Abstract: Using a background-side image which is a shot of an arbitrary background and a material-side image which is a shot of a composition material against the same background, two images are compared to extract an image material to be composited. Images shot in any scenery can thus be used to extract a composition material, being part of the images, without using a certain background such as a blue screen.

Abstract: An image of a background is stored and thereafter removed from a video stream. Substitute background video data is merged into the video stream and provided to videoconference participants.

Abstract: A storage medium storing: video data; and graphics data for displaying a menu. The graphics data includes first graphics data displayed on the screen when an activation command is generated by a user and may also include second graphics data displayed on the screen at a designated time.

Abstract: A system for remote signature acquisition, includes a local computer located in a first position where a document is needs to be executed, a remote computer located at a second position, a camera connected to the local computer, a tablet connected to the remote computer, and a plotting instrument connected to the local computer. The remote computer is connected to the local computer via a network. The camera presents information of the document to the remote computer via the local computer and network for display at the second position. The tablet records the corresponding input thereon and converts the input to a digital signal which is capable of being transmitted to the local computer via the remote computer and network. The local computer directs the plotting instrument to inscribe the corresponding input on the document according to the digital signal.

Abstract: A method of raster-scan search for multi-region OSD and a system using the same are provided. The multi-region OSD is to be displayed on a screen after an alpha-blending of a mixer. The method includes at least following procedures. First, a global header search is executed in the first memory module for each or a portion of a plurality of search lines so as to determine a blending region and store header addresses of OSD regions in a second memory module. Next, whether there is a dummy region at the search line is determined. In addition, an alpha value for the dummy region, a dummy data of the dummy region and the OSD data of the OSD regions at the search line are transmitted to the mixer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes an input image while also considering the luminous intensity information thereof, and thereby generates an output image wherein the apparent object surface roughness has been enhanced with respect to the input image. The image processing apparatus includes a luminous intensity information separator that separates the input image information into global luminous intensity information and local luminous intensity information, a shadow component generator that generates a shadow component of the image on the basis of the local luminous intensity information, and an image compositor that generates an output image by adding shadow image information to the input image information, with the shadow image information being generated from the shadow component and from a value based on the input image information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for replacing people in a scene of a film with other people by removing the original people with video space-time completion of the film and inserting the other people with video processing software with user input. The method segments automatically the film with the original people and segments automatically the film with the other people.

Abstract: A photo booth incorporating LED lighting elements configured for causing a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic outer sheeting of the booth having translucent properties to exhibit a desired color, pattern or sequence. The body and associated polycarbonate sheet are typically constructed in an arcuate (rounded or ellipsoidal) shape to create an internal space sufficient for mounting the LED lighting elements as well as the associated interior architecture for operating the booth. An external processor control interfaces with the internal processor associated with the architecture of the booth and for operating such as a digital camera and printer. Security hardware and software components are also provided and for ensuring against non-authorized use of the booth.

Abstract: An mobile computing device includes a video capturing module to capture a video stream, a global positioning system (GPS) module to generate geographical information associated with frames of the video stream to be captured by the video capturing device, and a video processing module to analyze the frames of the video stream and extract features of points of interest included in the frames. The video processing is configured to transmit the features of the points of interest and the geographical information to a server and to receive augment information from the server computer using wireless communication. The video processing module uses the augment information to overlay the frames of the video stream to generate an augmented video stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for associating metadata with scene changes are described. At least one embodiment includes a system for associating metadata with a video. The system comprises an input module for reading a first video, wherein the input module is configured to receive special effects specified by a user and an insertion point in which to insert the special effects. The system further comprises a key frame module for identifying at least one key frame preceding the specified insertion point, the key frame comprising at least one of a scene change and a particular scene identified by the user. The system also includes a metadata module for calculating time differences between the insertion point and the one or more key frames, the metadata module further configured to store the special effects input by the user, the insertion point, the time differences, and key frames as metadata.

