Patents by Inventor Petronel Bigioi

Petronel Bigioi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11470241
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting facial expressions in digital images and applications therefore are disclosed. Analysis of a digital image determines whether or not a smile and/or blink is present on a person's face. Face recognition, and/or a pose or illumination condition determination, permits application of a specific, relatively small classifier cascade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventors: Catalina Neghina, Mihnea Gangea, Stefan Petrescu, Emilian David, Petronel Bigioi, Eric Zarakov, Eran Steinberg
  • Patent number: 11409854
    Abstract: A biometrics-enabled portable storage device may store and secure data via biometrics related to a user's iris. The biometrics-enabled portable storage device may include a camera that captures image data related a user's iris and stores the image data to enroll the user for use of the biometrics-enabled portable storage device. To unlock the data, a user aligns the camera with their iris using a hot mirror and the camera captures iris data for comparison with the iris image data stored during enrollment. If the two sets of image data match, the biometrics-enabled portable storage device may be unlocked and the user may access data stored on the biometrics-enabled portable storage device. If the two sets of image data do not match, then the biometrics-enabled portable storage device remains locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Istvan Andorko, Petronel Bigioi, Darragh Ballesty
  • Patent number: 11361525
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, devices and techniques for performing biometric identification for an electronic device. For instance, the electronic device may include one or more near-infrared illuminators that output near-infrared light. The one or more near-infrared illuminators may be located in or on a bezel and/or a display of the electronic device. The electronic device may also include an imaging device that generates first image data representing the near-infrared light and visible light. After generating the image data, the electronic device may process the first image data using one or more image processing techniques to generate second image data representing a near-infrared image and third image data representing a visible image. The electronic device may then analyze the second image data and/or the third image data using one or more biometric identification techniques. Based on the analysis, the electronic device may identify a person possessing the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Istvan Andorko, Petronel Bigioi
  • Publication number: 20220103749
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting facial expressions in digital images and applications therefore are disclosed. Analysis of a digital image determines whether or not a smile and/or blink is present on a person's face. Face recognition, and/or a pose or illumination condition determination, permits application of a specific, relatively small classifier cascade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Catalina Neghina, Mihnea Gangea, Stefan Petrescu, Emilian David, Petronel Bigioi, Eric Zarakov, Eran Steinberg
  • Publication number: 20210343029
    Abstract: An image processing system is configured to receive a first high resolution stream of images and a second lower resolution stream of images from image sources with substantially the same field of view. The system comprises a localizer component configured to provide a location for any object of interest independently of class within successive images of the second stream of images; a classifier configured to: receive one or more locations selectively provided by the localizer, identify a corresponding portion of an image acquired from the first stream at substantially the same time at which an image from the second stream in which an object of interest was identified and return a classification for the type of object within the identified portion of the image from the first stream; and a tracker configured to associate the classification with the location through acquisition of successive images in the second stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Cosmin TOCA, Bogdan SANDOI, Petronel BIGIOI
  • Publication number: 20210328987
    Abstract: A method operable by a computing device for configuring access for a limited user interface (UI) device to a network service via a local network access point is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining from the limited UI device a device identifier via a first out-of-band channel. The device identifier is provided to the network service via a secure network link. A zero knowledge proof (ZKP) challenge is received from the network service. Configuration information is provided to the limited-UI device via a second out-of-band channel, the configuration information including information sufficient to enable the limited-UI device to connect to the local network access point. The ZKP challenge is provided to the limited-UI device via the second out-of-band channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Ilariu Raducan, Petronel Bigioi
  • Patent number: 11115638
    Abstract: A technique of generating a stereoscopic panorama image includes panning a portable camera device, and acquiring multiple image frames. Multiple at least partially overlapping image frames are acquired of portions of the scene. The method involves registering the image frames, including determining displacements of the imaging device between acquisitions of image frames. Multiple panorama images are generated including joining image frames of the scene according to spatial relationships and determining stereoscopic counterpart relationships between the multiple panorama images. The multiple panorama images are processed based on the stereoscopic counterpart relationships to form a stereoscopic panorama image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, George Susanu, Igor Barcovschi, Piotr Stec, Larry Murray, Alexandru Drimbarean, Peter Corcoran
