164 results about "Visual artifact" patented technology

An autonomous computer based method and system is described for personalized production of videos such as team sport videos such as basketball videos from multi-sensored data under limited display resolution. Embodiments of the present invention relate to the selection of a view to display from among the multiple video streams captured by the camera network. Technical solutions are provided to provide perceptual comfort as well as an efficient integration of contextual information, which is implemented, for example, by smoothing generated viewpoint / camera sequences to alleviate flickering visual artefacts and discontinuous story-telling artefacts. A design and implementation of the viewpoint selection process is disclosed that has been verified by experiments, which shows that the method and system of the present invention efficiently distribute the processing load across cameras, and effectively selects viewpoints that cover the team action at hand while avoiding major perceptual artefacts.

A method and an apparatus for transforming a high dynamic range image into a low dynamic range image. The method includes converting first luminance values associated with pixels into a plurality of second luminance values, and utilizing a film transfer function for mapping the second luminance values associated with the pixels into a plurality of third luminance values to generate the low dynamic range image. A second luminance range of the second luminance values is smaller than a first luminance range of the first luminance values, and the film transfer function adds no visual artifact to the low dynamic range image.

A system and method for providing improved residual prediction for spatial scalability in video coding. In order to prevent visual artifacts in residual prediction in extended spatial scalability (ESS), each enhancement layer macroblock is checked to determine if the macroblock satisfies a number of conditions. If the conditions are met for an enhancement layer macroblock, then it is likely that visual artifacts will be introduced if applying residual prediction on the macroblock. Once such locations are identified, various mechanisms may be used to avoid or remove the visual artifacts.

The present invention is a method and system which extracts, manipulates and embeds data from a compressed and standard compliant video bitstream which may be used for digital rights management, e.g. controlling access to a bitstream or for authenticating a video bitstream.The method embeds binary data bits into compressed and standard compliant video bitstream with minimal visual artifacts. The method first parses the compressed video bitstream and locates coded blocks. The codeword C for the last triplet in the original block(RUNc,LEVELc, LASTc=1) is replaced by the VLC code word C′ for the last triplet (RUNC,LEVELC, LASTC′=0). A codeword corresponding to a triplet with LAST=1 is placed after C′ whose sign bit “s” can be either 0 or 1 and is an embedded data bit, and can be used for authentication.

A dimmable electrodeless light source includes an electrodeless lamp, an electronic ballast and a dimming module. The light source further includes coupling transformers coupled to the electrodeless lamp for inductively coupling power to the lamp to generate light. An auxiliary winding electromagnetically coupled to the primary winding of at least one of the coupling transformers is driven by switching circuitry in the dimming module. The switching circuitry is pulse width modulated to control the average brightness of the light generated by the electrodeless lamp. An exemplary application for the dimmable electrodeless light source is as a backlight for a video display device, such as a liquid crystal display unit. The dimmable electrodeless light source further includes a magnetic shield device that is operably positioned with respect to the electrodeless lamp. The magnetic shield device produces a magnetic field that substantially opposes, and cancels, the magnetic field that is produced by the electrodeless lamp when energized. In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic shield device produces a magnetic field which, when combined with the lamp magnetic field, results in a total magnetic field that is substantially constant regardless of the energization level of the lamp (e.g., totally energized or dimmed). The magnetic shield thus reduces visual artifacts that might otherwise appear on a video display unit due to a variation of the magnetic field produced by the lamp.

A method for generating a digital motion video sequence at a plurality of bit rates uses a transitional coding source when switching between bitstreams having different bit rates during transmission of a video sequence. The transitional data may be frames coded using reconstructed frames reconstructed for a first bitstream using the characteristics of the second bitstream. These “low bit rate insert frames,” or LBIFs, contain the image characteristics of a signal coded at the lower bit rate. With a bitstream having a higher bit rate being periodically coded using an LBIF, a point of image continuity between the two bitstreams is provided. Thus, switching from one bitstream to the other at this point in the video sequence minimizes the production of artifacts caused by differences in bit rate. In another embodiment of the invention, a separate set of transitional data is created, taking the form of “switch” frames, or S-frames. The S-frames are typically the difference between a frame of a first bitstream and a frame of a second bitstream. These frames are inserted into the decoded bitstream during the transition from one bitstream to the other, and compensate for any visual artifacts that might otherwise occur due to the difference in bit rate of the two bitstreams.

