Abstract: An image sensor generates an image signal with a differential response to image light. The image sensor has an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites. A limiter provides the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure. The standard photosites and nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample the array in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: In a method and system for correcting redeye in a digital image of a human, a defect pair separation is measured. The members of the defect pair are each redeye defects in the image. Each defect has one or more pixels. The defects are adjusted, that is, retained unchanged or reduced in size to provide adjusted defects. The adjustment can follow growth of initial seed defects. The adjustment is responsive to the defect pair separation and can include trimming of pixels beyond a size limit calculated using the defect pair separation. Following the adjustment, the color of the adjusted defects is changed to reduce redeye.

Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor, where the lenses have different focal lengths. A processing stage uses the sensor output from one of the imaging stages as the captured image signal and uses the images from both imaging stages to generate a range map identifying distances to the different portions of the scene.

Abstract: A method of processing an image to form an image pyramid having multiple image levels includes receiving a base level image comprising pixel values at pixel locations arranged in rows and columns; determining sample locations for a next level image in the pyramid such that the sample locations are arranged in a regular pattern and the sample locations exceed the range of the pixel locations of the base level image; determining the pixel values of the next level image by interpolating the pixel values of the base level image using an interpolation filter at the sample locations; and treating the next level image as the base level image and repeating steps of determining sample locations and pixel values until a predetermined number of pyramid image levels are generated, or until a predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image captured by a camera includes providing an ambient air measuring device associated with the camera; using the ambient air measuring device to measure air attributes at substantially the time the digital image was captured; determining a transform for modifying the digital image from the measured air attributes; and applying the transform to the digital image to produce an improved digital image.

Abstract: A method of establishing a connection between two image collections, the method includes providing a first image collection from a first user; providing a second image collection from a different second user; analyzing the first and second image collections to produce a similarity score between the first and second image collections; and establishing a link for sharing images or collection data between the first and second users based on the similarity score.

Abstract: In methods and systems for classifying capture records, such as images. A collection of capture records is provided. Each capture record has metadata defining a map location. This metadata can be earlier determined from a stream of data transmissions, even if there are gaps in transmission. The provided capture records are clustered into groups based on capture locations. A map, inclusive of the capture locations, is segmented into a plurality of regions based on relative positions of the capture locations associated with each group. The regions are associated with the capture records of respective groups.

Abstract: An image sensor generates an image signal with a differential response to image light. The image sensor has an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites. A limiter provides the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure. The standard photosites and nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample the array in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method of determining the orientation of a scanned digital image having an image side and a non-image side, includes scanning a hardcopy medium to produce a scanned digital image; scanning the non-image side of the hardcopy medium; detecting handwritten annotations in either the scanned digital image or the scan of the non-image side of the hardcopy medium; determining handwritten annotation features related to the handwritten annotations; using the annotation orientation features to determine the orientation of the scanned digital image; and storing the determined orientation of the scanned digital image

Abstract: A method of determining the image capture date of scanned hardcopy medium, includes scanning hardcopy medium that includes at least one index print(s) to produce scanned digital images; detecting one or more index prints from among the scanned digital images; identifying thumbnail images contained within the one or more index prints; determining an image capture date for each index print and associating the image capture date with the thumbnail image(s) contained within that index print; matching a scanned digital image to a thumbnail image from the one or more index prints; associating the date from the thumbnail image to the scanned digital image that matches the thumbnail image; and storing the date in association with the scanned digital image that matches the thumbnail image.

Abstract: A method of determining the image capture date of a scanned hardcopy medium having an image side and a non-image side, includes scanning the hardcopy medium to produce a scanned digital image; detecting handwritten annotations in the scanned digital image of the hardcopy medium; and using the handwritten annotations to determine the image capture date of the hardcopy medium by analyzing the handwritten annotations to identify names of people and associated ages; providing the names and lifespan information for a set of persons likely to appear in the hardcopy medium; and using the identified names of people and the associated ages along with the lifespan information to determine the image capture date.

Abstract: An image sensor generates an image signal with a differential response to image light. The image sensor has an array of photosites divided into standard photosites and non-standard photosites. A limiter provides the standard photosites with a predetermined standard response to a light exposure and the non-standard photosites with a predetermined slower response to the same light exposure. The standard photosites and nonstandard photosites both sparsely sample the array in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image, including the steps of: assigning belief values to pixels in the digital image, wherein the belief values are proportional to a belief that the pixels are associated with human skin; calculating a brightness adjustment amount based on a statistic of the pixels with belief values exceeding a threshold and the assigned belief values of the pixels; and applying the brightness adjustment amount to the digital image to produce a processed digital image having improved overall brightness.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image captured by a camera includes providing an ambient air measuring device associated with the camera; using the ambient air measuring device to measure air attributes at substantially the time the digital image was captured; determining a transform for modifying the digital image from the measured air attributes; and applying the transform to the digital image to produce an improved digital image.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image to produce an improved digital image, includes receiving the digital image captured with a camera; determining a first vanishing point associated with the digital image; determining a second vanishing point associated with the digital image corresponding to a direction orthogonal the first vanishing point; determining a transform for modifying the digital image based on the first vanishing point and the second vanishing point; and applying the transform to the digital image to produce an improved digital image.

Abstract: A method of identifying at least one particular person of interest in a collection of digital images taken over time, includes providing the collection of digital images with each digital image containing one or more persons; storing in a digital database an appearance model having a set of features associated with the particular person of interest and a prior probability of the person of interest appearing in images by a particular photographer; and comparing the appearance model with features extracted from the digital images in the collection of digital images and using the prior probability and the appearance model to determine if the particular person of interest is in one or more digital images in the collection of digital images.

Abstract: In an image enhancement method, a regular enhancement function and an aggressiveness parameter are computed using characteristics of a digital image. A first, relatively slow enhancement algorithm is applied to the digital image using the regular enhancement function, when an aggressiveness parameter is in a predetermined high range. A second, relatively fast enhancement algorithm is applied to the digital image using the regular enhancement function, when an aggressiveness parameter is in a predetermined low range. A modified enhancement function is calculated using characteristics of the digital image and is used with a second, relatively fast enhancement algorithm, when the aggressiveness parameter is in a predetermined medium range.

Abstract: A method of categorizing the relationship of individuals from a collection of photos taken in multiple sets of events includes: searching the photo collection to identify individuals in the photo collection, determining the gender and age range of the identified individuals; and using the identified individuals, their occurrences and co-occurrences, their gender, and their ages to infer social relationships between the individuals based on a set of rules.

Abstract: A method of grouping images captured in a common location, including receiving a collection of images; classifying the images into a set of events, where each image in the collection belongs to no more than one event; analyzing background region(s) of images from each event to determine one or more features that represent the event; and comparing features from at least two events to determine which events occurred in a common location.

Abstract: Pre-image-acquisition information is obtained by a digital camera and transmitted to a system external to the digital camera. The system is configured to provide image-acquisition settings to the digital camera. In this regard, the digital camera receives the image-acquisition settings from the external system and performs an image-acquisition sequence based at least upon the received image-acquisition settings. Accordingly, the determination of image-acquisition settings can be performed remotely from the digital camera, where data-processing resources can greatly exceed those within the digital camera.