Abstract:
The present invention discloses methods of archiving and optimizing lectures, presentations and other captured video for playback, particularly for blind and low vision individuals. A digital imaging device captures a preselected field of view that is subject to periodic change such as a whiteboard in a classroom. A sequence of frames is captured. Frames associated with additions or erasures to the whiteboard are identified. The Cartesian coordinates of the regions of these alterations within the frame are identified. When the presentation is played back, the regions that are altered are enlarged or masked to assist the low vision user. In another embodiment of the invention, the timing of the alterations segments the recorded audio into chapters so that the blind user can skip forward and backward to different sections of the presentation.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/201,367 filed Aug. 29, 2008 entitled “Background Archiving and Presentation Method.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to methods of archiving and optimizing lectures, presentations and other captured video for playback, particularly for blind and low vision individuals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A long-felt problem has existed in the art to archive presentations, particularly those utilizing blackboard and whiteboards. Electronic whiteboards have the ability to scan the writing on them and transfer them to computers. However, such whiteboards are expensive, of limited size and substantially non-portable. 
         [0004]    An alternative to electronic whiteboards is to video capture the presentation. A drawback to this approach is that the speaker in the foreground inherently obscures portions of the whiteboard during playback. A proposed solution to this problem is enumerated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,847 to Zhang et al. entitled System and Method for Real-Time Whiteboard Streaming which is incorporated herein by reference. The &#39;847 reference describes video capture of the whiteboard presentation and methods to filter out the speaker from the whiteboard. However, the &#39;847 reference does not describe a solution to archive these presentations in a manner that facilitates playback of sub-topics within the lecture. Nor does it describe methods to playback the presentation for the low-vision or blind user. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    An embodiment of the present invention includes a computer-implemented process comprising the steps of setting a digital imaging device to capture a preselected field of view, the field of view having a background subject to periodic change, capturing a sequence of frames with the digital imaging device according to a preselected interval, identifying frames containing alterations in the background, identifying the regions of the alterations within the identified frames, and displaying the regions of background alterations. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to simply output the entire frame associated with an alteration on a background, but rather the specific region that was altered. 
         [0006]    The step of identifying the frame containing alterations can be performed as a function of time. For high-performance applications, detection of modifications in the background image may take place in real-time (i.e., 30 frames per second) wherein the fluid movements of the marks on a whiteboard may be identified and outputted back to an end user. Additionally, an embodiment of the invention may presume that images are inscribed at intervals. For example, writing a quote from a literature reference in a time span of 10 seconds then lecturing about the quote for a period of 5 minutes. The present invention detects a substantially continuous change in the background for a period of 10 seconds. After 10 seconds no new alterations are detected. Accordingly, the Cartesian coordinates of the change are defined by alteration made during the 10 second interval. The 5 minutes of lecture audio that is recorded subsequent to the 10 second alteration is presumed to be related. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment of the invention, it is anticipated that users may modify, append and delete content archived by the process. During real-time recording or, alternatively during playback, end users may execute commands to archive additional frames or “snapshots” of the field of view. In addition, end users may annotate and layer the frames with elements including, but not limited to, lines, masking, shapes, handwriting and predefined overlays. Users may set transparency values for each layer and elements may be toggled on and off during playback by end-user command. 
         [0008]    End user modification may include extracting a portion of a frame (“cropping”) to remove unwanted information. The user may create additional frames from the original as the timeline progresses or restore the original for a new section of the timeline. The video capture device may record full or partial motion video which may be displayed in conjunction with the frames and regions of alteration. 
         [0009]    End users may record audio as part of the timeline. During review, end users may adjust properties such as speed, volume and pitch. An algorithm in the software process maintains voice quality even when the speed of playback is modified. 
         [0010]    Outside sources such as television, video, radio and Internet activity can be recorded as part of the timeline. During review, these elements may be compressed in the same manner as other elements. End users may add notes to the timeline. These notes may appear in a separate window during review. These notes may be modified and/or consolidated into output. 
