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).

  • Image acquisition method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8169486
    Abstract: An image acquisition sensor of a digital image acquisition apparatus is coupled to imaging optics for acquiring a sequence of images. Images acquired by the sensor are stored. A motion detector causes the sensor to cease capture of an image when the degree of movement in acquiring the image exceeds a threshold. A controller selectively transfers acquired images for storage. A motion extractor determines motion parameters of a selected, stored image. An image re-constructor corrects the selected image with associated motion parameters. A selected plurality of images nominally of the same scene are merged and corrected by the image re-constructor to produce a high quality image of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi, Alexandru Drimbarean, Adrian Zamfir, Corneliu Florea
  • Foreground/background segmentation in digital images
    Patent number: 8170350
    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: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Perfecting the effect of flash within an image acquisition devices using face detection
    Patent number: 8160312
    Abstract: Within a digital acquisition device with a built in flash unit, the exposure of an acquired digital image is perfected using face detection in the acquired image is provided. Groups of pixels that correspond to plural images of faces are identified within a digitally acquired image, and corresponding image attributes to the group of pixels are determined. An analysis is performed of the corresponding attributes of the groups of pixels. It is then determined to activate the built-in flash unit based on the analysis. An intensity of the built-in flash unit is determined based on the analysis. Alternatively based on similar analysis, a digital simulation of the fill flash is performed on the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Server device, user interface appliance, and media processing network
    Patent number: 8156095
    Abstract: Components for a control and data processing infrastructure for multiple networked media peripherals are based on chained device connections using a transport-layer independent asymmetric control protocol such as PTP. These components provide a user interface which mirrors the chain of device connections, provides remote access to the media data distributed across said connected devices, can respond to events originating from members of the device chain and enables control and management of the underlying media processing capabilities of the connected devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Face tracking in a camera processor
    Patent number: 8155397
    Abstract: A method operable in a digital image acquisition system having no photographic film is provided. The method comprises receiving a relatively low resolution image of a scene from an image stream, wherein the scene potentially includes one or more faces. At least one high quality face classifier is applied to the image to identify relatively large and medium sized face regions and at least one relaxed face classifier is applied to the image to identify relatively small sized face regions. A relatively high resolution image of nominally the same scene is received and at least one high quality face classifier is applied to the identified small sized face regions in the higher resolution version of said image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin, Mihnea Gangea, Stefan Petrescu, Peter Corcoran
  • Perfecting the effect of flash within an image acquisition devices using face detection
    Patent number: 8155401
    Abstract: Within a digital acquisition device with a built in flash unit, the exposure of an acquired digital image is perfected using face detection in the acquired image is provided. Groups of pixels that correspond to plural images of faces are identified within a digitally acquired image, and corresponding image attributes to the group of pixels are determined. An analysis is performed of the corresponding attributes of the groups of pixels. It is then determined to activate the built-in flash unit based on the analysis. An intensity of the built-in flash unit is determined based on the analysis. Alternatively based on similar analysis, a digital simulation of the fill flash is performed on the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Method of Improving Orientation and Color Balance of Digital Images Using Face Detection Information
    Publication number: 20120075504
    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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Foreground/Background Separation Using Reference Images
    Publication number: 20120069198
    Abstract: A technique involves distinguishing between foreground and background regions of a digital image of a scene. First and second images are captured of nominally a same scene. The first image is a relatively high resolution image taken with the foreground more in focus than the background, while the second image is a relatively low resolution reference image taken with the background more in focus than the foreground. Regions of the captured images are assigned as foreground or background. In accordance with the assigning, one or more processed images are rendered based on the first image or the second image, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi, Adrian Zamfir, Alexandru Drimbarean, Peter Corcoran, Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Capata
  • Real-Time Face Tracking in a Digital Image Acquisition Device
    Publication number: 20120070087
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: DIGITALOPTICS CORPORATION EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Stefan Petrescu, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi, Alexandru Drimbarean
  • Foreground/Background Separation Using Reference Images
    Publication number: 20120069222
    Abstract: A technique involves distinguishing between foreground and background regions of a digital image of a scene. First and second images are captured of nominally a same scene. The first image is a relatively high resolution image taken with the foreground more in focus than the background, while the second image is a relatively low resolution reference image taken with the background more in focus than the foreground. Regions of the captured images are assigned as foreground or background. In accordance with the assigning, one or more processed images are rendered based on the first image or the second image, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: TESSERA TECHNOLOGIES IRELAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi, Adrian Zamfir, Alexandru Drimbarean, Peter Corcoran, Mihai Ciuc, Adrian Capata
  • Real-Time Face Tracking in a Digital Image Acquisition Device
    Publication number: 20120062761
    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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: DIGITALOPTICS CORPORATION EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Mihai Ianculescu, Petronel Bigioi, Mihnea Gangea, Stefan Petrescu, Peter Corcoran, Eran Steinberg
  • Method and apparatus for detection and correction of multiple image defects within digital images using preview or other reference images
    Patent number: 8135184
    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: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky, Petronel Bigioi, Adrian Zamfir, Florin Nanu, Alexandru Drimbarean
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 8131021
    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: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Alexei Pososin, Petronel Bigioi, Mihai Ciuc
  • Digital image processing using face detection information
    Patent number: 8131016
    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: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Digital image processing using face detection information
    Patent number: 8126208
    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: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
    Patent number: 8126218
    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: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe 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: 8126217
    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: April 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Alexei Pososin, Petronel Bigioi, Mihai Ciuc
  • Digital image processing using face detection and skin tone information
    Patent number: 8121430
    Abstract: A technique for processing a digital image uses face detection to achieve one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that corresponds to a face image within the digital image. A skin tone is detected for the face image by determining one or more default color or tonal values, or combinations thereof, for the group of pixels. Values of one or more parameters are adjusted for the group of pixels that correspond to the face image based on the detected skin tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Igor Barcovschi, Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Petronel Bigioi
  • Detecting Red Eye Filter and Apparatus Using Meta-Data
    Publication number: 20120038788
    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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: DIGITALOPTICS CORPORATION EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael J. DeLuca, Yury Prilutsky, Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin
  • Color Segmentation
    Publication number: 20120038787
    Abstract: A method of skin segmentation of a digital image is operable in an acquisition device. An image is acquired. A value indicative of a redness of a pixel of said image is compared with a face skin pixel redness criterion. The pixel is identified as a face skin pixel if said criteron is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: DigitalOptics Corporations Europe Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Petrescu, Mihnea Gangea, Petronel Bigioi, Alexei Pososin, Alex Drimbarean