Utilizing autofocus information for image processing in a digital camera

• US 6,727,948 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LUONG TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/112,750
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 348/345, 348/347, 348/352, 348/353, 348/349, 348/355, 348/239, 348/222, 348/207, 348/231.6, 358/909.1, 358/452, 358/453, 382/118, 382/119, 382/140
• US Class Current: 348/345
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/0005 Curl smoothing, i.e. smoothing down corrugated printing material, e.g. by pressing means acting on wrinkled printing material
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 : of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A method of processing a digital image comprising: capturing the image utilizing an adjustable focusing technique; utilizing the focusing settings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image; and processing the image, utilizing the said focus settings to produce effects specific to said focus settings.

Claims

1. A method of generating a manipulated output image by means of a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of:

capturing a focused image using an automatic focusing technique generating focus settings;

storing the focus settings in a memory of the digital camera; and

generating a manipulated output image by applying a digital image manipulating process to the captured focused image, the digital image manipulating process utilizing the stored focus setting, wherein the digital image manipulation process is selected from the group consisting;

(a) appling a face detection algorithm to the captured focussed image, and

(b) producing a painting effect within the captured focussed image.

2. A method of generating a manipulated output image according to claim 1, wherein the stored focus settings include a current position of a zoom motor of the digital camera.

3. A method of generating a digital image according to claim 2, further including the step of printing out the manipulated image by means of a printing mechanism inbuilt into the digital camera.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the digital image manipulating process selectively applies techniques to the focused image utilizing the stored focus settings.