         [0011]    Users may manually segment the presentation into chapters during real time capture and/or during playback. Chapter segments may be named by the end user and added, modified or removed during review. 
         [0012]    By compressing the timeline, the user makes reviewing notes in the future more efficient. Individual elements can be hidden or removed from segments or from the whole of the timeline. Additionally, entire segments of the timeline can be suppressed or removed from playback. 
         [0013]    End users may insert complete or portions of other recorded timelines into the timeline they are reviewing. These insertions can be applied to the beginning or end of the recording. Alternatively, they can be added at a specific place within the current timeline. Insertions become part of the current timeline. 
         [0014]    Users may insert white space into individual or all elements of the timeline. When white space is inserted into individual elements of the timeline, that element will not be shown during that portion of playback. When white space is added to all elements, the timeline is pushed out creating in essence a pause for thought in the playback. 
         [0015]    End users may export selected sections of their timeline to other formats such as Adobe Flash®, Microsoft PowerPoint®, Microsoft Silverlight®, HTML or the like. 
         [0016]    Because the process is automated, it may be implemented in real-time and during playback. 
         [0017]    The regions may be sequentially displayed as enlarged images. Alternatively or in conjunction with the enlargement, the regions may be bounded by an opaque mask or other alteration in appearance including, but not limited to, grayscale, hue, brightness, contrast, or transparency. 
         [0018]    A timecode value is associated with the initiation of a new alteration within the identified frame. The alteration includes, but is not limited to additions, modification, erasures, slide sequences, and display of physical objects. The regions are displayed in a chronological order according to timecode values. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of establishing the relative position of a first region of background alteration to a second region of background alteration, sequentially displaying the first and second regions of background alteration according to the time code value, and applying a transition associated with the relative position of the second region of background alteration to the first region of background alteration. For example, a first mathematical formula is written on the left side of a whiteboard. The speaker discusses the first formula for a period of time. The speaker then writes a second formula on the right side of a whiteboard. Regions defined by the outer boundaries of each formula will be chronologically displayed to the end user. However, since the second formula was written to the right of the first formula, a video transition such as a “wipe” slides the second formula in from the right side of the display thereby “pushing” the first formula off the left side of the display. This transition application maintains the end user&#39;s spatial awareness of the whiteboard even though only regions of the whiteboard are enlarged. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the invention, steps include establishing the relative position of a first region of background alteration to a second region of background alteration, displaying a scrollable canvas of the field of view, the display zoomed into a subsection of the field of view, and sequentially scrolling from the first region to the second region of background alteration according to the time code value. In this embodiment, the spatial integrity of all whiteboard markings is maintained. However, the method applies automated intelligence to scroll in the proper direction at the proper time. This is particularly useful when audio of the presentation is played simultaneously to the end user. End user control may be provided to manually scroll to different sections of the canvas. End users may also record annotations on the canvas and modify the timecode value of the alteration responsive to end-user input. 
         [0021]    The method includes the step of filtering foreground movement from frames containing alterations in the background whereby objects in the foreground are eliminated from view. The foreground object would typically be the speaker or some other moving object that temporarily blocks the whiteboard. 
         [0022]    A novel embodiment of the invention utilizes the detection of visual changes to segment audio. This is truly a counterintuitive method with respect to playback for the blind. The embodiment includes the steps of setting a digital imaging device to capture a preselected field of view, the field of view having a background subject to periodic change, capturing a sequence of frames with the digital imaging device according to a preselected interval, capturing audio in association with the sequence of frames, identifying frames containing alterations in the background, timecoding the captured frames and audio, and segmenting the captured audio into chapters defined by timecode values associated with the initiation and completion of alterations within the identified frames. 