Abstract: A system and method of enhancing an immersion based on adaptive immersion enhancement prediction is provided. A system for enhancing an immersion includes a foreground/background separation unit to separate an input image into a foreground image and a background image using color information and frequency information of the input image, an immersion enhancement factor calculation unit to calculate an immersion enhancement factor of the input image using the foreground image and the background image, an immersion enhancement prediction unit to predict an immersion enhancement degree of the input image using the immersion enhancement factor, and an immersion enhancement processing unit to process immersion enhancement of the input image by determining whether the immersion enhancement is necessary based on the predicted immersion enhancement degree.

Abstract: A system for associating overlay content with video programming and for allowing viewers of video programming to view the associated overlay content during playback of the video program, and methods for operation of video equipment, associated display devices and network servers to provide overlay content are disclosed. The overlay content is associated with specific passages of the video program while the content itself may be asynchronous or synchronized to the frames of the video programming. Users are able to identify what content is available and to determine how it will be played and on what devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications. Preferably, the apparatus implementing the present invention includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between two applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be turned off for smooth transition between the applications to occur.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the following steps. Firstly, foreground image data and background image data are received, wherein the foreground and the background image data corresponds to the same pixel in a display panel. Then, a foreground ratio and a background ratio are determined in response to an operational event. Next, a first value is obtained by multiplying the foreground image data by the foreground ratio, and a second value is obtained by multiplying the background image data by the background ratio. Then, an output image data is obtained by adding the first value and the second value. After that, the output image data is displayed at the pixel in the display panel.

Abstract: A method implemented in a video playback system is described for incorporating augmented reality (AR) into a video stream. The method comprises determining a target pattern, determining an inner pattern in the target pattern, determining a relationship between the target pattern and the inner pattern, and receiving, by the video playback system, frames of the video stream. For each frame within the frame sequence, binarization is performed according to a predetermined threshold. Based on whether a location of the target pattern can be determined, a location of the inner pattern is determined. Based on the location of the inner pattern on received frames and the determined relationship between the target pattern and the inner pattern, a location of the target pattern is determined. The method further comprises displaying a virtual object with the target pattern on an output device based on the location of the target pattern.

Abstract: An image processor (24) includes an image processing section (04) which performs a blurring process on a given image data. The image processing section (04) is provided with an image data reduction part (04A), a spatial filter processing part (04B), and an image data expansion part (04C). The image data reduction part (04A) reduces the given image data at a predetermined reduction rate to generate a reduced image data. The spatial filter processing part (04B) performs a spatial filter process on the reduced image data reduced by the image data reduction part (04A) to generate a processed image data. An image data expansion part (04C) expands the processed image data processed by the spatial filter processing part (04B) at an expansion rate inverse of the reduction rate.

Abstract: A visible mismatch in noise characteristics between a portion of a background scene inserted in composite image by a matte generated from a blue screen and a second portion of the same background inserted by a garbage matte is significantly reduced by adding extracted noise characteristics from the foreground image to the portion of the background scene inserted by the garbage matte. The selective addition of foreground noise characteristics to portions of the background scene significantly enhances the realistic look of a composite image.

Abstract: The video output system in a computer system reads pixel information from a frame buffer to generate a video output signal. In addition, a full-motion video may also be displayed. Reading from both the frame buffer and the full-motion video buffer when displaying the full-motion video window wastes valuable memory bandwidth. Thus, the disclosed system provides a system and methods for identifying where the video output system must read from the frame buffer and where it must read from the full-motion video buffer while minimizing the amount of area it reads from both the frame buffer and the full-motion video buffer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating foreground masks, or mattes, in images including complex images. A discriminative matting technique may generate accurate alpha mattes for textured images or objects with spatial-varying color distributions. Given an input image and a trimap defining an unknown region, a discriminative color analysis is applied to the unknown region, yielding estimated alpha values, estimated binary segmentation values, and a mixture probability map for the region. The map may be adaptively smoothed. The pixels in the unknown region are classified into boundary pixels and non-boundary pixels according to the probability map. The non-boundary pixels are classified as either foreground or background pixels using a differencing technique that compares multiple pixel features. The estimated alpha values for the boundary pixels are refined. An alpha matte for the image is output. The process may be repeated until convergence of the alpha matte.

