Abstract: The learning rate used for updating the weights of a self-ordering feature map is determined by a process that injects some type of perturbation into the value so that it is not simply monotonically decreased with each training epoch. For example, the learning rate may be generated according to a pseudorandom process. The result is faster convergence of the synaptic weights.

Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed that provides automatic face or skin blurring for images. All faces or skin can be blurred, or specific faces can be blurred. In one aspect of the invention, a particular face is blurred on an image or on a series of images in a video. Faces are determined in an image, and face matching is performed to match a particular face to faces in the image. If a match is found, the face or a portion of the face is blurred in the image. The blurring is performed on a portion of the image containing the particular face. Blurring may be performed through a variety of techniques. In another aspect of the invention, voice processing is used as an adjunct to or in place of face analysis to determine if a face in an image or series of images should be blurred. In another aspect of the invention, all faces or human skin in an image or series of images is blurred.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for taking the results of a search (i.e., electronic documents) using the TFIDF of terms contained in those search result documents to quantify how related the search result documents are to one another, and organizing the search results based on those qualified relations. Using such a system and method, the search result documents can be displayed in such a manner that the relationships between the search result documents is evident to the viewer.

Abstract: Cameras and image processing techniques are applied to the problem of spill detection. Fixed background data may be removed using a technique based on image subtraction. The remainder of one or more images may be segmented. The segments may then be tested to identify and remove from further analysis segments corresponding to non-spill foreground objects, for example by forming luminance and/or chrominance profiles to detect the presence of a high rate of specular albido that would be associated with a wet spill. Further testing may be done, for example by determining if a segment corresponds to a planar object lying in the plane of the floor using planar projection transforms and multiple cameras. If a segment is likely to indicate a spill, a notification may be generated.

Abstract: A method for classification of objects in video image data. The method including the steps of: detecting moving objects in the image data; extracting two or more features from each detected moving object in the image data; classifying each moving object for each of the two or more features according to a classification method; and deriving a classification for each moving object based on the classification method for each of the two or more features. Also provided is an apparatus for classification of objects in video image data.

Abstract: A method for generating a recommendation for a video content not yet broadcast. The method including: remotely accessing a user profile of a viewer; and comparing characteristics of the video content to the user profile to generate a recommendation for the video content. Preferably, the accessing and comparing are repeated for a plurality of viewers, wherein for each of the plurality of viewers a corresponding recommendation is generated for the video content resulting in a plurality of recommendations. More preferably, a statistical analysis is performed on the plurality of recommendations to predict a rating for the video content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a location using vision-based technologies and to automatically trigger the activation of a child safety feature or an alarm when a child is detected. One or more image capture devices are focused on a given location. The captured images are processed to identify the presence of a child and to initiate an appropriate response, such as sending assistance, activating a child safety feature or triggering an alarm. A number of rules can be utilized to define various child safety events. Each rule contains one or more conditions that must be satisfied in order for the rule to be triggered, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied, such as sending assistance, activating a child safety feature or triggering an alarm.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic setting of a variable speed limits permits changing road conditions provides for variable speed limits at respective portions of a road based on weather conditions reported by sensor. A plurality of variable speed limit indicators are arranged at predetermined intervals along a road. Sensing report local road conditions regarding humidity, precipitation, temperature, fog, ice, snow, hail, sleet, wind, etc. A regulating unit correlates the sensed weather conditions with a predetermined speed limit for each given condition at each respective portion of the road. A matrix of a database may contain historical accident information regarding the specific location or zone of any accidents, time of day, date, temperature, precipitation, estimated speed and severity of injuries for each accident.