  • Patent number: 11106894
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a normalisation module operatively connected across a bus to a memory storing an image in which a region of interest (ROI) has been identified within the image. The ROI is bound by a rectangle having a non-orthogonal orientation within the image. In one embodiment, the normalisation module is arranged to divide the ROI into one or more slices, each slice comprising a plurality of adjacent rectangular tiles. For each slice, the apparatus successively reads ROI information for each tile from the memory including: reading a portion of the image extending across at least a width of the slice line-by-line along an extent of a slice. For each tile, the apparatus downsamples the ROI information to a buffer to within a scale SD<2 of a required scale for a normalised version of the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Vlad Georgescu, Mihai Constantin Munteanu, Petronel Bigioi, Corneliu Zaharia, Szabolcs Fulop, Gyorgy Simon
  • Patent number: 11046327
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems and techniques for performing eye tracking. For instance, a system may include a first imaging device that generates first image data. The system may then analyze the first image data to determine a location of a face of a user. Using the location, the system may cause an actuator to move from a first position to a second position in order to direct a second imaging device towards the face of the user. While in the second position, the second imaging device may generate second image data representing at least the face of the user. The system may then analyze the second image data to determine a gaze direction of the user. In some instances, the first imaging device may include a first field of view (FOV) that is greater than a second FOV of the second imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Piotr Stec, Petronel Bigioi
  • Publication number: 20210150181
    Abstract: An image acquisition system determines first and second sets of points defining an iris-pupil boundary and an iris-sclera boundary in an acquired image; determines respective ellipses fitting the first and second sets of points; determines a transformation to transform one of the ellipses into a circle on a corresponding plane; using the determined transformation, transforms the selected ellipse into a circle on the plane; using the determined transformation, transforms the other ellipse into a transformed ellipse on the plane; determines a plurality of ellipses on the plane for defining an iris grid, by interpolating a plurality of ellipses between the circle and the transformed ellipse; moves the determined grid ellipses onto the iris in the image using an inverse transformation of the determined transformation; and extracts an iris texture by unwrapping the iris and interpolating image pixel values at each grid point defined along each of the grid ellipses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Brian O'SULLIVAN, Barry MCCULLAGH, Serghei CARATEEV, Istvan ANDORKO, Petronel BIGIOI
  • Publication number: 20210136298
    Abstract: A handheld computing device comprises a display comprising an array of pixels illuminated by a plurality of visible light sources, and a plurality of infra-red light sources interleaved between the visible light sources, the IR light sources being actuable to emit diffuse IR light with a first intensity. A camera has an image sensor comprising an array of pixels responsive to infra-red light and a lens assembly with an optical axis extending from the image sensor through the surface of the display. A dedicated illumination source is located outside the display and is actuable to emit infra-red light with a second greater intensity. A processor is configured to switch between an iris region processing mode in which a subject is illuminated at least by the dedicated light source and a face region processing mode in which a subject is illuminated by the plurality of IR light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Piotr STEC, Petronel BIGIOI, Istvan ANDORKO
  • Patent number: 10999275
    Abstract: A method operable by a computing device for configuring access for a limited user interface (UI) device to a network service via a local network access point is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining from the limited UI device a device identifier via a first out-of-band channel. The device identifier is provided to the network service via a secure network link. A zero knowledge proof (ZKP) challenge is received from the network service. Configuration information is provided to the limited-UI device via a second out-of-band channel, the configuration information including information sufficient to enable the limited-UI device to connect to the local network access point. The ZKP challenge is provided to the limited-UI device via the second out-of-band channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Ilariu Raducan
  • Patent number: 10948986
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems and techniques for performing eye tracking. For instance, a system may include a first imaging device that generates first image data. The system may then analyze the first image data to determine a location of a face of a user. Using the location, the system may cause an actuator to move from a first position to a second position in order to direct a second imaging device towards the face of the user. While in the second position, the second imaging device may generate second image data representing at least the face of the user. The system may then analyze the second image data to determine a gaze direction of the user. In some instances, the first imaging device may include a first field of view (FOV) that is greater than a second FOV of the second imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Piotr Stec
  • Publication number: 20210067686