Abstract: A method includes selecting, at a first computing device, a first content source as a foreground content source and a second content source as a background content source. The method includes determining a location of the first computing device. The method also includes generating layered multimedia content. The layered multimedia content includes a foreground layer including first media content received from the first content source, a background layer including second media content received from the second content source, an information layer including data associated with the location to the first computing device, and audio content. The method includes sending the layered multimedia content to at least a second computing device.

Abstract: A projection apparatus comprises a receiver, a processor, and a frame projector. A sensor detects a horizontal position of a user in front of a screen and transmits a horizontal position signal. The receiver receives the horizontal position signal. The processor generates an on screen display (OSD), and superimposes the OSD onto a projection frame. The frame projector projects the superimposed frame onto the screen. During projection, the OSD covers the face of the user.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for generating a video output by combining a first video input and a second video input. A first input image is accessed from the first video input and a second input image is accessed from the second video input, wherein the second input image includes a selected element recorded in front of a monochromatic background. A first region and a second region are generated from the first input image. An output image that includes the first region and the second region with a gap separating the first region from the second region is generated. The selected element is placed at least over the gap in the output image, wherein predetermined areas of the first region and the second region remain visible in the output image. The output image is included in the video output.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a studio video feed, including a studio subject, may be received from a studio video camera. A remote video feed, including a remote subject, may be received from a remote video camera. The remote video feed may include, for example, the remote subject positioned in from of a solid-colored background. The remote subject may be overlaid into the studio video feed to produce a composite video signal, and at least one of the studio video feed and the remote video feed may be automatically adjusted to create an impression that the studio subject and the remote subject occupy a shared physical space.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can generate a map. The map can be a hybrid between an orthographic projection map and street-side images, thus including useful aspects from both types of representations. For example, an orthographic projection map is very effective at presenting global relationships among the features of the map but not effective at presenting local detail. In contrast, street -side images show excellent detail but do not convey the global information of an orthographic projection map. The hybrid map can thus provide a richer set of information than conventional maps and can also display objects/features of the hybrid map in multiple perspectives simultaneously on a single representation that is printable.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling a composite overlay image, wherein the composite overlay image comprises a plurality of pixels and each pixel comprises at least one color channel and at least one alpha channel, and further wherein at least one pixel of the composite overlay image has an alpha value of zero and a color value that is not well defined. First, a set of pixels of the composite overlay image are identified as pixels to be dilated. The color channels of the identified pixels are then dilated to form dilated composite overlay image. Finally, the dilated composite overlay image is scaled.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an output device coupled to one or more sources of multimedia content comprises an operator interface, a record generator and a network interface. The operator interface receives information responsive to a user's observation of a segment of multimedia content. The record generator creates a record that identifies the segment of multimedia content and includes information responsive to the user's observation of the segment of multimedia content. The network interface communicates presence information. The apparatus generates a record that provides a mechanism for interactive and collaborative communication between interested parties with access to a device that can access and synchronize the presentation of the segment of multimedia content and the user information.

Abstract: Provided is a method for providing animation in electronic communications. An image is generated by capturing multiple photographs from a camera or video camera typically fixed in one position. The first photograph is called the “naked photo.” Using a graphics program, photos subsequent to the naked photo are edited to cut an element common to the subsequent photos. The cut images are pasted into the naked photo as layers. The modified naked photo, including the layers, is stored as a web-enabled graphics file, which is then transmitted in conjunction with electronic communication. When the electronic communication is received, the naked photo is displayed and each of the layers is displayed and removed in the order that each was taken with a short delay between photos. In this manner, a movie is generated with much smaller files than is currently possible.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a production apparatus for index information with link information. The apparatus includes a database in which a corresponding relationship between region identification information applied to a key region which provides a partial region in a main image specified arbitrarily by an operator and link information for accessing to related information of the partial region is listed. The apparatus further includes an information embedding section configured to refer to said database to embed, into index information in which a corresponding relationship between the region identification information applied to the key region and time information is listed, the corresponding link information.

Abstract: An integrated station for recording and sending audio and video signals, apt to have remote access to telecommunication networks for carrying out information services and pre-arranged for implementing camera set-ups and for transmitting broadcast-quality audio and video signals. The station includes a temporary camera set-up for acquiring broadcast-quality audio/video signals and includes multiple wing panelling which may have a column-shaped structure with wings that may be opened to provide a background for television shooting.

