Abstract: A user interface can display active and passive content. For example, a camera viewfinder image can be displayed on a screen, as part of a strip, concatenated with one or more other images, for example, images that were previously taken with the camera. A user can cause the viewfinder image and the other images to move together across the screen. This can allow a user to easily examine the other images and the viewfinder image without, for example, switching between different screens in a user interface. Media captured with a device can be associated with a media category by positioning a user interface element near one or more other elements associated with the category.

Abstract: A fuel efficiency display for a vehicle includes a scale extending vertically on a screen with a bar superimposed over the scale to represent the instantaneous fuel efficiency of the vehicle. A numerical representation of the instantaneous fuel efficiency of the vehicle is displayed above the scale and the bar. A first marker indicating and a numerical representation of the average fuel efficiency of the vehicle over a pre-selected range is displayed on a left side of the scale and the bar. A second marker indicating a numerical representation of the greatest fuel efficiency achieved by the vehicle over the pre-selected range is displayed on a right side of the scale and the bar.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a deformable object comprises modeling deformable elasticity for the object by defining an actual shape and a goal shape and pulling points in the goal shape towards corresponding points in the goal shape.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for altering a camera image, in which the source image may be angularly displaced from a camera image. A plurality of points on the camera image is located and a mesh is generated. Compensation information based on the displacement is determined, and a reshaped image is rendered from the mesh, the compensation information, and the camera image. The camera image is reshaped by relocating a proper subset of the points on the camera image. Deformation vectors are applied to corresponding points on the mesh using the compensation information. A correction factor is obtained from an angular displacement and a translation displacement of the source image from the camera image. The deformation factor is multiplied by the compensation factor to form a deformation vector to compensate for angular and translational displacements of the source image from the camera image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a first and a second eyes-and-mouth detecting units, a first and a second skin model generating units, an inside-of-mouth model generating unit, an eyeball model generating unit, a first and a second deformation parameter generating units, and an output unit. The first and second eyes-and-mouth detecting units detect eye boundaries and a mouth boundary from a first and a second face images, respectively. The first and second skin model generating units generate a first and a second skin models, respectively. The inside-of-mouth model generating unit and the eyeball model generating unit generate an inside-of-mouth model and an eyeball model, respectively. The first and second deformation parameter generating units generate a first and a second deformation parameters, respectively. The output unit output the first and second skin models, the first and second deformation parameters, the inside-of-mouth model, and the eyeball model as animation data.

Abstract: A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached.

Abstract: A method of displaying information on a mobile terminal. The method includes displaying an object on a screen of the mobile terminal, receiving at least two least two input signals corresponding to the displayed object, and animating the displayed object based on the at least two signals corresponding to the displayed object. In addition, the at least two input signals include a) first and second touching signals of the screen of the mobile terminal, b) touching and tilting signals of the mobile terminal, or c) a first proximity signal and a second proximity signal of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A system for composing pictorial/video image contents where the Face Image which the User designates (FIU) is reflected is disclosed. The system provides a series of pictorial/video image composing pipe line for changing the face of a specific source character that appears in pictorial/video image contents to a FIU pattern and guides a video related company (for example, a producer, a distributor, a sales agency (provider), etc.) to establish a base infra for producing/manufacturing/marketing a video on demand (VOD) content that reflects individual desire of a user so that it can satisfy user needs in changing the face image of a specific character appearing in pictorial/video image contents into the face image of a favorite person (or the user designates, for example, his/her own face image, the face image of his/her acquaintance, the face image of a specific celebrity, the face image of a specific politician, and so on).

Abstract: A system, including a computer system running image processing software, receives an identification of a desired area to be imaged and collected into an oblique-mosaic image. The computer system creates a mathematical model of a virtual camera having a sensor higher in elevation from which the source oblique images were captured and looking down at an oblique angle, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map for the sensor of the desired area encompassing multiple source images. The computer system assigns a surface location to each pixel included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map and selects source oblique images of the geographic coordinates captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to the oblique angle and compass direction of the virtual camera. The computer system reprojects at least one source oblique image pixel of the area to be imaged for each pixel included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map to create the oblique-mosaic image.

