Method of improving image of human face in digital camera

• US 20040130631A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Techwin Corporation (Hanwha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Techwin Corporation (Hanwha Corporation)
• Inventors: Suh, Inh-seok
• Application Number:
  US10/683,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130631A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10024 Color image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20092 Interactive image processing based on input by user
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30201 Face
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/20 using local operators
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/77 Retouching; Inpainting; Scratch removal
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/94 based on local image properties, e.g. for local contrast enhancement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6027 Correction or control of colour gradation or colour contrast H04N1/6058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/628 Memory colours, e.g. skin or sky
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators

Abstract

Provided is a method of improving an image of a face in a digital camera including an image photographing unit, an image signal processing unit, a data storing unit, a recording medium, a operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The image improving method is performed with respect to a block of interest in an image divided into unit blocks of a predetermined size. The method is performed by determining whether there is an instruction to perform a whitening function, marking an area having a predetermined size as a marked block, classifying a face area having the same characteristic as the marked block, and improving the image of a face by detecting and removing spots in the area having the same characteristic as the marked block.

Claims

1. A method for improving an image of a face in a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining whether there is an instruction to perform a whitening function;

(b) marking an area block in the image displayed on the display unit;

(c) classifying a face area having the same characteristic as the marked block; and

(d) detecting and removing at least one spot in the face area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the marked area is predetermined.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the marked block has a rectangular shape.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of:

(c1) calculating an average value of the marked block;

(c2) calculating an average value of at least one block of interest; and

(c3) comparing the average value of at least one block of interest and the average value of the marked block.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the average value comprises at least one brightness component and at least one color component.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the average value comprises one brightness component and two color components.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises the steps of:

(d1) calculating an average value of the marked block;

(d2) calculating an average value of brightness of at least one block of interest;

(d3) comparing the average value of brightness of the at least one block of interest and the average value of brightness of the marked block;

(d4) determining whether a spot exists; and

(d5) removing the detected spot.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein step (d4) further comprises the step of:

if the average brightness value of the at least one block of interest is less than the average brightness value of the marked block by a certain amount, determine that a spot does exist in the block of interest.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein step (d5) further comprises the steps of:

(d5.1) determining the average value of at least one unit block adjacent to the at least one block of interest; and

(d5.2) replacing the at least one block of interest with a unit block having the average value of the adjacent unit blocks.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(e) performing a post-process with respect to at least one image location where a spot is removed.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein step (e) further comprises:

(e1) calculating an average value of at least one face area location in which a spot is removed;

(e2) calculating a difference between the calculated average value of the at least one face area location in which a spot is removed, and a predetermined reference value; and

(e3) adding the difference between the calculated average value of the at least one face area location, and the reference value, to a pixel value of the block of interest.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(f) correcting color of the face with respect to the image location where the spot is removed.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein step (f) further comprises:

(f1) determining whether brightness correction function is selected;

(f2) if brightness correction function is selected, correcting the brightness of the face area;

(f3) determining whether color correction function is selected;

(f4) if color correction function is selected, correcting the color of the face area;

(f5) determining whether additional correction is selected;

(f6) if additional correction is selected, proceeding to step (f1); and

(f6) if additional correction is not selected, storing the corrected image on a recording medium.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein step (f2) further comprises:

(f2.1) displaying a scale showing levels of brightness; and

(f2.2) allowing a user to select at least one of the levels of brightness.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein step (f4) further comprises:

(f4.1) displaying a scale showing levels of color; and

(f4.2) allowing a user to select at least one level of color.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the scale measures the level or red-based color and white-based color.