Abstract: A system for video conferencing is disclosed. The system comprises a data processor which receives from a remote location a stream of imagery data of a remote user, and displays an image of the remote user on a display device. The data processor also receives a stream of imagery data of an individual in a local scene in front of the display device, and extracts a gaze direction and/or a head orientation of the individual. The data processor varies a view of the image responsively to the gaze direction and/or the head orientation.

Abstract: A video- and/or audio-enabled communication system includes a processor, coupled with a camera, the camera acquiring an image of an object of interest during a video communication session involving multiple participants and a computer readable medium comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform automatically an action in response to and related to a sensed context during the video communication session. The action can be one or more of retrieve or provide content of interest to one or more of the participants, join a third party to the video communication session, recommend that a further action be performed by the processor, and schedule an activity involving one or more of the participants.

Abstract: A multi-imaging apparatus includes: a display unit; an internal imaging device that acquires a first live view image or a first image captured by a main imaging operation thereof; a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external imaging device that acquires a second live view image or a second image captured by a main imaging operation thereof; and a controller. Here, the controller receives an input of the first live view image from the internal imaging device, receives the second live view image from the external imaging device through the wireless communication unit, and causes the display unit to display the input first live view image and the received second live view image as a multi-live view.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a conference system for providing an audio conference and an associated server having a participant profile module comprising: logic configured to presenting a conference user interface to the first and second computing devices, the conference user interface displaying a first object identifying the first participant in association with a first audio indicator and a second object identifying the second participant in association with a second audio indicator; logic configured to present, in the conference user interface, a participant profile control associated with the first participant for specifying one or more profile parameters associated with the first participant; and logic configured to receive, from the second participant via the second computing device and during the audio conference, a selection of the one or more or more profile parameters associated with the first participant.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The method computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: obtaining respective video feeds of respective participants of a group of video conference participants, wherein the group of video conference participants includes one or more presenter participant and one or more viewer participant; examining data of the respective video feeds to determine a current group aggregate sentiment output for the video conference, wherein the examining includes subjecting data of feeds of the respective video feeds to sentiment analysis that includes processing of facial feature representing video data of the feeds; and presenting a video conference view to one or more participant of the group of video conference participants based on the group aggregate sentiment output.

Abstract: [Object] To provide an information processing device, a storage medium, and a control method which are capable of assisting more comfortable and safer living by providing information based on real-time images collected from a plurality of imaging devices. [Solution] Provided is an information processing device, including: a search unit configured to search for an imaging device around a specific information processing device; a providing unit configured to provide information related to the searched imaging device and an angle of view of the imaging device to a user; and an acquiring unit configured to acquire an image imaged by an imaging device selected by the user. The providing unit provides the image acquired by the acquiring unit to the user.

Abstract: A system is described for obtaining images of a gemstone, and performing quantitative analysis on the images to obtain measures of properties of the gemstone. The system comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure is arranged to illuminate the gemstone. The illumination structure comprises a plurality of radially dispersed directional light sources directed towards the observation position, the support structure and illumination system being rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis so that the gemstone can be illuminated by one or more of the directional light sources at each of a plurality of rotational positions, the axis of rotation being normal to a selected facet of the gemstone. An imaging device is directed towards the gemstone for obtaining images of the gemstone at each of the rotational positions, the imaging device having an imaging axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An online conferencing system that provides fine-grained control over recording of the online conference. A participant manager component detects current participants in an online conference. A video gathering component gathers video streams for each of at least some of the current participants in the online conference. A triggering component allows one or more of the participants to trigger operation of a recording component. The recording component identifies one or more of the gather video streams to record, and records the identified one or more video streams. The recording component may have fine-grained control over the recording process. If a participant joins the conference, that video from the new participant may be automatically recorded also. If a participant leaves a conference, the recording of that video may be stopped.

