Ambient Intelligence: A Novel Paradigm details the current state-of-the-art and new research techniques including those related to intelligent visual monitoring, face and speech recognition, innovative education methods, as well as smart and cognitive environments. This edited report includes a description of the iDorm as an example of a smart environment conforming to the AmI paradigm, and explains the introduction of computer vision as an important component of the system. Other computer-vision examples span visual monitoring for the elderly, classic and novel surveillance techniques using clusters of cameras installed in indoor and outdoor application domains, and the monitoring of public spaces. Also included is a discussion of face- and-speech recognition systems, as well as enhanced LEGO blocks for novel educational purposes. Lastly, the authors discuss how a cybernetic system can be designed as the backbone of a human machine interaction. The book is appropriate for researchers and developers in the areas of ubiquitous communications and pervasive computing