Abstract: The invention is a method for converting a monoscopic video movie passively acquired using a single camera to a stereoscopic video movie. The method comprises generating stereoscopic pairs comprising, for each frame in the original sequence, a transformed original frame selected from the monoscopic video movie and a transformed alternate frame. The transformed frames are generated from the original and the alternate frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a learning assessment method and device using a virtual tutor. The device comprises at least one action acquisition module, a virtual tutor synthesis module, and a learning assessment module. The method captures and analyzes a first and a second action-feature for a first and a second targets respectively, and constructs an intrinsic model of the second target based on a reference data of the second target. A virtual tutor is synthesized by applying the first action-feature to the intrinsic model such that the virtual tutor exhibits the intrinsic characteristics of the second target but performs a synthesized action-feature similar to the first action-feature. The method then assesses the difference between the synthesized action-feature and the second action-feature.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are used for transforming a first image to a second image on a display of an electronic device. The first image and the second image have same resolution rate. The method includes the following steps. A phase value is acquired from a storage device of the electronic device. A shift proportion value is calculated according to the phase value. The shift proportion value equals to 100 percent divided by the phase value. The first image and the second image are decoded. A series of transition images is generated based on the first image and the second image. The series of transition images includes a first transition image and a second transition image. A plurality of first still pixel values of the first transition images are equal to a plurality of second still pixel values of the second transition images.

Abstract: A disclosed system (and method) is configured to receive an instruction to transition from a first view to a second view. The first view and the second view include two or more visual elements. The system receives data corresponding to visual elements in the first view and visual elements in the second view. The system groups the visual elements to include visual elements moved out between the first view and the second view, visual elements retained from the first view in the second view, and visual elements moved into the second view. The system retrieves a system defined transition style for rendering the visual elements between the first view and the second view. Using the groupings the system transitions the first view to render the second view through application of the transition style on the groups of visual elements.

Abstract: Locality based morphing in a computer graphics system provides efficient techniques for simulating or animating position-based changes including but not limited to deformations. Two models are provided: a model unaffected by a destructive or other process, and a further model that has been totally affected by the process. Position information is used to specify particular parts of the model to morph. Morphing is selectively applied on a spatially localized basis so that only parts of the object are morphed whereas other parts of the object remain unmorphed. Such techniques can be used for example to simulate or animate progressive damage to a target such as an enemy robot.

Abstract: An improved optimization of a design, based on direct manipulations of the object points of a design where the number and modifications of control points is kept as minimal as possible while the targeted movement of object points is realized.

Abstract: Various implementations are described. Several implementations relate to view synthesis with heuristic view blending for 3D Video (3DV) applications. According to one aspect, at least one reference picture, or a portion thereof, is warped from at least one reference view location to a virtual view location to produce at least one warped reference. A first candidate pixel and a second candidate pixel are identified in the at least one warped reference. The first candidate pixel and the second candidate pixel are candidates for a target pixel location in a virtual picture from the virtual view location. A value for a pixel at the target pixel location is determined based on values of the first and second candidate pixels.

Abstract: In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation.

Abstract: A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached.

Abstract: Deforming a three-dimensional computer-generated model to cause a change of shape of the three-dimensional model includes representing a surface of the model using a surface representation initially comprised of an original surface definition, deriving smooth three-dimensional mapping functions where each mapping function defines a deformation to the surface and at least one mapping function is non-affine, constructing a composition of the mapping functions and the original surface definition where each mapping function is included in the composition in succession in accordance with the order of derivation, and applying the composition after each successive mapping function is included in the composition causing the surface of the three-dimensional model to be deformed while preserving the smoothness to the lowest degree of smoothness of the mapping functions.

Abstract: A system or tool kit is provided that allows a user to specify a deformation for a model. When the deformation produces anomalies the user can select functions or solutions from the tool kit to be executed that correct the anomalies. When the effect of a warp or deformation extends into a region outside a user specified constraint, a clamp function can be selected from the kit to stop the effect outside of the constraint. When a constraint causes the transition from a warp to a non-warp region to result in a sharp transition a tangent continuous transition function can be applied from the kit. When contradictory modifiers and constraints cause unexpected excursions in the warped model, samples with outlier Laplacians can be culled. When the model includes rigid objects, the motion of the rigid objects can be used as a modifier to allow the rigid objects to move with the deformed model without being deformed.

Abstract: An image display apparatus having a screen on which a plurality of images are one by one displayed and sequentially switched to another at a time interval. The apparatus includes an image storing portion and a display control portion. The image storing portion stores data of an actual image and data of a thumbnail image of the actual image such that the data of the actual image and the data of the thumbnail image are associated with each other. The display control portion selectively operates in one of a first mode and a second mode depending on information on the data of the actual image stored in the image storing portion. The display controlling portion controls to display, on the screen, an image based on the data of the actual image in the first mode, and an image based on the data of the thumbnail image in the second mode.

