Patents by Inventor Eran Steinberg

Eran Steinberg 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).

  • Face tracker and partial face tracker for red-eye filter method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8520093
    Abstract: An image acquisition device includes a flash and optical system for capturing digital images. A face tracker identifies face regions within a series of one or more relatively low resolution reference images, and predicts face regions within a main digital image. A face analyzer determines one or more partial face regions within the one or more face regions each including at least one eye. A red-eye filter modifies an area within the main digital image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon based on an analysis of one or more partial face regions within the one or more face regions identified and predicted by the face tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Alexei Pososin, Petronel Bigioi, Alexandru Drimbarean, Stefan Petrescu, Mihnea Gangea, Adrian Capata, Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Zamfir
  • Image processing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8515138
    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 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Real-time face tracking with reference images
    Patent number: 8509496
    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: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigiol, Alexei Pososin, Alexandru Drimbarean, Florin Nanu, Stefan Petrescu
  • Real-time face tracking in a digital image acquisition device
    Patent number: 8509498
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for tracking faces in an image stream iteratively receives an acquired image from the image stream including one or more face regions. The acquired image is sub-sampled at a specified resolution to provide a sub-sampled image. An integral image is then calculated for a least a portion of the sub-sampled image. Fixed size face detection is applied to at least a portion of the integral image to provide a set of candidate face regions. Responsive to the set of candidate face regions produced and any previously detected candidate face regions, the resolution is adjusted for sub-sampling a subsequent acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Petrescu, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi, Alexandru Drimbarean
  • Digital image processing using face detection information
    Patent number: 8498452
    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: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe 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: 8498446
    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: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Red-eye filter method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8493466
    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: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Michael J. DeLuca
  • Method of notifying users regarding motion artifacts based on image analysis
    Patent number: 8494300
    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: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Face detection in mid-shot digital images
    Patent number: 8494286
    Abstract: A method for detecting a face in a mid-shot digital image of a person comprises capturing first and second mid-shot digital images of nominally the same scene using different capture settings such that the foreground is differently differentiated from the background in each image, and comparing the first and second images to determine the foreground region of the images. A portion of the foreground region likely to correspond to a face is estimated based upon the geometry of the foreground region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Capata, Vlad Poenaru, Eran Steinberg
  • Detecting red eye filter and apparatus using meta-data
    Patent number: 8493478
    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: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Michael J DeLuca, Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin
  • Image processing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8494232
    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 analyzed 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 analyzed 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: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Method of determining PSF using multiple instances of a nominally similar scene
    Patent number: 8494299
    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: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Method and apparatus of correcting hybrid flash artifacts in digital images
    Patent number: 8422780
    Abstract: A method for digital image eye artifact detection and correction include identifying one or more candidate red-eye defect regions in an acquired image. For one or more candidate red-eye regions, a seed pixels and/or a region of pixels having a high intensity value in the vicinity of the candidate red-eye region is identified. The shape, roundness or other eye-related characteristic of a combined hybrid region including the candidate red-eye region and the region of high intensity pixels is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the eye-related characteristic of the combined hybrid region, it is determined whether to apply flash artifact correction, including red eye correction of the candidate red-eye region and/or correction of the region of high intensity pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Capata, Florin Nanu, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran
  • Real-time face tracking in a digital image acquisition device
    Patent number: 8422739
    Abstract: A database includes an identifier and associated parameters for each of a number of faces to be recognized. A new acquired image from an image stream is received potentially including one or more face regions. Face detection is applied to at least a portion of the acquired image to provide a set of candidate face regions each having a given size and a respective location. Using the database, face recognition is selectively applied to at least one of the candidate face regions to provide an identifier for a face recognized in a candidate face region. A portion of the image is stored including the recognized face in association with at least one image of the image stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Mihai Ianculescu, Petronel Bigioi, Mihnea Gangea, Stefan Petrescu, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Image processing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8417055
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing image processing. For one embodiment of the invention, an image processing apparatus is arranged to process a first relatively underexposed and sharp image of a scene, and a second relatively well exposed and blurred image, nominally of the same scene, the first and second images being derived from respective image sources. The apparatus provides a portion of the relatively first underexposed image as an input signal to an adaptive filter; and a corresponding portion of the second relatively well exposed image as a desired signal to the adaptive filter. The adaptive filter produces an output signal from the input signal and the desired signal; and an image generator constructs a first filtered image from the output signal, relatively less blurred than the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Felix Albu, Eran Steinberg, Alexandru Drimbarean, Corneliu Florea, Adrian Zamfir, Peter Corcoran, Vlad Poenaru
  • Detecting orientation of digital images using face detection information
    Patent number: 8391645
    Abstract: A method of automatically establishing the correct orientation of an image using facial information. This method is based on the exploitation of the inherent property of image recognition algorithms in general and face detection in particular, where the recognition is based on criteria that is highly orientation sensitive. By applying a detection algorithm to images in various orientations, or alternatively by rotating the classifiers, and comparing the number of successful faces that are detected in each orientation, one may conclude as to the most likely correct orientation. 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 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Leo Blonk, Mihnea Gângea, Constantin Vertan
  • Classification and Organization of Consumer Digital Images Using Workflow, and Face Detection and Recognition
    Publication number: 20130050460
    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 extracted 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: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky, Petronel Bigioi, Mihai Ciuc, Stefanita Ciurel, Constantin Vertan
  • Face tracking for controlling imaging parameters
    Patent number: 8385610
    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 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi
  • Detecting red eye filter and apparatus using meta-data
    Patent number: 8379117
    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: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Michael J DeLuca, Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin
  • Red-Eye Filter Method and Apparatus
    Publication number: 20130033624
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Michael J. DeLuca