Camera Image Sharing via Viewer Face Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital camera technologies lack convenient and privacy-preserving methods for photographers to share captured images directly with individuals who appear in the images, often requiring manual input of contact information and involving unnecessary labor, especially when multiple recipients are involved.

Innovation Solution

A method that displays captured images on a camera's display, captures a viewer's image while they view the displayed image, compares the two images to identify common features, and selects the image for transmission to the viewer if a strong association is found, allowing for automatic detection of the viewer's identity and contact details for electronic sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input of contact information is used to share images with recipients, then image sharing functionality is achieved, but user labor and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveImage sharing convenienceVSAvoidTime for manual contact input

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs image sharing by capturing the recipient's image, extracting contact information, and transmitting the photo without requiring manual user input. The camera device itself serves the sharing function autonomously once activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-captures contact information by taking a picture of the recipient before the actual image sharing occurs. This preliminary capture of contact details eliminates the need for manual input during the sharing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If images are uploaded to public galleries for sharing, then image accessibility is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveImage accessibilityVSAvoidPrivacy exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary contact information from the captured image and uses it for direct sharing, rather than uploading to public galleries. This extraction approach enables private, direct sharing without public exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the captured image of the recipient as an intermediary to automatically retrieve contact information and facilitate direct sharing, avoiding public gallery uploads while maintaining efficient image distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If face recognition with digital signatures is used to identify recipients, then automatic image sharing is achieved, but training data requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAutomatic image sharingVSAvoidTraining data requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex digital signature-based face recognition with a simpler image capture and contact information extraction approach. This substitution maintains automation while significantly reducing system complexity and training data requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the recognition parameter from complex digital signatures to simpler visual features extractable from captured images, such as facial features or distinctive markers, thereby reducing automation complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If images are transmitted to all recognized faces, then comprehensive sharing is achieved, but unnecessary sharing with unrelated parties occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveImage sharing volumeVSAvoidIncorrect recipient sharing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the captured viewer image to verify the recipient's identity before sharing. By comparing the captured image with stored contact information, the system ensures accurate recipient identification and prevents incorrect sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of sharing with all detected faces, the system performs a verification step to identify only the intended recipient among recognized faces, thereby avoiding excessive sharing with unrelated parties while maintaining comprehensive sharing with correct recipients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9344631B2Method, system and apparatus for selecting an image captured on an image capture device

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 CANON KK

AI summary

A method of selecting an image captured on an image capture device (101) is disclosed. A captured image is displayed on a display (114) associated with the image capture device (101). A viewer image of a viewer viewing the captured image displayed on the display (114) is captured using the image capture device (101). The captured image and the viewer image are compared to identify at least one common feature in the captured image and the viewer image. The captured image is selected if the at least one common feature is identified in both the captured image and the viewer image.