Abstract: Generating a visual three-dimensional model specific to a user for personal care education. A request for instruction regarding a personal care product is received from a user. Data defining physical characteristics of the user that relate to the personal care product is also received from the user. A three-dimensional model demonstrating use of the personal care product is generated. The three-dimensional model is a function of the received data and the personal care product. The generated three-dimensional model is provided to the user for display.

Abstract: An image reading method and an image expansion method are provided whereby a low-resolution imaged picture can be expanded to have a high image quality even if an input image sequence is motionless, that is to say, even if a subject is motionless.

Abstract: A method for creating an oblique-mosaic image from a plurality of source images is disclosed. Initially, a desired area to be imaged and collected into an oblique-mosaic image is identified and then a mathematical model of a sensor of a virtual camera is created, where the virtual camera has an elevation greater than an elevation of the area to be imaged. The mathematical model has an oblique-mosaic pixel map for the sensor of the desired area. A surface location is determined for each pixel included in the oblique mosaic pixel map, and at least one source oblique image pixel of the area to be imaged is reprojected for each pixel included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map to thereby create an oblique-mosaic image of the desired geographical area. The at least one single oblique-mosaic image is visually pleasing and geographically accurate. Further, techniques for compensating for building lean in oblique-mosaic images are disclosed.

Abstract: A map display device includes a map polygonization unit 5 for converting a map to be displayed before display switching and another map to be displayed after the display switching into polygons having the same phase structure as each other, a triangulation unit 6 for dividing each of these polygons into triangles which make corresponding points between the map to be displayed before the display switching and the other map to be displayed after the display switching have an equal connection relation, and a morphing unit 7 for, when morphing a map display to perform the display switching, creating map data about an intermediate map having the same phase structure as each of the map to be displayed before display switching and the other map to be displayed after display switching.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and medium for transforming a graphic data of an object and a computer readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method are provided. The method includes; determining at least one triangle to be collapsed among one or more triangles comprised in the object, determining a collapsing vertex to be created by collapsing the at least one triangle, and transforming the graphic data of the object based on information regarding the at least one triangle determined to be collapsed and information regarding the determined collapsing vertex. Thus, a large three-dimensional object can be efficiently rendered with a small amount of resources.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for converting or transforming a morph shape definition specified in a SWF file into a vector graphics shape definition including one or more vector graphics path definitions that can then be used by a vector graphics API to render the contents of the SWF morph shape definition. The method creates an intermediate path style, and path style graph information including intermediate path style information. A vector graphics path definition includes the intermediate path style information, and a vector graphics path created by traversing components of a graph represented by a path style graph representation. Embodiments described herein can leverage a vector graphics API that can be hardware accelerated to efficiently render the morph shape data, such as in a mobile device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for editing controls for spatial deformations are described. One embodiment includes a method including the steps of causing an image having at least one unmodified object to be displayed in a window, receiving a deformation of the unmodified object, generating a deformed object based at least in part on the deformation and the unmodified object, and causing the deformed object to be displayed in the window. The method further includes the steps of causing a representation of the unmodified object to be displayed in the window with the deformed object, receiving a selection of a point within the representation of the unmodified object, receiving a modification of a first parameter associated with the unmodified object at the point, regenerating the deformed object based at least in part on the deformation, the unmodified object, and the modified first parameter, and causing the regenerated deformed object to be displayed in the window.

Abstract: This invention deals with a morphological genome for design applications. This genome encodes all forms. It comprises a finite set of morphological genes, where each gene specifies a distinct group of morphological transformations defined by a group of independent topological, geometric or other parameters. The morph genes and their parameters are mapped within an integrated higher-dimensional framework with each parameter represented along an independent vector in higher-dimensional Euclidean space. Each distinct number associated with a parameter or a group of parameters is represented by a distinct point in this space referenced by its higher-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinates which represent the genetic code for the specific form being mapped. The morph genome can be used as an interactive design tool to generate known and new forms for applications in all design fields as well as for fabricating these forms when linked with digital fabrication devices within an integrated computational environment.

Abstract: Morphing of source and target media including images, video, and audio is performed in a neurologically informed manner. Neurological data is used to determine optimal or near optimal source media and target media contribution levels for morphs that can be used to influence bias, persuasion, etc. Categorical perception shift boundaries and other regions are analyzed in evaluating contribution levels. Neurologically salient attributes of media are determined and morphed more significantly than less neurologically salient attributes.

Abstract: A method of displaying an image of at least a portion of a virtual patient including accessing identification of a video file, the video file comprising video data that depicts virtual patient features over a range of the features, determining an offset into the video file and presenting the video image corresponding to the offset.

