Patents Assigned to FotoNation
  • Publication number: 20100066822
    Abstract: A processor-based system operating according to digitally-embedded programming instructions performs a method including identifying a group of pixels corresponding to a face region within digital image data acquired by an image acquisition device. A set of face analysis parameter values is extacted from said face region, including a faceprint associated with the face region. First and second reference faceprints are determined for a person using reference images captured respectively in predetermined face-portrait conditions and using ambient conditions. The faceprints are analyzed to determine a baseline faceprint and a range of variability from the baseline associated with the person. Results of the analyzing are stored and used in subsequent recognition of the person in a subsequent image acquired under ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Mihai Ciuc, Stefanita Ciurel, Constantin Vertran
  • Patent number: 7680342
    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 categorizes the scene as outdoor or indoor based on the measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: FotoNation Vision Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Patent number: 7676108
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing, invoking subsequent image captures and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component identifies at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image, calculates a point spread function (PSF) in respect of such feature, and initiates a subsequent capture if determined that the motion blur exceeds a certain threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: FotoNation Vision Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 7676110
    Abstract: A method of automatically determining a need to service a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly includes analyzing pixels within one or more acquired digital images according to probability determinations that such pixels correspond to blemish artifacts. It is automatically determined whether a threshold distribution of blemish artifacts is present within one or more of the digital images. A need for service is indicated when at least the threshold distribution is determined to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: FotoNation Vision Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Adrian Zamfir, Vasile Buzuloiu, Danutz Ursu, Marta Zamfir
  • Publication number: 20100054549
    Abstract: A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: FotoNation Vision Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Publication number: 20100054592
    Abstract: A method for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image includes acquiring a first image, and analyzing one or more partial face regions within the first image. One or more characteristics of the first image are determined. One or more corrective processes are identified including red eye correction that can be beneficially applied to the first image according to the one or more characteristics. The one or more corrective processes are applied to the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Stefan Petrescu, Mihnea Gangea, Adrian Capata, Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Zamfir, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Alexei Pososin, Petronel Bigioi, Alexandru Drimbarean
  • Publication number: 20100054533
    Abstract: A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: FotoNation Vision Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Patent number: 7660478
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component identifies at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image, calculates a point spread function (PSF) in respect of such feature, and de-convolves the main image using the PSF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: FotoNation VISION Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Publication number: 20100026833
    Abstract: Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Capata, Valentin Mocanu, Corneliu Florea, Alexei Pososin, Peter Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20100026831
    Abstract: Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Capata, Valentin Mocanu, Corneliu Florea, Alexei Pososin, Peter Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20100014721
    Abstract: A processor-based system operating according to digitally-embedded programming instructions includes a face detection module for identifying face regions within digital images. A normalization module generates a normalized version of the face region. A face recognition module automatically extracts a set of face classifier parameter values from the normalized face region that are referred to as a faceprint. A workflow module automatically compares the extracted faceprint to a database of archived faceprints previously determined to correspond to known identities. The workflow module determines based on the comparing whether the new faceprint corresponds to any of the known identities, and associates the new faceprint and normalized face region with a new or known identity within a database. A database module serves to archive data corresponding to the new faceprint and its associated parent image according to the associating by the workflow module within one or more digital data storage media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky, Petronel Bigioi, Mihai Ciuc, Stefanita Ciurel, Constantin Vertran
  • Patent number: 7639888
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing, invoking subsequent image captures and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component identifies at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image, calculates a point spread function (PSF) in respect of such feature, and initiates a subsequent capture if determined that the motion blur exceeds a certain threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 7639889
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component determines the degree of artifacts and whether to inform the user that the image is blurred by identifying at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 7636486
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component identifies at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image, calculates a point spread function (PSF) in respect of such feature, and de-convolves the main image using the PSF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 7634109
    Abstract: A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Publication number: 20090303343
    Abstract: A method of combining image data from multiple frames to enhance one or more parameters of video image quality includes acquiring a first image at a first exposure duration, as well as acquiring a second image at a second exposure duration shorter than the first exposure duration and at a time just before, just after or overlapping in time with acquiring the first image, such that the first and second images include approximately a same first scene. In this way, the second image is relatively sharp and under-exposed, while the first image is relatively well-exposed and less sharp than the second image. Brightness and/or color information are extracted from the first image and applied to the second image to generate an enhanced version of the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru Drimbarean, Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg, Adrian Zamfir, Felix Albu, Vlad Poenaru, Corneliu Florea
  • Patent number: 7630006
    Abstract: A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and/film information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. DeLuca, Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin
  • Patent number: 7630527
    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: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Patent number: 7620218
    Abstract: A method of tracking a face in a reference image stream using a digital image acquisition device includes acquiring a full resolution main image and an image stream of relatively low resolution reference images each including one or more face regions. One or more face regions are identified within two or more of the reference images. A relative movement is determined between the two or more reference images. A size and location are determined of the one or more face regions within each of the two or more reference images. Concentrated face detection is applied to at least a portion of the full resolution main image in a predicted location for candidate face regions having a predicted size as a function of the determined relative movement and the size and location of the one or more face regions within the reference images, to provide a set of candidate face regions for the main image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Alexei Pososin, Alexandru Drimbarean, Florin Nanu, Stefan Petrescu
  • Patent number: 7619665
    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: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: FotoNation Ireland Limited
    Inventor: Michael J. DeLuca