Abstract:
A multi-function device that prints information images onto sheets of photo-addressable media is described. The multi-function device is comprised of an image acquisition component, an image generation component, optional image transformation components and an image projector to illuminate the photo-addressable medium with the optionally transformed information images. The effects of ambient light on the photo-addressable medium are reduced by tuning the response characteristics of the photo-addressable medium to respond to the wavelength of the projected light and/or to interpose band-pass filters that reduce non-projected light incident on the photo-addressable medium. Programmable characteristics of the photo-addressable medium are adjustable to compensate for ambient light. Registration marks on the photo-addressable medium allow the alignment of the projected image with the photo-addressable medium. Additional optional image transformations are applied to adjust the size of the information image, increase clarity and the like.
Abstract:
A system and method for detecting useful images and for ranking images in order of usefulness based on a vignette score describing how closely each one resembles a “vignette,” or a central object or image surrounded by a featureless or deemphasized background. Several methods for determining an image's vignette score are disclosed as examples. Variance ratio analysis entails calculation of the ratio of variance between the edge region of the image and the entire image. Statistical model analysis entails developing a statistical classifier capable of determining a statistical model of each image class based on pre-entered training data. Spatial frequency analysis involves estimating the energy at different spatial frequencies in the central and edge regions and in the image as a whole. A vignette score is calculated as the ratio of mid-frequency energies in the edge region to the mid-frequency energies of the entire image.
Abstract:
A camera array captures plural component images which are combined into a single scene. In one embodiment, each camera of the array is a fixed digital camera. The images from each camera are warped to a common coordinate system and the disparity between overlapping images is reduced using disparity estimation techniques.
Abstract:
A method for exchanging information in a shared interactive environment, comprising selecting a first physical device in a first live video image wherein the first physical device has information associated with it, causing the information to be transferred to a second physical device in a second live video image wherein the transfer is brought about by manipulating a visual representation of the information, wherein the manipulation includes interacting with the first live video image and the second live video image, wherein the first physical device and the second physical device are part of the shared interactive environment, and wherein the first physical device and the second physical device are not the same.
Abstract:
An audio device management system (ADMS) manages remote audio devices via user selections in video links. The system enhances audio acquisition quality by receiving and processing human suggestions, forming customized two-way audio links according to user requests, and learning audio pickup strategies and camera management strategies from user operations. The ADMS control interface for a remote user provides a multi-window GUI that provides an overview window and selection display window. The ADMS provides users with more flexibility to enhance audio signals according to their needs and makes it more convenient to form customized two-way audio links without requiring users to remember a list of phone numbers. The ADMS also automatically manages available microphones for audio pickup based on microphone sound quality and the system's past experience when users monitor a structured audio environment without explicitly expressing their attentions in the video window.
Abstract:
A method for determining points of change or novelty in an audio signal measures the self similarity of components of the audio signal. For each time window in an audio signal, a formula is used to determine a vector parameterization value. The self-similarity as well as cross-similarity between each of the parameterization values is then determined for all past and future window regions. A significant point of novelty or change will have a high self-similarity in the past and future, and a low cross-similarity. The extent of the time difference between “past” and “future” can be varied to change the scale of the system so that, for example, individual musical notes can be found using a short time extent while longer events, such as musical themes or changing of speakers, can be identified by considering windows further into the past or future. The result is a measure of the degree of change, or how novel the source audio is at any time. The method can be used in a wide variety of applications, including segmenting or indexing for classification and retrieval, beat tracking, and summarizing of speech or music.
Abstract:
Inputs drawn on a control surface or inputs retrieved based on tokens or other objects placed on a control surface are identified and a view of a camera, or a virtual view of a camera or camera array is directed toward a corresponding location in a scene based on the inputs. A panoramic or wide angle view of the scene is displayed on the control surface as a reference for user placement of tokens, drawings, or icons. Camera icons may also be displayed for directing views of specific cameras to specific views identified by any of drag and drop icons, tokens, or other inputs drawn on the control surface. Clipping commands, are sent to a display device along with the wide angle view which is then clipped to a view corresponding to the input and displayed on a display device, broadcasting mechanism, or provided to a recording device.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a force-feedback apparatus which includes a stylus that is equipped with an electromagnetic device or a freely rotating ball. The stylus is functionally coupled to a controller which is capable of exerting a magnetic field to the electromagnetic device or to the rotating ball, which results in a force being created between the stylus and a surface. This invention also relates to a method of using a force-feedback stylus including moving a force-feedback stylus over a surface, controlling a force-feedback device via a controller coupled to the force-feedback stylus and applying a force to the force-feedback stylus via the force-feedback device, the force being determined for at least features on the surface.
Abstract:
A stream of ordered information, such as, for example, audio, video and/or text data, can be windowed and parameterized. A similarity between the parameterized and windowed stream of ordered information can be determined, and a probabilistic decomposition or probabilistic matrix factorization, such as non-negative matrix factorization, can be applied to the similarity matrix. The component matrices resulting from the decomposition indicate major components or segments of the ordered information. Excerpts can then be extracted from the stream of ordered information based on the component matrices to generate a summary of the stream of ordered information.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for transferring media between media source devices and media sink devices are disclosed. Remote control units are used to indicate the media sink and media source devices for transferring media data between these elements.