Abstract: A method for recording in a video chat, and a terminal to reduce background noise and noise of multiple persons in a video chat process, and improve voice quality of a video chat. A first terminal divides a video calling screen into multiple angular domains. After beam configuration information of each angular domain is determined, beam configuration information of a target angular domain of the first terminal is sent to a second terminal. The second terminal performs, according to the beam configuration information, beamforming processing on an audio signal obtained through recording such that signal strength of an audio signal of the target angular domain is enhanced, and signal strength of an audio signal of another angular domain is attenuated.

Abstract: A communication terminal includes a display control unit configured to display, on a display unit, a function selecting screen that contains a first icon for receiving a selection of a first communication function and a second icon for receiving a selection of a second communication function. The first communication function is to provide communication using a signaling protocol for connecting to or disconnecting from a destination of communication and an encoding protocol for encapsulating communication data in IP packets. The second communication function is to provide communication using the same signaling protocol and a different encoding protocol. The communication terminal also includes a receiving unit configured to receive a selection of the first icon or the second icon; and a starting unit configured to start the first communication function and the second communication function in response to the selection of the first icon and the second icon, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing random content of program loops in random test generation for processor verification. A converged branch instruction stream is used by a test generator to ensure that all random conditional branches converge to a main program loop. A built in exception handling mechanism of the test generator enables program interrupts to converge to the main program loop. Mandatory read only registers applied to the test generator allow all register based storage addresses to use registers that maintain a value and thus stabilize the storage address translations through subsequent iterations of the loop. A global class restriction mechanism defines specific restricted instruction classes applied to the test generator avoids inherently problematic operations for the program loops. Machine state detection and restoration mechanisms in the test generator are provided to preserve storage addressability.

Abstract: Presented herein is an audio endpoint for telecommunication operations, sometimes referred to herein as a “telecommunications audio endpoint” or, more, simply as an “audio endpoint.” According to at least one example, the audio endpoint presented herein includes a base, a speaker, a speaker waveguide, a microphone waveguide, and two or more microphones. The base is configured to engage a support surface (i.e., a table) and the speaker is configured to emit sounds (i.e., fire) in a direction of the base. The speaker waveguide is disposed between the speaker and the microphone waveguide, while the microphone waveguide is disposed between the speaker waveguide and the base. The two or more microphones are disposed within the microphone waveguide and are proximate to the base. In general, the speaker waveguide is configured to guide sounds output by the speaker in general radially (outward) directions.

Abstract: In some examples, a system for conference management can include a processor to initiate a conference comprising a plurality of cameras and at least one user and process a series of images with at least one service to generate service output, the series of images comprising an aggregation of images from the plurality of cameras. The processor can also detect metadata associated with each of the series of images by the at least one service and aggregate the metadata and the service output based on a timestamp for each image to detect an event. Furthermore, the processor can generate an alarm in response to detecting the event and modify the conference by adding additional cameras or additional users.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image display apparatus and a method of operating the same. The method of operating the image display apparatus includes entering a camera mode, acquiring a captured image on a per lens position basis via position shift of a single lens included in a camera module according to the camera mode, storing the acquired captured image on a per lens position basis, displaying at least one of a plurality of stored captured images according to an image view mode, and displaying any one image focused on at least one area in the displayed captured image when the at least one area is selected. This method may enhance user convenience.

Abstract: A method for the integrated recording and playback of video, audio and data inputs using training simulators comprises the step of simultaneously receiving at least one data source input, audio input and video input into a common digital memory buffer in a time stamped manner for at least a given training event, wherein at least one of the data source inputs is a data record throughout the event of at least one simulated parameter of the training simulator, wherein at least one audio input is an audio record of the training event and at least one video input is a video record of the training event, and wherein the common memory buffer allows independent, simultaneous, synchronized, user controlled playback of the individual inputs received within the memory buffer. The system provides for contemporaneously flagging the common memory buffer during the event through a wireless controller.

