Abstract: Auditions need no longer be held locally within the casting director's office. Talent registration forms, size cards, talent worksheets and the duplication of numerous DV tapes or DVDs are no longer necessary, thus resulting in the saving of time, money and energy. Auditions may be conducted collectively by talent agents or individually by talent who use their computer or mobile devices to film their individual audition and submit it via the internet using proprietary software from anywhere in the world. Auditions are saved digitally on a storage server and transmitted over the internet, saving on both duplicating and courier transfer costs. Audition corrections, if required, can be communicated to talent that have already submitted their auditions, and they can resubmit their corrections using the internet from wherever they are.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used to target interactive virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. Upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software, and corresponding features in a user's terminal are used to accomplish these functions.

Abstract: The technology described in this document relates to filters and functions that are based on exponential decay functions. In one aspect, the technology is embodied in a method that includes using a computing device to compute a first function as a combination of (i) an exponential decay function, a decay factor for which is chosen based on a Gaussian function, and (ii) at least a second function that is obtained by one or more convolution operations on the decay function. The first function provides an approximation of at least a portion of the Gaussian function.

Abstract: A method and system for editing video sequences. The method includes playing a first video sequence on a device and introducing one or more objects randomly in the first video sequence. The method further includes determining one or more randomized properties associated with the randomly inserts objects. Moreover, the method includes recording the one or more randomized properties. The system includes a device. The device includes a memory that stores one or more objects and one or more randomized properties associated with the one or more objects; a random generator that introduces the objects randomly from the memory in a first video sequence; and a processor operable to play the first video sequence including randomly introduced objects, determine the one or more randomized properties associated with the one or more objects and to record the one or more randomized properties.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include analyzing an image, identifying one or more faces in the image using a face recognition technique, designating at least one of the identified faces collectively as a first area of interest, and determining whether an insertion area exists in the image where additional content can be inserted without obstructing the first area of interest. Another computer program is adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include determining whether the insertion area can be divided into two or more regions based on color. Methods and processor based apparatuses that perform one or more of these steps are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting and mapping three-dimensional information pertaining to one or more target objects. More particularly, the invention consists of selecting one or more target objects, illuminating the one or more target objects using a first light source and capturing an image of the one or more target objects, then, illuminating the same one or more target objects using a second light source and capturing an image of the one or more target objects and lastly calculating the distance at the midpoint between the two light sources and the one or more target objects based on the decay of intensities of light over distance by analyzing the ratio of the image intensities on a pixel by pixel basis.

Abstract: Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with flags associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the flags, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing digital video effects (DVE) operates to embed DVE functionality within a graphics modeling system and provides the user with an interface configured to present model elements to a user as controllable parameters. In order to embed DVE functionality, a dynamic data structure is introduced as a scene to allow the addition of user defined model elements. The user interface enables the identification of, and access to the newly introduced model elements.

Abstract: In at least one example embodiment, a remote controller includes a pairing unit configured to communicatively pair the remote controller with a television device; a receiver configured to receive, from a content provider, at least one thumbnail image corresponding to video content that is played on the television device; and a display unit configured to display, on a first area, a progress dial and the at least one thumbnail image associated with at least one point in time represented on the progress dial, wherein the at least one thumbnail image is also provided to the television device by the content provider.

Abstract: A method and a display apparatus for generating and outputting an image generated to apply a special effect to a video are provided. The method includes outputting a video to a first area of a screen of the display apparatus, generating an image based on information comprised in the video, and outputting the generated image to a second area, surrounding the first area.

Abstract: A system and method for mitigating Analog to Digital (A/D) clipping is disclosed. The mean and variance of analog input data are tracked and the bits of A/D are dynamically reassigned to keep the input signal within their range. The quantization levels of A/D are dynamically re-mapped to avoid changes in sensitivity of sensor system. The method is based on random walk statistic and keeps the sensitivity of the sensor system constant. Also the system and method provides a way to mitigate A/D clipping that avoids changing the sensitivity by dynamically re-mapping the quantization levels of the A/D, keeping the sensitivity of the system constant.

Abstract: Embodiments describe methods, apparatus and systems to provide video display correction to provide an on-axis view at an off-axis angle so that the display surface displays a rectangular video image. For instance, a device may receive a stream of video data to be displayed on a display surface of a display, the video data having a first rectangular aspect ratio to be viewed from an on-axis location with respect to the display surface. The device may also receive a user selection of an off-axis viewing angle with respect to the display surface. The device may then correct the first rectangular aspect ratio to a second, non-rectangular aspect ratio based on the off-axis viewing angle, so that from the off-axis angle, the display surface appears to display a rectangular video image. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time.