A method for smoothly transitioning between different object representations in computer animation using stochastic sampling. The method allows for level of detail transitions between object representations made up of different geometric primitives, of different types, with different rendering attributes, and even different topologies without “popping” or other visual artifacts.

An image processor generates a Super-Resolution (SR) frame by upscaling. A Human Visual Preference Model (HVPM) helps detect random texture regions, where visual artifacts and errors are tolerated to allow for more image details, and immaculate regions having flat areas, corners, or regular structures, where details may be sacrificed to prevent annoying visual artifacts that seem to stand out more. A regularity or isotropic measurement is generated for each input pixel. More regular and less anisotropic regions are mapped as immaculate regions. Higher weights for blurring, smoothing, or blending from a single frame source are assigned for immaculate regions to reduce the likelihood of generated artifacts. In the random texture regions, multiple frames are used as sources for blending, and sharpening is increased to enhance details, but more artifacts are likely. These artifacts are more easily tolerated by humans in the random texture regions than in the regular-structure immaculate regions.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a lighting system, the lighting system being arranged as a wireless network comprising a controller and a plurality of operating nodes arranged to communicate with each other, wherein the method comprises the steps of synchronizing the operating nodes with the controller, determining, from the plurality of operating nodes, a set of operating nodes that are located within a predetermined operating area, estimating a state-shift delay based on a maximum communication delay between the controller and the set of operating nodes located within the predetermined operating area, communicating the estimated state-shift delay to the plurality of operating nodes, and communicating a state-shift command to the plurality of operating nodes.An advantage with the invention is that the visual artifact of the state-shift may be essentially removed as the time synchronization and timer interrupt alignment together with the estimated state-shift delay allows for the plurality of nodes to shift state at essentially the same time.

Methods and apparatus for enhanced synchronization of a descrambler, such as used in a signal interface that carries scrambled data. In one embodiment, the descrambler self-synchronizes to a scrambled bit stream (rather than receiving an external “sync” trigger), thereby allowing for much more rapid synchronization. This is accomplished in one variant by identifying a scrambled symbol that has an expected value, predicting an internal scrambler seed based on the expected value, and verifying the predicted seed. For example, an invention-enabled device can synchronize to a DisplayPort stream during blanking intervals which are filled with known “dummy” bytes. Blanking intervals are much more frequent than explicit synchronization symbols, thus an invention enabled device can greatly improve synchronization times, and eliminate e.g., visual artifacts.

Methods and systems configured for on-the-fly detection of available wireless bandwidth and for on-the-fly adapting quality of videos to the available wireless bandwidth are disclosed. Techniques are also disclosed to facilitate the transition of video quality to minimize visual artifacts.

Systems and methods for performing image editing operations may divide an input image into overlapping patches and assign those patches to locations in a reconstructed output image such that visual artifacts are minimized. The methods may use belief propagation to compute a joint probability for the assignment of active patch labels to output image nodes. The computation may include an exclusivity term, steering the solution such that each patch is preferably only used once in the output image. The methods may include a pre-computation of a pruned list of candidate patches for placing next to each patch in the output image, dependent on local evidence (e.g., color, intensity, or user-driven placement) for each patch. The pre-computation may include determining groupings of patches, each forming a highly compatible loop of neighboring patches for a given candidate patch. The methods may be implemented as program instructions executable by a CPU and / or GPU.

Method and apparatus are provided for displaying an image to a viewer with reduced visual artifacts. The apparatus comprises a display panel for forming the image using an array of pixels with distributed active regions, and a viewing arrangement optically situated between the display panel and the viewer for transferring the image formed on the display panel to the viewer with limited angular pixel subtense. The distributed active regions of the pixels are desirably divided into at least two simultaneously switched portions at least partly separated by or surrounding a significant portion of the non-switchable region. First order spatial harmonics and associated artifacts are reduced by the distributed apertures and second order and higher harmonics are reduced by limiting the pixel subtense angle seen by the viewer. A significant reduction in visual artifacts arising from the periodic structure of the display panel is obtained.

