Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

With the increasing popularity of consumer digital devices, such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, digital TV and projectors, as well as the fast development of the broadband Internet and digital information technologies, huge amounts of digital visual media data, including digital images, videos, and streaming video information, are generated and used by general consumers. Consumers and manufacturers of consumer electronics demand effective methods/tools for processing and managing digital media information, such as information indexing and retrieval, annotation, categorization and analysis. This project is a collaborative effort between Ryerson University and Epson Canada to develop advanced theories and innovative intelligent technologies in visual media management and processing, and tackle application needs in commercial environments. The technical objectives include: (i) to develop a system framework for prototype products of content-based image/video indexing, categorization, analysis and management for commercial home media-center applications; (ii) within this framework and based on specific application requirements, to investigate and establish new theoretical frameworks and criteria for visual media algorithm design; (iii) to develop and incorporate new advanced algorithms and solutions into the prototype products for emerging application problems in visual media management and processing for consumer electronic media. Theory development from this research will extend and enrich content-based multimedia signal processing research, tailor theoretical research with a strong commercial application focus, and provide a solid foundation, useful guidelines, and tested algorithms for future research. The developed algorithms, methods, and prototypes will be tested by Epson Canada and applied in consumer digital imaging products. Success of this collaborated project will help Ryerson University to train highly qualified personnel and develop advanced expertise in digital imaging research, and help Epson Canada and related Canadian industries to build and sustain market leaderships.