[0052] By way of illustrated example, and without limitation FIG. 7, depicts a possible signal processing apparatus 700 configured to perform emotion estimation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus 700 may include a processor module 701 and a memory 702 (e.g., RAM, DRAM, ROM, and the like). In some implementations, the processor module 701 may include multiple processor cores, e.g., if parallel processing is to be implemented. Examples of suitable multi-core processors, include, but are not limited to dual-core processors, quad-core processors, processor architectures having a main processor and one or more co-processors, cell processor architectures, and the like.



[0053] The memory 702 may store data and code configured to facilitate emotion estimation in any of the implementations described above. Specifically, the memory 702 may contain signal data 706 which may include a digital representation of input signals (e.g., after analog to digital conversion as discussed above), and code for implementing emotion estimation by analyzing information contained in the digital representations of input signals.



[0054] The apparatus 700 may also include well-known support functions 710, such as input/output (I/O) elements 711, power supplies (P/S) 712, a clock (CLK) 713 and cache 714. The apparatus 700 may include a mass storage device 715 such as a disk drive, CD-ROM drive, tape drive, or the like to store programs and/or data. The apparatus 700 may also include a display unit 716 and user interface unit 718 to facilitate interaction between the apparatus 700 and a user. The display unit 716 may be in the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT) or flat panel screen that displays text, numerals, graphical symbols or images. The user interface 718 may include a keyboard, mouse, joystick, light pen or other device. In addition, the user interface 718 may include a microphone, video camera 730 or other signal transducing device to provide for direct capture of a signal to be analyzed. The camera may be a conventional digital camera that produces two-dimensional images. Alternatively, the video camera may also be configured to provide extra information that can be used to extract information regarding the depth of features shown in one or more images. Such a camera is sometimes referred to as a depth camera. A depth camera may operate based on the principle of stereo imaging in which images obtained by two slightly offset cameras are analyzed to determine depth information. Alternatively, a depth camera may use a pattern of structured light, e.g., infrared light, projected onto objects in the camera's field of view. The processor module 701 may be configured to analyze the distortion of the pattern of structured light that strikes objects in the field of view to determine relative depth information for pixels in images obtained by the camera.