Abstract: A system and method wherein the parameters used for face recognition are determined via an evolutionary algorithm, such as a genetic algorithm. Candidate sets of parameters are evaluated for face recognition performance in a given environment. The most effective sets of parameters are used to generate offspring sets of parameters, and these offspring sets are subsequently evaluated for face recognition performance. This process is repeated, with each generation of offspring sets inheriting attributes of the most successful sets, until the system converges on a set of parameters that exhibits superior performance for the given environment. In like manner, other sets of parameters are determined for other environments. When the face recognition system is deployed, the appropriate set of parameters is used, dependent upon the environment in which the target images originate. In this manner, the system exhibits superior performance in each of the environments in which it is deployed.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture suitable for automatically generating recommendations of a set of entertainment options from a larger set of entertainment options based on user preferences for those options. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of automatically generating recommendations for viewing television programs based on past viewing patterns and preferences of a group of television viewers, all of whom are physically present in front of the television. The present invention creates a user group profile based on the expressed preferences of the user group or preferences implied by past viewing patterns of the user group. The recommendations may be based on the user group's preferences and viewing patterns for viewing during certain times of day or week or certain dates.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus suitable for automatically detecting certain supervised users of a device and alerting an authorized user of information regarding that use. When a particular, supervised user and device are recognized, the supervised user's use of the device is monitored by generating a usage history accessible to the authorized user.

Abstract: A method for automatically switching a protected window displayed on a monitor where the monitor is connected to a processor that receives external input. The method includes the steps of: detecting a time period of inactivity of the external input; and inactivating the protected window if the time period of inactivity detected is above a predetermined threshold. The inactivating of the protected window preferably includes either minimizing the protected window, closing the protected window, or changing the protected window to a default window.

Abstract: A telephone user who is at a first telephone station and is placed on hold at a second station is prevented from listening to an objectionable audio signal while a call is in process between the user and the second telephone station. The objectionable audio signal is detected while the call is in process and the user is prevented from hearing the objectionable audio signal while the objectionable audio signal is being detected. In response to detection of the end of the objectionable audio signal, the user is coupled to the second telephone station.

Abstract: Left and right half-face images are processed as independent components in a face-recognition algorithm. To provide compatibility with full-face image recognition systems, mirror-images of the half-face images are used to create full-face images corresponding to each of the left and right half-face images. Each of the created full-face images is compared to a reference full-face image, using conventional face-recognition algorithms. By comparing each of the left-based image and right-based image, the system overcomes the recognition problems that are caused by directional or non-uniform illumination. Alternatively, a composite full-face image can be created based on a blending of the characteristics of each of the left and right half-face images, thereby filtering the illumination variations.

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 system and method is disclosed for taking the results of a search (i.e., electronic documents), using the TFIDF of terms contained in those search result documents to quantify how related the search result documents are to one another, and organizing the search results based on those quantified relations. Using such a system and method, the search result documents can be displayed in such a manner that the relationships between the search result documents is evident to the viewer.

Abstract: The learning rate used for updating the weights of a self-ordering feature map is determined by a process that injects some type of perturbation into the value so that it is not simply monotonically decreased with each training epoch. For example, the learning rate may be generated according to a pseudorandom process. The result is faster convergence of the synaptic weights.

Abstract: A method and system for concatenating eigenvoice vector data with eigenface vector data to obtain a new basic eigenvector to more positively and accurately identify a person. More specifically, for a specific person, the data of an eigenface vector is concatenated with the data of an eigenvoice vector to form a single vector, and this single vector is compared to reference vectors also obtained by concatenting the data of eigenface vectors and eigenvoice vectors to obtain a single vector of each persons in a defined group of people to determine if a person that is a member of a defined group of people. Using this single eiginvector gives a higher success rate for identifying a person than an eigenface vector or an eigenvoice vector used separately or together as separate vectors.

Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed that provides automatic face or skin blurring for images. All faces or skin can be blurred, or specific faces can be blurred. In one aspect of the invention, a particular face is blurred on an image or on a series of images in a video. Faces are determined in an image, and face matching is performed to match a particular face to faces in the image. If a match is found, the face or a portion of the face is blurred in the image. The blurring is performed on a portion of the image containing the particular face. Blurring may be performed through a variety of techniques. In another aspect of the invention, voice processing is used as an adjunct to or in place of face analysis to determine if a face in an image or series of images should be blurred. In another aspect of the invention, all faces or human skin in an image or series of images is blurred.

Abstract: A system and method for virtual clothes modeling includes a unit s for obtaining a virtual image of a particular shopper, a scanner for scanning an identifying token which identifies predetermined information in a database associated with a first article of clothing, a retrieval unit for retrieving from the database a visual display of the predetermined information first article of clothing corresponding to the identifying token, and