IP Library Granted Patent US 8,135,184
Granted Patent B2
US 8,135,184 · App. 13/113,648 · Granted Mar 13, 2012

Method and apparatus for detection and correction of multiple image defects within digital images using preview or other reference images

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,135,184
App. No.
13/113,648
Granted
Mar 13, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image acquiring one or more preview or other reference images without a flash. Any red regions that exist within the one or more reference images are determined. A main image is acquired with a flash of approximately a same scene as the one or more reference images. The main image is analyzed to determine any candidate red eye defect regions that exist within the main image. Any red regions determined to exist within the one or more reference images are compared with any candidate red eye defect regions determined to exist within the main image. Any candidate red eye defect regions within the main image corresponding to red regions determined also to exist within the one or more reference images are removed as candidate red eye defect regions.

Claims (47)

1. A portable image acquisition and processing device which automatically detects and corrects face region defects within digital images, comprising a processor, image sensor and lens to acquire digital images, and a memory having code embedded therein for programming the processor to perform a multiple image defect detection and correction method that comprises:

using the processor, image sensor and lens to acquire and process a main digital image;

applying an analysis filter to one or more preview or other reference images of approximately a same scene as said main digital image;

interpreting results of the applying said analysis filter;

determining an optimal correction strategy for application to the main digital image based on the interpreting;

determining an optimal combination of corrective image processing and filter adaptation based on the strategy; and

correcting multiple image defects based on said applying said analysis filter in accordance with said optimal combination, including detecting and correcting one or more defects within a specific region of interest within said digital image.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:

obtaining a subsampled version of the main digital image;

detecting an image defect within said subsampled version of said digital image; and

correcting a corresponding image defect within said digital image.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the subsampled version of the main digital image comprises a different resolution than the main digital image.

4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the subsampled version of the main digital image comprises a same resolution as the main digital image.

5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the obtaining said subsampled version of the main digital image comprises subsampling luminance and chrominance data.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the analysis filter comprises an analysis prefilter applied before detecting said specific region of interest.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein said correcting said multiple image defects is performed prior to detecting said specific region of interest.

8. One or more processor-readable media having code embedded therein for programming a processor to perform a multiple image defect detection and correction method that comprises:

applying an analysis filter to one or more preview or other reference images of approximately a same scene as a main digital image;

interpreting results of the applying said analysis filter;

determining an optimal correction strategy for application to the main digital image based on the interpreting;

determining an optimal combination of corrective image processing and filter adaptation based on the strategy; and

correcting multiple image defects based on said applying said analysis filter in accordance with said optimal combination, including detecting and correcting one or more defects within a specific region of interest within said digital image.

9. The one or more processor-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

obtaining a subsampled version of the main digital image;

detecting an image defect within said subsampled version of said digital image; and

correcting a corresponding image defect within said digital image.

10. The one or more processor-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the subsampled version of the main digital image comprises a different resolution than the main digital image.

11. The one or more processor-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the subsampled version of the main digital image comprises a same resolution as the main digital image.

12. The one or more processor-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the obtaining said subsampled version of the main digital image comprises subsampling luminance and chrominance data.

13. The one or more processor-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the analysis filter comprises an analysis prefilter applied before detecting said specific region of interest.

14. The one or more processor-readable media of claim 8 , wherein said correcting said multiple image defects is performed prior to detecting said specific region of interest.

15. A method of detecting and correcting multiple image defects within a digital image, comprising:

using the processor, image sensor and lens to acquire and process a main digital image;

applying an analysis filter to one or more preview or other reference images of approximately a same scene as a main digital image;

interpreting results of the applying said analysis filter;

determining an optimal correction strategy for application to the main digital image based on the interpreting;

determining an optimal combination of corrective image processing and filter adaptation based on the strategy; and

correcting multiple image defects based on said applying said analysis filter in accordance with said optimal combination, including detecting and correcting one or more defects within a specific region of interest within said main digital image.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

obtaining a subsampled version of the main digital image;

detecting an image defect within said subsampled version of said digital image; and

correcting a corresponding image defect within said digital image.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the subsampled version of the main digital image comprises a different resolution than the main digital image.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the subsampled version of the main digital image comprises a same resolution as the main digital image.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the obtaining said subsampled version of the main digital image comprises subsampling luminance and chrominance data.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the analysis filter comprises an analysis prefilter applied before detecting said specific region of interest.

21. The method of claim 15 , wherein said correcting said multiple image defects is performed prior to detecting said specific region of interest.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2023
From: ADEIA GUIDES INC.; ADEIA IMAGING LLC; ADEIA MEDIA HOLDINGS LLC; ADEIA MEDIA SOLUTIONS INC.; ADEIA SEMICONDUCTOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES INC.; ADEIA SEMICONDUCTOR BONDING TECHNOLOGIES INC.; ADEIA SEMICONDUCTOR INC.; ADEIA SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS LLC; ADEIA SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ADEIA SOLUTIONS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063529/0272 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 3, 2014
From: DIGITALOPTICS CORPORATION EUROPE LIMITED
To: FOTONATION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034524/0693 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 2, 2011
From: TESSERA TECHNOLOGIES IRELAND LIMITED
To: DIGITALOPTICS CORPORATION EUROPE LIMITED
Reel/Frame 027164/0840 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2011
From: STEINBERG, ERAN; BIGIOI, PETRONEL; CORCORAN, PETER; DRIMBAREAN, ALEXANDRU; NANU, FLORIN; ZAMFIR, ADRIAN; PRILUTSKY, YURY
To: FOTONATION IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026325/0113 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 23, 2011
From: FOTONATION IRELAND LIMITED
To: TESSERA TECHNOLOGIES IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026326/0883 →