Data can be written to a sub-pixel by applying a voltage to the sub-pixel's data line. A large change in voltage on a data line can affect the voltages on adjacent data lines due to capacitive coupling between data lines. The resulting change in voltage on these adjacent data lines can give rise to visual artifacts in the data lines' corresponding sub-pixels. Various embodiments of the present disclosure serve to prevent or reduce the appearance of these visual artifacts by inserting guard lines between data lines to reduce the mutual capacitance between data lines. In other embodiments, a pixel having multiple gate lines can be used to selectively turn on and turn off different sub-pixels which, in turn, can reduce or eliminate the appearance of visual artifacts.

A video camera system includes a mount with a clip-on structure adapted for attachment to a pair of eyeglass frames, loupes, or a headband. The preferred embodiment includes a camera mounted on a first pivot arm, and a light source mounted on a second pivot arm. One or both of the pivot arms are rotatable, enabling the beam from the light source and field of view of the camera to be aligned for a given working distance. Polarizing filters may be mounted to the camera, light source, or both to control glare, reflection or other undesired visual artifacts.

Vertices defining a graphics primitive may be processed in homogeneous space and projected into normalized device coordinate space by dividing each coordinate of a vertex by w. When the w coordinate for a vertex is equal to zero, the projected coordinates are set equal to the homogeneous coordinate values. During a viewport transform operation, only the viewport scale is applied rather than applying the viewport scale and viewport bias to produce the vertex in device coordinate space (screen space). Furthermore, when an edge slope is computed for a vertex with a w coordinate equal to zero, the slope is set equal to the vertex in device coordinate space rather than the difference of the two vertices defining the edge. Therefore, a vertex at infinity is correctly positioned avoiding the introduction of visual artifacts.

Systems and methods for performing image editing operations may use patch transforms and inverse patch transforms to reconstruct output images from input images and to refine them using patch jittering such that visual artifacts are repaired. The methods may include generating one or more jittered versions of patch(es) initially assigned to nodes of the output image and using them as candidate patches for a refined image. Jittered versions of patches may be shifted by a small number of pixels in one or more directions. The number of jittered versions and amount of jittering exhibited by each may be configurable (e.g., programmatically or by a user) and / or may be dependent on the amount of overlap between the patches. Belief propagation may be used to replace patches in the output image with jittered versions in the refined image. The methods may be implemented as program instructions executable on a CPU and / or GPU.

A technique for optimizing or enhancing color images. Embodiments are disclosed for creating an enhanced color image, including the enhancement of perceived color uniformity. In a “dot-on-dot” registration scheme for producing color images, the dots need to be precisely superimposed on each other to provide optimum or enhanced images. The dot-on-dot registration produced by a single head thermal printer is generally acceptable, but a single head machine is very slow because multiple passes (reciprocation) are required to lay down multiple colors of dots. In a much faster multi-head or tandem thermal imaging system a serious problem of dot misalignment may cause moire patterns or other visual artifacts in the color images produced by dot patterns. A solution to this problem is disclosed herein which intentionally misregisters superimposed dots in a novel and particular manner to achieve image optimization. In a particular embodiment a first thermal print head has a first number of thermal elements energized at a first rate and a second thermal print head has a second number of thermal elements energized at a second rate. The numbers of thermal elements and rates of energization are selected to cause intentional misregistration at a high spatial frequency which is unnoticeable to the naked eye of a viewer of the image, thereby masking any unintentional mechanical misalignment of the print heads while maintaining imperceptible the intentional misregistration of the solution to the problem.