         [0023]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of setting a digital imaging device to capture a preselected field of view, the field of view having a background subject to periodic change, capturing a sequence of frames with the digital imaging device according to a preselected interval, capturing audio in association with the sequence of frames, identifying frames containing alterations in the background, generating thumbnail images of the identified frames, timecoding the captured frames and audio, segmenting the captured audio into chapters defined by timecode values associated with the initiation and completion of alterations within the identified frames, and generating a chapter menu comprising a plurality of thumbnail images whereby end-user selection of an individual thumbnail image initiates playback of an associated segment of audio and its corresponding frames by timecode values. 
         [0024]    Generation of the chapter menu, analogous to a DVD menu, has substantial utility for both low-vision and normal vision users. A lengthy, multi-topic presentation may be automatically divided into distinct visual chapters. Access to specific content is thereby facilitated. In addition to displaying the entire frame, the thumbnails may be further refined by the steps of identifying the regions of the alterations within the identified frames, and generating the thumbnail images from the identified regions. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment of the invention, a bounding box is superimposed over the regions of background alterations. A graphic filter is optionally applied to the area within the bounding box to provide greater visual contrast. The graphic filter may include a modification in brightness, contrast, hue, color saturation or the like. An advantage of superimposing the bounding box is that the region of background alteration is shown in the context of the overall field of view or some zoomed in view thereof. 
         [0026]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, an edge detection algorithm is applied to resolve the Cartesian coordinates of a writing surface such as a white board, blackboard or projection screen. By defining these edges, a zoom setting is automatically provided for this region of possible alterations. In the case of a plurality of distinct writing surfaces (i.e., multiple whiteboards) a plurality of zoom settings are provided. Keyboard shortcuts, mouse events and the like may be used to cycle through these automatically generated zoom settings. 
         [0027]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, predetermined indicia marked on a writing surface may be used to identify alterations. For example, a speaker using a whiteboard writes out substantive content using a blue marker. However, when the speaker changes to a red marker the hue is detected by the digital imaging device and it signals a change in discussion. A speaker may use printed characters within a predetermined geometric shape to set a chapter title under the current invention. The computer-implemented process recognizes the geometric shape and applies optical character recognition to the printed characters within the geometric shape. 
         [0028]    Indicia may also be in the form of a predetermined geometric shape such as a vertical or horizontal line that is easily detected by an edge detection algorithm. An individual that is aware of the predetermined indicia may greatly facilitate the quality of the recording by utilizing indicia automatically detected by the computer-implemented process to signal regions of interest, changes in subject topic, and the like. 
         [0029]    The present invention may be extended into an optical character recognition (OCR) application. With a structured document, the text flows in a predictable pattern (for English, left to right, top to bottom). This makes OCR of a typeset page manageable. However, in contradistinction a whiteboard lecture generates text markings in more random locations. Therefore, the standard OCR analysis (left to right, top to bottom) would product gibberish. However, text marked on a whiteboard does follow a time sequence. Thus, instead of capturing the entire unstructured whiteboard for OCR processing the present invention captures regions of background alterations at time intervals. Each region is processed by OCR and then ordered according to its timed sequence. Thus, it is possible to reconstruct a seemly random whiteboard presentation into a traditional typeset document structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a speaker writing a first formula on a whiteboard. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is an, top-down illustration of the speaker blocking a portion of the whiteboard during video capture. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the speaker electronically filtered from the field of view whereby the entire whiteboard is visible. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the speaker writing a second formula on the whiteboard. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view of a timeline showing the sequence of displaying the first formula and then, subsequently, the second formula according to timecode values. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a computer display showing the first formula bounded by an opaque mask. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a computer display showing the second formula bounded by an opaque mask. 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a computer display showing the first formula enlarged and bounded by an opaque mask. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a computer display showing an animated, left-to-right transition from the first formula to the second formula. 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of both the first and second formulas displayed in spatial relation on a virtual scrollable canvas controllable by the end user&#39;s mouse peripheral. 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic illustration of a timeline comprising a plurality of segments representing both verbal lecture and writing on the whiteboard. 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention whereby thumbnail images of regions of alteration are displayed as end user-selectable chapters of the presentation. 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention whereby a bounding box is superimposed over a region of alteration and an inverse contrast filter is applied to the area within the bounding box. 
