Abstract: Various embodiments include methods for improving navigation by a processor of a robotic device. Such embodiments may include initiating a start of a predetermined time period associated with semantic information extraction, and determining whether an adverse event related to one or more sensors of the robotic device is detected. Such embodiments may also include identifying a current time slot of the predetermined time period, identifying a current estimated position and orientation of the robotic device, and recording updates to semantic information stored for the one or more sensor based on the identified current time slot and the current estimated position and orientation of the robotic device in response to determining that an adverse event related to one or more sensors of the robotic device is detected.

Abstract: A device is described that performs an image processing technique. The device includes a first camera and a second camera, which are responsive to distinct spectra of light, such as the visible light spectrum and the infrared spectrum. While the device is in a first position in an environment, the first camera captures a first image of the environment, and the second camera captures a second image of the environment. The device determines a single set of coordinates for the feature based on depictions of the feature identified in both the first image and in the second image. The device generates and/or updates a map of the environment based on the set of coordinates for the feature. The device can move to other positions in the environment and continue to capture images and update the map based on the images.

Abstract: Various embodiments include processing devices and methods for relocation and reinitialization for a robotic device. Various embodiments may include concurrently relocating a second pose of the robotic device and reinitializing a third pose of the robotic device in response to failing to determine a first pose of the robotic device in the environment and determining that tracking of the robotic device is lost. Various embodiments may include pre-relocating a second pose of the robotic device in the environment in response to failing to determine the first pose of the robotic device in the environment and determining that tracking of the robotic device is lost, relocating a third pose of the robotic device in response to successfully pre-relocating the second pose of the robotic device, and reinitializing a fourth pose of the robotic device in response to unsuccessfully pre-relocating the second pose of the robotic device.

Abstract: Various embodiments include processing devices and methods for initializing an image sensor of a robotic vehicle. In some embodiments, a processor of the robotic vehicle may extract first features from a captured image of the target image, may extract second features from a predefined image pyramid of the target image, may match first features and second features, and may estimate an image sensor pose based on matched features and known dimensions of the target image. In some embodiments, the processor may estimate an image or to image sensor pose based on matched features and a translation and/or rotation of the robotic vehicle. In some embodiments, the processor may determine a coordinate system for the robotic vehicle based on one or more image sensor poses.

Abstract: Various embodiments include processing devices and methods for relocation and reinitialization for a robotic device. Various embodiments may include concurrently relocating a second pose of the robotic device and reinitializing a third pose of the robotic device in response to failing to determine a first pose of the robotic device in the environment and determining that tracking of the robotic device is lost. Various embodiments may include pre-relocating a second pose of the robotic device in the environment in response to failing to determine the first pose of the robotic device in the environment and determining that tracking of the robotic device is lost, relocating a third pose of the robotic device in response to successfully pre-relocating the second pose of the robotic device, and reinitializing a fourth pose of the robotic device in response to unsuccessfully pre-relocating the second pose of the robotic device.

Abstract: Various embodiments include processing devices and methods for navigation of a robotic vehicle. Various embodiments may include a rearward-facing image sensor mounted such that its plane angle aligns with a navigation plane of the robotic vehicle. In various embodiments, the image sensor of the robotic vehicle may capture images and a processor of the robotic vehicle may execute simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) tracking using the captured images. Embodiments may include a processor of the robotic vehicle determining whether the robotic vehicle is approaching a barrier. If the robotic vehicle is approaching a barrier, the processor may determine whether a rotation angle of the image sensor of the robotic vehicle exceeds a rotation threshold. If the rotation angle exceeds the rotation threshold then the processor may determine whether SLAM tracking is stable; and reinitialize a pose of the robotic vehicle in response to determining that SLAM tracking is not stable.

Abstract: Various embodiments include processing devices and methods for initializing an image sensor of a robotic vehicle. In some embodiments, a processor of the robotic vehicle may extract first features from a captured image of the target image, may extract second features from a predefined image pyramid of the target image, may match first features and second features, and may estimate an image sensor pose based on matched features and known dimensions of the target image. In some embodiments, the processor may estimate an image or to image sensor pose based on matched features and a translation and/or rotation of the robotic vehicle. In some embodiments, the processor may determine a coordinate system for the robotic vehicle based on one or more image sensor poses.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods for improving navigation by a processor of a robotic device. Such embodiments may include initiating a start of a predetermined time period associated with semantic information extraction, and determining whether an adverse event related to one or more sensors of the robotic device is detected. Such embodiments may also include identifying a current time slot of the predetermined time period, identifying a current estimated position and orientation of the robotic device, and recording updates to semantic information stored for the one or more sensor based on the identified current time slot and the current estimated position and orientation of the robotic device in response to determining that an adverse event related to one or more sensors of the robotic device is detected.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for an improved facial recognition system are provided. Some embodiments may utilize a weighted block division of an image and capture a property measurement for pixels residing within a block. The measurements may be converted to vectors, compressed, and compared against compressed vectors of enrolled images to identify a characteristic or an image of a matching subject. Training processes may be utilized in order to optimize block divisions and weights.