Abstract: The present document relates to methods and systems for setting up and managing two-dimensional or three-dimensional scenes for audio conferences. A conference controller (111, 175) configured to place a plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173) associated with a plurality of conference participants within a 2D or 3D conference scene to be rendered to a listener (211) is described. The conference controller (111, 175) is configured to set up a X-point conference scene with X different spatial talker locations (212) within the conference scene; assign the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173) to respective ones of the talker locations (212); determine a degree of activity of the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173); determine a dominant one of the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173); and emphasize the dominant upstream audio signal (123, 173).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for assigning pixels distance-cost values using a flood fill technique. One embodiment takes the form of a process that includes obtaining video data depicting a head of a user, obtaining depth data associated with the video data, and selecting seed pixels for a flood fill at least in part by using the depth information. The process also includes performing the flood fill from the selected seed pixels. The flood fill assigns respective distance-cost values to pixels of the video data based on position-space cost values and color-space cost values. In some embodiments, the process also includes classifying pixels of the video data as foreground based at least in part on the assigned distance-cost values. In some other embodiments, the process also includes assigning pixels of the video data foreground-likelihood values based at least in part on the assigned distance-cost values.

Abstract: Pairing and configuring a computing device for use in a meeting space is provided. An appliance may communicate a broadcast to a computing device which announces the availability of a meeting space for a meeting. The computing device may establish a connection with the appliance. The computing device may then join the meeting in the meeting space.

Abstract: A system includes a content obtaining circuit configured to obtain a plurality of content and information related to the content from at least one of a plurality of sources, an importance obtaining circuit configured to obtain an importance level for each content, and a display control circuit configured to generate data to control a display of an image corresponding to each of the plurality of content. The importance level is based on the information related to the content. The display control circuit determines a size of each image on a display screen based on the importance level for each content.

Abstract: A video-enabled communication system that includes a processor, coupled with a camera, the camera acquiring an image of an object of interest during a video communication session and a computer readable medium, coupled with the processor, comprising instructions that cause the processor to select a reflected image of the object of interest for use in providing image information to a remote endpoint for display to another participant, wherein the reflected image is a reflection of the object of interest in a mirror having a line-of-sight to the camera.

Abstract: A conference system including a microphone array unit having a plurality of microphone capsules arranged in or on a board mountable on or in a ceiling of a conference room. The microphone array unit has a steerable beam and a maximum detection angle range. The conference system further includes a processing unit which is configured to receive the output signals of the microphone capsules and to steer the beam based on the received output signal of the microphone array unit. The processing unit is configured to control the microphone array to limit the detection angle range to exclude at least one predetermined exclusion sector in which a noise source is located.

Abstract: An apparatus (300) comprises—one or more inputs (IN1, IN2) to receive two or more different audio signals (S1, S2),—an input (IN—VDI1) to receive a direction signal (SVDI1) and—a signal processing unit (100) arranged to generate a processed audio signal (SAUDIOI) from said two or more different audio signals (S1, S2), said processed audio signal (SAUDIO1) comprising an enhanced audio signal (SENC1) corresponding to a sound (SND2) originating from a location (x2y2) indicated by said direction signal (SVDI1).

Abstract: A video conferencing system is described that includes a near-end and a far-end system. The near-end system records both audio and video of one or more users proximate to the near-end system. This recorded audio and video is transmitted to the far-end system through the data connection. The video stream and/or one or more settings of the recording camera are analyzed to determine the amount of a video frame occupied by the recorded user(s). The video conferencing system may directly analyze the video frames themselves and/or a zoom setting of the recording camera to determine a ratio or percentage of the video frame occupied by the recorded user(s). By analyzing video frames associated with an audio stream, the video conferencing system may drive a speaker array of the far-end system to more accurately reproduce sound content based on the position of the recorded user in a video frame.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for broadcasting information to one or more client devices from a broadcaster that is not a client device, which one or more client devices utilize presentation rates to present audio in broadcast information at various presentation rates using time-scale modification, and which method includes: (a) the broadcaster broadcasting the information; and (b) the broadcaster broadcasting guidance information used to determine presentation rates for use by the one or more client devices in presentation of audio in the broadcast information using time-scale modification; wherein the guidance information is transmitted at or not at a time of broadcast of the broadcast information.