Abstract: A system and method for removing background lighting variations from an image. The method includes capturing at least one first image including a first background and a subject wherein the at least one first image includes at least one background lighting variation, creating a virtual background model of the first background, creating a virtual background image that is substantially similar to the first background, and generating an output comprising at least one first image with at least one background lighting variation removed therefrom.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device that includes an information superimposition portion, a display format acquisition portion, and a superimposition control portion. The information superimposition portion superimposes specified information on an input image and outputs the image with the superimposed information. The display format acquisition portion acquires information about a display format of an image that is currently being displayed. The superimposition control portion, based on the information that the display format acquisition portion has acquired about the display format of the image that is currently being displayed, performs control that relates to the superimposing of the superimposed information on the input image by the information superimposition portion. This configuration makes it possible to correctly superimpose information on an image irrespective of the image format.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing apparatus and method for extracting foreground data from among image data. The image processing apparatus generates background data and compares the background data with received data to extract a foreground. The foreground may be extracted using information regarding distances from an image acquiring unit to objects included in received data.

Abstract: Motion picture scenes to be colorized/depth enhanced (2D?3D) are broken into separate elements, backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined separately into single frame representations of multiple frames which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Each pixel address within the database corresponds to a mask/lookup table address within the digital frame and X, Y, Z location of subsequent frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting of all masks or single masks in an entire frame, bezier and polygon tracing of selected regions with edge detected shaping and operator directed detection of subsequent regions. Colors and/or depths are automatically applied to masks throughout a scene from the composite background and to motion objects.

Abstract: A digital camera comprising: an imaging unit operable to generate an image by photographing an object; a receiving unit operable to receive information relating to image processing from one or more transmission devices; a judging unit operable to judge whether the image is to be output or not, based on the information received by the receiving unit; and an output unit operable to, in accordance with the judgment made by the judging unit, output the image to a memory, or discard the image, where the memory is readable by the digital camera or an external device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compositing multiple video streams onto a background image having at least one object while keeping at least one of a proper perspective, order, and substantial alignment to the object of the multiple video streams based on the rules of a common layout. The background is defined as a meeting space that fills in gaps between the multiple video streams with appropriate structure of the object. The background creates the context of the meeting space.

Abstract: A deepest part searching means divides each frame of a background image into a plurality of blocks, and searches for a candidate for the deepest part of the background image which is located the deepest in a direction of the depth of the background image, a deepest part determining means selects one of the searched candidate for the deepest part of the background image and predetermined candidates for the deepest part of the background image so as to determine the deepest part of the background image, a superimposing determining means determines a superimposing method of superimposing each of the series of images to be superimposed on the background image, and a superimposing processing means superimposes the series of images to be superimposed on the background image on a frame-by-frame basis according to the determined superimposing method.

Abstract: Given two video sequences, a composite video sequence can be generated which includes visual elements from each of the given sequences, suitably synchronized and represented in a chosen focal plane. For example, given two video sequences with each showing a different contestant individually racing the same down-hill course, the composite sequence can include elements from each of the given sequences to show the contestants as if racing simultaneously. A composite video sequence can be made also by similarly combining a video sequence with an audio sequence.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can generate a map. The map can be a hybrid between an orthographic projection map and street-side images, thus including useful aspects from both types of representations. For example, an orthographic projection map is very effective at presenting global relationships among the features of the map, but not effective at presenting local detail. In contrast, street-side images show excellent detail, but do not convey the global information of an orthographic projection map. The hybrid map can thus provide a richer set of information than conventional maps, and can also display objects/features of the hybrid map in multiple perspectives simultaneously on a single representation that is printable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic correction of data for non-uniformity are disclosed. Feature data are extracted from input video data that include a subject shot against a backing area in a solid color. The feature data may describe characteristics of non-uniformity in input video data. A curve is generated based on the extracted feature data, and correction factors are formed based on the generated curve. At least one of the input video data and alpha data associated with the input video data is corrected based on the correction factors.