Abstract: User input data and movement data relating to movement of a device to which the user input is made is monitored. The input data may be modified according to the movement data so that inadvertent inputs based on an unwanted tremors, bumps, or similar are accounted for. Data from an accelerometer may indicate sudden movement or bumps. The input data, such as handwriting for example, may then be modified based on the data from the accelerometer. Therefore, the device may determine the input as intended by the user.

Abstract: An example apparatus is caused to receive a video sequence of a plurality of frames, and perform a number of operations as each of at least some of the frames is received but before all of the frames are received. The apparatus is caused to calculate a score for the frame, and compare the score for the frame to a predefined threshold. The apparatus is caused to cause output of the frame as a key frame in an instance in which the frame is received within a specified period of time and the score for the frame is above the predefined threshold. Otherwise, in an instance in which none of the scores for frames received within the specified period of time is above the predefined threshold, the apparatus is caused to cause output of one of the frames received within the specified period of time as a key frame.

Abstract: Various methods for written mathematical expression analysis are provided. One method may include receiving written input where the written input is representative of a mathematical expression. The method may also include analyzing the written input to identify at least one operator and at least one operand and constructing an expression tree based at least in part on predefined symbol relationships, the at least one operator, and the at least one operand. Similar apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for an improved facial recognition system are provided. Some embodiments may utilize a weighted block division of an image and capture a property measurement for pixels residing within a block. The measurements may be converted to vectors, compressed, and compared against compressed vectors of enrolled images to identify a characteristic or an image of a matching subject. Training processes may be utilized in order to optimize block divisions and weights.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for: receiving a trace input entered on a surface; receiving movement data describing the movement of the surface during entry of the trace input; and modifying the trace input based on the movement data.

Abstract: An approach is provided for enhancing a communication session. The approach involves receiving a request for communicating at least substantially live video data between a device and one or more other devices. The approach also involves determining capability information, resource availability information, or a combination thereof of the device, the one or more other devices, or a combination thereof. The approach further involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of the capability information, the resource availability information, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, an extraction of multimodal information from the at least substantially live video data. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, an exchange of the multimodal information in place of at least a portion of the at least substantially live video data in response to the request.

Abstract: An example apparatus is caused to receive a video sequence of a plurality of frames, and perform a number of operations as each of at least some of the frames is received but before all of the frames are received. The apparatus is caused to calculate a score for the frame, and compare the score for the frame to a predefined threshold. The apparatus is caused to cause output of the frame as a key frame in an instance in which the frame is received within a specified period of time and the score for the frame is above the predefined threshold. Otherwise, in an instance in which none of the scores for frames received within the specified period of time is above the predefined threshold, the apparatus is caused to cause output of one of the frames received within the specified period of time as a key frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a first user input comprising a first set of strokes; causing a representation of the first set of strokes to be displayed; whilst the representation of the first set of strokes is displayed, receiving a second user input comprising a second set of strokes; causing a representation of each of the second set of strokes to be displayed as it is received, the representation of the second set of strokes at least partially overlapping the representation of the first set of strokes; resolving the first user input into a first character; and resolving the second user input into a second character.

Abstract: A method includes executing a gesture with a user-manipulated physical object in the vicinity of a device; generating data that is descriptive of the presence of the user-manipulated object when executing the gesture; and interpreting the data as pertaining to at least one object, such as an object displayed by the device.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for handwriting recognition has a touch-sensitive display screen (240) providing a hand writing input area (270) capable of detecting hand-made user input. The apparatus also has a processing device (300) coupled to the touch-sensitive display screen and providing a user interface to a user. The handwriting input area (270) includes a writing start area (280) capable of switching between a first two-dimensional scope (282) and a second two-dimensional scope (282?), larger than the first two-dimensional scope. The processing device (300) is configured to handle said handmade user input as either a logical mouse event, associated with a control operation for said user interface, or a logical pen event, associated with handwriting.

Abstract: A method includes executing a gesture with a user-manipulated physical object in the vicinity of a device; generating data that is descriptive of the presence of the user-manipulated object when executing the gesture; and interpreting the data as pertaining to at least one object, such as an object displayed by the device.