Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Andrew V. Smith
  • Method of improving orientation and color balance of digital images using face detection information
    Patent number: 7986811
    Abstract: A method of generating one or more new spatial and chromatic variation digital images uses an original digitally-acquired image which including a face or portions of a face. A group of pixels that correspond to a face within the original digitally-acquired image is identified. A portion of the original image is selected to include the group of pixels. Values of pixels of one or more new images based on the selected portion are automatically generated, or an option to generate them is provided, in a manner which always includes the face within the one or more new images. Such method may be implemented to automatically establish the correct orientation and color balance of an image. Such method can be implemented as an automated method or a semi automatic method to guide users in viewing, capturing or printing of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Red-eye filter method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7973828
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition system having no photographic film, such as a digital camera, has a flash unit for providing illumination during image capture and a red-eye filter for detecting a region within a captured image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon, the detection being based upon a comparison of the captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene taken without flash. In the embodiment the reference image is a preview image of lower pixel resolution than the captured image, the filter matching the pixel resolutions of the captured and reference images by up-sampling the preview image and/or sub-sampling the captured image. The filter also aligns at least portions of the captured image and reference image prior to comparison to allow for, e.g. movement in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Michael J DeLuca
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 7970182
    Abstract: The detection of red-eye defects is enhanced in digital images for embedded image acquisition and processing systems. A two-stage redeye filtering system includes a speed optimized filter that performs initial segmentation of candidate redeye regions and optionally applies a speed-optimized set of falsing/verification filters to determine a first set of confirmed redeye regions for correction. Some of the candidate regions which are rejected during the first stage are recorded and re-analyzed during a second stage by an alternative set of analysis-optimized filters to determine a second set of confirmed redeye regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Alexei Pososin, Petronel Bigioi, Mihai Ciuc
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 7970184
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition device is for acquiring digital images including one or more preview images. A face detector analyzes the one or more preview images to ascertain information relating to candidate face regions therein. A speed-optimized filter produces a first set of candidate red-eye regions based on the candidate face region information provided by the face detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Adrian Capata, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin, Mihai Ciuc
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 7970183
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition device is for acquiring digital images including one or more preview images. A face detector analyzes the one or more preview images to ascertain information relating to candidate face regions therein. A speed-optimized filter produces a first set of candidate red-eye regions based on the candidate face region information provided by the face detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Adrian Capata, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin, Mihai Ciuc
  • Advances in extending the AAM techniques from grayscale to color images
    Patent number: 7965875
    Abstract: A face detection and/or detection method includes acquiring a digital color image. An active appearance model (AAM) is applied including an interchannel-decorrelated color space. One or more parameters of the model are matched to the image. Face detection results based on the matching and/or different results incorporating the face detection result are communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited, National University of Ireland
    Inventors: Mircea Ionita, Peter Corcoran
  • Method for establishing a paired connection between media devices
    Patent number: 7962629
    Abstract: A method for establishing a paired connection between first and second media devices across a network includes transmitting a first information message across the network including an identifier that includes a request to pair the first and second media devices. When a second information message is received from the second media device within a first predetermined time period, the first device retrieves an identifier of the second device and transmits a confirmation message across the network including the device identifiers. A paired connection between the media devices is completed after a corresponding confirmation message from the second device is received within a second predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Foreground/background segmentation in digital images
    Patent number: 7957597
    Abstract: An analysis and classification tool compares at least a portion of a captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene. One of the captured and reference images is taken with flash and the other is taken without flash. The tool provides a measure of the difference in illumination between the captured image and the reference image. The tool compares the measure with a threshold and segments a foreground region from a background region based on the measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Image blurring
    Patent number: 7953287
    Abstract: A method of blurring an image includes acquiring two images of nominally a same scene taken at a different light exposure levels. At least one region of one of the images includes pixels having saturated intensity values. For at least one of the saturated pixels, values are extrapolated from the other image. At least a portion of a third image is blurred and re-scaled including pixels having the extrapolated values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru Drimbarean, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Method and apparatus for detection and correction of flash-induced eye defects within digital images using preview or other reference images
    Patent number: 7953251
    Abstract: A method for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image acquiring one or more preview or other reference images without a flash. Any red regions that exist within the one or more reference images are determined. A main image is acquired with a flash of approximately a same scene as the one or more reference images. The main image is analyzed to determine any candidate red eye defect regions that exist within the main image. Any red regions determined to exist within the one or more reference images are compared with any candidate red eye defect regions determined to exist within the main image. Any candidate red eye defect regions within the main image corresponding to red regions determined also to exist within the one or more reference images are removed as candidate red eye defect regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky, Petronel Bigioi, Adrian Zamfir, Florin Nanu, Alexandru Drimbarean