Abstract: A versatile communications (comms) apparatus to provide a means to measure the audio (earphone) output of an electronic device (e.g. a music player in a smartphone), and/or to provide a means for wireless communications between a first electronic device (e.g. a smartphone) and a second electronic device (e.g. a hearing aid, pacemaker, etc). In some embodiments, the comms apparatus does not need power and in other embodiments, its power may be harvested from the first electronic device, or drawn from a battery that may be recharged by harvesting means or charged directly. The first electronic device typically includes an audio (earphone) output, a microphone input (with a voltage bias), a long-range communications transceiver (e.g. GSM), and where pertinent, a short-range transceiver (e.g. Bluetooth) and is internet enabled.

Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to provide an extended vision within an environment having a plurality of items, where the extended vision is based on a field of view of a person determined using a first visual sensor, and is further based on at least a second visual sensor disposed within the environment. Image information from the first and second visual sensors is associated to produce combined image information. Selected portions of the combined image information are displayed based on input provided through a user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for controlling a camera based on movement of a user detected by another camera. A system may include a first camera capturing images of a user, a display located in the vicinity of the first camera, the display displaying, in real time, video received from a second camera disparately located from the first camera. The system may include one or more processors coupled to the first camera, the second camera and the display, the processor(s) analyzing the images captured by the first camera to determine head and eye movement of the user, determining camera settings for the second camera based on the determined head and/or eye movement of the user, and transmitting the determined camera settings to the second camera.

Abstract: An action analysis device includes: an acoustic analysis unit 1 for analyzing input acoustic information, and generating acoustic analysis information indicating a feature of the acoustic information; a time difference determination unit 2 for determining a time difference between when an acoustic event identified by the acoustic analysis information occurs and when an event corresponding to the acoustic event occurs in input video obtained by capturing an image of a crowd; and an action analysis unit 3 for analyzing an action of the crowd corresponding to the acoustic event, using the input video, the acoustic analysis information, and the time difference.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for facilitating eye contact during video conferences may include (1) detecting a video conference between a user of a computing device and a remote user of a remote computing device, (2) identifying a location on the computing device's screen where the eyes of the remote user are displayed as part of the video conference, (3) creating a video stream of the user that appears to be taken from the perspective of an imaginary camera located at the eyes of the remote user, and (4) transmitting the video stream of the user to the remote computing device of the remote user. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for conducting a video conference. A location of a person is determined based on a direction of a source of speech. The location of an image capture device and/or a portion of a display device may be adjusted based on the determined direction of the source of speech.

Abstract: A system and method for generating, transmitting and distributing audio signals providing automatic adjustments to the audio signals to compensate for one or more of the acoustics in a meeting room, the arrangement of audience arrays and speakers in a meeting room, audio signal volume levels and equalization, and the differences in characteristics of a verbal input.

Abstract: In one implementation, endpoint computing devices communicate using one or more instant messages. A user interface of an endpoint receives text input from a user for an instant message. The endpoint generates a trigger command in response to the instant message. A camera captures an image in response to the trigger command. The image may depict the user that entered the text input but other images are possible. The endpoint sends the image with the instant message to a recipient of the instant message.

Abstract: A computer of an information processing apparatus repeatedly accepts an operation to designate at least one of a plurality of command elements making up of a command, executes at least any one of a first memory writing processing to write a first command element having a specific attribute out of the command elements corresponding to the accepted operation in a first memory and a second memory writing processing to write a second command element having an attribute different from the attribute in a second memory, determines whether or not a command element array stored over the first memory and the second memory satisfies an execution allowable condition every execution of the writing processing, and processes information according to the command element array when the satisfaction is determined.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes supporting a participation of a first endpoint in a first session and identifying a first time when a second session is to begin, where the first endpoint is expected to participate in the second session. The method also includes determining whether the first endpoint is still participating in the first session at approximately the first time, identifying a first condition when it is determined that the first endpoint is still participating in the first session at approximately the first time, and determining when the first condition is met while supporting the participation of the first endpoint in the first session. Finally, the method includes causing the first endpoint to switch to participating in the second session when it is determined that the first condition is met.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for assigning pixels distance-cost values using a flood fill technique. One embodiment takes the form of a process that includes obtaining video data depicting a head of a user, obtaining depth data associated with the video data, and selecting seed pixels for a flood fill at least in part by using the depth information. The process also includes performing the flood fill from the selected seed pixels. The flood fill assigns respective distance-cost values to pixels of the video data based on position-space cost values and color-space cost values. In some embodiments, the process also includes classifying pixels of the video data as foreground based at least in part on the assigned distance-cost values. In some other embodiments, the process also includes assigning pixels of the video data foreground-likelihood values based at least in part on the assigned distance-cost values.

Abstract: A system and a method for executing a virtual conference that conveys gaze information are presented. Where there are three nodes, input from the first node indicating a gaze recipient of a first participant is received, the gaze recipient being associated with one of the second and third nodes. A virtual space is constructed in which representations of the first participant, a second participant who is associated with the second node, and a third participant who is associated with the third node are positioned in a predetermined order. The gaze angle of the first participant in the virtual space is determined based on the position of the representation of the first participant's gaze recipient in the virtual space. An image that includes the first participant looking at his gaze recipient in the virtual space, as seen from the position of the second participant in the virtual space, is generated.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods, systems, and computer readable storage media for facilitating enhanced visual communication between remote participants. In a particular embodiment, a method provides, during a conference session, receiving first video captured of a first participant remote to a physical meeting location. The method further provides determining a first position for the first participant in the physical meeting location and determining a view of an Augmented Reality (AR) head mounted display worn by a second participant at the physical meeting location. From the first video, the method provides generating AR video that makes the first participant appear to the second participant at the first position when viewed through the AR head mounted display. The method also includes transferring the AR video to the AR head mounted display for presentation to the second participant.

Abstract: An approach is provided for establishing a virtual community for remotely participating in an event. A remote camera set is controlled by a user equipment to view an event from a plurality of viewing perspectives. A virtual community is built to share viewing of the event by multiple participants. A subscriber with full capacity to the access of the system can facilitate as a station host to provide services for the duration of the event to a group of remote participants, standby viewers, in the virtual community to share the event.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to a hand-held mobile computing device are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises a hand-held mobile computing device having a touch-sensitive display forming a surface of the hand-held mobile computing device configured to receive touch input. The hand-held mobile computing device further comprises a processor and memory comprising code executable by the processor to display a scrollable list of items in a first content viewing mode having a first set of content for each of the items in the scrollable list, to detect a dynamic multi-touch gesture over the scrollable list of items, and to change the scrollable list of items to a second content viewing mode responsive to detection of the dynamic multi-touch gesture, wherein the second content viewing mode comprises a second set of content for each item in the scrollable list of items.

Abstract: In a system and method of conducting a videoconference, a videoconferencing unit detects an activation related to a presentation device at a near-end of the videoconference. The unit stores a current orientation of at least one camera and directs the at least one camera at the presentation device. At this point, the unit begins outputting to a far-end at least one of (i) video captured of the presentation device with the at least one directed camera and (ii) content displayed with the presentation device. At some point, the unit detects a deactivation related to the presentation device at the near-end and then redirects the at least one camera to the stored orientation so the videoconference can proceed as before.

Abstract: An image-processing apparatus obtains first image data having a first angle of view and second image data having a second angle of view smaller than the first angle of view. The image-processing apparatus then generates third image data by performing weighted combination of the first image data and the second image data, the third image data having a third angle of view determined according to a user command and being smaller than the first angle of view but larger than the second angle of view. Weights used in this weighted combination are such that the closer the third angle of view is to the second angle of view, the larger is the weight on the second image data relative to the weight on the first image data.