Abstract: An information recording medium (100) on which there are recorded: a series of content information which includes an image portion which can be a background image; button information (301) for defining a button menu which allows an operation as for the content information and which is displayed during the reproduction of the content information; and play list information (120) for defining reproduction sequence of the content information by a unit of item, which constitutes the content information and which is accessible upon reproduction, the button information including a plurality of button pages (301p) each of which can constitute the button menu and whose display can be changed to each other.

Abstract: A camera device 100 comprises a CPU 13, a characteristic area specifier 8d, and a combine subunit 8f. CPU 13 detects a command to combine a background image and a foreground image. In response to detection of the command by CPU 13, the characteristic area specifier 8d specifies a foreground area for the foreground image. The combine subunit 8f combines the background image and the foreground image such that the foreground area specified by the characteristic area specifier 8d is in front of the foreground image.

Abstract: An interactive method includes receiving background video including a multiplicity of video frames, at least one of the multiplicity of video frames include a plurality of sub-pictures, each of the plurality of sub-pictures representing an alternative background (1200), and switching between a first sub-picture of the plurality of sub-pictures and a second sub-picture of the plurality of sub-pictures (1210).

Abstract: Various embodiments of separating a picture part of interest from an arbitrary background are described. The background may be a moving or still frame. The picture part of interest and background frames may be in or out of focus. One separation approach employs the difference between luminance and chrominance values of the input and background frames where changes in luminance from frame to frame are compensated for. In another approach, picture part of interest separation is based on spatial resolution differences between the background and the picture part of interest frames. Parameter matching can also be performed for the picture part of interest and the basic picture into which the picture part of interest is embedded. Further, a separated picture part of interest can be embedded into a basic picture containing text.

Abstract: A process for integrating video images includes generating a dancer video with a dancer and identifying a dancer head position of the dancer in the dancer video. A participant head location is identified and a cropped area is generated based on the participant head location. A participant video is generated of cropped area contents and a composite video is generated by overlaying the cropped area contents onto the dancer head position. A video image integration system includes a video camera for capturing participant videos and a processor. The processor has a processor database module storing pre-recorded dancer videos, a face recognition module configured to identify participant head locations from the video camera and generated cropped areas based thereon, and a blender module configured to overlay the cropped areas onto the dancer videos to generate composite videos.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating a picture part of interest from an arbitrary background in real time videos are presented. The background may be a moving or still frame. The picture part of interest and background frames may be in or out of focus. One separation approach employs the difference between luminance and chrominance values of the input and background frames where changes in luminance from frame to frame are compensated for. In another approach, picture part of interest separation is based solely on spatial resolution differences between the background and the picture part of interest frames. The present invention also teaches a method and system for parameter matching of the picture part of interest and the basic picture into which the picture part of interest is embedded. The invention further teaches a method and system for embedding a separated picture part of interest into a basic picture containing text.

Abstract: A computer graphics generation system combines video images of a scene captured by a camera with one or more rendered computer generated objects. The system comprises a camera which is arranged to generate an image signal representative of a scene including a reference object of a predetermined shape, and an image processor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications. Preferably, the apparatus implementing the present invention includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between two applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be tamed off for smooth transition between the applications to occur.

Abstract: A head detecting apparatus, including a foreground extraction section for extracting a foreground region in which a person is captured from an input image; a first main axis computing section which includes a first moment computing section for computing a moment around a center of gravity of the foreground region and calculating a main axis of the foreground region based on the moment around the center of gravity of the foreground region; a head computing section for computing a head region included in the foreground region as a part thereof based on the main axis of the foreground region and a shape of the foreground region; and an ellipse determining section for determining an ellipse to be applied to a person's head based on a shape of the head region.

Abstract: Using a background-side image which is a shot of an arbitrary background and a material-side image which is a shot of a composition material against the same background, two images are compared to extract an image material to be composited. Images shot in any scenery can thus be used to extract a composition material, being part of the images, without using a certain background such as a blue screen.

Abstract: Digitally compositing an object from an input image onto a destination image is disclosed. The object is composited from an image having an arbitrary or non-uniform colored background containing some non-static elements onto a destination image with reduced effects from shadows cast by the object and with reduced gaps or holes within the object. The effect of shadows emanating from the object is reduced so that the composited object in the destination image contains only the object clearly outlined by the object's physical boundaries without the effect of shadows cast by the object.