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting facial expressions in digital images and applications therefore are disclosed. Analysis of a digital image determines whether or not a smile and/or blink is present on a person's face. Face recognition, and/or a pose or illumination condition determination, permits application of a specific, relatively small classifier cascade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Catalina NEGHINA, Mihnea GANGEA, Stefan PETRESCU, Emilian DAVID, Petronel BIGIOI, Eric ZARAKOV, Eran STEINBERG
  • Patent number: 10930253
    Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable heterogeneous systolic array is configured to process a first image frame, and to generate image processing primitives from the image frame, and to store the primitives and the corresponding image frame in a memory store. A characteristic of the image frame is determined. Based on the characteristic, the array is reconfigured to process a following image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Corneliu Zaharia, Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran
  • Patent number: 10909363
    Abstract: An image acquisition system determines first and second sets of points defining an iris-pupil boundary and an iris-sclera boundary in an acquired image; determines respective ellipses fitting the first and second sets of points; determines a transformation to transform one of the ellipses into a circle on a corresponding plane; using the determined transformation, transforms the selected ellipse into a circle on the plane; using the determined transformation, transforms the other ellipse into a transformed ellipse on the plane; determines a plurality of ellipses on the plane for defining an iris grid, by interpolating a plurality of ellipses between the circle and the transformed ellipse; moves the determined grid ellipses onto the iris in the image using an inverse transformation of the determined transformation; and extracts an iris texture by unwrapping the iris and interpolating image pixel values at each grid point defined along each of the grid ellipses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Brian O'Sullivan, Barry McCullagh, Serghei Carateev, Istvan Andorko, Petronel Bigioi
  • Publication number: 20200387728
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, devices and techniques for performing biometric identification for an electronic device. For instance, the electronic device may include one or more near-infrared illuminators that output near-infrared light. The one or more near-infrared illuminators may be located in or on a bezel and/or a display of the electronic device. The electronic device may also include an imaging device that generates first image data representing the near-infrared light and visible light. After generating the image data, the electronic device may process the first image data using one or more image processing techniques to generate second image data representing a near-infrared image and third image data representing a visible image. The electronic device may then analyze the second image data and/or the third image data using one or more biometric identification techniques. Based on the analysis, the electronic device may identify a person possessing the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Istvan ANDORKO, Petronel BIGIOI
  • Publication number: 20200364441
    Abstract: An image acquisition system determines first and second sets of points defining an iris-pupil boundary and an iris-sclera boundary in an acquired image; determines respective ellipses fitting the first and second sets of points; determines a transformation to transform one of the ellipses into a circle on a corresponding plane; using the determined transformation, transforms the selected ellipse into a circle on the plane; using the determined transformation, transforms the other ellipse into a transformed ellipse on the plane; determines a plurality of ellipses on the plane for defining an iris grid, by interpolating a plurality of ellipses between the circle and the transformed ellipse; moves the determined grid ellipses onto the iris in the image using an inverse transformation of the determined transformation; and extracts an iris texture by unwrapping the iris and interpolating image pixel values at each grid point defined along each of the grid ellipses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Brian O'SULLIVAN, Barry MCCULLAGH, Serghei CARATEEV, Istvan ANDORKO, Petronel BIGIOI
  • Publication number: 20200326773
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems and techniques for performing eye tracking. For instance, a system may include a first imaging device that generates first image data. The system may then analyze the first image data to determine a location of a face of a user. Using the location, the system may cause an actuator to move from a first position to a second position in order to direct a second imaging device towards the face of the user. While in the second position, the second imaging device may generate second image data representing at least the face of the user. The system may then analyze the second image data to determine a gaze direction of the user. In some instances, the first imaging device may include a first field of view (FOV) that is greater than a second FOV of the second imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Petronel BIGIOI, Piotr STEC
  • Publication number: 20200324780
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems and techniques for performing eye tracking. For instance, a system may include a first imaging device that generates first image data. The system may then analyze the first image data to determine a location of a face of a user. Using the location, the system may cause an actuator to move from a first position to a second position in order to direct a second imaging device towards the face of the user. While in the second position, the second imaging device may generate second image data representing at least the face of the user. The system may then analyze the second image data to determine a gaze direction of the user. In some instances, the first imaging device may include a first field of view (FOV) that is greater than a second FOV of the second imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Piotr STEC, Petronel BIGIOI