Abstract: An imaging device, capable of generating a movie or a live view that has a part that has been subjected to image processing within at least a frame, includes an imaging section for converting a subject image into electrical signals and outputting image data in live view, a bright spot region setting section for setting a bright spot detection region for the image data, a bright spot detection section for detecting bright spots within the bright spot detection region set by the bright spot setting section, a bright spot processing section for performing bright spot processing at the bright spot positions detected by the bright spot detection section, and an image output section for outputting an image that has been subjected to bright spot processing by the bright spot processing detection for display or for storage.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus includes: a plurality of input sections to each of which a video signal from an imaging apparatus whose operation is controllable or is not controllable; an input selector selecting a video signal inputted through the input sections; a screen producer producing a plurality of areas by dividing a screen into portions in which the video signals selected by the input selector are displayed, the screen producer producing a first color frame for the area for the video signal representing a primary output, a second color frame for the area for the video signal representing a standby output, and a third color identifier for the area for the video signal from the controllable imaging apparatus; and an output section outputting the video signals and the frames or the identifier to a display device that displays the screen formed of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: A digital signage displays monitoring device includes a controller, a detector, and a connector. The controller has two ends to connect with the detector and the connector respectively. The sensors inside the detector are attached to the digital signage display, and the connector connects with the digital signage player. Detecting signals are sent to the display by the controller via the player. The sensors detect the detecting signals on the display, and send a feedback signal back to the controller for the detecting signal and the feedback signal being compared by a predetermined program to generate a result signal which indicates condition of the display being normal or out of order and a warning message corresponding to the result signal is sent to the remote control center via the network device in the player for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A system and method for delaying a first version of a video feed from a video camera according to a first delay to generate a second version of the feed, supplying the first version to an insertion system, wherein the insertion system inserts an indicia into the first version to create an enhanced version with a second delay substantially matching the first delay and supplying the enhanced version and the second version to a production switcher, wherein the enhanced version and the second version supplied to the production switcher are synchronized with one another.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computing system for converting two-dimensional (2D) video to three-dimensional (3D) format comprises sampling the 2D video, wherein the sampling is performed non-linearly in one or more directions. The method further comprises determining depth information of one or more objects within the 2D video based on sampling information and transforming the 2D video to a 3D-compatible format according to the sampling and the depth information.

Abstract: The optical performance is enhanced of display systems that use field sequential color and pulse width modulation to generate color and color gray scale values. Such enhancement may be achieved by various data encoding methods disclosed herein that may include temporal redistribution of bit values to mitigate color motional artifacts associated with field sequential color-based display systems, selective combination of intensity modulation, pulse width modulation, and/or the noncontiguous sequencing of primary colors. There is further an intelligent real-time dynamic manipulation of gray scale values in portions of an image that are computationally determined to be images of objects moving against a global background, so as to temporally front load or concentrate the bits comprising such moving objects and thereby further mitigate said motional artifacts using both actual and virtual aggregate pulse truncation across all primary colors being modulated.

Abstract: There are provided a video processing apparatus and a video processing method. The video processing apparatus includes: a buffer for storing data of an image frame inputted from the outside in the unit of line; a memory unit for randomly writing and reading data; a video processing unit for processing and outputting the image frame; and a central processing unit for inverting the image frame left-side right and/or upside down when writing the image frame stored in the buffer in the memory unit and/or reading the image frame from in the memory unit.

Abstract: A video production switcher comprises a number of mix effects (M/E) units and a controller. The latter comprises a control layer that controls the M/Es to provide video outputs through projection devices that give the appearance of displaying one unified pixel space canvas.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for displaying a live view image obtained by implementing special effect processing on an image data on a monitor comprises an image processing unit that implements a plurality of types of special effect processing on the image data to generate a plurality of sets of special effect image data corresponding respectively to the plurality of types of special effect processing, and a control unit that displays the plurality of sets of special effect image data on the monitor while switching the plurality of sets of special effect image data automatically in time series.

Abstract: A method for use with content includes analyzing a sequence of frames of the content, determining whether an area exists in a scene depicted by the sequence of frames where additional content such as advertising can be inserted without obstructing activity in the scene, for any such area, determining an amount of time that the area is available when the sequence of frames is being played, and for any such area, determining a size of the area. A storage medium storing a computer program for causing a processor based system to execute these steps and an apparatus for use with content are also disclosed.

Abstract: A video composition model that provides a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) to set device contexts, and determine capabilities of graphics hardware from a device driver. After the model determines a configuration, the model determines input video stream states applicable to frame rates, color-spaces and alpha indexing of input video streams, interactive graphics, and background images. The model prepares the input video frames and reference frames, as well as a frame format and input/output frame index information. The input video streams, interactive graphics and background images are processed individually and mixed to generate an output video stream.

Abstract: An image processing system is described which is arranged to highlight information in image displays by selectively blurring less important areas of an image. By generating such displays comprising areas which are in focus and areas which are out of focus, a viewer's attention is preferentially drawn towards those areas of an image which appear sharp. By having a display system which is arranged to generate such images a means is provided to direct a viewer's attention towards considering the sharp areas of the image display first. Further the selective blurring portions of an image reduces rather than increases the amount of information presented to a viewer and hence reduces the likelihood that a viewer will become overloaded with information. Display systems of this type are therefore especially applicable to complex control environments as means of directing viewer's attention.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for avoiding discomfort and/or relieving motion sickness when using a display device in a moving environment includes detecting at least one movement component of the moving environment, generating data for intermediate images indicating the movement component or at least one of the movement components, and modifying a series of images showing content to be displayed by inserting the intermediate images into the series. The modified series is divided into sequences of these images by the intermediate images. The method further includes displaying the modified series of images on an image display of the display device. The modified series includes the intermediate images.

Abstract: An audiovisual signal processing device including a signal processing unit configured to receive a video signal comprising a plurality of images; identify at least first and second video components of the video signal, the first video component relating to motion of the first video component between at least a first portion of the plurality of images and the second video component relating to a substantial lack of motion of the second video component between at least a second portion of the plurality of images; select at least one image from the second portion of the plurality of images including the second video component; and insert the first video component into a plurality of the selected at least one image to create a temporally repeating sequence of the at least one image including the first video component.

Abstract: A picture conversion information supply section 130 calculates per frame an affine transformation parameter for picture conversion based on motion information about a moving picture. With reference to a reference picture, a picture conversion section 140 affine-transforms pictures making up the moving picture per frame using the calculated affine transformation parameters. Based on information indicating the center position, angle or scaling factor about the transformed pictures coming from the picture conversion section 140, a sound conversion information calculation section 190 calculates sound conversion information for converting the sound corresponding to the pictures. Based on the sound conversion information, a sound conversion processing section 200 controls the volume of each of the channels making up the sound, adds up the controlled sound of each channel, and outputs the result as output sound to speakers 220.

Abstract: A mix-effects bank architecture of a video switcher having a plurality of video processing units; and an internal switcher routing matrix. The internal switcher routing matrix routing, a video source currently providing a video feed to an auxiliary output and a desired new source for the auxiliary output to a video processing unit that is not contributing towards video processing and routing an output of said video processing unit to said auxiliary output. The video processing unit that is not contributing towards video processing performs a transitional effect for the auxiliary output.

Abstract: Provided are a digital video rescaling system, a method of rescaling video images, and a chip comprising a computer executable medium embedded therein computer executable instructions for rescaling video images.

Abstract: A video switcher (10) advantageously affords the capability of executing a video effect following recall that avoids visible artifacts upon transitioning from one effect to another. At the outset, the switcher identifies active elements within the video effect, the comprising those elements that undergo a change during execution of the video effect, as opposed to those that remain inert during effect execution. The switcher then dynamically calculates offset for application to an initial key frame value for the video effect to avoid any change in value to active elements upon initial effect recall. The offset value is applied to each subsequent interpolation of the video effect, thereby creating the desired result of applying only relative changes to the active elements of the video effect.

Abstract: A video search method includes: displaying an input interface; building a model image as the key image according to at least one input parameters if at least one parameter is input through the input interface; extracting information as to features of the key image; comparing the features of the key image with features in each frame of each stored video file to determine whether the features shown in one or more frames of each stored video file match with the features of the key images; determining that a video file is a target video file if at least one frame of the video file matches with the features of the key image; and presenting the target video files or other processing. A computing device and a storage medium for searching video files are also described.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of one embodiment executes a super-resolution processing which generate a high resolution image of a frame from low resolution images of a plurality of frames by performing alignment of pixels on a reference frame on a standard frame which is made to have high resolution and executing reconfiguration of an image based on a result of the aligning. The image processing apparatus includes a plurality of arithmetic processing units which can operate in parallel. When executing alignment between the standard frame and the reference frame, the plurality of arithmetic processing units operate in parallel a first alignment processing and a second alignment processing which are in the reverse relation to each other in terms of the relation of the standard and the reference, and the first alignment processing and the second alignment processing share their processing results mutually.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting a broadcast signal, an apparatus and method of reproducing a broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal data structure, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method of transmitting the broadcast signal includes generating image modification control information for at least one image; and transmitting the image and the image modification control information as broadcast data.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus includes: a plurality of input sections to each of which a video signal from an imaging apparatus whose operation is controllable or is not controllable; an input selector selecting a video signal inputted through the input sections; a screen producer producing a plurality of areas by dividing a screen into portions in which the video signals selected by the input selector are displayed, the screen producer producing a first color frame for the area for the video signal representing a primary output, a second color frame for the area for the video signal representing a standby output, and a third color identifier for the area for the video signal from the controllable imaging apparatus; and an output section outputting the video signals and the frames or the identifier to a display device that displays the screen formed of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: Systems and methods of extending battery life in inventory control devices are disclosed. A passive receiver configured to wirelessly receive an initiation signal having an associated energy field from a remote control system and to output a mode change signal is provided. The passive receiver is configured to be powered by an energy field associated with the initiation signal. A functional module coupled to the passive receiver and configured to be powered by a self-contained power source when the functional module is in an active mode is provided. The functional module is further configured to receive the mode change signal from the passive receiver and to change from an inactive mode to the active mode. The functional module draws more power from the power source in the active mode than in the inactive mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides steganographic and digital watermarking methods and apparatus. In a first implementation, we provide methods and apparatus for steganographically conveying data in a facial image by subtly altering facial features relative to statistical norms. In a second implementation, we convey data through different patterns of a diffraction grating. In a third implementation, we convey a digital watermark orientation component by projecting the orientation component onto an object to be captured. In the case of blue-screen technology, we incorporate an orientation component into a blue-screen itself. This provides great convenience for digital animators when overlay graphics and animation. In a forth implementation, we provide an identification document including an electronic memory chip. The chip includes an image of a bearer of the identification document. The image is digitally watermarked to include information (e.g.

Abstract: A method for use with content includes analyzing a sequence of frames of the content, determining whether an area exists in a scene depicted by the sequence of frames where additional content such as advertising can be inserted without obstructing activity in the scene, for any such area, determining an amount of time that the area is available when the sequence of frames is being played, and for any such area, determining a size of the area. A storage medium storing a computer program for causing a processor based system to execute these steps and an apparatus for use with content are also disclosed.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: The optical performance is enhanced of display systems that use field sequential color and pulse width modulation to generate color and color gray scale values. Such enhancement may be achieved by various data encoding methods disclosed herein that may include temporal redistribution of bit values to mitigate color motional artifacts associated with field sequential color-based display systems, selective combination of intensity modulation, pulse width modulation, and/or the noncontiguous sequencing of primary colors. There is further an intelligent real-time dynamic manipulation of gray scale values in portions of an image that are computationally determined to be images of objects moving against a global background, so as to temporally front load or concentrate the bits comprising such moving objects and thereby further mitigate said motional artifacts using both actual and virtual aggregate pulse truncation across all primary colors being modulated.

Abstract: A multi-screen television receiver remote control system includes a multi-screen television receiver including a plurality of television receivers, and a remote controller for controlling the multi-screen television receiver. In the multi-screen television receiver remote control system, the remote controller includes a determining section, a manipulating section, a remote control command generating section, and a transmitting section. The multi-screen television receiver includes a receiving section, a recognizing section, and an executing section.

Abstract: Disclosed are further improvements of AmbiLight Displaying Arrangement, a lighting or illumination system that has been introduced to enhance viewing experience. This is achieved by providing light sources (20) that create multiple colors next to at least one side of the screen (10) of the display device or arrangement, each of the multiple colors being 5 adapted to the video contents at a spatially corresponding region (50) of the screen (10). In one embodiment the lighting or illumination system can have an improved construction wherein a reflector (60) has a window section (65) enabling the light from the light sources (20) to be split into two. Half or more of the light is directed to the background (30) of the display device and half or less of the light is directed to the bezel diffuser (70), i.e. to the 10 front of the display device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a display, an input unit and a processor connected to the display and input unit, the processor being configured to recognize an input and embed at least one effect, in response to the input, into a video feed transmitted from the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information display system provided with: a signal analyzing unit which analyzes the audio signals obtained from a predetermined location and which generates ambient sound information regarding the sound generated at the predetermined location; an ambient expression selection unit which selects an ambient expression which expresses the content of what a person is feeling from the sound generated at the predetermined location on the basis of the ambient sound information; and an ambient expression and video superimposing unit which superimposes the ambient expression on the video of a video signal obtained from the predetermined location.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image capture unit, a first correction unit configured to correct a black level of an image signal output from the image capture unit, a combining unit configured to select pixels to be used from among a plurality of image signals, the black level of which has been corrected by the first correction unit, to generate a combined image signal, and a second correction unit configured to correct the black level of the combined image signal generated by the combining unit.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus, comprising: an input section; a storage section; first and second signal processing sections; and a control section.

Abstract: A file for storing digital data with high compression rate stores digital data for video and audio signals in multiple streams interleaved with each other. Each track has a stream descriptor list and a stream data list. The stream descriptor list includes a stream header chunk, a stream format chunk, and a stream name chunk. For a video stream, the stream descriptor list also includes a stream header data chunk if the video stream is under digital rights management (DRM) protection. The file format is compatible with high level data compressing algorithms, such as MPEG-4, which provide data compression ratio about six to ten times higher than a standard DVD format.