           [0044]      FIG. 14  is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention whereby an instructor designates a new topic of discussion by printing the topic within a predetermined geometric shape. 
           [0045]      FIG. 15A  is an illustration of a whiteboard having four (4) distinct regions of alterations. 
           [0046]      FIG. 15B  is a diagrammatic illustration of a timeline noting the timecode values when each of the four distinct regions of alterations were made. 
           [0047]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of OCR output to a document comprising the four distinct regions of alterations ordered according to timecode values. 
           [0048]      FIG. 17A  is an illustration of a whiteboard having five (5) distinct regions of alterations. 
           [0049]      FIG. 17B  is a diagrammatic illustration of a timeline noting the timecode values when each of the five distinct regions of alterations were made. 
           [0050]      FIG. 18  is an illustration of OCR output to a document comprising the five distinct regions of alterations ordered according to timecode values. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0051]    Turning now to  FIG. 1  speaker  20  writes formula  30 A on whiteboard  10 . From this elevated view it can be seen that speaker  20  partially blocks formula  30 A from view. A concept employed by the present invention is that formula  30 A remains relatively static while speaker  20  moves around. 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 2 , digital capture device  40  has a field of view defined by  50 A-B which corresponds to the perimeter of whiteboard  10 . Digital capture device  40  has sufficient resolution to capture background changes in the entire field of view. The necessarily resolution is determined by the size of the field of view and the level of detail required by an end user. Speaker  20  creates blackout area  60  over whiteboard  10 . By image comparison of the substantially static whiteboard  10  markings to relatively dynamic speaker  20 , speaker  20  may be electronically filtered as shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, while speaker  20  is inscribing a new formula on whiteboard  10 , the present invention compares adjoining frames to see that speaker  20  in the foreground is still blocking a clear view of formula  30 A. When speaker  20  no longer blocks the boundaries of formula  30 A then the present invention fires an event to capture formula  30 A without any obstructions in the view. 
         [0053]    Concurrent with the detection and filter of speaker  20 , the region of alteration defined by the boundaries of formula  30 A is identified by its Cartesian coordinates. Upon completion of writing formula  30 A, the current invention makes the assumption that a predetermined time period will elapse before the next set of writings are inscribed on whiteboard  10 . This elapsed time permits one region to be distinguished from another. In  FIG. 4 , speaker  20  writes formula  30 B to the right of formula  30 A. Each formula,  30 A and  30 B, has its own region defined by its coordinates with respect to whiteboard  10 . 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 5 , timeline  70  illustrates that lecture started at t0. At t1 speaker  20  initiated writing formula  30 A on whiteboard  10 . At t2 speaker  20  completed writing formula  30 A on whiteboard  10 . Between t2 and t3 it is presumed that speaker  20  discussed formula  30 A as it was the last inscription made on whiteboard  10  and thus formula  30 A is relative to the verbal communications made between t2 and t3. At t3 speaker  20  initiated inscribing formula  30 B and completed the inscription at t4. From t3 to the remainder of timeline  70  is it presumed that speaker  20  discussed formula  30 B. Thus, the present invention establish a first chapter of the presentation at ti with respect to discussions of formula  30 A and a second chapter of the presentation at t3 with respect to discussion of formula  30 B. 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the invention illustrating playback of the presentation to an end user on computer monitor  80  wherein formula  30 A is displayed bounded by an opaque mask on desktop  90 . Opaque mask is defined by the Cartesian coordinates calculated from image analysis of the alterations of whiteboard  10  as a function of time. In  FIG. 7 , formula  30 B is displayed bounded by an opaque mask on desktop  90 . It should be noted that formula  30 B would generally be displayed sequentially, after the presentation of formula  30 A. It can be seen that formula  30 A has been concealed by the opaque mask so that the end user can easily focus on formula  30 B. This can be an important feature for low-vision users wherein visual clutter on display  90  makes it difficult to find relevant images. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein formula  30 A is enlarged on desktop  90 . The enlargement of formula  30 A can be appreciated by both low-vision and normal-vision users at is reinforces the topic of the presentation contemporaneously with audio playback. 
