Digital Image Processing Using Face Detection Information

• US 20100092039A1
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FotoNation Limited (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ireland Limited (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Prilutsky, Yuri, Steinberg, Eran, Bigioi, Petronel, Corcoran, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/72 Combination of two or more compensation controls
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means

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.

Claims

1. A method involving face detection within an acquired digital image, the method comprising:

using an apparatus including a processor configured for image processing;

acquiring a main digital image with the apparatus and automatically identifying a group of pixels that correspond to an image of a face within the main digital image;

generating in-camera, capturing or otherwise obtaining in-camera a collection of low resolution images including said face;

tracking said face within said collection of low resolution images;

determining default values of one or more parameters of said face within said main digital image based on analysis of said collection of low resolution images;

extracting actual values of said one or more parameters of said face within said main digital image based on analysis of said collection of low resolution images; and

analyzing differences between the default values and actual values of the one or more parameters based on said analysis of said collection of low resolution images; and

determining a further action based on the analyzing of said differences.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters include an orientation of said face.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating an operation list for said digital image based on said values of said one or more parameters.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising embedding said operation list within said main digital image.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising maintaining said operation list external to said main digital image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprise color, tone, size, luminance, relative exposure, relative spatial location, tone reproduction, sharpness or focus or combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said collection of low resolution images comprises one or more thumbnail views or a contact sheet or both.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying in preview said one or more thumbnail views or said contact sheet or said collection of low resolution images including said face, or combinations thereof.

9. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied thereon, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method involving face detection within a digital image, the method comprising:

on an apparatus including a processor configured for image processing, acquiring a main digital image and automatically identifying a group of pixels that correspond to an image of a face within the main digital image;

generating in-camera, capturing or otherwise obtaining in-camera a collection of low resolution images including said face;

tracking said face within said collection of low resolution images;

determining default values of one or more parameters of said face within said main digital image based on analysis of said collection of low resolution images;

extracting actual values of said one or more parameters of said face within said main digital image based on analysis of said collection of low resolution images;

analyzing differences between the default values and actual values of the one or more parameters based on said analysis of said collection of low resolution images; and

determining a further action based on the analyzing of said differences.

10. The one or more storage devices of claim 9, wherein the one or more parameters include an orientation of said face.

11. The one or more storage devices of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises creating an operation list for said digital image based on said values of said one or more parameters.

12. The one or more storage devices of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises embedding said operation list within said main digital image.

13. The one or more storage devices of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises maintaining said operation list external to said main digital image.

14. The one or more storage devices of claim 9, wherein the one or more parameters comprise color, tone, size, luminance, relative exposure, relative spatial location, tone reproduction, sharpness or focus or combinations thereof.

15. The one or more storage devices of claim 9, wherein said collection of low resolution images comprises one or more thumbnail views or a contact sheet or both.

17. A digital image acquisition device, comprising a lens and an image sensor for acquiring digital images, a processor, and one or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied thereon, said processor readable code for programming said processor to perform a method involving face detection within a digital image, the method comprising:

acquiring a main digital image and automatically identifying a group of pixels that correspond to an image of a face within the main digital image;

generating in-camera, capturing or otherwise obtaining in-camera a collection of low resolution images including said face;

tracking said face within said collection of low resolution images;

determining default values of one or more parameters of said face within said main digital image based on analysis of said collection of low resolution images;

extracting actual values of said one or more parameters of said face within said main digital image based on analysis of said collection of low resolution images;

analyzing differences between the default values and actual values of the one or more parameters based on said analysis of said collection of low resolution images; and

determining a further action based on the analyzing of said differences.

16. The one or more storage devices of claim 19, the method further comprising displaying in preview said one or more thumbnail views or said contact sheet or said collection of low resolution images including said face, or combinations thereof.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the one or more parameters include an orientation of said face.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises creating an operation list for said digital image based on said values of said one or more parameters.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises embedding said operation list within said main digital image.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises maintaining said operation list external to said main digital image.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the one or more parameters comprise color, tone, size, luminance, relative exposure, relative spatial location, tone reproduction, sharpness or focus or combinations thereof.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein said collection of low resolution images comprises one or more thumbnail views or a contact sheet or both.

24. The device of claim 23, the method further comprising displaying in preview said one or more thumbnail views or said contact sheet or said collection of low resolution images including said face, or combinations thereof.