  • Method and apparatus for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image
    Patent number: 7953250
    Abstract: A method for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image comprises acquiring a first image and analyzing the first acquired image to provide a plurality of characteristics indicative of image quality. The process then determines if one or more corrective processes can be beneficially applied to the first acquired image according to the characteristics. Any such corrective processes are then applied to the first acquired image. Red-eye defects are then detected in a second acquired image using the corrected first acquired image. Defect detection can comprise applying a chain of one or more red-eye filters to the first acquired image. In this case, prior to the detecting step, it is determined if the red-eye filter chain can be adapted in accordance with the plurality of characteristics; and the red-eye filter is adapted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Petronel Bigioi, Florin Nanu
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 7953252
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition device is for acquiring digital images including one or more preview images. A face detector analyzes the one or more preview images to ascertain information relating to candidate face regions therein. A speed-optimized filter produces a first set of candidate red-eye regions based on the candidate face region information provided by the face detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Adrian Capata, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin, Mihai Ciuc
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 7920723
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition device is for acquiring digital images including one or more preview images. A face detector analyzes the one or more preview images to ascertain information relating to candidate face regions therein. A speed-optimized filter produces a first set of candidate red-eye regions based on the candidate face region information provided by the face detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Adrian Capata, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin, Mihai Ciuc
  • Red-eye filter method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7916190
    Abstract: A digital camera has an integral flash and stores and displays a digital image. Under certain conditions, a flash photograph taken with the camera may result in a red-eye phenomenon due to a reflection within an eye of a subject of the photograph. The digital camera has a red-eye filter which analyzes the stored image for the red-eye phenomenon and modifies the stored image to eliminate the red-eye phenomenon by changing the red area to black. The modification of the image is enabled when a photograph is taken under conditions indicative of the red-eye phenomenon. The modification is subject to anti-falsing analysis which further examines the area around the red-eye area for indicia of the eye of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventor: Michael J. DeLuca
  • Image processing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7916971
    Abstract: An image processing technique includes acquiring a main image of a scene and determining one or more facial regions in the main image. The facial regions are analysed to determine if any of the facial regions includes a defect. A sequence of relatively low resolution images nominally of the same scene is also acquired. One or more sets of low resolution facial regions in the sequence of low resolution images are determined and analysed for defects. Defect free facial regions of a set are combined to provide a high quality defect free facial region. At least a portion of any defective facial regions of the main image are corrected with image information from a corresponding high quality defect free facial region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Face tracking for controlling imaging parameters
    Patent number: 7916897
    Abstract: A method of tracking faces in an image stream with a digital image acquisition device includes receiving images from an image stream including faces, calculating corresponding integral images, and applying different subsets of face detection rectangles to the integral images to provide sets of candidate regions. The different subsets include candidate face regions of different sizes and/or locations within the images. The different candidate face regions from different images of the image stream are each tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi
  • Foreground/background segmentation in digital images with differential exposure calculations
    Patent number: 7912285
    Abstract: A digital segmentation method and apparatus determines foreground and/or background within at least one portion of a captured image. The determining includes comparing a captured image to a pre-captured or post captured reference image of nominally the same scene. One of the images is taken with flash and the other without. The system can be implemented as part of a digital camera acquisition chain having effective computation complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Method of improving orientation and color balance of digital images using face detection information
    Patent number: 7912245
    Abstract: A method of generating one or more new spatial and chromatic variation digital images uses an original digitally-acquired image which including a face or portions of a face. A group of pixels that correspond to a face within the original digitally-acquired image is identified. A portion of the original image is selected to include the group of pixels. Values of pixels of one or more new images based on the selected portion are automatically generated, or an option to generate them is provided, in a manner which always includes the face within the one or more new images. Such method may be implemented to automatically establish the correct orientation and color balance of an image. Such method can be implemented as an automated method or a semi automatic method to guide users in viewing, capturing or printing of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 7869628
    Abstract: An image acquisition device includes a first speed-optimized filter for producing a first set of candidate red-eye regions for an acquired image; and a second analysis-optimized filter for operating on the first set of candidate red eye regions and the acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg, Alexei Pososin, Mihai Ciuc
  • Foreground/background segmentation in digital images
    Patent number: 7868922
    Abstract: An implementation efficient method of distinguishing between foreground and background regions of a digital image of a scene includes capturing two images of nominally the same scene and storing the captured images in DCT-coded format. The first image is taken with the foreground more in focus than the background and the second image is taken with the background more in focus than the foreground. Regions of the first image are assigned as foreground or background according to whether the sum of selected higher order DCT coefficients decreases or increases for the equivalent regions of the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Zamfir, Adrian Capata, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg