical flow technique can be used to track and image moving objects, or a video sequence can be generated by selectively updating only those pixels whose brightnesses are within the preferred brightness range of the imager.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and methods for obtaining biometric signatures and identification are described. Broadly stated, embodiments of the present invention utilize specified geometric principles t provide means for accurate biometric identification using projective invariant features of a subregion of the human body. The present invention provides a means for computing biometric signatures and identification that are projective invariant and hence are not impacted by the viewing angle of the subregion of the human body containing the biometric data. This novel invention removes the restriction, often implicit in the previous work, of the imaging or sensing system being in a fixed repeatable (and generally orthogonal) viewing position. This invention can be applied across a wide range of biometrics, although it is most easily applicable to features that are approximately co-planar.

Abstract: A system and method for object detection with sudden illumination changes provides a system including a camera model unit for computing a difference map between a first input image and a second input image, an illumination model unit in signal communication with the camera model unit for comparing the sign of the difference between two pixels in a first input image against the sign of the difference between two pixels in a second input image, and a CPU in signal communication with the camera model unit and the illumination model unit for detecting a changed object in accordance with said comparison when said sign of the difference is changed; and a corresponding method including providing a first image having a number of pixels, receiving a second image subsequent to the first image, calculating a difference map between the first and second images, selecting a pair of pixel locations from the first or second images in accordance with the difference map, statistically modeling a camera noise level for the firs

Abstract: A method and system for accurately imaging scenes having large brightness variations. If a particular object in the scene is of interest, the imager exposure setting is adjusted based on the brightness of that object. For high dynamic range imaging of an entire scene, two imagers with different viewpoints and exposure settings are used, or the exposure setting of a single imager is varied as multiple images are captured. An optical flow technique can be used to track and image moving objects, or a video sequence can be generated by selectively updating only those pixels whose brightnesses are within the preferred brightness range of the imager.

Abstract: A system and method for object detection with sudden illumination changes provides a system including a camera model unit for computing a difference map between a first input image and a second input image, an illumination model unit in signal communication with the camera model unit for comparing the sign of the difference between two pixels in a first input image against the sign of the difference between two pixels in a second input image, and a CPU in signal communication with the camera model unit and the illumination model unit for detecting a changed object in accordance with said comparison when said sign of the difference is changed; and a corresponding method including providing a first image having a number of pixels, receiving a second image subsequent to the first image, calculating a difference map between the first and second images, selecting a pair of pixel locations from the first or second images in accordance with the difference map, statistically modeling a camera noise level for the firs