The watermark grid signal and the watermark payload signal are separately applied to an image. The process is particularly useful in situations where variable data such as serial numbers (or other image specific data) is being embedded in a series of images. In such situations the grid signal can be uniform over an entire sequence of images and only the payload signal need be changed before being printed on each image. The time, computational and labor intensive processes can be applied to the task of embedding the grid signal in the image to insure that visual artifacts are not created. After the image has been changed to embed the grid signal, the payload data can be inserted into at least a selected part of the image. Since the payload signal is less likely to create visual artifacts than the uniform grid signal, less effort need be used to avoid creating visual artifacts due to the payload signal. The relatively random nature of the payload data can be relied upon to avoid creating significant visual artifacts. The same bifurcated process can be used to apply digital watermarks to other media such as sound recordings where potential artifacts are in the nature of sound anomalies rather that visual artifacts.

A system, method and apparatus for eliminating image tearing effects and other visual artifacts perceived when scanning moving subject matter with a scanned beam imaging device. The system, method and apparatus uses a motion detection means in conjunction with an image processor to alter the native image to one without image tearing or other visual artifacts. The image processor monitors the motion detection means and reduces the image resolution or translates portions of the imaged subject matter in response to the detected motion.

An apparatus for building an artificial-intelligence system is provided. The apparatus accesses images of a real-world scene and generates an image of a simulated object corresponding to a real-world object using a first generative adversarial network (GAN). The apparatus inserts the image of the simulated object into the images of the real-world scene to produce images of the real-world scene including the simulated object. The apparatus applies the images of the real-world scene including the simulated object to a second GAN to remove visual artifacts thereby producing a training set of images of the real-world scene including the simulated object. The apparatus trains an artificial-intelligence algorithm using the training set of images to build the artificial-intelligence system to detect the real-world object in further images of the real-world scene and outputs the artificial-intelligence system for deployment on an autonomous vehicle.

Embodiments use hierarchical continuous level of detail (H-CLOD) trees with inherited splitting plane partitioning to reduce visual artifacts in renderings. For example, a three-dimensional mesh can be iteratively split, according to iteratively defined splitting planes, until sub-meshes are smaller than a predetermined bucket size. Each splitting can define a hierarchical level of a tree, so that the original mesh is a root node, each split sub-mesh is a child node, and the smallest meshes are leaf nodes. An H-CLOD tree can be generated by simplifying and combining each group of sibling node sub-meshes bottom-up into a simplified parent mesh accounting for inherited splitting planes, so that the tree has a most simplified mesh as its root node and a most un-simplified mesh formed by a combination of its leaf nodes. At render time, traversing the H-CLOD tree can produce a desired level of detail from the pre-computed nodes.

A foldable lens comprises an outer refractive surface portion comprising a first plurality of convexly curved refractive profile regions having positive optical power to converge light energy with refraction toward a focus on the retina. The convexly curved refractive profile regions of the outer region may correspond to at least about a quarter of the refractive power of the lens, such that the lens thickness is decreased substantially and the folded lens can fit through a small incision. The outer refractive surface portion focuses light with refraction, in focus images viewed through the outer portion of the lens can appear sharp to the patient. The outer refractive surface portion also comprises a second plurality of concavely curved refractive profile regions having negative optical power disposed between the first plurality, so as to diverge the light energy substantially away from the focus on the retina, such that visual artifacts are inhibited.

With respect to liquid crystal display inversion schemes, a large change in voltage on a data line can affect the voltages on adjacent data lines due to capacitive coupling between data lines. The resulting change in voltage on these adjacent data lines can give rise to visual artifacts in the data lines' corresponding sub-pixels. Various embodiments of the present disclosure serve to prevent or reduce these visual artifacts by applying voltage to a data line more than once during the write sequence. Doing so can allow erroneous brightening or darkening caused by large voltage swings to be overwritten without causing additional large voltage swings on the data line.

A computer-implemented method and system provide the ability to determine and provide a safety risk analysis for construction. Construction related data is obtained and includes textual data and a visual artifact for the construction project. A construction safety context is identified based on the construction related data. Based on the construction safety context, a safety participant risk score that assigns a numerical safety risk participant value to any entity involved in the construction project is determined. Based on the safety risk participant score, a safety project score that assigns a risk level on a per-project basis is determined. The safety risk analysis is presented based on the safety participant risk score and safety project score, via a graphical user interface.