Abstract: In a method for image management, image data for an image containing objects is accessed. Graphical representations of the objects are generated and the centroids and the sizes of the graphical representations are determined. The locations of the centroids are determined and the morphologies of the graphical representations based upon the locations of the centroids are determined. Human readable lexical representations of the locations of the centroids, the sizes, the colors and morphologies of the graphical representations are assigned and are stored in a database, which is searchable through human readable lexicon.

Abstract: A method for creating a caricature image from a digital image is provided. The method initiates with capturing digital image data. The method includes locating a facial region within the captured image data. Then, a facial feature template matching a facial feature of the facial region is selected. Next, the facial feature template is substituted for the facial feature. Then, the facial feature template is transformed into a caricature or non-realistic image. A computer readable medium, an image capture device capable of creating a caricature from a captured image and an integrated circuit are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is the presentation of text data on a high-resolution display screen using an image, which includes nonlinear (3D) surface undulation and viewing perspective. This presentation results in variations of character size, rotation, and aspect across the screen. Additionally, positional cues, and coloration gradations may be added. As will be shown, all of this assists human readability and reduces fatigue.

Abstract: Various software mapping aspects are provided. They include, but are not limited to, providing linear map to non-linear map conversion or transformation (and vice versa) in a symmetric fashion, so that data in one map upon conversion is symmetric in another map with respect to the former map. One way this is accomplished is by the use of dual-triangles that are mapped into the former and latter map, by having, in one exemplary aspect, the same vertices in both maps. Additional features, such as selection regions for regions to be converted or not converted are used. Furthermore, dual-triangle subdivision or aggregation techniques can be used to provide a desired mapping scenario. Finally, APIs are presented that allow developers and users of such mapping technology to implement the various aspects disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of simulating a deformable object comprises modeling deformable elasticity for the object by defining an actual shape and a goal shape and pulling points in the goal shape towards corresponding points in the goal shape.

Abstract: Caricatured images of subjects are generated wherein the caricatured image of each subject is adapted when subjects join and leave a closed group of which they are members. By adapting the caricatured images in this manner, it can be ensured that each caricatured image remains maximally distinguishable from the other images in the group, thus ensuring that recognition of the images may be maintained at a high level.

Abstract: An electromagnetic emissions free optical signal based helicopter landing assistance arrangement wherein helicopter rotor wash dust cloud-caused obfuscation of the intended landing site and other landing threats are overcome. Real time optical sourced data is collected early and used during helicopter approach to the intended landing site. Upgrading of this data for use during dust cloud presence is accomplished with image processing techniques applied in response to such inputs as helicopter flight data. Military use of the invention especially in current theatre conflict environments is contemplated. Dust cloud related landing hazards are disclosed as a significant difficulty in such environments and generate need for the invention.

Abstract: An interactive computer program for seaming a number of images into a panorama. Various parameters which affect how the images are seamed can be changed interactively. Parameters such as position, orientation, focal length, which image will be visible where images overlap, and the opacity curve can be changed. The result of any change is immediately visible. A user can move the control points, thereby “morphing” or distorting the contribution to the panorama of an image. Each pixel is assigned an “alpha” value which indicates the opacity value of that pixel in an area where images overlap. Alpha values can be changed according to a pre-established curve. The original images are not changed. Instead, only the transform between the original images and the final panorama is changed.

Abstract: Increased recognizance of caricatured images is provided for the level of caricaturing to be applied to an image to be set in dependence on the intended size of the caricature image. Preferably, the caricature level is set as a generally inverse function of the image size, such that the smaller the image the greater the level of the caricaturing that is applied. In such a case increased recognizance of subjects represented in smaller images may result.

Abstract: A method for interpolating an intermediate polygon P from two polygons P1 and P2. The method includes, in at least one embodiment, defining a similarity measure based on a geometrical reference object, the geometrical reference object being associated with the two polygons P1 and P2; and based on the similarity measure, determining an initial pair of corresponding points. Based on this initial pair of corresponding points, in at least one embodiment of the method, a sequence of pairs of corresponding points is determined from which sequence the intermediate polygon is interpolated.

Abstract: 2M-sets of model data strings (M is a positive integer and M?2) are polymorphed. The model data strings are acquired by defining at least 2M-piece coordinates being morphed in a M-dimensional model-data mapping space and making the defined model data strings correspond to the coordinates being morphed, respectively. A unit cell is set in the space. The unit cell consists of a hyper rectangular parallelepiped having 2M-piece vertexes each located at the coordinates being morphed. A desired coordinate is set, as a morphing-destination coordinate, within the unit cell. The 2M sets of model data strings corresponding, set by set, to the coordinates being morphed are polymorphed using weighting factors depending on distances from the respective coordinates being morphed to the morphing-destination coordinate in the unit cell. Accordingly, a string of synthesized data corresponding to the morphing-destination coordinate is produced. The string of synthesized data is outputted using an outputting device.