         [0057]    Another feature of the present invention it is ability to maintain spatial relationships between regions of alterations. Cartesian coordinates are maintained in relation to whiteboard  10  as a whole. Therefore the relative position of formula  30 A to formula  30 B is accessible. In  FIG. 9 , as the presentation changes from the topic related to formula  30 A to the topic related to formula  30 B Cartesian coordinates instruct the invention to push the image of formula  30 A to the left while bringing formula  30 B into view from the right. This maintains consistency with the relative position that speaker  20  wrote the formulas on whiteboard  10 . 
         [0058]    In an embodiment of the invention, the entire whiteboard  10  is virtualized as a scrolling canvass of which only a portion is enlarged on desktop  90 . End user manipulates mouse  100  on an X-Y axis to scroll about images recorded from whiteboard  10 . The invention may continue to scroll towards the right from formula  30 A to formula  30 B. However, end user may manually scroll leftwards to formula  30 A or in any direction as desired. As the display of formulas  30 A-B are synchronized with audio of the presentation end user may manually alter the timecode value between transitions between formula  30 A and formula  30 B if desired. 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 11 , timeline  70  is segmented with markers  110 A-E corresponding to timecodes s 1-5  respectively. The presentation is divided by speaker actions  120 A-E. Actions  120 A,  120 C and  120 E represent segments of time in which the speaker was talking Actions  120 B and  120 D represent segments of time in which speaker was writing formulas  30 A and  30 B respectively. Accordingly, the time frame up to marker  110 A may represent an “introduction.” Markers  120 A-B represent a transition to formula  30 A. Markers  120 B-C represent a discussion of formula  30 A. Markers  120 C-D represent a transition to formula  30 B. Markers  120 D-E represent a discussion of formula  30 B. 
         [0060]    In  FIG. 12 , frame regions defined by formulas  30 A-F are presented as thumbnail images. End user selects thumbnail images to jump to that particular portion of the presentation. 
         [0061]    In  FIG. 13 , bounding box  150  is superimposed over formula  30 B. The area inside bounding box  150  is graphically inverted to help contrast formula  30 B to the end user. 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 14 , speaker  20  prints out topic “Greek History” inside predetermined geometric shape  200  (a parallelogram). Using edge-detection algorithms, computer-implemented process of the current invention is instructed to apply optical character recognition technology to any readable text within predetermined geometric shape  200 . It is anticipated that a plurality of different geometric shapes may be preselected to instruct computer-implemented process to take different actions. It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 15A through 18  illustrate a useful and tangible transformation of data enabled by the present invention. In  FIG. 15A , regions  300 - 330  are marked on whiteboard  10  according to the sequence enumerated in  FIG. 15B . region  300  is entitled “Obviousness.” Underneath region  300 , region  320  discusses a case entitled “ KSR Int&#39;l Co.  v.  Teleflex Inc. ” To the right relative to region  300 , region  310  is entitled “PHE” and underneath region  310 , region  320  discusses a case entitled “ U. of Texas  v.  BENQ.”  Standard OCR processes would have a difficult time figuring out the order of the text if whiteboard  10  is processes as a whole. Does region  310  follow region  300  in a left-to-right order? Alternatively, does region  320  follow region  300  in an up-to-down order with two columns? 
         [0064]    By associating the time code value of each region, the sequence for assembling the OCR output is derived as shown in  FIG. 16 . For point of illustration,  FIG. 17A  reorients the locations of regions  300 - 330  and also inserts region  350 . Again, by using the timecode values of each region as shown in  FIG. 17B , the sequence of the OCR output is derived for assembling  FIG. 18 . Once the OCR output is correctly assembled, it may be output to any number of mediums including, but not limited to, electronic documents, speech and Braille. 
         [0065]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Now that the invention has been described,