Method and apparatus for modifying a portion of an image in accordance with colorimetric parameters

• US 20020105662A1
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Patton, David L., Fredlund, John R., Buhr, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,133,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.9
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/735 in dependence upon automatic analysis of the original
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/628 Memory colours, e.g. skin or sky
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/643 Hue control means, e.g. flesh tone control

Abstract

A method and apparatus for modifying images. The method includes the steps of analyzing a digital image file of an image so as to identify at least one predetermined colorimetric parameter; and automatically modifying that portion of said image having said at least one predetermined colorimetric parameter to a second predetermined colorimetric parameter so as to produce a modified digital image.

Claims

1. A method of modifying images, comprising the steps of:

a) analyzing a digital image file of an image so as to identify at least one area representing skin tone of an individual;

b) displaying a plurality of color renditions for said skin tone;

c) selecting a color preference for said identified skin tone, and

d) modifying that portion of said image having said at least one skin tone to said selected color preference for producing a modified digital image.

2. A method according to claim 1 said skin tone is of a particular type.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said skin tone directed to light skinned individuals.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said skin tone directed to dark skinned individuals.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said analyzing is done automatically.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by facial recognition.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by using figure recognition.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by using image segmentation.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein selecting is practiced in a digital camera.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said selected preference is downloaded to computer for implementation.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the number of people in the image is identified and is used to assist in determining areas having said at least one skin tone.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said digital file has been tagged so that a downstream printer does not attempt to modify said at least one area again.

13. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of printing, storing, or otherwise transferring said modified digital image file.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said modified digital image file is printed by a digital printer.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one area is tagged so that a downstream printer does not attempt to modify said at least one area again.

17. A method according to claim 16 said skin tone is of a particular type.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said skin tone directed to light skinned individuals.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said skin tone directed to dark skinned individuals.

20. A method according to claim 16 wherein said analyzing is done automatically.

21. A method according to claim 16 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by facial recognition.

22. A method according to claim 16 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by using figure recognition.

23. A method according to claim 16 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by using image segmentation.

24. A method according to claim 16 wherein selecting is practiced in a digital camera.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein said selected preference is downloaded to computer for implementation.

26. A method according to claim 24 wherein the number of people in the image is identified and is used to assist in determining areas having said at least one skin tone.

27. A method according to claim 16 wherein said at least one area is tagged so that a downstream printer does not attempt to said at least one area again.

28. A method according to claim 16 wherein said digital file tagged so that a downstream printer does not attempt to said at least one area again.

29. A method according to claim 16 further comprising the steps of printing, storing, or otherwise transferring said modified digital image file.

16. A method of modifying images, comprising the steps of:

a) analyzing a digital image file of an image so as to identify at least one area representing a skin tone of an individual; and

b) modifying said at least one area to a pre-selected color preference for producing a modified digital image.

31. A method of modifying images, comprising the steps of:

a) displaying a plurality of color rendition for an identified skin tone;

b) selecting a color preference for said identified skin tone, and

c) applying said color preference to an area of a digital image that has been analyzed as having said identified skin tone.

30. A method according to claim 31 wherein said modified digital image file is printed by a digital printer.

32. A method according to claim 31 said skin tone is of a particular type.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein said skin tone directed to light skinned individuals.

34. A method according to claim 32 wherein said skin tone directed to dark skinned individuals.

35. A method according to claim 31 wherein said analyzing is done automatically.

36. A method according to claim 31 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by facial recognition.

37. A method according to claim 31 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by using figure recognition.

38. A method according to claim 31 wherein said at least one area is within that portion of the image is identified by using image segmentation.

39. A method according to claim 31 wherein selecting is practiced in a digital camera.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein said selected preference is downloaded to computer for implementation.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the number of people in the image is identified and is used to assist in determining areas having said at least one skin tone.

42. A method according to claim 31 wherein said at least one area is tagged so that a downstream printer does not attempt to said at least one area again.

43. A method according to claim 31 further comprising the steps of printing, storing, or otherwise transferring said modified digital image file.

44. A method according to claim 43 wherein said modified digital image file is printed by a digital printer.

45. A method according to claim 31 wherein said digital file area is tagged so that a downstream printer does not attempt to said at least one area again.

46. A computer software product for modifying of digital images such that when loaded on to computer will cause said computer to perform the steps of:

a) analyzing a digital image file of an image so as to identify at least one area representing skin tone of an individual;

b) displaying a plurality of color rendition for said skin tone;

c) selecting a color preference for said identified skin tone, and

d) modifying that portion of said image having said at least one skin tone to said selected color preference for producing a modified digital image.

47. A computer software product for modifying of digital images such that when loaded on to computer will cause said computer to perform the steps of:

a) analyzing a digital image file of an image so as to identify at least one area representing a skin tone of an individual; and

b) modifying said at least one area to a pre-selected color preference for producing a modified digital image.

48. A computer software product for modifying of digital images such that when loaded on to computer will cause said computer to perform the steps of:

a) displaying a plurality of color rendition for an identified skin tone;

b) selecting a color preference for said identified skin tone, and

c) applying said color preference to an area of a digital image that has been analyzed as having said identified skin tone.