Digital image processing using face detection information

• US 7,809,162 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2008
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FotoNation Limited (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: FotoNation Vision Limited (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Steinberg, Eran, Prilutsky, Yury, Bigioi, Petronel, Corcoran, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Seth; Manav
• Application Number:
  US12/262,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20090087042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382115-118, 382/254, 382/274, 348/61, 348/68, 348 77- 78, 348/143, 348/152, 348/155, 348/158, 348/169, 348/207.99, 3482201-2291
• 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 of processing a digital image using face detection within said image to achieve one or more desired image processing parameters, comprising:

on an apparatus including a processor configured for image processing, acquiring a digital image and automatically identifying a group of pixels that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image, including initially failing to identify said group of pixels as corresponding to said face, and one or both of adjusting a sensitivity or threshold of face detection;

designating said group of pixels corresponding to said face with a weight based on size, location, relative exposure or detection assurance, or combinations thereof, of said face within said digital image;

determining default values of one or more parameters of at least some portion of said digital image;

adjusting values of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of said digital image including said image of said face, said weight, and said default values; and

receiving and executing a command to remove a false indication of said face or another face within the image based on an indication that the apparatus has automatically falsely identified said group or another group of pixels as being a face, or adding an indication of at least one other face within the image, or both, based on said one or both of adjusting sensitivity or threshold of face detection.

2. The method of claim 1, the digital image comprising a digitally-acquired image.

3. The method of claim 2, the face pixels identifying step being automatically performed by an image processing apparatus, the method further comprising manually adding an indication of at least one other face within the image.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a decision for processing said digital image based on said face detection, the decision being performed manually.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a decision for adjusting values of the one or more parameters, the decision being automated.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising a decision for adjusting values of the one or more parameters, the decision being performed manually.

7. The method of claim 1, the method being performed within a digital acquisition device.

8. The method of claim 1, the face pixels identifying step being automatically performed by an image processing apparatus, the method further comprising manually verifying correct detection of at least one face within the image.

9. The method of claim 1, the digitally-detected image comprising a digitally-captured image.

10. 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 of processing a digital image using face detection in said image to achieve a desired image processing parameter, the method comprising:

on an apparatus including a processor configured for image processing, acquiring a digital image and automatically identifying a group of pixels that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image, including initially failing to identify said group of pixels as corresponding to said face, and one or both of adjusting a sensitivity or threshold of face detection;

designating said group of pixels corresponding to said face with a weight based on size, location, relative exposure or detection assurance, or combinations thereof, of said face within said digital image;

determining default values of one or more parameters of at least some portion of said digital image;

adjusting values of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of said digital image including said image of said face, said weight, and said default values; and

receiving and executing a command to remove a false indication of said face or another face within the image based on an indication that the apparatus has automatically falsely identified said group or another group of pixels as being a face, or adding an indication of at least one other face within the image, or both, based on said one or both of adjusting sensitivity or threshold of face detection.

11. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the digital image comprising a digitally-acquired image.

12. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the method further comprising manually deciding processing of said digital image based on said face detection.

13. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the method further comprising an automated decision for adjusting values of the one or more parameters.

14. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the method further comprising manually deciding adjusting values of the one or more parameters.

15. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the method being performed within a digital acquisition device.

16. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the face pixels identifying step being automatically performed by an image processing apparatus, the method further comprising manually adding an indication of at least one other face within the image.

17. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the face pixels identifying step being automatically performed by an image processing apparatus, the method further comprising manually verifying correct detection of at least one face within the image.

18. The one or more storage devices of claim 10, the digitally-detected image comprising a digitally-captured image.

19. A portable digital image acquisition device including a lens and an image sensor for acquiring a digital image, and a processor for performing image processing on the digital image, and one or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied thereon, said processor readable code for programming the processor to perform a method of processing the digital image using face detection in said image to achieve a desired image processing parameter, the method comprising:

on an apparatus including a processor configured for image processing, acquiring a digital image and automatically identifying a group of pixels that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image, including initially failing to identify said group of pixels as corresponding to said face, and one or both of adjusting a sensitivity or threshold of face detection;

designating said group of pixels corresponding to said face with a weight based on size, location, relative exposure or detection assurance, or combinations thereof, of said face within said digital image;

determining default values of one or more parameters of at least some portion of said digital image;

adjusting values of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of said digital image including said image of said face, said weight, and said default values; and

receiving and executing a command to remove a false indication of said face or another face within the image based on an indication that the apparatus has automatically falsely identified said group or another group of pixels as being a face, or adding an indication of at least one other face within the image, or both, based on said one or both of adjusting sensitivity or threshold of face detection.

20. The device of claim 19, the digital image comprising a digitally-acquired image.

21. The device of claim 19, the method further comprising manually deciding processing of said digital image based on said face detection.

22. The device of claim 19, the method further comprising an automated decision for adjusting values of the one or more parameters.

23. The device of claim 19, the method further comprising manually deciding adjusting values of the one or more parameters.

24. The device of claim 19, the method being performed within a digital acquisition device.

25. The device of claim 19, the face pixels identifying step being automatically performed by an image processing apparatus, the method further comprising manually adding an indication of at least one other face within the image.

26. The device of claim 19, the face pixels identifying step being automatically performed by an image processing apparatus, the method further comprising manually verifying correct detection of at least one face within the image.

27. The device of claim 19, the digitally-detected image comprising a digitally-captured image.