Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for processing data obtained from an input signal (24) comprising physiological information (54) representative of at least one at least partially periodic vital signal (18). The physiological information (54) is derivable from visible radiation (20) reflected by an object (16). The system comprises a detector means (28) for detecting at least one vital signature (50) in the input signal (24) and a converter means (30) for creating an output signal (34) by modifying the input signal (24) depending on the detected vital signature (50). The output signal (34) comprises an artificial signature (56) at least partially replacing a respective vital signature (50) of the at least one vital signature (50) of the input signal (24). In one embodiment the system further comprises a sensor means (22) for detecting visible electromagnetic radiation (20) within at least one particular wavelength range.

Abstract: A method of photoplethysmography includes processing a signal (46;56) based on at least one signal (35;50) from at least one sensor (5;18-20;26;63) arranged to capture light from a living subject to extract information on a characteristic of a periodic biological phenomenon. At least one of the signals (35;50) from at least one sensor (5;18-20;26;63) is obtained by using at least one of a light sensor (1;11-13) and a filter (6;17;64) placed before the at least one sensor (5;18-20;26;63) tuned to a peak in an absorption spectrum of water.

Abstract: A method of forming a time-varying signal representative of at least variations in a value based on pixel values from a sequence of images, the signal corresponding in length to the sequence of images, includes obtaining the sequence of images. A plurality of groups (21) of sub-sets of pixel values are formed by selecting a sub-set of at least one pixel value from each of at least two images defining an interval to form a group (21) of associated sub-sets. For any pair of groups (21) with only sub-sets from the same images, the sub-sets from more than one image are different. Groups (21) of sub-sets are selected to form the signal in accordance with at least one selection criterion.

Abstract: A method of facilitating obtaining a first signal (42;50a-n) for analysis to characterize at least one periodic component thereof, includes obtaining at least two second signals (18-20) representative of intensities of captured electromagnetic radiation, each corresponding to a respective different radiation frequency range. The first signal (42;50a-n) is at least derivable from an output signal (31) obtainable by applying a transformation (22,26,30) to the second signals (18-20;55-57) such that any value of the output signal (31) is based on values from each respective second signal (18-20;55-57) at corresponding points in time.

Abstract: A method of image analysis, includes: obtaining a sequence (37; 51) of images, each represented by pixel data; performing a vision-based analysis on at least one of the sequence (37; 51) of images to obtain data for classifying a state of a subject represented in the images;—determining at least one value of a physiological parameter of a living being represented in at least some of the sequence (37; 51) of images; and classifying a state of the subject using the data obtained with the vision-based analysis and the at least one value of the physiological parameter. The at least one value of the physiological parameter is determined through analysis of image data from the same sequence (37; 51) of images from which the at least one image on which the vision-based analysis is performed is taken.

Abstract: A method of processing images of at least one living being, includes obtaining a sequence (19) of digital images taken at consecutive points in time. At least one measurement zone (26) comprising a plurality of image points is selected. For each measurement zone (26), a signal (28,30) representative of at least variations in a time-varying value of a combination of pixel values at least a number of the image points for use in determining at least one of a presence and a frequency value of at least one peak in a spectrum of the signal (28,30) corresponding to a frequency of a periodic physiological phenomenon is obtained. The step (25) of selecting at least one measurement zone (26) includes analyzing information based on pixel data of a plurality of image parts in at least one of the images (19), each image part including at least one image point, and selecting each measurement zone (26) from contiguous parts determined to have similar characteristics.

Abstract: A method of controlling a function of a device, includes obtaining a sequence (19;34;48) of digital images taken at consecutive points in time. At least one measurement zone (25) including a plurality of image points is selected. For at least one measurement zone (25), a signal (30;41;55) representative of at least variations in a time-varying value of a combination of pixel values at least a number of the image points is obtained and at least one characteristic of the signal (30;41;55) within at least a range of interest of its spectrum relative to comparison data is determined. The determination comprises at least one of: (i) determining whether the signal (30;41;55) has a spectrum with a local maximum at a frequency matching a comparison frequency to a certain accuracy; and (ii) determining whether at least a certain frequency component of the signal (30;41;55) is in phase with a comparison signal to a certain accuracy. The function is controlled in dependence on whether the determination is positive.