Abstract: A method for associating a portion of a stereoscopic image with a perceived depth is described. The method includes determining offset values that each indicate a displacement between image data in a first image of a stereoscopic pair and corresponding image data in a second image of the stereoscopic pair. The displacement affects a perceived depth of a point represented by the image data and the corresponding image data. The method also includes identifying image data in the second image that is not associated with a valid offset value, generating a supplementary offset value using valid offset values associated with image data substantially near the image data in the second image, and associating the image data in the second image with the supplementary offset value.

Abstract: A method of creating a complementary stereoscopic image pair is described. The method includes receiving a first 2D image comprising image data, where the first 2D image is captured from a first camera location. The method also includes projecting at least a portion of the first 2D image onto computer-generated geometry. The image data has depth values associated with the computer-generated geometry. The system includes rendering, using the computer-generated geometry and a second camera location that differs from the first camera location, a second 2-D image that is stereoscopically complementary to the first 2-D image, and infilling image data that is absent from the second 2-D image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for designing geometric shapes for automobiles or any other manufactured objects. The method of a vehicle design system is for analyzing constraints on parameters of a vehicle model, the vehicle design system including a catalog of exemplars from which a user may select exemplar input and at least one engineering criteria having a plurality of criteria values from which a user may select criteria values. The method includes providing a morphable vehicle model generated from exemplar input, selecting a first criteria, evaluating the morphable model with respect to the first criteria to determine the value, selecting a new target criteria value from the plurality of criteria values, and updating the morphable model shape to achieve this value.

Abstract: A disclosed system (and method) is configured to receive an instruction to transition from a first view to a second view. The first view and the second view include two or more visual elements. The system receives data corresponding to visual elements in the first view and visual elements in the second view. The system groups the visual elements to include visual elements moved out between the first view and the second view, visual elements retained from the first view in the second view, and visual elements moved into the second view. The system retrieves a system defined transition style for rendering the visual elements between the first view and the second view. Using the groupings the system transitions the first view to render the second view through application of the transition style on the groups of visual elements.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for enabling an automatic creation of a parts list and 3-dimensional illustrations of a product based on 3-dimensional CAD or XVL data of an industrial product consisting of a plurality of parts. A method for generating a parts catalog consisting of a parts list and corresponding disassembly illustrations is provided. This method comprises the steps of (a) assigning reference numerals/symbols based on the parts list; (b) building a disassembly algorithm based on the parts list; and (c) generating disassembly illustrations based on the disassembly algorithm, wherein minimum disassembly units of the disassembly illustrations are parts and parts groups assigned with the reference numerals/symbols, and displaying the reference numeral/symbol for each of the parts and parts groups in the disassembly illustrations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus which displays a plan wiring diagram and three-dimensional layout diagram by associating them with each other so that they can be viewed easily. A apparatus for displaying wiring includes a first storage for storing an image of a plan wiring diagram which shows parts and wirings and a second storage for storing a three-dimensional layout of an apparatus which incorporates the parts and the wirings, and a third storage for storing intermediate images transitional between a starting image in the plan wiring diagram and an ending image of a shape of the corresponding wiring in the three-dimensional layout. A processor displays the plan wiring diagram on the display device by retrieving the plan wiring diagram from the first storage based on a user's selection, and retrieves the intermediate images of a wiring from the third storage when the wiring is selected from the plan wiring diagram and displays transitions to the shape shown in the three-dimensional layout.

Abstract: A system for providing paper models over a wide area computer network includes a user computer that communicates with a model server via the Internet. The model server includes a database of paper model files, e.g., the pieces of the models and assembly instructions. The corresponding method allows a user to access the model server via the Internet and download paper models. The paper models are printed at a printer connected to the user computer. A user can then assemble the paper models following the assembly instructions.

Abstract: An application may feature a number of application states among which a process shifts during execution of the application. A user or software developer may wish to define one or more transitions to be rendered between a first application state and a second application state, but the application development environment and operating system may provide only a limited number of general-purpose transitions. Instead, a pluggable architecture may be devised to permit a user or software developer to provide a custom transition, and to specify the rendering of the custom transition between application states. The pluggable architecture may therefore enable the user or software developer to define new transitions that are more relevant and complementary of the application states in transit.