Image processing to remove red-eye features

• US 20040141657A1
• Filed: 11/20/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pixology Software Limited
• Original Assignee: Pixology Software Limited
• Inventors: Jarman, Nick
• Application Number:
  US10/416,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20040141657A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/275
• 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 2207/30216 Redeye defect
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 Region-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/193 Preprocessing; Feature extraction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/624 Red-eye correction control of camera based on recognised facial parts H04N23/611

Abstract

A method of providing feedback to the viewer of a digital image across which a pointer (7) is movable by the viewer comprises identifying red-eye pixels (10) less than a predetermined distance from the pointer having one or more parameters falling within a predetermined range of values, and determining if each of said red-eye pixels (10) form part of a larger correctable red-eye feature (6). It is then indicated to the viewer that the correctable red-eye feature is present, without the need for any further interaction from the viewer.

Claims

1. A method of providing feedback to the viewer of a digital image across which a pointer is movable by the viewer, the method comprising:

identifying red-eye pixels less than a predetermined distance from the pointer having one or more parameters falling within a predetermined range of values;

determining if each of said red-eye pixels form part of a larger correctable red-eye feature; and

indicating to the viewer that said correctable red-eye feature is present, without any further interaction from the viewer.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the red-eye pixels is carried out every time the pointer is moved.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising identifying the extent of the correctable red-eye feature.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the presence of the correctable red-eye feature is indicated to the viewer by means of an audible signal.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the presence of the correctable red-eye feature is indicated to the viewer by means of a marker superimposed over the red-eye feature.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the marker is larger than the red-eye feature.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein indication to the viewer of the presence of the correctable red-eye feature includes making a correction to the red-eye feature and displaying the corrected red-eye feature.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the indication to the viewer of the presence of a correctable red-eye feature includes changing the shape of the pointer.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step of determining if each of said identified red-eye pixels forms part of a correctable red-eye feature includes investigating the pixels around each red-eye pixel to search for a closed area in which all the pixels have one or more parameters within a predetermined range of values.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein if more than one red-eye pixel is found to belong to the same correctable red-eye feature, only one red-eye feature is indicated to the viewer as being present.

11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more parameters include hue.

12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more parameters include saturation.

13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more parameters include lightness.

14. A method as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the predetermined range of values corresponds to the types of red found in red-eye features.

15. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising correcting the correctable red-eye feature in response to selection by the viewer.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein selection by the viewer comprises a mouse click.

17. Apparatus arranged to perform the method of any preceding claim.

18. A computer storage medium having stored thereon a program arranged when executed on a processor to carry out the method of any of claims 1 to 16.

19. A method as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.