Abstract: A communication device obtains video data. The video data includes a plurality of inter-frame coded image data and a plurality of intra-frame coded image data. The communication device displays a portion of a video layout region on a video display region of a display of the communication device. A plurality of captured images, reproduced from video data, is laid out in the video layout region. When a specific captured image is not included in the video display region, the communication device determines update frequency information. The update frequency information sets at least a portion of the plurality of inter-frame coded image data included in specific video data, corresponding to the specific captured image, as a non-target for transmission. The communication device transmits the update frequency information via a communication unit of the communication device.

Abstract: An incidental virtual meeting (IVM) system deployed in multiple rooms can be used to provide a “virtual cafeteria” allowing for incidental meetings and video conferences. Wall endpoints in each room may detect the presence of a person in a proximity to the IVM (wall) endpoint and establish a connection to the associated wall endpoint in the other room, to allow unplanned meetings to occur. A room may have multiple wall endpoints, allowing the room to be connected to more than one other rooms.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for establishing a videoconference session between participants at different endpoints, where each endpoint includes at least one computing device and one or more displays. A plurality of video streams is received at an endpoint, and each video stream is classified as at least one of a people view and a data view. The classified views are analyzed to determine one or more regions of interest for each of the classified views, where at least one region of interest has a size smaller than a size of the classified view. Synthesized views of at least some of the video streams are generated, wherein the synthesized views include at least one view including a region of interest, and views including the synthesized views are rendered at one or more displays of an endpoint device.

Abstract: A video transmitting system includes: a display configured to display an image in a first direction; cameras including: a first camera adjacent a first edge of the display; and a second camera adjacent a second edge of the display, at least a portion of the display being proximal a convex hull that includes the first camera and the second camera, the first camera and the second camera having substantially overlapping fields of view encompassing the first direction; and an image processor to: receive a position of a virtual camera relative to the cameras substantially within the convex hull and substantially on the display, the virtual camera having a field of view encompassing the first direction; receive raw images captured by the cameras at substantially the same time; and generate processed image data from the raw images for synthesizing a view in accordance with the position of the virtual camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to offer a restricted playback mode playlist mode to allow one or more participating users to access a host's media playback system and interact with a reduced subset of functions in that system. An example method includes providing, via a local media playback system, a restricted playback mode open to a plurality of participating users, the restricted playback mode providing a subset of playback functions from the local media playback system to the participating users, the subset including addition of content to a playlist for playback via the local media playback system. The example method includes facilitating addition of content to the playlist by at least one participating user. The example method includes facilitating playback of content from the playlist in the restricted playback mode.

Abstract: Implementations are provided herein relating to audiovisual matching. Audio and video channel data is merged to create a single multi-channel fingerprint used to match media content. Audio channel data is used to generate audio fingerprints. Video channel data is used to generate a video fingerprints. Multi-channel fingerprints can then be generated based on the audio channel fingerprints and video channel fingerprints. In this sense, entropy can be increased while the multi-channel fingerprint can be less resistant to noise.

Abstract: A system and a method for executing a virtual conference are presented. The method includes providing, to each participant, images of the plurality of nodes, receiving an active node selection input from a first participant of the plurality of participants, the active node selection input indicating which of the plurality of nodes the first participant selects as an active node for communication, and modifying an image quality of the active node provided to the first participant, so that the active node has a first image quality that is different from a second image quality that is assigned to other nodes, wherein image quality includes parameters that affect the perceived clarity of an image. Also provided is a system and method for obtaining the image of a participant from a desired angle by guiding the participant's gaze to a selected region of the screen relative to a camera.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a QoS in a portable communication system are provided. The method includes, when using a high quality video communication service, sending a request for the high quality video communication service to a destination terminal using a Circuit Service Data (CSD) channel, receiving a reply message to the high quality video communication service request and, when the reply message is an acceptance of an execution of the high quality video communication service, disconnecting the CSD channel and then connecting a Packet Service Data (PSD) channel, and providing the high quality video communication service using the PSD channel.